Bradish and Bautista head to Sarasota, Means making first rehab start Sunday, Webb back from paternity list

Kyle Bradish and Félix Bautista slipped on backpacks this morning and left the ballpark for their flights to Sarasota, where they can keep rehabbing at the complex.

Bradish threw a 35-pitch bullpen session yesterday at Camden Yards. He used all of his pitches after being limited early to his fastball following his diagnosis in January of a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

“Feels really good,” he said.

The progress is encouraging since his platelet-rich plasma injection, but there’s no timeline for his return to the active roster and rotation.

“Still day-by-day, see how everything feels, see how I’m recovering,” he said.

“Continue to build, optimistic,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “Continue to build on what he’s doing right now.”

Bautista won’t pitch in 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October.

John Means, also on the injured list, makes his first rehab start Sunday at Triple-A Norfolk. Means is behind the other starters after a sore elbow kept him off the Division Series roster, and the Orioles described his injury Thursday as a left forearm strain.

“He’s just going to throw a couple innings and it’s just going to be a build-up process from there with him, too,” Hyde said.

The rehab assignment can last up to 30 days.

“I think we’re going to be monitoring it very closely,” Hyde said. “He’s throwing two innings his first time out, and it’s going to be close to 30 days. He’ll be around there.”

* Reliever Jacob Webb was reinstated from the paternity list today after racing back to Marietta, Ga. to be with wife Magali for the birth of their first child, daughter Hudson.

“It was definitely a little early but very exciting,” he said.

“I found out Wednesday night at like 7 o’clock and she was early, obviously. They had to do an emergency C-section and she had the baby about 8:05.”

Webb couldn’t be there for the birth. Travel complications delayed his return.

“It was still awesome, just to be able to hold her," he said. "It was an awesome feeling. … When I got the news I looked up a bunch of flights and there was nothing that I was going to be able to make it in time, so I just ended up catching the earliest flight out possible and then just jamming over to the hospital. It was pretty crazy.”

Hudson was 6 pounds, 15 ounces and 19 ½ inches long. Maybe too early to know whether she’s a right-hander or a lefty.

“She was swinging her left hand quite a bit,” Webb said, “so hopefully a left-hander.”

Webb went from making his first Opening Day roster to losing his spot but becoming a Girl Dad.

“It’s definitely a roller coaster of emotions but glad it happened,” he said. “It’s definitely a blessing.”

Perhaps the velocity will tick up with his newfound dad strength. Look back at the radar readings and see 102 mph.

"That would be awesome," he said.

* The Orioles finalized their Opening Day roster Thursday by designating Tyler Nevin and Ryan McKenna for assignment. “Extremely hard” decisions, Hyde said.

“Wishing the best for both guys. Really like both of them a lot,” Hyde said.

“Tyler had a great spring training for us, great spring training to showcase himself, also, for 29 other teams, and I tried to give him as many at-bats as possible. I think he’s really improved, and what he’s shown in Triple-A, the way he’s able to hit left-handed pitching, he’s a good player and he can cover you in a lot of spots. So, that was challenging because he’s a great kid, too.

“Mac’s been part of our club for the last few years, through the lows and through the highs. His role, he did an outstanding job, the way he came off the bench, the way he defended, the way he brought energy to our club. Got some starts, especially against left-handed pitching. Did some nice things. He covered for us a lot. Mac’s got a lot of ability, as well, and he’s got a bright future ahead of him.

“I want whatever’s best for both those guys. Selfishly I’d love for them to be in our organization. I could see both of these guys being with our club at some point. I also want what’s best for them.”

* Jordan Westburg is in the lineup again today, this time against a right-hander. He was the designated hitter on Opening Day against left-hander Patrick Sandoval and starts at second base today.

“Westy has a lot of ability and he’s shown what he can do in Triple-A,” Hyde said. “It’s a big jump here but he’s going to get the opportunity to play. Makeup for me is all business all the time. I love how hard he plays. He’s a baseball player in every sense. He plays hard, he wants to win, he’s hard on himself. He’s a grinder. We’re going to give him a lot of starts here and I want to see him play.”

* Today is only the second game since Sunday’s exhibition finale. Hyde must act accordingly with his bullpen to keep guys from sitting too long.

“I’ve had tougher days,” he quipped.

“I’m going to talk to Craig (Kimbrel), I’m going to talk to Yenny (Cano). I got Danny (Coulombe) up I think for four pitches a couple days ago. I will talk to those guys and see where we’re at, and talk to the pitching coaches, as well.

“Those guys need to get off a mound, need to pitch. But sometimes, be careful what you wish for because all of a sudden, they’ve pitched three out of four and I want to give them some time. It’s a tough challenge, but we’ve had other challenges here in the ‘pen over the years.”

For the Angels

Anthony Rendon 3B
Aaron Hicks RF
Mike Trout CF
Taylor Ward LF
Brandon Drury 2B
Nolan Schanuel 1B
Miguel Sanó DH
Logan O’Hoppe C
Zach Neto SS

Griffin Canning RHP