Raquet Trade Announced Amidst Various Updates
The Orioles scrambled their bullpen in Chicago after unexpected injuries left them thin on left-handed relief. Two pitchers landed on the injured list, forcing the team to rely on just one southpaw late in the game.
Bullpen injuries and roster moves
Keegan Akin was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left groin strain. The injury occurred while he warmed during the final exhibition game in Florida after slipping.
Dietrich Enns went on the injured list with an infection in his left foot. Manager Craig Albernaz said Enns’ foot was swollen and he received IV antibiotics at a hospital.
Right-hander Yaramil Heraldo was moved to the injured list Sunday with right shoulder inflammation. Félix Bautista and Colin Selby remain on the 60-day IL.
Rehab and internal options
Andrew Kittredge is two games into a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk. He began the season on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
Cade Povich served as the second lefty in the bullpen. He logged 87 pitches over 5 2/3 innings on Sunday, so the team kept him instead of summoning a fresh arm.
Trade update and roster mechanics
Late last night the club acquired left-hander Nick Raquet from the Cardinals. Filmogaz.com notes the Raquet Trade Announced Amidst Various Updates came as the team shuffled its roster.
The Orioles opened a 40-man roster spot by transferring Zach Eflin to the 60-day injured list. The team also said Raquet has not yet reported to the club.
Game developments and injuries
Austin Hays, now with the White Sox, suffered a right hamstring strain in the fourth inning. He pulled up chasing a Tyler O’Neill fly ball down the left field line.
Hays signed a $6 million free agent deal in early February that included an $8 million mutual option. His injury allowed Adley Rutschman to score all the way from first.
Offensive and baserunning notes
Gunnar Henderson hit a leadoff homer in the sixth. The ball registered 105.3 miles per hour off the bat.
Henderson has scored 21 runs in 20 career games against Chicago’s White Sox. Per STATS, only Trea Turner and Aaron Judge meet the same runs-per-game mark against that club with at least 15 games.
Taylor Ward extended his hot start with a leadoff double. He had accumulated 12 hits and six walks through nine games coming into last night.
Per STATS, the last Orioles player with comparable early numbers was Javy Lopez in April 2004.
Pitching performances and defensive moments
Erick Fedde replaced White Sox opener Grant Taylor in the second inning. He allowed two runs in six innings and took the loss.
Before this start Fedde carried a 1.26 ERA in five career games against Baltimore. He had a streak of 19 2/3 scoreless innings spanning 2019-24.
Adley Rutschman attempted two back-picks at second base. His second throw sailed into center field for an error, though the runner remained stranded at third.
Field coordinator and catching coach Joe Singley praised the club’s aggressiveness on back-picks and confidence in their throwers.
Clubhouse leadership and fundamentals
Reliever Anthony Nunez made his third major league appearance in Pittsburgh. He was entrusted with a high-leverage inning and struggled on a soft grounder by Jake Mangum.
Nunez handled the postgame media professionally. Teammates Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish showed visible support in the clubhouse.
Manager Craig Albernaz emphasized fundamentals and extra work. He urged the team to double down on practice and fundamentals to limit breakdowns.
Late-game notes and bullpen form
Tyler Wells threw two more scoreless innings last night. The performance continued his early-season run of steady outings.
Ryan Helsley picked up his third save in a 2-1 win. He allowed a run but stranded two runners and struck out Edgar Quero to end the game.
Helsley’s four-seam fastball lived in the high 90s and reached triple digits once. Reliever Rico Garcia drew praise from teammates for his consistent work.
