Doug

Waechter

Waechter isn’t ready for the majors yet anyway.

Waecther has a 10.05 ERA in five rehab appearances. “I have to work through it, get my timing and mechanics down,” he said.

Waechter, Scott Kazmir and Dewon Brazelton will make their regular turns according the manager Lou Pinella. The three remaining starters - Jorge Sosa, Rob Bell and Mark Hendrickson - will compete for the final two spots in the rotation. “We will have six starters,” Piniella said. “The guy that is pitching the worst gets out of the rotation and goes to the bullpen. I like to keep our young pitchers pitching.” Adjust your fantasy rosters accordingly.

Waechter is currently on the DL with a strained finger tendon. Don’t use him against the Yankees.

Waechter could be a serviceable major league starter but not much more.

Waechter and Damian Moss appear to be two of the favorites for the three open spots in the Tampa rotation.

“The No. 4 starter that I have in mind is Mr. Waechter,” manager Lou Piniella said. “We’re looking at [Paul] Abbott and we’re looking at ... we’re looking at all of them, but Waechter’s throwing the ball well. Put it this way with Waechter: I expect Waechter to be in our rotation. Now, it might be the fifth spot and we’ll send him out to pitch for a few weeks down in Triple-A, but I expect Waechter to be in our rotation.” Waechter will be a borderline $1 pick on draft day.

Waechter was expected to be called up later this month when the Rays go to a five-man rotation, but he developed a dime-size blister on the middle finger of his right hand. A decision on his status could come Wednesday.

Waechter could be part of the Tampa rotation by the end of April.

It will depend on how Waechter does in two starts with Triple-A Durham. Damian Moss, currently working out of the bullpen, is another possibility.