Hall (back) being used as a reliever at the start of the season was not ruled out by Orioles manager Brandon Hyde on Monday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
The plan prior to Hall suffering a back injury had been to stretch the left-hander out as a starter. That could still happen at Triple-A Norfolk, but now keeping him in the majors as a member of the bullpen is also being considered. Hall made his Grapefruit League debut Monday against the Phillies, striking out four but allowing three runs -- one earned -- over 1.2 innings of work.
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Orioles' DL Hall: Cleared for spring debut
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Hall (back) is scheduled to appear in relief of starter Kyle Bradish in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
The upcoming appearance will mark Hall's first of the spring after he had been building up slowly during camp while he's worked to move past discomfort in the lower right side of his back. He'll likely work only an inning or two Monday but is still expected to be stretched out as starter, even though he won't be a candidate to break camp as a member of the Opening Day rotation. The Orioles are likely to place Hall on the injured list in the coming days, but he'll still be able to continue his buildup program at the team's spring facility in Florida before eventually heading out on a rehab assignment once the minor-league season begins in early April.
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Orioles' DL Hall: Throwing simulated game
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Hall (back) is throwing a two-inning simulated game Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Hall is probably not going to be an option for the Orioles at the beginning of the 2023 regular season as he recovers from a lower-back injury, but he continues to work through his rehab program without issue. The 24-year-old left-hander could make his Grapefruit League debut sometime next week and will get stretched out from there.
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Orioles' DL Hall: Continues ramping up
Rotowire
Hall (back) threw a successful session of live batting practice Saturday and is scheduled to throw again Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Manager Brandon Hyde announced previously that Hall won't be stretched out enough to start by Opening Day, but the young left-hander appears to be progressing well as he ramps up his rehab work after he experienced right lower-back discomfort early in camp. The 24-year-old could soon be cleared for game action if his work against live hitters continues to go well.
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Orioles' DL Hall: Could be ready for Opening Day
Rotowire
Hall (back) has a chance to be ready for Opening Day, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com on Thursday.
Hall does not have enough time to be stretched out to start as he returns from a lower-back injury. However, the Orioles might ultimately decide to keep him around in a multi-inning relief role rather than send him to Triple-A Norfolk. Hall threw a bullpen session Wednesday and is on track for a live batting practice session in the next few days.
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Orioles' DL Hall: Nearing live throwing
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Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Hall (back) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and is set to throw live batting practice in the upcoming days, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Hall won't be an option for Opening Day while he remains behind the Orioles' other pitchers in his throwing progression due to the lower-back injury, but the fact that he's been cleared for mound work with a couple weeks left to go in spring training suggests he shouldn't be headed for an extensive absence to begin the season. The Orioles are still looking to develop the 24-year-old lefty as a starter, so he'll presumably join the Triple-A Norfolk rotation whenever he's deemed to be healthy.
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Orioles' DL Hall: Won't be ready to start by opener
Rotowire
Manager Brandon Hyde said Thursday that Hall (back) won't be able to get built up enough to start by Opening Day, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com.
Hall reported to camp with discomfort on the right side of his lower back and isn't expected to be ready for games until the third week of March, so it's not a surprise that he won't be stretched out enough to start. The plan had been for him to compete for a spot in the Orioles' rotation, although, realistically, he was probably either going to start in the Triple-A Norfolk rotation or big-league bullpen. The club has not yet decided how they will handle Hall's role to begin the campaign, but he's pain-free now and is expected to face hitters soon.
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Orioles' DL Hall: Nursing back issue
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Hall will have a delayed start to spring training due to a lumbar injury, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.
Hall is still expected to be in the mix for a spot on the Opening Day roster, but the injury obviously doesn't help his chances. The hard-throwing lefty is expected to be used as a starter this spring but might also be an option for the bullpen.
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Orioles' DL Hall: Entering spring as starter
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Hall will enter spring training as a starting pitcher, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
All but one of Hall's 11 appearances late last season came in relief, but he'll head into spring training as one of 12 competitors for five spots in Baltimore's rotation. The dynamic lefty might ultimately wind up in the bullpen over the long haul if he can't improve his control and command, but there's no reason to pull the plug on him as a starter yet. O's general manager Mike Elias wasn't ready to say Friday whether Hall might move to the bullpen if he doesn't win a rotation spot, or if he'd head to Triple-A Norfolk.
Hall (1-1) allowed two hits and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the win in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Blue Jays.
Hall worked a scoreless eighth inning during the matinee and became the pitcher of record after Terrin Vavra put the Orioles ahead with a three-run blast in the bottom of the frame. Over his last four appearances of the season, Hall logged 4.1 scoreless innings with an 8:1 K:BB. He allowed multiple runs in only two of his 11 outings in the majors, though he finished the campaign with a 5.93 ERA, 1.68 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB to go with a save in 13.2 innings. He's worked as a starter in the minors and could challenge for a spot in the Orioles' rotation next spring.
