JEFF NIEMANN RUMORS & GOSSIP

In this addition of Rays Roundup: The team feels pretty good about their off-season after upgrading at first base, designated hitter, catcher and adding bullpen depth, questions remain about who will share catching duties with Jose Molina, Jeff Niemann loses his arbitration case, two former Rays are now in Cleveland, and Game 162 hero Dan Johnson hopes for a shot on the South Side in Chicago.

The Tampa Rays defeated right-handed pitcher Jeff Niemann in salary arbitration Friday.Niemann will earn $2.75 million instead of his requested $3.2 million next season.The 28-year-old posted a record of 11-7 with a 4.06 ERA in 23 starts for the Rays last season.Tampa Bay has never lost an arbitration case in their franchise history.

The Tampa Bay Rays defeated pitcher Jeff Niemann in salary arbitration Friday, improving clubs to 2-0 in decisions this year. Niemann will earn $2.75 million instead of his request for $3.2 million. Tampa Bay improved to 6-0 in arbitration.

ROGER MOONEY The Rays remain the only major league team undefeated in the arbitration process after a panel of three arbitrators ruled in their favor today in the case with Jeff Niemann. Niemann sought a…

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Rays have defeated pitcher Jeff Niemann in salary arbitration, improving clubs to 2-0 in decisions this year.

On the same day that a panel of three arbitrators ruled in favor of the Washington Nationals over John Lannan in the first salary arbitration hearing of 2012, Jeff Niemann and the Tampa Bay Rays made salary arbitration cases before a panel comprised of arbitrators James Oldham, Howard Edelman and Mark Irvings. Based upon history (and comps this salary arb season), Niemann is likely...

Jeff Niemann and the Tampa Bay Rays have gone to salary arbitration, with the pitcher asking for $3.2 million and the team offering $2.75 million. Niemann was 11-7 with a 4.06 ERA in 23 starts last season, when he didn't pitch between May 4 and June 20 because of a strained back. He made $903,000. Arbitrators James Oldham, Howard Edelman and Mark Irvings heard arguments Thursday...

Earlier today, the Rays reached agreements on one-year deals with three of their four remaining arbitration-eligible players. The fourth, Jeff Niemann, will have his 2012 salary determined by an arbitrator. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports is reporting that Niemann is asking for $3.2 million. The Rays are offering $2.75 million, a difference of just $450,000. And while not many teams would...

Right-handed starter Jeff Niemann has been left off Tampa Bay's 25-man playoff roster for their first-round playoff series against Texas. Niemann (11-7, 4.06 ERA) was 0-2 against Texas this season, allowing 12 runs and four homers in 9 2-3 innings while the Rangers hit .357 against him. Manager Joe Maddon opted to go with three catchers and seven relievers. Maddon announced...

Wow, what a return by the big righty, Jeff Niemann, in what will be a memorable game. Sure, Niemann was strong in his first start since coming off the disabled list. Niemann, for reasons not entirely known, really hasn’t been the same pitcher since he went on the disabled list last season. Tonight, Niemann looked like the old Jeff Niemann: dominant. Great pitching duel with Chris...