Franco scratched from Orioles lineup (and other notes)

Third baseman Maikel Franco has been scratched from the Orioles lineup and replaced by Domingo Leyba, a failed attempt to play for the first time since Wednesday night in Houston.

Franco sprained his right ankle while chasing the last out and slipping on the track in foul territory. He sat out the series in Anaheim.

Blue Jays starter Steven Matz catches a break. Franco is 7-for-13 with two home runs and six RBIs lifetime against him.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Austin Hays LF
Trey Mancini DH
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Anthony Santander RF
Ramón Urías SS
Pedro Severino C
Pat Valaika 2B
Domingo Leyba 3B

Spenser Watkins RHP

A rotation that's prone to tweaks and susceptible to overhauls now welcomes Watkins, the 28-year-old rookie who is making his first major league start tonight against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards.

Three batters faced and retired in relief in his debut Friday in Anaheim has led to this opportunity.

"We need a rotation piece right now," manager Brandon Hyde said this afternoon. "Spenser's a guy who's been starting in Triple-A. We brought him here as kind of a long option out of the 'pen if needed. He pitched an inning in Anaheim, and with kind of the way we are rotation-wise right now, we need starters.

"Spenser's thought very highly of by some of our pro scouting people. Our pitching guys really like his stuff and we're going to give him an opportunity to start."

The second half could feature more of the young starters, with Dean Kremer trying to get back to the majors - he's starting tonight at Norfolk - and Bruce Zimmermann expected to be reinstated from the injured list in late July or early August. Zac Lowther is in the bullpen, but viewed as more than a reliever.

Keegan Akin remains in the rotation. Alexander Wells is likely to be recalled later in the summer.

"I just want to see us get better the second half," Hyde said. "I'd like to see Zimmermann come back for sure, I'd like to see Kremer continue to develop in Triple-A and then possibly hopefully have him come back here at some point. Akin will hopefully continue to get better. He needs to improve his command and he's going to continue to get starts up here. But I don't know what the rotation's going to look like.

"This year's a strange one with injuries, etc. Meansie (John Means) hopefully back after the break. It's possible we have a lot of young guys in our rotation the second half."

Zimmermann was pushed back 10 days to two weeks in his recovery from left biceps tendinitis.

The Orioles, like other teams, are monitoring innings with the season ramped from 60 to 162 games. Rule 5 pick Tyler Wells, for instance, is a couple of years removed from Tommy John surgery, didn't pitch in 2019 and saw the minor league season canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19. He's at 38 2/3 innings with the Orioles.

"I think giving some guys some resets has helped with that," Hyde said.

Means threw his bullpen session this afternoon and will start Friday night at Double-A Bowie after allowing one run and one hit Sunday afternoon in two innings with Single-A Aberdeen. He's also slated to make a start with Norfolk before the Orioles reinstate him.

"Everything went well," Hyde said. "Went two innings, I think he threw 20 more pitches in the bullpen to continue his buildup. ... I think he's on track to join us right after the break."

Hyde said Travis Lakins Sr. could be ready for spring training after the reliever underwent surgery this morning in Los Angeles to repair a fractured right elbow.

Orioles strength and conditioning coach Joe Hogarty will be on the American League staff for the All-Star Game.

"That's going to be a blast for him," Hyde said. "I talked to him about it a few days ago. Well deserved and I know he's going to have a great time in Denver."