ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Jeff Niemann stood head and shoulders above a gathering of reporters at his locker today, but the 6-foot-9 pitcher was feeling mighty low.

Niemann, a first-round draft pick by Tampa Bay in 2004, had just been informed by the Rays that he had been optioned to Triple-A Durham. The Rays' game against the Pittsburgh Pirates was then rained out after two innings.

"That's kind of how it works," Niemann said of his demotion. "It's totally out of my control."

Niemann has shown splendid control this spring. The right-hander was 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in four appearances, including three starting assignments.

"I think I've thrown the ball pretty well," he said. "Hopefully, I made a strong enough case and a statement when I was out there that I'm definitely in their heads."

Rays manager Joe Maddon spoke highly of Niemann after naming his starting rotation for the regular season.

"I'm very impressed and encouraged by what I saw this spring," Maddon said. "I never really had a chance to see this guy pitch. There's not a whole lot for me to compare him to, but I do know a 6-9 throwing downhill is very attractive."

With ace left-hander Scott Kazmir rehabilitating a strained elbow, the Rays announced Wednesday that James Shields would start the season opener March 31 at Baltimore. He will be followed in the rotation by fellow right-handers Matt Garza and Andy Sonnanstine.

Right-handers Jason Hammel and Edwin Jackson will be the other starters, but the order in which they will appear is undetermined.

"Just give me the ball, let me go throw it," said Jackson, who was 5-15 with a 5.76 ERA as the fifth starter last season. "When it's your day to pitch, you've got to be an ace that day, so where I am in the rotation is pointless."

Hammel, who posted a 3-5 mark and 6.70 ERA as a rookie last year, referred to his promotion as bittersweet.

"The ones that didn't make the rotation could have very well been here, too," he said. "It's my job now to prove the decision right."