BALTIMORE–The Orioles reinstated left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe from the 15-day injured list and optioned left-hander Nick Vespi to Triple-A Norfolk.
Coulombe, who was on the injured list because of left biceps tendonitis, was 3-1 with a 2.77 earned-run average and one save. He last pitched on August 5th. He pitched one scoreless inning for Norfolk in a rehab assignment on Tuesday night.
“I’m fully healthy. I felt great in my rehab outing, and I’m just ready to contribute,” Coulombe said. “The biceps tendonitis thing was probably something I only needed a few days for. We felt like it was best to give me the 15 days and be ready for the stretch run. The workload has been high, especially compared to last year. I think it’s going to be good. I’m just excited to get going the last month-and-a-half, two months.”
Vespi was 1-o with a 4.90 ERA in nine appearances with the Orioles.
During the time Coulombe has been on the injured list, the Orioles have added right-hander Jacob Webb, who hasn’t allowed a run in nine appearances, and used left-hander Cionel Pérez in high-leverage spots.
“Cionel has been awesome the last few weeks. He’s been awesome to watch,” Coulombe said. “Webb’s been impressive. It’s an awesome group. I’m not surprised. Those guys are awesome pitchers, too.”
Coulombe and Webb are two relievers who’ve experienced more success with the Orioles than they have on other teams.
“On the pitching side of things, they just do a really good job of putting you in a position to succeed,” Coulombe said. “Whether it’s the heart of the order, whether it’s just the situation, they do a really good job of it, not to say other places don’t. Everybody’s rooting for each other. I really can’t explain it. The pitching department is really good, and they’ve told us, ‘Hey go with your strengths, be aggressive, and that’s all we ask of you.’ That’s really helpful.”
Manager Brandon Hyde said he didn’t remember watching Coloumbe or Webb pitch before, though they had faced the Orioles in his time here.
“I’m not really sure what they looked like,” Hyde said. “I hope that maybe we’ve given both of these guys some confidence, put them in some roles … I don’t think Danny was the first lefty much of his career in Minnesota or times before that. Webby’s got postseason experience, so he’s been a part of good club. Sometimes things just kind of click for you. You get an opportunity. They’re both really happy to be here.
“Danny has had an incredible season for us, one of our unsung heroes up until this point, what he’s done for our bullpen and for our team, the way he’s gotten huge outs, middle-to-late part of the game in big spots. Webby’s been incredible since he’s been here … I hope they keep it rolling.”
Pérez’s hot month: Pérez has been outstanding in August, allowing just an unearned run on four hits in 7 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out 11.
“Cionel’s been massive for us, especially this past month,” Hyde said. “It’s been great to see after him going through some adversity early in the year and picking up at the right time. To have both [Coulombe and Pérez] going, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that that happens. What C’s done the last month, his last 10 or 15 appearances, has been absolutely fantastic and given us a chance to win a lot of games.”
Notes: Cole Irvin will start on Friday night against Colorado. Hyde said he’s waiting on Jack Flaherty, whose Wednesday start was skipped because he felt as though he didn’t “bounce back” after his previous start, before he’ll decide on Saturday and Sunday’s starters. … James McCann hasn’t caught since he was hit by a pitch on Tuesday night. It was the fourth time he was hit by a pitch. He bruised a finger, and suffered a blood blister, but he’s ready to play, he said. “I give thanks to God that something like that happens and I come out of it unscathed,” he said. “I guess there’s a little bit of innate toughness, but other than that, it’s by the grace of God.”