Rotation rolling as Orioles resume exhibition schedule

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles are on the road again today with their bus pointed toward Fort Myers for another game against the Twins at Hammond Stadium.

The redundancy this spring is mind numbing. No games in Port Charlotte, the third-shortest trip from Sarasota. Only one in North Port, which is the second shortest and super convenient for manager Brandon Hyde, to close out the Florida portion of the schedule.

Out of nine games, the Orioles have played the Pirates three times – losing all three - host them again Thursday night and head back to Bradenton Monday afternoon for a MASN telecast. They’ve gone to Clearwater twice and have a split-squad game there Sunday afternoon. They were in Fort Myers Friday and return less than a week later.

The five projected starters are impressing, and Grayson Rodriguez’s next turn is today. He tossed 1 2/3 scoreless and hitless innings against the Blue Jays in his debut. The only baserunner came from a hit-by-pitch.

“I was able to drive the fastball, changeup was working good, was able to throw the new sweeper once and got a bad swing on it, so I was pretty excited about that,” he said afterward.

Today’s game gives us a chance to see whether he goes heavier with the sweeper. Hammond Stadium is equipped with the pitch tracker and other data.

Charlie Morton retired six of seven Red Sox batters Monday and didn’t allow a ball out of the infield. The only hit was a ground ball through the right side. His first two pitches produced two outs, and his fastball was 94-95 mph.

Morton tossed a scoreless inning in his first start.

Tomoyuki Sugano wasn’t pleased with his command Monday after replacing Morton. If that’s the disappointing version, the Orioles will take it.

Sugano followed his two scoreless innings in Bradenton with two more against the Red Sox. He may be prepping for the home opener on March 31, his turn if he’s the No. 5 starter.

Zach Eflin allowed one run in his two innings against the Twins, and he starts Thursday night. Dean Kremer tossed three scoreless innings with one hit against the Phillies.

Kremer pitched in relief in his first outing due to a rainout and surrendered two runs in two innings. Add it up and that’s three runs in 15 2/3 innings from the rotation for a 1.72 ERA.

This calculation doesn’t factor Cade Povich’s five shutout innings with one hit and seven strikeouts. He probably will take his numbers down to Triple-A Norfolk and wait for his next opportunity. As we’ve discussed, Albert Suárez currently is the eighth reliever and first in line to start if an injury hits the rotation. The Orioles could plop Povich into the bullpen as the long man, but they might prefer to keep developing him as a starter and not interrupt the process. Make sure he’s stretched out.

Don’t overact to two spring outings. Also, don’t ignore the 2.60 ERA in five September starts and what he’s attaching to them in camp. He looks ready, but the Orioles want to upgrade their depth and he’s part of it.

Suárez is due for a third appearance with his most recent outing on Friday, when he allowed five runs and six hits in 2 2/3 innings. He’s surrendered seven runs and nine hits with four walks and one strikeout over 4 1/3 innings. What he did last season and being out of options keeps him in the driver’s seat, but the club wouldn’t mind a smoother ride.

Relievers Bryan Baker and Keegan Akin haven’t pitched since Feb. 25, which makes them overdue. Baker has retired the six batters he’s faced. Yennier Cano’s last appearance was Friday, and he’s allowed one run and one hit in his two innings. Cionel Pérez gave up a run Friday after doing the same in his debut.

Andrew Kittredge is sitting on his one game last Wednesday, when he allowed two hits and walked a batter, but no runs scored. His sore knee is improving.

Manager Brandon Hyde will be asked about Félix Bautista's next appearance following Monday's emotional return.