Sisco and Scott among six players cut from Orioles camp

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles apparently have decided to carry Jesús Sucre and Pedro Severino as their catchers on opening day.

Chance Sisco posted a .382 average in spring training, collecting three more hits this afternoon, but he's included among six roster cuts.

Sisco and left-handers Tanner Scott and Josh Rogers were optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Catchers Carlos Pérez and Andrew Susac and infielder Jace Peterson were reassigned to minor league camp.

Manager Brandon Hyde confirmed this morning that Peterson was headed to Twin Lakes Park.

Sisco is the latest prospect to put up impressive spring stats and still be cut from the camp roster. He went 13-for-34 with four home runs, 11 RBIs, a .533 on-base percentage and .765 slugging percentage, but the Orioles want him to continue his development - particularly behind the plate - with their top affiliate.

Austin Wynns will be placed on the injured list with a strained oblique, leaving Sucre and Severino as the only catchers. Sucre must be added to the 40-man roster, but the Orioles could place Mark Trumbo (knee) on the 60-day disabled list.

Scott had issued walks in five consecutive appearances before retiring the side in order today. His removal leaves Richard Bleier and Paul Fry as the projected left-handers in the bullpen.

The appeal of an upper-90s fastball and at times plus-slider from the left side was trumped by lapses in control. Scott allowed eight runs and nine hits with six walks, six strikeouts and two wild pitches over nine innings after appearing in 53 games in 2018 and appearing to have a spot cemented on the opening day roster.

Southpaw John Means also is in camp, surviving another round of cuts, but he's on the bubble and the Orioles might prefer to have him start.

A decision could be on hold while the Orioles determine Alex Cobb's status and whether he can avoid the injured list.

There's also the possibility that the Orioles carry the 13 pitchers who remain on their camp roster, putting the projected fifth starter in the bullpen until needed on April 3 or going with an "opener."

Rogers figures to slot into Norfolk's rotation, with the Orioles declining to convert him to a relief role. He appeared in seven games this spring and allowed seven earned runs (eight total) and 16 hits in 15 innings.

Hyde loves Rogers' tempo on the mound and a personality that made him one of the more popular figures inside the clubhouse, but the Orioles keep preaching the importance of development rather than going full-young in the early stages of their rebuild.

Susac batted .286/.423/.524 with two doubles and a home run in 14 games. Pérez slashed .333/.333/.714 with two doubles and two home runs in 12 games, but wasn't as sharp defensively as advertised.

Peterson batted .297/.435/.378 with one home run in 20 games, but he failed to make the club in a utility role.

Sucre could have opted out of his minor league deal on Monday, but he's likely to head north. He went 1-for-2 today and is 5-for-17 this spring, but the Orioles are most impressed with his arm, ability to block pitches and handling of a staff that he rushed to learn after reporting late due to work visa issues.

The Orioles claimed Severino off waivers yesterday from the Nationals, giving them a second plus-defender behind the plate. He reported to camp this morning and met with manager Brandon Hyde.

Choosing first as players continue to hit the waiver wire, the Orioles could bring in someone else and alter the composition of their opening day roster. But they're currently down to 28 players in camp with three more cuts remaining.

The official list shows 29, but pitcher Gregory Infante didn't report due to an illness that's kept him in Miami.

Opening day rosters must be set by noon Thursday.