Logan Verrett on riding the shuttle and his slider usage

When 26-year-old right-hander Logan Verrett was selected by the Orioles in the December 2014 Rule 5 draft, he had hopes of making the O's roster for the 2015 season. But he didn't make it to opening day that year and wasn't on the opening day roster this year, either.

But he was recalled Sunday from Triple-A Norfolk for the third time this year. After staying just one day for the first time (recalled April 30) and four days the second (recalled May 6), maybe his stay will be longer now.

He has pitched in two O's games and gotten two wins, both in extra innings. He pitched two scoreless innings April 30 at New York and three scoreless frames May 9 versus Washington. He has yet to pitch before the 10th inning.

So he is pretty familiar with the Norfolk-Baltimore shuttle and challenges of going back and forth between the majors and minors.

"Obviously, we would like to stay here and help the team on a daily basis but, the challenge is to stay mentally ready at any time when you are down there at Norfolk," he said. "When you get that call, you have to be ready to perform and do a good job."

He has done that. Over five innings, he has allowed three hits with one walk and four strikeouts. AL batters are 3-for-16 (.188) against him.

Over the small sample of two games, the slider has been a solid pitch for Verrett. He has thrown it 35 percent of the time. Opponents are batting .200 against it and have swung and missed at 33 percent of his sliders.

"That has always been a big pitch for me," Verrett said in the clubhouse this afternoon. "Ever since college (at Baylor), it has been my go-to pitch. So maintaining that and keeping it feeling tight (is important). Last time I was here, I went maybe it was, eight days without pitching. So keeping it tight is a challenge. You have to get (pregame) flat grounds in and get some work off the mpound when you have a chance. But that is limited.

"You can't go overboard (in pregame throws) and still stay fresh for the game. It is something that, with this being my third year in a big league bullpen, it is something I've learned to do and do well."

Verrett slider's is something he can feature late in the count to try and end an at-bat. But that is not the only time he breaks it out.

"I like it as a putaway pitch," he said. "But if a guy is an ambusher and he's up there swinging first pitch, I like it as an equalizer. Instead of just throwing that fastball and trying to locate it perfectly, I'll throw that and maybe get some early contact or a swing and a miss."

In 11 games at Norfolk, Verrett had an ERA of 5.68, allowing 16 hits and 13 walks with 15 strikeouts over 19 innings. His ERA got inflated early when he allowed four runs in both his second and third outings of the year.

But maybe now he will settle in for a long stay in the Baltimore bullpen. It is a place he feels comfortable. His teammates have helped make it so for him.

"And what is unique about this ballclub. Even when I came up the first time, I felt comfortable in this clubhouse from Day One," he said. "I had a couple of spring trainings with pretty much the same group of guys. But it's a testament to the guys on this team. They make you feel welcome and they are excited when you are here. That is the group of guys that you have here."