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Orioles' DL Hall: Earns first save
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Hall struck out two batters in a perfect inning and picked up a save over the Yankees on Friday.
Hall converted the first save opportunity of his MLB career with ease. Since joining the Orioles bullpen at the start of September, the 24-year-old southpaw has registered an 11:3 K:BB and a 4.00 ERA through nine innings. If Felix Bautista (knee) misses any time, Hall could see some more late-inning work down the stretch.
The Orioles recalled Hall from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.
As Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com noted Wednesday, Hall is seen as a long-term fit in the Baltimore rotation, but he'll be rejoining the big club as a reliever over the final five weeks of the season while the organization looks to manage his workload. Hall had already transitioned to the bullpen prior to his promotion, striking out 11 while allowing three earned runs on two hits and five walks across 6.2 innings over his final four relief appearances for Norfolk.
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Orioles' DL Hall: Rejoining big club as reliever
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The Orioles plan to recall Hall from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Hall made his MLB debut earlier this month as a starter, but he was sent back to the minors immediately after that outing and has since pitched in relief for Norfolk. The Orioles still intend to develop Hall as a starter over the long term, but because he's already nearly tripled his innings count from a season ago -- he's covered 88 innings in 2022 compared to 31.2 in 2021 -- the organization will keep him in the bullpen the rest of the way in an effort to manage his workload. Once officially promoted, Hall will likely be eased in as a low-leverage reliever, but the rookie could eventually settle into a key setup role later in September if he impresses in his initial appearances out of the big-league bullpen.
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Orioles' DL Hall: Allows five runs in debut
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Hall (0-1) took the loss against the Rays on Saturday, allowing five runs on five hits while striking out six and walking three over 3.2 innings.
Hall had a difficult debut against a tough opponent and was pulled after throwing 47 of 76 pitches for strikes across 3.2 frames. While he did not allow a home run, the rookie lefty allowed eight runners to reach base, which resulted in scores on a groundout, two doubles, a single and a sac fly. He flashed some of the strikeout potential he showed in the minors (14.66 K/9 in Triple-A) by striking out six in fewer than four complete innings. His 5.66 BB/9 in Triple-A also manifested in Saturday's game, as he walked three. The future is bright for Hall, but it is reasonable to expect some growing pains along the way.
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Orioles' DL Hall: Optioned, shifting to relief
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Hall was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday after his start against the Rays, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Hall made his MLB debut Saturday, allowing five earned runs on five hits and three walks across 3.2 innings to take the loss. He also struck out six, showcasing his potential to be effective as a starter in the majors. However, for the time being, Baltimore plans to shift Hall to a relief role in the minors and have him return to the majors for the final month of the season. Hall should have the opportunity to be extremely effective as a reliever, as he's racked up a 36 percent strikeout rate across 70 innings as a starter with Norfolk this season.
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Orioles' DL Hall: Confirmed as Saturday's starter
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Orioles manager Brandon Hyde confirmed that Hall will be called up from Triple-A Norfolk to start Saturday's game against the Rays, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.
Premium stuff and questionable command has long been the scouting report on Hall, and he's been as advertised this season in 18 starts for Norfolk. His 36 percent strikeout rate is excellent, but it's been paired with a 13.9 percent walk rate, leading to a 4.73 ERA. Still, he has a chance to be a big part of the future in Baltimore if he can just keep the walks at a manageable level. Hall could remain in the rotation down the stretch if his initial audition goes well.
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Orioles' DL Hall: Officially recalled Saturday
Rotowire
Hall was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.
Hall will make his major-league debut as the starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Rays. The southpaw has displayed strong stuff throughout his minor-league career, but he also has some command issues. However, now that he's healthy, Hall could have the chance to earn a spot in the Orioles' rotation if he can cut down on his walks in the big leagues.
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Orioles' DL Hall: Expected to start Saturday
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Hall is expected to start Saturday's game against the Rays, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Hall has made 18 starts at Triple-A Norfolk this season, posting a 4.76 ERA, 114:44 K:BB and 1.49 WHIP in 70 innings. Several of the Orioles' starters are dealing with injuries, so Hall will get an opportunity to make his major-league debut. The southpaw was a first-round pick by Baltimore in 2017 and has a fastball that can touch triple digits with strong secondary pitches, but he's dealt with injuries and command issues over the last several seasons. Assuming he is ultimately tabbed as Saturday's starting pitcher, it's not yet clear whether he'll remain for multiple turns through the big-league rotation.
