PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays open Spring Training in a familiar position — adapting to change.

The Rays starting rotation is going to look quite different this year, but Manager Kevin Cash and his team are embracing it with optimism.

Pitching has been the heart of the Rays' success in recent years, and this season they’re set for another transformation. 

On Wednesday, Cash and pitching coach Kyle Snyder got their first glimpse of their pitchers for the season ahead. 

With Tyler Glasnow traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Shane McClanahan out for the season after surgery, and Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen rehabbing until at least July, the coaching staff has some work to do putting together a new rotation.

The team did add a bullpen arm on Wednesday, signing veteran reliever Phil Maton to a one-year deal.

Cash is confident with the group they have, as the evaluation for the bottom spots in the rotation are underway.

"To kind of get a gauge of where they’re at, and in today’s game, these pitchers come in, like, ready to go," Cash said. "They’re already built up to 30, 45 pitches."

The Rays say they believe they have the arms to compete, aiming for their sixth consecutive postseason.

“Kind of rewinding the clock, so to speak, with a couple of very similar profiles that we believe have immense upside,” said Rays President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander.

The top three starters are expected to be veterans Zach Eflin, Aaron Civale, and Zach Littell. 

Young pitchers Ryan Pepiot and Taj Bradley are expected to round out the rotation.

The team’s first full-squad workout is set for Feb. 19.