Rays planning to use 4-man rotation for 2018 season
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Rays intend to use a four-man rotation while filling a fifth starter's role with a combination of multi-inning relievers this season.
Manager Kevin Cash delivered the surprising news Wednesday, saying the club thinks it has enough pitching depth to make the plan work long-term.
"We're going to schedule in a bullpen day as our fifth starter," Cash said, noting the Rays will "learn a lot in the first six weeks" while determining whether it's feasible to try to stick with a four-man rotation for an entire season.
The projected rotation currently features Chris Archer, Nathan Eovaldi, Blake Snell and Jake Faria.
The group of potential multi-inning relievers who'll be considered for "bullpen day" roles include Matt Andriese, Yonny Chirinos and Anthony Banda.
"It's a reflection of who we have available," Cash said. "We feel like we have a lot of good pitchers."
