A few thoughts on expanded roster

The speculation can slow today as the Orioles and the rest of the teams in baseball can begin expanding their September rosters like waistlines at Thanksgiving.

The Orioles won't stuff themselves. Manager Buck Showalter doesn't want a huge crowd in the clubhouse and dugout.

A few players are expected to officially join the Orioles this afternoon in Kansas City, while others will trickle onto the roster in the coming days.

A third catcher always is part of the expansion, and Chance Sisco is the logical choice after breaking camp with the team and returning once after the Orioles optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk. The spotlight dims on Sisco, which reduces the pressure and allows him to ease back into a reserve role.

Sisco was batting .235/.319/.345 with the Tides last night. He had seven hits in his last 21 at-bats. But it's all about his work behind the plate and improving his throwing.

The organization will decide how many players to remove from Norfolk's roster while the Tides are still chasing a wild card spot.

Outfielder Joey Rickard was recalled yesterday while the Orioles designated Craig Gentry for assignment. He was told that he'd come back after the Orioles optioned him before their series in Toronto, which created room for Adam Jones to return from the bereavement list. The amount of playing time that awaits is uncertain with John Andreoli also on the roster and possessing similar skills.

Infielder Breyvic Valera, acquired from the Dodgers in the Manny Machado trade, figures to return and give the Orioles an extra utility infielder. It's been a one-man job with Jace Peterson.

Infielder Steve Wilkerson will be recalled if he recovers in time from his hamstring injury. He'll also play later in the Arizona Fall League, which doesn't preclude him rejoining the Orioles.

Cody Carroll, part of the return for Zach Britton, also is a consideration. Manager Buck Showalter is impressed with Carroll's arm and just wanted to give him a reset with the option to Norfolk.

Double-A Bowie reliever Branden Kline, the Frederick native and former second-round pick out of the University of Virginia, has entered the discussion with a breakout season - a 1.53 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings - following Tommy John surgery and setbacks that robbed him of the entire 2016 and 2017 seasons. The Orioles want to reward him and know he's deserving of having his contract selected, but they'll be careful about his innings total.

One important consideration while deciding on the roster additions is which players will need to be protected on the 40-man before the Rule 5 draft. Austin Hays, a possibility to be recalled this month despite his assignment to the Arizona Fall League, joined the Orioles last September before he needed to be protected. It wasn't viewed throughout the organization as the right move.

The space is valuable and the Orioles could take a different approach.

Pitcher Dillon Tate, also acquired from the Yankees in the Britton trade, must be protected before the Rule 5 draft. The Orioles could decide to put him on the 40-man now instead of waiting, but his 117 2/3 innings this summer easily surpass his previous high of 83 1/3 last season.

The Orioles didn't protect left-hander Luis Gonzalez in last year's Rule 5 and were relieved, so to speak, that teams passed on him. He was gaining lots of attention in the Arizona Fall League and his stock continued to rise this summer as he moved up from Bowie to Norfolk. The Orioles might want to test him against major league competition while deciding whether to protect him. He has lots of supporters in the organization.

Third baseman Ryan Mountcastle doesn't have to be protected and the Orioles might not want to use a 40-man spot on him. He's going to join the strength-and-conditioning camp in the fall instructional league that begins Sept. 13.

Mountcastle was hitting .294/.341/.460 with 18 doubles, four triples, 12 home runs and 56 RBIs in 98 games at Bowie before last night. The bat continues to play at every level and he's only 21.

Director of player development Brian Graham said Mountcastle, whose season debut was delayed by a fractured hand, continued to progress due to his "plate discipline and his pitch recognition."

"He missed the first six weeks, too, but he hit for power, he hit for average and most importantly he's doing a better job of recognizing pitches," Graham said.

A scout from outside the organization referred to Mountcastle as a "tall, lanky, fringy athlete that is strictly a bat guy. His bat and power should play."

The Orioles will find a spot for him. But it's not expected to happen this month.

Another important consideration for call-ups is which pitchers are reaching their innings limits. Jimmy Yacabonis has been the 26th man in three doubleheaders this summer, returning to Norfolk after the game, and he's logged 95 1/3 innings between the majors and minors. The Orioles must decide when to shut him down.