Rays' Luis Patino: Won't make Opening Day roster

Patino was optioned off the active roster Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Patino is part of a large group of pitchers who could start games for the Rays this season, but he won't do so right away. It's not particularly surprising to see him open the year in the minors, as he'd only made two starts at the Double-A level prior to last year, when he jumped to the big leagues and didn't look entirely ready. He posted a 5.19 ERA and 1.85 WHIP while walking 16.5 percent of the batters he faced in his 17.1-inning debut. Patino could certainly still fill an important role for the Rays at some point this year.