Fifth element still unknown

There are just a few remaining issues for the Tampa Bay Rays to resolve before the regular season starts. One of those is the identity of their fifth starting pitcher.
Three of the six who were in contention for the final spot in the starting rotation were cut Monday, and there is every indication that one of the three who is still around - David Price - probably isn't going to win the job.
That leaves Jason Hammel and Jeff Niemann, and only one of the two right-handers is scheduled to get a start the next time through the spring training rotation. Hammel will start Wednesday against Cincinnati. Niemann threw a bullpen session Monday and is unsure when his next Grapefruit League appearance will come.
According to Tampa Bay Online, there are a couple reasons the Rays might want to open the season with Hammel in the rotation and Niemann as the long reliever.
First, Hammel served an apprenticeship of sorts last year when he filled in admirably for Scott Kazmir early on and spent the balance of the season working out of the bullpen.
Second, the general assumption is whoever earns the fifth starter's spot out of the gate will give way to Price at some point this season. While the Rays would prefer to keep both Hammel and Niemann in the organization, Niemann might have a higher ceiling - perhaps evolving into a late-inning reliever.
Both pitchers say they're in the dark about where they stand and probably will be the last to know when a decision is made.