Tyler Wells, the Orioles' Rule 5 pick who emerged as their closer and most trusted high-leverage reliever, won't pitch again in 2021 due to right shoulder inflammation.
Wells was placed on the 10-day injured list with eight games remaining in the season. Spenser Watkins was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.
Wells, the club's second choice in the Rule 5 draft after pitcher Mac Sceroler, posted a 4.11 ERA and 0.912 WHIP with four saves and 65 strikeouts in 57 innings. He faced one batter last night in a save situation, surrendered a triple to DJ Peters and exited with assistant athletic trainer Mark Shires.
Manager Brandon Hyde told the media today that the injury doesn't appear serious. Fatigue could be a factor with Wells not pitching for two seasons due to Tommy John surgery and the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season.
The Orioles had to place Wells on the 10-day injured list in July with right wrist tendinitis. He strung together 11 consecutive scoreless outings, nine coming upon his return to the active roster.
Watkins has an 8.42 ERA and 1.773 WHIP in 14 games, including 10 starts.
With Keegan Akin on the injured list and done for the season, left-hander Bruce Zimmernann is expected to be activated next week and move into the rotation.
Cedric Mullins (26 years old) and Ryan Mountcastle (24) are the third pair of Orioles age 26 or younger to hit 30 or more home runs in the same season, and first since Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop in 2017.
Austin Hays extended his hitting streak to 10 games last night. He has a hit in 43 of his last 50 games, and 20 of 22 this month.
Chris Ellis had his start pushed back from Tuesday to tonight due to arm fatigue. He's made five starts and posted a 2.82 ERA and 1.254 WHIP in 22 1/3 innings.
The walks need to be reduced. He's averaging 4.8 per nine innings.
Ellis has allowed two runs or fewer in his last four starts, but hasn't exceeded five innings.
Rangers right-hander Jordan Lyles, pitching for his sixth team since debuting in 2011, is 9-12 with 5.36 ERA and 1.437 WHIP in 30 games (28 starts). He's surrendered 37 home runs in 166 1/3 innings.
Lyles allowed one run over 14 innings in back-to-back starts before facing the White Sox on Sunday. They reached him for five runs and eighth hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Lyles has made two career appearances against the Orioles and allowed three earned runs and six total with 11 hits in six innings.
For the Rangers:
Willie Calhoun LF
Isiah Kiner-Falefa SS
Adolis GarcÃa DH
Nathaniel Lowe 1B
Nick Solak 2B
DJ Peters RF
Yonny Hernandez 3B
Leody Taveras CF
Jose Trevino C
Jordan Lyles RHP
Update: The Orioles lineup doesn't include Mullins.
Nick Ciuffo is catching and he's the 62nd player used by the Orioles this season.
Ryan McKenna CF, Ryan Mountcastle 1B, Austin Hays LF, Anthony Santander RF, Trey Mancini DH, Pat Valaika SS, Jahmai Jones 2B, Kelvin Gutiérrez 3B, Nick Ciuffo C. Chris Ellis RHP
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