It’s probably time to forget about Uceta earning saves early on this season. He’s given up as many earned runs (seven) and homers (two) in 6 2/3 innings this spring as he did in 41 2/3 regular-season innings last year. At least Uceta is out of options, so the Rays can’t stash him away in Triple-A. We wouldn’t write him off for the season, but those in shallow mixed leagues should probably look elsewhere on draft day. Pete Fairbanks, on the other hand, should be moving up draft boards.

Uceta allowed three hits and walked one while getting just two whiffs on 17 swings. He came into the day having allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings, so it hasn’t been a bad spring overall. Still, he wouldn’t seem to be gaining on Pete Fairbanks, who pitched a scoreless inning today. Fairbanks has allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings.

Uceta was perfect in his first two appearances, but he was pulled before he could get a third out today. It’s a little misstep as he tries to overtake Pete Fairbanks for save chances in the Rays pen.

Uceta spent the second half of last season looking like the Rays’ best reliever, and he was rewarded with five save chances, all of them successful, down the stretch. The Rays might favor Pete Fairbanks over him in the closer’s role to begin this season, but Uceta looks like the better fantasy pick from here.