What’s Important Now: Davis Makes Early Case

Spring Game 3: Orioles 3, Rays 1

Wade Davis began his case for the fifth starting spot with a strong outing yesterday. Davis pitched two shutout innings, allowing only one hit and striking out one. Davis will look to keep this up and avoid being sent to the bullpen at the beginning of the season. Cesar Ramos backed up Davis, pitching a shutout frame. Alex Cobb struggled a bit, going 1.1 innings and allowing one earned on three hits. Matt Bush continued to impress, going one inning and allowing only a walk.

On offense, the Rays were stagnant, as we have seen in past seasons. They were only able to muster one hit before the ninth-a Ben Zobrist opposite field double. In the ninth Jeff Salazar got a hit, scoring the Rays only run. Stephen Vogt drove him in with a double.

Spring Game 4: Twins at Rays 

Time: 1:05

TV: MLB Network

Pitchers: Rays-  Jeff Niemann, Jhonny Nunez, Ricky Orta, Ryan Reid, Wilking Rodriguez, Albert Suarez, Marquis Fleming

Twins- Scott Baker, Brian Duensing, Glen Perkins, Matt Capps, Phil Dumatrait, Matt Maloney, Daryl Thompson, Jeff Gray

Jeff Niemann is the only Major League pitcher that we will get a look at today, but it is still a very important start for Niemann, considering the great outing Wade Davis had yesterday. We will also get a good look at some of the Rays minor league depth in this one.

Rays News and Notes

• Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that Rays starter Alex Cobb is just happy to have made it to the mound yesterday. The results weren’t great, but it was good to see him back on the hill after he suffered a season-ending injury last season.
• Gary Shelton of theTimes takes a look at Luke Scott beyond his polarizing opinions. Scott has said some things that have been a bit radical, but in truth he should be a great addition to the Rays for 2012.
• Topkin has an injury update for us. He says Carlos Pena should make his spring debut today against the Twins. Evan Longoria will not be back until Thursday at the earliest.
• Fox Sports Florida takes a look at the Rays support of USF Bulls basketball. The Rays wore Bulls t-shirts yesterday during batting practice in support of their journey to the NCAA Tournament.