The Orioles are on the verge of getting back one of their high-leverage relievers for a beleaguered bullpen.
Tyler Wells threw a simulated inning this afternoon and the results were positive for a team that badly needs him. No discomfort in his right wrist and the stuff was crisp.
"Came off the mound feeling good," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He looked great. Fastball was there. He threw some really good curveballs and sliders and changeup. So, encouraged how he came off the mound.
"We're just going to wait to see how he responds tomorrow and hopefully he'll be back for us in a couple days."
Hyde won' t ease Wells into tight situations. He can't really afford to be cautious.
"Would you? OK," Hyde said.
Left-hander Tanner Scott threw in the bullpen today and Hyde was waiting to check on him. Scott is on the injured list with a left knee sprain.
"I know he's been feeling better every day," Hyde said, "and hopefully he's ready in a couple days."
Hunter Harvey, on the 60-day injured list with a right lat strain, is in Sarasota on a throwing progression and set to join a Rookie-level Florida Complex League team. The Orioles should be able to plug him back into the bullpen in the middle of the month.
"I'm hoping 15th through the 20th, somewhere around there," Hyde said.
Hyde planned on speaking with a few of his relievers before tonight's game against the Tigers. Some roles could be adjusted. More trust placed on anyone who hasn't lost it.
"We're struggling in the 'pen and I think you're going to see me giving some other guys some opportunities there also, kind of change it up a little bit," Hyde said.
"It's challenging right now."
Catcher Pedro Severino remains day-to-day with a sore knee. Austin Wynns is in the lineup again tonight.
"He got hit in the bullpen warming up two nights ago and it's just a contusion of the knee," Hyde said.
Jorge Mateo is moving over from second base to shortstop tonight with Richie Martin on the bench. Mateo is 3-for-11 with a double, triple and two stolen bases since joining the Orioles.
"Kind of came as advertised, just from how athletic he is," Hyde said. "Fun to watch him run the bases, stolen base threat every time out there. He made the one error on the feed at second but he's played solid defensively.
"We're just going to continue to look at him just because it's so athletic. He's got huge tools and he hasn't had that sustained look in the big leagues, so it's a great situation for him. An opportunity for us to take a look at a really talented guy and hopefully he can stick in the big leagues."
Adley Rutschman is making his Triple-A debut tonight, batting second for the Norfolk Tides. Second baseman Jahmai Jones is hitting third.
Outfielder Yusniel Diaz returned to the Tides and is in right field and batting seventh.
Rutschman was promoted from Double-A Bowie on Sunday night, the hype train pulling into a new station.
"In our situation, anytime prospects are playing well and advancing, that's good news," Hyde said. "It's good to see him progress through our system and getting closer."
Diaz completed his injury assignment at Bowie and rejoined the Tides, where he's batting .167/.228/.274 in 22 games. He was 7-for-39 (.179) with three doubles, a home run, four walks and 13 strikeouts in 11 games with Bowie.
"For me, D has just kind of battled injury stuff the last few years and hasn't been able to get consistent at-bats," Hyde said. "When we first got here a couple years ago, he really swung the bat well. I liked the tools that the had. Drove the ball to all fields, played with a ton of energy in the outfield, and we liked his arm. Just kind of been a struggle for him, it sounds like. Tough time staying healthy.
"Like to see him finish the season strong and have a good two months."
Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann is making another injury rehab start with Norfolk. The Orioles are attempting to stretch him out a little further before reinstating him.
"We wanted him to go five innings and he went four-plus," Hyde said. "Just wanted to see him get one more start down there and hopefully he's up for his next time through."
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