Brandon Hyde’s Swiss Army knife is back in his bullpen.
The Orioles on Friday activated reliever Danny Coulombe off the injured list after the left-hander missed the past three months because of elbow surgery. Right-handed reliever Burch Smith was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right adductor/groin strain.
Coulombe, who received surgery in mid-June to remove bone chips from his elbow, was one of Baltimore’s best relievers before his injury in early June, and his return could be pivotal for a bullpen that’s been inconsistent for most of the second half.
“Great to see him,” Hyde said. “He threw to three hitters a couple days ago [for Triple-A Norfolk], said he feels great. Danny is a huge part of our success in the first half, and it’s great to have him back.”
In 2023 and for the first 10 weeks of this season, Hyde deployed Coulombe in a wide array of roles, and the southpaw usually delivered. As a lefty, Coulombe often entered to face a pocket of left-handed hitters in high-leverage situations. Other times, since the journeyman is just as effective against right-handed hitters, Hyde also used him as essentially Baltimore’s best reliever, having him face the heart of the opposing team’s order in the seventh or eighth inning.
Coulombe has the ability to go two innings, but he’s also been effective stranding runners on base. In 2023, he inherited 49 runners and allowed only 11 to score. This year, he took over with 13 runners on base, and none of them scored.
The 34-year-old was putting up an All-Star-caliber first half before his injury. In 26 innings, Coulombe posted a 2.42 ERA and staggering 0.615 WHIP — a figure that ranked best among MLB relievers when he was placed on the IL. He allowed only 13 hits while striking out 28 batters across his 29 appearances.
When Coulombe was healthy, the Orioles’ bullpen posted a 3.38 ERA that ranked seventh in MLB. With him injured, the unit was one of the majors’ worst with a 4.68 ERA that ranked 25th.
If he pitches the way he did in the first half, Coulombe will join closer Seranthony Domínguez, sinkerballer Yennier Cano and left-hander Cionel Pérez in the back end of Baltimore’s bullpen. Jacob Webb is also in the mix for high-leverage innings after returning from his elbow injury last weekend. Ex-closer Craig Kimbrel was designated for assignment Wednesday after pitching poorly in the second half.
In a perfect world, Hyde would prefer to ease Coulombe in rather than have him pitch in a high-leverage situation right away. But the Orioles are in must-win mode amid their chase for a playoff spot.
“We’re in a sprint right now,” Hyde said. “I’ll do the best I can. I kind of did that with Webby. We’ll see how the game plays out. It’s nice to have him back.”
Mountcastle nearing return
The positive injury news keeps on coming for Baltimore.
First baseman Ryan Mountcastle is beginning his minor league rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Friday. He joins teammates Ramón Urías and Jordan Westburg, a pair of infielders also rehabbing with the Tides. Westburg and Urías both recorded hits in their first rehab game Thursday.
Mountcastle has been out since late August with a sprained left wrist. The Orioles haven’t revealed timelines for any of those players to make their returns, but Norfolk’s season ends Sunday. All three infielders are in Norfolk’s lineup Friday.
“I’m hoping for the best,” Hyde said. “I’m hoping they feel good after the games, [but] we have a lot to take care of here.”
Getting back three capable right-handed hitters who all have track records of playing plus defense will provide a boost to an Orioles lineup struggling in September. With only nine games remaining in the regular season, Hyde doesn’t have the luxury of easing those players in when they do return.
“They’re going to go back in there, trying to win every game,” Hyde said.
Time running out for Rodriguez
Grayson Rodriguez still hasn’t faced live hitters as he makes his way back from a strained shoulder muscle.
The right-hander threw a bullpen session at Camden Yards on Friday, but it’s becoming more likely by the day that he won’t be able to return to Baltimore’s starting rotation by the end of the regular season.
General manager Mike Elias said Tuesday that he hadn’t ruled out the possibility of temporarily turning Rodriguez into a reliever for the postseason. That could get the 24-year-old back with the Orioles sooner than if he needs to stretch out to start games.
“Time and the calendar is not exactly our friend here,” Elias said.
Around the horn
• Day 1 draft picks Vance Honeycutt, Griff O’Ferrall and Ethan Anderson took batting practice at Camden Yards before Friday’s game. The trio of college players highlighted a draft class that Baltimore hopes will retool a farm system that’s thinner now than a year ago after several promotions and trades in 2024. “It was cool,” Honeycutt said of taking batting practice at Oriole Park. “Definitely nervous for the first round. But just wanted to take this all in.”
• Former Orioles pitcher Cole Irvin made his debut with the Minnesota Twins earlier this week after they claimed him off waivers when Baltimore designated the left-hander for assignment to open room for Webb to come off the IL. Irvin retired one batter on three pitches Tuesday and allowed one run in 1 2/3 innings Thursday. He thanked Baltimore fans on Instagram on Thursday after spending most of the past two seasons with the Orioles. “Thank you for allowing me to be myself, and embracing who I am on and off the field,” Irvin wrote.
Originally Published:
