Right-hander Tyler Wilson was in the Orioles clubhouse this morning. For now he is on the taxi squad, but it is clear he is a strong candidate to make a start for the Orioles at Oakland tomorrow night, replacing the injured Chris Tillman.
After a couple of stints earlier this season with the Orioles, Wilson said it gets a little easier each time you make that trek on the shuttle between Triple-A Norfolk and Baltimore.
"I think so. The familiarity of it more than anything. To know the process. Know what to expect from you guys and know what to expect with what they have going on here," he said. "They're in the middle of a big race, and I'm excited to even be here."
Wilson said he had not yet been told if he is going to start Monday night. Whenever that next chance comes, he's ready. He is 5-5 with a 3.05 ERA in 16 Norfolk starts this year. The Orioles' 2014 Jim Palmer minor league Pitcher of the Year, Wilson threw seven scoreless innings in his most recent start Wednesday against Pawtucket.
"They are always exciting (chances in the majors). I'm thrilled to still be an Oriole and excited for what is going on here with a postseason push," he said. "Guys are playing great baseball, knock on wood."
When did he mean when he said to "still be an Oriole"? Did he feel that he could have been dealt at the trade deadline?
"Just for anybody. I think everybody could say that," he said. "Anyone is fair game in any organization. By that, I just mean I'm thankful to still be a part of the organization and that I really love everything that goes on here and the way they go about their business."
Wilson did see a close friend get traded when the Orioles sent his teammate Zach Davies to Milwakee on Friday for Gerardo Parra.
"We were actually roommates in Lehigh Valley, that morning when he got traded. It's kind of a weird feeling," Wilson said. "You congratulate him, but you hate to see a guy like that go that you came up through the organization with, being in the same draft. Excited for Davies for his opportunity. He's a great guy and been a great teammate and friend for the last four years."
By accepting you will be accessing a service provided by a third-party external to https://www.masnsports.com/