TORONTO — Tampa Bay right-handers Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis left the team Sunday and returned to Florida to have their sore shoulders examined by Rays team doctors.
On Saturday, the Rays scratched Niemann from Sunday's start against Toronto and replaced him with righty Andy Sonnanstine. Niemann could return to the rotation next Saturday against Baltimore.
Davis has not been scratched from his next scheduled start, Tuesday at Detroit, but the Rays held right-hander Jeremy Hellickson out of Sunday's game at Triple-A Durham in case Davis can't go against the Tigers. Hellickson has made one start for the Rays this season, beating the Twins last Monday.
Niemann, 10-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 22 starts, felt pain after beating Minnesota on Tuesday, and was still sore after playing catch Saturday.
Davis, 9-9 with a 4.45 ERA in 21 starts, felt sore two days after his last outing, an Aug. 5 loss to Minnesota.
The Rays used just five starting pitchers in their first 104 games, but Sonnanstine is the seventh pitcher to start for Tampa Bay in seven games since.