Orioles pitching prospect DL Hall made his Major League debut yesterday, allowing five runs over 3 2/3 innings in an 8-2 loss to the Rays. The outing will act as a cup of coffee for Hall for the time being, as the Orioles will send him back to Triple-A today and transition him to relief pitching. MASNSports.com’s Roch Kubatko writes that the O’s view Hall as an intriguing bullpen option for this season, as a live arm with the potential to work multiple innings in a game.
The move also allows for the Orioles to limit Hall’s innings. With 81 1/3 total frames pitched in the majors and minors this season, Hall is already within sight of his career high of 94 1/3 innings pitched (in 2018 in A-ball). Given Hall’s injury history and the fact that he tossed only 31 2/3 IP last year, Baltimore is trying to both manage Hall’s health and capitalize on his short-term potential to help the Orioles’ surprising postseason bid.
More from around the AL East…
- There is optimism that George Springer will be able to exit the 10-day injured list when first eligible on August 15. Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider told reporters (including The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath) that Springer won’t need a rehab assignment, and the outfielder is already hitting on the field and playing catch. Springer has been bothered by a sore right elbow for most of the season, with the problem finally forcing him to the IL after he had to sit out five games in a seven-game stretch.
- Wander Franco and Harold Ramirez are both scheduled to start minor league rehab assignments this week, Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters (including Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times). Ramirez is closer to a return, as the outfielder will start his assignment with Triple-A Durham today. Ramirez fractured his right thumb after being hit by a pitch on July 17, interrupting an outstanding first season in Tampa that saw the 27-year-old hit .329/.379/.446 over 264 plate appearances. Franco underwent hamate bone surgery in mid-July, so his planned work with the Rays’ Florida Coast League affiliate this week fits into the initial 5-8 week timeline given for his recovery. Between the broken hamate bone and an earlier quad strain, Franco has been limited to 58 games in his sophomore season in the majors.
- Giancarlo Stanton has been increasing his on-field activities, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone told ESPN’s Marly Rivera and other reporters that Stanton will hopefully be able to have “a full pregame workout” within the next day or two. Once that step is established, the team can explore a rehab timeline for Stanton, who has been on the 10-day IL since July 24 due to left Achilles tendinitis.