JOSH FLEMING NEWS

Nearing rehab outings Fleming (elbow) is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend in the Florida Complex League, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact He'll go around two innings the first time out and build up from there. On the shelf since early June due to a nagging left elbow issue, Fleming looks poised to return to a swingman role with the Rays before the end of July.

JULY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Playing catch again Fleming (elbow) resumed playing catch last week, MLB.com reports.

Impact When Fleming initially landed on the 15-day injured list June 2 with left elbow soreness, the Rays had feared that the southpaw could be a candidate for season-ending surgery. Fortunately for Fleming, a follow-up MRI revealed only cartilage damage and inflammation, as his left elbow was deemed to be structurally sound. He'll ultimately be sidelined until at least late July after he was moved to the 60-day IL, but since he's already throwing again, Fleming looks as though he'll have a chance at being ready for activation when first eligible.

JUNE 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't require elbow surgery Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters before Friday's game versus San Diego that Fleming will not need to undergo surgery on his left elbow, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times...

Impact "We'll be able to get a ball in [Fleming's] hands," Cash said. Fleming is currently on the 60-day injured list after an MRI revealed a cartilage buildup, but the southpaw won't need to undergo an operation, and he could be back pitching with the Rays in the back of their rotation by the end of July.

JUNE 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shifts to 60-day injured list Fleming (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Impact Fleming hit the 15-day injured list with what was initially called left elbow soreness on June 2, but an MRI revealed cartilage build-up on his elbow bone as well as inflammation, issues which will evidently take at least two months to recover from. Fleming wasn't all that impressive prior to his injury, recording a 4.62 ERA and an 11.6 percent strikeout rate, but his 48.2 innings ranked third on the team, so the Rays will have to fill those innings somehow.

JUNE 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Awaiting MRI results Fleming (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday, is awaiting the results of an MRI, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The 27-year-old was scheduled to start in Saturday's doubleheader but landed on the shelf with left elbow soreness Friday. Fleming's return timeline could come into focus once the results of the MRI are known.

JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on IL with elbow soreness Fleming was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with left elbow soreness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Fleming was scheduled to start one of the two games of Tampa Bay's doubleheader against the Red Sox on Saturday, but that won't happen now. The left-hander will miss at least two weeks while recovering, and the Rays will announce a corresponding move before Saturday's twin billing. Trevor Kelley will be an opener in Fleming's place Saturday against Boston.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hit hard in no-decision Fleming did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing 10 runs (eight earned) on 12 hits and two walks over six innings against the Dodgers. He struck out three.

Impact The home run ball was Fleming's downfall against the Dodgers -- five out of the 12 hits he surrendered left the yard. The 27-year-old southpaw had been pitching well coming into Sunday's matchup, allowing just three earned runs over 15 innings in his last three starts. Fleming's ERA is up to 4.62 with a 1.44 WHIP and 24:19 K:BB across 48.2 innings this season. He'll look to get back on track in his next start, tentatively scheduled for next week against the Red Sox in Fenway Park.

MAY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fires six innings Fleming (1-0) yielded two runs on five hits and a walk over six innings Monday, striking out two and earning a win over the Blue Jays.

Impact Fleming entered the game after a pair of scoreless innings from opener Trevor Kelley and looked solid aside from the two-run homer he allowed to Whit Merrifield in the fourth frame. After getting rocked for six runs May 7, Fleming has allowed three runs over his last 15 innings, lowering his season ERA to 3.59. He's recorded two or fewer strikeouts in six straight outings and now owns a 21:17 K:BB through 42.2 innings this season.

MAY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Filling bulk-relief role Monday Fleming is expected to work in bulk relief behind opener Trevor Kelley in Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Despite working as a traditional starter in his last turn through the rotation May 17 and tossing five scoreless frames, Fleming will return to the bulk-relief role that he's typically filled over the past few weeks. Kelley is slated to open Monday's game and will presumably work 1-to-2 innings before giving way to Fleming, who should be the Rays pitcher most likely to qualify for a win. Even so, Fleming has yet to factor into a decision in any of his nine appearances on the campaign, despite working three or more innings on every occasion.

MAY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tosses five scoreless frames Fleming did not factor in the decision against the Mets on Wednesday, pitching five scoreless innings during which he allowed three hits and two walks while striking out two batter...

Impact Fleming worked in a traditional starting role for just the second time this season and delivered five shutout frames to counteract a strong start by opposing hurler Kodai Senga. Fleming's method of dominance was the opposite of Senga's -- he notched just four whiffs and two strikeouts to Senga's 18 and 12 -- but that helped him get through five frames on a modest 67 pitches. Fleming doesn't have the strikeout stuff to be a popular option in fantasy, though he's posted a decent 3.68 ERA through 36.2 innings on the campaign.

MAY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Solid as primary pitcher Friday Fleming didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Yankees, allowing one run on three hits and a walk over four relief innings. He struck out two.

Impact Entering the game in the third inning after Trevor Kelley was deployed as the opener, Fleming was handed a 2-1 lead but eventually gave up the tying run before exiting after 52 pitches (29 strikes). The southpaw has been erratic this season -- 11 of his 15 earned runs allowed have come in just two of his eight appearances -- and his 4.26 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 17:14 K:BB through 31.2 innings are far from enticing for fantasy GMs. Nonetheless, he'll continue to factor into the rotation mix, either as a traditional starter or a bulk reliever, due to all the injuries on the Rays' staff. His next turn is likely to come on the road next week against the Mets.

MAY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Slated for bulk role Friday Fleming is in line to work as a bulk reliever behind opener Trevor Kelley in Friday's game against the Yankees in New York, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Since re-entering the Tampa Bay rotation in late April, Fleming has made each of his last three appearances as a bulk reliever. In those three outings, Fleming has covered between 3.1 and six innings, pitching to a 4.40 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in that stretch while walking more batters (eight) than he's struck out (four). Though he's the most likely Rays pitcher to factor into any decision Friday, Fleming's recent form suggests he's not a reliable streaming option, especially on a day when all 30 teams are playing.

