LeBlanc returning to Orioles (and other notes)

One day after left-hander Wade LeBlanc was granted his release from the Orioles, he's on the verge of returning to them on a split contract.

The Orioles are working on finalizing the latest agreement, according to an industry source. LeBlanc will go back on the camp roster and earn $700,000 if he's in the majors, as first reported by USA Today.

The minor league deal that he signed in late January reportedly paid $800,000.

The pitching staff remains unsettled with opening day less than a week away. LeBlanc has been competing for a spot in the rotation or as a long reliever, allowing two earned runs (three total) and three hits in eight innings.

Putting LeBlanc back on the roster threatens the chances of other pitchers remaining in the competition, including Rule 5 right-handers Mac Sceroler and Tyler Wells. Wells will pitch in relief tonight in Tampa.

LeBlanc made only six starts last summer before suffering a stress reaction in his left elbow.

The bullpen candidates no longer include left-hander Fernando Abad, who's going to be reassigned to Twin Lakes Park, per an industry source. Abad signed a minor league deal in December.

The Orioles apparently are keeping left-handers Tanner Scott and Paul Fry in their opening day bullpen.

The Nationals released Abad on July 17, 2020, two weeks after he tested positive for COVID-19. He signed a minor league deal with the Yankees and became a free agent in November.

Abad has allowed seven earned runs (10 total) and 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings in six appearances this spring.

Outfielder Anthony Santander is out of the lineup for the third game in a row, but manager Brandon Hyde explained in his Zoom call that an injury isn't responsible.

There's also going to be trade speculation at this time of the spring.

"He just took a lot of ABs the last couple days on the back field," Hyde said, "so we just kept him out."

Santander is 9-for-29 (.310) in 13 games and leads the Orioles with 10 walks and a .487 on-base percentage. He drew 10 walks last season in 37 games and 165 plate appearances.

Thomas Eshelman will pitch in relief tonight. Yankees relievers include Aroldis Chapman and former Orioles set-up man Darren O'Day.

Eshelman has made one Grapefruit League appearance, starting the exhibition opener against the Pirates on Feb. 28 and allowing one earned run (two total) in one inning. He's been throwing on the back fields and faced batters in a recent intrasquad game.

Hyde said he hopes to have the rotation set in the next day or two. John Means is the only confirmed starter, pitching on opening day against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

"We're still processing that," Hyde said.

The Red Sox are starting right-hander Nathan Eovaldi on April 1, with left-hander Eduardo Rodríguez going through a dead-arm period.

Eovaldi faced the Orioles on opening day last summer and in a recent exhibition game.

"He throws 101 (mph)," Hyde said. "It's a great arm, he's super competitive, World Series champion for a reason. Throws 101, has got a 93 mph cutter and he knows how to pitch. He's been good for a while now and we're going to have our work cut out for us."

Maikel Franco is starting at first base tonight. He's been used at third base, where he's going to get most of his starts this season.

"I'm just trying to get him experience over there," Hyde said. "He hasn't played a ton of first base. He did play a handful of games last year at Kansas City. He was over there a little bit in Philadelphia, but hasn't played a ton of first base.

"We've been hitting him some ground balls over there, Manso (Tony Mansolino) has been getting him some work over there the last few days and we feel like he's ready for game action."

The industry was rocked today by the news that Twins bench coach Mike Bell passed away six months after a diagnosis of kidney cancer. He was 46.

Bell, the son of former major league third baseman and manager Buddy Bell and brother of Reds manager David Bell, interviewed with the Orioles in the winter of 2018. He was one of the finalists for the managerial position while working as the Diamondbacks' director of player development.

The Orioles reached agreement with Hyde during the winter meetings.

"I just wanted to give my condolences to Mike Bell's family, the Twins organization, the Diamondbacks organization," Hyde said today as he began his Zoom call. "Big loss for us in the baseball community today. Mike Bell was a great man, the Bells are a great family and I know a lot of people are hurting today. My heart and condolences go out to everyone who knew Mike."

I'm done for tonight unless there's breaking news. Be back Saturday morning.