Tate replaces Akin as tonight's starter

In another unexpected twist to the Orioles' season, Dillon Tate is making a start tonight against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards.

Rookie left-hander Keegan Akin has been scratched, with the Orioles providing more information later this afternoon.

Akin could be working in a bulk role behind Tate, who's making his first major league start. Or Akin could be dealing with a physical issue.

Manager Brandon Hyde will explain it during his media scrum, with the weather dictating if it's done on the field or via Zoom.

Tate has made 55 relief appearances over three seasons, all of them with the Orioles. He started 60 games in the minors after the Rangers selected him with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 draft.

The Orioles used Adam Plutko, César Valdez and rookie Zac Lowther in last night's 10-2 loss, three pitchers most equipped to provide length. Paul Fry retired the side in order in the ninth.

Rule 5 pick Tyler Wells also could have been considered after throwing 11 pitches Tuesday night.

Tate is working as an opener, but it still counts as a start, making him the 13th pitcher to hop into the rotation. He's 0-3 with a 4.29 ERA and 1.150 WHIP in 27 games over 35 2/3 innings.

Hyde also used Tate on Tuesday night and the right-hander threw 29 pitches while covering two innings. He's twice worked 2 2/3 innings this season with a high of 41 pitches.

Tate has faced the Blue Jays in four games this season and allowed four runs and seven hits with 10 strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

Akin was supposed to make his eighth start and 12th appearance this season. He faced the Blue Jays on June 26 in Buffalo and allowed six runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Akin hasn't gone more than 4 1/3 innings in four of his last five starts. His ERA was 3.16 after five scoreless innings on June 4, but he brings a 7.46 ERA and 1.683 WHIP into tonight's game.

Whether or not he appears in it.

Austin Hays has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games, including a career-high nine-game hitting streak. He's batting .353 (18-for-51) with four doubles, two home runs, 10 RBIs and eight runs scored during that stretch.

Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah - yes, the same guy who hit Maikel Franco after serving up back-to-back home runs and caused both dugouts and bullpens to empty - is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.009 WHIP in his seven major league starts this season. He's averaging 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings.

Manoah has faced the Orioles twice and allowed five earned runs (six total) and eight hits in 9 1/3 innings. Ryan Mountcastle (twice), Cedric Mullins and DJ Stewart homered on June 19 in Baltimore.

The Orioles are 13-25 against Toronto since the start of the 2019 season and haven't won a series since July 2019.