Irvin on bullpen role: "All I want to do is win"

Cole Irvin knew before the All-Star break that he was switching to a relief role. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde explained the left-hander’s removal from the rotation, and how rookie Grayson Rodriguez was returning from Triple-A Norfolk.

Irvin handled the situation like a professional.

“I’m throwing well,” he said today, “and I’m excited to have Grayson back.”

Two starts this month lowered Irvin’s ERA from 4.95 to 4.51. He allowed two runs over 11 1/3 innings and cleared the sixth for the first time with the Orioles.

He remained the odd man out with Rodriguez pitching himself back to Baltimore.

“All I want to do is win,” Irvin said. “So, however we need to do that, whatever role I need to be in, I’m going to do it. Do it to the best of my abilities.

“We’ve got a great clubhouse, and we expect a lot out of Grayson. He certainly has the stuff, so hopefully he can stick around a little bit longer. I’m excited to be teammates with him.”

Irvin was told to stay ready, which he would have done anyway. No assurances were given regarding a possible return to starting.

“Whatever role that is, it could be a couple different things,” he said.

“That’s all my job is to do is to get outs, so I’m going to try to do that and keep it simple and just win with these guys in the clubhouse.”

Irvin made three starts before the Orioles optioned him in April. He worked one-third of an inning in Toronto May 20 and was sent down again, and has made five starts among six appearances after returning.

Pitching differently as a reliever than as a starter is typical for Irvin, but he won’t do it now that he’s left the rotation again. No reason to mess with a good roll.

“Typically, I have in the past, but I’ve been throwing the ball really well as of late, so I’m just going to continue relying on my stuff that I’ve been showing lately, and just hope it translates and just get the job done,” he said.

“That’s all that needs to happen now is just get the job done.”

Irvin had improved his ability to mix speeds and work the ball inside with the cutter and four-seamer.

“I’ve been executing, so I think that’s just what it’s come down to,” he said. “I’ve limited my walks. … It’s just been back to myself.”

The Orioles are hoping that Rodriguez’s latest stint with Triple-A Norfolk enables him to stay in the majors through the rest of the season. With improved command and confidence. Able to get deeper in games. Pitch to his capabilities.

“I’m happy to see him here,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “He did a great job in Triple-A. Put up some awesome numbers and had some great starts down there. Welcome him back up here and hopefully he can give us a chance to win and keep us in the game for a while.”

For the Dodgers
Mookie Betts 2B
Freddie Freeman 1B
Will Smith C
Max Muncy 3B
J.D. Martinez DH
David Peralta LF
Jason Heyward RF
Chris Taylor SS
James Outman CF

Emmet Sheehan RHP