More on decision to DFA Rio Ruiz

The latest Orioles transaction this month unfolded yesterday with Rio Ruiz taken off the 40-man roster and Stevie Wilkerson returning to the majors, again transforming a minor league contract into an opportunity.

The May movement began on the third with reliever Isaac Mattson recalled from the alternate camp site in Bowie and left-hander Bruce Zimmermann optioned in an exchange of rookies.

Mattson was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk five days later, with left-hander Zac Lowther recalled from the Tides. Left-hander Brandon Waddell was claimed off waivers from the Twins and reliever Jay Flaa was designated for assignment.

Reliever Dillon Tate went on the 10-day injured list May 9 with a left hamstring strain and outfielder Ryan McKenna was recalled. Lowther was optioned the next day, with left-hander Keegan Akin recalled. More rookie maneuverings.

Utility player Ramón Urías was optioned on Sunday, a surprising corresponding move to Zimmermann being recalled.

The Ruiz DFA wasn't an obvious response to his struggles at the plate, since he had two minor league options. But I began to wonder about his status with the growing sense that the Orioles wanted to bring back Wilkerson.

Urías already was optioned. Pat Valaika is the only real backup shortstop, since the position isn't regarded as a strength for Wilkerson. And the lack of production as second base, where the Orioles were batting a collective .201/.267/.343 before last night, became an issue.

It speaks to the improved level of talent in the organization that Ruiz was the solution to a full 40-man roster. There's always an obvious bubble guy who can be sent packing, but not in 2021.

The Orioles clearly prefer Urías to Ruiz, judging by the decisions to option and DFA, respectively. Urías is more versatile in the field.

Rule 5 pitchers Tyler Wells and Mac Sceroler, the latter on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder tendinitis, are occupying spots and the Orioles obviously want to take longer looks at them.

Wells surrendered a two-run homer last night to Mike Zunino, but also struck out six batters in 2 1/3 innings.

Waddell could have been one of those guys who passes through town, but he remains at Triple-A.

Reliever Hunter Harvey could be activated from the 60-day injured list by early June, which necessitates another 40-man move. Something to keep stashed in the back of your mind.

Manager Brandon Hyde said yesterday that he hoped Wilkerson could "give us a little boost offensively," which also speaks to the lack of production at second base. Wilkerson's value has come from his super-utility tools. He entered last night's game as a career .219/.279/.365 hitter in 410 major league plate appearances. He's more famous for being the first position player to record a save, and for coining the wonderful nickname "Dr. Poo Poo."

But Wilkerson had 18 doubles, two triples and 10 home runs 117 games in 2019 and raked at Norfolk before yesterday's promotion, slashing .357/.438/.476 (15-for-42) with two doubles and a home run in 12 games. And he was halfway to the cycle last night after two at-bats, a double and run-scoring single.

I'd say that counts as a boost.

"There's a few things in my approach I needed to improve on from last time around," Wilkerson said yesterday in his Zoom call. "Swinging at good pitches, first and foremost, and I think I did a pretty good job of that and tried to keep it pretty simple with that approach. And just being ready to hit the fastball. That was really it."

Wilkerson hadn't been in an Orioles lineup since Sept. 29, 2019 in Boston, the final game of the season. When the ball kept finding him in right field.

He made the incredible leaping catch to rob Jackie Bradley Jr. and end the eighth inning, spinning his body off the higher portion of the fence, holding onto the ball and raising it over his head in celebration. A spectacular 424-foot, 108.3 mph out. And somehow a Rafael Devers single to Wilkerson in the ninth enabled Mookie Betts to score all the way from first base for the walk-off.

You just had to be there. It makes even less sense in print.

Wilkerson was 0-for-2 with a pair of walks and strikeouts and a run scored. The lineup included Hanser Alberto leading off and playing third base, Renato Núñez at first base, Jonathan VIllar at second, Mark Trumbo as the designated hitter, Austin Wynns catching and Richie Martin at shortstop.

Austin Hays and Trey Mancini are the only players still with the team. Wynns and Martin are in Norfolk, with the latter probably headed for the injured list after crashing into the center field fence last night and experiencing pain in his left wrist.

More changes came in 2020 while Wilkerson was away from the team and wondering about his professional future.

"The same core leadership is there for the most part and we're still playing for the same skipper and everybody else and I think the ideas are still the same," Wilkerson said. "Play blue collar, play hard baseball and play to win, and I think that's our credo."