ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The first major league start for Orioles right-hander Tyler Wells coincides today with the conclusion of the first series of 2022.
Wells is trying to give the Orioles at least four innings before manager Brandon Hyde begins sorting through his bullpen. Perhaps Hyde can find length with one reliever, as Keegan Akin provided yesterday by covering the last three frames.
The Orioles will try to snap a 14-game losing streak to the Rays.
Anthony Bemboom gets his first start behind the plate after breaking camp as the backup to Robinson Chirinos. He could be removed from the active roster by the end of the month or in early May, depending on Adley Rutschman’s arrival date.
“You never know what’s going to happen, but I think Boomer is a pro,” Hyde said yesterday. “He’s been in this role when he’s been in the big leagues, and as well as in Triple-A. It’s not been an everyday, five-, six-day-a-week guy, so he knows how to prepare himself, he knows how to get ready. He’s extremely intelligent, he’s an incredible worker, he’s always the first guy to the ballpark, extremely prepared. So I think that we’re really comfortable with him handling the pitching staff on the days he catches, coming into a game if I pinch-hit for Chirinos. I’m really comfortable with him behind the plate.”