Pitcher Niemann Disappointed By Demotion

ST. PETERSBURG - As the pitcher with the least experience of those vying for a rotation spot, it wasn't necessarily a surprise that RHP Jeff Niemann didn't make the cut, but he probably did enough this spring to get the first call when the Rays need a starter.

The 25-year-old former first-round draft pick was optioned to Durham on Saturday as the Rays set their starting rotation. Coming off his first full season in the minors, Niemann pitched well this spring, with a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings.

"He's starting to get it, and heads-up when he does, because he's going to be very good," Rays manager Joe Maddon said Saturday. "Throwing the ball down in the zone a lot better, we've talked about that. The sharpness of the breaking ball. I think he has very good mound composure already. If he can get a little consistent roll in Triple-A and there's a need, he could be very interesting."

Niemann was disappointed Saturday but said he has plenty to build on, especially coming off a 2007 season in which he stayed healthy and pitched effectively at Durham. He said he feels as good now as he has since undergoing shoulder surgery in October 2005.

"At this point this year I feel a lot better about where I'm at than at any point last year," he said. "It feels a lot more natural, and I'm not searching for things, that's the biggest thing. I have a plan of attack, and I have keys that I can go back to and make adjustments, whereas last year I was kind of throwing it and hoping for the best."

SOGGY AGAIN: The weather again got the best of the Rays, who had a home game canceled because of rain for the second time this spring. The Rays and Pirates had completed two innings Saturday when umpire crew chief Jerry Crawford gestured for the tarp, and the game was called within a half-hour.

Among the relievers who didn't get a chance to pitch Saturday, Troy Percival and Al Reyes will instead throw today against the Reds, while Trever Miller, Dan Wheeler and Gary Glover will work in minor-league games.

Fans holding tickets to Saturday's game can apply the value of those tickets to one of the two remaining home spring training games or to a 2008 regular-season game. Exchanges can be made in advance at the Tropicana Field box office during regular business hours or at the Progress Energy Park box office on home game days.

BACK TO NORMAL: The Rays trotted out a lineup nearly devoid of regulars Saturday but will go all-out today against Reds RHP Johnny Cueto, a flame-throwing 21-year-old who has been the talk of the Grapefruit League.

Maddon said CF B.J. Upton (bruised left triceps) and 2B Akinori Iwamura (lower back stiffness) would be back in the lineup today at Sarasota and would be joined by LF Carl Crawford, 1B Carlos Pena, SS Jason Bartlett and C Dioner Navarro.

INJURY UPDATES: LHP Scott Kazmir said he's "on the way to getting back on the mound," but there was no further word about when that might occur. ... Three players who had missed several days with various injuries were in the starting lineup Saturday: C Shawn Riggans, 3B Willy Aybar and 2B Andy Cannizaro. ... OF John Rodriguez, who left Friday night's game when he was hit by a pitch in the right forearm, also started Saturday, wearing a protective guard on his arm.

NOTEWORTHY: LHP David Price left his minor-league start Thursday with elbow stiffness. He will see team orthopedist Koco Eaton in the next few days but it is not believed to be serious. ... The Rays' coaches and front office met after Saturday's game, but Maddon earlier in the day said he didn't necessarily think the biggest unsettled issue - 3B Evan Longoria's status - would be resolved by the end of the weekend. ... In addition to the Niemann move, the Rays also reassigned C Hector Gimenez to minor-league camp. He is expected to open the season at Durham.

Marc Lancaster