Jeff Niemann (shoulder) confirmed he still hopes to return this season.

Niemann, out with an inflamed right shoulder, has resumed a throwing program. The injury didn't require surgery, but Niemann has yet to be cleared for mound work, and doesn't have a timetable for returning. He remains a longshot to contribute in the final two weeks.

Jeff Niemann (shoulder) hasn't been cleared to begin throwing.

Niemann hasn't pitched since September 1 due to inflammation in his right shoulder. He's hold out hope to return this season, but is quickly running out of time.

Jeff Niemann will visit Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday for further examination of his right shoulder.

Niemann has been diagnosed with a slight strain in his right rotator cuff, but the Rays are obviously thinking the situation might be even more serious. The 29-year-old is highly doubtful to pitch again this season.

Jeff Niemann was removed from Saturday's game against the Blue Jays with an apparent back injury.

He lasted just four innings and threw 45 pitches (29 for strikes) before departing. The severity of the injury isn't yet known, but Niemann was shown arching his back and was immediately attended to by the training staff. We'll know more on his status when the Rays update his status later Saturday.

Rays activated RHP Jeff Niemann from the 15-day disabled list.

Niemann will return to start Saturday against the Blue Jays. The 29-year-old right-hander has been sidelined since mid-May with a broken fibula. It's not clear if he'll stick in the rotation moving forward.

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Monday that Jeff Niemann (fibula, hand) does not need another minor league rehab start.

Niemann made an early exit from a rehab start on Saturday, but assuming he can throw a bullpen session Tuesday, it will not have an impact on his timeline. It's not clear when he'll be activated from the disabled list, but the speculation is that he'll return when rosters expand on Saturday. Alex Cobb has pitched very well recently, so Niemann might be headed for the bullpen.

Jeff Niemann (fibula) will throw about 60 pitches in his second minor league rehab start Tuesday.

If it goes well, Niemann might only have to make one more rehab appearance before rejoining the Tampa Bay rotation. He has been out since mid-May with a broken fibula. The 6-foot-9 right-hander had a 3.37 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in seven starts before going down.

Jeff Niemann (fibula) allowed one unearned run over 2 2/3 innings Wednesday at High-A Port Charlotte.

He struck out three and issued only one walk. Niemann told reporters Thursday morning that he was able to work in all of his pitches and that his leg "held up well." He should be ready after two or three more rehab outings.

Jeff Niemann (fibula) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Charlotte Wednesday.

He'll make four rehab starts before rejoining the Rays' rotation. The big right-hander held a nice 3.37 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over seven starts before going down with a broken fibula in mid-May. Alex Cobb will lose his spot in the rotation when Niemann is ready.

Jeff Niemann (fibula) could begin a rehab assignment by the middle of the week.

Niemann threw a successful simulated game Friday and will have a side session Sunday. He's been out since mid-May with a broken fibula and seems likely to make at least three rehab start before rejoining the Rays' rotation.

Jeff Niemann (fibula) said his simulated game Friday "went great."

The Rays might want him to throw another simulated game, but it's also possible he'll be cleared for a minor league rehab assignment. He's on track for a return in late August or early September.

Jeff Niemann (fibula) will throw a simulated game Friday.

It's the last step he has to take before beginning a rehab assignment. Niemann, who has been out since mid-May with a broken fibula, will likely need 3-4 rehab starts before returning at the end of August.

Jeff Niemann (fibula) completed his first successful bullpen session on Saturday afternoon.

Niemann has been sidelined since mid-May with a broken fibula, and is finally starting to make tangible progress toward a return. He's hoping to be back before the end of August. There is no word yet on whether he will be used in the rotation or the bullpen.

Jeff Neimann (fibula) played catch from 90 feet Friday.

Niemann anticipates returning sometime in August, though he's not sure if it will be in the middle of the end of the month. The big right-hander has already missed much more time with a broken fibula than originally anticipated, as the Rays initially put a 4-6 week timetable on him when he went down in mid-May.

Jeff Niemann (fibula) is expected to return at some point in August.

Niemann began walking without the use of a scooter late last month and was playing catch Thursday. However, there's no clear timetable for him to begin throwing from a mound. Alex Cobb will continue to hold down his rotation spot.

Rays transferred RHP Jeff Niemann from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.

The Rays initially provided a 4-6 week timetable for Niemann, who suffered a fractured right fibula Monday, but he'll have to sit out at least two months now. The team has yet to announce who will replace him in the rotation, but it will either be Alex Cobb or Chris Archer.

Rays placed RHP Jeff Niemann on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured right fibula.

Niemann suffered the injury when he was hit in the right leg by a comeback during Monday's start against the Blue Jays. The early estimate is that he'll four to six weeks, which places his return in late June or early July. No word yet on a corresponding roster move, but the Rays figure to add a reliever for now. It looks like Wade Davis has found a home in the bullpen, so Alex Cobb or Chris Archer are most likely to replace Niemann in the starting rotation.

Jeff Niemann will receive a precautionary X-ray on his right ankle.

Niemann had to exit Monday's start after a line drive caught him on the ankle. It's being called a contusion right now, and it sounds like he's probably avoided a major injury, but the Rays are sending him to the hospital to be sure.

Jeff Niemann pitched fairly well against the Rangers on Saturday, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Niemann struck out four and walked three in the game. With the loss, Niemann falls to 1-3 on the season, though he owns a respectable 3.86 ERA and a 20/8 strikeout to walk ratio through 21 innings. He'll look to right the ship and get back in the win column when he takes on the Mariners next week.

Jeff Niemann finally made his first start Thursday and allowed three runs in five innings against the Tigers.

Niemann was doing great until the fifth, when he gave up both of his walks and two of the four hits he allowed on the day. Needless to say, he wasn't brought back out for the sixth after that. Niemann still figures to be a decent enough play in AL-only leagues most weeks.