RHP Erasmo Ramirez pitched the final two innings for the win in his season debut as a reliever. He was moved from the starting rotation thanks to enough off days early to allow the Rays to keep a four-man rotation most of the first two months of the season, but two innings with no runs and only one hit is a promising bullpen debut.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Steven Souza Jr.'s three-run home run was a huge momentum shift for the Tampa Bay Rays, giving them the lead in the eighth inning Wednesday on the way to a 5-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, but it started with two much smaller plays that set up the big swing.Souza was quick to credit Evan Longoria, who continued a strong start with a leadoff single in the eighth, and especially Desmond Jennings, who reached out on a one-out hit-and-run to make contact and send a blooper into right field to put runners at first and third for Souza.Having the runner at third made a huge difference for Souza, who said in a one-run game he was only trying to hit a deep fly to tie the game and bring home Longoria. Instead, he got hold of a Gavin Floyd pitch and hit his second home run of the game.For the Rays, the other unsung success of a late-inning win was solid play from the bullpen.Erasmo Ramirez, a converted starter, threw a perfect eighth inning, striking out two, then went back... [More]

RHP Erasmo Ramirez is moving to the bullpen, manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday, and the Rays will open the season with a four-man rotation. Cash said Ramirez would be in the bullpen and will be used to "get big outs" to help make up for the absence of closer Brad Boxberger, who will miss the early season after undergoing stomach surgery.

RHP Erasmo Ramirez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.375 million deal on Friday.

Ramirez allowed four runs on 10 hits, walking one and striking out three over 5.1 innings, and came away with a no-decision against Toronto on Friday night.

He carried a 4-1 lead heading into the sixth inning, but he retired just one hitter as he and the bullpen allowed four runs before the inning ended. Ramirez ends the season 11-6, with a respectable 3.75 ERA over 34 games (27 starts), so he should have done enough to have his name on the short list of rotation options next spring.

Ramirez (11-6) sparkled in Thursday's win over the Red Sox, giving up two runs on four hits while striking out six in seven innings.

After a two-run homer by David Ortiz in the first inning, Ramirez absolutely shut things down, making the Red Sox the third consecutive AL East team that he's dominated, following strong starts against the Yankees and Orioles. He's not star material, but Ramirez has broken out as a very credible pitcher who's capable of going on red-hot runs. His final start of the year will come against the Marlins next week.

Ramirez (10-5) was brilliant in a no-decision Monday night, giving up just one hit over 7.1 innings while walking two and striking out six in a 4-1 loss to the Yankees.

Ramirez came within six outs of a no-hitter, giving up a single to Carlos Beltran to lead off the eighth inning. The 25-year-old won his first decision since Aug. 17, and went at least seven innings for just the fourth time in 24 starts. While his strikeout rate may not show it, Ramirez's career-best 3.93 FIP indicates significant improvement made this season. Having thrown just 98 pitches Monday, Ramirez should make Saturday's start fully rested against the Orioles.

Ramirez (10-5) took a no-decision Tuesday, giving up four earned runs on six hits while walking none and striking out nine in an 8-7 loss to the Tigers.

Durability continues to be an issue for Ramirez, as the 25-year-old has now failed to exceed five innings in each of his last three starts. While Ramirez struck out nine batters against Detroit, that result is likely an anomaly; the right-hander entered Tuesday's start with just a 6.72 K/9. A susceptibility to the long ball-- Ramirez has now given up home runs in five of his last six outings-- and poor peripherals detract from Ramirez's value in most formats. Ramirez is next scheduled to take the mound Monday against the Yankees.

Ramirez lasted just four innings in Baltimore on Wednesday, giving up four runs on six hits while striking out three in a no-decision.

Erasmo's now failed to finish five innings in consecutive outings, and he's given up four or more runs in half of his last eight starts. That's not a good formula for a guy who doesn't miss a whole lot of bats, and it makes him a risky fantasy play own the stretch. He'll get Miguel Cabrera and the Tigers on Tuesday.

Ramirez allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits, walking three and striking out four over 4.1 innings of a 3-2 loss to Kansas City on Friday night.

