Rogers returns to rotation while Hess moves to 'pen

The Orioles are moving David Hess to the bullpen in the latest rotation makeover of the season.

Left-hander Josh Rogers, recalled yesterday from Triple-A Norfolk, will start Wednesday night in Oakland. Hess is available in relief today and will remain in that role for an undermined length of time.

Manager Brandon Hyde informed Hess yesterday of the switch and decided on Rogers as the replacement after the rookie allowed two runs last night in 4 1/3 innings in a 13-2 loss to the Red Sox.

Hess is "somebody else who can give us length down there and I'm looking forward to seeing what David looks like coming out of the 'pen," Hyde said.

The Orioles tried to do the same with Hess in Minnesota prior to Alex Cobb going on the injured list again. A spot opened again "and that kind of forced us to put Hess back in the rotation," Hyde said.

"At that time, we felt like development-wise also it would be the best thing for him right now and now we're back to that same feeling. I just think it's going to be good for David. I think his stuff is going to tick up in more of a short spurt than trying to maintain over five or six innings and we're looking forward to seeing what that looks like."

Hess no-hit the Blue Jays for 6 1/3 innings on April 1, his only win of 2019. He's 4-19 with a 5.84 ERA and 1.457 WHIP in 32 career starts and has allowed two runs with six strikeouts in five relief innings.

His next appearance out of the bullpen will be his fourth.

Hess, whose 20 home runs allowed are tied for most in the majors, can function as a reliever without trying to mix all four pitches. His fastball is hitting 95-96 mph, which caught Hyde's attention on opening day at Yankee Stadium.

"I think he shows flashes of a good slider and at times a decent kind of change-split that he has," Hyde said.

"His fastball's going to tick up, too. And get a little ride on his fastball at 96 would be great. I think it's going to be easier for him instead of pacing himself to go out and attack three hitters to get through an inning.

"We felt like it was the best thing to do for him and we'll figure out what we need to figure out from a rotation standpoint. But with the way Josh threw the ball last night, giving us 4 1/3, being stretched out and us needing a starter for Wednesday, we're going to go with him."

A more narrow focus might broaden Hess' influence on the pitching staff.

"I think it's a lot easier to know that this is my job, just this inning, or I'm going to try to give the team 1 2/3, whatever it may be, instead of trying to keep the team in the game for five or six innings," Hyde said.

"David, with the velo on his fastball, when he stays behind it and it's 96, with secondary stuff, you're hoping that's going to tick up out of the 'pen, so we'll see what that looks like."

The latest alignment keeps Gabriel Ynoa in the rotation with Andrew Cashner, Dylan Bundy and John Means. Cashner was scratched last night due to a blister on his right middle finger, but he's slated to start Monday night in Oakland.

The fifth spot could be flexible and the Orioles have considered the idea of going back to an opener.

"We're open to all things right now," Hyde said.

"We're going to give Josh and look and I think we're going to be playing with that spot all year long."

Jimmy Yacabonis was recalled today from Norfolk and provides an extra arm for the bullpen.

"Is that the theme for 2019 so far," Hyde asked with a laugh.

"Jimmy's here. We obviously need somebody. Jimmy can go more than an inning. He's thrown the ball well the last couple times in Norfolk, so we need the body."

Hanser Alberto is back in the lineup after leaving last night's game with a stomach bug.

For the Red Sox
Mookie Betts RF
Andrew Benintendi LF
J.D. Martinez DH
Rafael Devers 3B
Xander Bogaerts SS
Brock Holt 2B
Michael Chavis 1B
Jackie Bradley Jr. CF
Sandy León C

Chris Sale LHP

Left-hander Brian Johnson is starting Sunday for the Red Sox. The spot had been TBD.

Here are the starters for the series in Oakland:

Monday: Cashner vs. Mike Fiers
Tuesday: Ynoa vs. Brett Anderson
Wednesday: Rogers vs. Chris Bassitt