Back with Orioles, Tyler Wilson tries to earn his teammates' trust

Right-hander Tyler Wilson found his way again on the Triple-A Norfolk-to-Baltimore shuttle and was added to the Orioles roster today, taking the spot of right-hander Miguel Castro, who was optioned to Double-A Bowie after yesterday's game.

Wilson began the season on the O's opening day roster, was optioned out April 19 and returned for one day on May 4. But it was an important day and game. He got the start and pitched six innings, allowing three runs and earning the win at Boston as the Orioles split an important four-game series at Fenway Park.

In six O's games this season, Wilson is 2-1 with a 4.91 ERA. In four starts for the Tides, he is 0-3 with a 4.87 ERA.

We've heard Orioles manager Buck Showalter praise Wilson often as a reliable and dependable guy. He is one of those players you feel might literally try and run through a wall for the team if they asked him to.

This afternoon, upon his latest arrival in the Baltimore clubhouse, Wilson spoke at length about how important earning his skipper's trust has been for him and how important it is for him to let his teammates know they can depend on him, too.

"That means everything to me," Wilson said. "To have the trust of the manager is essential in the sense that he's not afraid to put you in a position with the game on the line. He's not afraid to give you the ball and he shows he believes in you.

"As important as that is for the manager to have the confidence to put the ball in your hand, it is also more important for your teammates to have that trust in you.

"Something that is special about this locker room and that has made us the team we are is that guys believe in one another. We have a great camaraderie and great chemistry in here. Earning the respect of the guys around you is the most important aspect of the game."

I asked Wilson if he feels he has earned such respect and trust.

"That is not for me to say, whether or not I've earned that," he said. "But what I can say is that's my goal. Whether I come up or go down (to the minors). My aim is to show my teammates of the last three-plus years now that I'm willing to do whatever it takes for them. I'm willing to lay it down and give it everything I've got. I'm just really thankful to be part of such a great locker room. I just want to do my part every day to help the selfless winning mentality we have here."

One thing Wilson has shown a knack for is not pitching for long stretches, but then being effective when he does get a chance. He's not quite sure how he came to do well at such a thing.

"It is really hard to practice that, right? It is not something that you do in spring or in the offseason to get better at," he said. "I think it is a byproduct of the trust we have in the team, in one another to put people in that situation. It boils down to the cliché of one day at a time. Just be prepared when the time comes and be rooted in the things that help you have long-lasting success."

Wilson said he doesn't change his preparation whether he is pitching in the majors or minors.

"You have to be ready to go wherever you are," Wilson said. "You take the same approach whether you are in Norfolk or here. To ensure that you are ready when that phone does ring. You have to be ready whenever the opportunity comes."

Once again he returns to the Orioles as they are fighting for the top spot in the AL East.

"That makes this that much more exciting," Wilson said. "We are in a great position and it is great to be here with these guys. It makes it that much more essential to be prepared every day for whatever they deem necessary."