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TAMPA – Nobody wants their window of opportunity in the big leagues to open due to injury. Unfortunately, that’s the nature of the game and the reality for some, especially for those grinding away at Triple-A.
Ryan Mountcastle’s extended absence affords Coby Mayo the opportunity to get a look without fear of demotion. Mayo has been working hard at first base and improving at the plate, making the most of his chance.
Now, that window is open for Trevor Rogers. His previous start came as the 27th man in a doubleheader. But with Cade Povich now serving stint on the injured list, Rogers figures to get at least a few turns in the rotation.
“It’s an opportunity, and I’m very excited for that,” Rogers told reporters yesterday. “We’ll see what comes of it.”
His first chance back in the bigs since May comes against a talented Rays lineup tonight. But that start against Boston a few weeks ago was a stellar one, in which the lefty tossed 6 ⅓ shoutout innings, allowing just two hits and no walks with five strikeouts.
It’s exactly the confidence boost he needed.
“I think everyone knows the struggles that I’ve had the last couple years, and you play this game every day, the self-doubt really creeps in pretty quick,” Rogers said. “Had a lot of self-talks with myself and had to get better in certain areas and I did. It showed in that start, and it was a big step forward for me.”
What did those talks entail?
“I’ve just gotta tell myself every day: ‘Control what I can control, be where my feet are. Be a good teammate to the guys down there, and just be patient,’” he said. “I had to tell myself that constantly. I think it was even more positive for me with the results that I had in Boston that I still had it and could still help this organization.”
The “it,” in this case, has returned, in large part, due to his uptick in velocity. There’s a big difference in facing a pitcher that sits 93-96 mph versus 89-91 mph. Especially for Rogers, who, at his best, will use his four-seam fastball more than half the time. It was a game-changer for him in Boston, and raises the floor and ceiling of who he can be as a starter.
“The fastball was awesome. We’d love to see that (tonight),” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “All indications are, that’s what we are going to see. The breaking ball seems to be getting better, and he’s always had the changeup.”
The hope is, of course, for more of the same of what we saw in Boston. It’s what Rogers has been working on down in Norfolk, too.
“Really just capitalizing on what I did well in that start,” he said. “Continuing to do what I’m doing, improving the things that I need to improve on. Everything, mentally, physically, in a good spot right now.”
Expecting another six innings of shutout baseball out of Rogers against the Rays tonight may be lofty. But with a gap in the rotation, the lefty has a chance to make his mark.
Breadcrumbs from the skipper
Mansolino started his address today on a somber note, acknowledging the tragic passing of prospect Luis Guevara.
“I just want to start this today and express our condolences to the family, friends and teammates of Luis Guevara. We are all deeply saddened by the terrible passing, and it’s a very heartbreaking day for the Baltimore Orioles.”
Mansolino has been in his new role for about a month now, settling into a new day-to-day routine. But the former third base coach isn’t reinventing the wheel.
“I think we’re doing a lot of the same in a lot of ways,” he said. “I felt like we were doing a lot of things right in a lot of ways. I try to be myself on a daily basis and that’s it. I believe in the things that we do here, that we have done here.”
