Nate Karns will start the third game of the regular season for the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Karns will start the third game of the regular season for the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis:

Just to make the expected now official, Manager Kevin Cash announced Friday that Karns will begin the season as the Rays' No. 3 starter. The 27-year-old righty has been impressive this spring, posting a 2.03 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and an 8-to-3 K/BB ratio across 13.1 innings. With several injuries effecting the Rays' starting pitching depth, Karns will likely see at least three or four turns in the rotation.