The Rays lost a key part of their starting rotation when Jeff Niemann went down with a fractured fibula, hit with a comebacker on Monday.

Fortunately for the Rays, they have quite a bit of pitching depth in their system. They’ve made their choice for Niemann’s replacement. Marc Topkin:

Look for RHP Alex Cobb on the mound for the Rays Saturday against the Braves.

Cobb is expected to be named today as the team’s choice to take injured RHP Jeff Niemann’s place in the rotation. RHP Chris Archer was also being considered. The team is planning to make an announcement today.

Cobb, 24, is the more logical choice. He has the experience of having gone 3-2, 3.42 in nine starts for the Rays last year before August season-ending surgery to remove a blood clot and part of a rib.

The team had also considered Chris Archer, who according to manager Joe Maddon has “a little bit more dynamic arm", but they apparently opted for Cobb because he has some MLB experience and Archer doesn’t. Nice to have those sorts of options as a major league manager.

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