Orioles recall Wells and option Baumann

CLEVELAND – Tyler Wells is back with the Orioles.

Wells was recalled this afternoon from Triple-A Norfolk, with the club optioning Mike Baumann.

Baumann must stay down a minimum 15 days unless he replaces an injured player. Joey Krehbiel was optioned on Sept. 12, Cole Irvin on Sept. 13, Nick Vespi on Sept. 14 and Bryan Baker on Saturday.

Manager Brandon Hyde has used 26 relievers in five days, including five in last night's 5-2 loss.

Wells hasn’t pitched for the Orioles since they sent him down July 30, a day after he allowed three runs and three hits with three walks in 2 2/3 innings against the Yankees. He surrendered 11 runs and walked nine batters in nine innings in his three starts following the All-Star break.

The command issues and innings load led the Orioles to option Wells to Double-A Bowie, where he allowed three runs in 8 2/3 frames. The Orioles promoted him to Triple-A Norfolk and assigned him to the bullpen, and he allowed six runs and seven hits with four walks over six innings in seven appearances.

Wells is available tonight after throwing 17 pitches in two-thirds of an inning Wednesday night, surrendering a run and two hits.

Asked about Wells yesterday, Hyde said, “The stuff is ticking up a little bit, so I think he’s definitely an option for us down the stretch.”

The stretch begins tonight in Cleveland, with Wells remaining out of the rotation but vying for a spot on the playoff roster.

Wells was the team’s best starter in the first half and created some All-Star chatter with a 3.18 ERA and 0.927 WHIP in 18 games. Opponents slashed .193/.241/.409, but he also gave up 21 of his 25 home runs.

The 25 homers rank second on the club behind Dean Kremer’s 27. Kyle Gibson is third with 23. But Wells has appeared in 21 games, compared to 31 for Gibson and 30 for Kremer.

The Orioles continue their four-game series with the Guardians tonight. Their magic number remains seven to clinch the division title, and their lead over the Rays is down to 1 ½ games.

Kremer is 12-5 with a 4.17 ERA and 1.305 WHIP in 30 starts. He’s allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his last five.

Kremer has made two career starts against Cleveland and is 0-2 with a 5.59 ERA in 9 2/3 innings.

Adley Rutschman’s 64 career doubles are second-most in club history through the first 259 games behind Manny Machado’s 66. His 410 career times on base rank second among catchers in major league history through 259 games, behind the Twins’ Joe Mauer (427).

Ryan O’Hearn’s 99 hits, 22 doubles, 60 RBIs and 37 extra-base hits are career highs.

Aaron Hicks’ .383 average and .482 on-base percentage lead all American League hitters this month with a minimum 45 at-bats.

Gunnar Henderson’s 52 walks are ninth-most among Orioles rookies in team history.

The Guardians are reinstating Shane Bieber from the injured list to make tonight’s start. He hasn’t pitched since July 9 due to right elbow inflammation.

Bieber has registered a 3.77 ERA and 1.248 WHIP in 19 starts. He faced the Orioles on May 31 and allowed seven runs and eight hits in four innings. Anthony Santander hit a two-run homer.

Bieber owns a 3.09 ERA and 0.857 WHIP in five career starts against the Orioles, including a complete-game shutout with 15 strikeouts in 2019.

O’Hearn is 6-for-17 with two doubles and a home run.