Niemann Labors Through His Stint

BRADENTON - Unlike his competitors for the final two spots in the Rays' rotation, Jeff Niemann has no major-league track record.

Because the Rays prefer not to make decisions based solely on spring training performance, that lack of experience may require Niemann to do a bit more than Andy Sonnanstine, Jason Hammel, Edwin Jackson and J.P. Howell to win a job over the next few weeks. That makes each Grapefruit League inning that much more valuable to the 25-year-old right-hander, who worked a scoreless frame Sunday against the Pirates.

"There's only so many times you're going to be able to get out there and show what you can do," said Niemann, "so you want to make the most of every chance you get and not waste any."

On that front, Sunday was a mixed bag. Scheduled to throw two innings, Niemann was limited to one because he needed 33 pitches to work through the bottom of the first. He didn't allow a run but got deep in counts with batters, walking one.

"It was like I was either painting the black or we were missing by a mile," he said. "But that's OK. I know what I need to work on and I did it today. I've just got to be more consistent with it, that's the biggest thing."

Niemann is under orders from the Rays to pound his fastball down in the strike zone. If he can do that and spot his curveball and slider, Manager Joe Maddon said, "This guy could be a total impact pitcher."

"If we can get this guy to throw the ball consistently down in the zone, he's going to come very quickly regardless of experience or not," Maddon said. "He creates such a strong angle and a difficult angle for hitters to face; once we get him to that point consistently, he's going to take off."

Consistency will be the determining factor for Niemann, and he knows it.

"It's just a matter of finding that delivery, finding that mechanical motion and repeating that," he said. "I know what it feels like - I felt it today. I've just got to go out there in my next bullpen and really hammer that home and not try to make a better pitch. After a pitch you made that was good, on the black, you don't need to make a better one. I need to keep it under control and go out there and pitch and trust my stuff."

RED CROSS REPORT: LHP Scott Kazmir (strained elbow) has moved into the second phase of his rehab now that the stiffness is mostly out of his elbow. He's working with head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield to simulate the throwing motion and should be back to playing catch within two or three days, according to Maddon. ... LHP David Price (shoulder stiffness) threw an eight-minute bullpen session Sunday morning at Progress Energy Park and told pitching coach Jim Hickey he felt "normal." Price may see game action by the end of the week. ... LHP Brian Anderson (elbow surgery) threw a bullpen session of about 45 pitches and may get in a game as early as Wednesday. ... SS Reid Brignac (broken toe) could make an appearance off the bench today. If not, his spring debut should come within a day or two. ... Rocco Baldelli will serve as the DH on Tuesday and possibly play in the outfield for the first time Thursday or Friday. ... IF Joel Guzman suffered a bruised left ring finger when hit by a pitch Sunday. He's day-to-day. ... OF Jonny Gomes cut the bridge of his nose sliding headfirst into third Sunday but stayed in the game.

NOTEWORTHY: The Rays (3-0) matched their best spring start, established in 2000. ... CF B.J. Upton was the offensive star for the Rays on Sunday, posting a double, a two-run triple and a walk in three trips. ... Dioner Navarro saw his first action of the spring, coming on as the DH and going 1-for-2 with a walk and a single. ... Closer Troy Percival is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday. ... Rays minor-league pitchers and catchers will hold their first workout today at the Naimoli Complex. ... The Twins plan to start Gibbs High product Boof Bonser in Tuesday's game at Progress Energy Park.

Marc Lancaster