APRIL 15, 2021 • MLB.COM
JOSH FLEMING #28 - PITCHER - PITTSBURGH PIRATES
1-1 W-L •
1.53 WHIP •
4.02 ERA
1-1 W-L
1.53 WHIP
4.02 ERA
Rays waste strong start from Fleming After going down swinging on a low sinker from Rangers reliever John King to end the sixth inning, Brandon Lowe slammed his bat into the dir...
On tap for traditional start The Rays recalled Fleming from their alternate training site Wednesday.
Impact Fleming will slot into Tampa Bay's rotation for Wednesday's game against the Rangers as a replacement for Chris Archer (forearm), who was placed on the 10-day injured list over the weekend. As a rookie last season, the 24-year-old southpaw worked as a traditional starter and as a bulk reliever, but manager Kevin Cash suggested that Fleming would fill the former role Wednesday. According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Cash said Fleming is built up to handle five or six innings, so if he's performing well, the southpaw should be able to pitch at least half the game before turning things over to the bullpen.
APRIL 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Rays bring Fleming into pitching mix As they did late last August, the Rays are calling upon left-hander Josh Fleming to help stabilize a pitching staff plagued by injuries. Tam...
APRIL 13, 2021 • MLB.COM
In line to pitch Wednesday The Rays plan to recall Fleming from their taxi squad to start or serve as a bulk reliever Wednesday against the Rangers, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Impact Fleming will fill the rotation spot that opened up when Chris Archer (forearm) was placed on the 10-day injured list over the weekend. Whether he works as a starter or a reliever, Fleming will be in line to cover the majority of the innings for the Rays on Wednesday, giving him the most realistic chance of factoring into the decision. He posted an impressive 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over his seven outings as a rookie in 2020, but a 1.4 HR/9 and 13.8 K-BB% suggest he wasn't quite as dominant as that ERA would indicate.
APRIL 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Candidate for rotation fill-in Fleming is considered the most likely option among pitchers at the Rays' alternate training site to take the injured Chris Archer's (forearm) place in the rotation, Adam Berry of M...
Impact Fleming was nearly unhittable in Grapefruit League play after posting a 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across his first 32.1 big-league innings last season, making five starts among his seven appearances during the latter span. The southpaw therefore seemingly has the qualifications to temporarily step into a rotation role, albeit one that could be of relatively short duration if the recent news that Archer may not miss much time holds true.
APRIL 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Rays option trio; OD roster takes shape The Rays all but officially set their Opening Day roster on Sunday morning by sending three pitchers to Minor League camp. Tampa Bay optione...
MARCH 28, 2021 • MLB.COM
Rays send down Josh Fleming in shaping final roster Trevor Richards and Chris Mazza are also are optioned to the minors as the emphasis for now appears to be on short-stint relievers.
MARCH 28, 2021 • TAMPABAY.COM
Misses out on Opening Day roster Fleming was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact The 24-year-old made his major-league debut last season and impressed with a 2.78 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB over 32.1 innings, but he won't begin 2021 in the big leagues. The move isn't performance related, as Fleming gave up only three hits with an 8:1 K:BB over 8.2 innings during spring training. The young southpaw should receive a starting opportunity for the Rays this season, but he'll open the campaign in the minors.
MARCH 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Strong late push for spot Fleming recorded five strikeouts over 3.2 scoreless innings in a Grapefruit League win over the Red Sox on Friday, allowing a hit and a walk while hitting a batter.
Impact The southpaw kept his spring ERA unblemished in another impressive outing, his fourth overall in exhibition play. Fleming now has an 8:1 K:BB and .107 BAA across 8.2 Grapefruit League frames, and although manager Kevin Cash isn't committing to any final decisions on his roster just yet, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports the 24-year-old has certainly put his best foot forward in the Rays' skipper's eyes. "He works so fast. He just attacks the zone. His stuff's good. He can really pitch," Cash said. "See how this shakes down here in the next couple days, certainly, but he's made every strong impression possible."
MARCH 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Red Sox lefty Rodriguez scratched for opener with 'dead arm'
Boston Red Sox lefty Eduardo Rodriguez will have to wait a little longer before returning to a big league moundMARCH 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Fleming eyes roster spot; bats break out With his performance last year and over the past month, Josh Fleming has certainly given the Rays plenty to think about as Opening Day draws...
