Hyde on latest camp arrivals, Rule 5 pitchers and more (updated)

The third day of Orioles workouts in Sarasota, Fla., included the initial appearance of veteran pitcher Matt Harvey. His physical is complete and he's allowed on the field.

Harvey stretched and played catch.

"We're going to ramp him up when he's ready," manager Brandon Hyde said during his Zoom conference call with the media. "It was good to see him. I've seen him on the other side of the field, but never met him. It was nice to meet him and looking forward to watching him pitch this spring."

Third baseman Rio Ruiz is counted among the position players to report early, joining outfielders Trey Mancini and DJ Stewart and super-utility candidate Stevie Wilkerson. He worked out today.

Hyde has been impressed with his initial looks at Rule 5 pitchers Mac Sceroler and Tyler Wells, who completed their first bullpen sessions this week.

Sceroler was selected from the Reds organization and Wells from the Twins.

"I like their arms," Hyde said. "They're big, physical guys. Wells is a big boy. It's downhill, it's every bit of 6-6 and big body with a great arm. So we're going to take a long look at him."

Sceroler is the nephew of former Orioles pitcher and current MASN analyst Ben McDonald, the first overall pick in the 1989 draft.

"He's bigger in person to me than I saw on film - in a good way," Hyde said. "I talked to Ben about him a couple nights ago. I watched his bullpen and then gave Ben a little bit of an update. I really like his arm, also his pitch mix. He's going to be a strike thrower. So it's two really interesting arms that are going to get a long look this spring."

Hyde said the team hasn't talked about limiting rookies Keegan Akin and Dean Kremer as they join the group of pitchers preparing to make a significant jump in innings.

"I think we're going to see how the season progresses," he said. "We'll have conversations, but that's down the road. I just want them to get ready for the season, focus on breaking camp healthy, focusing on improving every single day. They've been in the big leagues for a month. It was a great experience for both of them and now it's about making this club and being a part of the rotation and just trying to continue to improve.

"As the innings and those types of things come along throughout the summer, yeah, those are issues we'll talk about and discuss, but nothing that we've communicated with the player or talked about from a strict innings limit, etc."

As you might expect, versatility among the position players is extremely important this season with a 26-man roster and the possibility of a three-man bench.

"Definitely if we go 14 pitchers. No doubt about it. The more pitchers you have, the more versatility we're going to need from our position players," Hyde said.

"We're entering a season unlike any other that we've entered, in that the season was so short last year, so I think there are so many question marks regarding pitchers' usage, how pitchers are going to react during a six-month season after an interrupted season last year. So I think versatility on the mound, guys being able to cover innings, as well as versatility on the field, guys being able to play multiple positions because you might be pitcher heavy on your roster during times in the season.

"Guys that can play multiple positions always are at a premium, but even more so this year."

Important hair update: Kremer and Hunter Harvey still have impressive locks. Their flows are fantastic, and highlighted on the team's social media platforms.

"Up to this point, I've had two haircuts a year," Kremer said. "I get one right before spring training, I get one right when I go home. This is actually the first time that I've let it get long before spring, so I don't know. We'll see how much I can manage it throughout the whole season, if I won't get a slight haircut during.

"I've had long hair for most of my post-high school life. It hasn't been this long on a consistent basis, but I'm from California. I've kind of got to look the part. Flip-flops and long hair and a necklace."

Let's close with Hyde's response to how catcher Adley Rutschman looked this week.

"I've only seen him in the intake trailer. Looked good there."

Update: Hyde hasn't seen Rutschman because the No. 1 prospect is working out at Twin Lakes Park.

Some players will move back and forth.

Here's the Twin Lakes list:

C Maverick Handley
C Adley Rutschman
RHP Cody Carroll
RHP Jay Flaa
RHP Mickey Jannis
RHP Dusten Knight
RHP Konner Wade
RHP Spenser Watkins