masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe fifth spot in the Orioles rotation is unoccupied while manager Brandon Hyde sifts through the candidates.
Chris Ellis could start again after completing three innings last night. Jorge López is serving in a relief role, but the assignment isn’t necessarily permanent for the remainder of the season.
“I think we’re still discussing what we’re going to do,” Hyde said. “We have that open spot in our rotation right now by moving López in the ‘pen. I don’t know if that’s going to…

The fifth spot in the Orioles rotation is unoccupied while manager Brandon Hyde sifts through the candidates.

Chris Ellis could start again after completing three innings last night. Jorge López is serving in a relief role, but the assignment isn’t necessarily permanent for the remainder of the season.

“I think we’re still discussing what we’re going to do,” Hyde said. “We have that open spot in our rotation right now by moving López in the ‘pen. I don’t know if that’s going to be short term or long term. I think you’ll probably see him pitch today out of the bullpen.

“Like I said before, I just want to do what’s right for him, and whether that’s going to be going back in the rotation or sticking in the bullpen for a while, we’ll see. I’m not really sure at this point.”

Ellis allowed three runs and five hits in three-plus innings against the team that drafted him, with no walks and three strikeouts. He fanned Shohei Ohtani twice, threw 26 of 38 pitches for strikes and had his fastball in the 94-95 mph range.

“I thought he threw the ball well last night,” Hyde said. “I thought he had a good first inning, kind of ambushed him there a little bit in the second, but it’s an interesting right-handed … We don’t have a ton of big right-handed guys who have a ton of stuff, and he’s got a nice profile. It’s nice right-handed mid-90s. He’s got two breaking balls.

“Our division is primarily right-handed hitters, so that’s a key for us. We really haven’t had a ton of right-handed guys. We haven’t had right-on-right guys all year, really. Or I haven’t had many to pick from. I think we’re going to continue to give him a look, just because the stuff is interesting. Whether that’s to start the game or in the bullpen, we’ll see.”

Matt Harvey, John Means and Spenser Watkins are starting the weekend series against the Rays at Camden Yards. Tampa Bay is going with Baltimore native Shane McClanahan, Michael Wacha and Chris Archer.

Infielder Jorge Mateo remains day-to-day with soreness in his lower back.

“Mateo is feeling better today and possibly available off the bench,” Hyde said. “He’s still getting treatment right now. Hopefully, he’ll be in the lineup here in the next day or two.”

Outfielder Austin Hays is fine physically. He came off the bench last night and delivered his first career pinch-hit, a two-run double that expanded a 7-6 lead.

Thumbnail image for Austin-Hays-Batting-New-Number-White-Sidebar.jpgHays is batting .211/.265/.353 against right-handers and .276/.315/.500 versus left-handers.

“We’re just giving DJ (Stewart) another start against the right-handed pitcher,” Hyde said.

Hyde enjoyed his ride to Camden Yards this morning after the club ended its losing streak at 19 games. He was in no hurry to leave it last night.

“Got home a little late last night,” he said. “I didn’t leave the ballpark for a while, so kind of a quick turnaround. Slept better last night. I’ll be 100 percent honest. I did sleep better. I slept quick.

“It always feels better to come to the field after a win, whether you’ve won a bunch in a row or lost a bunch in a row. I thought the guys, you can tell the attitudes, guys a little bit more upbeat today. I think there’s a lot of relief. We have a really tough schedule the rest of the way. I’d like to see us play competitive game the rest of the year.”

Did the Orioles break out the sage again this morning?

“I have not smelt it today,” Hyde said. “That story really took off.”

Probably time, or thyme, to ground it. But it was fun last night.

For the Angels
Shohei Ohtani DH
David Fletcher 2B
Phil Gosselin 3B
Jared Walsh 1B
Kurt Suzuki C
Jo Adell LF
Brandon Marsh CF
Jack Mayfield SS
Juan Lagares RF

Jaime Barria RHP