Sep 24, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (48) pitches against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory BALTIMORE—Kyle Gibson will start for the Orioles on Tuesday night against the New York Yankees. Manager Brandon Hyde said that Gibson’s back was feeling better. He hasn’t pitched since April 20th when he threw five innings, allowing two runs on one hit for High-A Aberdeen. “I hope he can bring a lot of things,” Hyde said. “I know one thing. He’s going to compete every single time out. He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever been around in a clubhouse. “He pitched really well for us a couple of years ago and had a nice year for St. Louis last year. He kept us in the game more times than not two years ago, and was absolutely fantastic. I hope we get that version.” Gibson was 15-9 with a 4.73 ERA in 33 starts for the Orioles in 2023. He allowed one run on three hits in three innings in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. “I know we’re going to get an unbelievable person and a real leader,” Hyde said. “An adult in the room, which I think is really great.” The Orioles signed Gibson to a one-year, $5.25 million contract on March 21st. Before pitching for the IronBirds, he threw two starts for Triple-A Norfolk. “When I told some of the guys we were signing him, they were pumped up. A lot of guys were really excited that he was going to join us,” Hyde said. When Hyde was asked if the Orioles needed the off field qualities Gibson brought, he said: “I just think we need to play better baseball. It’s been hard. We have a lot of talent. We have a lot of guys I think are really close to playing well. That’s been tough. There are a lot of guys who have done a lot of good things in this game who are on that [injured] list. “Hopefully, they’ll be back soon. I just want to see them play good baseball.” Medical updates: Kyle Bradish, who underwent Tommy John surgery last June, threw a bullpen. Zach Eflin, who’s on the injured list with a right lat injury, will throw a bullpen on Tuesday. Tyler Wells, who had elbow surgery last June, has a scheduled bullpen on Friday. Reliever Andrew Kittredge, who is recovering from left knee surgery, will throw live batting practice on Wednesday. Infielder Jordan Westburg has hamstring soreness, and he’s day-to-day. “As of right now, we’re still doing some tests on him,” Hyde said. ”He’s getting checked out. I’m staying optimistic and hopeful.” Infielder Emmanuel Rivera is on the taxi squad in case the Orioles want to make a move with Westburg. Catcher Adley Rutschman is back in the lineup after missing Sunday’s game with a bruised hand. Outfielder Colton Cowser, who has a fractured left thumb, hasn’t resumed baseball activities, but is improving, Hyde said. Notes: The Orioles optioned left-hander Grant Wolfram to Norfolk and recalled right-hander Kade Strowd from the Tides. Wolfram allowed two runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings in two appearances. Strowd is 1-1 with an 8.10 ERA in eight games for Norfolk. …Former Orioles front office executive Scott Proefrock was named interim general manager of the High-A Aberdeen IronBirds. Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.
Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.
Question: The Orioles have signed free agents for a year, then let them go. It seems they are able to sign for more money and also have a pretty good year with their new team.
How have the ‘lost’ free agents done this year? Or were they a bust for the new team? From: Gerry Mack
Answer: Gerry, there were five free agents who left the Orioles after the 2023 season: starting pitchers Kyle Gibson, Jack Flaherty, reliever Shintaro Fujinami, infielder Adam Frazier and outfielder Aaron Hicks.
Flaherty and Fujinami were both acquired by the Orioles ahead of the trade deadline while Hicks was signed as a free agent in May.
Gibson is 8-8 with a 4.13 ERA in 29 starts with St. Louis while Flaherty, who was traded from Detroit to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline, is a combined 13-7 with a 3.17 ERA in 27 starts.
Fujinami signed with the Mets but never pitched for them. He was 1-2 with a 5.94 ERA in 33 games with four of New York’s minor league teams.
Frazier is hitting .202 with four home runs and 20 RBIs in 102 games with Kansas City, and Hicks was released by the Los Angeles Angels on May 1st after hitting .140 with a home run and five RBIs in 18 games.
Question: I read the Norfolk staff is working and improving Trevor Rogers’ pitches, especially his slider. Could you comment on his progress? From: Carlos Vasquez
Answer: Carlos, Rogers was 1-2 with a 5.65 ERA in five games with Norfolk. He allowed 10 runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings in his first start for the Tides, and his subsequent starts were better, including his next-to-last one when threw six scoreless innings, allowing four hits.
I don’t know about his progress with the slider, but his overall stats were better after that first start.
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