Erik Bedard allowed one run on four hits over five innings as part of a no-decision against the Red Sox on Tuesday.

Bedard was effective but inefficient, needing 104 pitches to get through his five innings. Along with the four hits, Bedard also walked three while striking out four. It was a marked improvement from his previous starts, but the 35-year-old is still too inconsistent to be relied upon in fantasy. His next start will come Sunday at the Yankees.

Erik Bedard lasted four innings and gave up four runs Thursday in a loss to the Twins.

As badly as Bedard started off -- he gave up three runs in the first and another in the second -- it was an accomplishment that he actually managed to get through four and keep the Rays in the ballgame. Still, he's been unimpressive in both of his starts to date, and the Rays may want to consider alternatives now. Matt Andriese is one possibility.

Erik Bedard was chased after giving up four runs over 3 2/3 innings Friday against the Yankees.

Bedard was called up last week to pitch out of the bullpen, but the oblique injury to Alex Cobb pushed him into the rotation. He didn't look all that good early on Friday, giving up four runs in the second inning, but he finished fairly strong. Still, the Rays surely would have liked him to work further into the game. The veteran left-hander should stick in the rotation for now, but he's not much of a fantasy option.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Sunday that Erik Bedard is likely to start on Thursday against the Yankees in place of the injured Alex Cobb (oblique).

He's the obvious choice, though Maddon did say that he wouldn't hesitate to use Bedard in relief before then if he's needed. The left-hander should receive a handful of starts in place of Cobb as long as he holds his own.

Rays recalled LHP Erik Bedard from Triple-A Durham.

Bedard will officially join the Rays' bullpen on Sunday. He'll pitch in long relief initially but could serve as a kind of swingman eventually for Tampa Bay.

Erik Bedard is expected to be recalled to join the Rays bullpen on Sunday.

The veteran left-hander was bypassed at the end of spring training for the final rotation spot in favor of Jake Odorizzi and again on Friday when it was announced that Cesar Ramos would start in place of the injured Matt Moore. Bedard will work in long relief initially, but don't be surprised if he eventually gets another shot at starting.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday that either Cesar Ramos or Erik Bedard will start on Sunday in Cincinnati.

Maddon isn't ready to name a fifth starter yet in the wake of the Matt Moore (elbow) injury, but he's narrowed it down to two candidates and revealed which day they'll pitch. Ramos holds a 3.50 ERA over the last two-plus seasons with the Rays, but he's made only one start over that time. Bedard allowed one run while striking out five over four frames in his first start for Triple-A Omaha.

Rays re-signed LHP Erik Bedard to a minor league contract.

Bedard was released earlier this week, but he evidently was unable to find a major league deal anywhere else. Jake Odorizzi is serving as the Rays' No. 5 starter while Jeremy Hellickson (elbow) is out, but Bedard should get the first call if injury hits the club again.

Rays released LHP Erik Bedard.

Bedard was in the mix for the fifth starter job this spring, but the Rays decided to go with Jake Odorizzi. The veteran left-hander will look for an opportunity in the big leagues elsewhere, but there's still a chance he could return to Tampa Bay.

A source tells Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish that Erik Bedard will opt out of his contract with the Rays.

Bedard had the option if he was asked to take a minor league assignment, which he was told Saturday is the team's intention after he lost out in the battle for the fifth starter job. He appeared to be contemplating the assignment, according to Tampa Bay Times writer Joe Smith, but apparently he feels he can find a major league job elsewhere. The 35-year-old doesn't have much to offer a team these days.

Erik Bedard will not be the Rays' fifth starter according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.

The team has made a decision about its fifth starter but hasn't made it public yet. Bedard previously expressed that he wouldn't accept an assignment to Triple-A but Rays manager Joe Maddon said he hopes the left-hander considers it. Bedard does seem to be more open to the idea now, but it's unclear whether he will. It's hard to see him getting a major league opportunity with another club.

Rays manager Joe Maddon announced the he hops to name the Rays fifth starter on Saturday.

They haven't come to a decision just yet, but are getting close according to Maddon. Bedard and Jake Odorizzi are the two most likely candidates to occupy that final spot in the rotation while Jeremy Hellickson is on the disabled list, but Cesar Ramos could be a darkhorse in the race.

Erik Bedard surrendered four runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings Friday in a loss to the Blue Jays.

It might have been Bedard's finale with the Rays. He appears to be losing the battle for a rotation spot, and he's already made it clear that he doesn't intend to accept a minor league assignment.

Erik Bedard will use an opt-out clause rather than accept an assignment to Triple-A if he doesn't make the Rays.

Bedard's opt-out date is March 31, also known as Opening Day. "There's a lot of starters who have been hurt so there's a lot of chances and I'll probably go somewhere else," Bedard said. "Every day it seems like a starter goes down. There's a lot of opportunities out there if I'm not on the team." The left-hander, competing with Cesar Ramos and Jake Odorizzi for the last spot in the rotation, signed a minor-league contract with Tampa Bay the day camp opened. Rays manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday that he'll likely announce the winner of the No. 5 starter competition on Saturday. Bedard doesn't want to pitch out of the bullpen and isn't currently being considered for that role.

Erik Bedard rebounded from a rough spring debut to shut out the Yankees for three innings in the Rays' 5-5 win Wednesday.

Fifth-starter candidates Bedard, Cesar Ramos (2 ER in 2 2/3 IP) and Jake Odorizzi (0 ER in 1 IP) all pitched for the Rays today. Odorizzi seemed like the clear favorite to get the nod when Jeremy Hellickson went down, but that's completely up in the air now.

Erik Bedard surrendered three runs in an inning Friday in a loss to the Orioles.

Bedard allowed three hits, walked two and threw a wild pitch in a rough Rays debut. He's a possibility for both the rotation and the bullpen this spring, but he's far from a lock to make the team.

Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said Friday that Erik Bedard will be given an opportunity to compete for the team's final rotation spot.

With Jeremy Hellickson beginning the season on the disabled list, the Rays have a sudden vacancy in their rotation. While Jake Odorizzi appears to be the most likely candidate to fill that spot, Bedard could be a factor as well. The veteran southpaw has displayed high-strikeout ability in the past, and the Rays coaching staff is well-known for successful reclamation projects.

Rays signed LHP Erik Bedard to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times first reported Thursday that a deal was close, and now FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal says it's done. The Rays needed to enhance their pitching depth following Jeremy Hellickson's injury, and they've now done so with the addition of Nate Karns and Bedard over the last two days. Bedard put up a 4.59 ERA and 1.48 WHIP last season for the Astros but struck out 138 across 151 innings.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that Erik Bedard is likely to sign a minor league deal with the Rays.

It was Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com that first reported earlier this week that Bedard and the Rays could be a fit. The 34-year-old southpaw put up a 4.59 ERA and 1.48 WHIP last season for the Astros but did strike out 138 across 151 innings. He's not a bad depth addition for Tampa.

Erik Bedard officially filed for free agency on Thursday.

It was a very difficult season for the 34-year-old southpaw in Houston. He remained healthy enough to toss 151 innings, his highest total since 2007, but was mostly rendered ineffective, compiling a 4.59 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 138/75 K/BB. His days as an effective Major League starter are likely over, but there could still be teams willing to take a shot on him as a left-handed specialist or long reliever.