Question: If Félix Bautista is not ready to start the season, what does the eighth and ninth look like for reliever sequence for the first three-to-four weeks of the regular season? From: John Hall
Answer: John, based on Bautista’s dominant inning on Monday, I would be pretty confident that he’ll be ready to begin the season. Manager Brandon Hyde said he’s not going to use him in back-to-back games in the first half of the season, and he mentioned Andrew Kittredge, Gregory Soto and Seranthony Domínguez as closer possibilities.
However, with Kittredge out with left knee soreness, the Orioles might need another late-inning choice, and Yennier Cano could be an option, too.
A lot depends on Kittredge’s health. If he’s ready, he could pitch the eighth or the ninth, when Bautista is unavailable. If not, I would think Soto or Domínguez works the ninth with Cano in the eighth.
Question: How do you think the ongoing chatter regarding the need for an ace to be added to the starting rotation affects the psyche of Grayson Rodriguez? Not only now, but in the future when looking to re-sign with the Orioles. From: Jeff Mose
Answer: Jeff, I think Grayson Rodriguez should, and is able to not listen to the chatter about a possible acquisition, or the fallout from not adding an ace starter.
Every major league player needs to learn not to be affected by rumors or gossip. Most of those rumors or gossip will never come to pass, but it’s important they learn not to let it affect their performance.
He won’t even be eligible for arbitration until after next year and hasn’t pitched a complete season in the major leagues, so any talk about re-signing him is premature.
Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.