Orioles trying to find ways to fix a frustrating situation

There are no easy or obvious solutions to the Orioles' explosive bullpen, holes in the rotation and thinning roster due to injuries. Not unless the production picks up at its highest affiliate. That would at least provide an option.

Relievers have surrendered 52 runs in the past five games - 16 scored in the eighth inning in the Rays' sweep - and manager Brandon Hyde can't be criticized for running the same group into games every night. He can't be ripped for ignoring hot hands that simply do not exist.

Well, he can because social media is unreasonable, but this isn't on him.

The most dependable reliever on the club is a Rule 5 pick, Tyler Wells, who remains on the injured list. He's joined by Tanner Scott, who has a plus fastball and slider but is wildly unpredictable.

Hunter Harvey could return by the second or third week of August. And then what?

"I'd like to see Hunter Harvey get healthy," Hyde said, "and have him finish the season strong to see what we have there."

Which is fine for the evaluation process but not necessarily so much for stabilizing a bullpen.

The Orioles have tried Mac Sceroler, Travis Lakins Sr., Jay Flaa, Mickey Jannis, Shaun Anderson, Dusten Knight, Marcos Diplán, Conner Greene, Konner Wade, Brandon Waddell and Isaac Mattson. They brought back shuttle captain Alexander Wells. Check the stats that preceded the recalls or selections of contracts.

Heck, Waddell tossed a scoreless inning and was designated for assignment. He should be considered for closing duties at this point.

If the Orioles can carry a lead into the ninth inning, of course. If Major League Baseball will contract the eighth.

César Valdez began to bounce back with five straight scoreless appearances and has allowed four runs in his last two over 1 2/3 innings to leave his ERA at 6.00. Adam Plutko has surrendered home runs in four straight appearances and heads into today's off-day with a 5.53 ERA and 1.528 WHIP in 36 games.

Paul Fry faced eight batters in the Rays series and retired one. Dillon Tate inherited both bases-loaded messes and couldn't clean them.

Keegan Akin is back in the rotation with a 7.66 ERA and 1.742 WHIP, his three scoreless innings in relief in the Bronx earning a staff promotion.

Knight performs a backflip in front of the mound after saves. Would Hyde approve it?

"With a save or with finishing the sixth?" he replied, breaking out perhaps his best line as manager.

"Sometimes I want to backflip when we finish the sixth. Sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth, I might be backflipping."

Just make sure to stick the landing.

"Listen, I just want to win," he said. "I don't care if the guy backflips or not."

For the record, Hyde said he cannot execute a backflip and any attempt might put him on the concussion injured list.

"I need a diving board and a pool," he said.

The Orioles are sink or swim with this bullpen and its incarnations, and Triple-A Norfolk hasn't been able to toss them a rope.

Starters don't earn promotions from the Tides as much as they receive calls out of necessity. Hitting prospects after the club was swept yesterday in Jacksonville including Jahmai Jones batting .247 with a .766 OPS, Tyler Nevin batting .221 with a .689 OPS, Brett Cumberland batting .194 with a .723 OPS and Rylan Bannon batting .133 with a .495 OPS. Yusniel Diaz has moved down to Double-A Bowie.

Orioles, heal thyself.

Getting Wells, Scott and Harvey back in the 'pen could at least inch the Orioles closer to that stability.

Local product Bruce Zimmermann is nearing a return from the injured list and could bolster the rotation or consume important innings in relief.

Jorge Mateo was a smart waiver claim and pairing him with Richie Martin gives the club more of a major league look in the infield. Mateo's speed alone energizes it and the fans who are subjected to the pains and ugliness of a rebuild.

Hyde just might try that backflip.

Games like yesterday's make him want to sprint into traffic.