Rays Camp: Matt Andriese Heads To Bullpen

Andriese Joins Bullpen, Rays Go To 4-Man Rotation

The schedule through the first month of the half of the season is littered with off-days. To provide stability to the starting rotation the Tampa Bay Rays will go to a four-man rotation.  Chris Archer, Blake Snell, Nathan Eovaldi, and Jake Faria will make up the rotation. Matt Andriese, who made 17 starts in 2017 will head to the bullpen and be utilized as a swing man.

“We are going to a four man rotation out of the gate. A lot of that is because of the schedule. If we ran a five man rotation, you’re talking an extra day, an extra two days almost every time through.” Manager Kevin Cash said. “I’d think any starting pitcher would tell you that it’s not ideal for them. We are going to just shorten that up and insert a starter, a spot starter, or a bullpen day on those days that are needed.”

Andriese is best suited in a relief role and that is reflected in his career numbers. In 44 career starts he is 14-14 with a 4.55 ERA (113-ER/223.1-IP).  In 28 games as a reliever he’s pitched to a 2-4 mark with a 3.54 ERA (22-ER/56-IP).

One of his problems as a starter is getting through a rotation a third time through. The first time through the order he holds the opposition to a slash line of .253/.299/.377. The batters start to pick up the pace the second time through hitting .291/.330/.485. By the time the hitters are seeing him for a third time, there aren’t many tricks in the bag as they hit .299/.361/.545 against him.

“We talked to Matt today. Obviously, sure there is some disappointment. He came in built up. In his mind he was going to be a starter” Cash said. “Matt’s been there, done it, and if you look at Matt’s track record we’re trying set him for six weeks of building something that we know we’re going to lean on him for. Let him respond to some shorter work loads and see how he bounces back.”