Hyde talks about roster move and more before today's game

The Orioles knew that the bullpen wasn’t equipped to provide length this afternoon. The only decision was which reliever to send down.

Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk this morning, and the Orioles selected Chris Vallimont’s contract.

Nick Vespi was spared after tossing three scoreless innings last night. Zimmermann has pitched three times since Monday, working two innings last night.

Keegan Akin is on the 15-day injured list with lower back discomfort. Cole Irvin is starting Sunday afternoon.

“Definitely needed somebody for the next couple days,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “Hopefully, we can get a couple good starts and get some length out of our starters. But wanted to bring a guy who can give us some innings if we need it, and so we brought Chris here for today.”

The Orioles claimed Vallimont off waivers from the Twins back in May 2022. He’s never pitched in the majors.

Vallimont joins pitchers Kyle Gibson, Tyler Wells, Yennier Cano and Danny Coulombe, and outfielder Aaron Hicks as former members of the Twins organization who migrated over to the Orioles. Assistant hitting coach Matt Borgschulte also was in the Twins' system.

The 40-man roster is full, so the Orioles transferred reliever Mychal Givens to the 60-day injured list. He went on the 15-day IL retroactive to June 1 with right shoulder inflammation and won’t be eligible for reinstatement from the 60-day until August.

Givens is flying down to Sarasota next week and scheduled to pitch for the Florida Complex League team after the All-Star break. Today’s transaction isn’t an indication that he had a setback in his recovery.

“It has nothing to do with that,” Hyde said. “It was more of, we needed a pitcher today.”

Dillon Tate is receiving a second opinion on his right elbow sometime next week.

Ryan Mountcastle was expected to play last night in Norfolk but didn’t appear in the Tides’ 5-4, 10-inning win over Charlotte.

Hyde said he’s hoping that Mountcastle plays this weekend but hasn’t heard.

Mountcastle is on the 10-day injured list with vertigo and has three hits and two RBIs in his last two games.

The Orioles announced Tyler Wells, Kyle Gibson, Dean Kremer and Kyle Bradish as starters for the four-game series against the Yankees in the Bronx that begins Monday night.

This is my last entry for the day. I’m doing a hit on “O’s Xtra” at 3:30 p.m. and heading out. I’ll return Sunday morning.