Tampa Bay Rays Grades: Assessing early season performance from position groups

Bullpen Pitching: D+

As it stands, the Tampa Bay bullpen has the fourth worst ERA in baseball, sitting at 5.15. They are also tied with the Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates for the most blown saves this season at eight.

Big time closer Pete Fairbanks recently went on the Injured List for the Rays due to a nerve issue. Although news has been hopeful for him, he started very poorly with a 9.00 ERA, and that has been brutal in hurting the Rays' chances of holding late leads.

He is not alone. Colin Poche, Jacob Waguespack, Phil Maton, and Chris Devenski have all had high ERAs, which have hurt. Pitchers like Poche and Maton have been put in high-leverage situations, and it has cost the Rays deeply.

The bullpen has been the largest concern for Tampa Bay. Addressing the problems there may be what the Rays need going forward.