Fleming (1-1) took the loss after giving up five runs (three earned) on seven hits across 3.1 innings during Thursday's 6-3 loss to Oakland. He struck out six and walked one.

EDGE Analysis

Fleming replaced Luis Patino (oblique) in the rotation and threw a season-high 67 pitches. While he got into trouble in every inning, the 25-year-old displayed the potential to be a high-strikeout long reliever. Through 6.2 innings this season, Fleming has recorded 11 strikeouts and just one walk.

Fleming will start Thursday's game against the Athletics, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old is will replace Luis Patino (oblique) in Tampa Bay's rotation, and he'll work as a traditional starter Thursday rather than follow an opener. Fleming picked up the win Saturday with 3.1 scoreless innings, so he's already stretched out as a long reliever. The left-hander threw 38 pitches in that contest and should be able to extend his workload in the range of 50-to-60 pitches against Oakland, which could make it difficult for him to reach the five necessary innings to qualify for a potential win.

Fleming is expected to enter the Rays' rotation for Thursday's game against the Athletics and will likely work behind an opening pitcher, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Luis Patino (oblique) exiting early in Monday's 13-2 loss to Oakland and becoming the third member of the Rays' projected Opening Day rotation to hit the injured list, Fleming will be needed for at least one "spot start," even if he may not technically start Thursday's game. The southpaw wasn't available Monday after making an extended relief appearance in his season debut Saturday, when he struck out five Orioles over 3.1 scoreless frames. Fleming tossed 38 pitches in that outing, so the Rays could feel comfortable with extending his workload to around 50-to-60 pitches when he toes the rubber again Thursday. Breaking Fleming into the pitching schedule for the series finale with the Athletics will allow the Rays to grant Drew Rasmussen and Corey Kluber an extra day of rest between starts.

Fleming doesn't appear to have a spot in Tampa Bay's rotation, but should have a multi-inning job in the bullpen, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Fleming gave up two runs over 3.1 innings in Monday's spring training loss to Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Fleming has allowed three runs over 6.2 innings with four strikeouts and no walks this spring. Fleming doesn't have great velocity (91.2 mph average fastball last season) or strikeout rates (5.6 K/9) but has outstanding control (2.1 BB/9) and ground-ball rates (55.7%). He'll likely work multiple roles in the bullpen and as an occasional opener.

Fleming (10-8) allowed a run on two hits in one-third of an inning, taking the loss versus the Yankees on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw allowed singles to Rougned Odor and Anthony Rizzo in the bottom of the ninth inning before Andrew Kittredge surrendered the walkoff single to Aaron Judge. Fleming has five up three runs on four hits and a walk over his last 3.2 innings in four relief appearances. The 25-year-old ended the regular season with a 5.09 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 65:31 K:BB across 104.1 innings in 26 outings (11 starts).

Fleming recorded his third hold in a win over the Yankees on Friday, firing 1.2 scoreless innings during which he recorded a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Fleming got his five outs on an efficient 20 pitches, 14 which found the strike zone. The 25-year-old's late-season transition to the bullpen has been somewhat rocky, as Fleming has now interspersed a trio of scoreless efforts with three other outings during which he yielded multiple earned runs.

Fleming was recalled from Triple-A Durham prior to Saturday's game against the Marlins, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

He compiled an 8.84 ERA, 2.07 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in 18.1 innings across five MLB appearances in August. Dietrich Enns was sent down in a corresponding move. Fleming is likely to work as a low-leverage reliever.

The Rays optioned Fleming to Triple-A Durham on Monday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fleming's demotion comes one day after he was pummeled for four runs over 1.1 innings in relief during Sunday's 12-8 win over the Orioles. Tampa Bay reinstated reliever J.P. Feyereisen (shoulder/biceps) from the 10-day injured list to join the bullpen as a replacement for Fleming, who was recently bumped out of the rotation following Chris Archer's return from the IL. Fleming is expected to get stretched back out as a starter at Triple-A, but he likely won't fill that role in Tampa Bay again this season unless injuries affect the Rays' rotation depth.

Fleming surrendered four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out one over 1.1 innings in relief during Sunday's 12-8 win over the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

With starter Chris Archer lifted after four innings and 59 pitches in his return from an injury, Fleming was available to provide length out of the bullpen. The Rays likely would have wanted Fleming to eat more innings, but after he nearly squandered four- and six-run leads during his time on the mound, he was pulled after 30 pitches. Now that the Rays have regained some rotation depth with the recent return of Archer from the injured list as well as Drew Rasmussen's emergence as a starter, Fleming is expected to stick in the Tampa Bay bullpen moving forward.

Fleming allowed three hits over three scoreless innings and earned a save over the White Sox on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Fleming came into a 6-0 came in the seventh inning and cruised through three shutout frames to earn his first save of the year. The 25-year-old lefty could continue bouncing between the Rays' bullpen and starting rotation as needed. Sunday was his second straight appearance out of the bullpen after starting in his previous five outings.