The Rays and Jeff Niemann had an arbitration hearing on Thursday. Niemann, who is arbitration-eligible for the first time, requested $3.2 million and was offered $2.75 million from the Rays when salary figures were exchanged last month. The three-person panel of arbitrators is expected to pick one salary or the other by Friday.

Jeff Niemann's arbitration hearing is Thursday. Niemann requested $3.2 million and was offered $2.75 million from the Rays when arbitration figures were exchanged earlier this month. The two sides have a few more days to negotiate toward a middle ground.

Jeff Niemann requested $3.2 million and was offered $2.75 million from the Rays when arbitration figures were exchanged Tuesday. Niemann is arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason. The 28-year-old right-hander has a 4.16 ERA over his first four seasons in the majors. We suspect they'll ultimately settle somewhere around $3 million.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Jeff Niemann was left off the ALDS roster because his back is "not quite 100 percent." The Rays and Niemann had been downplaying the righty's back ailment, but it's clear he hasn't been himself recently. Niemann said that he plans to be ready for the ALCS if the Rays make it, but with how Matt Moore looked in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Rangers, Niemann seems likely to come back in a bullpen role, if at all.

During a radio appearance Thrusday, Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey reportedly said that Jeff Niemann will start Game 1 of the ALDS against the Rangers on Friday. However, the Rays have yet to make an official announcement. Even if Niemann gets the start, you can bet Wade Davis and/or Matt Moore will be available if he gets into any early trouble. Look for James Shields to start Game 2.

Jeff Niemann returned to action on Saturday September 24.

Jeff Niemann was pushed back from Thursday's start due to soreness in his upper back. Niemann has had back issues before, missing six weeks earlier this season with a lower-back strain. He says his back didn't bother him during his start last week, but that it stiffened up on him the next day. Niemann insists he'll be fine to start Saturday, though. "I'm going out there, period," Niemann said. "That's gonna happen."

Jeff Niemann gave up two runs over five innings in a win over the Red Sox on Saturday. Niemann gave up four hits (three of them singles) and walked two while striking out six. He was pulled after throwing 56 out of 89 pitches for strikes. Niemann now has a 1.64 ERA and 26/5 K/BB ratio in three starts against the Red Sox this season. Things could change depending upon Wednesday's doubleheader, but he currently projects for a start against the Blue Jays next week.

Jeff Niemann allowed just two runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings on Monday, improving to 10-7 in Tampa's 5-2 win over the Orioles. Niemann struck out five and walked two in his first quality start in three outings. Now the owner of a 3.97 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 99/33 K/BB ratio through his first 129 1/3 innings of work, Niemann will make his biggest start of the season on Saturday when he takes on the Red Sox in Boston.

Jeff Niemann didn't have the good stuff Thursday, getting torched for five runs on six hits and two walks over five innings in a loss to the Rangers. He struck out two. Two innings haunted Niemann, as the Rangers got to him with four hits and three runs in the third and then added a pair of solo shots in the fifth. It's easily his worst outing in two months, as he came into tonight with a sparkling 2.26 ERA since the beginning of July. Given the tough opponent, we'll forgive him for the hiccup. Niemann will carry a 3.69 ERA and 1.20 WHIP into a rematch with the Rangers next week.