Hyde on rotation, Alexander and Tyler Wells and new relievers

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said left-hander Keegan Akin, who tossed three scoreless innings last night in relief, will enter the rotation in Alexander Wells' spot.

The Orioles are staying with five starters and keeping them in turn. Extra rest comes with the off-days Thursday and Monday, "which is needed right now for everybody," Hyde said.

The Rays are starting Ryan Yarbrough, Shane McClanahan and Michael Wacha in the weekend series at Camden Yards. The Orioles are starting John Means, Spenser Watkins and Jorge López.

Wells was charged with six runs last night and left with a 7.64 ERA.

"He had a nice start in Tampa, where a left-handed lineup, I think that was helpful," Hyde said. "Breaking ball played well against those guys. Thought he settled into a nice groove there after the first couple innings, got some confidence going. The last couple starts have been tough. This is a tough lineup to face, especially if you're left-handed.

"You just have to have great command. Alex isn't going to have overpowering stuff, so he's got to really be able to pitch on the edges, he's got to be able to speed guys up and slow them down and have plus-plus command, and that's what I'd like to see him work on down in Triple-A. He got a nice taste up here, understanding what this is about. Control is not the same as command. You have to be able to know where you're throwing the baseball, so it's not about the walks as much as locating, and he just missed a lot of thigh-high pitches last night against really, really good hitters."

Akin is 0-5 with an 8.82 ERA and 1.990 WHIP in eight starts covering 33 2/3 innings and has posted a 5.50 ERA and 1.278 WHIP in seven relief appearances over 18 innings.

Tyler Wells experienced a little soreness in his right wrist yesterday following Monday's live batting practice session and the Orioles are going day-to-day with him. He could be reinstated from the injured list Friday, over the weekend or later.

"We're erring on the side of caution here," Hyde said.

"We'll see how he feels on the off-day tomorrow, we'll see how he feels on Friday. If he feels ready to go, it's a possibility we'll activate him Friday or over the weekend, but we're monitoring day-to-day right now."

Hyde is getting more familiar with relievers Dusten Knight and Marcos Diplán after their arrivals in New York. They replace Alexander Wells and Shaun Anderson, the latter designated for assignment, on the pitching staff.

At 30 years and 331 days, Knight would be the eighth-oldest Oriole to make his major league debut in team history. Maybe the first to perform a backflip after recording a save.

"I do know they're throwing the ball well in Triple-A," Hyde said. "We're giving guys opportunities to prove themselves in the big leagues. Diplán has been in camp with us, seen him throw before. He got off to a good start this year in Triple-A, so we're giving him an opportunity.

"Knight I don't know much about, to be honest with you, except his numbers are good in Triple-A and we're getting a couple fresh arms up here, continuing the opportunity train."

The Orioles named Drew Rom as their Minor League Pitcher of the Month for July and outfielder Kyle Stowers as their Player of the Month.

Rom was 5-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 30 innings, the first five starts at Single-A Aberdeen and the last at Double-A Bowie. Stowers batted .340 with a 1.076 OPS, seven home runs and 15 RBIs with the Baysox.

This is my last entry of the day. Be back early Thursday morning.