Jeff Niemann allowed four runs on six hits and three walks over 7 1/3 innings in Monday's loss to the Tigers.

Niemann had to be stellar to beat Verlander and he was far worse than that. Coming into the game, he boasted a 2.15 ERA in 10 starts since coming back from the disabled list in mid-June. Niemann will attempt to get back on track in Toronto this weekend.

Jeff Niemann tossed a gem Tuesday, limiting the Red Sox to two runs on just three hits and a walk while striking out 10 in a 6-2 win.

The big right-hander served up a pair of solo shots but was otherwise in complete control. He's now allowed just the two runs over 17 innings against Boston this season and boasts a 2.15 ERA in 10 starts since coming back from the disabled list in mid-June. Niemman will try to keep the good times rolling next week against the Tigers.

Jeff Niemann picked up a sixth straight win Thursday by holding the Royals to one run in 6 1/3 innings.

Niemann gave up nine hits, but all were singles, and the Rays won 4-1 despite being outhit 11-7. Niemann improved to 7-4 with a 3.43 ERA. He'll have a tougher assignment next week in Boston. He shut out the Red Sox for eight innings in his lone start against them this season, but that was at home. He has an 8.31 ERA in two career starts at Fenway.

Jeff Niemann came within one out of his first complete game of the season on Friday, allowing four runs on seven hits in Tampa Bay's 8-4 victory over the A's.

Niemann allowed just two runs through his first eight innings of work, but served up a solo home run to Hideki Matsui and RBI triple to Cliff Pennington before getting yanked with two outs in the ninth. Nevertheless, he struck out eight in what was another solid start. Now the owner of a 3.58 ERA and 1.22 WHIP, he'll get the Royals at home his next time out.

Jeff Niemann struck out 10 over eight scoreless innings against the Red Sox on Sunday night.

Niemann's previous season high for strikeouts in 10 starts this season was six. This makes three straight exceptional efforts from him, as he's lowered his ERA from 5.58 to 3.94. Mixed leaguers should probably go ahead and pick him up after this one.

The Yankees couldn't get much going against Jeff Niemann Thursday, as the big right-hander held them to one run on six hits and two walks over 7 1/3 innings in a 5-1 win.

He struck out four, with the lone tally coming on a Robinson Cano solo homer. Given the competition, it's probably Niemann's best start of the season, and he's now surrendered just two runs over his last two outings. He's been much improved since coming off the DL, with the lone poor start actually coming against the lowly Astros. He'll take a 4.53 ERA and 1.42 WHIP into the break.

Jeff Niemann limited the Cardinals to one run in six innings Saturday in a 5-1 victory.

Niemann allowed nine hits and walked two, but he did well in damage control and was backed by solid defensive play. The tall right-hander finished with five strikeouts and will carry a 3-4 record and 5.05 ERA into his next start against the Yankees.

Jeff Niemann lasted just three innings in Sunday's win over the Astros, giving up five earned runs.

Making his second start since coming off the disabled list, Niemann (back) was ripped for seven hits while striking out just two today. He struggled last year after suffering a shoulder strain, so pitching through injuries is a concern here. Wait to see if Niemann can prove his health before giving him a look.

Jeff Niemann scattered four hits across six scoreless innings of work on Monday evening, improving to 2-4 in Tampa Bay's 8-4 win over the Brewers.

Making his first start since May 4, Niemann struck out five and walked three in lowering his ERA from 5.74 to 4.82. Shaky before landing on the disabled list, hopefully a healthy Niemann will equal an effective Niemann.

Jeff Niemann (back) confirmed that he will rejoin the rotation next Monday against the Brewers.

Niemann pronounced himself "ready to go" after tossing 5 1/3 scoreless innings for Triple-A Durham Tuesday. He'll replace Alex Cobb in the rotation. The big right-hander held a 5.74 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over six starts before landing on the disabled list.

Jeff Niemann (back) tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings Tuesday in his final minor league rehab start with Triple-A Durham.

Niemann gave up just three hits while walking three and striking out four. He threw 60 out of 92 pitches for strikes. Rays manager Joe Maddon has indicated that Niemann could be activated from the disabled list to start Monday against the Brewers.

Jeff Niemann (back) allowed four runs on seven hits over four innings Wednesday as he continued his minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham.

Niemann struck out four, walked none and uncorked two wild pitches. He threw 46 out of 68 pitches for strikes. Niemann, who went on the DL with a lower back strain last month, is scheduled for one more rehab start before potentially rejoining the Rays on June 18.

Jeff Niemann (back) tossed four shutout innings Friday in his first minor league rehab start with High-A Charlotte.

Niemann allowed only one hit while striking out four and walking none. He threw 55 pitches, so he will need a couple more starts to build his workload. Look for him to rejoin the Rays before the end of the month.

Jeff Niemann (back) threw a bullpen session Friday.

It's a nice step, but Rays manager Joe Maddon said there's no timetable for the big right-hander's return. He'll likely need to get in a few more bullpen sessions before a rehab assignment can be scheduled. We're probably looking at a mid-June return at the earliest.

The Rays are likely to place Jeff Niemann on the disabled list within the next few days.

Niemann was lifted from his Wednesday outing against the Blue Jays with back tightness and underwent an MRI Thursday morning. He shouldn't miss more than two weeks.

Jeff Niemann underwent an MRI on his back Thursday morning.

Niemann left Wednesday's start after four innings due to back tightness and said Thursday that it was "still pretty sore." The Rays haven't made a roster move yet, but they could bring back Alex Cobb to take his place in the starting rotation.

Jeff Niemann exited his start Wednesday after four innings due to back tightness.

His removal is considered precautionary. Niemann wasn't pitching too well before leaving, giving up three runs on six hits over the four frames, with two of the runs come on an Adam Lind home run. His next start is scheduled to come next week against the Indians, but we'll have to see how he feels.

Jeff Niemann held the Twins hitless for six innings and wound up allowing one run on two hits and a walk in the 6-1 win over the Twins.

He struck out a pair of batters. Niemann was cruising until the seventh, when Denard Span broke up his no-hitter with a leadoff single and then came home on a two-out hit by Justin Morneau. It was against the punchless Twins, but it was an incredibly encouraging outing from the right-hander, as he came into the start with a 7.08 ERA. The ERA is now down to 5.60, while his WHIP sits at a respectable 1.35. Niemann will face the Blue Jays the next time he toes the rubber.

Jeff Niemann was blasted for six runs -- five earned -- on six hits and two walks over just 4 2/3 innings in Thursday's loss to the White Sox.

Niemann appeared to make some strides in his last outing, but he took a big step backwards in this one. Though he has a respectable 15/6 K/BB ratio over 20 1/3 innings, his ERA is now up to 7.08 and WHIP to 1.67. The big right-hander has been woeful dating back to the second half last season and can't be counted on in fantasy leagues right now. He'll face the Twins the next time out.

Jeff Niemann allowed three runs over seven innings in a no-decision Saturday against the Twins.

Niemann scattered eight hits -- including a solo home run to Jason Kubel -- while fanning six, throwing a wild pitch and walking just one. He was in line for the loss before the Rays' late-inning heroics, but this is a step in the right direction considering he had an 8.31 ERA through his first two turns in the rotation. He'll get the White Sox next week.