Showalter on Wright: "His physical skills we know are there"

Mike Wright sat alone behind the Orioles' dugout this morning and read a book. Empty stands, empty field, clear mind.

Maybe it's a relaxation technique for Wright, who's making his major league debut today against the Angels. Maybe he just wanted to find a quiet spot and soak up the atmosphere.

Wright hasn't pitched since May 6 for Triple-A Syracuse, which could cause his sinker to elevate if he's too strong. It happened last night to closer Zach Britton. But manager Buck Showalter doesn't seem concerned.

"I don't think he's going to complain about the extra days," Showalter said. "He's had two or three (bullpen) sessions since he's been here. He's ready to go.

"Ronnie (Johnson) and Griff (Mike Griffin) have done a really good job. If you notice, they've kept those guys between low 80s to mid 90s."

Showalter noted that Wright will be challenged to keep his emotions in check.

"His physical skills we know are there," Showalter said. "Just like last night, three or four balls hit that wouldn't have blackened your eye and you're down 2-1. How do you handle that? The things that are out of your control. Dealing with the anxiety of doing something that doesn't always reward you right away.

"It's tough for a young guy. He wants it now. He wants to pitch a shutout and make us not send him back out. I've got it. I want him to, too, you know? I think he's come a long way with that, but this is another step, this is a different arena that he's being put into. It's still the biggest jump in sports, the level of hitters."

Tyler Wilson had no trouble getting from Indianapolis to Baltimore last night after being scratched from his start with Triple-A Norfolk.

"Isn't it funny how they can make the flight here on 50-minute notice," Showalter said. "You try to get them to make that flight going the other way? 'Ah, I can't get my stuff together. Indianapolis? I don't think so.'"

Wilson is on the taxi squad and the Orioles will decide by 8 p.m. Monday whether to offically recall him or send him back to the Tides.

"Yesterday, if something happened early, rain delay or whatever, and I had to use Mike Wright, extra innings, we had to have him here and not traveling the day of a day game," Showalter said. "We brought him in last night in case we had to use Mike Wright. And depending what happens today, there's always a chance he could be activated for Tuesday's game. And there's a chance he could be sent back to the Triple-A club. That's the options, I think.

"Bud (Norris) is here. See how much better he's gotten. He was sent home again last night, so I did not have him in the bullpen. That's another reason to cover Mike Wright today. And same thing with (Chris) Tillman. He's better today, but we have to make a decision whether he's going to pitch Tuesday. That'll probably be an off-day decision, as will Tyler Wilson."