Notes on Wells, Henderson, roster, Rutschman and more

Tyler Wells is slated to throw a bullpen session in Baltimore within the next few days before the Orioles decide his next steps toward a return to their active roster.

Wells began his injury rehab assignment last night at High-A Aberdeen and was charged with one run in 2 1/3 innings. An inherited runner scored after he departed.

The Orioles will give him at least one more start in the minors.

Wells allowed one hit, walked none, struck out three and threw 23 of 31 pitches for strikes. Most important, he felt good afterward.

Manager Brandon Hyde said the organization hasn’t decided on Wells’ role when he’s activated from the injured list.

Gunnar Henderson is returning to third base tonight after also making starts at shortstop and second base. He’s instilled the confidence in Hyde to play him at any of those positions.

“I think he’s got a lot of ability, a lot of talent,” Hyde said. “I’ve seen him for three games, so just continue to throw him out there. Really happy. He’s just off to a good start in every facet. It’s exciting to have him.”

Henderson is only 21 years old and handling the pressure and changes as if they don’t exist. Facing major league pitching, being in a pennant race, playing three positions in three nights.

“He showed you the athleticism in Cleveland, both of those plays,” Hyde said. “The play up the middle was ridiculous, and the backhand play and the arm strength, and the arm strength on the play up the middle. And then the arm strength on the double play to end the game last night. He’s got special tools. Big, strong guy, too. Got a lot of ability. He’s exciting.”

This is Hyde’s deepest roster in his four seasons as manager. Ramón Urías sits tonight. Cedric Mullins and Adley Rutschman came off the bench last night.

“One thing that good teams have is, they have good players on the bench and they have depth,” Hyde said. “To be able to mix and match offensively during the game, and in the lineup … Last night, Rutsch and Ced and (Rougned) Odor, those guys were available. (Kyle) Stowers was available. The deeper the roster, obviously, the better. You can match up as well as you possibly can. That’s just a luxury we, honestly, haven’t had here until recently.

“We have Ramón and (Jesús) Aguilar off the bench tonight, as well as others. It’s a good feeling.”

Hyde mentioned last night that players are leaving their egos at the door. Austin Hays did it after Hyde chose to send up Rutschman as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning. Rutschman drew a tie-breaking, bases-loaded walk.

“That was a situation where, when you pinch-hit for a regular, it’s not because you don’t want to see him hit,” Hyde said. “It’s because I’ve got, for me, just a little bit better matchup, in my opinion, on the bench with Rutschman in that spot. I think guys understand that. That’s winning baseball and that’s part of it. That’s what good teams do, especially down the stretch. You might not do that in May or June, but a situation like we’re in, guys are pulling for each other and we’re going to do everything we can to win a game.”

Rutschman didn’t swing at any of the six pitches thrown to him in the eighth, another calm at-bat during his rookie season.

“The crowd got loud,” Hyde said, “and I think a normal young player would be trying to go deep right there right off the jump, and for him to be able to be real patient, take the first couple pitches down and be able to work the count, a couple pitches called strikes that were tough pitches, just shows you, honestly, how mature he is for his age and how he has such a really good idea at the plate.”

His backup, Robinson Chirinos, earned 10 years of major league service time today.

“That is an awesome, awesome accomplishment for a major league player, to be able to get 10 years in,” Hyde said. “It’s a huge deal to players to be able to get that milestone, and so we’re going to celebrate that with him today.”

Reliever Anthony Castro was claimed off waivers today from the Guardians and optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. He’s made five career appearances against them and allowed one unearned run and one hit with six strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

For the Athletics
Tony Kemp 2B
Vimael Machín 3B
Sean Murphy C
Seth Brown RF
Shea Langeliers DH
Dermis Garcia 1B
Cody Thomas LF
Nick Allen SS
Cal Stevenson CF

Adam Oller RHP