Orioles pregame notes on Zimmermann, Stowers, Bradish and more

DUNEDIN, Fla. – Bruce Zimmermann will head to minor league spring training and jump into Triple-A Norfolk’s rotation.

The Orioles optioned Zimmermann this morning after he allowed three earned runs and 12 hits in 7 2/3 innings. His 3.52 ERA was paired with a 1.957 WHIP.

“We need rotation depth and so he’s going to be in the Norfolk rotation to start the year,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “It’s going to take more than five guys. He threw the ball well this spring, but we’re going to start the year with him in Triple-A and continue to build him up as a starter.”

Prospects Cade Povich, Chayce McDermott and Justin Armbruester are expected to join Zimmermann. Albert Suárez could occupy another spot if he doesn’t break camp with the Orioles.

Seth Johnson probably will be assigned to Double-A Bowie. He’s made only one career appearance above High-A.

“You can never have enough,” Hyde said. “Hopefully, we can stay as healthy as we can in the big leagues but things happen. To add someone like Zimm, who’s been up and down with us for the last couple years, has some experience down there, I think he’s going to be a factor for us.”

Hyde isn’t ready to reveal the rest of his rotation behind Opening Day starter Corbin Burnes, who will be opposed by Angels left-hander Patrick Sandoval on March 28 at Camden Yards.

“We’re still talking about that, actually,” Hyde said. “Got a pretty good idea, but we’re just not ready to announce it. We haven’t talked to them about it.”

Kyle Stowers is in Dunedin today and trying to break a tie with Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz for the major league lead in home runs. They’ve hit seven, with Stowers collecting three Sunday in Lakeland and Cruz belting two yesterday.

“It was good,” Stowers said this morning. “Nice to do it. It was really fun.”

Stowers was 1-for-19 with no home runs against right-handers before his trifecta against the Tigers.

“The narrative was kind of like, all of a sudden I couldn’t hit righties or something,” he said, smiling. “Like I’ve said, I said the same thing when I was doing it against lefties, I feel confident against both. Had a little 15 at-bat stretch where the results were going one way versus the other and things kind of balance out.”

Stowers was removed for a pinch-hitter, denying him a chance at a fourth homer. He didn’t campaign for it.

“Whatever the coaches told me to do,” he said.

The Orioles need to make 20 more cuts before Opening Day, and they can get down to 17 with Félix Bautista (60-day), Kyle Bradish and John Means going on the injured list. Stowers is fighting for a bench spot, and his chances could hinge on whether the club carries five outfielders.

“We’ve got another week, and got to put together another week of good at-bats,” he said. “Like I’ve been saying since the beginning of camp, just got to take good at-bats and let the cards fall as they’re gonna.”

Bradish had another bullpen session on Sunday and said his arm still feels good.

“It’s mainly just been fastballs and he’s been throwing the ball extremely well,” Hyde said. “He might have spun a couple breaking balls, but it’s been mainly just fastballs and he’s responding well right now.”