Orioles left with one southpaw option in bullpen

CHICAGO - Paul Fry feels like the last left-handed reliever standing in the Orioles bullpen.

Richard Bleier is rehabbing a shoulder injury in Sarasota. Tanner Scott is back with Triple-A Norfolk after his latest demotion. John Means is in the rotation and makes his next start Sunday against the Rays.

Fry and Means are the only left-handers on a 13-man pitching staff. Josh Rogers made one relief appearance before returning to Norfolk.

The Orioles claimed Shawn Armstrong off waivers from the Mariners on Sunday after recalling Branden Kline and Luis Ortiz. All of them right-handers. Gabriel Ynoa had his contract selected when the Orioles designated Mike Wright for assignment. Also a right-hander.

Only Fry is left in the 'pen, so to speak.

"It's definitely crazy," he said. "I don't think it's been like this with the Orioles for a few years now. It will be a challenge at times, but just got to go out there and pitch."

Fry doesn't profile as a lefty specialist, though the splits this season lean more toward that direction. Left-handed hitters began yesterday's doubleheader 2-for-14 against him, but they slashed .239/.346/.328 in his major league career, while right-handers hit .217/.299/.292.

"I think every day I've just got to come in and be ready from pitch one," said Fry, who retired the only batter he faced last night, switch-hitting Yoán Moncada, on a swinging bunt.

"Lately, I've been coming in at different times, earlier in games or whatnot, so definitely being the only lefty now I might be expected to go a little bit longer and I'll be ready for it."

Fry has been called upon to face one batter, and he's worked two innings twice and maxed out at 2 1/3. He's entered games in every inning of regulation except the first four.

He's no longer able to play catch with Scott, a friend who lost his roster spot Monday night.

"I'm sure he's disappointed, but he also knows what he has to do and we all know what he has to do," Fry said. "He has an electric arm. If he can throw strikes consistently, it's a weapon, and if he just goes down there and refines that, he'll be up here really soon."

Scott pitched his way off the opening day roster and backed the decision by saying he didn't deserve to go north, was given another chance after Bleier went on the disabled list and registered a 6.75 ERA and 2.850 WHIP in eight appearances. He walked eight batters and struck out 12 in 6 2/3 innings.

"Obviously, he's got great stuff," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He's got a plus fastball and a plus slider. We're just looking for him to get a little bit more consistent, be able to locate both pitches.

"You have to be able to locate in the big leagues and you have to be able to pitch ahead in the count to put guys away, and we just felt like he needed some extra reps before he comes back up. Work on his command and just sharpen up everything."

Bleier's return isn't imminent. He's going to require a rehab assignment before coming off the injured list. Scott won't be rushed back. Sean Gilmartin has a 2.95 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 20 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings with Norfolk, but he isn't on the 40-man roster.

The Orioles will see how long they can go with one left-hander and consider their options.

"That's kind of the arrangement we have right now," Hyde said. "Obviously, we'd love to have more than one left-hander, but it's just kind of the way our roster is. Paul Fry is obviously going to be utilized a lot.

"This is where we are right now."

Hyde referenced the singularity of his left-handed relief options last night after a Game 2 walk-off loss.

"We only have one left-hander, right?" he said. "You're dealing with their middle part of the order and there are certain guys you don't want to beat you. José Abreu is a premier player in this league and has been killing us. I was trying to get a punchout from (Jose) Rondón, which we did, and then take our chances with (Yonder) Alonso, and it just didn't happen."