Uceta (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with Double-A Montgomery on Tuesday, allowing one hit and no walks with one strikeout in a scoreless inning.
Uceta, who opened the season on the injured list due to a right shoulder impingement, took a big step forward in his recovery Tuesday. The Rays will presumably want to see the right-hander make it through a handful of rehab outings before they consider reinstating him from the IL, but a return for Uceta in mid-April appears to be on the table. Tampa Bay has a bit of a carousel forming at closer, and the expectation is that Uceta will join the open competition for save chances upon his season debut.