Voth ready to start if Orioles need him

Austin Voth is waiting like everyone else.

He knew yesterday morning that he’d start Wednesday afternoon against the Guardians or work in a bulk relief role behind an opener. Manager Brandon Hyde confirmed the plan to the media in his daily session in the auxiliary clubhouse.

How the bullpen was used yesterday and which relievers are needed tonight are the determining factors. Can’t announce an exact arrangement if an opener candidate is called upon before Wednesday, or if Voth is forced into a game.

Cionel Pérez, Mike Baumann, Mychal Givens and Keegan Akin pitched yesterday, none for more than one inning.

Voth will accept any role assigned to him. Being in the majors is the perk. But he welcomes an opportunity to start again.

“I enjoy starting,” he said yesterday morning, “so I’d like to be back in the rotation if I could.”

The Orioles claimed Voth off waivers from the Nationals last summer with his ERA at 10.13 and WHIP at 2.143. He made three of his five relief appearances after joining the club, entered the rotation June 19 with pitch limits, and gradually built to his six scoreless frames with only two hits allowed Aug. 17 in Toronto.

Voth threw a season-high 94 pitches on Aug. 28 in Houston, when he allowed one run and one hit in six innings. Getting into the 90s this year, if that’s the Orioles’ intention while Grayson Rodriguez resets at Triple-A, is going to be another process.

“The buildup would be the most difficult thing, probably,” Voth said. “I did it last year, but it took me four or five starts to get built up to five innings. That was just from being built up for two. If I have to go that route, then we’ll see how it goes, but I’m just happy to have an opportunity maybe to get back in the rotation.”

Voth held the Rangers to one run and two hits in 3 2/3 innings on Friday after relieving Rodriguez. He threw 62 pitches, 18 more than his previous high this year, so he’s already stretched out an acceptable amount.

“I had four ups,” he said, “so right around that four ups and 60-70 pitches (Wednesday) is probably ideal.”

Whether starting or relieving.

Voth has bounced back from a poor beginning to his 2023 season, when he served up home runs in his first five appearances. He’s allowed three runs in 11 1/3 innings in May, with Hyde crediting increased usage of the curveball/cutter mix.

“I had kind of a slow start this season,” Voth said, “but then started settling in well and I’m doing good right now.”

The Orioles optioned Rodriguez after Friday’s start, which created an opening for Wednesday. Rodriguez allowed eight earned runs and nine total in 3 1/3 innings against the Rangers to leave his ERA at 7.35 and WHIP at 1.721.

The Norfolk assignment isn’t expected to stretch deep into the summer. The Orioles want Rodriguez in their rotation and intend to recall him as soon as he’s ready, with better fastball command a prerequisite.

“Obviously, his stuff is unbelievable. It’s just a matter of getting consistent and throwing strikes for him, for the most part,” Voth said.

“When you get in those deep counts and you rack up your pitch count and you’re not able to go five, it puts stress on the bullpen, but I know he’s capable of doing so much better than what he was the last couple outings. So, I’m excited to see improvements that he’s going to go down and make, and then come back, because he’ll be back here for sure.”