The Orioles might quickly welcome John Means again for his season debut. Supervisor Brandon Hyde informed reporters yesterday the O’s have been contemplating activating Means to begin on Sunday in opposition to the A’s (X hyperlink through the Baltimore Solar’s Matt Weyrich). The left-hander has been on the injured record all yr, because the group opted to construct him up slowly this spring. Whereas Means made 4 begins late final yr in his return from Tommy John surgical procedure, he skilled residual elbow soreness that saved him off the postseason roster.
Means would probably have discovered himself on some form of innings restrict after throwing 31 2/3 mixed frames between 2022-23. With that in thoughts, the O’s opted in opposition to pushing him this spring. The 2019 All-Star has began 5 video games at Triple-A Norfolk on a rehab stint. The outcomes haven’t been good, as he’s allowed 18 runs over 11 2/3 innings. The O’s in all probability aren’t particularly involved, although, because the southpaw’s main focus has been constructing his workload. He obtained to 79 pitches over 4 1/3 innings on Tuesday.
If Baltimore decides to offer Means yet another rehab look, righty Albert Suárez would probably take the ball on Sunday. The 34-year-old has twirled 11 1/3 scoreless innings in two begins for the reason that O’s chosen his contract final week. Suárez couldn’t have requested for significantly better in his return to the massive leagues for the primary time in seven years. Whether or not it’ll be sufficient to carry a roster spot as soon as Means is prepared isn’t clear, however Suárez has outpitched fellow back-end arms Dean Kremer and Cole Irvin in a really restricted look.
Regardless of the lengthy layoff between his huge league appearances, Suárez is out of choices. Baltimore can’t ship him again to Norfolk with out first exposing him to waivers. Irvin can also be out of choices, however the O’s might theoretically ship Kremer down in the event that they need to guarantee all three pitchers keep within the group.
They may additionally nudge a type of gamers to the bullpen. Baltimore’s roster flexibility is restricted in that regard as effectively, although. 5 of the eight present members of their bullpen — Craig Kimbrel, Danny Coulombe, Mike Baumann, Jacob Webb and up to date commerce pickup Yohan Ramírez — can’t be despatched down. Neither Yennier Cano nor Keegan Akin are going to be optioned. Except the O’s have been to choice grounder specialist Dillon Tate, they might quickly have to DFA one in every of their out-of-options arms.
That may occur as soon as lefty Cionel Pérez returns to the massive league membership. He landed on the 15-day IL with a average indirect pressure shortly after Opening Day. The Orioles despatched him to Norfolk on a rehab stint yesterday, suggesting he’ll be again within the subsequent week or two. Pérez, who can also be out of choices, turned in a 3.54 ERA behind an enormous 60.7% ground-ball proportion over 53 1/3 innings final season.
The information out of Norfolk isn’t all harm associated. Ryan McKenna was assigned outright after clearing waivers in the beginning of the common season. Danielle Allentuck of the Baltimore Banner tweets that the career-long outfielder has began taking reps at second base in an effort to broaden his defensive flexibility. Whereas McKenna has not appeared there in a sport but, efficiently acclimating to the infield might give him a greater likelihood of cracking a loaded Baltimore bench sooner or later through the season.