Hyde on Zimmermann: "He is progressing and he should be fine"

The Orioles can't get their rotation settled, losing another left-hander this afternoon to an injury.

Rookie Bruce Zimmermann is on the 10-day injured list with left biceps tendinitis, but manager Brandon Hyde indicated this afternoon that the move is precautionary.

Zimmermann worked 5 2/3 innings Sunday afternoon against the Rays at Tropicana Field, allowing three runs to keep his ERA at 4.83.

"He was just a little sore after his last start, which was kind of normal soreness," Hyde said during batting practice. "He progressed well throughout the week. When he played catch yesterday, he just felt it a little bit, so we're erring on the side of caution, giving him some time to rest the arm and bring him back in 10 days to two weeks. But he is progressing and he should be fine."

Thomas Eshelman makes his first appearance with the Oriole tonight as Zimmermann's replacement. His longest outing with Triple-A Norfolk was 4 2/3 innings on June 5 in Durham.

"Tom is somebody who's been up and down here for the last couple years and has had some good moments with us and has done a variety of things, from starting to being in the bullpen as a long guy," Hyde said.

"Tom has traditionally been a strike thrower. He's going to face an outstanding lineup today, not an easy lineup to face, so hoping he can change speeds and give us some length as a starter tonight."

Can he keep the ball in the park?

The Blue Jays lead the majors with 103 home runs and are second with a .262 average and .772 OPS.

"They have a nice blend of youth and veterans and young guys that are extremely talented," Hyde said. "You're starting to see what (Vladimir) Guerrero is now and what he's going to be. Just an offensive force. And you bring over guys like (Marcus) Semien, who's an ultra pro and takes really good at-bats. They have (Randal) Grichuk, who's killed us the last couple years. You guys are aware, along with everybody else.

"They have a little bit of everything offensively, they're athletic, (Cavan) Biggio is a tough out. (Bo) Bichette's going to be a really, really good player. He is a good player already and going to continue to improve. (Joe) Panik's been around a long time, been in the World Series. They have a nice mix over there."

John Means remains on the injured list with left shoulder tendinitis and just began to do some light throwing on flat ground at the minor league complex in Sarasota, Fla. How long Eshelman remains with the Orioles is up in the air.

Catcher Chance Sisco was designated for assignment today to make room for Eshelman on the 40-man roster.

"For whatever reason, he was off to a good start in Triple-A (in 2019), came up and hit pretty good right away with us," Hyde said. "You saw the strike zone discipline, the swings were aggressive, he was driving the baseball, and he just hasn't really gotten back to that point where he's ... The strike zone discipline has always been there, but really being on time and staying behind the ball, just had a tough time adjusting at the big league level.

"We think highly of Chance. Chance is a great kid. Hoping it works out for him, whichever way it goes."

Sisco could stay in the organization if he clears waivers, but he's eligible to become a minor league free agent over the winter and also is entering his arbitration years.

"I don't think we want to lose players, and so if that happens, I'll be happy for him. If he stays in our organization, I'll be happy for us," Hyde said.

"We're hoping whatever's best for him."