Watkins making first major league start tonight

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

July 06, 2021, 7:42am

Comments

Spenser Watkins got his major league debut out of the way last week.

Now comes his first start.

Watkins will be handed the ball tonight against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards, the final homestand for the Orioles before the All-Star break. He retired all three batters he faced Friday night in Anaheim and needed only eight pitches to do it.

Manager Brandon Hyde needed a starter with Travis Lakins Sr. on the 60-day injured list. The team confirmed only that Lakins has right elbow pain and it's serious.

Watkins, 28, has made 102 starts among his 123 appearances in the minors, so he's no stranger to a rotation. He had six starts with Triple-A Norfolk this season before the Orioles selected his contract.

In seven games with Norfolk, Watkins posted a 3.58 ERA and 1.102 WHIP over 32 2/3 innings. He signed with the Orioles in February after considering retirement and a transition to coaching.

The Tigers drafted Watkins in the 30th round in 2014 out of Western Oregon University.

The Orioles selected Watkins over left-hander Zac Lowther for tonight's assignment. Lowther remains in the bullpen as a long relief option.

Lowther tossed a scoreless inning Sunday afternoon after relieving Thomas Eshelman, walking a batter and striking out two. He threw 24 pitches and should be available tonight.

Dean Kremer is starting tonight at Norfolk. The Orioles are keeping him in the minors to work on his command and confidence.

The Blue Jays are starting right-hander Steven Matz, the former Mets second-round pick in 2009 who's 7-3 with a 4.60 ERA and 1.369 WHIP in 14 starts. He's struck out 78 batters in 72 1/3 innings.

Matz is coming off his shortest outing of the season. He faced the Mariners on Wednesday and allowed four runs in 2 2/3 innings.

Matz has appeared in 126 games in the majors. None against the Orioles.

Maikel Franco is 7-for-13 with two home runs and six RBIs lifetime against Matz. He sat out the Angels series with a sprained right ankle but has avoided the injured list.