Orioles put Lakins on IL, add Watkins and Mattson

The Orioles placed pitcher Travis Lakins Sr. on the 10-day injured list today with right elbow pain, selected the contract of pitcher Spenser Watkins from Triple-A Norfolk and recalled reliever Isaac Mattson. Watkins and Mattson were on the taxi squad.

Left-hander Alexander Wells was optioned to the Tides after earning his first major league win last night. The Orioles also declared infielder Stevie Wilkerson has been designated for assignment to create room for Watkins on the 40-man roster.

Lakins came out of last night's game in Houston with two outs in the second inning. He had an MRI this morning, and manager Brandon Hyde can pass along the results later this afternoon in his Zoom call.

The 10-day injured list is getting more crowded, with Lakins joining pitchers John Means, Bruce Zimmermann and César Valdez and shortstop Freddy Galvis.

Watkins, 28, has made seven appearances with Norfolk, including six starts, and posted a 3.58 ERA and 1.102 WHIP in 32 2/3 innings. He signed with the Orioles in February after considering retirement.

The Tigers drafted Watkins in the 30th round in 2014 out of Western Oregon University.

Mattson, acquired from the Angels in the Dylan Bundy trade, made his major league debut on May 7 against the Red Sox before the Orioles optioned him. He allowed a run in two-thirds of an inning.

Mattson had an 8.64 ERA and 2.280 WHIP in 11 appearances with Norfolk. He allowed 16 hits in 8 1/3 innings.

The Orioles chose Watkins and Mattson over Conner Greene, who also is on the taxi squad.

Watkins can become the 11th Oriole to make his major league debut and the 45th player used this season. He's wearing No. 80.

The Orioles optioned Wilkerson on Sunday after he went 12-for-72 with three walks and 30 strikeouts in 30 games. He can refuse an outright assignment if he clears waivers.

The club chose to recall middle infielders Ramón Urías and Domingo Leyba on Sunday and go with a four-man bench, and Wilkerson was headed back to the minors. Now he's waiting to find out whether he joins another organization or reports to Norfolk.

Matt Harvey is back on the mound tonight as the Orioles try to complete their first series sweep since April 2-4 in Boston to begin the season.

The last three-game winning streak was June 1-4.

Harvey cleared the fifth inning Friday night for the first time in 10 starts. In his three career starts against the Astros, Harvey has gone 0-3 and allowed 18 runs and 20 hits in 12 2/3 innings.

Astros right-hander Luis Garcia is 6-4 with a 2.83 ERA and 1.100 WHIP in 15 games (13 starts). He's averaging 10 strikeouts per nine innings.

Garcia has allowed two runs or fewer in 10 starts. He's never faced the Orioles.

Right-handers slash .141/.234/.259 in his 20 career games.

The Orioles have outscored the Astros 22-10 in the first two games.

For the Astros
Jose Altuve 2B
Michael Brantley LF
Yuli Gurriel 1B
Yordan Alvarez DH
Carlos Correa SS
Kyle Tucker RF
Robel García 3B
Myles Straw CF
Jason Castro C

Luis Garcia RHP

Dean Kremer is starting tonight for Norfolk after the Orioles optioned him Friday afternoon. Former Oriole Mike Wright is starting for Charlotte.