Rays preparing to use 4-man pitching rotation

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."

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