Joe Maddon names Tampa Rays' starting rotation

The Tampa Rays revealed their starting rotation Wednesday naming James Shields, David Price and Jeremy Hellickson as the starters (in that order) for the first three regular season games beginning Friday, April 6th at home against the Yankees.

Matt Moore and Jeff Niemann, the last two in the rotation, will make their season debuts at Detroit in the Rays second series.

In naming the starters, Rays manager Joe Maddon said he and his staff took into consideration the entire month of April and not just the opening day.

The difference from last year is that Moore, who was brought up last September, replaces last year's starter Wade Davis, who has been relegated to the bullpen. Davis has expressed disappointment about not being part of the rotation, but has vowed to pitch strong.

Hellickson throws two innings in spring debut

On a unseasonably cold and windy day in their spring home opener in Port Charlotte, the Rays drew some cheers in the top of the first inning when shortstop Sean Rodriguez made a nice backup stab of a grounder and first baseman Matt Mangini made a similar nice back-handed scoop on his throw.

Jeremy Hellickson made his spring training debut and surprised the crowd when he came out to throw the second inning. The right hander threw 22 pitches (16 for strikes), allowed one hit and hit a batter.