FREDERICK — The Orioles hope right-hander Yovani Gallardo can provide the team's struggling starting rotation -- a unit that posted a 4.80 ERA over the past week -- a much-needed boost after making his two scheduled minor-league rehab starts.
Gallardo made his first rehab start on Thursday for high Class-A Frederick – his first game since leaving his last Orioles start in Kansas City after just two innings and heading to the disabled list nearly six weeks ago – and his results were much less important than the way his right shoulder felt following the outing.
He was slated for four innings in Thursday's opening game of a doubleheader against the Potomac Nationals, but a 26-pitch first inning -- and some sloppy fielding -- prevented Gallardo from achieving that.
Instead, it took just three innings for Gallardo to reach 59 pitches (43 strikes). He allowed three runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking two. He allowed two runs in the first inning, when five of the first seven batters he faced reached base on four singles and a walk. But the Carolina League hitters didn't draw much hard contact against Gallardo.
"I think just getting back out there is definitely a step forward," said Gallardo, who had never previously gone on the DL for an arm-related injury. "It's always tough with the shoulder issue. You really had to take it one step at a time. You don't want to get too far ahead of yourself, but it feels good. I was able to move the ball around, just trying to mix all my pitches. Pretty good stuff. I'm looking forward to the next one, wherever it might be."
Gallardo allowed singles to four of the first five hitters he faced against a Potomac lineup looking to swing against a big league arm. Potomac added another run in the third off Gallardo on David Masters' two-out RBI single.
"I think I got command issues a little bit," Gallardo said of his first inning. "But you know, I was able to make pitches. First couple of innings just tried to move the fastball around. It is a little bit different in this circumstance, facing a young lineup. But I felt good. I was getting ground balls and that is definitely a positive sign. Good cutter, good sliders -- the one into lefties and away from righties. I think it was a definite positive. It was just nice to get back out there and get on the mound for the first time in four or five weeks, whatever it's been."
Gallardo is scheduled to make his next rehab assignment on Tuesday -- he could make a second start for Frederick or pitch for Triple-A Norfolk -- and barring a setback, the Orioles have scheduled a June 12 return for the finale of the team's three-game series in Toronto. Gallardo will likely have a workday in Baltimore in two days before making his second rehab start.
"I definitely feel good," Gallardo said. "I've been feeling great ever since I started throwing. Think when it comes to a rehab start, what is most important is just to throw strikes and move the ball around. I think I threw [about] 60 pitches today. Hopefully the next one 75 to 80 and I'm good after that. Hopefully I feel fine tomorrow and there is nothing there. Just get ready for the next one. Just a matter of getting into a five-day routine. I think that is very important, just to get back in that rhythm and prepare yourself for each and every start."
The Orioles forfeited their first-round pick in next week's draft to sign Gallardo – an initial three-year deal was restructured to a two-year, $22-million contract after concerns over his shoulder emerged in his club physical – and Gallardo landed on the DL after just four starts. His velocity dipped incrementally with each start and he struggled to get major league hitters out. When he went on the DL with shoulder tendinitis, Gallardo admitted to his shoulder felt weak and his delivery feeling out of whack.
"Honestly, just by the way the ball is coming out of my hand, it definitely feels different," Gallardo said. "It has that life but it is a little bit different pitching in High-A than the major leagues. Once you pitch in the big leagues, the adrenaline and there is a lot more going on. But I can definitely tell a difference just by the bullpens I've been throwing. Even today, the offspeed pitches had good rotation and sharp break towards the end and everything is coming out good."
Gallardo's recovery has focused on strengthening his shoulder. He began doing shoulder exercises that he had never done before in his career. As he turned 30 in February, Gallardo conceded he'll have to do more work to keep his arm strong.
Gallardo said his arm felt strong on Thursday.
"There hasn't been any restrictions like there was when it happened," Gallardo said. "I think, even a couple days after I came out of that game, just not being able to keep my arm up in that slot to drive the ball to home plate. It takes time. It obviously took a little longer than what I wanted but the most important thing is to get back, to get it right. And to have to deal with it once, even though I'm throwing now I'm still incorporating those exercises to try to maintain that and keep it from coming back. It's a lot of hard work. The trainers did a great job. I feel really good. I'm excited to get back out there and win ball games."
Gallardo's velocity ranged from 85-90 mph on Wednesday, according to a scout attending the game. His cutter was clocked at 85-86 and his four-seam fastball sat at 87-88 mph, hitting 90 a few times.
In his four starts before hitting the DL, Gallardo's average fastball velocity steadily dropped, from 89 in his first start to 86 in his last start before going on the DL.
"I wasn't even thinking about [velocity] to be honest," Gallardo said. "The most important thing the first time out is just seeing how you feel and just command the fastball and move it around to both sides of the plate. I definitely feel the difference just by the way it's coming out. I feel like it has that life behind it, sharp right there at the end. That's what I'm looking for. It's a different situation and just one of those things, but that's what I want to see. Velocity, I couldn't even tell you what it was and I didn't even ask. I don't worry about it. I'm just worried about the way the ball is coming out of my hand and everything else will be there."
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