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.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Another solid performance
Rotowire
Watkins (3-1) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over five innings against the Cubs. He struck out five.
Watkins allowed leadoff baserunners in the third and fourthinnings but was able to escape both frames without giving up a run. However, he surrendered his first run of the game in the fifth following a triple from Christopher Morel and a sacrifice fly by Rafael Ortega. Over his last four starts, Watkins has given up just three earned runs across 22.2 innings while sporting a 17:5 K:BB during that span. He finishes the first half of the 2022 campaign with a solid 3.93 ERA over 52.2 innings.
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Nabs second win Wednesday
Rotowire
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.
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.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Remains in rotation
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Recalled prior to start
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Confirmed as Saturday's starter
Rotowire
Manager Brandon Hyde said Watkins will be added to the big-league roster to start Saturday against the White Sox, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.
The 29-year-old is already with the Orioles on the taxi squad, so it's not a major surprise he'll be activated to fill the rotation spot of Kyle Bradish (shoulder), who landed on the injured list Friday. Watkins has made eight starts for Baltimore this season and has a 6.00 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 14:15 K:BB across 30 innings, so he's not guaranteed to stick in the rotation behind Saturday.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Could start Saturday
Rotowire
Watkins is with the Orioles on the taxi squad and could be added to the active roster to start Saturday against the White Sox, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
The Orioles have an opening in the starting rotation Saturday after Kyle Bradish (shoulder) was placed on the injured list, and Watkins appear to be the primary candidate to fill the void. The 29-year-old was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after being activated from the injured list June 8, and he allowed five runs over 7.2 innings during his time with the Tides. Assuming he starts Saturday, Watkins may need a strong performance in Chicago for it to be more than a single spot start.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Reinstated, sent down Wednesday
Rotowire
Watkins (forearm) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.
The right-hander threw several bullpen sessions over the last few weeks and will return from the injured list after spending just over the minimum of 15 days on the shelf. However, Dean Kremer has been named Baltimore's fifth starter, so Watkins will join the rotation in Norfolk for now. Watkins should be one of the top candidates for a call-up if the Orioles need an additional starter.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Activation delayed
Rotowire
Watkins (forearm) threw another bullpen session Tuesday and could be activated from the 15-day injured list within the coming days, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
Watkins was first eligible to come off the IL on Tuesday and had already thrown a few bullpen sessions beforehand, but the Orioles wanted to reassess how he felt following one more throwing workout. Prior to landing on the shelf with the bruised right forearm, Watkins had made eight starts for Baltimore and posted a 6.00 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 14:15 K:BB in 30 innings. He likely won't have a spot in the rotation waiting for him once activated, as manager Brandon Hyde already appointed Dean Kremer as the team's fifth starter this week.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Nearing return
Rotowire
Watkins (forearm) has thrown off a mound three times and expects to be activated from the injured list Tuesday when first eligible, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Watkins' progress is encouraging, though it hasn't been determined if he'll need a a rehab assignment first. If he does, he'll likely be out a little beyond the 15-day minimum, but in any case, it seems the right-hander should be ready soon. It's also unclear if Watkins will return to a rotation spot -- most likely over Kyle Bradish -- or see some long-relief work initially after activation.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Plays catch Saturday
Rotowire
Watkins (forearm) played catch from 70 feet Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Although Watkins' throwing session Saturday didn't require much intensity, he said afterward that he didn't experience any pain and was only dealing with light stiffness. The right-hander is progressing in his recovery from a bruised right forearm, but it's not yet clear when he'll be able to return to game action.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Heads to IL
Rotowire
The Orioles placed Watkins on the 15-day injured list Monday.
Though Watkins avoided any structural damage to his right forearm and escaped with a bruise after he was struck by a line drive three batters into his start in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Rays, the 29-year-old is still experiencing enough discomfort a day later to take him out of the mix for his next turn through the rotation. Unless the Orioles are willing to advance top prospect Grayson Rodriguez to the big leagues, Keegan Akin or Mike Baumann could be the top candidates to enter the rotation in place of Watkins when a fifth starter is next needed during Saturday's doubleheader in Boston.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Dealing with bruised forearm
Rotowire
Watkins had X-rays come back negative and was diagnosed with a bruised right forearm after exiting Sunday's start against the Rays, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.
The right-hander was struck in the right forearm by a 105.9 mile-per-hour comebacker during the first inning Sunday, and he left the contest after facing only three batters. Watkins allowed three earned runs on three hits without recording an out, and he should be considered day-to-day as he continues to be evaluated.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Ineffective against Yankees
Rotowire
Watkins pitched four innings, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out one in Tuesday's loss to the Yankees. He did not factor into the decision.
Aaron Judge ripped an RBI double off Watkins in the first frame and then added a solo shot off him in the top of the third, accounting for all the damage against Watkins in the contest. The homer was the fifth that the right-hander has allowed this season, while the one punchout matched a season low. Watkins has struggled to pitch deep into contests this year, reaching five innings in only two of his seven starts. On the campaign he has produced an underwhelming 5.10 ERA and 1.60 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 30 frames.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Knocked around Wednesday
Rotowire
Watkins (0-1) took the loss against St. Louis on Wednesday, completing 3.2 innings and allowing seven runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three.
The right-hander pitched a clean first inning before the Cardinals got to him for three runs in the second. Watkins was fine in the third frame, but he allowed four straight batters to reach base with two outs in the fourth before being mercifully pulled. All told, the 29-year-old gave up a season-high eight hits and seven runs, pushing his ERA from a respectable 3.22 to 5.19 on the campaign. Things are unlikely to get easier for Watkins, as he's tentatively slated to face the Yankees in his next start.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Spenser Watkins: Unable to get through five innings
Rotowire
Watkins allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out two in 4.2 innings during a 5-3 win Thursday over Minnesota. He did not factor into the decision.
Watkins had a chance to get through five innings with the lead but gave up a two-out, two-run homer on a 3-0 pitch to Byron Buxton. After hitting the next batter with a pitch on a 2-0 count, he was removed from the game. He was fairly wild Thursday, throwing only 41 of his 76 pitches for strikes. While he has a solid 3.22 ERA through 22.1 innings, there are some warning signs, most notably his 10:10 K:BB rate. He'll likely make his next start early next week in St. Louis.
