More thoughts on September roster expansion

The Orioles can happily push aside August, giving it a hard shove after losing 24 of 28 games, and get down to September business.

There's always something to keep them active and it's usually about the roster.

The difference now is they can expand it rather than just plugging holes.

With the team in Canada and transporting a taxi squad, the logical moves today would be to recall left-hander Alexander Wells and right-hander Dusten Knight since they're already in the visiting clubhouse at Rogers Centre. And the Orioles always can use more pitching, especially since they have a four-man bench after bringing back outfielder Ryan McKenna.

Then again, I thought it made sense to recall Wells on Monday so he could provide bulk relief behind Chris Ellis, who worked 4 2/3 innings and seems to offer more than just an opener.

Wells can move into the rotation when the Orioles need a fifth starter or at least give them possible length out of the bullpen while manager Brandon Hyde continues his frantic search for dependable arms. There doesn't seem to be any reason to hold back Wells at this stage, when the Orioles should be getting a head start on their 2022 decisions or gathering more information.

The rookie from Australia has made six major league appearances, including three starts, and allowed 16 runs and 27 hits in 18 2/3 innings. He's known for his pinpoint control but has walked nine batters.

Hot hands aren't readily available to the Orioles, but Wells didn't surrender a run in his last three appearances with Triple-A Norfolk, covering 11 2/3 innings. The timing of his promotion is a lot better than others we've seen this summer.

Hyde said yesterday that a fifth starter will be inserted after Thursday's off-day and a Triple-A starter will be joining the rotation. Wells qualifies because he's been pitching for Norfolk, but we'll wait to find out whether he's the guy that Hyde alluded to on the Zoom call.

We also don't know whether the new starter will pitch at Yankee Stadium this weekend while others are pushed back, or if he's withheld until Tuesday at the latest against the Royals at Camden Yards.

Most of the players brought up already are on the 40-man roster, but executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said recently that there could be a few exceptions.

Keep in mind that the roster can't stretch beyond 28 and anyone who's optioned must stay down a minimum of 10 days unless replacing an injured player. Paul Fry eventually will find his way back to Baltimore. Hunter Harvey's reinstatement from the injured list has been delayed, but assuming it's nothing serious, he's going to make his first appearance with the Orioles since June.

Harvey is under team control through 2025. The Orioles would like him in their bullpen next summer, able to work in high-leverage situations and on back-to-back nights. Able to log more than an inning. But first comes the task of getting him back on the mound this month and hope that the lat and oblique and arm are sound.

Dean Kremer is expected to be recalled and get more chances in the rotation. The promise to keep him in the minors for a prolonged stretch has been fulfilled. His last game with the Orioles was June 24, when he faced the Blue Jays and allowed six runs with five walks in one-third of an inning.

Other returnees could include Zac Lowther and Isaac Mattson if they're healthy. Spenser Watkins and Konner Wade might get another opportunity. Mike Baumann is on the 40-man and in five starts last month allowed only four runs and 14 hits in 22 innings. No home runs, but 13 walks.

Baumann didn't issue a walk last night while holding Charlotte to one run and five hits with seven strikeouts in six innings and lowering his ERA to 2.00. He's a serious candidate to arrive soon. Perhaps as the fifth starter.

Get that major league debut out of the way. There have only been 14 this season. Got to tie the club record of 15 set in 2018.

The Orioles have used 55 different players, three away from the record set in 2019.

Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann has an outside chance of returning, but he's wearing a walking boot on his sprained right ankle.

Kyle Bradish and Kevin Smith must be placed on the 40-man during the offseason to protect them in the Rule 5 draft. There's certainly the possibility that the Orioles decide not to wait.

Among position players, third baseman Rylan Bannon could make his debut this month and he's already on the 40-man. Richie Martin is gone but not forgotten, though the middle infield is a bit crowded with Jorge Mateo, Ramón Urías and Jahmai Jones.

Yusniel Diaz is batting .164/.220/.246 with two home runs in 33 games with Triple-A Norfolk and the Orioles are loaded with outfielders. I can't come up with a good reason to promote him beyond the team maybe just wanting to take a look at him before next spring.

They can't be that pleased with what they've seen at Norfolk.

They'd probably be more tempted to select Robert Neustrom's contract.

It probably would take an injury to Pedro Severino or Austin Wynns for the Orioles to select the contract of a catcher. Nick Ciuffo has been on a bunch of taxi squads.

Nothing that's been said within the organization suggests that Adley Rutschman is a strong consideration for a promotion before 2022. I'm not sure that he's even a mild consideration. But I'm always hesitant to squash the idea and then look foolish later.

I don't expect it to happen, but I'm not batting 1.000 this year.