DENVER—Luis Robert Jr. is expected to join the Orioles on Tuesday when the roster expands to 28. Robert will provide the Orioles with another right-handed hitting outfielder, one that manager Craig Albernaz says he can use.
“We’re excited to have Luis,” Albernaz said. “That’s a great, great addition. The talent stands out big time, especially seeing him with the White Sox.”
Robert spent seven years with Chicago before he moved on to the New York Mets this season. The Orioles claimed him off waivers on Monday.
“His swing decisions really jump out,” Albernaz said. “The strikeout-to-walk rate has been really impressive this year. That’s a player who takes his craft seriously and is looking to get better and has gotten better. We heard a lot of good things about him, and we’re excited to have him.”
In 2023, the 29-year-old Robert was an American League All-Start, hitting .264 with an .857 OPS, with 38 home runs and 80 RBIs. This year, he was hitting .223 with 10 homers and 23 RBIs and a .702 OPS with the Mets.
“It wasn’t a long time ago when Luis was talked about as one of the best players in the game,” Albernaz said. “The talent is there. He’s dealt with some injuries and he’s come out on the other side, and he’s putting a lot of great work in. I hope it injects a lot of energy in the clubhouse, like getting Blaze [Alexander] back and getting the rest of the guys back. Luis Robert is in that same boat.”
Orioles reliever Yennier Cano is from the same town in Cuba, Ciego de Avila, and has known Robert for a long time.
“We played together three years in Cuba,” Cano said through a team translator. “Super happy to have him here, and it’s always great to see a familiar face.
“He’s a tremendous ballplayer. I think he has all the tools to be a great player out there. He can field. He can hit. He’s especially a big bat against lefties. I think once we get him in there, he’s going to help us a lot.”
Cano said the two do keep in touch.
“I actually texted him a little while ago. He hasn’t gotten back to me yet,” Cano said. “We stay in contract throughout the season. It’s not something where we’re constantly texting each other, but we like to stay in touch. I don’t like to do it too much like we’re bothering each other. It’s always nice to check up on one another, see how things are going and congratulate one another on the little accomplishments.”
Bautista not quite there
Félix Bautista threw a scoreless inning in his third rehab outing for Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Albernaz said Bautista won’t be the extra pitcher the Orioles add on Tuesday.
“He’s only had three rehab games,” Albernaz said. “That would be reckless if we do that, but he has been throwing the ball well … He hasn’t had game action in a long, long time. So we want to do right by Félix and making sure he’s ready when he’s ready.
“He’s back to being efficient in the strike zone. When he’s ready, he’s ready. I’m excited looking at the box score and seeing his name actually pitching in a game.”
Povich starting
Cade Povich is starting on Monday night. The Orioles recalled him from Triple-A Norfolk, optioning right-hander Anthony Nunez to the Tides.
Kyle Bradish was pushed back to Tuesday and Trevor Rogers will start Wednesday.
“It’s just more to get our starters an extra day,” Albernaz said. “We have a 16-game stretch we’re in the middle of.”
Albernaz didn’t commit to a six-man rotation, noting that the Orioles have offdays on the final three Thursdays of the season.
“Everyone’s workload is a little high, so being able to plug Cade in to get the guys an extra day is big, and Cade’s been throwing the ball extremely well,” Albernaz said. “It’s just a good way to get him in there.”
When asked about the possibility of a six-man rotation, Albernaz said: “A six-man rotation is on the table Going down the stretch, we love our starters, and they’ve been throwing the ball extremely well. We want them to [be in] as many games as we can, but also being mindful of where they’re at physically.”
Note: Catcher Creed Willems is here on the taxi squad, but he won’t be activated. The Orioles want to expose Willems to big league life.
Orioles-Rockies lineups:
Orioles
Jackson Holliday-2B
Pete Alonso-1B
Gunnar Henderson-SS
Coby Mayo-DH
Dylan Beavers-LF
Samuel Basallo-C
Blaze Alexander-3B
Colton Cowser-CF
Leody Taveras-RF
Cade Povich-LHP
Rockies
Jake McCarthy-CF
Connor Norby-2B
Hunter Goodman-C
TJ Rumfield-1B
Willi Castro-3B
Mickey Moniak-RF
Jordan Beck-LF
Troy Johnston-DH
Ezequiel Tovar-SS
Tanner Gordon-RHP
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