Bullpen trying to bring its best in Means' absence

The relievers didn’t talk about it. They didn’t call a meeting and discuss the responsibilities inherited when ace starting pitcher John Means underwent surgery on his elbow and was done for the rest of the season.

They just knew.

Means wasn’t around to absorb heavy innings and lessen the burden on the bullpen. Instead, the group would have to do more lifting.

As if it’s been on vacation the first month.

Orioles relievers began yesterday ranking fifth in the majors with 93 2/3 innings pitched and handled the last three innings to close out the series against the Red Sox. They recorded three scoreless innings on Friday and 5 1/3 on Saturday to key a 2-1, 10-inning win over the Red Sox.

Six of them with firm grips on the baton.

Travis Lakins Sr. blanked the Red Sox for two innings yesterday before J.D. Martinez hit a grand slam in the ninth. Joey Krehbiel retired the last two batters and has allowed only one earned run in 10 innings.

Bryan Baker retired the side in order in the sixth on Saturday, striking out Kiké Hernández. He’s walked one batter and struck out 11 in nine innings this season.

“We felt it when our opening day guy went down, somebody who’s just so consistent, who you know is going to give us some innings,” Baker said. “Yeah, we knew that we’d have to pick it up, especially some of the longer relief guys like (Keegan) Akin who are doing an amazing job. And it trickles down to the rest of us to where, kind of like (Saturday) night, we might have five or six guys who need to come in and throw some shutout innings.

“We didn’t really talk about it very much, but whenever we found out that Means went down, we knew we had to step it up, for sure.”

The bullpen broke down at Yankee Stadium, surrendering 13 earned runs and 15 total in 9 2/3 innings, but the unit might be the biggest surprise of the first month. The pitchers being ahead of the hitters couldn’t have been predicted, and that was before Cole Sulser and Tanner Scott were traded to the Marlins.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Baker said. “I didn’t really know anybody when I came over, and especially with such a short spring training, I didn’t really get to see too much before we broke. But from what I did see, I saw guys pounding the zone, which is kind of what we’re trying to do.

“I think credit to the catchers, too. But I really didn’t know what to expect, but it’s been really fun to be part of it and see the way guys have been attacking the zone, especially just following Jorge (López) and Dillon (Tate) and some of the guys that have been here before. It’s good to see that they’re having success, and then I think some of us guys with less experience have kind of fed off that, so it’s really been awesome.”

Settling on López as a reliever and the first option to close out games ranks as one of the smartest moves of the month.

Means’ surgery was the biggest downer. Cruel and unusual, since he’s never had an elbow injury. And the Orioles lost two potential length guys in the bullpen in Dean Kremer (oblique) and Alexander Wells (elbow).

Chris Ellis could have kept starting or moved to the bullpen in a bulk-type role, but he’s on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. We’re waiting to find out the cause and the severity.

Inflammation is a symptom, right?

I’m not a doctor, but I play one on this site.

Cedric Mullins batted .210/.304/.370 in April, but he doubled twice in the last game and singled twice yesterday.

Anthony Santander ranked second in the American League and tied for third in the majors with 16 walks. For context, he drew 23 walks in 438 plate appearances last season.

He’s a more complete hitter with this new approach. Probably a more enticing trade chip, too, but why ruin it?

Manager Brandon Hyde is very happy with his catching tandem of Robinson Chirinos and Anthony Bemboom, specifically the impact on the pitching staff. Others have mentioned it, too.

They won’t block Adley Rutschman or delay his arrival, but they’ve been a positive influence.

The Orioles hit three home runs at home to bring the Camden Yards total to five. The launching pad is now a canyon.

There should be an uptick as the weather warms. Check back in July and August. But the new left field dimensions have made a significant impact.

Santander would have a grand slam in any other year. He settled for a very long sacrifice fly yesterday, his reaction to it noticeable from the press box.

Not anger. More like, “Oh come on, really?”

Asked yesterday if he’s surprised by the lack of home runs here, starter Jordan Lyles said, “No, not in left field. It’s way out there.”

The pitching staff is expected to stay at 14 today as the Orioles reduce their roster to 26 players. They optioned outfielder Ryan McKenna after yesterday’s game.

There’s always a chance that they pivot, but an infielder could be removed to begin a trend this month of a steady roster churn. Expect lots of activity. Crank up the shuttle.

Rougned Odor hit his first home run yesterday, but he’s hitting .200 with a .601 OPS. Fans have expressed their frustrations on social media, but he also provides a left-handed bat on a roster that leans heavily to the other side.

The Orioles could use a few more of them.

They want to get Odor going and keep using him in a platoon role. He had three hits Thursday afternoon in New York and a single and home run yesterday. He also made a spectacular play to retire Jackie Bradley Jr. in the eighth, corralling a ground ball in shallow right field and making the off-balance throw before tumbling onto his back.

“We’re really right-handed,” Hyde said, “and to kind of get Ced going a little bit and get Roogie going, that would be big for us.”

Read between the lines. Or just read the lines.

Here's a discovery made yesterday:

Beau Taylor, who’s been the taxi squad catcher on road trips, has a locker set up in a corner of the home clubhouse next to the entrance to the kitchen and dining area.

Taylor isn’t with the team. He just has a locker with his nameplate and uniforms.

I hadn’t ventured to that corner until yesterday. Maybe the locker is new. Maybe it’s been there since the first home game. I couldn’t tell you. But it’s there.

My finest reporting.