Orioles left-hander Grant Wolfram hadn’t experienced a back injury in his professional career. One small shoulder ailment in the minors and an illness. That’s it.

Wolfram had no idea that the discomfort he felt earlier this month with the Orioles would force him onto the IL.

“I got sick the last day in Miami and the next day didn’t come to the field just to get better from that,” said Wolfram, who was reinstated today as the 27th man in the doubleheader against the Tigers. “And then I went about my normal day and did all my normal prep and all that, and as the day went on it just slowly got tighter and tighter. And then I tried to throw and it got worse.”

Wolfram was given medication and pitched on May 6, allowing a run and two hits in two-thirds of an inning.

“Warmed up in the seventh and it just really tight, to the point where it was like, I had to change my mechanics,” he said. “I was like, ‘Hey guys, I’ve got to shut it down.’ Shut it down and tried to give it a couple days. It started to feel better, but just didn’t feel better to the point where it was comfortable throwing. So they made the decision to IL me to get it right and make sure it doesn’t happen again hopefully the rest of the season.

“I think it was the smart move, the right move. I feel a lot better now. Good to be back. I feel like nothing’s changed.”

Wolfram threw to hitters in Sarasota, with most of the at-bats coming from veteran outfielder Tommy Pham, who signed a minor league contract.

“I got some feedback from him and some other hitters down there, too,” Wolfram said.

“He looked good. He looks solid. He put a couple good swings on me. Got a couple outs on him, too. About everything you’d expect, right? He’s played I think got to be over 10 years in The Show. He has a good approach. He looked good.”

The team hasn’t told Wolfram anything beyond how he’s the 27th man today and to stay ready. He can remain on the active roster, with another pitcher removed.

Catcher Sam Huff is on the taxi squad today.

Blaze Alexander is in left field for Game 1. Taylor Ward is the designated hitter.

Coby Mayo was scratched because of lower-back discomfort. Weston Wilson is playing third base.

For the Orioles
Taylor Ward DH
Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman C
Pete Alonso 1B
Tyler O’Neill RF
Weston Wilson 3B
Leody Taveras CF
Jeremiah Jackson 2B
Blaze Alexander LF

Brandon Young RHP