Notes on Cobb's return, rest of rotation and more (game postponed)

Alex Cobb is rejoining the active roster and the rotation.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Cobb is expected to start Friday night against the Yankees "if everything works out protocol-wise." The veteran right-hander has been on the injured list, with the assumption that it's been related to COVID-19.

"He's been throwing," Hyde said in his Zoom conference call, "so he'll be ready to go."

Dean Kremer will make his second major league start on Saturday afternoon and left-hander John Means is starting Sunday afternoon's series finale.

The weather is a factor, with rain in the forecast tonight and again on Sunday. The tarp is on the field at Yankee Stadium.

Cobb has registered a 4.33 ERA and 1.330 WHIP in seven starts. He hasn't pitched since Aug. 29 against the Blue Jays in Buffalo.

A potential trade chip at the deadline, Cobb remained with the club but was placed on the injured list. Hyde could only say that the Orioles were following protocol.

The rotation seems to be set now with Jorge López last night and Keegan Akin, tonight followed by Cobb, Kremer and Means. Asher Wojciechowski is a swingman who worked the last two innings Tuesday night at Citi Field.

The Orioles will learn more about Akin and Kremer as their major league education brings them to the Bronx.

A calmer atmosphere without fans in the seats, but still a unique challenge for them.

"I think we're curious to see," Hyde said. "You're talking about two really confident guys and I like the makeup of both those guys. They feel like they belong here and that's really a huge step in the process of being a major league player is to feel that you can compete here and you belong here and that your stuff works at this level.

"Kremer's had that one start, but it's obvious that he threw the ball very, very well. That his stuff plays in the big leagues. And Akin's pitched well. I would hope they would consider this another start. The games might mean a lot, but I would love for them to just take this as another start and have the same competitive attitude they always have."

Last night's loss to the Mets, coming after the Orioles built a 5-1 lead, stung but didn't throw anyone in a panic. And being in a pennant race hasn't tightened collars on the game jerseys.

"I think we're taking this like it's another day," Hyde said.

"I think the mood in the clubhouse today is no different than it was a month ago. We know what we're up against here playing a really good club. It's going to be a dogfight this weekend and we know that and I think our guys are up for it."

All three Orioles starting outfielders last night - Ryan Mountcastle, Cedric Mullins and DJ Stewart - had multiple hits before the end of the third inning. Per the Elias Sports Bureau, it's the first time since May 16, 1999 at Texas (a 16-5 win) when B.J. Surhoff, Brady Anderson and Albert Belle each collected two hits before an out was recorded in the second inning.

Stewart is the first Orioles hitter to homer in four straight games since Renato Núñez on May 22-25, 2019.

For the Yankees
DJ LeMahieu 3B
Gleyber Torres SS
Aaron Hicks CF
Clint Frazier RF
Miguel Andújar LF
Gary Sánchez DH
Mike Ford 1B
Kyle Higashioka C
Thairo Estrada 2B

Gerrit Cole RHP

Update: Tonight's game has been postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a doubleheader Friday. The first game starts at 4:05 p.m. Both games will be seven innings.

I'll assume that Akin and Cobb will be the starters.