Jeff Niemann improved to 8-2 on the year by allowing four runs over 6 1/3 innings in a win over the Yankees on Saturday.

Niemann got the win thanks to some fantastic run support, but it was the first time he had allowed more than three earned runs in a start since June 13 against the Marlins. All told, he gave up six hits -- including two home runs -- while walking four and striking out six. Niemann spoiled fantasy owners in the first half, but he has looked like a sell high for quite a while now. His ERA still stands at a very impressive 2.92, but don't be surprised if he spends most of the second half north of 3.00.

Jeff Niemann won't have any restrictions when he starts Saturday.

The big right-hander had to leave his last start early due to back tightness, but he and the coaches are convinced he's fine, so he'll have no pitch count or innings limit. "As far as I know, he's going to be fine," manager Joe Maddon said.

Jeff Niemann (back) was cleared to make his next scheduled start against the Yankees on Saturday after throwing a successful bullpen session Thursday.

As expected. Niemann left last Sunday's start against the Indians due to back stiffness, but he appears to be good to go for Saturday.

Jeff Niemann (back) expects to make his next scheduled start against the Yankees on Saturday.

Niemann left Sunday's start against the Indians due to back stiffness, but is already feeling better. He was scheduled to throw a bullpen session Thursday.

Rays starter Jeff Niemann left Sunday's game early with back stiffness.

Niemann was pulled only five innings and 70 pitches into a decent outing. It was merely a cranky back, and Niemann says he will be fine.

Jeff Niemann allowed only one unearned run over six innings while improving to 7-2 as the Rays topped the Red Sox 3-2 on Tuesday night.

What a season he's having. The outstanding performance lowers Niemann's ERA to 2.65, and opposing batters are hitting just .216 against him. He had delivered a quality start in each of his past three starts but had failed to pick up a win in any of them; tonight the Rays finally gave him enough support for the victory.

Jeff Niemann allowed only one earned run in 7 1/3 innings on Friday but the Rays were no-hit by Diamondbacks starter Edwin Jackson.

Niemann was great, striking out eight batters and surrendering only six hits, but he was out-dueled by Jackson, who tossed his first career no-hitter against a tough Tampa lineup. The right-handed Niemann is now 6-2 on the season with a 2.72 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. His strikeout rate has been adequate as well.

Jeff Niemann allowed five runs and nine hits over 6 1/3 innings Tuesday but took the no-decision in a 7-6 Rays victory.

Niemann was lucky to remain at 5-0. He left with a two-run deficit but was bailed out when Kevin Gregg suffered a massive implosion in the ninth, allowing four runs. He entered with a 2.37 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, but struggled against the powerful Blue Jays. He locks horns with Toronto again next time out, so we'll see if he learned anything.

Jeff Niemann improved to 5-0 on Thursday after holding the White Sox to one earned run over eight impressive innings.

The big man fanned five batters and allowed only three hits, lowering his ERA to 2.37 and his WHIP to 1.05 in the Rays' 5-1 victory over Chicago. Niemann obviously warrants ownership in most fantasy formats.

Jeff Niemann allowed two runs and four hits over seven innings Saturday as the Rays beat the Astros.

Grant Balfour and Rafael Soriano finished the five-hitter in the 4-2 victory. Niemann has been outstanding, recording eight straight quality starts since leaving his first outing of the year with an injury. The solo homer he gave up to Lance Berkman tonight was the first he had allowed in five starts.

Jeff Niemann allowed three runs over six-plus innings as part of a no-decision against the Indians on Monday night.

Save for his injury-shortened start in his season debut on April 8, it was his shortest start this season, but it still counts for his seventh straight "Quality Start." Niemann has been getting extremely lucky on balls in play thus far, but he surrendered a season-high 10 hits on Monday night. Fortunately for him, the light-hitting Indians didn't do much with it. We're not sure how much longer it can last, but Niemann still sits among the league leaders with a 2.54 ERA.

Jeff Niemann moved to 3-0 by allowing two runs over 7 1/3 innings Tuesday versus the Angels.

Niemann has turned in six straight quality starts since getting hurt in the second inning of his season debut. He has a 2.27 ERA and a sparkling 1.01 WHIP.

Jeff Niemann blanked the Mariners for seven innings as the Rays won 8-0 on Thursday to finish off an easy three-game sweep in Seattle.

The Rays have baseball's best record at 21-7. Niemann has turned in four straight quality starts since getting hurt and leaving his April 8 outing in the second inning. The Mariners picked up just four hits against him tonight.

Jeff Niemann tossed 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball, but took a no-decision against the Royals on Friday.

Nieman held the Royals scoreless until a game-tying ground-rule double by Jose Guillen in the seventh. It's a shame, because it spoiled a pretty solid effort. He gave up just three hits while walking four and striking out three. Niemann now has a 2.78 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over his first five starts. He makes for a great play against the light-hitting Mariners next week.

Jeff Niemann fanned eight batters over 6 2/3 innings Saturday as the Rays defeated the Blue Jays 9-3.

The Rays are by far baseball's hottest team and sit comfortably atop the American League East standings with a 13-5 record. Niemann surrendered three earned runs and was left with a no-decision, but it's easy to look past such things when the strikeout count is so high. He has a 1.05 WHIP.

Jeff Niemann pitched seven innings of two-run ball for the win as the Rays completed a four-game sweep in Boston on Monday.

Incredibly, the Red Sox went the entire series without getting a hit with a man in scoring position. Their two runs today came on Jeremy Hermida's homer with Bill Hall on first. Niemann allowed five hits, walked three and struck out four for his first victory. He'll get the Blue Jays next.

Jeff Niemann allowed three earned runs over seven innings Tuesday in a no-decision outing against the Orioles.

The Rays were able to escape with an extra-innings victory thanks to their middle-of-the-order power. Niemann wasn't great, but he was coming off a bruised shoulder and still managed to throw 104 pitches and 67 of them were strikes. He's in line to face the Red Sox next week.

Jeff Niemann (shoulder) has been cleared to start Tuesday against the Orioles.

Nimeann was pulled in the second inning last Thursday after being hit with a line drive in the upper right arm. But he threw a bullpen session over the weekend and has been given the go-ahead by team trainers. "I'm just anxious to get back out there," Niemann said. "Hopefully I can last a little longer than 1 1/3.

Jeff Niemann told the St. Petersburg Times that his bullpen session Sunday was fine and that he is "good to go" for his next start.

Niemann suffered a bruised shoulder after getting drilled with a line drive in Thursday's game against the Orioles. But he's ready for Tuesday and shouldn't see any ongoing issues stemming from this injury.

Jeff Niemann told the St. Petersburg Times that his bruised shoulder felt better than he thought it would during a game of catch Saturday.

"It felt a lot better today," Niemann told the Times. "Today was the best marked improvement I've felt over the course of the two days. It's good, I was able to move it around, get the blood flowing." Niemann will have a bullpen session on Sunday, which should give us a better idea if he'll make his next start.