O's still undecided on Wednesday's starter, plus other pregame notes from Texas

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Orioles got through a tough spot last night because right-hander Tyler Wells and two of his teammates saved the day in the 2-0 win over the Texas Rangers. When right-hander Kyle Bradish left last night’s game early, the Orioles put the wheels in motion in thinking about piecing together last night’s nine innings and about tonight’s outing. During the Monday game, they were already leaning toward having Opening Day starter Kyle Gibson pitch tonight.

But now comes the decision about the starter here tomorrow afternoon in the series finale at Texas. The O’s still have not made a decision on what they will do. They could use Austin Voth if he doesn’t pitch tonight. They could call someone up from the minor leagues to make the start.

“We’re still in discussions about tomorrow,” manager Brandon Hyde said today in the Baltimore dugout. “We’re going to get through tonight and then go from there.”

At Triple-A, DL Hall is scheduled to pitch Norfolk’s home opener tonight. Drew Rom is listed for Wednesday, Grayson Rodriguez for Thursday and Bruce Zimmermann on Saturday.

Hyde was asked if it’s too soon to call up Rodriguez after the organization decided to option him to the minors to begin the season. Rodriguez pitched to a 7.04 ERA in 15 1/3 spring innings. He went four innings, allowing three runs (two earned) in the Tides' season opener last Friday. He would be on regular rest for a start tomorrow.

“We’re keeping all options open, honestly, for tomorrow,” Hyde said when asked about Rodriguez. “We’re in discussion about that right now.”

Meanwhile, the skipper also provided a further update on Bradish, who threw 28 pitches in 1 2/3 innings before taking Jonah Heim's liner off his right foot.

“Pretty sore. Took a 104 (mph shot) off the top of his foot," Hyde said. "Obviously, going to be sore the next day. Hopefully, we avoided anything (more serious). He’s sore today.”

Could Bradish be headed for the injured list?

“I think it’s possible, honestly,” said Hyde. “It’s possible because it’s the foot he drives off with. Pretty tender today.”

Hyde said the wheels were in motion about how to use the pitching the next few days as soon as Bradish left the game.

“When Tyler volunteered to go in to pitch, started thinking about how that affects us the next three days,” he said. "Start thinking about Kyle (Gibson) possibly moving up. It’s not easy to make transactions right now. So a lot went into it. But Wells and Gibson both being so open to try and help us out, those were key factors.

“We went to Kyle a couple of times during the game as well as after the game, just to make sure if we decided to do this (use Wells last night) that he would be 100 percent in on pitching today. And he was. Just really lucky to have such great guys, honestly, team-first pros on this club that are willing to do things for the team.”

Now he hopes Gibson, who pitched 167 2/3 innings last year, can be an innings-eater tonight.

“We’ve had some unusual things happen here the first handful of games on the mound," Hyde said. "Having a starter go deep in the game just picks everybody up. We haven’t quite had that yet. Gibby is fully aware of that and he’s done it a lot of times. Nice to have a veteran out there that kind of understands where we are right now.”

After getting his first two hits last night, Gunnar Henderson is not in tonight’s lineup.

“His (right) hand is a little sore from, I think the ball was 107 that ricocheted (from Henderson to shortstop Jorge Mateo in the fifth inning) off his hand," Hyde said. "Swelled up a bit during the game and sore last night. He’s fine. Just tender. Hoping he is available as a pinch-hit option for us (tonight). Just trying to give him a little bit of time.”

Meanwhile, in non-injury notes, catcher Robinson Chirinos, an Oriole in 2022, is here and spent time pregame today exchanging hugs and greetings with his former teammates, and Hyde spent a long time talking with him.

“Love Robby,” he said. “Huge part of our year last year. Enormous part of turning the culture around with what he did for our young players. Taught a lot of our guys that we were good enough to win. He brought that with him every single day and I have a ton of appreciation for him.”

John Means update: Orioles pitcher John Means is with the team here in Texas as his comeback from Tommy John surgery continues.

“I am throwing 30 (pitches) off a mound," Means said. "Been throwing changeups and should start adding breaking balls soon. Everything is going according to plan. Throwing a couple of bullpens a week."

Means still cannot pinpoint a date for his return or when he might begin a rehab assignment in the minors. The club is hoping for a July return for Means.

Means said he was impressed with how the pitching staff stepped up last night and is confident in Gibson on the mound tonight.

“He’s a great leader,” Means said of Gibson. “Ten years (in the game) this year. To be able to stay around the game as long as he has is always a good sign that he’s a great character guy and also a great pitcher."