Ramirez (10-5, 3.68 ERA) had yet another abbreviated outing, recording just 13 outs and ending up on the short side of a 3-2 score. While he has enjoyed some success, he is averaging just over five innings per start which limits his chances for wins, and makes him even less appealing in leagues where quality starts are a scoring category.

Ramirez is not expected to be shut down as the season nears its end, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

In innings pitched per start, Ramirez ranks 109 out 129 MLB starting pitchers this year with 5.6, so his workload has been definitely light enough to justify pitching him into September, especially with the Rays still in the hunt for a wild card berth. He also threw 167.1 innings across two levels last year, so he's pretty far away from exceeding his previous workload with 123 innings pitched this year.

Ramirez took a no-decision Saturday against the A's, allowing four earned runs over seven innings with four strikeouts.

A three-run sixth innings for Ramirez and late rally by the Rays meant he wouldn't get the win, but he did last seven innings for just the fourth time all season. The 25-year-old's three month run as an above-average starting pitcher continues even with Saturday's less than stellar result.

Ramirez improve to 10-4 with the win Monday over Houston, as he allowed two runs on two walks and six hits over 5.2 innings. He struck out two.

Ramirez now has doubled his career high win total from 2013. Ramirez fell off the radar after giving up a 5.12 ERA in 147.2 innings over the past two years, but he has rebounded in a big way in 2015, as he now owns a 3.57 ERA and a 3.79 FIP in 116 innings. The future is looking much brighter for the 25-year-old Ramirez.

Ramirez pitched well in the win Tuesday, failing to allow a run in seven innings pitched.

After a string of sub-par starts, Ramirez turned things around in a big way Tuesday, allowing just five hits without walking a batter. The 25 year old has been largely good this season for Tampa Bay, registering a 3.59 ERA. His next start will come next week against the Astros.

Ramirez allowed five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two, but came away with a no-decision on Wednesday at the White Sox.

Ramirez was pounded for five runs in the first inning, but he didn't allow another run, giving the offense a chance to bail him out. Despite a solid 3.83 ERA and 1.10 WHIP, the righty only has three quality starts in his last six outings, and hasn't won a game since July 10. He'll get his next start Tuesday against Atlanta.

Ramirez allowed four runs (one earned) on five hits, walking two and striking out six over six innings, but came away with a no-decision as the Rays dropped a 7-5 decision to Boston on Friday night.

Ramirez (8-4, 3.61 ERA) probably deserved a better fate but Logan Forsythe and Tim Beckham committed first inning errors leading to three unearned runs. he has been a pleasant surprise for the Rays and has pitched exceptionally well after a rough start, allowing more than two earned runs just once in his last 11 starts.

Ramirez took the loss Saturday, allowing five runs on seven hits over 7.1 innings. He struck out three.

The big blow was a third inning grand slam by Chris Davis, and it ended a streak of nine straight games in which Ramirez hasn't given up more than two runs. He'll take a 3.74 ERA and 1.08 WHIP into his next start Friday in Boston.

Ramirez lasted just 4.2 innings Saturday, allowing one run on four hits while striking out four.

He got the quick hook after serving up back-to-back doubles in the fifth inning to Kevin Pillar and Devon Travis. Ramirez hasn't given up more than two runs in any of his last nine appearances, and he'll take a 3.54 ERA and 1.10 WHIP into his next start, at home against the Orioles on Friday.

Ramirez allowed one run on four hits, walking one and striking out five over six innings of a 4-1 win against Houston on Friday night.

Ramirez (8-3, 3.63 ERA) has put together a couple of strong outings since missing a start with a sore groin in late June. With Tampa Bay getting healthier on the mound, it was speculated that he might be ticketed for the bullpen, but his recent success might be making that a tough decision to make, at least over the short term.

Ramirez took the loss despite allowing just one run on two hits over 5.2 innings Tuesday against Cleveland. He struck out seven and walked just one.

Ramirez missed his last start due to a groin injury and has gone over 100 pitches just once this year, so the Rays pulled him after just 84 pitches despite his success. Ramirez tied a season high in strikeouts set May 30 and lowered his ERA to 4.01. He may be pushed to the bullpen when Matt Moore returns, but he's been solid enough to make the Rays at least think about leaving him in the rotation.