JOSH FLEMING NEWS

Deployed in long relief Wednesday Fleming worked three shutout innings of relief and collected a hold in Wednesday's 8-0 win over the Reds. He struck out three while giving up one hit and issuing no walks in the ou...

Impact Since making his season debut as a starter April 4 in Washington, Fleming has made each of his subsequent three appearances out of the bullpen. Unlike Wednesday, however, Fleming's prior two relief outings had come as a primary pitcher behind an opener. After starter Drew Rasmussen exited after five innings while the Rays held a 7-0 lead, Fleming stepped in to retire nine of the 10 batters he faced before Pete Fairbanks took over in the bottom of the ninth. The Rays' decision to use Fleming as a more traditional reliever Wednesday suggests that Calvin Faucher -- who is expected to work around four innings as a starter Friday versus the White Sox -- will end up being the primary No. 5 option in the rotation until Tyler Glasnow (oblique) returns from the shelf.

APRIL 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Díaz HR sparks 6-run 1st, Rays beat Reds 8-0 for 16-3 start

Yandy Díaz homered on the third pitch of Levi Stoudt’s big league debut to spark a six-run first inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays routed the Cincinnati Reds 8-0 to improve to a major...

APRIL 19, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Likely set for bulk relief Friday Fleming is expected to work as a bulk reliever behind Calvin Faucher in Friday's game against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The Rays have confirmed that Faucher will make a second straight start after he worked 2.2 innings as an opener in front of Fleming in last Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays. Topkin notes that the Rays plan to have Faucher cover around four innings Friday, and while Fleming should still be in good position to factor into any decision assuming that he's the first man out of the bullpen, the southpaw may end up serving as more of a piggyback option behind Faucher rather than a primary pitcher. The arrangement will likely lower Fleming's overall innings ceiling and could result in him transitioning into more of a full-time relief role if Faucher continues to build up his innings and pitches in his subsequent outings.

APRIL 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gives up pair as bulk hurler Fleming allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out one over 3.1 innings Saturday against Toronto.

Impact Fleming followed opener Calvin Faucher and Trevor Kelley as the bulk hurler for the Rays, and he wasn't at his best. The southpaw walked in a run with a free pass to George Springer in the sixth and gave up another on an Alejandro Kirk single. The 26-year-old was strong against Boston with four innings of shutout baseball Monday, but wasn't close to as effective against the Toronto lineup. Fleming will likely work in a similar role at some point next week.

APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kikuchi fans 9 as Rays lose second straight, Jays win 5-2

Yusei Kikuchi struck out a season-high nine over six innings, Danny Jansen had two hits and an RBI and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-2 on Saturday

APRIL 15, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Following opener Saturday Fleming will follow opener Calvin Faucher in Saturday's game in Toronto, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact Fleming has followed an opener in one of his two appearances this year, and it's something he has plenty of experience with over the past few seasons. The 26-year-old southpaw has better underlying metrics (54.2 GB%, 18.8 K-BB%) than surface stats (6.43 ERA, 1.71 WHIP) in this small sample. If Faucher can have a scoreless appearance, this arrangement would give Fleming a better chance of going deep enough to qualify for the win.

APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fires four scoreless innings Fleming allowed one hit across four shutout frames during Monday's win over Boston. He struck five and did not factor in the decision.

Impact The 26-year-old southpaw took the mound in the third inning after Jalen Beeks tossed a pair of scoreless frames. Fleming threw 31 of 47 pitches for strikes, including eight whiffs. It was a strong rebound after he was crushed for five runs against the Nationals in his season debut.

APRIL 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Escapes loss in rough outing Fleming didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 10-6 win over the Nationals, coughing up five runs on 10 hits and a walk over three-plus innings. He struck out two.

Impact The hits off Fleming were mostly singles, but they kept on coming as the lefty allowed two runs in each of the first two innings, before three straight knocks to lead off the bottom of the fourth chased him from the game. Fleming's spot in the Rays rotation could be tenuous, but none of the likely replacement at Triple-A Durham have gotten off to a particularly strong start to the season, so he should get a chance to right the ship. The 26-year-old's next turn figures to come early next week in a home series against the Red Sox.

APRIL 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will not follow opener Fleming will be used as a traditional starter Tuesday against the Nationals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Rays manager Kevin Cash had said prior to Monday's game that he was considering an opener ahead of Fleming, but he revealed after the contest that he decided against it. Fleming isn't a great streaming option even in a favorable matchup.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rays bring win streak into matchup with the Nationals

The Tampa Bay Rays will try to keep a four-game win streak alive when they play the Washington Nationals

APRIL 4, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Could be bulk reliever Tuesday Fleming could be used as a bulk reliever rather than a traditional starter Tuesday against the Nationals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Fleming is currently listed as the starter for Tuesday's contest, but manager Kevin Cash said the team will discuss after Monday's game whether to use an opener ahead of the lefty on Tuesday. Fantasy managers that have Fleming rostered in deeper leagues will be rooting for him to be a bulk reliever, as it should give him a better shot to pick up a win.

