The Orioles have long looked to September for the return of several key players, but the final day of August only added to their list of health concerns.
A day before welcoming back starting pitcher Zach Eflin from the injured list to conclude the Colorado series on a winning note, Baltimore lost third baseman Ramon Urias to a sprained right ankle as well as starting pitcher Dean Kremer, who took a screaming line drive off his right forearm in the fourth inning of the 7-5 loss to the Rockies. While Urias was placed on the 10-day IL prior to Sunday’s 6-1 win, manager Brandon Hyde told reporters in Colorado that the Orioles got “lucky” with Kremer before acknowledging that he’d be “really surprised” if the right-hander is ready to make his next start on time after suffering a substantial contusion.
The loss of Urias is another rough development as the 30-year-old infielder was Baltimore’s best hitter in August while filling in for injured All-Star infielder Jordan Westburg, posting an .858 on-base plus slugging percentage while clubbing five home runs and driving in 17 runs in 83 plate appearances. It’s unclear how long Urias will be sidelined, and Westburg — who’s been on the IL with a fractured right hand since Aug. 1 — remains in the early stages of baseball activity and isn’t expected to return until late in the month.
On Sunday, the Orioles recalled rookie infielder Coby Mayo, who started at third base and went 1-for-2 with a hit by pitch, a strikeout, and a run scored. He appears likely to split time with veteran newcomer Emmanuel Rivera at the hot corner for the time being.
The day did bring very encouraging news regarding the starting rotation with Eflin returning in spectacular fashion, tossing seven innings of one-run ball that included five perfect frames to begin his afternoon. Eflin set season highs with nine strikeouts and 18 swinging strikes, which are hopefully signs that the right shoulder inflammation that surfaced after his Aug. 15 start is behind him.
The 30-year-old Eflin has won each of his five starts since being acquired from Tampa Bay in late July, completing at least six innings each time. Hyde said Eflin throwing 85 pitches against the Rockies was right around the limit the Orioles had in mind for his return, but they couldn’t have expected such impressive results after a 2 1/2-week layoff.
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“He’s just been great for us,” Hyde told reporters in Colorado. “We’ve got to keep him healthy this last month. That’s going to be key. But he just pitches like a total pro, and he’s such a competitor and he’s got such confidence in all his pitches.”
Right-handed reliever Jacob Webb began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday night, tossing a nine-pitch scoreless inning with one walk against Jacksonville. One of the Orioles’ most consistent relievers with a 3.08 ERA in 49 2/3 innings this season, the 31-year-old Webb has been on the IL with right elbow inflammation since Aug. 7.
In addition to Webb and Westburg, right-handed starter Grayson Rodriguez (right lat/teres strain), lefty reliever Danny Coulombe (left elbow surgery), first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (left wrist sprain), and outfielder Heston Kjerstad (concussion) hope to return from the IL later this month.
