PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Nick Vespi will get a few days off following his two-inning stint yesterday in Bradenton, where he struck out five batters and received some playful compliments from a teammate this morning for being in beast mode.

Vespi has allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings over his six spring appearances, and he’s struck out nine batters. He hasn’t issued a walk. Opponents are batting .160.

“I know that he’s been working on his two-seamer that goes the other way,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “His four-seamer, cutter, slider kind of go one direction and he’s working on a fastball that goes the other way to keep lefties honest. And that’s been much improved. But his strike-throwing ability, the way he can go multiple innings, able to get both sides out … really loved how he threw the ball yesterday and we’re going to keep giving him a look.”

The Pirates’ Matt Fraizer singled with one out in the eighth yesterday and Vespi got a called third strike on the next two hitters. The inning began with a swinging strikeout against Grant Koch, who was fed fastballs, sinkers, a curveball and a slider.

Sergio Alcántara grounded out to end the game and give Vespi the save after the left-hander struck out Jake Lamb looking and Dustin Peterson swinging.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles reliever Nick Vespi was eager to plunge into a normal offseason workout program. To be full-go over the winter rather than shut down or slowed by pain that led to a surgical procedure in January 2023.

Vespi began making the short drive to TBT Training in Boca Raton, Fla., joining teammate Coby Mayo for sessions with Tom Flynn, the facility’s director of strength and conditioning.

“Mayo has been working out with him in the past and it’s two exits down the road,” Vespi said this week, “so I figured I’d try it out and everything was great.”

Hernia surgery a year ago forced Vespi into a less aggressive routine. He vied for a job in camp and made nine appearances with the club, the first resulting in three scoreless innings on June 30 against the Twins. His last outing in the majors was Aug. 20 in Oakland.

Vespi is trying again to make the Opening Day roster. It may not happen, but his body is geared for it.

On the final day of Birdland Caravan and at the final event of the three-day run, reporters caught up with four pitchers who will look to break north with the Orioles in April by winning roster spots in spring training. That group included lefties Bruce Zimmermann, Keegan Akin and Nick Vespi, and right-hander Mike Baumann.

All four spent some, or in one case, a lot of time in Baltimore during the 2023 American League East championship season, but Zimmermann and Akin are coming off injuries. They pronounced themselves to be healthy and a full go when spring training starts in a couple of weeks.

Zimmermann, who had a 4.73 ERA in seven O’s games last year while pitching most of the season in Triple-A, had core muscle surgery Oct. 19 in Philadelphia.

That was about three weeks after he pitched two scoreless innings versus Boston for the O’s in Game 161 at Oriole Park.

“The surgery went real well,” the Baltimore-area native said of the October procedure. “Really grateful I had one of the top doctors that has worked on a few other guys on the team. Rehab went really well. Been down in Florida for about two weeks now to get an early start and get in front of the training staff and that has been going really well. I should be full go when pitchers and catchers report.

The Orioles didn’t send down left-hander Cole Irvin again today based on poor evaluations of his performance. Circumstances beyond his control removed him from the active roster and the clubhouse.

Irvin was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, with Nick Vespi recalled again.

“Because of the six-man rotation right now, as well as, the last four or five starts have been short, so our bullpen has taken a heavy load, that whole Boston series and the first game here against St. Louis,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “We just felt like we needed a bullpen arm.”

Irvin has been optioned three times. He could return again but must stay in the minors for a minimum of 15 days unless replacing an injured player.

“We’ll see,” Hyde said.

Nick Vespi is back in the majors.

The Orioles recalled Vespi this morning from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned Cole Irvin in a swap of left-handed relievers.

Irvin was removed from the rotation to create a spot for John Means. He tossed two scoreless innings last night and threw 32 pitches, pushing back his availability with the second-place Rays coming to town Thursday to begin a crucial four-game series.

This is Irvin’s third time being optioned this season. Vespi is a real pro.

The Orioles optioned Vespi for a fourth time on Aug. 24. He can be sent down one more time without the Orioles having to expose him to waivers.

SAN DIEGO – The Orioles are keeping their rotation in line for the series in Oakland that begins Friday night.

Kyle Gibson starts the opening game, followed by Cole Irvin and Kyle Bradish. The six-man arrangement isn't changing.

The club didn’t make a roster move today to bring in a fresh bullpen arm. The off-day on Thursday influenced its decision after Jack Flaherty worked only three innings last night and Nick Vespi threw 34 pitches in two innings.

"It's always helpful," said manager Brandon Hyde. "We're not in great shape, but if worse comes to worse, probably could throw a couple guys that I normally wouldn't throw."

Outfielder Aaron Hicks is out of the lineup again due to back soreness. He might be available off the bench.

The Orioles gained a starting outfielder today and created a little more balance in their bullpen.

Cedric Mullins was reinstated from the 10-day injured list, and the Orioles recalled reliever Nick Vespi from Triple-A Norfolk.

