Chandler Shepherd named starter for first exhibition game

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chandler Shepherd is starting Saturday's exhibition opener against the Braves in North Port, marking the end of the workout grind and moving spring training into its next phase.

Left-hander Ty Blach will follow Shepherd, who's supposed to work two innings.

"He's one of the guys that we're stretching out and it just kind of fell on that day," said manager Brandon Hyde, who shared his decision with the media. "See him go a couple innings."

Shepherd started the final game of the 2019 season at Fenway Park and the Orioles outrighted him off the 40-man roster the following day. He lasted five-plus innings in a 5-4 loss to the Red Sox, charged with two earned runs and three total - the last scoring after Shawn Armstrong replaced him.

The Orioles offered a spring invite to Shepherd, who registered a 6.63 ERA and 1.526 WHIP in five games, including three starts. The Orioles selected him off waivers from the Cubs in May.

Hyde said "a couple starters" also will pitch Sunday when the Orioles play the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium.

"We're stretching out quite a few guys," Hyde said, "and so you'll see guys go multiple innings and we'll continue to ramp them up throughout the Grapefruit League season."

The plan includes David Hess, who could be a starter or reliever on the club. His role is pending.

"We're going to see how the first three or four appearances go and giving him multiple innings and make a decision from there," Hyde said.

Hess threw in the bullpen earlier today and has been impressive since taking home an offseason program from the Premier Pitching & Performance center in St. Louis.

"I think that the offseason was huge for him," Hyde said. "He did have a tough year and it's one of those adversity moments that a lot of guys have in their career and hopefully he can use that as a learning experience and know what he needs to work on.

"I think they got after it this winter. I know our pitching guys are really happy with the progress he's made, the shape on all of his pitches. Made a couple tweaks mechanically in his delivery and so far the results have been really good. So we're going to get a good look at him the next five, six weeks."

Hyde said pitchers who primarily were relievers last season probably would remain in that role. He couldn't come up with any names that would be exceptions.

Chris Davis hasn't shaken the flu-like symptoms that sent him home yesterday.

"They checked with him this morning," Hyde said. "Sounds like he was still under the weather, so we kept him out of workouts."

Shortstop José Iglesias hasn't lost his touch defensively. He keeps dazzling onlookers in camp, even by flipping baseballs into a bucket after fielding them cleanly.

"He's a special defender," Hyde said. "We've all seen it for a long time. He's got amazing hands and feet. He puts on a display almost every day out here and he's really fun to watch play defense. He's passionate about his defense and really enjoys his time out there.

"I love that he's working with other guys. It's fun to have our younger players ... Fun watching him and Richie Martin today taking ground balls together. Richie's an up-and-coming, really good defender and Iggy's been doing it for a while, so it was fun to watch those guys."

New infielder Andrew Velazquez could report to the Orioles for Friday's workout, an abbreviated version prior to Saturday's exhibition game.

Hyde said he likely will move infielders to different positions during games while sifting through his utility candidates.

"I think as we get deeper. Not right away," Hyde said.

"I could see myself having someone play second base for a couple of innings and move them to short for a few innings, that kind of thing. That will probably happen maybe as our numbers get down a little bit."

Rio Ruiz worked out at first base today. He made four starts at the position last season.

Hyde divided players into seven teams of four for a relay drill that brought out the competitive nature in everyone.

Catchers had the ball for the start and finish. There was an elimination round.

Taylor Davis, Stevie Wilkerson, Mason McCoy and Ryan McKenna won by avoiding the one bobble or drop that prevented a first-place finish.

Trey Mancini demonstrates the quickest way to get from one field to another.

Orioles training camp is a bit crowded this year.

John Means signs autographs for fans in Sarasota.