Jeff Niemann (blister) completed a bullpen session Sunday and is slated to return to game action on Wednesday.

Niemann did have his blister covered up for the session, but he won't be needed for a start until April 11 or 12 and is expected to be fine by then. The tall right-hander won the No. 5 spot in the rotation over Wade Davis.

Jeff Niemann confirmed the blister to his right middle finger will not cause him to miss his first regular season start.

Niemann isn't scheduled to make his first start until April 11 or 12 so the Rays don't anticipate it being an issue. Wade Davis will continue to act as a long reliever and be used as a backup plan if he experiences a setback.

Jeff Niemann has been scratched from his scheduled start Saturday due to a blister.

Niemann beat out Wade Davis for the final spot in the Rays rotation, but it's unclear if this might affect his status for his first outing or if the team is just playing it safe. We'll update his status when more is known.

The Rays announced Tuesday that Jeff Niemann will open the year as their fifth starter.

He beat out Wade Davis for the job this spring. Niemann, a former first-round pick, registered a cool 4.06 ERA and 105/37 K/BB ratio in 135 1/3 innings last season for Tampa Bay and should hold some fantasy value in deeper mixed leagues. Davis will act as a long reliever in the Rays' bullpen.

Jeff Niemann picked up his first win of the spring after allowing two runs in five innings against the Twins on Monday.

Niemann struck out five. This performance, on the heels of Wade Davis' shaky outing yesterday, may well clinch the fifth spot in Tampa Bay's rotation for Niemann. He has a 4.05 ERA this spring.

Jeff Niemann allowed three runs on four hits over five innings Wednesday in a minor league game.

Rays' manager Joe Maddon used Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees to give his relievers some work, so Niemann went over to the minor league side. It was a pretty so-so performance in comparison to Wade Davis, who allowed one run over five innings against the Marlins on Tuesday, but we still think Niemann is the favorite for the fifth spot in the Rays' rotation.

Jeff Niemann gave up four runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings Friday in a loss to Toronto.

Niemann was singled to death, giving up seven of them along with a lone double. He struck out three and walked none in the game. Niemann looks like the favorite to serve as the Rays' fifth starter, with Wade Davis likely going to the pen.

Jeff Niemann was perfect for three innings Sunday in the Rays' 4-3 defeat of the Pirates.

Niemann has outpitched Wade Davis so far and might now have the edge for the fifth spot in Tampa Bay's rotation. Part of the thinking there is that Davis, with his more durable arm, might be more useful out of the pen than Niemann would be.

Rays RHP Jeff Niemann lost his arbitration hearing and was awarded a $2.75 million salary for 2012.

Niemann was looking for a $3.2 million payday, but the Rays won again, running their arbitration streak to 6-0 overall and 5-0 under executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. The big right-hander looks to be competing with Wade Davis for the final spot in the Rays rotation this spring, assuming one of the two isn't traded.

The Rays and Jeff Niemann had an arbitration hearing on Thursday.

Niemann, who is arbitration-eligible for the first time, requested $3.2 million and was offered $2.75 million from the Rays when salary figures were exchanged last month. The three-person panel of arbitrators is expected to pick one salary or the other by Friday.

Jeff Niemann's arbitration hearing is Thursday.

Niemann requested $3.2 million and was offered $2.75 million from the Rays when arbitration figures were exchanged earlier this month. The two sides have a few more days to negotiate toward a middle ground.

Jeff Niemann requested $3.2 million and was offered $2.75 million from the Rays when arbitration figures were exchanged Tuesday.

Niemann is arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason. The 28-year-old right-hander has a 4.16 ERA over his first four seasons in the majors. We suspect they'll ultimately settle somewhere around $3 million.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Jeff Niemann was left off the ALDS roster because his back is "not quite 100 percent."

The Rays and Niemann had been downplaying the righty's back ailment, but it's clear he hasn't been himself recently. Niemann said that he plans to be ready for the ALCS if the Rays make it, but with how Matt Moore looked in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Rangers, Niemann seems likely to come back in a bullpen role, if at all.

During a radio appearance Thrusday, Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey reportedly said that Jeff Niemann will start Game 1 of the ALDS against the Rangers on Friday.

However, the Rays have yet to make an official announcement. Even if Niemann gets the start, you can bet Wade Davis and/or Matt Moore will be available if he gets into any early trouble. Look for James Shields to start Game 2.

Jeff Niemann returned to action on Saturday September 24.

Jeff Niemann was pushed back from Thursday's start due to soreness in his upper back.

Niemann has had back issues before, missing six weeks earlier this season with a lower-back strain. He says his back didn't bother him during his start last week, but that it stiffened up on him the next day. Niemann insists he'll be fine to start Saturday, though. "I'm going out there, period," Niemann said. "That's gonna happen."

Jeff Niemann gave up two runs over five innings in a win over the Red Sox on Saturday.

Niemann gave up four hits (three of them singles) and walked two while striking out six. He was pulled after throwing 56 out of 89 pitches for strikes. Niemann now has a 1.64 ERA and 26/5 K/BB ratio in three starts against the Red Sox this season. Things could change depending upon Wednesday's doubleheader, but he currently projects for a start against the Blue Jays next week.

Jeff Niemann allowed just two runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings on Monday, improving to 10-7 in Tampa's 5-2 win over the Orioles.

Niemann struck out five and walked two in his first quality start in three outings. Now the owner of a 3.97 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 99/33 K/BB ratio through his first 129 1/3 innings of work, Niemann will make his biggest start of the season on Saturday when he takes on the Red Sox in Boston.

Jeff Niemann didn't have the good stuff Thursday, getting torched for five runs on six hits and two walks over five innings in a loss to the Rangers.

He struck out two. Two innings haunted Niemann, as the Rangers got to him with four hits and three runs in the third and then added a pair of solo shots in the fifth. It's easily his worst outing in two months, as he came into tonight with a sparkling 2.26 ERA since the beginning of July. Given the tough opponent, we'll forgive him for the hiccup. Niemann will carry a 3.69 ERA and 1.20 WHIP into a rematch with the Rangers next week.

Jeff Niemann yielded three runs over 6 1/3 innings in a 6-5 win over the Blue Jays on Saturday.

The outing broke a string of 11 consecutive starts of seven innings or more by Rays' starters. Niemann allowed five hits and two walks while striking out six. He is now 8-1 with a 2.57 ERA over 12 starts since returning from the disabled list in June. He'll get the Rangers next week.