Baltimore Orioles: Could Mike Wright come north?

Are the Baltimore Orioles considering Mike Wright for the rotation?

Mike Wright pitched five very strong innings for the Baltimore Orioles in last night’s 4-1 victory over Minnesota. Wright’s line: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K. That might be the best outing of any starter for the O’s in spring training to this point. Adam Jones also homered and drove in two runs to cap off the Birds’ victory.

One thing that’s surprising to me at this point in camp is that Wright is still getting regular work as a starter. I might have understood him getting regular appearances in games, but out of the bullpen. Wright not only is appearing as a starter, but it’s basically on a schedule of every fifth day.

Are the Orioles considering him for the rotation? While that’s something that hasn’t been asked of Showalter, let’s put it this way…he probably hasn’t played his way out of consideration. Like the other starters, he struggled in some of his early games also. However he’s seemingly improved as camp has gone on. And that’s a good sign. 

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The struggles of the likes of Miguel Gonzalez have been well-documented this spring. So again, the question is whether or not that’s potentially leaving the door open for someone like a Mike Wright. I would argue that if camp broke today at this moment, the rotation would still be (in no particular order) Tillman, Jimenez, Gallardo, Gonzalez, and Gausman. But could that change between now and the end of camp?

Yes, however I would submit that something earth-shattering would have to occur. Of all the starters, Gonzalez has probably looked the most suspect, with Tillman of course only having one truncated appearance to this point. For what it’s worth, Gonzalez also has an option remaining – so the Orioles could at some point send him to the minors.

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It’s entirely possible that some of the presumed starters’ struggles are at least making things interesting for Mike Wright. It’s certainly interesting that he’s pitching every five days or so. However also keep in mind that odds are he’s eararked for Norfolk’s rotation – so having him pitching on a regular schedule is something that’s necessary to begin with.

Whether or not Wright starts the season in Baltimore remains to be seen. I”d still put the odds at fairly low. However I do think that he’ll make an impact on the Orioles this year in some manner. It just remains to be seen how that will be.