O's will start Albert Suárez on Wednesday with Thursday still TBA

TORONTO – For a team that has sent five starting pitchers to the injured list already this year and just recently lost both John Means and Tyler Wells for the season, seeing TBA listed as the Orioles' starters Wednesday and Thursday in this series presented some intrigue.

But today, O’s manager Brandon Hyde told reporters that right-hander Albert Suárez (2-0, 1.57 ERA) will start tomorrow against the Blue Jays and righty Kyle Bradish (1-0, 3.18 ERA) could go on Thursday.

“We are still TBA for Thursday. Probably announce that sometime tomorrow. But Suárez for tomorrow,” said Hyde.

Hyde was asked if there are any health concerns with Bradish.

“No, we’re considering giving him an extra day (of rest) or two," he said. "Just kind of from how he is feeling. But we are just monitoring it daily. So we are keeping that TBA right now."

On May 26, Bradish threw seven no-hit innings against the White Sox, throwing 103 pitches. In his following start Saturday, he gave up five runs in 2 2/3 innings on 76 pitches. 

If not Bradish on Thursday, could there be a minor league call-up to start that game?

“We’ll see, I’m not really sure yet,” Hyde said.

Norfolk lefty Cade Povich is listed right now as the Tides starter for their game on Thursday. 

Hyde was really impressed with right-hander Grayson Rodriguez in his postgame comments last night and had some more today.

“For me, he has taken enormous strides forward," Hyde said. "Just from his fastball command, understanding how to pitch. You know the early, weak contact last night was just fantastic. He pitched with his fastball commanding it, not just overpowering people. You didn’t see 98 to 100 (mph), but he was throwing the ball where he wanted to with plenty of fastball. He is really starting to understand how to pitch and set up hitters to get guys early in the count to allow himself to go deeper in the game.

“That was one of the more satisfying starts for me, watching a guy just really come into his own. That was a major league start last night.”

Vespi returns, again: Bullpen lefty Nick Vespi is back with the Orioles for the series in Toronto, recalled yesterday for his third stint this year.

Well, four if you count his being on the Opening Day roster, which happened when Jacob Webb went on the paternity list right before the first game. Vespi spent just two days on the roster then.

He returned May 22, but just as the 27^th man for what was the completion of a suspended game and the regularly scheduled game in St. Louis. He pitched a scoreless inning in that game but was returned to the minors when it ended.

Two days later he was back. This time for just three days. And now he is back again.

Settling in can be a challenge for a pitcher on the move so much between Triple-A and the bigs.

“My situation is unique,” Vespi said this afternoon in the Baltimore clubhouse. “I think the last few years definitely prepared me for this year. Obviously, it’s still a learning process and continuing to trust the process. Just come up here and do whatever I can do to help this team.

“It is always good to be back here, and I’m excited to go out there and pitch.”

In 35 O’s games since 2022, Vespi has gone 6-0 with a 4.07 ERA. He has had enough big league success to have built some confidence about pitching at this level.

“Anytime I get to toe the rubber up here and have success, it is a confidence-builder for sure," he said. "Yeah, just try to take advantage of every opportunity I can get and just keep building my resume.”

The young players on the O’s farm seem to have great chemistry and are such good friends. Vespi said that has been big for him and many others in the O’s organization.

“This organization has done a good job to pick up a lot of good guys with good character," he said. "And I would say (Tides manager) Buck Britton keeps a pretty clubhouse down in Triple-A. Guys are really close and have fun playing with each other. It will definitely translate to this level and we’ll continue to win."

Update: The Orioles have signed right-hander Julio Teheran to a minor league contract. He has been assigned to Triple-A Norfolk.