Ellis placed on injured list (plus other notes)

NEW YORK – An Orioles rotation missing its No. 1 starter is forced to fill another opening with the season less than a month old.

Chris Ellis was placed on the 10-day injured list this afternoon with right shoulder inflammation, the same condition that shut him down last September.

Alexander Wells was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, a simply and logical transaction with the left-hander on the taxi squad. He already had a locker inside the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium.

Ellis faced only five batters Sunday in Anaheim and didn’t retire anyone. He walked three, hit one and surrendered a two-run single.

Mound visits from pitching coach Chris Holt and later head athletic trainer Brian Ebel preceded his removal from the game.

Manager Brandon Hyde isn’t sure how long Ellis will be unavailable. The right-hander is being evaluated.

“He’s going to need some time to let the shoulder calm down a little bit,” Hyde said in the dugout during batting practice, straining to be heard over the music blaring through the stadium speakers. “Hopefully, it’s not too long, but we don’t know at this point.”

How the Orioles replace Ellis also is a puzzle. His turn comes up this weekend at Camden Yards, while the Red Sox are in town.

“We’re just keeping (the rotation) as is right now,” Hyde said. “We’ll be TBA in our next series. Going to get through these next three and see where we are at that point.”

Wells could start in Ellis’ place if he isn’t used in extended relief in The Bronx. The Orioles chose him as the roster replacement instead of recalling another reliever.

“That’s still a possibility,” Hyde said, “but we did bring him in case … Alex Wells can give us length out of the bullpen. With how much our bullpen has been used really lately, I thought it was important for a guy who can give us some innings out of the ‘pen. After this series, we’re not sure, but we needed a long reliever right now.”

Hyde is hoping to avoid using a few relievers tonight, but left-hander Paul Fry is available. Fry didn’t pitch in Anaheim due to neck spasms and hasn’t been called upon since last Wednesday.

Fry woke up one morning with soreness in his neck, it felt worse later and he had to endure a cross-country flight to New York. But he said today that he’s much better.

Hyde confirmed that John Means will undergo Tommy John surgery Wednesday in Dallas, costing him the rest of the season and a portion of 2023.

The rotation for the rest of the Yankees series consists of Tyler Wells Wednesday and Bruce Zimmermann Thursday. Spenser Watkins can start against the Red Sox on Friday, but Saturday is unoccupied.

Outfielder DJ Stewart cleared outright waivers and was assigned to Norfolk.

Third base coach Tony Mansolino has rejoined the team after dealing with an undisclosed illness.

Outfielder Anthony Santander has reached base in each of the first 16 games. The full streak is 17, including his final game in 2021.

Jorge Mateo leads the majors with seven stolen bases.