52 Chaz Roe RP

Roe, who allowed a hit and a walk over a scoreless inning in a loss to the Giants on Saturday, sports a 2.25 ERA over his first five appearances of 2019.

The veteran reliever has only had one true hiccup, allowing what would be a game-winning solo home run to the Rockies' Chris Iannetta last Wednesday in a 1-0 loss. Otherwise, Roe has posted four scoreless outings while serving as a versatile component of the relief corps. The 32-year-old logged 61 appearances in his first full Rays season in 2018, so he's proven capable of handling a heavy workload when necessary.

Roe fired 16 pitches and recorded two strikeouts in a simulated game at the Rays' spring complex in Port Charlotte on Tuesday, Ralph Long of MLB.com reports.

The veteran reliever made his spring debut last Saturday versus the Orioles and was touched up for three earned runs on a hit and two walks over two-thirds of an inning. Roe's performance Tuesday was certainly encouraging, but it's possible the 32-year-old still encounters some additional hiccups in game action after being sidelined since mid-February with a back injury.

Roe (back) is listed as one of the Rays' available pitchers for Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Roe is expected to be the first pitcher used out of the bullpen once starter Andrew Kittredge exits the contest. The right-hander has yet to debut this spring after tweaking his back early in camp, but he'll probably only need a couple appearances after Saturday to clear up any concern about his availability for Opening Day.

Roe (back) played catch Friday and will soon resume a normal throwing program, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Roe was held back at the start of camp after tweaking his back, but manager Kevin Cash says there is "no concern whatsoever" about the issue. Barring setbacks, expect Roe to fill an important bullpen role for the Rays to start the season.

Roe is currently being held back from the rest of the pitchers in camp due to a back injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Though back issues can be problematic at times, this issue is being considered just a "tweak." As such, the Rays don't expect Roe to miss more than a couple days. As long as this injury doesn't linger, the 32-year-old figures to be a big part of Tampa Bay's bullpen this season after finishing 2018 with a 3.58 ERA and 31 holds.