Oriole position players report; Hyde recalls a dominant Harvey; Scott looks to build on 2020

What’s happening? – The Orioles’ position players have reported and will be on the field Monday. Chris Davis is the only player not expected to work out. Because of the bad weather in Texas, Davis’ arrival was delayed by a day, and he’s still undergoing the intake process, manager Brandon Hyde said.

Most of the attention will be on Trey Mancini, who reported early and is returning after missing the 2020 season because of colon cancer surgery. Mancini is expected to play first base and could be one of several players that get time at designated hitter.

“I think we’re going to wait and see,” Hyde said. “We have outfielders that want to get at-bats, too. It might be a rotating DH. I just don’t know yet. We’ll see how we break. Hopefully, we’re healthy and everybody’s ready to go, and we’ll figure it out, matchup-wise who needs a breather on a nightly basis.”

What’s happened?— Matt Harvey was scheduled to throw his first bullpen session on Sunday.

Hyde remembers watching Harvey pitch for the New York Mets against the Chicago Cubs in the 2015 National League Championship Series. As a Cubs coach, Hyde marveled at Harvey’s stuff in Game 1.

“He was throwing 100 in 40-degree weather, and we had no shot,” Hyde said. “It was incredibly dominating.”

Hyde also saw him start four times for Cincinnati against Chicago in 2018. On September 14th, Harvey pitched six shutout innings, allowing four hits, walking one and striking out six.

“We were impressed. His fastball was back up,” Hyde said. “He was throwing back in the 95, 96 [mph range], topping out there with good stuff. He gave us fits … What’s happened to him the last couple of years, I don’t know. I’ll dive into that with him once I get to know him. I’m just looking forward to watching him. I know he’s appreciative of the opportunity. He seems like a great guy, and I’m hoping for the best.”

Harvey has only faced the Orioles once in his major league career. On May 11, 2019, Harvey started for the Los Angeles Angels and allowed two runs on five hits in four innings at Oriole Park. He struck out six and walked four. Harvey allowed a home run to Dwight Smith Jr. 

What’s up with? Tanner Scott. The left-handed reliever struck out 23 in 20 2/3 innings in 2020 and could end up being the primary closer in 2021.

“It wouldn’t be different,” Scott said. “I’d end up going day-by-day, the same way that I have, wait until the phone rings and they call my name in any situation. I’m ready to go, whenever.” 

What’s what? The rebuilding Orioles haven’t had a lot of prominent names in the past two seasons. This spring, they’ve brought in Harvey and Félix Hernández, two stars of the past.

Scott says he’s enjoying having the veterans around.

“It’s picking [up] information on everything,” Scott said. “Some people have been in the game a long time, and you’re like, ‘Hey, what do you do in these situations? How do you attack?’ It’s really good to be a sponge right now.” 

What’s the word? “I’ve definitely learned a lot, and over the years of bouncing around from team to team. It’s been an interesting ride. The thing is not giving up and pushing forward, definitely keeping my ears open to options and opinions of other people, pitching coaches, of trainers, of different staff. I’m not saying I didn’t do that before, I think, but now it’s definitely more, it’s definitely more something I pay attention to and really keep my ears open to anything that’s going to help me get better and help the team win.”-Matt Harvey on trying to learn from the past

What’s the number? 3.47 That’s the reduction in Scott’s ERA from 2019 to 2020. In 2019, Scott had a 4.78 ERA. Last season, he allowed just three earned runs in 20 2/3 innings and his ERA was just 1.31.