MARCH 26, 2021 • MLB.COM
Looks good while notching win Fleming, who was credited with the win in a Grapefruit League victory over the Pirates on Wednesday, was particularly effective during his one clean inning, Adam Berry of MLB.com r...
Impact Fleming has already been praised by manager Kevin Cash this spring for his competitiveness, and the left-hander impressed with his play last season while managing a 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over his first 32.1 innings of big-league action. He's seemingly on track to open the season in a bullpen role again, and he flashed his ability to avoid hard contact with his sinker by inducing weak contact on a pop-up and a groundout before getting the same-handed Tony Wolters on a called third strike.
MARCH 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Focused on improving cutter, curve Fleming focused on improving both his cutter and curveball this offseason and is looking forward to working in multiple roles again if asked, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. "I'm ex...
Impact The southpaw, which manager Kevin Cash remarked Friday "competes as well as anybody in the organization", was impressive working in a starting/bulk-reliever role in 2020, finishing the campaign with a 5-0 record, 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across seven appearances (five starts). Given the premium Cash places on flexibility with his pitching staff, Fleming is aiming to make himself even more indispensable by enhancing his pitch arsenal and is looking to break camp with a chance at once again serving as a jack-of-all-trades of sorts during the coming season, with potential starting opportunities certainly in play given the turnover of the rotation this offseason.
FEBRUARY 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Bullpen saved: Dodgers keep Jansen and Co. fresh for Game 2
Kenley Jansen, Blake Treinen and Brusdar Graterol should be fresh for Game 2 of the World Series after watching the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 8-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in the...OCTOBER 21, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kershaw, LA stars shine, Dodgers top Rays 8-3 in WS opener
Clayton Kershaw, Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers left the Tampa Bay Rays stuck in neutral to open a surreal World SeriesOCTOBER 21, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Latest: Kershaw, Dodgers take Game 1 over Rays
Clayton Kershaw pitched six dominant innings, Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts homered and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-3 to open a surreal World Series played...OCTOBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Phillips, Sherriff added for Series by Rays; No LA changes
Outfielder Brett Phillips and left-hander Ryan Sherriff have been added to the Tampa Bay Rays’ roster for the World SeriesOCTOBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Inside the stable: A primer on the Rays' fearsome bullpen
The Tampa Bay Rays' bullpen has no thoroughbreds, no All-Stars, no big-money headlinersOCTOBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rays include McClanahan, Choi, Diaz on wild card roster
Rookie left-hander Shane McClanahan was a surprise addition to the 28-man roster the Tampa Bay Rays announced for the AL first-round series against the Toronto Blue JaysSEPTEMBER 29, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Improves to 5-0 with strong outing Fleming (5-0) tossed six scoreless innings to pick up the win Sunday against the Phillies, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out six.
Impact It marked the longest outing of the season for the southpaw, who has served as both a starter and long reliever this season. His six punch outs marked a season high. Fleming finishes the regular season with a perfect 5-0 record to go along with a strong 2.78 ERA. It's unclear when Fleming may pitch next, but he should figure into Tampa Bay's postseason plans in some form.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Phillies eliminated from race by AL East champion Rays, 5-0
Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies were eliminated from the playoff race with a 5-0 loss to rookie pitcher Josh Fleming the AL East champion Tampa Bay RaysSEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nola, Phillies to face Fleming, Rays
The Phillies will start Aaron Nola on Sunday and the Rays are expected to counter with Josh FlemingSEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rays beat Philadelphia 4-3, hurt Phillies' playoff hopes
Mike Zunino, Brandon Lowe and Willy Adames each hit a run-scoring single with two outs in the fifth inning as the AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays beat Philadelphia 4-3 Saturday nig...SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Remains unbeaten on season Fleming (4-0) was credited with the win in a victory over the Mets on Monday, allowing an earned run on three hits and a walk over three innings while recording two strikeouts. He...
Impact The southpaw functioned as the bulk reliever Monday, following opener Pete Fairbanks and Ryan Thompson, who covered the first 2.2 innings between them. Fleming threw 22 of 32 pitches for strikes, and although he allowed the Mets' only run of the night in the form of a Jeff McNeil infield single, he was credited with the win when a trio of his bullpen mates subsequently kept New York off the scoreboard. Fleming had a rough start to September while allowing seven earned runs on 13 hits and two walks across 9.1 innings to the Marlins and Red Sox, but he's bounced back to yield just Monday's run over the 6.2 frames encompassing his last two trips to the mound.
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Mariners beat Astros 6-1, help Athletics claim AL West title
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
