Orioles need more from their starting pitchers

In their first 10 games, the Orioles have just two quality starts, and both were by Zach Eflin, who will start Monday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Eflin allowed two runs on two hits in six innings against Toronto on March 27^th in the Orioles’ opener, a 12-2 win. In his second start, Eflin gave up three runs on eight hits in six innings on April 2^nd in a 3-0 loss to Garrett Crochet and the Red Sox.

Until Cade Povich allowed four runs on 13 hits in Sunday’s 4-1 loss to Kansas City, the 4-6 Orioles  didn’t have another pitcher complete six innings. Povich’s numbers would have been better had centerfielder Jorge Mateo caught a routine fly ball by Bobby Witt Jr. that led to a three-run first.

Their best start of the weekend series loss to Kansas City came on Saturday when Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano won his first major league game, limiting the Royals to a run on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Charlie Morton and Dean Kremer will start Tuesday night and Wednesday in Arizona. The 41-year-old Morton threw 80 pitches in just 3 1/3 innings on March 28^th in Toronto. A day later, Kremer gave up five runs in 5 1/3 innings. In his second start, the Orioles lost, 8-2, to the Royals on Friday night. In Morton’s second start, he gave up five runs in five innings while striking out 10 against Boston on Wednesday.

It’s hard to judge the rotation on just two starts each, and after the three games against the Diamondbacks, the Orioles will have their longest homestand of the season, nine games, three each against the Blue Jays, Cleveland and Cincinnati.

Pitching coach Drew French told reporters in Kansas City on Sunday that others starting options are making progress.

Kyle Gibson, whom the Orioles signed on March 21^st, remains in Sarasota, Florida. He pitched in a three-inning simulated game at Twin Lakes Park, throwing 45 pitches. French said the 37-year-old right-hander will throw another bullpen session and then join the Triple-A Norfolk rotation.

Grayson Rodriguez, who’s on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his right elbow, is traveling with the team.

“He’s doing great,” French said. “He threw a touch-and-feel light side before he left home. He’s got an actual bullpen [Monday], so it’s going to be fastballs and changeups. He’s moving in the right direction.”

Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells are both on the 60-day injured list. They had season-ending right elbow surgeries last June, and there’s no timetable for their return.

“Kyle is doing awesome,” French said. “He’s touching 90 on flat ground. He’s right where he needs to be. We’re really excited about the next phase for him.”

Wells took some time away from his rehab when his wife gave birth to their first child, but he’s on his way back to Baltimore.

The Orioles also have two starters — Chayce McDermott (right lat strain) and Trevor Rogers (dislocated right knee) — who didn’t pitch in spring training and are still rehabbing in Sarasota.

Reliever Andrew Kittredge had surgery last month to remove cartilage in his left knee. Another reliever, Albert Suárez, is out with right shoulder inflammation. Kittredge, McDermott, Rogers and Suárez are on the 15-day injured list.

French on Sugano

The 35-year-old Sugano seems to be adjusting well to pitching in the United States. He left his first start on March 30^th with cramps in his right hand but didn’t have that issue in his second start.

“I told him after the game: ‘You have a ton of versatility.’” French said. “He can beat guys in a lot of different ways.”

Sugano doesn’t throw that hard, topping out at 93 mph on Saturday.

“I think guys expect him to control the bottom of the zone a lot,” French said. “I think there’s some effectiveness when he’s able to elevate purposefully with quality reps to quality locations. I think guys are really going to have to respect his split. Their eyes are going to be down a bit, hunting that, whether to swing or to take it.. His ability to throw quality uncomfortable pitches at the top is going to be something that’s valuable for him.”

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