More changes for Orioles as new series begins

The Orioles are in New York for the next three nights, with their roster again reset, a role changed and one confirmed.

Keegan Akin isn't a starter and has been assigned to the bullpen as a second left-hander after Tanner Scott was placed on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left knee. He can provide more length than Scott, but also might be needed just to get three outs in a matchup-type role late in games.

Akin tried to play the part of Scott yesterday, at least in terms of usage, by inheriting two runners in the seventh in a two-run game. He allowed two hits in one-third of an inning, including Jonathan Schoop's bloop into right field, and both runners scored.

This bullpen isn't role-heavy, as Hyde noted yesterday, based on the construction of the team. A closer one day could work in setup or middle relief the next. But Hyde tends to mark his high-leverage guys.

Akin will have to earn that trust beyond yesterday. Otherwise, it only happens if other relievers are unavailable.

Paul Fry wasn't going to be used because he appeared in the two previous games, though he totaled 18 pitches.

Eight starts by Akin produced an 0-5 record, 8.82 ERA and 1.990 WHIP with 18 walks and 30 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings. Used five times as a reliever before yesterday, Akin had a 6.75 ERA and 1.364 WHIP with two walks and 16 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings.

A byproduct of the bullpen shift is the ability to control innings with the season stretched from 60 to 162 games. Of course, more effective starts would have kept Akin in the rotation.

Dean Kremer worked in relief Saturday night at Triple-A Norfolk, when he allowed one run in three innings, but he's also expected to receive more starts. Innings and pitch counts can be reduced to make Kremer available to the Orioles later in the summer if he's promotion-worthy.

The trade deadline arrived immediately after the Orioles sent shortstop Freddy Galvis back to the Phillies, his original team, for Single-A reliever Tyler Burch. Manager Brandon Hyde was ready to move Ramón Urías to second base after Galvis made it back to the active roster, but that's no longer necessary.

Urías is staying at shortstop, where he also could break camp with the team next spring. Hyde said he's "pleasantly surprised" by the rookie.

"He's always had a really simple swing, and the swing really hasn't changed. It's just about being a little bit more on time and catching the ball a little bit more out in front," Hyde said.

"I like that he doesn't chase. He swings at strikes for the most part, and he's played really consistent defense. So, I give him credit for a guy that got an opportunity, got claimed, gets an opportunity and is making the most of it. I'm really, really happy with how he's playing."

Good thing. Galvis is gone and Richie Martin needs to finish his injury rehab assignment and accumulate more Triple-A at-bats before he's a consideration at shortstop.

Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg aren't making the jump from Single-A Aberdeen to the majors.

In case you missed it, I wrote over the weekend that Burch is going to begin his Orioles career at Aberdeen. He won't be making the jump, either.

As long as we're down on the farm, Norfolk's Kelvin Gutiérrez hit a three-run homer yesterday off Durham's Chris Archer, who's on an injury rehab assignment. Konner Wade has a 2.72 ERA after allowing two runs, both on solo homers, in five innings.

Former Oriole Shawn Armstrong allowed two runs in one inning to take the loss.

Cody Sedlock turned in a quality start for Double-A Bowie, holding Richmond to two runs in six innings. He walked none and struck out six.