Baker gets start for Orioles to wrap up series (updated)

ST. LOUIS – Bryan Baker makes his first career start in the majors as the Orioles commit to a bullpen game to close out their series against the Cardinals.

Baker has made 12 relief appearances, including 11 this season with the Orioles. He’s allowed six runs and 11 hits with 11 strikeouts in 10 innings in 2022.

Baker started 13 times in 174 minor league games.

Manager Brandon Hyde hasn’t used Baker for more than 1 2/3 innings or 24 pitches. Left-hander Keegan Akin could provide bulk innings behind him.

Baker’s last appearance was May 5.

The Orioles are 4-11 on the road this season.

Cardinals right-hander Jordan Hicks has made six appearances, including four starts, and registered a 3.78 ERA and 1.200 WHIP in 16 2/3 innings. He’s walked 10 batters and struck out 18 in 16 2/3 innings.

Right-handed hitters have slashed .146/.269/.206 297 career plate appearances against him. The Orioles haven’t faced him.

Neither team has posted its lineup, and the Orioles haven’t announced any roster moves.

The Orioles signed reliever Héctor Pérez to a minor league contract and sent him to the Sarasota complex to build innings.

Pérez, 25, appeared in one game with the Blue Jays in 2020 and allowed two runs and three hits with three walks in 1 2/3 innings at Yankee Stadium. He’s 23-19 in the minors with a 3.77 ERA and 1.430 WHIP in 142 games (79 starts).

Pérez has averaged 5.7 walks, 10.1 strikeouts and 0.5 home runs per nine innings.

The Astros signed Pérez as an amateur free agent in 2014 and traded him to the Blue Jays four years later in the Roberto Osuna deal. The Reds acquired him in January 2021 for a player to be named later.

Update: The Orioles optioned pitcher Travis Lakins Sr. to Triple-A Norfolk and purchased the contract of reliever Denyi Reyes. Chris Ellis was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster.

Reyes is wearing No. 81.