O's pregame notes on the roster move, Hyde's homecoming and more

SAN FRANCISCO – Orioles manager Brandon Hyde believes that right-handed reliever Mychal Givens, who went on the 15-day injured list today, retroactive to yesterday, could be back pitching for the Orioles when his IL time is up on June 16.

“I think so, yeah,” Hyde said when asked if Givens could return then. “I never want to put a number on it or days on it, but I think it’s going to just be a couple of weeks hopefully.”

Givens has allowed six runs (five earned) in four innings over six games since the Orioles activated him on May 21 after left knee inflammation. This IL stint is for right shoulder inflammation. Givens has walked six batters and his fastball velocity was down to 91.5 mph on average, two miles per hour off his average from last year.

Givens pitched Wednesday versus Cleveland, faced three batters and got no one out. Hyde said there was no MRI needed for Givens.

“I think he just felt it a little bit after his last outing,” said Hyde. “I don’t know if it’s been a recurring thing. But hopefully he can get some rest and some time to heal that up and help us out when he gets off the IL.”

Taking his roster spot is Baltimorean Bruce Zimmermann, who was 2-3 with a 4.05 ERA in nine starts over 46 2/3 innings for Triple-A Norfolk.

“Right now he’s in our bullpen,” Hyde said of the lefty. “Especially (due to) what happened in the game two days ago. To get someone that can give us some length out of the ‘pen is important. He’s been throwing the ball well down there. Knows the big leagues and been up here with us the last couple of years. Pretty balanced team over there but a lot of left-handers and Zimm will work out of the bullpen for us.”

Zimmermann last pitched in the majors last Sept. 5. His last game for Norfolk was a good one when he threw six scoreless on May 26. So if needed tonight he would be pitching on six days’ rest.

Hyde is hoping his bullpen can bounce back today after allowing a season-high 11 runs over eight innings on Wednesday against the Guardians.

“I just think they’ve been so good all year, I just think they had a bad day,” said Hyde. “Chalk it up as a bad day. We didn’t play our best baseball this homestand. Guys were pitching a little at different times in the game because the way the game started and how it was going. Just trying to find a way to get outs somehow.

“A bunch of guys that had a tough day had been throwing the ball well up until that point or for me had been showing improvement. Cionel (Perez) had been throwing ball much better before that. Hopefully he can get back to what he was like before that outing.”

Hyde said again today it’s too soon to yet have any firm timetable on when center fielder Cedric Mullins could return.

“Cedric’s going to be on rehab for a while. Way too soon (to know),” said Hyde of Mullins, who is not with the team in San Francisco.

For Hyde, it’s another homecoming this weekend in the Bay Area. He and coach Tim Cossins are both from Santa Rosa, Calif., which is about 55 miles north of here. Hyde grew up as a Giants fan and attended games at old Candlestick Park.

“Yeah it does (mean something to manage here),” he said. “We drove by Candlestick going to the hotel two nights ago and I have special memories of going to those games. Watching Joe Montana with the Niners and watching Will Clark with the Giants in my younger days with my dad and friends.

“To be in the Bay Area and have a lot of people here (is great). Ran into a lot of people yesterday and last night that I haven’t seen in a while that are big Orioles fans out here now in the north bay. Hope we play well in front of them this series.”

Hyde’s parents will be here for all three games this weekend and he said he should have 10 to 12 people each day at the games this weekend.

Hyde stayed in his hometown of Santa Rosa the last two nights.

Tonight’s starting pitcher, O's right-hander Dean Kremer, is from Stockton, Calif., about 80 miles from San Francisco and tonight’s game could be meaningful for him too.

“Talked to him a little bit about it,” Hyde said. “Kind of downplayed it a little bit. I think he is in game mode and had his game-face on. But he has some family here and he’s excited to pitch in front of them. Yeah, growing up in Stockton, not that far away, think it’s going to be special for him, even though he’s maybe not admitting it right now. I think after the game he will really appreciate it," he said.