Orioles remain undecided on pitching numbers (updated)

Opening day is approaching the one-week mark and the Orioles don't know whether they're breaking camp with five or six starters and whether they're carrying 13 or 14 pitchers.

Health, performance and other factors are tipping the scales.

"Our pitching situation is still very much in flux and there's still a lot of questions still to be answered," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said today in his Zoom Call.

"I think adding somebody as a sixth man in the rotation is doable without having to schedule them out, just because it's a week away with a day off after the first week. All our pitching question marks are going to be something we're focusing heavily on this last week and we're going to come up with best decisions we feel give our team the best chance to win, as well as what's best for our players."

Dean Kremer is trying tonight to rebound from a tough outing Friday in Bradenton, when he allowed five runs and five hits in 3 1/3 innings.

"I think, for me, he hasn't had the command that he had the end of the year last year and I'd like to see him get on track with that tonight," Hyde said. "Dean's got major league rotation stuff and he's going to be a really good pitcher in the big leagues. Now it's about commanding his fastball and about being able to throw his breaking ball, which is a plus pitch, on the plate for a strike as well as underneath for strength.

"Dean's got four really good pitches and I just don't think he's had the command so far this camp that he had last summer. That's one thing he's been working on in between sides, to really harness that command. So tonight he gets the opportunity and I think he's going to throw a bunch of strikes."

Kremer is lined up to start the second regular season game. Keegan Akin, also a rookie, has battled similar issues with command while walking five batters in 6 2/3 innings - none in his last appearance over three. He's allowed four runs and notched 11 strikeouts.

Akin starts Thursday night against the Pirates in Sarasota.

Hyde suggested at the beginning of camp that Kremer and Akins had to earn jobs. They're likely to do so, but aren't promised seats on the charter to Boston.

"We'll see," Hyde said. "For me, they've both had stretches, they had a few starts last year where they proved they can pitch in the big leagues and pitch in our division and they just haven't shown that command this spring, so they're both going to get opportunities here this last week to kind of harness that command and be the pitchers that we feel they are.

"It is spring training, also. Both guys have been working on things. But I'd just like to see the fastball there and I'd like to see the fastball aggressiveness in the strike zone."

Message sent.

Hyde is considering what he's seen in camp and last summer. A mix of the two.

"Just because they're really young still," he said.

The Red Sox game notes listed Wade LeBlanc as an available reliever for tonight's game, but the Orioles notes exclude him. LeBlanc has an opt-out clause in his contract that can be exercised today, as reported by The Athletic, and he could be held back until a decision is made.

The relievers are Eric Hanhold, Zac Lowther, Konner Wade, Marcos Diplán, Evan Phillips, Cody Carroll and Mickey Jannis.

The travel roster also includes catcher Maverick Handley, infielders Jahmai Jones, Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg, and outfielder Ryan McKenna.

LeBlanc has made only three appearances in exhibition games and allowed two earned runs (three total) and three hits with three walks and seven strikeouts in eight innings.

Much of his work has been done on the back fields.

LeBlanc made only six starts in 2020. He sustained a stress reaction in his left elbow and was re-signed to a minor league deal.

"He's throwing the ball fairly well," Hyde said. "Kind of had a tough end of the year last year. With the numbers in camp this year I would have liked to see him pitch in more regular games, but I think we did a nice job of taking a look, as well as building him up, so I see him as an option."

Jorge López starts Friday night against the Yankees in Tampa. The Yankees are starting Gerrit Cole.

Hyde said he hasn't informed any players that they're on the team. Guys sitting on the bubble haven't found a more comfortable seat.

Hyde also talked about the growth and maturity that he's seeing in some young players since his hiring as manager in December 2018.

"(Anthony) Santander has matured a lot the last couple of years," Hyde said. "He's become mature as a ballplayer, his at-bats, how he's playing defense. I think down the line. Cedric Mullins is a lot different player than he was two years ago. I see growth in Austin Hays, I see growth in both of our catchers. I think there's been a lot of guys that have improved a lot the last couple years."

Baseball America published a list of minor leaguers released by the Orioles: pitchers Matthias Dietz, Cody Hacker, Zach Matson, Dillon McCollough and Dalton Stambaugh, first basemen Seamus Curran and Ian Evans, and shortstops Clay Fisher and Andrew Fregia.

Dietz was a second-round pick in 2016 out of John A. Logan College in Illinois. He didn't make it above high Single-A and was 1-8 with a 10.29 ERA and 2.286 WHIP in 18 games with the Frederick Keys in 2019. He walked 51 batters, struck out 39 and hit 16 in 35 innings, and he threw 19 wild pitches.

For the Red Sox
Enrique Hernández 2B
Alex Verdugo CF
Hunter Renfroe RF
Xander Bogaerts SS
Rafael Devers 3B
Marwin Gonzalez 1B
Franchy Cordero LF
Michael Chavis DH
Kevin Plawecki C

Nathan Eovaldi RHP

The game will air on 105.7 The Fan and MLB.tv.

According to an announcement, ESPN 630 AM is the new Washington, D.C., home of the Orioles Radio Network. The station begins coverage with the 2021 season.

Update: Ryan Mountcastle has been scratched and Tyler Nevin is playing left field.

Will pass along an explanation when it's available.