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
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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
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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
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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
Rotowire
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.
Watkins has put up halfway decent numbers this year, in part because his home venue is now so pitcher-friendly. Only one of his two scheduled starts this week is there, but the Guardians and Athletics are both favorable enough matchups that he should limit damage well enough for points leagues.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Solid start despite loss
Rotowire
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.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Tough-luck loss
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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.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Nabs fourth win with quality start
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Watkins (4-1) picked up the win Monday, allowing one run on five hits over six innings in a 7-2 victory over the Rangers. He struck out five without walking a batter.
The Orioles handed the right-hander a 4-0 lead by the top of the second inning, and Watkins cruised from there, tossing 55 of 88 pitches before exiting. All four of his wins and all three of his quality starts on the year have come in his last six trips to the mound, a stretch in which he sports a dazzling 1.85 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 26:5 K:BB through 34 innings.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Shaky against Rays
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Watkins pitched 5.1 innings, surrendering three runs on 10 hits while striking out four in the win over the Rays. He did not factor into the decision.
Watkins wasn't his sharpest Tuesday, allowing a season-high 10 hits. Overall, he was able to limit the damage to just three runs, most notably giving up a solo home run to Isaac Paredes in the top of the fourth. The long ball was his first surrendered over six starts dating back to May 22. Since the beginning of July, Watkins has produced a 2.35 ERA with 17 strikeouts over 23 innings in four outings. He now owns a 4.03 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 35 punchouts over 58 frames in 13 starts this season.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Nabs second win Wednesday
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Watkins (2-1) picked up the win in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the Rangers, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over 6.2 innings. He struck out three.
The right-hander delivered his second straight quality start on 84 pitches (61 strikes), although Watkins was far from dominant as he generated only nine swinging strikes. Since returning to the rotation at the end of June, the 29-year-old has an improbable 1.02 ERA and 0.85 WHIP through 17.2 innings over three outings despite a lackluster 12:3 K:BB.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Turns in quality start
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Watkins allowed a run on three hits and a walk with five strikeouts over six innings, taking a no-decision versus the Twins on Friday.
Watkins allowed an RBI single in a sloppy first inning, but he was able to settle down and submit five perfect frames after that. It was the first time he's completed six innings this year, though he wasn't in line for the win as he left with the score tied at 1-1. The right-hander has a 4.61 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 23:17 K:BB through 10 starts overall, but he's allowed only two runs (one earned) with eight hits, two walks and nine strikeouts since rejoining the rotation in place of Kyle Bradish (shoulder). Watkins has pitched well enough to maintain his place in the rotation, so it's likely to be Austin Voth who moves to the bullpen once Bradish is ready to return.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Remains in rotation
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Watkins is listed as the Orioles' scheduled starting pitcher for Friday's game in Minnesota, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Unsurprisingly, Watkins will draw a second straight turn through the rotation after he allowed an unearned run while striking out four over five innings in his start over the White Sox last weekend. The right-hander should hold down a starting role for the Orioles until Kyle Bradish (shoulder) is ready to come off the 15-day injured list.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Earns first win
Rotowire
Watkins (1-1) threw five scoreless innings, giving up five hits and one walk while striking out four, in a 6-2 win over the White Sox on Saturday.
Watkins' scoreless appearance on 78 pitches lasted just long enough for him to earn his first win of the season. It was a nice bounce-back performance after a very rough start his last time out against the Rays when he gave up three earned runs without recording an out. The Orioles' defense made two sloppy errors behind him in the third inning Saturday, but Watkins maintained his composure and was able to limit the damage to one unearned run. Watkins remains one of the least-effective pitchers in the league and has a poor 18:16 K:BB ratio over 35 innings this season. He is expected to make his next start at Minnesota on Friday.
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Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Recalled prior to start
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Watkins was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk prior to Saturday's start against the White Sox.
Watkins missed a few weeks between late May and early June due to a forearm injury, but he posted a 5.87 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 7.2 innings over three starts at Norfolk after returning to action. Over his last three major-league starts, the right-hander gave up 12 runs in 7.2 innings.
