Alex Cobb on Straily's addition, Hanser Alberto on 4-for-6 start

Right-hander Dan Straily's addition to the Orioles will no doubt be welcomed throughout the clubhouse, and maybe most by a bullpen that has been extremely busy through the first seven games.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Straily may initially make some bullpen appearances, but he's headed for the rotation as soon as he's stretched out enough for that.

Straily, 30, went 5-6 with a 4.12 ERA for Miami last year. Over his past three seasons he has worked to a 4.03 ERA over 495 1/3 innings with an average of 3.4 walks per nine innings and 7.8 strikeouts.

"He's an established big leaguer," said right-hander Alex Cobb, who started Thursday's home opener. "Those types of pieces are key right now. We've got a pretty big gap between our veteran guys and the younger guys. You need a mix of everything, and he bridges that gap really nicely. I think he's had a really good career so far. You know he goes out there and will get you outs."

The O's rotation, which pitched to an 8.38 ERA in Yankee Stadium, has allowed just two earned runs in 20 innings the last four games, for an ERA of 0.90.

Each starter is trying to follow the last guy and keep the momentum moving forward. Cobb added that improved defense and defensive positioning this year have been big for the pitchers.

"You feed off of each other's outings," Cobb said. "We're really close and good friends and rooting for each other. We help each other as much as we can. Once you get some momentum, no one wants to be that weak link in the group.

"The other thing is, not only our defensive abilities, but our defensive positioning has been very good so far. We've seen multiple line outs where we've been positioned in the right spots. When you are out there and facing a good big league team, it's very difficult to get four outs. When we steal an out, it goes a long way to getting that momentum we are looking for."

As for tonight's lineup for the Orioles, Hanser Alberto, who is batting .667 (4-for-6), is starting at third base and batting sixth. Alberto, 26, is looking to stay a while with the Orioles. He just endured a stretch of months, starting in November, when he was claimed off waivers four times by three teams, including the two that are playing here tonight.

On Nov. 2 the Yankees claimed him from Texas. On Jan. 11 the Orioles claimed him from New York. On Feb. 22, the Giants claimed him off waivers from the Orioles and on March 1, the Orioles claimed him back from San Francisco.

The native of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, has somehow kept his spirits up during the wild ride of the last few months.

"You know, this business is tough," he said. "You have to stay positive. When the opportunity comes, you have to embrace it and be ready for it. It was a crazy winter for me, but I stayed positive and now I'm here. I'm feeling pretty good. Excited to get the opportunity and want to help this team to win any way I can."

Alberto is enjoying being an Oriole the second time around after his time in between with the Giants lasted just a few days.

"A good group of guys, with some young guys and veterans too. There is a lot of talent here," Alberto said. "The guys here have been nice. Here we get an opportunity and a chance to show what we've got. Hopefully, it goes well for everyone here."

Alberto, who is out of options, has hit .287 in his minor league career, which began with him hitting .358 in 2010 to win a batting title in the Dominican Summer League. In about 1,000 career plate appearances at Triple-A since 2015, he has hit .309/.330/.438.

So what was the key to hitting so well at the highest rung on the minor league ladder?

"Just opportunity," he said. "When you play sometimes you go 0-for-4, but you know tomorrow you will be in the lineup again. In the majors, sometimes you get two hits and then go to the bench. But when you start playing more often you get your body going and it's nothing new, just opportunity. I'm ready to play anywhere (on defense). When I was in Texas I played all over, and I'm ready to do that here."