Orioles recall Rogers and put Lucas on IL

The Orioles needed more coverage for their bullpen tonight and recalled left-hander Josh Rogers from Triple-A Norfolk.

Reliever Josh Lucas was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. Lucas handled the last three innings last night and threw 63 pitches.

A fresh arm was necessary following last night's 12-3 loss to the Blue Jays.

"Last night hurt us in a lot of ways," said manager Brandon Hyde. "We're obviously really short today, so it was a scramble in the office after the game. Talked a lot about our options."

The Orioles had to gain approval from Major League Baseball before announcing the move.

Hyde said he thought about putting a position player on the mound last night in the ninth, but Lucas took one for the team and prevented another drastic maneuver.

"Josh Lucas sucked it up for us," Hyde said. "Felt OK after the eighth inning and threw a lot of pitches obviously and didn't want to do that, but I appreciated the effort."

Lucas was a candidate to start tonight in a bullpen game until needed last night. He's made nine appearances and registered a 5.74 ERA and 1.340 WHIP in 15 2/3 innings.

The decision to recall Luis Ortiz came late last night.

Rogers hasn't appeared in game since Saturday night in Columbus. He's 2-6 with an 8.51 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in 11 starts and opponents are batting .357 against him.

Used once in relief this season, Rogers allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings in an April 10 game against the Athletics. He served up three home runs.

Rogers allowed nine earned runs in back-to-back starts for Norfolk on May 24 and 29. He permitted only two runs in six innings in his last outing.

Hyde needs a long reliever in the bullpen tonight with Ortiz making his second major league start and bringing a 7.01 ERA and 1.63 WHIP from Norfolk.

Rogers and Ortiz are rested and on the 40-man roster, which fueled the decision to recall them.

Hyde is hoping that Ortiz can provide some length after going seven innings in his last start. The right-hander is needed with Andrew Cashner pushed back at least a couple of days due to a blister on his right middle finger.

"We got Louie here," Hyde said. "He's thrown the ball fairly well his last three starts and he's on the roster and hopefully he's going to make the most of his opportunity tonight."

Ortiz allowed 13 runs and 19 hits over 19 innings in his last three outings. He walked three batters, struck out 23 and surrendered eight home runs.

Because Ortiz has lasted six innings or more in each start, he's regarded as making progress and becomes a slightly more attractive option.

"I don't think he's happy with his numbers, but he has given them length the last three starts and that's something we need bad," Hyde said.

"Something I just talked to him about a little while ago is we need someone to come here and be aggressive in the strike zone, let our defense play, attack these guys, make the most of your opportunity.

"You try to nibble around a lineup like this, it's going to be a long night, we're going to go through a lot of guys. So I'm just hoping he's aggressive in the strike zone, forces early contact and let our defense play."

Asked how many innings he realistically can expect out of Ortiz, Hyde replied, "I have no idea what to expect."

"This is his first start, Friday night against the Boston Red Sox. I know he's excited, but I have no idea what to expect. He's built up like a starter, so he's gone seven innings in Norfolk. We'll see."

Outfielder DJ Stewart remains on the injured list with a sprained ankle and won't join the team next week on its West Coast trip.

"I think he's going to jog on the field today," Hyde said. "We have the treadmills in the pool in the training room where he's been running on that. Non-weight bearing activity. It's ramped up a little bit now. His ankle feels better, but he's going to be a little while."

Dwight Smith Jr. is taking batting practice while on the concussion injured list and he's nearing a return.

"He said it felt a little funny. He hadn't swung in a while," Hyde said.

"Progressing well and I think it's a possibility in the next few days. Still got a couple boxes they've got to check to go through the protocol, but we're hopeful in the next three days or so."

Hyde didn't have any new information on reliever Nate Karns, who's on the 60-day injured list with a right forearm strain.

"Just rehabbing," Hyde said.

For the Red Sox
Michael Chavis 1B
Andrew Benintendi LF
J.D. Martinez RF
Rafael Devers 3B
Xander Bogaerts SS
Brock Holt 2B
Christian Vázquez C
Jackie Bradley Jr. CF
Eduardo Núñez DH

Eduardo Rodriguez LHP