masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgRichie Martin won’t make his spring debut this afternoon against the Rays, with manager Brandon Hyde giving him a little more time following hamate bone surgery rather than sending him to Port Charlotte to play shortstop.
Martin underwent the procedure in January after breaking the bone in Puerto Rico. He batted yesterday in a simulated game and was expected in the lineup today, but his first Grapefruit League activity remains on hold.
The former Rule 5 pick said on his Zoom call that he’ll…

Richie Martin won’t make his spring debut this afternoon against the Rays, with manager Brandon Hyde giving him a little more time following hamate bone surgery rather than sending him to Port Charlotte to play shortstop.

Martin underwent the procedure in January after breaking the bone in Puerto Rico. He batted yesterday in a simulated game and was expected in the lineup today, but his first Grapefruit League activity remains on hold.

The former Rule 5 pick said on his Zoom call that he’ll be ready within the next few days. His optimism isn’t hurting.

“Injuries are a part of baseball and it gives you perspective,” he said. “I’ve taken the time to grow and that’s a part of life and baseball is just to learn and I had a lot of time not playing, so it was a good learning lesson. I’m very eager to get back out there. I can’t wait and I’m so excited just to get back on the field. This time away has really made me appreciate being on the field. Not that I’m taking the game for granted, but it really just makes me appreciate being on the field a lot more.”

And trying to head north with the team as a utility player, with Freddy Galvis the everyday shortstop and Yolmer Sánchez claimed off waivers to play second.

Martin-Richie-Throws-Gray-at-Twins-Sidebar.jpg“I’m always open to playing other positions,” Martin said. “I want to help the team win any way I can. But in my mind, I’m a shortstop. I grew up a shortstop, playing there my whole life, but with that being said, if I need to play another position to help the team win, then that’s exactly what I’m going to do. But until I’m told otherwise, I’m going to work at short and that’s my job.”

The broken hamate bone occurred while Martin was playing winter ball for Criollos de Caguas, where he appeared in 15 games. His first action since fracturing his right wrist at summer training camp.

“I started feeling a little pain late December and it was just minor wrist pain and later, around like mid-January, it really started bothering me, and ended up shutting it down,” he said. “It wasn’t a specific swing or a specific incident, it just kind of was lingering over time and I finally had it checked out and it ended up being broken.”

The Orioles need to get Martin at-bats, but can’t rush him and risk a setback. He hit yesterday in a simulated game.

“Just making sure that everything is working properly and is completely healed,” he said. “The hamate is a little tricky. Just the fact that there’s not really a bone per se that needs to heal. It’s more tendons and ligaments running through that bone, so it’s just about dealing with the uncomfortableness in that area. So just making sure that’s properly healed to its best ability where I’m able to compete and play at 100 percent.

“I’ve been working really hard at getting everything where it needs to be. Training staff’s doing a great job of getting my hand where it needs to be and that’s all that matters.”

Martin is expected to be assigned to the alternate camp site and Triple-A Norfolk. Each day that passes without him in the lineup seems to solidifying those plans.

“I don’t know what, I can’t say if I am or I’m not,” he said. “I have all intentions of coming to play within the next few days and I have to earn a job. Simple as that. I can’t look ahead and think about where I’m going to be and where I’m not. I’ve just got to take it a day at a time.

“As of right now I should be playing within the next few days and I’m going to take it a day at a time.”

Rio Ruiz is the designated hitter after returning to the lineup at third base yesterday and collecting two doubles.

Ramón Urías is the shortstop and Rylan Bannon is starting at third base. Bannon is 1-for-14 with seven walks and six strikeouts.

Yusniel Diaz is the right fielder, Ryan McKenna is in center and Ryan Mountcastle is in left. Tyler Nevin gets another start at first base.

Trey Mancini is staying back in Sarasota after collecting his sixth single yesterday in 20 at-bats (.300).

It’s another big day for Félix Hernández, who makes his third start after allowing five earned runs (six total) and six hits in 4 2/3 innings and explaining and defending the lowered velocity on his fastball.

The Rays are starting left-hander Ryan Yarbrough, a familiar foe with eight career appearances against the Orioles. His only start this spring lasted one inning, with a walk and strikeout.

For the Orioles
Yolmer Sánchez 2B
Rio Ruiz DH
Ryan Mountcastle LF
Pedro Severino C
Tyler Nevin 1B
Ramón Urías SS
Yusniel Diaz RF
Rylan Bannon 3B
Ryan McKenna CF

Félix Hernández RHP

For the Rays
Yoshi Tsutsugo 1B
Mike Zunino C
Randy Arozarena LF
Brandon Lowe DH
Yandy Díaz 3B
Willy Adames SS
Manuel Margot RF
Mike Brosseau 2B
Nathan Lukes CF

Ryan Yarbrough LHP