Right-hander Josh Lucas talks about joining the Orioles

After he made a favorable impression during his first spring training with the Orioles, manager Brandon Hyde told right-hander Josh Lucas he expected to see him during the regular season. And now, just 12 games into the 2019 season, that has happened.

With Richard Bleier headed to the injured list and Josh Rogers optioned back to the minors after last night's game, today the Orioles added two pitchers - lefty Tanner Scott and Lucas, a 28-year-old right-hander. Lucas had his contract selected and was added to the 25- and 40-man rosters.

The Orioles signed Lucas as a minor league free agent in late November. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in round 21 of 2010 when current Orioles GM Mike Elias was with St. Louis.

Lucas made the majors with the Cardinals in 2017 and with today's opponent, Oakland, last year. Over 13 big league games, he is 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA. In 21 2/3 innings he has walked 13 and fanned 21, throwing a fastball that averaged 91.5 mph. Lucas pitched to an ERA of 6.28 in eight games and 14 1/3 innings for the 2018 Athletics.

In spring training for Baltimore, Lucas gave up four earned runs over six innings with seven strikeouts. He started this season with Triple-A Norfolk, pitching twice and throwing two scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts.

Lucas was somewhat surprised when told before Norfolk's pre-game stretch yesterday that he was headed back to the majors.

"A little bit," he said. "I hadn't really thought about me coming up with just not being on the (40-man) roster. I know there are a lot of guys currently on the roster, and I thought they would get a shot first. But just go out and play and see what happens."

Lucas said he thought he had a decent spring with the Orioles before he was reassigned to minor league camp on March 21.

"Yeah, I was happy with my mechanics. That was the big thing this year. Trying to get back to what I was doing successfully a couple of years ago. So I was happy with that," he said.

He did have one takeaway from his time in Florida.

"Just throw strikes. Limit the walks. I know we've been struggling some with walks. So just try to come in, pound the zone and try to limit the damage. Get some guys some rest in the bullpen," said Lucas.

In Triple-A last year, Lucas went 0-2 with a 2.56 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP and .207 batting average against for Nashville. He's 24-19 with a 3.28 career ERA in 365 1/3 innings on the farm. When you've pitched at the Triple-A level since 2016, any chance you get in the majors is huge. Whether he's here for one day or the rest of the season.

"Absolutely. Especially coming to an organization with such rich history and stuff like that. So come here and enjoy myself around the guys and hope to turn this thing around," he said.