The Rays welcome the Orioles for a Sunday matinee, fresh off their 3-2 loss the night before. Evan Longoria is in the lineup for the second straight day - starting at third and batting in the sixth spot.

But this day will likely belong to another prospect's debut, RHP Jeff Niemann, who makes his first career start after getting called up to replaced injured RHP Matt Garza (radial nerve irritation).

Niemann, if you recall, made a very strong case this spring (2-0, 1.50 ERA) before being one of the final cuts. Though, there could be a case made that if Jason Hammel and Edwin Jackson weren't out of options, Niemann could  have cracked the rotation.

Niemann begins his case to stick today, getting a crack at the American League East leaders.

Some pre-game notes:

*After playing catch for two straight days, RHP Matt Garza is "coming along well," manager Joe Maddon said. Maddon said Garza's rehab of radial nerve irritation is progressing so much, he feels that the right-hander will be back on the optimistic side of the two-to-four week range.

*Maddon liked, for the most part, what he saw Saturday from Elliot Johnson, who made his first career start at shortstop.

Rays

Iwamura, 2b

Crawford, lf

Pena, 1b

Upton, CF

Gomes, DH

Longoria, 3b

Ruggiano, RF

DiFelice, C

Bartlett, SS

ORIOLES
Roberts, 2b

Mora, 3b

Markakis, rf

Millar, 1b

Huff, Dh

Scott, LF

Jones, CF

Quiroz, C

Fahey, SS

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com