Outfielder Ryan McKenna and reliever Joey Krehbiel were optioned. The move with McKenna came after yesterday’s game.

Mullins is expected to lead off and play center field tonight in Seattle, where the Orioles begin a three-city West Coast swing. He hasn’t played since sustaining another groin injury while running the bases July 15 against the Marlins at Camden Yards.

Four rehab games with Double-A Bowie were deemed sufficient to activate Mullins, who went 3-for-20 with a couple of leaping catches.

Orioles scout Trent Friedrich used the word multiple times today when describing outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr.

Different.

Friedrich watched Bradfield play at American Heritage High School in Plantation, Fla. in 2018. He tracked Bradfield at Vanderbilt University, with Tennessee part of his territory. And he knew.

“He impacted the game in so many ways,” Friedrich said. “It’s been really fun ever since he was a sophomore in high school, following him through high school, and then coming into my area at Vanderbilt and being able to watch him the last three years.

“He’s just been different every step of the way.”

Nick Vespi flipped through his memory cards yesterday and couldn’t find the last date that he pitched three innings in a game. Didn’t know the year or the level. Just that it happened.

Vespi guessed that he was a starter in A ball. Don’t quote him on it. Just seemed to make the most sense.

Researching the topic at his locker wasn’t an option or an interest. Leave it to the professionals.

Prior to tossing three innings in his final appearance with Triple-A Norfolk on June 24 in Nashville, and under special circumstances, Vespi hadn’t reached that total since May 4, 2021 with Double-A Bowie in Altoona.

So, not A ball. But it’s a rarity in his relief days.

The Orioles placed left-handed reliever Keegan Akin on the 15-day injured list this afternoon with lower back discomfort, a move that’s retroactive to yesterday. Lefty Nick Vespi was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.

Akin has allowed 10 earned runs (13 total) and 12 hits in his last four appearances over four innings. He was charged with two earned runs and four total in the 10^th inning Wednesday against the Reds and couldn’t record the final out.

The appearance left Akin with a 6.85 ERA.

The Orioles optioned Akin on May 9 and recalled him three weeks later. The media will find out later today if his absence could extend beyond 15 days.

Vespi has registered a 1.71 ERA and 0.987 WHIP in 23 games with Norfolk. His last appearance was Saturday.

The Orioles optioned left-hander Nick Vespi to Triple-A Norfolk this morning as the corresponding move to Cole Irvin’s return.

Vespi lasted one day in his second stint. He hasn’t pitched for the Orioles this season.

Irvin was recalled to make his fourth start with the Orioles, and his first since April 13. He owns a 2.19 ERA in four career starts against the Royals.

Ryan Mountcastle is out of the lineup again today due to an illness that forced him to the bench last night.

Gunnar Henderson has moved up to the leadoff spot after his career-high three hits last night. Ryan O’Hearn is the first baseman, Adam Frazier is at second base, and Josh Lester is the designated hitter.

The Orioles’ lineup tonight was influenced by Ryan Mountcaste’s health rather than his slump.

Mountcastle is under the weather, according to manager Brandon Hyde. Anthony Santander is playing first base and James McCann is serving as designated hitter.

“Just not feeling real good,” Hyde said. “Tried to play through it yesterday. I could tell he wasn’t feeling well. He tried to battle through it and still feeling sick today, so we decided to give him a day today.”

Mountcastle went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts yesterday and is batting .227/.264/.421 in 60 games. He’s drawn 12 walks and struck out 64 times in 261 plate appearances.

A change in months hasn’t shortened the skid. Mountcastle is 2-for-15 with seven strikeouts after batting .222/.275/.435 in May. He has four hits in his last 30 at-bats.

The Orioles made another adjustment to their bullpen before tonight’s series opener against the Royals at Camden Yards.

Left-hander Nick Vespi was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and lefty Bruce Zimmermann was optioned, giving manager Brandon Hyde an available arm in relief. Zimmermann threw 61 pitches in three innings Wednesday night in Milwaukee.

Vespi is waiting to make his first appearance in 2023. He was recalled on May 12 and optioned two days later.

The numbers in Triple-A are worthy of a second promotion.

Vespi is 2-0 with a 1.77 ERA, 0.984 WHIP and seven saves in 19 games with Norfolk. He’s allowed four runs and 15 hits with five walks and 21 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings.

The Orioles have reduced their pitching staff to 12 this morning by optioning left-handed reliever Nick Vespi and recalling infielder Joey Ortiz from Triple-A Norfolk.

Ortiz arrived yesterday and joined the 24-hour taxi squad because outfielder Ryan McKenna is receiving treatment for a sore back. McKenna has avoided the injured list, but Ortiz maintains a healthy four-man bench.

Jorge Mateo is one of the reserves today, with Ortiz starting at shortstop and batting ninth. Adley Rutschman also is on the bench.

