Orioles’ Richard Bleier begins rehab assignment on Tuesday at Frederick

BALTIMORE—Pitcher Richard Bleier was in the Orioles’ clubhouse on Monday. It was his first time with the team since he was placed on the 10-day injured list.

Bleier has been on the IL since April 10 because of tendinitis in his left shoulder. He went to Sarasota for rehab after he was placed on the IL, and has been there since.

The left-hander, who had lat surgery last June, will go to Class-A Frederick to begin his rehab assignment on Tuesday. He’ll also pitch for Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk.

“It’s progressing nicely,” Bleier said. “It’s also a process that needs to be seen through.”

Bleier wanted to be ready at the start of the season, but he didn’t feel right. He had a 14.54 ERA in four games after posting a 1.93 ERA and 3-0 record in 31 games last season before the lat injury.

“It’s really night and day,” Bleier said of how he felt before the season started and how he feels now.

“This time, my arm is ready to go. Last time, it was questionable.”

Bleier has been aided by Mark Trumbo, the Orioles’ designated hitter who’s on the 60-day IL after September knee surgery. He played catch with Trumbo, who he said would be honest with him and tell him when his tosses looked strong and not strong.

Manager Brandon Hyde doesn’t have a timetable for Bleier’s return.

“I think it’s going to be up to him and the training staff and how he recovers,” Hyde said. “Whenever you have a rehab you plan it out, but it’s never certain on what day he’s going to be back up here. It’s all about recovery, when he goes back-to-back, and how he recovers from that. When he’s ready, Rich will be back here. I don’t think we have any set day for it to come.

“Richard’s going to be here quite a bit,” Hyde said. “He’ll get a lot of his work done here. That’s such a great thing about the affiliates being so close, keep a close eyes on him.”

Sucre on inactive list: Jesus Sucre, who was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk last week by the Orioles, was put on the temporary inactive list on Saturday.

Sucre is away from the team while relocating his family to Miami and is expected back soon.

Minor awards: Norfolk catcher Chance Sisco was named the International League’s Batter of the Week. Sisco hit .565  with five home runs and 15 RBIs.

Frederick infielder Willy Yahn and right-handed pitcher Mike Baumann were named the Carolina League Player and Pitcher of the Week. Yahn hit .524 with two homers and eight RBIs.  Baumann pitched 6 2/3 hitless innings on April 30 and had 12 strikeouts.

Mason McCoy, who hit .379 in 27 games for the Keys, has been promoted to Bowie. The infielder, who was a sixth-round draft choice in 2017, had two homers and 17 RBIs for Frederick. Infielder Sean Miller, who is from Crofton, Md., has been sent to the Keys from the Baysox.

Mullins doing well at Norfolk: Since he was demoted on April 22, centerfielder Cedric Mullins has hit .304 with two home runs and six RBIs in 11 games with the Tides.

“Sounds like he’s swinging the bat well, from both sides,” Hyde said. “Love to see that continue. Good for Cedric. It’s not easy to have that month struggle he had here. Nice to see him bounce back and put up some good numbers down there.”

Mullins hit just .094 with the Orioles but did play a strong center field.

Hyde said there is no set time to bring back Mullins.

“It’s open-ended,” Hyde said. “We talked about some things that we saw up here that we’d like to see him improve on. Sounds like he’s doing those things. It’s a good sign.”