DUNEDIN, Fla. - Reliever Dillon Tate remains out of camp with an illness that the Orioles have described only as “a sore throat.”
Tate began spring training as a virtual lock to make the club, but he hasn’t pitched since March 26 - his third appearance, all of them scoreless.
Manager Brandon Hyde said Tate is feeling better, but he’s away from the team for at least one more day.
Asked whether Tate is dealing with something that could keep him out, Hyde said, “I’m hoping not.”
The camp roster is down to 39 players with left-hander Zac Lowther optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. The only cut this morning.
“We’re starting to pare things down a little bit,” Hyde said, “and we feel like Zac needs to go to Triple-A, get some starts under his belt there, work on command, and hopefully he performs and hopefully we’ll see him sometime this summer.”
A significant number of cuts could be made Wednesday in Lakeland, where the Orioles play their final exhibition game.
“I think guys are aware of our situation and understand that we’ve had some movement the last few years up and down, and I think that there’s opportunity here,” Hyde said. “It’s never an easy conversation to let guys know they’re being sent down, but at the same time, hopefully they use it as a motivation to get better and perform down there and show they deserve to be back in the big leagues.”
Hyde said “there’s a way” that outfielders DJ Stewart and Ryan McKenna could be on the opening day roster. The Orioles are still trying to figure out their bullpen, what they’re doing with the rotation from a tandem standpoint, who’s backing up starting catcher Robinson Chirinos. More meetings were held this morning and the conversations will resume postgame.
“We’ll have a clear-cut roster by tomorrow,” Hyde said, “but right now we’re still talking about some different scenarios.”
Jorge Mateo returned to the lineup today after missing the past three games with stomach discomfort.
“I got tested yesterday but it’s nothing,” he said this morning. “I feel good today, I’m ready to play. The season is around the corner (that) I have to get ready for.”
Mateo said the pain is gone. He worked out yesterday on the back fields, taking batting practice and fielding ground balls
“Nothing at all,” he said.
Mateo hasn’t been told whether he’s made the team, his chances enhanced by going 7-for-20 with three doubles and two home runs, and because he’s out of options. He doesn’t care whether he breaks camp as the second baseman, shortstop or a role player. As long as he’s on it.
“No preference right now,” he said. “Do the job whatever position they need me to play.”