APRIL 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Josh Fleming wins rotation spot with the Rays LAKELAND, Fla. — Josh Fleming will not make his scheduled final spring training start Monday. Nothing is wrong with the left-hander. In fact...

MARCH 26, 2023 • SACBEE.COM

Begins season in rotation The Rays informed Fleming on Sunday that he will open the season as the team's No. 5 starter, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Fleming won out in the competition for the No. 5 rotation spot over Yonny Chirinos, who was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Sunday. Heading into spring training, Fleming appeared set to audition for a long-relief role, but a rotation spot opened up after Tyler Glasnow suffered an oblique injury that will likely keep him out for at least the first month of the season. The 26-year-old Fleming has had occasional stretches of productive outings at the big-league level, but he floundered over his 35 innings with Tampa Bay in 2022, logging a 6.43 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and 29:12 K:BB. Though he's generally done well to yield groundballs during his time in the majors, Fleming's below-average strikeout rates cap his fantasy ceiling and likely limit his appeal mainly to AL-only leagues.

MARCH 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moderation is key for Rays pitcher Josh Fleming Notebook | Also, prospect Carson Williams found himself getting advice from Twins All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa on the field .

MARCH 22, 2023 • TAMPABAY.COM

Making case for rotation spot Fleming is in contention for the fifth spot in the Rays' starting rotation while Tyler Glasnow (oblique) is sidelined, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Fleming struggled in his spring training debut, surrendering six earned runs on six hits across only one inning. Since then, he hasn't allowed an earned run across six innings, maintaining a 3:0 K:BB in that span. Fleming also stretched out to three frames in his last outing, so he should be able to handle a normal starter's workload by the time the regular season begins. Luis Patino and Yonny Chirinos are also in consideration for the rotation while Glasnow remains sidelined.

MARCH 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Absent from wild-card roster Fleming wasn't included on the Rays' roster for the AL Wild Card Series against the Guardians on Friday, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.

Impact The left-hander was called up for a spot start in the regular-season finale Wednesday with playoff positioning already set in stone, so it's not a major surprise he's not on the postseason roster. Fleming had a 6.43 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and 29:12 K:BB over 35 innings this year.

OCTOBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Struggles in spot start Fleming (2-5) was tagged with the loss after he pitched 4.2 innings, giving up four runs on eight hits while striking out four in Wednesday's loss to the Red Sox.

Impact Fleming struggled to keep the Red Sox of the basepaths Wednesday, surrendering eight hits, including two home runs, most notably a three-run shot by J.D. Martinez in the opening frame. It was the left-hander's first outing in the majors since Sept. 14 and his third start on the campaign overall. Over three appearances against the Red Sox in 2022, Fleming gave up 11 runs over 12.2 frames while striking out 11 batters. The 26-year-old will finish the regular season having posted a 6.43 ERA and 1.89 WHIP with 29 punchouts over 35 innings across 10 appearances, including three starts, with the Rays.

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Wild-card Rays lose 5th straight, fall 6-3 to Red Sox

The playoff-bound Tampa Bay Rays lost their fifth straight game to finish the regular season, giving up a pair of home runs to J

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Called up prior to start Fleming was recalled from Triple-A Durham ahead of Wednesday's start against the Red Sox, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact Fleming will start Wednesday's regular-season finale since the Rays are already guaranteed to play the Guardians in the wild-card round this weekend. He's logged a 6.23 ERA and 1.91 WHIP in 30.1 innings over nine appearances (two starts) in the big leagues this season, but it's possible that he'll be allowed to pitch through adversity if needed Wednesday in order to preserve the Rays' bullpen ahead of the postseason.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rays try to end 4-game road losing streak, play the Red Sox

The Tampa Bay Rays visit the Boston Red Sox looking to break a four-game road skid

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Set to start finale Fleming will be recalled from Triple-A Durham to start Wednesday against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The left-hander has a 6.23 ERA, 1.91 WHIP and 25:12 K:BB across 30.1 innings with the Rays this season, and he'll rejoin the big club for the final game of the regular season. Tampa Bay is already locked in to face the Guardians in the wild-card round Friday, so Fleming could have some extra leash compared to his previous outings.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rays start 9 Latin American players, rout Blue Jays 11-0

Yandy Díaz hit a three-run home run and the Tampa Bay Rays — starting an unprecedented nine Latin American players on Roberto Clemente Day — routed Toronto 11-0 on Thursday to pull...

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Returns to Triple-A Fleming was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Impact Fleming allowed just one earned run while covering the final four frames of Wednesday's loss to the Blue Jays, but with him unavailable for at least a couple days the Rays removed him from the roster to open up a spot for fellow pitcher Shane McClanahan.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Guerrero hits 100th homer at age 23, Blue Jays beat Rays 5-1

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 100th home run at age 23, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-1 to ensure winning a rare five-game series against a wild card rival

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Springer homers, Jays beat Rays 7-2 for doubleheader split

Pinch-hitter Whit Merrifield drove in two runs with a seventh-inning double, George Springer added a two-run homer and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 to gain a d...

SEPTEMBER 13, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS