Austin Voth was appearing in his third game this spring today against the Blue Jays, making his first start. To say he has struggled this spring would be a bit of an understatement.
Voth finished his day, going 2.2 innings, allowing three hits, three walks and two earned runs. He threw 55 pitches, 33 for strikes, while working on his sweeper pitch.
So far this spring, Voth has appeared in three games. He has a record of 0-1, pitching 7.2 innings, and has an ERA of 8.22 and a WHIP of 1.70.
Cionel Pérez pitched an inning, throwing just 11 pitches, eight for strikes. He struck out two and forced George Springer into a lineout.
Mike Baumann followed Pérez and retired the first five batters he faced, striking out two. He then gave up a walk, a triple, a single and a home run to consecutive batters before a groundout ended the inning.
Baumann started the seventh but walked the first batter before giving up a home run to end his day. His line finished at two innings of work with four hits, two walks and six runs.
Baumann is now 1-1 with a 10.29 ERA in seven innings of work. He has 10 strikeouts, but his WHIP stands at 1.71.
It’s safe to say that Voth and Baumann are out of the running for a starting rotation spot and might actually be fighting to have a roster spot altogether.
On offense, Connor Norby and Franchy Cordero both had big days for the Orioles.
Terrin Vavra started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a run before Norby replaced him in the sixth inning. Norby would go 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI and a run. He is now hitting .333 with an OPS of .809 this spring.
Cordero played right field today, going 3-for-3 and collecting two doubles, two RBIs and two runs while improving his average to .476 and OPS to 1.286. Cordero’s versatility between the outfield and first base is helping his cause as he fights for a roster spot.
The offense would end up with 10 total hits and six runs scored in the 8-6 loss to Toronto. They collected only two walks while striking out 11 times and going 4-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
Side Notes:
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde reported that infielder Joey Ortiz is in concussion protocol. According to Hyde, he took a ground ball to the head off a bad hop a few days ago and has yet to be cleared to return to the field.
Lefties Cole Irvin and D.L. Hall threw to live hitters today on the back fields of Ed Smith Stadium. This was Hall’s first time facing live hitting.
“Today is a big day, throwing against hitters for the first time,” Hall said in the Baltimore clubhouse this morning. “I’d assume I might do that two or three times.”
Hall wants to be a starter this year, but he would be willing to take a bullpen spot if it means he travels north with the team.
“I know that the team wants me to be a starter as well this year,” Hall said. “If I do great as a long reliever or opener or whatever I would do to break camp with the Orioles, it would be to eventually work me in as a starter.”
Hyde also said that Félix Bautista could make his spring debut next Thursday. Bautista has been rehabbing his left knee and strengthening his right shoulder.
“It is a possibility (for Thursday),” Hyde said. “He feels great. He feels totally healthy, and his velocity in his sides has been really good. He threw a really good live BP the other day. He’s on track.”
Grayson Rodriguez will make his first home start this spring tomorrow. He will face Kutter Crawford and the Red Sox with game time set for 1:05 p.m. EST.
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