Mancini to undergo ‘non-baseball medical procedure’; Zimmermann pitches well; Dillon Tate makes a pitch for a spot

PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida.-What’s happening? –Trey Mancini has left the Orioles to undergo what manager Brandon Hyde said is “a non-baseball medical procedure and is going to miss some time.”

Mancini, who has played in only five games this spring, earlier missed time because of illness and last played on March 2.

“We love Trey, and we’re going to respect his privacy in this thing, and we’ll have more information as we know more,” Hyde said.

“I think, like anybody else would, that he’s going to go have further tests done,” Hyde said. “All I can say is we’re thinking about him. We’re just going to respect his privacy in this whole thing. We hate to see Trey miss time but, hopefully, it’s not too long.”

Hyde made the announcement after Saturday’s game.

Kohl Stewart will make his first spring training appearance for the Orioles on Sunday against a New York Yankees split-squad at Ed Smith Stadium.

Stewart, who was signed as a free agent last December 29, hasn’t pitched this spring because of biceps soreness.

What’s happened?—Bruce Zimmermann pitched three scoreless innings, allowing a hit, striking out three and walking one in the Orioles’ 1-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays before 2,968 at Charlotte Sports Park on Saturday.

“Overall, I think it was a pretty solid day,” Zimmermann said. “The defense helped me out, which was nice,  so it was good to go out there and put up three scoreless.”

In three Grapefruit League appearances, Zimmermann has given up four runs on eight hits in 7 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out nine.

“It’s been exciting, that’s for sure,” Zimmermann said. “Going out there and seeing those names in the box that I’ve been watching for the past three or four years.

“To be at this level, you’ve got to pitch well and to know that I can go out there and do that every five days right now, it’s a big confidence boost, and I just want to keep building on the outings, whether they’re good or bad.”

Cody Carroll allowed the game’s only run on three singles and struck out three in the fourth inning.

After Branden Kline loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth, Isaac Mattson, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in the Dylan Bundy trade, retired Yandy Diaz on a ground ball for the third out.

The Orioles were held to four hits.

What’s up with Dillon Tate? The 25-year-old right-hander threw a spotless eighth inning against the Yankees on Friday night.

In three innings this spring, Tate has allowed three runs, striking out four and walking one.

Tate was 0-2 with a 6.43 ERA in 16 appearances last season for the Orioles.

“It’s just knowing that I can go out there and my stuff will play, given the fact that I execute the right pitches,” Tate said. “I don’t think it matters what hitter’s in the box, what they do well. A good pitch is going to get a good hitter out.

“It’s all about just making good pitches. I’m just trying to build that up, here especially in camp, and start to get that feel back of making a quality big league pitch to get outs for the team.” 

What’s what? The Orioles’ buses were delayed because of a highway closure on Interstate 75. The team didn’t arrive until about 45 minutes before the 1:05 p.m. scheduled game time.

“We hit a little bit of traffic, but the main part of it was staying calm, collecting myself and getting straight to business when I got here,” Zimmermann said.

What’s the word? “Obviously, I want to stay here as long as possible … it’s great to still be up here with the team, taking full advantage of the opportunity they’re giving me right now.”-Zimmermann on being in camp while others with similar experience have been sent to the minor leagues

What’s the number? 28. The Orioles agreed on 2020 contracts with the 28 players on their 40-man roster, who have less than three years of service time: Right-handed pitchers Shawn Armstrong, Cody Carroll, Hunter Harvey, David Hess, Dean Kremer, Travis Lakins, Evan Phillips. Cole Sulser, Dillon Tate and Asher Wojciechowski; left-handed pitchers  Keegan Akin, Paul Fry, John Means and Tanner Scott; catchers  Pedro Severino, Chance Sisco and Austin Wynns; infielders Richie Martin, Renato Nunez, Rio Ruiz and Ramon Urias;  and outfielders Austin Hays, Ryan McKenna, Ryan Mountcastle, Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander, Dwight Smith Jr. and DJ Stewart. 

What’s the record? 8-6-2. The Orioles play the Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday. The game will be shown on MASN.