David Hess gets a start; home runs by Sisco, Diaz; Fry hopes to impress

SARASOTA, Fla.-What’s happening? – David Hess starts against the Toronto Blue Jays today at 1:05 p.m. Hess is scheduled to be followed by Dillon Tate, Gabriel Ynoa, Cody Carroll, Branden Kline, Tanner Scott and Sean Gilmartin.

Nate Karns is scheduled to start Monday at Fort Myers against the Minnesota Twins.

Manager Brandon Hyde hasn’t announced plans for his top three starters — Dylan Bundy, Andrew Cashner and Alex Cobb.

“Bundy, Cashner, Cobb, we’re talking to them as professionals and what’s best for them at this point,” Hyde said. “It just worked out that pulling them back a little bit from the stadium, we’re able to see other guys throw.

“There’s obviously a ton of opportunity and competition at camp to win jobs. There’s a great opportunity for these guys to show they’re major league ready and face major league lineups.”

Chris Davis, Trey Mancini and Jonathan Villar were among the players who sat out the opener. Hyde wasn’t specific but said there would be a new group starting today.

Hyde hopes that catcher Jesus Sucre, who has been detained in Venezuela because of visa issues, can still be a factor in the catching competition.

What’s happened?— The Orioles won Hyde’s first spring training game as Orioles manager, 7-2, over the Minnesota Twins.

Yefry Ramirez started and threw about 45 pitches. Ramirez pitched two innings, allowing a run on two hits. Mike Wright pitched two scoreless innings. Paul Fry,  Evan Phillips, Josh Rogers and Zach Pop each threw a scoreless inning. Bo Schultz allowed an unearned run.

“Every opportunity, every time I go out there, I’m trying to continue to improve,” Ramirez said through a translator. “Especially my mechanics. I realize the speed of the game was a little bit quick, but then I was able to take a breather and slow it down.”

Catcher Chance Sisco and outfielder Yusniel Diaz each hit three-run homers.

“The result was pretty cool,” Sisco said. “We’re not out there trying to hit home runs, and at the same time, it’s not a home run or hit contest right now.”

“Just to be able to see his presence at the plate and not be jumpy,” Hyde said of Diaz. “I was really, really impressed. He just missed one his first at-bat with a great swing….Even that third at-bat, that strikeout, that was a pro [at-bat], the way he laid off some really, really tough pitches with a runner in scoring position situation.” 

What’s up with?— Paul Fry. It’s Fry’s first spring training with the Orioles. He allowed a hit and walked a batter in the fifth. He was one of the team’s pleasant surprises in a horrible year, going 1-2 with a 3.35 ERA and two saves in 35 games.

“It’s been different. Having a little bit of time last year, I’ve never really been in this position before,” Fry said.

Former manager Buck Showalter was impressed by Fry’s toughness, and now he has to impress another manager.

“You’re always thinking about it,” Fry said. “What does he think of me? What was my first impression…You can’t control what they think. You can control what they see to an extent. I’ve been in camps before where I was a non-roster invite or I was on the roster, and didn’t have a chance to make the team. This year, it’s a little different. The pressure’s on, but I like the pressure.

What’s what? Sara Perlman was introduced as the Orioles’ new sideline reporter on MASN for Saturday’s telecast. Perlman, who hosted MASN All Access, will work about 150 games. She’s the first sideline reporter on Oriole telecasts since Amber Theoharis in 2012.

What’s the word? “I don’t want them to want to impress me. What I want them to do is really feel comfortable. I want them to be aggressive, and I want them to showcase their skills.”-Hyde on what he’s looking for from his hitters this spring.

What’s the number? 5. Fry is one of five left-handers on the Orioles’ 40-man roster. Richard Bleier, Donnie Hart, Tanner Scott and the newly acquired Josh Ostich are the others.

“If I had my pick, we’d all be on the team,” Fry said. “That’s not how it works…You’ve got to root for the other guys, too. Root for success for everybody.”

What’s the record? 1-0. The Orioles play the Toronto Blue Jays at Ed Smith Stadium at 1:05 p.m.