Orioles pre-game notes on rotation, Bautista's live BP, Basallo's first start behind the plate, and more

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Charlie Morton is scheduled to make his Orioles debut Tuesday afternoon against the Tigers in Sarasota. However, everything is tentative at the moment due to Monday’s forecast of heavy rain.

Dean Kremer starts Monday against the Braves in Sarasota. Tomoyuki Sugano is supposed to make his debut Wednesday in Bradenton.

“We’re kind of discussing it right now, what we’re going to do,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “We’re hoping for the best and we can get the game in, but we’ll see if we’re gonna push guys back or if we’re gonna throw guys in the cage. We’ll make a determination of that tomorrow morning.”

Closer Félix Bautista faced hitters today for the first time since his reconstructive-elbow surgery. He threw live batting practice at the Ed Smith Stadium complex.

“I’m looking forward to hearing how it went,” Hyde said. “That’s been a long rehab process for him. I know he’s super pumped up about today, first-day facing guys and facing some of our main guys, too. I know the hitters were excited to see him out there and see what it looks like. He’s made gradual improvements and done everything really, really well from a rehab standpoint.”

Bautista’s fastball is sitting in the mid-90s in camp, below his pre-surgery velocity that can bump him into triple digits. Hyde said the team will wait and see whether it returns.

“He’s coming off Tommy John, first year back,” Hyde said. “Some guys get there, some guys don’t.”

Samuel Basallo, 20, is catching his first Grapefruit League game this afternoon. An elbow fracture limited him to rehabbing and serving as designated hitter last spring.

“I’m just looking forward to watching him play,” Hyde said. "I’ve never seen him catch in a game in person. I’ve only seen a couple at-bats. I’ve seen some backfield stuff but never seen him start a game and watch him play. Happy to give him this start, and just want him to do what he does. He’s been really impressive so far in this camp.”

Defensively, Basallo’s arm strength rates as a plus tool and he’s improved his work behind the plate and handling of pitchers.

“Saw him catch a live BP yesterday, I was impressed with how he receives for the size he is, how agile he is," Hyde said. "He’s really athletic. The size and the arm strength is what you notice right away.”

Basallo probably will catch four or five innings, and the Orioles can use them as teaching moments.

“We’re excited to watch him play in front of a crowd,” Hyde said, “instead of on the back fields in front of nobody.”

Asked whether Basallo and Adley Rutschman can co-exist on a roster, Hyde said, “I’m sure they can.” It might happen later this summer.

“I haven’t seen Basallo catch at all. He’s 20 years old,” Hyde said. “Adley’s an established major league player and a really good catcher and is gonna have a really good year this year. But Basallo’s bat is really, really intriguing and the raw power … his batting practice is really impressive. You always find a way.”

Former Orioles left-hander Nick Vespi is listed among the available Phillies pitchers today, and the Orioles brought his younger brother, Ben, on the trip.

Nick signed a minor league contract after he made 45 relief appearances with the Orioles over the past three seasons. He finally ran out of minor-league options.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Nick,” Hyde said. “He’s such a great guy. I enjoyed my time with him. He was really loose in the clubhouse, players loved him. Enjoyed having him around all those years. And he did an amazing job for us with him shuttling back and forth between Triple-A and the big leagues. He always handled it like a professional.

“I think maybe he got really used to it. That’s not something he wanted to do or liked to do, but he did it well.”