Photo credit: Kim Klement - USA Today Sports
Starting pitcher Félix Hernández left Tuesday’s game with the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte, Florida after one inning because of what the team described as elbow discomfort. Manager Brandon Hyde took Hernández out of the game.
“I thought the velo was same,” Hyde said. “He was getting outs. He had a good slider. I just thought the body language was different this time than the last couple of times. You felt like there was something bothering him, so when we approached him after the inning, he had a little bit of discomfort. I kind of made the decision to take him out of the game at that point … I wanted to play it safe and not push it.”
Hyde said Hernández would be re-evaluated on Wednesday.
Elias on Franco, Harvey: To make room for third baseman Maikel Franco, who was signed Tuesday, on the 40-man roster, the Orioles placed right-handed pitcher Hunter Harvey on the 60-day injured list because of a strained left oblique muscle.
Elias said Harvey had “a pretty large strain in the oblique. It’s an injury through experience that we know takes a lot of time, especially for a pitcher to come back on his throwing program. Given that, given the need not to rush it, and the timeline not to rush it, we put him on the 60,” Elias said.
Elias said he was excited about Franco’s addition.
“Maikel Franco, I think, is someone that is going to help us a lot and fit in very well with the personnel that we have on this roster,” he said. “It gives us not only an upgrade in different spots in the lineup … a right-handed bat that fits in well with some of our other personnel, but it also makes our team deeper and protects us against what will be a long season, the ups and downs that happen over the course of a season. His addition takes a good bit of pressure, so to speak, off a lot of the different hitters around our lineup.”
Elias thinks Franco also could play first and be the designated hitter.
The Orioles and Franco have agreed on a provision that will allow him to be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk’s alternate site in Bowie in the event that he’s not ready to play by the April 1st opener at Boston’s Fenway Park.
Hyde expects Franco to practice with the team on Wednesday.
Elias thinks that Rio Ruiz, who has been the primary third baseman for the past two seasons, and Franco could play on the team together.
“Certainly, it seems possible that both of those guys are on the team at the same time the whole year, if that happens,” Elias said.
Harvey, who was the team’s top draft choice in 2013, has a long history of injury and has never started a season with the Orioles.
“It’s an oblique injury,” Elias said. “They’re very common in spring training. I also think the 2020 to 2021 calendar that we’ve been dealing with is probably leading to more than their fair share. He’ll bounce back. We just want to make sure his arm is ramped up properly and is in shape. I think we’re going to see him in May or early June.”
Roster cuts: The Orioles optioned infielders Rylan Bannon and Tyler Nevin, outfielders Yusniel Diaz and Ryan McKenna, and right-handed pitcher Ashton Goudeau to Triple-A Norfolk. They also reassigned catcher Taylor Davis to the Twin Lakes minor league camp.
The Orioles have 58 players on their camp roster.
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Asking for a friend, hypothetically if Fernandez is hurt can that help him with his contract? Can the O’s release him even though he got hurt playing for them? Hypothetically of course...anyone...go O’s...
Assuming you mean Hernandez. I make that mistake too that’s why I usually call him King Felix. He’s a non roster invite with a non guaranteed contract. If he makes the team he is guaranteed a million dollars. Most likely, there is a deadline where the Orioles have to put him on the roster or he becomes a free agent. My guess is the deadline is soon , before Opening Day. If his elbow discomfort persists, he probably won’t be added to the roster. They could negotiate an extension on the opt out and let him go to Bowie to rehab and stretch his arm out. Hypothetically, they could make the deadline May 1. If it doesn’t look like he’s ready, they would probably release him. He would be paid 1 month minor league salary, but the Orioles wouldn’t have to pay him anything more. But maybe the elbow discomfort goes away and he can pitch soon. Unfortunately with the Orioles, the pain never goes away quickly
Makes sense, thx, for my friend...lol...go O’s...
Give credit where credit is due, Felix outlasted Johan Santana!
Lol! I wish I hadn’t read that just as I was taking a drink of tea, what a mess I have to clean up now.
As far as that game went, I really hope Hyde doesn’t put too much weight on the poor outing by Hanhold. I was impressed with him in camp last season and he didn’t make the club and I’ve thought he’s done very well in camp this year until today. If Hyde cuts him based on this outing I wanna see how he’ll justify keeping Fry or Abad.
Ha ha. By how much?
Very disappointing on the news with Hunter Harvey. I hate to say it, but I don't think he will ever be productive in the majors. Yet another first round pick that doesn't make it
"Elias said he was excited about Franco’s addition." ....... Excited? Bwaaaaaaaahaaa aahahaaahahjahaahaha
"Elias thinks Franco also could play first and be the designated hitter." ...... Whaaaaat? Rich...I know it's a zoom session and all...but does Elias say these things with a straight face? I mean ... Am I the only person reading this mans words? What drivel. Slinging the BS. is obviously one of this man's fortes. Yeah....like that's what we really need .... another DH/1B option.
“Certainly, it seems possible...if that happens” your prototypical Elias statement IMO. Still remember when Elias said Hyde had not been hired as manager...He may be a genius GM but he seems lacking in important areas like trustworthiness and honesty
The BS is the most popular Ivy League degree, even if they sometimes call it something else, which is BS too.
Rich-a huge thank you for the four articles today! Simply awesome, much appreciated...
You’re welcome.
Felix was just starting to show some stuff. Hopefully he’s not hurt too bad. I’d like to see what he’s got left.
I think you've already seen it.
So now the Orioles sign Mikiel Franco. Why? Hoping that he finds his major league self so they can trade him for another joke of a prospect or two? Pathetic.
Mike Elias has done nothing but make useless moves. Oh yeah, let’s keep building up the farm system for another half a decade.
I see this guy as a replacement for Nunez, except that he can also adequately field a position in the major leagues. Nunez at 3B made Ruiz look like Brooksie. With Mancini still uncertain in terms of his health recovery and the lack of 3B in the minors, this may turn out ok. As for Elias' exuberance about him, better than being lukewarm on him.