Brandon Hyde comments hint at Orioles plan to replace Zach Eflin in rotation
Do the Orioles already have a plan for who’ll start on Saturday?
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With righty Zach Eflin still on the IL and dealing with a shoulder issue, the Orioles will have to find a way to fill his rotation spot on Saturday afternoon. Because of when Eflin got hurt, the Orioles have been able to sneak by with just four starting pitchers on the roster, riding with 9 guys in the bullpen since last week. Their day off on Monday allowed them to skip Eflin’s turn in the rotation and keep all four of their current starters on regular rest.
That changes this weekend, however. Cade Povich is slated to throw against the Reds later tonight, and Charlie Morton will take the mound on Sunday afternoon. But they’ll need someone to pitch Saturday. Could the Orioles opt for a bullpen game, and keep running with their 4/9 split into next week? Not likely.
Orioles hinting at letting Brandon Young make his major league debut on Saturday against Cincinnati
Young has been a candidate for a potential call-up for a while now. He was excellent last year, pitching to a 3.57 ERA and a 3.14 FIP in 111 innings between Bowie and Norfolk. He spent the majority of the year in Triple-A. He’s started this year off on the right foot as well, as he’s allowed a 2.76 ERA across 3 starts, notching 17 strikeouts to just 2 walks.
All signs point toward Young being ready for a taste of the majors, and the circumstances couldn’t be more appropriate. The O’s added him to the 40-man this past winter to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, and he’s done plenty to prove that he’s ready to make his debut.
