Orioles were bundle of activity before playing last night's game

The Orioles gave everyone a lot to unpack after returning from their 11-day road trip.

We knew that Kyle Bradish was starting his first major league game. The news broke Thursday afternoon.

The corresponding roster move wasn’t as clear. It turned out to be Mike Baumann, who couldn’t sustain the momentum from his 2 1/3 scoreless innings against the Brewers, including one hit allowed and credit for the win.

Baumann was charged with five earned runs and six total over his next four appearances covering five innings. He walked five batters, and the Orioles want him pounding the strike zone in Triple-A and operating in a more controlled environment.

Much easier to map out his week in the minors.

Unknown to people outside the team was the elbow inflammation that landed Alexander Wells on the injured list. He pitched Tuesday night at frigid Yankee Stadium and seemed fine except for the solo home runs by Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo.

Are you going to notice a decline in velocity?

Wells was inside the clubhouse yesterday, still no signs of an injury – whatever I’d be looking for, like maybe an ice pack or a frown - but manager Brandon Hyde revealed it to the media during his daily session. More information should be coming Saturday, since Wells was supposed to undergo further testing last night.

Rather than stay with 15 pitchers, the Orioles executed a 14/14 split by recalling Tyler Nevin.

Did not see that one coming, though Nevin more than earned it.

The guy has been raking, but there wasn’t an immediate need for a corner infielder and outfielder. It just grew over time.

Orioles third baseman are slashing .176/.218/.203 after Nevin went 0-for-4. Kelvin Gutiérrez committed two of the five errors on Thursday.

Maybe it’s just a coincidence.

Why not run Nevin out there and see what he can offer at the plate and in the field? I hate to reuse the line that he won’t cost them the pennant, but there it is.

He had a nice play last night in the ninth, charging a ball toward the line and making the throw on the run to retire Franchy Cordero.

Nevin’s first major league home run, on the final day of the 2021 season, measured 442 feet at Rogers Centre. So yes, his power is intriguing. So are his bloodlines.

The unpacking also pertained to Monday’s deadline to reduce rosters to 26 players.

The Orioles had 15 pitchers and 13 position players before swapping Wells for Nevin. Teams are allowed to carry 14 pitchers. Are two position players leaving the roster?

Hyde needs the extra arm. He also likes a full bench. But he really needs the extra arm.

The measurements will change periodically. The Orioles won’t stick with the same numbers. A series could motivate them to switch, or a player’s day-to-day status. But they didn’t figure to begin the homestand last night with a five-man bench.