Orioles to call up Rogers for start tonight vs. Rays

TAMPA -- The Orioles will call up promising left-hander Trevor Rogers and install him as Wednesday night’s starter, interim manager Tony Mansolino said before Tuesday night’s game against the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

On May 24, in the second game of a doubleheader at Boston’s Fenway Park, Rogers was called up from Triple-A Norfolk as the 27th man. He pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings against the Red Sox, allowing just two hits with five strikeouts and no walks.

“We’re really optimistic," Mansolino said. “I always ask the pitching guys how Trevor looked after every start [in Norfolk], and they’ve been really, really bullish on how good he has looked.

“Trevor is a proven pitcher in the big leagues. He kind of looks like himself [now]. I think he probably looks more like the pitcher they probably traded for, so we’re really excited to see him."

In 2021, Rogers was a National League All-Star with the Miami Marlins (7-8, 2.64 ERA, 157 strikeouts in 133 innings) and the runner-up for NL Rookie of the Year. He has since gone 7-24 in the big leagues. Rogers, the 13th overall pick by the Marlins in the 2017 Draft, was traded to the Orioles on July 30, 2024, for Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers. Wednesday night will be Rogers’ sixth big league appearance with the Orioles.

Rogers was 0-3 with a 5.46 ERA in seven starts this season at Norfolk. In 29 2/3 innings, he had 26 strikeouts and eight walks.

“Everything mentally and physically is in a good spot right now," said Rogers from the Steinbrenner Field clubhouse, where he joined the Orioles on Tuesday as a member of the taxi squad. “The [need to have] patience kind of wears on you sometimes, I’m going to be honest. But I have to tell myself every day to control what I can control. Be where my feet are, just be patient -- I had to tell myself that constantly.

“I think it was even more positive for me with the results that I had in Boston, that I still had it, and I still have [an opportunity with] this organization. I just had to bide my time and continue to be patient."

If it’s finally Rogers’ time, Mansolino said Orioles fans could be in for a treat.

"We saw Trevor in 2021 when we went into Miami, and it was electric," Mansolino said. “There are reasons why things happen. But I think what’s most important for Trevor is continuing to make progress, moving forward based off that last start [at Boston]. Then he will be in a great spot and be really happy with where he’s at."