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The Orioles couldn’t go more than a day with only 14 players on the injured list.
Félix Bautista joined it this morning for the first time this season. He’s on the 15-day IL with right shoulder discomfort.
Reliever Kade Strowd was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.
Bautista alerted the dugout in the seventh inning last night that he was unavailable. Interim manager Tony Mansolino told the assembled media later that “something didn’t feel right” and the club would have more information today.
Bautista threw a season-high 34 pitches Sunday in Tampa after going 10 days without appearing in a game. He earned the save but it was a struggle, with Bautista allowing a run and walking three batters.
Mansolino said Bautista played catch yesterday and didn’t exhibit any signs of a physical issue.
“He looked great in the pregame work,” Mansolino said. “Everything that he does, everything was normal,”
Not anymore.
Bautista didn’t pitch in 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He has a 2.60 ERA, 1.125 WHIP and 19 saves in 20 chances. He’s walked 23 batters and struck out 50 in 34 2/3 innings.
Seranthony Domínguez could become the primary closer if the Orioles can generate more save opportunities. Yennier Cano, Andrew Kittredge and Gregory Soto also are options. Domínguez, Soto and Kittredge are generating interest on the trade market and the deadline is one week away.
Strowd made his major league debut earlier this season and has allowed two runs in 4 1/3 innings over three appearances.
Charlie Morton is on the mound this afternoon for the last of four games against the Guardians.
How many more games will Morton start for the Orioles?
Morton is generating significant trade interest with the deadline one week away. He was charged with seven runs in 5 1/3 innings in his last start in Tampa, tying his season high, and the eight hits exceeded his season high. The seven runs matched his total over his previous five starts.
Morton owns a 3.21 ERA in eight starts against the Guardians. Carlos Santana is 5-for-14 with two doubles and two home runs.
José Ramírez is 4-for-16, and Nolan Jones is 0-for-8 with five strikeouts.
Coby Mayo reached base four times Tuesday with a single and three walks, but he was out of last night’s lineup. He’s playing today with the Guardians starting left-hander Logan Allen.
Tyler O’Neill, who was out of the lineup again last night with general soreness, is in right field. Ramón Urías is the third baseman, with Jordan Westburg serving as designated hitter. Dylan Carlson is in center.
The Orioles are trying to avoid a sweep. They’ve lost seven of their last eight games and are 44-57.
Allen has a 4.06 ERA and 1.385 WHIP in 19 games (18 starts). He’s allowed three earned runs or fewer in his last seven starts.
Allen is 2-0 with a 3.45 ERA in three career starts against the Orioles. Gunnar Henderson is 2-for-4 with a home run. Westburg is 2-for-4 with a double.
For the Orioles
Jackson Holliday 2B
Jordan Westburg DH
Gunnar Henderson SS
Ramón Laureano LF
Tyler O’Neill RF
Ramón Urías 3B
Coby Mayo 1B
Dylan Carlson CF
Alex Jackson C
Charlie Morton RHP
First baseman Ryan Mountcastle is joining Norfolk today to begin his injury rehab assignment. He’s on the 60-day injured list with a right hamstring strain.
Mountcastle is eligible to return on Wednesday.
For the Guardians
Steven Kwan LF
Angel Martínez CF
José Ramírez DH
Kyle Manzardo 1B
Nolan Jones RF
Daniel Schneemann 2B
Will Wilson 3B
Brayan Rocchio SS
Austin Hedges C
Logan Allen LHP
* Mansolino told the media that Bautista would undergo an MRI on Friday.
Here are the starters for the weekend series against the Rockies at Camden Yards:
Friday: RHP Dean Kremer vs. LHP Kyle Freeland
Saturday: LHP Trevor Rogers vs. RHP Antonio Senzatela
Sunday: RHP Tomoyuki Sugano vs. LHP Austin Gomber
