Key relievers start to return to bullpen

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Brad Boxberger is out. Alex Colome has returned from the World Baseball Classic. And according to Rays manager Kevin Cash, the bullpen is in pretty good shape.
Colome has returned from his stint pitching for the Dominican Republic, and he was in the Rays' clubhouse Tuesday morning.
"Excited to have him back," Cash said. "... Alex is probably not the biggest guy we'd like to see. Jumbo Diaz we'd like to get on some kind of routine, schedule. Get him on the mound."
The Rays claimed Diaz, 33, off waivers from the Reds on March 10, but they have not seen him in a Tampa Bay uniform yet since he pitched for the Domincan Republic, too. Diaz went 1-1 with a 3.14 ERA in 45 appearances last season. He is 3-3 with a 3.65 ERA in 142 Major League appearances, all coming with Cincinnati in three seasons.
Cash told reporters he hoped Diaz would arrive on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Boxberger has been slowed by a right lat problem, which will likely prevent him being active on Opening Day. With Boxberger expected to be down, Colome will continue to be the team's closer, and Cash allowed that the Rays were "probably a lot more optimistic about some of the candidates" based on the way they have pitched this spring.
"Whether it's [Chase] Whitley, Austin Pruitt, Justin Marks, obviously, Jaime Schultz is in there," Cash said. "When you come in, you don't have a real sense about those guys, then you see them throw their 10 innings, 12 innings, whatever it is. They've thrown the ball really well."
Schultz pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and striking out three in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Pirates.
When reminded about Diego Moreno and Andrew Kittredge, Cash touted their praises as well.
"I think both of those guys have thrown very well, and they're both in the mix," Cash said.
Veteran Tommy Hunter also is a bullpen candidate.
"Tommy's had a good camp," Cash said. "We thought a couple of minor adjustments would benefit him. And we expect him to be pitching in some meaningful situations for us."
As for Erasmo Ramírez, he's been slowed by a hamstring problem, prompting Cash to note: "He was delayed. We have to see some more."
Ramirez pitched two-thirds of an inning in Tuesday's game, allowing no runs on one hit.