Armstrong expected to be added to 25-man roster (updated)

CHICAGO - The Orioles should extend their streak of making roster moves later today by adding reliever Shawn Armstrong. Followed by repeated checking of the radar to determine whether they have any shot at playing.

The forecast is nasty.

Armstrong appeared to be flying to Chicago yesterday, judging by his tweet that included, "Until next time Seattle?" and four airplane emojis.

This is the state of journalism today. I'm checking Twitter and interpreting emojis.

"We're expecting him here in a day or two," said manager Brandon Hyde. "I know that we claimed him, I know that he'll be here."

Hyde is getting into a routine where he scrambles to learn about another newcomer to the team and tries to satisfy the media's hunger for more information. He isn't making the moves, but he's fielding the questions.

"I don't know much about him, to be honest with you, except for looking at video and looking at stats," Hyde said. "Never seen him, but a guy who's had a lot of minor league success. Some big league success, as well. Sounds like a really good right-handed arm, so looking forward to seeing what he can do."

Armstrong can become the 38th player used by the Orioles this season. The club record is 56 set last year.

Luis Ortiz lost his chance to be the 37th after the Orioles recalled and optioned him on Sunday. Yefry Ramirez was recalled yesterday as Ortiz's replacement on the 25-man roster, pitched last night and stuck around while the Orioles decided to option left-hander Tanner Scott.

Don't get too comfortable. There's always a plane ticket with your name on it.

Scott's removal from the roster, his spotty command remaining a source of organizational frustration, leaves Paul Fry as the only left-hander in the bullpen. Let's see how long it lasts.

Armstrong doesn't get much separation between the velocities on his fastball and slider, but the latter pitch had the 10th-highest spin rate before last night among the 459 pitchers who have thrown 50 or more in 2018-19, according to Statcast research. A small sample size that might be meaningless, but the data-driven Orioles certainly are aware of it.

Ramirez, the 19th reliever used by the Orioles this season, didn't allow a run in his first three starts over 14 innings with Triple-A Norfolk before surrendering three earned (four total) in four innings on Thursday. He saw teammates earning promotions and figured his turn was approaching.

"I had expectations that this might come at some point," he said via interpreter Ramón Alarcón. "Thanks to God it did and I'm looking forward to helping the team and helping my teammates."

Asked to explain his hot start with the Tides, Ramirez said, "I kept working on improving my slider and continue to command my fastball."

Ramirez, charged with a run last night after Scott let an inherited runner score, made 12 starts among 17 appearances as a rookie last summer. He still wears braces on his teeth, but he isn't a wide-eyed kid.

"Last year was tremendous for me," he said. "I think that experience is going to allow me to make less mistakes this year and to be a better pitcher."

The Orioles know they can be a better team if able to reduce the number of home runs allowed, their total growing to 73 last night. And if they can heat up at the plate.

They've posted a .216 average in four games on the road trip and hope to get Trey Mancini back in the lineup tonight if there's a window to play.

"I think we've left a lot of men on base, in scoring position especially," said Hanser Alberto, who collected three more hits last night. "I think as a group we've got to work on that and get better because we need to score more runs."

Score more runs and give up fewer. It's not that complicated of a game.

Update: The Orioles announced that Armstrong has been added to the 25-man roster.