Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings while giving up three hits, striking out three and walking none in his first rehab start with Double-A Bowie Thursday.
"Really what I wanted to feel tonight was the slider," Hammel told the Baltimore Sun after the start. "I had much better feel for the slider, so that will be a big difference-maker when I’m back. Other than that, I did pretty well. A lot of ground balls ... and I got the pitches in and I got the work in."
The Orioles could address a need in the bullpen when Hammel is ready to return.
"I’m game for anything," Hammel told the Sun. "Obviously, I’m more comfortable as a starter and I think I’d be more help as a starter, but it’s the playoffs. All hands on deck. Everybody should be ready to go no matter what. September is a month where adrenaline carries you through. We’re right there again and that’s where we want to be."
Hammel is 7-8 with a 5.20 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 85:46 K:BB ratio in 123 innings.