Chris Ellis, who was added to the Orioles’ starting rotation when John Means went on the injured list, left Sunday’s game after facing five batters because of right shoulder discomfort, the club said.
Ellis allowed one hit, walked three and hit a batter. All five runners scored. Travis Lakins relieved Ellis and allowed a grand slam to Jo Adell, and the Orioles were behind, 6-0, before recording an out. They battled back to tie the score, 6-6, but fell, 7-6
”Something didn’t seem right” with Ellis, manager Brandon Hyde said on the Orioles’ postgame television show. He thought it was in Ellis’ best interest to remove him quickly.
Trey Mancini hit his first home run since September 3rd, 2021, a three-run shot, and Austin Hays had his first homer of the season, a two-run shot, to bring the Orioles back.
Oriole pitchers walked nine Angels batters, a season high. They hadn’t issued more than five walks until now. Six pitchers allowed six hits to Los Angeles, two each to Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.
Mike Baumann (1-2) was the loser.
The Orioles (6-10) won two of three against the Angels (9-7).
What’s next for rotation? If Ellis is out for a substantial time, the most logical choice to replace him is left-hander Alexander Wells.
Wells was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on April 17th after he threw two scoreless innings against the New York Yankees. He was with the Orioles in Oakland and Anaheim.
Ellis’ turn will come up on Saturday. Should the Orioles place him on the injured list, they could add a reliever for the time being and then recall Wells for the start.
Rutschman timetable: Catcher Adley Rutschman is scheduled to play at High-A Aberdeen this week as he begins his rehab from a strained right triceps muscle. Rutschman, who suffered the injury in a minor league intrasquad game on March 11th, missed major league spring training.
The IronBirds are home from Tuesday-Sunday, and Rutschman is likely to move up to Double-A Bowie. The Baysox will be home from May 3rd-8th.
Rutschman probably will play for Norfolk in the final part of his rehab. The Tides are home from May 10th-15th.
If you’re looking for Rutschman’s possible debut with the Orioles, the team begins a seven-game homestand against the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays on May 16th.
Pitching prospect DL Hall, who missed most of last season because of an elbow injury, is also joining Rutschman at Aberdeen but trying to guess his first major league appearance is trickier. The Orioles are trying to limit Hall’s innings.
Notes: After Monday’s day off, the Orioles conclude their 10-game road trip with a three-game series against the Yankees. Jordan Lyles (1-1, 3.52) is scheduled to face Luis Severino (1-0, 2.08) on Tuesday night. Tyler Wells (0-2, 6.75) and Jordan Montgomery (0-1, 2.60) are scheduled to pitch on Wednesday. On Thursday afternoon at 1:05 p.m., Bruce Zimmermann (1-0, 1.20) is scheduled to face Jameson Taillon (1-1, 3.07).
Minor league update: Ofelky Peralta (0-1) allowed four runs and retired just one batter ,and starter Cody Sedlock gave up four runs in three innings as Norfolk lost to Durham, 14-5. Rightfielder Tyler Nevin had his third straight three-hit game. Nevin is hitting .382. Shortstop Richie Martin hit his first home run and leftfielder Robert Neustrom hit a three-run home run, his third.
Second baseman Jordan Westburg and centerfielder Adam Hall each had two hits in Bowie’s 3-2 loss to Akron in 10 innings.
Right ielder Dontá Williams hit his first home run of the season as Aberdeen lost to Greensboro, 4-3, in 10 innings. Williams and shortstop Collin Burns each had two hits.
Starter Moises Chace allowed four runs on four hits while retiring just two batters as Low-A Delmarva lost to Myrtle Beach, 7-4.