José Mesa viewed as starter in camp (and other notes)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 pick José Mesa will be used as a starter in camp instead of working out of the bullpen. The Orioles added him to the mix earlier today, with the right-hander joining Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, Mike Wright, Gabriel Ynoa, Miguel Castro, Hunter Harvey and Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr.

Mesa, son of the former Orioles pitcher of the same name, has made nine starts among his 78 minor league appearances in the Yankees system. He's gone 12-4 with a 2.86 ERA and 1.15 WHIP and held opponents to a .188 average.

Promoted to Double-A Trenton over the summer, Mesa went 4-0 with an 0.79 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in eight games (five starts). He struck out 39 batters in 34 1/3 innings.

In his five starts with Trenton, Mesa allowed only one run and struck out 27 batters in 25 1/3 innings. He surrendered one earned run in 35 innings over his eight starts at Single-A Tampa and Trenton in 2017.

Mesa, 24, was the second of the team's three Rule 5 selections at the Winter Meetings. The Orioles also took Pedro Araujo from the Cubs organization.

"The more we've looked at it, the more we're going to look at him as a starter," said manager Buck Showalter. "Just look at him statistically. And I was talking to Dan (Duquette) yesterday. Roger (McDowell) and I were looking at that and Dan actually said he was going to say something about it at some point. So it was pretty easy to make the adjustment.

"One of the problems is that sometimes because you knew who his father was and you don't know him, you automatically think he's a relief pitcher. You look at his numbers in Double-A as a starter? I think it's a lot because the Yankees have so many quality pitching prospects that they had to put him in the bullpen, I guess. But his starting numbers are really worth looking at and we're going to do that."

Cortes was invited to minicamp and he threw a bullpen session today. He continues to impress and could stick with the club as a starter or reliever.

"He's a confident guy when it comes to anything athletically," Showalter said. "He's going to bounce off the mound, he's going to hold runners, he's going to field his position, he's going to throw the ball over the plate. Those are some good things to bring. Now he's got to get some people out. But all three of the Rule 5 guys were impressive today."

The Orioles still have empty lockers in their main clubhouse to accommodate veteran pitchers obtained later in camp. They have 35 pitchers, which Showalter believes is the most he's managed.

"The biggest challenge is having that personal touch with each one of them and not overlooking somebody and make them all feel like we know who they are, their background and how they got here and realizing the opportunity they're going to have," Showalter said.

"The other stuff is just scheduling and getting ahead of stuff and having some foresight and making sure the groups and the rotation ..."

Showalter dodged the latest question about his expectations for the club bringing in more starters.

"I'm not going to handicap that," he said. "The most important thing is the people here and trying to find the answers we're looking for here. If someone walks through the door and ownership thinks that's a good fit for us, then we'll move with it. I'm never one to covet other people's players or other people that aren't currently here. I covet the people we have here now."

The Orioles will play only one intrasquad game on Feb. 22 before their exhibition opener the following day. The first full-squad workout is Monday, leaving little time to get position players ready.

Showalter has no concerns about closer Zach Britton rushing back from Achilles surgery, though he's aware that the lefty has targeted May for a return.

"Zach's an open book," Showalter said. "You're going to know what's on his mind. I love the fact that, from talking to him, he's going to throw himself into making some other people's paths a little easier. I was walking out this morning and I said, 'Hey, come on.' He's going to be around, he'll impact our club without pitching.

"Has he mentioned the month? Has he mentioned that 'M' word? Shocker."

Michael Kelly threw 30 pitches yesterday and stepped on a mound again today before McDowell reminded him that it wasn't his day to throw.

Reliever Perci Garner is full-go in camp after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his knee in December.

Utility player Éngelb Vielma may be late reporting to camp due to a visa issue in Venezuela. The Orioles acquired him from the Giants last month for a player to be named later or cash.

Hall of Famer Frank Robinson will visit camp.

Orioles pitchers and catchers warm up before their first workout in Sarasota.