Three Orioles questions born from Monday's news

The Orioles are halfway through their series in Toronto and the roster underwent a few changes since the conclusion of the last homestand.

Tweaking the bullpen was expected. The question was which reliever would be recalled and which would be optioned or designated for assignment. Something had to be done to inject a fresher arm.

A freak accident on the on-deck circle forced the other move.

Here are three questions, raised like fingerprints after Monday’s announcements.

How long will Connor Norby stay with the Orioles?

One possibility is Norby remaining on a major league roster until Jorge Mateo is reinstated from the seven-day concussion injured list. The Orioles purchased his contract because Cedric Mullins hit Mateo on the back of the batting helmet while standing on the on-deck circle. Otherwise, Norby would be in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this week.

Another possibility is that Norby takes full advantage of his opportunity, like last night's two-run homer, and it actually matters. Mateo comes back and Norby stays as a backup at second base and the corner outfield.

Norby has only played second base, left field and right field as a professional with the exception of one start at shortstop. He isn’t a Ramón Urías duplicate. I don’t think you can replace one with the other. But maybe that’s just me.

To keep Norby and Mateo probably would require the Orioles to remove an outfielder. Ryan McKenna provided a right-handed hitting option before leaving the organization. The Orioles are carrying left-handed hitting Colton Cowser and Kyle Stowers.

They also keep waiting for Cedric Mullins to bust out of his slump.

Norby earned his shot. He wouldn’t stop hitting, driving the ball in any direction, and MLB Pipeline moved him to sixth in the organization’s prospect rankings. He doesn’t create the same buzz as Jackson Holliday, of course, but promotions aren’t based on buzz.

Why was Thyago Vieira here?

You could ask the same about Yohan Ramírez. Vieira fits in that category.

Vieira had a 5.64 ERA and 1.701 WHIP in 16 appearances with the Brewers and owned a career 6.18 ERA and 1.667 WHIP in 41 games with the Mariners, White Sox and Brewers when he was traded May 25 for Triple-A starter Garrett Stallings. Maybe the Orioles really liked rookie-league pitcher Aneuris Rodriguez, who was included in the deal. Or they’re confident that Vieira can clear waivers and stay in the organization as bullpen depth and they can fix him, as they’ve done with other pitchers. All part of the master plan.

I shrugged while typing that last sentence.

Vieira made his only appearance on May 27 with the Orioles leading 11-0 and didn’t retire any of the five batters he faced, walking four of them and hearing boos as he left the mound. I wasn’t there. The Orioles designated him for assignment Monday before I had a chance to talk to him or memorized the pronunciation of his first name.

The Orioles couldn’t option Vieira and they couldn’t carry him any longer. They didn’t have the confidence to use him in a close game after that debut, with Sunday’s loss to the Rays a prime example. Yennier Cano and Jacob Webb weren’t available and manager Brandon Hyde had to push Dillon Tate beyond one up. It didn’t work out.

Vieira pitched in Japan in 2020-22 and maybe he can be the next Albert Suárez, except only in relief. But a team fighting to get back in the postseason and advance beyond the Division Series couldn’t experiment with him.

Will Nick Vespi be brave and unpack his bags?

Vespi has been recalled four times this season and optioned three. Teams are limited to five options with a player before he must pass through waivers.

The grand total of appearances before last night was one. That’s a good way to preserve his 0.00 ERA.

Warming and not being used won’t harm it.

The Orioles trusted Vespi last night with a 10-1 lead in the ninth inning after giving Jacob Webb the ball in the eighth. His ERA remained 0.00.

Vespi replaced Vieira in the bullpen, giving the Orioles four left-handers and four right-handers. They’re likely prefer three southpaws but anyone who’s fresh and can get outs is desirable. The 40-man roster isn’t a factor because there’s an open spot and two more can be created by moving John Means and Tyler Wells to the 60-day injured list.

The Orioles like Vespi, so much that they recalled him five times last season. His longest stint on the active roster was 18 days.

The 2024 season is Vespi’s fourth in Triple-A. He didn’t allow an earned run in 28 2/3 innings in 2022 and posted a 2.33 ERA last summer in 38 2/3. He’s made 13 appearances this season and left behind a 2.96 ERA in 24 1/3.

Vespi has one minor league option remaining. The shuttle won’t pull up to his locker next year. Until then, he can’t get too comfortable.