Rays set starters, demote Niemann

The Rays set their starting rotation at today's game and right-hander Jeff Niemann won't be part of it. Niemann is being sent to the minor leagues, though he allowed just two runs in 12 innings this spring. Tampa Bay, with Scott Kazmir hurting, will go with the rotation of Jamie Shields, Matt Garza and Andy Sonnanstine, with Edwin Jackson and Jason Hammel in the final two spots.

The move pretty much sets the top three four spots in Durham's rotation with Niemann, Mitch Talbot, Chris Mason and Jae Kuk Ryu. You could easily envision a Jake McGee-Wade Davis-James Houser triumvirate atop Montgomery's staff and David Price-Heath Rollins-Jeremy Hellickson at Vero.

Monday update: Jae Kuk Ryu is still a starter and should be in Durham's rotation.