Notes on Thursday starter, Akin, Urías, Vavra and more

BOSTON – Right-hander Mike Baumann is the confirmed starter for the Orioles in the series finale Thursday afternoon.

Baumann is on normal rest after starting Saturday against the Astros and allowing two runs in four innings. He’s in the rotation because Tyler Wells went on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.

The Red Sox are starting veteran Nathan Eovaldi.

The Orioles didn’t make any roster moves today after optioning left-hander Keegan Akin yesterday and recalling Logan Gillaspie from the taxi squad.

Akin broke camp with the team and lasted until the fourth week of September.

“That was rough,” Hyde said. “He’s been a huge part of our bullpen this year. He had a great first half. He’s had good moments in the second half, also. Not the results lately, but the reason was because we definitely needed somebody to be able to go multiple innings last night, and we were really short in the bullpen yesterday.

“It was best-case scenario if I used Spenser Watkins and Logan Gillaspie and that was it, and fortunately our offense allowed us to do that and Watkins allowed us to do that. Those guys did a great job coming into the game and throwing strikes to give everybody else a breather after that tough last couple days with Houston. It’s just one of those things where we have to make a move to get a guy to be available last night, and unfortunately that was Keegan.”

Triple-A Norfolk’s season ends on Wednesday and the Orioles could keep some extra players close in case the roster needs adjusting.

“We have some taxi squad guys here right now,” Hyde said, “and that’s something we’ll be talking about, probably tomorrow.”

Infielder Ramón Urías has returned to the lineup after staying on the bench for the past two games. He’s been getting treatment for spasms in his neck/shoulder area.

“Hoping he’s past it,” Hyde said. “He probably could have gone in the game last night. He was available. Wanted to stay away from him. Stay away from (Terrin) Vavra, also. He feels better today.”

Vavra’s left hamstring is better and he could play if needed.

“Just one of those, you get a high hamstring, it’s a little bit tricky,” Hyde said. “He was available off the bench to hit last night and he’s available again today.”

Players, coaches and team employees were invited inside the famed Green Monster before batting practice. Rookies Kyle Stowers and Gunnar Henderson were among the group who signed their names, finding spots on the concrete above their heads that weren’t already covered.

Hyde took his son Colton earlier this season.

“It’s a pretty cool moment being in there,” Hyde said. “It’s history in there.”

Henderson is the fourth-youngest Oriole to homer at Fenway Park behind Jim Palmer, Manny Machado and Paul Blair.