A couple of leftovers for breakfast

A couple of leftovers for breakfast
The eventual promotion of Adley Rutschman to the major league roster, whenever it happens, comes with the expectation that the Orioles will have a veteran mentor ready as his backup. But the club already seems equipped to tutor him. The staff isn't running short on former catchers. Manager Brandon Hyde caught 69 games in the minors and 13 with the independent Chico Heat. Major league field coordinator and catching instructor Tim Cossins caught 217 games in the minors and two with the...

Ruiz lost on waiver claim and tonight's Orioles lineup (updated)

Ruiz lost on waiver claim and tonight's Orioles lineup (updated)
The Rockies claimed Rio Ruiz off waivers from the Orioles this afternoon, assuring that the infielder won't be staying in the organization via an outright assignment. Ruiz was designated for assignment after going 15-for-90 with 29 strikeouts. The Orioles selected Stevie Wilkerson's contract from Triple-A Norfolk and he's sharing second base with Pat Valaika, getting the starts versus right-handers. Wilkerson is in the lineup tonight for the series opener in Minnesota. The Orioles claimed...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The removal of Rio Ruiz from the Orioles organization, for however long while he's been designated for assignment, carries us back to the spring debate over whether there was a spot for him after the signing of free agent third baseman Maikel Franco. I assumed no, since they played the same position, Ruiz didn't profile as a utility player and he had minor league options. But there was the complication of fitting him on Triple-A Norfolk's roster, because the Orioles wanted Rylan Bannon to...

Orioles injuries mounting on 40-man roster

Orioles injuries mounting on 40-man roster
The Orioles are carrying a full 40-man roster and counting the number of injured players. Increases that are painful on a number of fronts. Relievers Hunter Harvey, Dillon Tate and Rule 5 pick Mac Sceroler are in various stages of recovery from oblique, hamstring and shoulder ailments, respectively. Harvey is on the 60-day injured list and doesn't count against the 40-man, but he also hasn't been an option for a team that's working up a sweat trying to keep its bullpen fresh. First baseman...

More on decision to DFA Rio Ruiz

More on decision to DFA Rio Ruiz
The latest Orioles transaction this month unfolded yesterday with Rio Ruiz taken off the 40-man roster and Stevie Wilkerson returning to the majors, again transforming a minor league contract into an opportunity. The May movement began on the third with reliever Isaac Mattson recalled from the alternate camp site in Bowie and left-hander Bruce Zimmermann optioned in an exchange of rookies. Mattson was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk five days later, with left-hander Zac Lowther recalled from the...

Hyde and Wilkerson talk about today's roster move

Hyde and Wilkerson talk about today's roster move
The removal of infielder Rio Ruiz from the active and 40-man rosters, described today by Orioles manager Brandon Hyde as "extremely difficult," presents an opportunity for Stevie Wilkerson to get regular at-bats at second base. Wilkerson's versatility enables the Orioles to plug him into a variety of positions, but he's likely to get the bulk of the starts at second depending on matchups and his production. Pat Valaika is the other option. "Both of those guys can play different spots also,...

López labors for two innings in 8-2 loss (updated)

López labors for two innings in 8-2 loss (updated)
Getting ahead in the count didn't work for Jorge López. Falling behind didn't work, either. The first inning had been the kindest for López among his seven starts, with no runs allowed and only five baserunners. But he was 0-2 tonight on DJ LeMahieu and Luke Voit, and issued a walk and surrendered a hit. He walked Aaron Judge with the count 3-1 to load the bases with no outs. The Yankees siphoned 39 pitches out of López and scored three runs, Judge hit his prerequisite homer in the...

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
The Orioles have both catchers in tonight's lineup as the series continues against the Yankees at Camden Yards. Pedro Severino is the designated hitter and Chance Sisco is behind the plate. Rio Ruiz is the third baseman instead of Maikel Franco, who's in a 4-for-52 slump. DJ Stewart is in right field and batting cleanup. Pat Valaika is the second baseman. Freddy Galvis moves down to fifth in the order after batting fourth last night for the first time in his career. Fifteen of Trey Mancini's...

Jahmai Jones injury ruins call-up rumors

Jahmai Jones injury ruins call-up rumors
Pat Valaika was on the field early yesterday for infield drills and later placed in the Orioles lineup for the series opener against the Yankees at Camden Yards. Kill the rumors and speculation regarding Jahmai Jones. Jones was scratched from Triple-A Norfolk's lineup on Tuesday and replaced at second base by Mason McCoy. Stevie Wilkerson started at second the following night, Rylan Bannon Thursday and McCoy last night. Were the Orioles preparing to recall Jones rather than keep rotating...

Orioles settle down after strikeout streak

Orioles settle down after strikeout streak
The Orioles are a season-high five games below .500 as they prepare again to host the Yankees. They don't need to change the sheets and towels. They'd like to change their rankings in several offensive categories, including the 138 runs and .662 OPS that were sixth-lowest in the majors after Wednesday's 7-1 loss to the Mets. The .216 average with runners in scoring position that also put them sixth. No team had a lower OPS with RISP than the Orioles' .598. There's still a lot of season...

