Hyde on roster expansion; Orioles recall Garcia, option Head, Sanders; Wells to throw batting practice

BALTIMORE—On September 1^st, rosters expand from 26 to 28 players. The Orioles will add a pitcher and position player. Manager Brandon Hyde would prefer additional help.

Through 2019, teams could expand their rosters from 25 to 40. As a tradeoff for the reduced rosters after September 1^st, teams carry 26 players instead of 25 for the bulk of the season.

“I think just the way pitching is in today’s game, you’d obviously like to see the ability to have a couple more,” Hyde said. “I appreciate the ability to add two. I don’t understand why we have to be limited to one position player and one pitcher. Every team would like to be able to add some more pitchers just to keep their guys healthy down the stretch.

“What they’re trying to do is correct. They’re trying to keep it an equal playing field for everybody … To be able to have the same number makes it a lot more fair. I do like that. All of us would like to add a few pitchers just to take some of the wear and tear off the guys that have been here.”

Garcia returns: Right-hander Rico Garcia was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to provide length for the Orioles’ bullpen. He has a 6.00 ERA in four games this season.

“Rico hasn’t pitched in a few days and we have him to available for us,” Hyde said.

The Orioles’ bullpen has struggled of late, but Hyde has liked that most of the bullpen has been with the team all season.

“There’s been a core group of guys throughout the year because they’ve pitched well enough to be here and stay here in big spots,” Hyde said. “We haven’t had to have a huge shuttle of two or three guys every couple of weeks. These guys have for the most part, pitched extremely well this year, so you wanted to keep that core group together.

“That has been helpful. Those guys have thrown a lot of innings, and we’re mindful of that. There have been other bumps in the road lately, but I’m impressed with what they’ve done all year.”

After Wednesday night’s game, the Orioles optioned right-handers Louis Head and Phoenix Sanders to Norfolk. Sanders was acquired off waivers from Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

Wells improving: Right-hander Tyler Wells, who’s on the 15-day injured list because of lower left side discomfort, continues to make progress in his rehabilitation. Hyde isn’t sure if he’ll return as a starter or reliever.

“He threw a second bullpen. He feels great,” Hyde said. “All positive news from there.

“He’s going to throw a live [batting practice] here shortly. We’ll just monitor it day-to-day.”

Minor Matter: The Orioles began a development camp for Florida Complex League players in Sarasota on Thursday. The camp, which will focus on weight room training and skill development, runs through September 12^th.

Players participating are outfielder Stiven Acevedo, infielder Leandro Arias, catcher, Samuel Basallo, infielders Cristian Benavides and Anderson De Los Santos, outfielder Mishael Deson, infielder Aron Estrada, outfielcer Luis González, infielder Maikol Hernández, catcher Andrés Nolaya and outfielders Raylin Ramos, Thomas Sosa and Braylin Tavera.

Coming up: The Orioles play three games in Houston this weekend. Kyle Bradish (1-5, 6.25) will face Lance McCullers (1-1, 2.45) on Friday night. Dean Kremer (5-4, 3.45) and José Urquidy (12-4, 3.63) are Saturday’s scheduled starters Austin Voth (4-1, 4.73) and Justin Verlander (16-3, 1.87) are Sunday’s scheduled starters.