Irvin did not factor into the decision during Monday's win over Minnesota, allowing two runs on six hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.
Irvin was sent out for the fifth inning with a chance to put himself in position for the win but was lifted in favor of Dillon Tate following a two-out single by Manuel Margot. Irvin had been held to roughly 80 pitches in each of his first two starts and the same held true Monday as he was pulled after 82. Irvin had allowed nine runs and walked five in his first two starts, so holding the Twins to just a pair of runs with zero walks was a step in the right direction. His next scheduled start is tentatively slated for a weekend matchup in Kansas City against the Royals.
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Orioles' Cole Irvin: Roughed up by BoSox
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Irvin didn't factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks across five innings against Boston. He struck out four.
Irvin benefitted from a pair of inning-ending double plays in the first and second, keeping a bad start from turning even worse. He was tagged by Triston Casas for a two-run home run during the fifth inning. Irvin has lasted exactly five innings in both of his starts, yielding nine earned runs in total with a 8:5 K:BB on the year. While he could easily be replaced by John Means (forearm) -- who made his second rehab start last weekend -- Irvin is tentatively lined up for a start against the Twins on Monday.
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Orioles' Cole Irvin: Allows four runs in loss
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Irvin (0-1) took the loss Tuesday versus Kansas City, allowing four earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three batters over five innings.
Irvin accumulated a 6.23 ERA and 1.85 WHIP across 17.1 innings during spring training, and his camp woes seem to have followed him into the regular season. Nick Loftin and Maikel Garcia combined to drive in three runs against the left-hander in the second inning Tuesday, and Garcia capped off the scoring with an RBI triple in the fourth. Irvin is lined up to start again versus Boston next week, though his time in Baltimore's rotation will likely come to an end once Kyle Bradish (elbow) or John Means (forearm) return from their respective injuries.
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Orioles' Cole Irvin: Set to open in rotation
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Irvin will begin 2024 as the Orioles' fifth starter, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Experience wins out here, as Irvin's 7.30 ERA and 8:10 K:BB over 12.1 innings across four Grapefruit League starts probably didn't merit a rotation spot. His starting role is tenuous at best -- Kyle Bradish (elbow) and John Means (elbow) will miss some time to begin the season, but but he has a strong beginning to his 2024 campaign, Irvin is likely to head to the bullpen or Triple-A Norfolk once one of those pitchers is ready to debut.
Irvin allowed six runs on seven hits and four walks with three strikeouts over 3.2 innings versus Atlanta on Wednesday.
Irvin experienced his first struggles this spring -- he had not allowed a run over his previous five innings across two starts. Irvin remains in contention for a rotation spot, and there should be enough room for both him and Tyler Wells at the start of the season, but that will likely change quickly once Kyle Bradish (elbow) and John Means (elbow) are given the all-clear.
Irvin had increased velocity on all of his pitches in his Grapefruit League debut Sunday versus the Pirates, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Irvin's offseason training has apparently added some additional power to his pitches. He averaged around 92 mph on his fastball and sinker in 2023, with those two pitches combining to be nearly half of all he threw. He also has a curveball, changeup and cutter in his arsenal, and all of them saw velocity increases in his spring debut. The southpaw is in contention for a rotation spot with Kyle Bradish (elbow) and John Means (elbow) likely to miss the start of the campaign.
Irvin could be needed in the Orioles' rotation following injuries to Kyle Bradish (elbow) and John Means (elbow), Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
It's also possible the O's could seek help from outside the organization, but as things currently stand it seems likely that they'll need Irvin to make some starts. The left-hander had an uneven first season in Baltimore, finishing with a 4.42 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 68:21 K:BB over 77.1 frames.
