MIAMI — The Orioles plan to start right-handed pitcher Chayce McDermott on Wednesday for his MLB debut after adding him to their taxi squad Tuesday morning.
Baltimore flew the 25-year-old pitching prospect down to Miami ahead of their series against the Marlins but waited until after their 6-3 loss Tuesday night to officially name McDermott the starter. The team has yet to announce a corresponding move to create space on its 40-man and active roster.
McDermott has a 3.96 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 20 games (19 starts) for Triple-A Norfolk this season. He leads the minor leagues with 129 strikeouts and sits behind only left-hander Cade Povich on Baseball America’s rankings of Orioles pitching prospects. McDermott, whose nameplate above his locker in the visiting clubhouse at LoanDepot Park showed No. 60, will be on regular rest to start Wednesday.
The biggest area McDermott has focused on during his development is his control. After a strong showing in spring training with a 2.53 ERA in 10 2/3 innings, McDermott reported to Norfolk and worked with the Tides’ coaching staff to clean up his mechanics to help him maintain sight of the strike zone. His walk rate has dropped, though the overall results have been up and down of late. Over his past four starts, McDermott has twice allowed one run or fewer in six-plus innings and twice allowed four runs without pitching past the first inning.
“We saw in spring training was a guy with great stuff,” Hyde said. “Showed really good stuff last year. I think he’s had some really good moments in Triple-A this year. He’s had a little bit of a rocky road — his last time out wasn’t his best, but the stuff is there. It’s all about the strike-throwing ability and he’s going to get his chance sometime soon.”
Albert Suárez started Tuesday — exiting in the third inning with a shin contusion after being hit by a line drive — and Corbin Burnes will pitch Thursday, leaving Wednesday’s spot open for McDermott. Burnes, who started the All-Star Game for the American League on July 16 and then pitched six innings in Friday’s 9-1 win over the Texas Rangers, and Grayson Rodriguez, who went six innings in Saturday’s 8-4 victory over Texas, are set to receive extra rest. The Orioles are carrying only four starting pitchers on their active roster after sending Povich back to Norfolk ahead of the All-Star break.
“We’re going to do that as much as we possibly can going down the [stretch],” Hyde said of giving his top two starters extra rest. “Burnsy is on pace to throw 200-plus innings. Grayson has already thrown a ton of innings also. At least in the next month or so, we’re going to get those guys, when we can, an extra day if possible.”
The Orioles acquired McDermott along with fellow pitching prospect Seth Johnson at the 2022 trade deadline in the three-team deal that sent first baseman Trey Mancini to the Houston Astros.
