Elbow injury lands O’Day on disabled list
Reliever expected to miss week with hyperextension; Scott called up
vs. Rays, 1:05 p.m., MASN
Orioles right-hander Darren O’Day was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with a hyperextended right elbow.
O’Day last pitched Friday in Oakland, where he threw a season-high 31 pitches and allowed a run on two hits, all with two outs, in 12⁄ innings. That was the first earned run he’d allowed not via a home run this season, and in 141⁄ innings over 13 appearances had a 3.77 ERA with 18 strikeouts against two walks.
Because disabled list trips can be backdated only three days, O’Day’s move there was backdated to May 6, meaning he can be activated in a week. The team expects him to be ready the day he’s eligible. O’Day had some elbow trouble in 2013, but more recently has dealt with shoulder problems in 2017 and a hamstring injury in 2016.
In his place, the Orioles added left-hander Tanner Scott from Triple-A Norfolk. Scott has allowed three runs in 42⁄ innings over three appearances this year for the Orioles, but has struck out 12 in 10 scoreless innings for the Tides this season.
He joins a bullpen that had to pitch nine full innings Monday behind Dylan Bundy’s blow-up, with Mike Wright Jr., Pedro Araujo, Richard Bleier and Mychal Givens splitting the work up. Showalter on losing: Orioles manager Buck Showalter turned his thoughts toward those who support the team as opposed to those who are a part of it when asked before Wednesday night’s game about the toll the team’s 8-27 start has taken on morale.
“It’s a lot tougher,” Showalter said. “It’s tougher on everybody, whether it’s the hitting coach, the pitching coach, center fielder, the general manager, the owner — most importantly, the fans. That’s what I’m concerned with.
“I just try to walk that line between empathy and sympathy, but we all know what the reality is because it’s right there every night. But there’s an opportunity every night. You’ve got a lot of choices in life — how you’re going to treat people and how you’re going to try to be consistent in it. These are the times that really separate players coaches, managers, everybody. ... This game can beat up anybody. I didn’t need to have the period we’re in right now to remind meof that.” Santander’s day coming: With just a few days left before the May12 date that the Orioles needed to hit to be able to send Rule 5 draft outfielder Anthony Santander to the minors, Showalter said there are several factors that will go into whether that happens.
Santander broke a streak of 65 at-bats without an RBI in Tuesday night’s 15-7 loss to the Kansas City Royals, and brought his batting average up to .204 with a .565 OPS in the process. That’s only a small consideration, Showalter said. “There’s a lot of reasons,” he said. “No. 1, what’s in the best interest of our team? No. 2, of his development, and what would he be replaced with? There’s always some things to be gained by being here. But he’s been here, obviously, a lot. What’s he hitting now? ... You can’t necessarily send down everyone who’s hitting under .200.” Results expected from Wright, Araujo: For different reasons, the Orioles are carrying Wright and Araujo in their bullpen in hopes that they can stick and be long-term assets. Wright is out of minor league options, and Araujo is a Rule 5 pick who had never pitched above Single-A.
Each has struggled, and their difficulties were on display Tuesday. Wright allowed five runs on eight hits in 42⁄ innings of relief, and Araujo gave up three runs on four hits in 21⁄ innings.
“At this level, for the most part, it’s about getting people out,” Showalter said. Palmeiro comeback: Former Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro, trying to make a comeback at 53, will join an independent baseball league team in Texas, he told The Dallas Morning News.
Along with his 28-year-old son, Patrick, Palmeiro will play for the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association, who begin their season May18.
The team had not announced the signings as of Wednesday morning, and it’s not listed in the league’s transactions.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Palmeiro said in a text message to the Morning News. “Nobody gave mea chance to go to spring training, so I will just take this path.”
Palmeiro’s other son, Preston, 23, is playing second base for High-A Frederick in the Orioles organization. He was drafted in the seventh round in 2016. Around the horn: Showalter said closer Zach Britton (Achilles tendon) might not go out on a rehabilitation assignment until close to the end of May. He’ll begin facing live batters Tuesday, Showalter said. ... Infielder TimBeckhamhadanappointment with the specialist who did his hip/groin surgery this week, Showalter said.