The Tampa Bay Rays plan to begin the season using a four-man starting rotation while Alex Cobb remains on the free agent market.

A return to the Rays remains highly unlikely. While the market for free agents this offseason has declined, the right-hander remains out of Tampa Bay's price range.

Cobb, 30, tossed 179.1 innings in 2017 and produced a 3.66 ERA, 4.16 FIP and 128 strikeouts.