OAKLAND – Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is not ready yet to name his starting pitcher for tomorrow’s game at Oakland. Right-hander Spenser Watkins (0-0, 3.00 ERA) will get the ball tonight in the series and road trip opener.
The starter could very well come from two pitchers who are here on the Orioles' taxi squad in right-hander Chris Ellis and lefty Alexander Wells, who are joined by catcher Beau Taylor.
Wells was just optioned out after Friday's game, so he could not come back to the active roster before 10 days without replacing an injured player, but the same does not apply to Ellis.
Ellis made one start this year for Triple-A Norfolk, throwing four scoreless innings without allowing a hit last Wednesday. He pitched to an ERA of 2.49 in six games for the Orioles last year. If needed tomorrow, he would be working on five days’ rest.
“We have a few options, but I’m going to wait until tomorrow to give it out,” Hyde said this afternoon in the visitor’s dugout at the Oakland Coliseum.
Hyde said it was safe to assume it would be someone already here with the team. So unless he decides to bring a pitcher out of the bullpen – which he said recently he was reluctant to do with some guys pitching well currently in those roles – Ellis is very likely.
“He threw the ball extremely well in Norfolk,” Hyde said of Ellis’ outing at Triple-A last week. “He didn’t give up any runs. He got to spring training with us late and it’s been kind of a slow build (up). We gave him a couple outings in spring training, probably threw him out there too early. But he’s starting to look more like himself. Threw the ball really well last September for us.”
Ellis is not currently on the 40-man roster, so a move would be needed to activate him for tomorrow.
Hyde today said he has certainly taken notice of the good first two outings at Triple-A by right-hander Kyle Bradish. He is 1-0 with an ERA of 1.00 in two games over nine innings and today was named the International League Pitcher of the Week. His chance with the Orioles could be coming soon.
The Orioles are still without coaches Anthony Sanders and Tony Mansolino as they deal with illnesses. The club will continue tonight with Fredi González coaching at third base and José Hernandez at first.
“I think he is doing what we asked him to do,” said Hyde. “Which was go down to Triple-A, get some starts under your belt, have success. Pitch well down there, show everybody you’re ready for the big leagues. I think he’s been doing that.”
Hyde is enjoying another West Coast homecoming with this series. He is from Santa Rosa, Calif., about an hour north of here.
“It is always a special trip for me,” said Hyde, who will have his parents, sister and her family, and numerous friends at games here and in Anaheim.
Mancini on the pitching and Sunday’s win: Trey Mancini said he hopes Sunday’s win over the Yankees can help the O’s get off to a good start on this trip.
“It was huge," he said. "That eighth inning was awesome and it was great to see good at-bat after good at-bat. The epitome of what you want out of an inning, especially late in a close game. A really fun win."
Mancini also threw props toward a pitching staff that ranks fifth in the majors and second in the American League with a team ERA of 3.04. The bullpen ERA of 2.66 is third in the league and sixth in the majors.
“I know we had some new faces in the bullpen and you never exactly know how some guys are going to be performing," Mancini said. "Some guys were making their debuts or didn't have a lot of time before this year. And they've been responding to the call – every single one of them. It’s been so great to see and it definitely is so fun to play behind guys that are working fast, throwing strikes and they believe in their stuff.”