Hyde plans to stretch Orioles' pitchers in spring games; Angel discusses his retirement - BaltimoreBaseball.com
Spring Training

Hyde plans to stretch Orioles’ pitchers in spring games; Angel discusses his retirement

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SARASOTA, Fla.-What’s happening? – Manager Brandon Hyde isn’t sure who will start and relieve. He said that pitchers who’ve done both in their careers — Miguel Castro, Mike Wright and Jimmy Yacabonis — will be stretched out this spring.

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“We’ll make a determination sometime in the next month, whether we’re going to stretch them out or shift them more into a bullpen role,” Hyde said. “We’re going to keep our options open with everybody, and anybody who’s got a chance to start, we’re going to try and stretch them out.”

Hyde has some thoughts about Mychal Givens, who finished the season as the Orioles’ closer.

“I tell you what his role is right now,” Hyde said. “It’s to pitch in high-leverage situations, whether that’s closing, whether that’s the seventh or the eighth. Obviously, we’re in a good spot if Mychal comes in the game to pitch.”

Joe Angel, who has broadcast Orioles games for 19 years, discussed his retirement on Thursday. The story was originally reported on BaltimoreBaseball.com on Feb. 9.

“After 42 years of doing it, I think that’s enough,” Angel said on 105.7’s Orioles Hot Stove. “The Orioles have been fantastic. This is something that’s been in the work for several months during the offseason. We finally came to the point where both the Orioles and I agreed that, hey, this is a good time to say goodbye.”

Jack Reinheimer, the infielder who was designated for assignment when Nate Karns was signed on Feb. 7, has cleared waivers and will receive an invitation to spring training.

What’s happened? – Alex Cobb threw his first bullpen, and Hyde was pleased with what he saw. Late last year, Cobb’s season was cut short by recurring blisters.

“I think it’s something that pitchers are prone to,” Hyde said.

Gregory Infante, who signed a minor league contract, has yet to report to camp because of an illness.  Hyde said that Infante is back in Venezuela, and once he’s allowed to travel, will be treated in camp.

Dean Kremer is the only pitcher in camp who has yet to pitch and won’t for a while. Kremer has a left oblique injury that he suffered two weeks ago, and he expects to be sidelined for another two weeks.

What’s up with? – Cael Brockmeyer. When Jesus Sucre was delayed by visa problems, the Orioles called Brockmeyer, who was set to report to minor league camp on Sunday. He gives the Orioles six catchers.

Brockmeyer is known to Hyde and catching coach Tim Cossins because he was in the Cubs’ organization.

“It definitely helped,” Brockmeyer said. “I know I had contacted the Orioles before they had hired them and talked to some of their front office guys before then, and once I found out they had been hired here, it was an extra surprise and extra special, so it definitely helped me decide to come here. Like I said,  I had a good history with them, liked them, enjoyed them a lot, think they’re good baseball guys, so I’m excited to go.”

What’s what? – Hyde has made a number of adjustments to the spring training regimen. The most apparent came when Pearl Jam blared while the pitchers and catchers began stretching.

“I’m just trying to create a great environment that I’ve been a part of for years,” Hyde said. “Whether that’s music or more [pitching] mounds or being a little lighter in some situations, the bottom line is that I want guys to be pros when they’re out here.”

Hyde also has invited all the Triple-A and Double-A managers and coaches from Norfolk and Bowie to camp.

“I want our organization to be around the environment that we’re putting together and the major league coaching staff as much as possible,” Hyde said.

“Our big league coaches are going to go down to the minor leagues at times,” Hyde said. Minor league coaches will also come up to the major leagues to observe, Hyde added.

What’s the word? – “When you’ve been a minor league coach, and you’ve been on Field 76 in the back, and it’s 97 degrees out, and there’s no music, I know what that feels like.”-Hyde on the atmosphere he’s trying to create. 

What’s the number? 11. That’s the number of infielders on the spring training roster. Only Chris Davis and Jonathan Villar seemed assured of spots on the 25-man roster.

 

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