BALTIMORE—The Orioles don’t have an update on closer Félix Bautista, who’s on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder discomfort. Bautista wasn’t able to pitch in Wednesday night’s game in Cleveland. Interim manager Tony Mansolino said there would be an update next week.
“We have to go through the whole medical evaluation and talk to the right people,” Mansolino said. “By next week, we’ll have something solid.”
Without Bautista and left-hander Gregory Soto, who was traded to the New York Mets earlier on Friday, Mansolino will have to improvise.
“We’re going to mix and match the best we can,” Mansolino said. “We’ll look at all the information and put guys in spots favorable to them … It will probably be different most nights.”
For the moment, the Orioles have just three experienced relievers — right-handers Yennier Cano, Seranthony Domínguez and Andrew Kittredge. They also have Corbin Martin, Colin Selby, Kade Strowd and Grant Wolfram, the only left-hander.
Mansolino said that left-hander Keegan Akin, who went on the injured list because of shoulder inflammation, will have another rehab outing on Saturday for Norfolk.
“Just because of the injury, and it being a shoulder thing,” Mansolino said. “I think just being very careful and just making sure he’s in a good spot before he gets to the big leagues. This is way different than pitching in the minor leagues. The stress and the pressure, and the importance of it. We want to make sure he’s ready.”
Rutschman’s return is near
Adley Rutschman, who remains on the 10-day injured list with a strained left oblique, will catch for Norfolk Friday and Saturday night.
“Ideally catch nine innings,” Mansolino said. “And then we’ll see him shortly after that.”
Jeremiah Jackson added
The Orioles will select the contract of infielder Jeremiah Jackson from Triple-A Norfolk for Friday night’s game instead of adding another reliever, Mansolino said.
Jackson is hitting .377 with a 1.079 OPS, 11 home runs and 22 RBIs in 38 games for Norfolk.
“He’s doing great at Triple-A. He’s going to pop in for tonight, and then we’ll go from there,” Mansolino said. “We’ll be one man short in the ‘pen tonight.”
Notes: Mansolino said he saw Kyle Bradish, who pitched two innings for High-A Aberdeen in his first rehab start on Thursday night after Tommy John surgery in June 2024. “He was positive, optimistic, felt great. What a great first couple of innings for the guy, too. For the ball to come out of the hand the way it did after missing so much time, we’re really excited about him.” … Cade Povich, who pitched five innings for Norfolk on Thursday night, is scheduled for another rehab start. The Orioles will need another starter on Tuesday when they play a day/night doubleheader against Toronto. Brandon Young could be brought back as the 27th man. “Things change, guys get traded,” Mansolino said. “Spots open up.”… Mansolino said there was no update on right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, who hasn’t pitched this season and was shut down because of elbow discomfort.
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