With Jeremy Guthrie gone, the Orioles Opening Day starter is completely up for grabs. Buck Showalter told Brittany Ghiroli that the topic hasn’t been the team’s top priority this Spring as they examine the many options available.
Ghiroli tweeted that Showalter said the Orioles have two or three candidates with a wild card for the spot. So let’s speculate.
Obviously Tommy Hunter and Jason Hammel are in the mix for the gig, but what about Jake Arrieta? He impressed the Orioles with a strong start in April, going 2-2 with a 3.52 ERA over his last four starts that month and got the nod to start the O’s home opener in 2011. Arrieta underwent season ending elbow surgery in August and this spring has pitched two shutout innings.
Could Showalter give the nod to a Brian Matusz or be hinting at him as the “wild card?”
It’s tough to imagine after last season, but if Matusz continues to improve and build on his last outing during the spring, he could be the Orioles biggest surprise.
Arrieta will trot out to the pitchers mound…as long as he doesn’t suffer any setbacks.
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