Hearing from Baumann, Wells and Hyde before today's series finale

The Orioles are handing Mike Baumann the ball in Monday’s doubleheader against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards, whether in the first or second game, allowing the right-hander to make his first appearance in the majors since June 19 and his first career start.

Baumann has pitched in relief in 11 games, including seven this year after breaking camp with the Orioles. He allowed six earned runs and seven total, with 13 hits, six walks and nine strikeouts, over 12 innings in 2022.

The stay is expected to be brief, with Baumann on the taxi squad today and serving as the 29^th man on Monday.

“It’s a good feeling,” he said today. “Coming up here and seeing the guys, it’s always awesome, and they’re playing well. The energy in the clubhouse is great, so to be able to be part of it for the next couple days is going to be awesome.”

Baumann’s season has been inconsistent, with a 4.20 ERA and 1.317 WHIP in 20 games (nine starts) with Norfolk. He’s walked 25 batters and struck out 81 in 60 innings.

“There’s been ups and downs, some growing pains,” he said. “Just trying to end the season strong.”

Baumann will be on normal rest Monday after allowing an unearned run and striking out 13 Lehigh Valley hitters in six innings on Wednesday.

His best outing of 2022?

“Maybe ever,” he said, laughing.

What was working?

“Just everything, he said. “Putting together some good sequences, and just saw the results at the end of it.”

Baumann said he’s figured out some flaws in his delivery and learned how to bounce back from difficult games.

Manager Brandon Hyde is checking with veteran Jordan Lyles before determining whether Baumann starts the first or second game.

“He’s really the guy that’s most built up right now, coming off a great start in Norfolk,” Hyde said. “Not really many choices here, to be honest with you, from a rotation standpoint. Got to cover 18 innings tomorrow and Mike’s built up.”

Tyler Wells threw a bullpen session today at Camden Yards after making his first injury rehab start Friday night at high Single-A Aberdeen.

“I feel really good,” he said. “Everything went well (at Aberdeen), everything felt good. Cleaned up a few things that I thought I needed to work on, and they showed in that outing.”

Wells didn’t know where he’d pitch next. The Orioles want him to make at least one more start in the minors.

“Right now, it’s another day-by-day situation,” he said. “I’ve got a bullpen today, and that’s about as far as I know.”

Wells probably will be used in relief, which brings a quicker buildup during his assignment. He threw 31 pitches with the IronBirds after recovering from a strained left oblique.

“I want to do whatever helps the team win,” he said. “Right now, the starting rotation’s done an absolutely phenomenal job and really proud of those guys. If they ultimately decide to put me in the bullpen, so be it. I’d love to help those guys out, too. I know that they’ve been doing a hell of a job this year. Whatever they want me to do to help for a wild card push, then I’m all for it.”

The adjustment shouldn’t challenge Wells after he made 44 relief appearances as a Rule 5 pick in 2021.

“It’s one of those spur of the moment type of things,” he said. “Hopefully, if you come out of the bullpen, the adrenaline kicks in, you just don’t think.”

Said Hyde: “It’s a little bit of a tricky situation because he just had one appearance, obviously he’s had a great year in the rotation for us, and to be able to throw a guy back in the rotation that’s not built up, now you’re covering a lot of innings. So, we’re going to figure that out. He feels great today after his side, so we’re still discussing which direction we go with him, which is continue to build him up or possibly build him up out of the bullpen up here or down there. We’re going to continue to talk about it.”

The Orioles have won five consecutive series and six straight of at least two games. The last time they won at least five straight series was July-August 2014, when they won eight in a row. The 2022 team has 23 series victories this year, compared to 12 last season.

For the Athletics
Tony Kemp 2B
Vimael Machin 3B
Sean Murphy DH
Stephen Vogt 1B
Shea Langeliers C
Seth Brown RF
Cody Thomas LF
Sheldon Neuse SS
Cal Stevenson CF

Adrián Martínez RHP

Here are the starters for the Blue Jays series, with the Lyles/Baumann order to be determined:

Monday: Jordan Lyles/Mike Baumann vs. Kevin Gausman/José Berríos
Tuesday: Kyle Bradish vs. Mitch White
Wednesday: Dean Kremer vs. Alek Manoah