BALTIMORE -- The Rays thought their April 13 game against the Indians would be the day they'd employ a fifth starter. Now that day appears to be April 15 or 16.
That's because Drew Smyly will get the start on Wednesday. The left-hander warmed up Saturday night, intending to start against the Orioles. Once the game got postponed he had to be pushed back.
Initially, Smyly felt frustrated about Saturday night's postponement.
"I was just frustrated that they called the delay to start the game, and then we go through our whole warmup, and then they pull the tarp back on like that," Smyly said. "I guess there's nothing you can do about that. I mean, I was ready to go. I wasn't cold, I was fired up."
Now that the dust has settled, Smyly said starting Wednesday would be "no big deal now."
"Everything happens for a reason," Smyly said. "I'll be ready for Wednesday."
The Rays began the season with a four-man rotation due to the many off days during the early part of their schedule.
They will have another off-day on Monday, which seemingly allowed them to reboot the front end of their rotation on Wednesday with Chris Archer, who will now pitch on Thursday afternoon against the Indians.
Manager Kevin Cash noted that he has not yet decided whether to employ the fifth starter on Friday or Saturday against the White Sox. What he did know was that the Rays would not start any of their starters a day early.
"Nobody will come back on short rest," Cash said.
Once they decide on their intentions, the Rays could either bring somebody up from Triple-A Durham or they could have a bullpen day in which they use all relievers.
Archer said that getting pushed back was no big deal, and that it would not alter his routine much.
"I've pitched on six days rest a lot," Archer said. "I've pitched on seven days rest before. So no, not really."
Archer said he will simply take off on Monday's off day then resume his routine on Tuesday. He threw his bullpen on Sunday.