O's pregame updates on Joey Ortiz, Félix Bautista and more from Dunedin

DUNEDIN, Fla. – The Orioles will be without infield prospect Joey Ortiz for likely a few days at least. Manager Brandon Hyde told reporters here today at TD Ballpark that Ortiz is now in concussion protocol. He took a bad-hop groundball off his head in drills a few days ago and has not yet been cleared to return to the field.

The club’s fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft, Ortiz is 3-for-12 with a double, triple, one run scored and two RBIs in six spring games.

He is ranked as the No. 66 prospect in the FanGraphs.com top 100 list and is also rated No. 71 by ESPN, No. 95 via Baseball America and The Athletic and No. 99 by MLBPipeline.com.

Left-hander Cole Irvin threw to hitters today on an Ed Smith Stadium back-field, Hyde said, but he did not get a chance to see the outing before he headed to today’s game. Nor did he have a report yet on it.

O’s lefty pitching prospect  DL Hall was also scheduled to throw to live hitters for the first time today as well back in Sarasota. Hall keeps progressing toward getting into a spring game after being slow played earlier in camp. He dealt with some lower back discomfort before spring training began but all is fine now. Soon he will get into game action.

“Today is a big day, throwing against hitters for the first time,” Hall said in the Baltimore clubhouse this morning. “I’d assume I might do that two or three times (throw live BP).”

Hall has said a few times now that he would love to be used as a starting pitcher this year, but if he makes the Opening Day roster he won’t be built up enough for that and would have to break north in a bullpen role.

“I know that the team wants me to be a starter as well this year. If I do great as a long reliever or opener or whatever I would do to break camp (with the Orioles), it would be to eventually work me in as a starter," he said. 

Hyde said closer Félix Bautista could make his spring debut next Thursday. He has been held out of games thus far as he continues to rehab his left knee and strengthen his right shoulder.

“It is a possibility (for Thursday),” Hyde said. “He feels great. He feels totally healthy and his velocity in his sides has been really good. He threw a really good live BP the other day. He’s on track.”

Toronto's lineup

George Springer RF
Bo Bichette SS
Brandon Belt DH
Matt Chapman 3B
Daulton Varsho LF
Danny Jansen C
Cavan Biggio 1B
Santiago Espinal 2B
Kevin Kiermaier CF
Chris Bassitt P

Two pitchers that were formerly in the O's organization - Zach Pop and Paul Fry - are also listed to pitch today for the Blue Jays.