Hyde turning to Domínguez to get "the three toughest outs"

NEW YORK – Former major league reliever Andrew Miller visited the Orioles clubhouse this afternoon at Citi Field. He isn’t making a comeback. He was here on business with the players’ union.

Miller’s career with the Orioles was brief, a mere 23 games in the regular season in 2014 and five more in the playoffs that resulted in 7 1/3 scoreless innings. He’s a reminder of much better bullpen days with Miller, Zack Britton, Darren O’Day, Brad Brach and Tommy Hunter.

Craig Kimbrel spent a portion of his pregame this afternoon throwing in the 'pen, doing more tinkering with his delivery and hoping to figure out why he can’t regain a first-half form that made him an All-Star candidate.

“I think it’s a little bit mechanical, so he’s just out there trying to work on some things. And it sounds like it really went well,” said manager Brandon Hyde.

“With where we are with our bullpen here, we’re gonna need guys to step up, and we need him to, as well.”

Step up without tripping.

Kimbrel posted a 2.80 ERA, 0.962 OPS and .150 average against before the break and has an 8.31 ERA, 2.308 WHIP and .286 average against in the second half. He hasn’t recorded a save since July 7 or received a chance since July 25.

Hyde falls short of naming another reliever the closer but he pretty much got there this afternoon with Seranthony Domínguez.

The former Phillies right-hander has three saves with the Orioles since the deadline trade and has allowed two runs – including Rob Refsnyder’s solo homer yesterday in the ninth – with 13 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings.

“I’m kind of searching for guys to get outs in the back third of the game right now,” Hyde said. “He’s done really well in that spot when we had an area of need to pitch in the eighth or ninth inning against righties or lefties. Saw 99 (mph) with a really good slider right away when he got here. I’m still going to continue to try to match up, but right now to get the three toughest outs in the game, the way he’s throwing the ball, it’s a good shot he’s going to be in there.”

More like an excellent shot on days that he’s available.

Former manager Buck Showalter could line up his relievers on most occasions and shorten games with their dominance and dependability. Hyde found it easier last summer with All-Stars Yennier Cano and Félix Bautista until the latter injured his elbow and required Tommy John surgery that’s keeping him away from the active roster until 2025.

Danny Coulombe and Jacob Webb also are on the injured list to further complicate Hyde’s baseball life.

“I think in an ideal world you have a set bullpen with roles and a closer and matchup guys,” he said, “but with the way our injuries have happened this year with everything else, we’re trying to do the best we can right now.”

Domínguez had a 4.75 ERA and 1.222 WHIP in 38 games with the Phillies. The sample size with the Orioles has reached 10 games and he appears to be sharper. He’s in attack mode and mostly successful at it.

Hyde said the Orioles aren’t doing anything specific with Domínguez that’s in stark contrast to his Phillies days.

“I think just trying to give the guy some confidence,” Hyde said. “I know that he was gonna have maybe a little more opportunity here to pitch in some high leverage games than he was in Philly. We tried him out right away and he’s throwing the ball with a lot of confidence right now.”

The lineup for tonight’s series opener against the Mets has Austin Slater in left field and atop the order. Get used to it.

The Orioles are facing three left-handers in the series and likely two against the Astros at Camden Yards. They’re 18-15 versus southpaw starters.

“Hopefully we can take some good at-bats against left-handed pitchers,” he said.

Slater is a lifetime .275 hitter with an .801 OPS against lefties, though he’s batting only .198 with a .535 OPS this season.

“He’s handled lefties in his career,” Hyde said. “I like the at-bat he takes. He led off that one game with a drag bunt single. I also have some lefties on the bench if they do bring in a righty, I can hit for them. It gives me some options.”