Rays right-hander Jeff Niemann did not make his scheduled start Saturday due to a blister on the middle finger of his right hand. "It's a pretty good size in an inopportune spot," Niemann said. He is expected to begin the season as Tampa Bay's No. 5 starter. Niemann has been throwing the past few days with a band aid covering the blister, something he would not be allowed to do during a game. "I'm just trying to make sure it heals, that's the biggest thing," he said. "It was pretty big and pretty deep, so the skin is real soft under it. We have to be pretty cautious to not rip it and go back to square one."