Fleming (1-1) picked up the win Monday, giving up two hits and no walks over 5.1 scoreless innings in a 4-1 victory over the Royals. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw got the hook after only 65 pitches (46 strikes), but he was more than efficient enough to qualify for the win. Fleming's lack of length and strikeouts does make him a somewhat dicey fantasy option, but there's a lot to like about his 0.87 ERA and 0.77 WHIP through 10.1 innings so far this season -- though he was facing softer offenses in the Rangers and Royals. He'll next take the mound at home Sunday in a tougher test against Vladimir Guerrero and the Blue Jays.

Fleming (0-1) allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks while striking out two across five innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Fleming allowed only a solo home run to Nate Lowe, but didn't receive any run support and took the loss. He pitched well based on his ability to keep the ball on the ground, with nine of his 15 outs coming via groundout. This effort marked Fleming's first start of the season, and he projects to fill the fifth starter role in the Rays' rotation for the time being. Currently, he lines up to make his next start Monday at Kansas CIty.

The Rays recalled Fleming from their alternate training site Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Fleming will slot into Tampa Bay's rotation for Wednesday's game against the Rangers as a replacement for Chris Archer (forearm), who was placed on the 10-day injured list over the weekend. As a rookie last season, the 24-year-old southpaw worked as a traditional starter and as a bulk reliever, but manager Kevin Cash suggested that Fleming would fill the former role Wednesday. According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Cash said Fleming is built up to handle five or six innings, so if he's performing well, the southpaw should be able to pitch at least half the game before turning things over to the bullpen.

The Rays plan to recall Fleming from their taxi squad to start or serve as a bulk reliever Wednesday against the Rangers, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fleming will fill the rotation spot that opened up when Chris Archer (forearm) was placed on the 10-day injured list over the weekend. Whether he works as a starter or a reliever, Fleming will be in line to cover the majority of the innings for the Rays on Wednesday, giving him the most realistic chance of factoring into the decision. He posted an impressive 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over his seven outings as a rookie in 2020, but a 1.4 HR/9 and 13.8 K-BB% suggest he wasn't quite as dominant as that ERA would indicate.

Fleming is considered the most likely option among pitchers at the Rays' alternate training site to take the injured Chris Archer's (forearm) place in the rotation, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fleming was nearly unhittable in Grapefruit League play after posting a 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across his first 32.1 big-league innings last season, making five starts among his seven appearances during the latter span. The southpaw therefore seemingly has the qualifications to temporarily step into a rotation role, albeit one that could be of relatively short duration if the recent news that Archer may not miss much time holds true.

Fleming was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old made his major-league debut last season and impressed with a 2.78 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB over 32.1 innings, but he won't begin 2021 in the big leagues. The move isn't performance related, as Fleming gave up only three hits with an 8:1 K:BB over 8.2 innings during spring training. The young southpaw should receive a starting opportunity for the Rays this season, but he'll open the campaign in the minors.

Fleming recorded five strikeouts over 3.2 scoreless innings in a Grapefruit League win over the Red Sox on Friday, allowing a hit and a walk while hitting a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw kept his spring ERA unblemished in another impressive outing, his fourth overall in exhibition play. Fleming now has an 8:1 K:BB and .107 BAA across 8.2 Grapefruit League frames, and although manager Kevin Cash isn't committing to any final decisions on his roster just yet, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports the 24-year-old has certainly put his best foot forward in the Rays' skipper's eyes. "He works so fast. He just attacks the zone. His stuff's good. He can really pitch," Cash said. "See how this shakes down here in the next couple days, certainly, but he's made every strong impression possible."

Fleming, who was credited with the win in a Grapefruit League victory over the Pirates on Wednesday, was particularly effective during his one clean inning, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. "They were coming out swinging the bat, being ultra-aggressive, but he was able to throw that sinker into lefties and jam them," catcher Mike Zunino said. "He naturally fills the strike zone up but misses barrels. We're right where he left last season, which is a great spot."

EDGE Analysis

Fleming has already been praised by manager Kevin Cash this spring for his competitiveness, and the left-hander impressed with his play last season while managing a 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over his first 32.1 innings of big-league action. Fleming is seemingly on track for opening the season in a bullpen role again, and he flashed his ability to avoid hard contact with his sinker by inducing weak contact on a popout and groundout before getting the same-handed Tony Wolters on a called third strike.

Fleming focused on improving both his cutter and curveball this offseason and is looking forward to working in multiple roles again if asked, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. "I'm excited for whatever role they put me in, whether it's starting, whether it's coming out of the bullpen," Fleming said. "Whatever it is, I'm ready for it."

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw, which manager Kevin Cash remarked Friday "competes as well as anybody in the organization", was impressive working in a starting/bulk-reliever role in 2020, finishing the campaign with a 5-0 record, 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across seven appearances (five starts). Given the premium Cash places on flexibility with his pitching staff, Fleming is aiming to make himself even more indispensable by enhancing his pitch arsenal and is looking to break camp with a chance at once again serving as a jack-of-all-trades of sorts during the coming season, with potential starting opportunities certainly in play given the turnover of the rotation this offseason.

The Rays will add Fleming to their 28-man roster for their ALCS matchup with the Astros that begins Sunday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com

EDGE Analysis

Manager Kevin Cash previously hinted that he wanted to carry 14 pitchers on the Rays' ALCS roster, so Fleming's addition doesn't come as much of a surprise. The rookie southpaw will likely work in low-leverage situations or long relief throughout the series.