Vespi was the second Orioles pitcher to be recalled last week and fail to appear in a game. Drew Rom spent a couple of days in the bullpen without making his major league debut.

It also happened to Spenser Watkins while the Orioles were in Chicago.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde saw Ramón Urías in the weight room this afternoon and said the infielder’s left hamstring is improving through rehab sessions.

What hasn’t changed is the anticipated length of Urías’ absence from the active roster. He won’t be back after his 10 days have passed.

“He’s doing well,” Hyde said. “I think the timetable’s still the same. It’s going to be two or three weeks, but he’s progressing extremely well and right now he’s just getting a ton of treatment and doing some exercises in the weight room, but hasn’t done anything besides that.”

Reliever Mychal Givens said his left knee felt good after he pitched Wednesday and Thursday with Double-A Bowie on his rehab assignment. His activation from the injured list is approaching.

“I think he’s pretty close,” Hyde said. “We might try to give him another outing, and then we’re going to continue to monitor from there, go from there.”

Lefty reliever Nick Vespi spent time on the Norfolk-Baltimore shuttle last year and makes his first trip to Baltimore this year for the Pittsburgh series that begins tonight. He was recalled from Triple-A today and takes the roster spot of lefty Drew Rom, sent back to the Tides.

Vespi’s chances to make the Orioles out of spring training were hindered when he had hernia surgery in early January. It would limit him to three games and three innings in spring training, where he didn’t get into his first game until March 13. But with a 1-0 record and 2.84 ERA in 12 Triple-A games, and with four scoreless appearances his last four games, he’s back in the bigs today.

“Feel good. Felt strong,” he said today of his time with Norfolk. “Coming off the injury and everything, feel back to normal now. Super excited and hopefully I can keep doing what they’ve been doing (out of the bullpen).

“It took a couple of times out on the mound to feel back to normal, but just got my feet wet, started pitching again and feel great,” said Vespi, who has walked five and fanned 17 this year with Norfolk.

He leaves a team with a 26-9 record in the minors to join one that is 24-13 in the majors.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles have trimmed their starter competition to eight pitchers.

Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann was among five camp cuts this afternoon, the announcement coming long after a 14-6 loss to the Phillies in Clearwater.

Zimmermann and left-handed reliever Nick Vespi were optioned to minor league camp. Infielder Lewin Díaz, left-hander Darwinzon Hernández and catcher Mark Kolozsvary were reassigned because they aren’t on the 40-man roster.

The spring training roster is down to 46 players, including 12 non-roster invites. Twenty more subtractions are coming before the March 30 opener in Boston.

Pitchers John Means and Dillon Tate eventually will be moved to the injured list.

SARASOTA, Fla. – With his pitching every fifth day schedule lining up closely where he could pitch nearly on schedule on Opening Day at Boston, right-hander Kyle Gibson made his third spring start and threw well in the Orioles' 11-7 win over the Tigers this afternoon.

The Orioles split their squad and played twice. The other half of the roster lost 6-5 to Atlanta in North Port in a game called in the top of the seventh due to rain.

Here at Ed Smith Stadium, the Orioles hit six homers, some seemed to be helped by the gusting wind toward left field. They had 15 hits in all and the 11 runs is their most this spring after they had scored 10 runs three times. O’s batters have scored 67 runs the past 10 games.

Gibson allowed some hard contact, including on a solo homer to Akil Baddoo, the second batter of the game. But that was the only run he gave up in four innings. He allowed three hits with no walks and two strikeouts on 46 pitches, 33 for strikes.

He is rounding into form nicely with an ERA of 2.00 in nine spring innings after outings of two, three and four innings. In that time, he has yet to walk a batter with six strikeouts.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles announced today the passing of Luis Andrés Ortiz Soriano, a 20-year-old minor league player from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. 

A team statement read: "Our hearts are heavy today as we mourn the passing of minor league pitcher Luis Andrés Ortiz Soriano. Luis was an inspiration to all who knew him, especially as he courageously battled cancer. Our hearts go out to his family and friends."

The young man did not have any stats for the 2022 season. In 2021 in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League he went 1-2 with a 5.52 ERA in 14 2/3 innings.

Manager Brandon Hyde passed along his thoughts to start his pregame press update.

"Want to pass on condolences to the Luis Ortiz family. Sad news last night. From all of us here - our major league staff and players - we want to give our condolences to the Ortiz family," he said. 

SARASOTA, Fla. – Terrin Vavra was supposed to play left field and lead off today against the Phillies. However, he's been scratched from the lineup and replaced by Colton Cowser.

Third baseman Gunnar Henderson is leading off. Cowser is batting eighth.

No reason provided at this time.

Orioles reliever Nick Vespi had his fifth bullpen session yesterday morning, using all of his pitches and totaling 35. He advances next week to one or two live bullpen sessions and should be ready to start appearing in games.

Vespi, who underwent hernia surgery on Jan. 5, remains confident that he’ll be ready for Opening Day if he makes the club.