Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Returns from minor-league IL
Rotowire
Watkins (finger) was reinstated from Triple-A Norfolk's 7-day injured list last Thursday and worked two innings in his return, giving up one run on three hits and two walks while striking out a batter.
Watkins was sidelined for approximately one month with a right fourth finger laceration. Though he was capped at 35 pitches in his return last Thursday, Watkins should gradually increase his workload in his subsequent turns through Norfolk's rotation.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Goes on Triple-A IL
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Watkins was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday due to a right fourth finger laceration, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.
It doesn't seem to be anything that would keep him out for a long time, but he won't be an option for the Orioles for a while. Watkins holds a 4.15 ERA in three starts for Norfolk this season.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Optioned to Triple-A
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Watkins was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk following Sunday's 8-4 win over the White Sox.
Watkins will head back to Triple-A after he was called up for extra bullpen depth Thursday. With Keegan Akin returning from the paternity list Monday, Watkins was the odd man out on the major-league roster.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Back in Baltimore
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Watkins was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Watkins failed to make the big-league club out of spring training, though he's had a solid start at Norfolk by allowing only three earned runs across 10 frames through two starts. He's likely to pitch out of the bullpen in Baltimore, but he could be an option for spot starts after he posted a 4.70 ERA across 105.1 innings last year.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Sent to minors
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Watkins was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.
Watkins had a 4.15 ERA and 10:4 K:BB over 13 innings during spring training but was unable to secure a spot at the back end of Baltimore's rotation. The 30-year-old had a 4.70 ERA in 23 outings for the Orioles last season and will be one of the top candidates for a call-up when the club requires spot starters this year.
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Strong first spring appearance
Rotowire
Watkins threw two perfect innings and struck out two in Thursday's Grapefruit League game versus the Tigers.
Watkins is somewhat of a forgotten man in the chase to fill out the back end of the Orioles' rotation. Grayson Rodriguez also pitched well Thursday, striking out one and walking one over two scoreless innings. Watkins and Rodriguez are in competition for spots, and the latter's prospect pedigree likely gives him the edge. Still, Watkins was serviceable in 2022 with a 4.70 ERA and 1.41 WHIP over 105.1 innings last season, making 20 of his 23 appearances as a starter, and the 30-year-old righty could be near the top of the O's list of spot starters if he doesn't win a spot in the rotation out of camp.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Short outing to close campaign
Rotowire
Watkins allowed one earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out three across 3.1 innings in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays. He did not factor into the decision.
With nothing to play for, the Orioles opted to limit Watkins' workload in his final start of the season -- particularly after he needed 27 pitches to complete his first inning of work. He successfully suppressed runs for much of the campaign, though he had a 7.59 ERA across his final 21.1 innings and four starts. Watkins concluded the season with a 4.70 ERA and a 63:30 K:BB across 105.1 innings.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Will start season finale
Rotowire
Watkins is scheduled to start Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Watkins last pitched Saturday out of the bullpen and covered three innings against the Yankees, and he'll return on three days' rest to start the final game of the regular season. The 30-year-old produced a 3.80 ERA across his first 14 outings of the season but has surrendered 27 runs over his past 38 innings, and he'll look to finish the campaign on a high note Wednesday.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Earns win Monday
Rotowire
Watkins (5-6) earned the win Monday, allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two in 4.1 innings versus the Red Sox.
A rain delay shortened Jordan Lyles' start, but Watkins was able to absorb some innings in a long-relief appearance. Dating back to before his call-up Friday, Watkins has allowed at least four runs in each of his last three big-league appearances. He's pitched to a 4.55 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 58:27 K:BB across 99 innings in 21 appearances (19 starts) for the Orioles this year, but it's expected he'll work out of the bullpen the rest of the way.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Recalled by Orioles
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Watkins was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.
Watkins was scratched from his scheduled start at Norfolk on Thursday and will ultimately rejoin the major-league club after Tyler Wells (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Watkins will pitch out of the bullpen while Mike Baumann takes Wells' spot in the rotation Saturday, per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. Over 20 appearances (19 starts) for the Orioles this year, Watkins has posted a 4.37 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 94.2 innings.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Heading to minors
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Watkins will be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Watkins has largely been effective as a starter for the Orioles in the second half, but he'll lose his spot in the rotation after giving up nine runs in 10.2 innings over his last two outings. Tyler Wells (oblique) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's game against Toronto, so Watkins will head to the minors to make room on the Orioles' active roster.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Charged with loss Sunday
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Watkins (4-6) allowed four runs on nine hits and a walk while failing to strike out a batter in six innings to take the loss during Sunday's game against the Athletics.
Watkins has had his fair share of struggles over the last month, and he matched his highest total of the season by allowing 10 baserunners during Sunday's start. He was unable to strike out any batters and was charged with his fifth loss in his last six outings. Across that span, he's posted a 5.58 ERA in 30.2 innings. The right-hander tentatively lines up to make his next start at home against the Red Sox next weekend.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Lasts 4.2 innings in loss
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Watkins (4-5) took the loss Tuesday in Cleveland, allowing five runs on six hits while striking out three in 4.2 innings.
Watkins got off to a great start Tuesday, retiring the first 11 batters he faced. It was all downhill from there, however, as six of the next nine batters reached safely. The 30-year-old has lost four straight decisions and he compiled a 4.70 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 21:4 K:BB in 30.2 innings across six starts in August. After striking out just 10 percent of batters in his first eight starts, he's fanned a more palatable 17.5 percent of opponents over his last 11 outings.
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Solid start despite loss
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Watkins (4-4) took the loss Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over six innings against the White Sox. He struck out five.
Watkins gave up a two-run single to outfielder Gavin Sheets to open the scoring with one out in the first. The righty has not gone deep into games this season, pitching six innings or more in just four of 17 starts. The 29-year-old has been more effective on the road with a 3.72 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 38.2 innings in eight outings, compared to a 4.17 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 45.1 innings in 10 starts at home.
Watkins (4-3) allowed one earned run on five hits and no walks while striking out two across 5.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Cubs.
Watkins pitched to contact and worked efficiently, allowing only a solo home run in his final inning of work to take the tough-luck loss. The strong effort was needed, as entering Thursday's start Watkins had given up 11 earned runs across his last 19.2 innings, covering a span of four outings. Despite posting only a 48:22 K:BB, Watkins has managed to maintain a 4.04 ERA across 78 innings for the campaign.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Makes long-relief outing
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Watkins allowed three runs on six hits and a walk while striking out one in three relief innings during Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Rays.
Zachary Silver of MLB.com reported earlier Saturday that Watkins would be available as a reliever, and that plan came to fruition after DL Hall lasted just 3.2 innings in his major-league debut. With Hall getting optioned back to Triple-A Norfolk after the contest, Watkins should be able to resume his regular starting role on normal rest next week -- Baltimore doesn't have an off day, so he's lined up to start a makeup game versus the Cubs on Thursday barring any changes to the Orioles' rotation. Watkins has a 4.23 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 46:22 K:BB through 72.1 innings across 16 starts.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Gives up four runs in loss
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Watkins (4-2) allowed four runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five in 5.1 innings to take the loss during Sunday's game against the Pirates.
Watkins tossed four scoreless frames to begin Sunday's matchup but struggled later in the matchup, giving up three runs in the top of the fifth inning before being charged with another earned run in the top of the sixth. The right-hander had posted a 1.85 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 34 innings over his six appearances after being recalled by the Orioles, but he was forced to settle for his second loss of the season Sunday. Watkins tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against Tampa Bay on Friday.
