The Baltimore Orioles have put a record number of players in games this season.
While not the volume that the Orioles have used, the Houston Astros could be using a notable player this weekend.
The Astros have won the first two contests of this four-game series, which will continue Saturday night in Baltimore.
Houston’s pitching staff added Craig Kimbrel, a veteran reliever who pitched in 57 games with the Orioles last year and one game with the Atlanta Braves this season, when he gave up no runs and one hit in one inning against San Francisco on June 6.
Kimbrel didn’t make it to the mound Friday night, but he’ll be available for the rest of the series.
“It’s a great opportunity to go out there and pitch in some meaningful ball games,” said Kimbrel, 37.
Astros manager Joe Espada was vague about expected role for the nine-time All-Star reliever who has 440 career saves, the fifth-most in major league history.
“You forget how many games this guy has saved and how good he’s been, and how many competitive teams he’s pitched for, and meaningful outs in big innings,” Espada said. “So I’m excited to have him.”
The Orioles set a team on Friday record by using their 63rd different player of the season.
That came when Vimael Machin entered the game as a replacement at third base. Then at the plate, he homered, so there was something to celebrate with his first big-league long ball since July 2022.
“He’s kind of last in line in some ways to get here in the big leagues with us, and it’s neat to see him do that right there, and he will definitely be in the lineup (Saturday),” Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said.
Baltimore might need more from Machin with infielder Jordan Westburg going on the injured list Friday with an ankle sprain.
“I just think with the situation we’re in, this is probably the right thing to do for our player,” Mansolino said of giving Westburg more time off.
Baltimore also put Thursday night’s starting pitcher, Brandon Young, on the injured list, so pitcher Matt Bowman was added to the roster.
The Orioles have had 28 players on the injured list this season. So when infielder Coby Mayo was hit by a pitch on the hand in the bottom of the ninth Friday, there naturally were concerns about his status.
At least initially, it sounds like he might be OK.
“Tough kid, handled it fine,” Mansolino said.
Houston will have right-hander Cristian Javier (1-1, 3.38 ERA) as its starting pitcher Saturday for his third outing of the season. He was tagged with the loss despite giving up only one run in three innings of Sunday’s 12-0 defeat to the Orioles.
This will be Javier’s 10th big-league stint across a two-season period. In his career, he has faced Baltimore seven times, including four starts, posting a 1-2 record and 2.10 ERA in 25 2/3 innings.
Right-hander Dean Kremer (9-9, 3.97) will try to reach the 10-win mark for the second time in his career as he starts for the Orioles. Last Sunday, he won for the first time since July 11 when he blanked the Astros on three hits across seven innings.
Kremer is 4-0 with a 1.47 ERA in five all-time starts vs. Houston.
–Field Level Media
