Early notes and updates before Orioles-Rays game

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles left-hander Richard Bleier threw live batting practice this morning on Field 2, with Cedric Mullins and Carlos Pérez serving as the hitters.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Bleier will pitch in a "situational-type game" before debuting in six or seven days.

The Orioles are being careful with Bleier, who underwent lat surgery in June and is an important part of their bullpen.

Mychal Givens pitched a simulated game yesterday in Sarasota and also is getting closer to making his Grapefruit League debut.

Left-hander Chris Lee has been pushed back due to an illness.

Minor league pitcher Zach Pop has been shut down after a pronounced drop in his velocity while closing out Saturday's game - Hyde refers to it as "fatigue" - but he's getting closer to resuming a normal schedule.

"I think we're going to ramp him up here in the next day or two," Hyde said.

Catcher Jesús Sucre remains a week or two away from resolving his visa issue and reporting to camp.

"That sounds like it's going in the right direction," Hyde said.

Pitcher Gregory Infante remains in Venezuela due to an illness, but is getting closer to receiving clearance to fly into the United States.

Dean Kremer remains sidelined by an oblique injury, but the Orioles received some encouraging news.

"They did a test on him yesterday and it's really positive," Hyde said. "It's an oblique, so it's a whole progression from there. Being fully healthy, some tests and then a throwing progression from there, so he's still going to be a while."

Gabriel Ynoa starts Wednesday against the Red Sox in Fort Myers, with other available pitchers including Dillon Tate, Paul Fry, Branden Kline, Evan Phillips, Tanner Scott and Bo Schultz. Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez starts for Boston, which lists Colten Brewer, Tyler Thornburg, Brandon Workman and Marcus Walden as relievers.

No starters are listed for the Orioles beyond Dylan Bundy on Thursday afternoon against the Phillies in Clearwater. They play split-squad games Friday against the Rays in Port Charlotte and Yankees in Tampa, and return to Fort Myers on Saturday to face the Red Sox.

The Rays listed left-hander Ryan Merritt as today's starter, but they've switched to right-hander Emilio Pagan.

For the Rays
Brandon Lowe 2B
Ji-Man Choi 1B
Willy Adames SS
Nate Lowe DH
Kevin Kiermaier CF
Guillermo Heredia RF
Kean Wong 3B
Jake Smolinski LF
Nick Ciuffo C

Emilio Pagan RHP