Baltimore Orioles right-hander Bryan Baker was saddled with the loss to the visiting Los Angeles Angels in the 6-5 defeat on Thursday. Baker is now 3-1 on the year after giving up two runs on one hit while walking two and striking out one in two-thirds of an inning in the eighth frame. Before his appearance on Thursday, the 28-year-old reliever had given up only one run in his last 20 outings out of the bullpen. Baker is now sporting a still-solid 2.57 ERA (2.73 FIP), 1.24 WHIP, 13 walks and 27 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched in relief for the O's this year. He's become an option in high-leverage relief spots by the way he's pitched, but he could be moved back to more of a middle-relief role once Mychal Givens (knee) and Dillon Tate (forearm) are able to return from their injuries.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that relievers Cionel Perez and Bryan Baker could get opportunities to close out games if closer Felix Bautista (knee, shoulder) isn't ready for the start of the 2023 season. In addition to Bautista, late-inning reliever Dillon Tate (elbow) is slated to miss the first month of the season. Fantasy managers speculating on saves in deeper leagues need to file away the names of Perez and Baker. Perez would probably be the favorite for saves in Baltimore after posting a 1.40 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 57 2/3 innings for the O's in 2022. Baker, meanwhile, had a 3.49 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, one save and 76 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings pitched.

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Bryan Baker will serve as the opener on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Baker, who has a 5.40 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 11 relief appearances so far this year, hasn't recorded more than five outs in any of his outings out of the bullpen, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to stay in this game for long. The 27-year-old has only thrown 11 innings to this point in his major league career, allowing six earned runs while walking two and striking out 12 in 12 relief appearances. Stay away for fantasy purposes.