At challenging time for pitching staff, the depth has come up big

In just the last few days, the Orioles have had Kevin Gausman ejected in the second inning and Wade Miley knocked out after being hit by two line drives in the first inning.

Nothing like a few challenges during a long season.

The Orioles seem to be getting a new test nightly. Right now, they'd probably give their kingdom for a routine and comfortable 6-2 win where nobody gets thrown at, ejected, or takes a liner off the wrist or butt.

Since Gausman's early ejection on Wednesday, O's starters have pitched 7 2/3 innings in three games, and six of that came in one game by Tyler Wilson. In that time, their bullpen has worked 18 1/3 innings.

The three games this year where the bullpen was needed to pitch the most innings have all come in the last six games. They've had games where the 'pen had to cover six, seven and 8 1/3 innings. In the six games, the bullpen has worked 28 1/3 innings.

No wonder why the Baltimore-Norfolk shuttle is working overtime and in a need of another full tank of gas.

The Orioles must have left the ballpark last night with a mounting concern level over closer Zach Britton. He was on the disabled list for 16 days with a left forearm strain and had just returned Tuesday. But he was unavailable to pitch last night and manager Buck Showalter told reporters after the game the forearm discomfort has returned. Britton was scheduled for an MRI last night.

Now a few days after returning to the active roster, he may be headed back to the disabled list. The Orioles have a deep bullpen, but Britton may be the best closer in the majors right now. His 2016 season was special. So far, his 2017 season has been a challenge to stay on the field.

Maybe this means nothing, but Britton had just two games all last year when he averaged less than 96 mph in a game on his sinker, according to Brooksbaseball.net. His sinker velocity in his last two games - Tuesday and Thursday at Boston - was 95.43 and 95.35 mph. Not down a lot, but down.

If Britton has to go back on the DL and/or miss any length of time, a bullpen that has been taxed recently and featured a steady stream of roster moves will get a major challenge again.

Meanwhile, if the Orioles can withstand these issues to their pitching staff right now, they could emerge with promising pitching depth.

Alec Asher has made two quality starts this year, while Jayson Aquino and Wilson have one each. In three other games the O's got clutch relief outings from Richard Bleier, Logan Verrett and Gabriel Ynoa. In those seven games, those six pitchers combined to pitch to an ERA of 2.48 over 36 1/3 innings.

Those are some pretty solid performances from a group of unheralded pitchers. They've stepped up when needed. Ynoa was the latest. Chris Tillman returns to the rotation Sunday. If he can come back and stay healthy and Gausman can get his season on track, the pitching staff would get a major boost.

Right now, there is likely concern over Britton. But at the same time, the O's are hoping Tillman's return and the depth we've seen early on this year will bode well for the long grind of the 2017 season.