Dillon Tate on role: "Just get these guys out"

SARASOTA, Fla. - The most successful of the three pitchers acquired by the Orioles in the Zack Britton trade in July 2018 posted a 6.43 ERA last summer in 16 appearances, his first in the major leagues.

Dillon Tate wasn't a huge smash statistically, but there were moments that suggested his stuff would play at this level. That he could be a weapon with his hard sinker and swing-and-miss changeup.

Manager Brandon Hyde and pitching coach Doug Brocail saw it from the dugout.

The Rays saw it during his three scoreless innings on Aug. 23.

The Mariners saw it a month later when he retired all seven batters faced.

While the other pitchers in the trade - Cody Carroll and Josh Rogers - were shelved with injuries, Tate might have been laying the groundwork for his first opening day in the majors.

The bullpen isn't filled and the Orioles could carry eight relievers on the new 26-man roster. Tate was a starter when the Rangers made him the fourth overall selection in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft, but his usage changed over the summer.

"I haven't been told anything about any role, but I would assume that I'm just going to get up there and get outs, whatever way they tell me to do that. That's what my job is at the end of the day," said Tate, who turns 26 in May and is pitching for his third organization.

"I like the 'pen. It's just a different feel than starting. But I haven't started in the big leagues, so I don't know what that's like. I don't really have anything to compare it to other than just relieving. So I don't really have a preference, I guess. Just get these guys out."

Rogers underwent his second Tommy John surgery and came off the 40-man roster, and Carroll had a procedure on his back that limited him to two appearances in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in August.

Tate was the last one to reach the majors, but the goal is to stay the longest.

What did he gain from his experience last summer?

"It's just knowing that I can do it and get outs," he said. "So go up there and I just know that my stuff is good enough."

Tate said he spent the offseason in Seattle working on his pitch development. Becoming more consistent. And there's only one way to do it.

"Reps," he said. "Getting as many reps as you can. Just going back day after day trying to repeat that same feeling."