Relief pitcher Yennier Cano (78) Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Orioles breakout reliever off to historic start in 2023

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 4/27/23

Retiring the first 24 batters he faced to start the season, Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Yennier Cano now shares a part of team history with Fred Holdsworth, who accomplished the feat in 1976.

He became a part of team history after getting Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers to ground out in the 8th inning of the Orioles' 6-2 victory on Wednesday.

His streak would end at 24 on the very next pitch, hitting Justin Turner with a first-pitch fastball.

Joining the Orioles on April 14, Cano has been unhittable with a sinker, slider and changeup all possessing elite movement.

Yennier Cano is quickly becoming a reliever to know.

He's yet to give up a hit in his first 45 pitches thrown and his sinker is... insane.

18.3" of Horizontal Break (average is 6.7"!)
-32.2" of Vertical Break (average is -23) pic.twitter.com/Webg0ebG88
— Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) April 19, 2023

One of the four prospects acquired from the Minnesota Twins at last year's trade deadline, Cano has surprised his teammates and his manager with his production so far this season.

When speaking with MLB.com reporter Jake Rill, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde had this to say about Cano "He's got presence, pitches with energy, pitches with emotion...He's come a long way. To be up here in the big leagues doing what he's doing. I think it's fantastic."

With teammate Dean Kramer adding "He's incredible. His stuff is unbelievable. he throws mid-90s with a disgusting changeup."

A slow motion overlay of Yennier Cano's slider and change-up w/ and w/out tail. pic.twitter.com/yrlVBeW1i0
— Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) April 25, 2023

Not known for being a deep bullpen, the Orioles have seen their guys rise to the occasion and have become one of the better bullpens in baseball. Ranking third in the MLB with a 2.88 relief ERA

Featuring a behemoth of a man at closer in Felix Bautista, standing 6'8", 285 lbs he is easily one of the most imposing figures on the mound in the MLB.

Add in another breakout from last year in Bryan Baker, they form a trio of righties that give opposing teams nightmares.

Look for the Orioles to lean on this bullpen as they look to improve on last year's 83-win season.

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