Rays to Make Decision Soon: Jeff Niemann or Roberto Hernandez ?

Jeff Niemann worked an efficient six innings  against the Toronto Blue Jays in his last start of the spring allowing two hits, no runs and striking out three, ahead of a decision that the Tampa Bay Rays will make about their fifth starter to start the season.

The loser of the Hernandez-Niemann competition is expected to be used as a long man out of the bullpen unless a trade is made. The  decision should be made Thursday or Friday.

Yesterday Roberto Hernandez pitched six innings of his own, surrendering 11 hits and nine runs,  walking one and striking out one against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Manager Joe Maddon chose to take the positive route in evaluating the performance. “There was a lot of balls on the ground, I thought the ball looked alive from the side and he was really pitch efficient, which is important,” Maddon said. “With our regular season defense in the right spot it could be good. So I was not discouraged at all.”

Hernandez  was signed to a one-year deal worth $3.25 million and incentives worth  $1.85 million in hopes that he could recapture the form that led him to a 19-8 record in 2007, with a 3.06 ERA over 215 innings.

Niemann had periods of dominance in 2009 when he went 13-6 with a 3.94 ERA but his consistency has declined ever since. While Neiman improved his spring ERA to 2.92  the velocity on his fastball has been down from his usual 92-93 mph range  down into the mid-80s. Reportedly Niemann hit 87 today in Port Charlotte.

Tampa Bay It appears bent on choosing Hernandez  and his penchant for getting ground ball outs.  While it’s easy to say that Niemann looked better today then Hernandez did yesterday the decision won’t be based on those two starts.  That’s not the Rays way.

Both pitchers have had periods of inconsistency this spring and it will get down to which has the better chance of regaining their former glory.  For what it’s worth the guy that I think should have gotten the job was reassigned to Durham earlier this month. Look for Chris Archer to have an impact at the major-league level before the middle of summer.

More Rays News:  The Rays swapped minor-league arms today  trading  for Steve Geltz  of the Los Angeles Angels for right-hander Dane De La Rosa. Geltz, 25, appeared in two games with the Angels last season. He posted a 3.05 ERA and 70 strikeouts over 59 innings between the Double-A and Triple-A levels, and will begin the 2013 regular season at Triple-A Durham. The team relocated from Port Charlotte today after the game back to Tropicana Field.