Blister, football put rotation in question
Cobb scratched from Sunday start; Hess in doubt for today’s game
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – The unique series of events that has put the Orioles starting rotation in question for the remainder of this weekend’s series at the Tampa Bay Rays is characteristic of a season in which little has gone the club’s way.
That right-hander Alex Cobb was scratched from his start Sunday because of a nagging blister on his pitching hand wasn’t that much of a surprise — he’s been dealing with the injury for most of the season’s second half and pitched well despite it.
But the reason right-hander David Hess will likely miss his next start can be filed among the most bizarre potential scratches of the season.
Hess could miss today’s start after he was hit in the left eye attempting to catch a football in the Tropicana Field outfield before Friday’s series finale. MASN footage revealed that Hess’ eye had swelled quickly and manager Buck Showalter said before Friday’s game that the 25-year-old right-hander was being sent to a local ophthalmologist for evaluation.
According to the Orioles, Hess saw an ophthalmologist and has some inflammation but no abrasion. He was given anti-inflammatory eye drops and should be OK.
Orioles players tossing a football pregame is routine, and before Friday’s game there were enough players to make up a pick-up football game. Hess was running a route when the ball hit him in the eye.
If Hess can’t make today’s start, he would likely be replaced by right-hander Yefry Ramírez, who has made his two appearances entering Friday out of the bullpen and hasn’t started since Aug. 19, when he allowed seven runs in three innings at the Cleveland Indians. As a starter, Ramírez is 1-5 with a 7.34 ERA. Showalter could also start right-hander Jimmy Yacabonis, who will be rested after last pitching in relief Monday at the Seattle Mariners.
Showalter said left-hander Josh Rogers will likely replace Cobb on Sunday. Jones sits: Orioles center fielder Adam Jones was out of the starting lineup for the second time in five games.
“You know, Adam will be the first to tell you that — we were talking the other day — that this has been the best he’s felt in a long time,” Showalter said. “I think being careful with him physically [is a part of it]. But I can’t tell you that’s the complete reason. There’s really a lesser one, but we have some people we want to see play.”
After missing three straight starts against left-handed starters, Cedric Mullins was in the lineup Friday against Rays left-hander Blake Snell. Wilkerson about two weeks away: Despite being added to the team’s expanded roster, utility man Steve Wilkerson isn’t likely to be ready to play in games for another two weeks as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Wilkerson said he still hasn’t resumed running, but has starting throwing.
He has been limited to just 34 games this season — and just seven at the major league level — because of an early-season drug suspension as well as oblique and hamstring injuries. Trumbo’s surgery successful: Mark Trumbo’s surgery to repair cartilage damage in his right knee went well, Showalter said, and Trumbo should be ready for Opening Day next season.
The procedure was performed in Baltimore by Orioles club physicians Dr. Leigh Ann Curl and Dr. Michael Jacobs.
“It was exactly what they thought,” Showalter said. “No complications, no surprises and it will be close to him being ready for the season. Everything they thought they would find, everything they thought they’d be able to do, they did. I know he was pretty upbeat about it.” Corban Joseph recalled: The Orioles added another utility infielder to their expanded roster before Friday’s series opener, selecting the contract of Corban Joseph.
Joseph had a brief six-day big league stay in June, when he went 1-for-9 playing in four games with the Orioles in his most extended major league stint. He was designated for assignment, cleared waivers and was outrighted back to Double-A Bowie, remaining in the organization. (He is the brother of Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph).
With the selection of Joseph’s contract – and the addition of right-hander Luis Ortiz earlier this week – the Orioles’ organizational roster is at a full 40 players. The active roster is now at 31 players.
He posted a .289/.369/.446 with nine homers and 34 homers in 63 games since returning to the minors. On the season, Joseph hit .312/.381/.497 with 30 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs, 68 RBIs and eight steals in 10 attempts in 122 games, making the Eastern League All-Star team, which is selected by managers, coaches and media.