MAY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gives up six runs in five innings Fleming allowed six runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out one over five innings during Sunday's 8-7 win over the Yankees in extras.

Impact As expected, Fleming served as a bulk reliever after Javy Guerra handled the first inning. Fleming was able to complete five frames, his second most this year, but he surrendered a season-high six runs, including his first two home runs, and saw his ERA ballon from 3.18 to 4.55. Tyler Glasnow (oblique) recently completed his first of three rehab outings, so Fleming should handle a similar long-relief role for at least one more turn through the rotation.

MAY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Handling bulk role Sunday Fleming will take the mound in relief behind opening pitcher Javy Guerra in Sunday's contest versus the Yankees, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact Fleming will be making his return to the mound following a foot contusion he suffered in his last outing Tuesday against the Pirates, which forced him to exit the contest. The left-hander threw a bullpen session Friday and is expected to be able to handle the bulk of the innings out of the bullpen for Tampa Bay on Sunday. Fleming has appeared in six games this season, including one start, producing a 3.18 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 22.2 innings.

MAY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for Sunday Fleming (foot) has been cleared to pitch Sunday versus the Yankees after getting through a 15-20 pitch bullpen session Friday with no issues, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times rep...

Impact Fleming had to leave an appearance Tuesday against the Pirates after being hit by a liner in the left foot, but he's progressed well since then and will be fine. It's not clear whether he'll serve as a traditional starter Sunday or bulk reliever.

MAY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Feeling optimistic Fleming (foot) played catch Thursday and is optimistic he'll be able to pitch Sunday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact A bigger test will come Friday when Fleming throws a bullpen session, but he's trending in the right direction. If he is available Sunday, it's not clear whether the left-hander would be starting the game or serving as a bulk reliever.

MAY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

With no fracture in foot, Rays' Josh Fleming hopes to pitch Sunday Notebook | Fleming had to leave Tuesday’s game after being struck by a batted ball. He will attempt to play catch Thursday.

MAY 4, 2023 • TAMPABAY.COM

MRI, CT scan are clean An MRI and CT scan taken of Fleming's left foot came back negative, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact It confirms the initial suspicion that Fleming escaped with merely a bruise when he had to leave an appearance Tuesday after being hit by a liner. He will try to play catch Thursday as he tries to figure out when he'll be ready for his next outing. It appears the lefty will avoid the injured list.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Diagnosed with foot contusion Fleming left Tuesday's game against the Pirates with a left foot contusion, Bally Sports Sun reports. X-rays returned negative.

Impact Fleming was hit in the left food by a liner from Ke'Bryan Hayes, and he was unable to continue after throwing a couple of warmup pitches. The left-hander should be considered day-to-day, and he has a chance to work as a bulk option for Tampa Bay this weekend if there are no setbacks.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves with injury vs. Pirates Fleming left Tuesday's game against the Pirates after taking a comebacker off his leg, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports. He allowed one run over 3.2 innings with three walks...

Impact Fleming threw a couple of warmup pitches after taking a a Ke'Bryan Hayes liner off his leg, but he was unable to continue. Colin Poche has taken over to pitch in Fleming's absence.

MAY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Working behind opener Tuesday Fleming is slated to work the bulk of the innings in relief behind opening pitcher Javy Guerra in Tuesday's game against the Pirates, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Fleming had followed Calvin Faucher in both of his last two turns as a primary pitcher out of the bullpen, but he'll enter the contest behind a new opener after Faucher was optioned to Triple-A Durham over the weekend. In his most recent outing April 26 against the Astros, Fleming covered a season-high six innings and struck out two while allowing no runs and permitting just five baserunners.

MAY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sharp as bulk reliever Fleming didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the Astros, allowing four hits and a walk over six scoreless innings of relief. He struck out two.

Impact The left-hander entered the game in the third inning, taking over from opener Calvin Faucher, and while Fleming did an outstanding job stifling the Houston offense, Tampa Bay's bats were just as silent. He tossed 69 pitches (43 strikes) in his best performance of the season, and Fleming should continue to plug a hole in the Rays' rotation -- either as a bulk reliever behind an opener, or as a traditional starter -- until Tyler Glasnow (oblique) is ready to return. Fleming's still looking for his first win of 2023, but it should come quickly if he continues to pitch well, and he has a 3.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB through 19.1 innings.

APRIL 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rays lefty Josh Fleming finds his role as the 'bulk' guy Notebook | Also, reliever Ryan Thompson is close to a return and the bullpen gets a refresher.

APRIL 27, 2023 • TAMPABAY.COM

Set to follow Faucher on Wednesday Fleming is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind starter Calvin Faucher in Wednesday's game against the Astros, Marc Topkin and Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times report.

Impact Faucher built up to 46 pitches in his second start of the season last weekend against the White Sox and is returning to the hill on four days' rest, so he and Fleming could be used in more of a piggyback arrangement rather than an "opener"/"primary pitcher" pairing. In that same game against the White Sox, Fleming came on in relief of Faucher to strike out three batters over three scoreless innings, but he didn't factor into the decision. Another 3-to-4-inning workload could be on tap for Fleming on Wednesday.

APRIL 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

In line for opportunity Fleming is expected to receive more of an opportunity with the Rays following the demotion of Taj Bradley to Triple-A Durham, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact It's not clear whether it will mean traditional starts and/or bulk relief appearances for the left-hander. Fleming has done both this season, making four appearances which have all been at least three innings. It's not a role which is likely to lead to fantasy value.

APRIL 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE