Orioles could use opener in Oakland (tied 3-3, Hyde ejected)

The Orioles may decide to use an opener Wednesday afternoon in Oakland instead of giving the start to left-hander Josh Rogers.

The spot behind Andrew Cashner and Gabriel Ynoa again is to be determined.

Manager Brandon Hyde announced yesterday that Rogers would get the assignment, but he's now considering alternatives. Rogers likely would follow the opener if he's put back in the bullpen.

"We let the A's know it's still a little bit unsure," Hyde said. "It's kind of how things go the next couple of days. But a really good chance that Rogers will pitch at length that game."

Asked what motivated the possible switch, Hyde replied, "Just trying stuff, experimenting. Heavy right-handed lineup."

The opener candidates include Jimmy Yacabonis and Miguel Castro. David Hess stays in the bullpen and also could provide length on Wednesday.

So much of it depends on bullpen usage leading up to the game. The Orioles might have to wait until late Tuesday night to confirm their plans.

"It could be a variety," Hyde said.

Hess was removed from the rotation over the weekend and understood why the Orioles decided to give him a new set of responsibilities.

"The conversation with him was really positive about it," Hess said. "They think that's a good move for now. It's an opportunity. I'm here and it's a good chance to see how it (works). They really like that I looked on opening day in New York out of the 'pen, so they wanted to see a little bit more of that.

"This isn't something that came out of the blue. In Minnesota, this was the plan as well and (Alex) Cobb got hurt and so we had to rearrange some things. I think it's a positive thing and something that will be beneficial."

The Orioles believe that shorter outings will make Hess' stuff crisper and ease some of the pressure.

"You're still trying to get outs, but the way that you can go about it is a little bit different than knowing that you have five, six or seven hopeful innings for that day," Hess said. "I think it will be something that just allows you to focus on getting better right now and focus on making pitches rather than thinking too far ahead and thinking about what you need to do now for later.

"I think it will be good. I think the thought process behind it with the coaching staff as well, they made it clear that development was important and this was something that they really think will be beneficial with that. I think it will be something that plays out really well personally and I know they think that as well."

Dwight Smith Jr., on the seven-day concussion injured list, is expected to play a couple of rehab games in the minors and join the Orioles on the West Coast.

"Progressing very, very well," Hyde said.

Hyde said the Orioles are "very happy" with the results of Cobb's hip surgery.

"Surgery went well," Hyde said. "Successful."

Hyde is hoping that the same description will apply to today's game. He vented yesterday about the team's mental and physical mistakes against the Red Sox, using the words "embarrassing" and "sloppy" and pointing out that the Orioles aren't talented enough to overcome them.

"I was just a little disappointed in our attention to detail yesterday and not executing certain things that should be executed at this level," he said this morning. "I think today's a new day and I feel like our guys have done a nice job turning the page all year and I think our clubhouse is still really good and guys have forgotten about yesterday. I see John Means setting the tone today and us playing well."

Hyde will enjoy a homecoming of sorts on the upcoming trip as he returns to the Bay area for the first time as a major league manager.

"I see a lot of people I grew up with," he said. "They show up, and my parents will be there and my sister and her family will be there. They live in Berkeley. So, yeah, staying in San Francisco and playing in Oakland is always special and I get to see a lot of people that I just don't get to see very often. It's a nice homecoming for me."

Update: Keon Broxton led off the third inning with a double and later scored on Hanser Alberto's second hit of the day, a high chopper, to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead.

Update II: Run-scoring doubles in the fourth by Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr. gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead.

Update III: Hyde earned his second ejection of the season and third of his career in the fourth inning after Keon Broxton was ruled out for interference and umpires returned Anthony Santander to third base rather than letting him score the tie-breaking run. Broxton was deemed to have veered onto the infield grass after his sacrifice bunt.

Update IV: The Orioles rallied for two runs in the eighth to take a 3-2 lead, with Alberto's two-out single scoring Stevie Wilkerson with the go-ahead run, but Marco Hernández homered off Mychal Givens in the ninth to tie the game.