Harvey's return takes wrong turn in 7-1 loss (updated)

Harvey's return takes wrong turn in 7-1 loss (updated)
The on-field portion of Matt Harvey's day at Citi Field began with the usual warm-up tosses in the bullpen and the stroll to the dugout, his mind refusing to play tricks and steer him toward the home side. He walked to the mound after the top of the first inning, heard the ovation, noticed Mets fans standing and holding up signs and tipped his cap. The moment could have overwhelmed Harvey, but he retired the side in order on 13 pitches and headed to the bench. The hope, of course, was that...

Orioles lineup vs. Mets (updated)

Orioles lineup vs. Mets (updated)
Matt Harvey is back on the Citi Field mound this afternoon as the Orioles try to split their two-game series against the Mets and return home. Harvey hasn't pitched in New York since May 2018. The defense behind him includes Rio Ruiz at second base, Ryan Mountcastle in left field and Austin Hays in right. From 2012-15, Harvey posted a 2.05 ERA in 35 starts at Citi Field and 27 were quality by definition. Shortstop Freddy Galvis is 22-for-60 (.367) in his last 18 games. The Orioles have...

Means follows no-hitter with six scoreless innings in 3-2 loss

Means follows no-hitter with six scoreless innings in 3-2 loss
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde didn't need to state the obvious with left-hander John Means. Didn't need to remind the ace to control his emotions in his first start after tossing a no-hitter in Seattle. The pregame tasks didn't include delivering special messages to Means. There would be some concessions after Means threw a career-high 113 pitches, the implementation of an extra day's rest already done. Hyde would monitor him closely and not push him. "I don't say anything," Hyde insisted...

Updating Flaa and Baumann, Orioles and Mets lineups (updated)

Updating Flaa and Baumann, Orioles and Mets lineups (updated)
The Orioles have lost reliever Jay Flaa on a waiver claim by the Braves. Flaa, 28, made his major league debut on April 27 and tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings. He walked two Yankees and struck out Aaron Judge. The Orioles optioned him to the alternate training site in Bowie after the game to create a spot for Dean Kremer. The Orioles decided Saturday that Flaa would be designated for assignment as they claimed left-hander Brandon Waddell off waivers from the Twins and assigned him to Triple-A...

Orioles can't hold lead in sixth and lose 4-3 (updated)

Orioles can't hold lead in sixth and lose 4-3 (updated)
The bullpen was a bit shaken by having too many relievers stir last night, reaching the point where a utility infielder finally had to pitch. And the Orioles couldn't provide any reinforcements this afternoon, instead subtracting Dillon Tate due to a hamstring injury and expanding their bench. Dean Kremer was coming off his finest start and the Orioles were in dire need of a duplication this afternoon against the Red Sox, leaders in just about every offensive category in the majors, including...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Shortstop Freddy Galvis did some light running this morning, took early batting practice and stayed in the lineup for today's game against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Galvis was removed from last night's game to improve his chances of playing today. He's still working through some soreness in his adductor/groin. Last night's game produced Galvis' fourth home run of the season and 99th of his career. He also extended his hitting streak to a season-high nine games and is batting .368...

This time, Mariners have a big eighth to beat O's (quotes added)

This time, Mariners have a big eighth to beat O's (quotes added)
On a night when the Orioles continued to not capitalize on bases-loaded situations, the Seattle Mariners did in a big way with one of their own. And that led Seattle to a 5-2 win over the Orioles on Tuesday night in the second game of the series. Right-hander Travis Lakins Sr. started the last of the eighth in a 1-1 tie and gave up a flared single to right by Sam Haggerty. Then he walked the next two hitters before manager Brandon Hyde called for Tanner Scott to try and pull off a miracle with...

Orioles and Mariners lineups

Orioles and Mariners lineups
DJ Stewart is back in the Orioles lineup tonight as they resume their series in Seattle. Stewart was scratched last night with lower back stiffness and multiple changes in positions brought Pat Valaika off the bench. Ryan Mountcastle is the designated hitter. Chance Sisco is catching. Rio Ruiz gets the start at second base. The Orioles are 14-15 overall and trying to reach .500 for the first time since April 10. They're 10-5 on the road. Jorge López is 1-3 with a 7.48 ERA and 1.431 WHIP in...

Orioles and Mariners lineups

Orioles and Mariners lineups
Rio Ruiz, who had a pinch-hit double yesterday in Oakland, is starting at second base tonight for the series opener against the Mariners in Seattle. Ryan Mountcastle is starting at first base. He's hit safely in seven straight games, going 9-for-26 (.346). Trey Mancini is 9-for-28 (.321) with six RBIs in his last seven games. He's the designated hitter. Pedro Severino, who's catching tonight, is 6-for-18 (.333) in his last five games. He's reached base in 10 straight. Freddy Galvis is in...

Orioles done in by Athletics defense in 7-5 loss (updated)

Orioles done in by Athletics defense in 7-5 loss (updated)
A 25-pitch first inning for Bruce Zimmermann and the two errors on one play and resulting runs didn't fit a team that sought to sweep a series and extend its winning streak to four games. More appropriate were the two rallies in the first five innings that erased deficits and kept alive the quest to reach .500. And a third RBI for Trey Mancini in the seventh that gave the Orioles their first lead. It didn't last long. And .500 was put on hold in jarring fashion. Ramón Laureano made a...