Matheny mentioned during spring that with both Choate and Pat Neshek, who excels against righthanded hitters, in the bullpen neither could be used exclusively as a specialists. That has become even less likely in the season’s opening week as Matheny pieced together the team’s middle relief. Matheny has used Siegrist and righty Carlos Martinez as eighth-inning bridges to closer Trevor Rosenthal, who has two saves. But beyond a few defined roles the bullpen was ad hoc in the first series.

Some roles, like Choate’s, may even be redefined.

“If you just want to use one pitcher for one hitter (then) we’re going to be through our bullpen in no time,” Matheny said. “We’ll end up killing our guys and not maximizing (them). We feel that Randy can get outs.”

ELLIS WILL GET REHAB GAMES