The Orioles on Monday reinstated left-hander Cionel Pérez from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Dillon Tate to Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move.
The nature of the roster decision means the Orioles are hopeful closer Craig Kimbrel can avoid the injured list. Kimbrel exited Sunday’s game with upper-back tightness after blowing the save and failing to record an out. Hyde said the veteran right-hander is feeling better and is listed as day to day with general soreness in his back. The sixth-year manager does not believe the pain was workload-related but rather, “something that kind of popped up” over the weekend.
Pérez, 27, who was placed on the injured list with a right oblique strain on March 31, was a consistent force out of the Orioles bullpen last season. He posted a 3.54 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 65 games, and there’s hope that he can offer a steadying presence to a bullpen that has been inconsistent as of late.
“We were outstanding the last two years and that’s kind of not normal to be, year after year, to be that consistent and that good,” Hyde said. “But right now we’re kind of still finding our way, honestly, taking a look at some guys. We’re having a tough time kind of finishing innings at times, but some guys are throwing the ball well, too. So hopefully Cionel can help us there in the bullpen.”
Pérez exited a 13-4 win against the Los Angeles Angels six pitches into an appearance during the first series of the season against the Los Angeles Angels. He had to rehab appearances with Triple-A Norfolk, allowing three hits with one earned run and a strikeout in 2 1/3 innings. He said he felt better in the second outing than the first.
“In my first outing, I was still trying to test my body’s limit and see how far I could go,” Pérez said. “In that second one, I felt a lot more confident, a lot better.”
Tate has appeared in 11 games this season, recording a 2.84 ERA and six strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings.
“Unfortunately, I feel like Dillon actually has been pitching better, too,” Hyde said. “I thought yesterday was some of his better stuff. It’s just kind of where we are and I would expect to see him back up here real soon. There’s nothing that he did or didn’t do to get optioned down. He’s throwing the ball well. This is where we are right now.”
In other injury news, Hyde said starting pitchers John Means and Kyle Bradish will be activated off the IL this week. The Orioles have not yet announced their starting pitchers for Thursday’s series finale against the Yankees, though Bradish would be in line to start based on his last rehab appearance.
Hyde also said left fielder Austin Hays is “doing better” as he progresses through his recovery from a calf strain.