John Means: "I was ready to feel like I was worth something again"

John Means: "I was ready to feel like I was worth something again"
The Orioles haven't named their opening day starter for July 24, an announcement shelved due to baseball's shutdown. John Means was lined up for the assignment and nothing has happened to change the narrative. Means worked four "innings" yesterday while throwing live batting practice, which actually meant dialing down from his home activity. "I think I'm very close," he said today in a Zoom conference call. "Over the quarantine, I had built up to five innings, 75 pitches, but since the...

Orioles getting ready for roster redesign

Orioles getting ready for roster redesign
Among the many details to emerge concerning the 2020 baseball season was the unfreezing of rosters today and the ability of team executives to resume making cuts and potential trades. The Orioles must create a 30-man roster for opening day, which will be held on July 23 or 24. It's reduced to 28 players after two weeks and 26 after four. It was so long ago that fans may have forgotten, but the Orioles had 54 players on their camp roster on March 12 when baseball shut down and everyone became...

More questions pertaining to Orioles roster

More questions pertaining to Orioles roster
We'll reach a point, if the 2020 season is to be played, when rosters no longer will be frozen. The Orioles can chip away at their 50. How much chipping is the question. Take a 30-man roster with a 20-man taxi squad and you've got 50. The math is indisputable. But the taxi squad could include pitchers and position players who were optioned prior to camp shutting down or shortly after it happened. We are waiting for the rules and the plan to be explained to us. People in the organization...

Feeling a draft: Looking at the O's at No. 2 and more

Feeling a draft: Looking at the O's at No. 2 and more
In separate interviews with "MASN All Access" yesterday, Ben McDonald and I offered similar thoughts. The junior college ranks could really benefit in the 2021 season from this year's five-round MLB draft. The draft next month could be very college-heavy. Teams may not take chances on high school players they hardly saw play or didn't see play at all during abbreviated senior seasons this year. Players not drafted could sign for $20,000, but most players who are, in my opinion, in line to...

Wondering who's impacted by expansion to 29-man roster

Wondering who's impacted by expansion to 29-man roster
The competitions for roster spots with the Orioles remain on hold during the coronavirus pandemic. Players are working out at home, a few of them posting clever videos on social media. Small children and pets are coming in handy as alternatives to gym weights. Ever done squats with a German Shepherd draped over your shoulders? These are the dog days of spring. One of the likely adjustments to baseball's season, if it happens in 2020, is inflating the active roster from 26 to 29 players for the...

Reviewing the Orioles' 40-man roster and upcoming decisions

Reviewing the Orioles' 40-man roster and upcoming decisions
While checking eBay to see whether anyone is selling liquid hand soap ... I accepted the challenge on Twitter yesterday of naming five jobs that I held before becoming a sportswriter, and discovered that I couldn't complete the list. I've literally only had five jobs: * "Unskilled labor" for a construction company the summer before college, which I'm certain was suggested by my parents to ensure that I'd go to college. * A clerk at Glen Burnie Bingo on Richie Highway, where I'd often...

Notes on LeBlanc opt-out date, minor league compensation and more

Notes on LeBlanc opt-out date, minor league compensation and more
The Orioles trimmed their camp roster to 50 players yesterday afternoon and reached an important date involving left-hander Wade LeBlanc. Well, it seemed to carry a lot more significance prior to the opening of camp and baseball's complete shutdown. LeBlanc's minor league deal, agreed upon in late January, included a March 19 opt-out clause. He could request his release and the Orioles would have 48 hours to add him to their 40-man roster or allow the veteran to reenter free agency. There...

Orioles option four players

Orioles option four players
The Orioles whittled their camp roster to 50 players this afternoon while making their first moves since baseball's shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pitcher David Hess, infielder/outfielder Ryan Mountcastle, outfielder Cedric Mullins and infielder Ramón Urías have been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. No cuts had been announced since left-hander Keegan Akin was optioned to the Tides back on March 10. A few competitions gained some clarity today. Mullins was a candidate to make the...

Orioles lineup vs. Twins (and notes on Cobb and Wilkerson)

Orioles lineup vs. Twins (and notes on Cobb and Wilkerson)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Alex Cobb is throwing his simulated game today on a back field at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, the alternative to having him start tonight against the Twins in Fort Myers. A blister on his pitching hand led to the change in assignments. DJ Stewart, Richie Martin and Renato Núñez are some of the hitters facing Cobb, who's made only one Grapefruit League start but has been throwing simulated games and bullpen sessions to build up innings. The Orioles have two cameras set...

Bullpen bringing relief to Hyde despite yesterday's issues

Bullpen bringing relief to Hyde despite yesterday's issues
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are going to be making some tough roster cuts relating to their bullpen. They didn't get any easier yesterday despite the runs allowed in Dunedin. Mychal Givens tried to work through a second inning against the Blue Jays and surrendered a two-run homer to Randal Grichuk after hitting a batter and throwing a wild pitch. He's on the team. Hunter Harvey was scored upon for the first time when he hit a batter and Santiago Espina launched a 96 mph fastball onto the new...

Eshelman picks bad time for poor start (O's lose 14-2)

Eshelman picks bad time for poor start (O's lose 14-2)
DUNEDIN, Fla. - The auditions for jobs in Orioles camp moved this afternoon to the Blue Jays' newly renovated spring training complex. Thomas Eshelman made another start while trying to convince the Orioles to keep him as a fifth starter or long reliever. Mason Williams led off and played center field, hopeful that he'll head north in a bench role or perhaps as Trey Mancini's replacement in right if needed. Utility candidates Pat Valaika, Stevie Wilkerson and Dilson Herrera landed in the...

Phillips to start season on injured list (plus O's lineup)

Phillips to start season on injured list (plus O's lineup)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Ryan McKenna's locker is empty today, perhaps a sign that the Orioles are making more camp cuts. Evan Phillips received a second opinion on his right elbow yesterday from Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, and while no structural damage was found, the reliever said he's going to be shut down for the next two weeks and might not be able to pitch for a month. Phillips will have to begin the season on the injured list. Meanwhile, Renato Núñez is playing first...

Orioles lineup vs. Marlins (updated)

Orioles lineup vs. Marlins (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Richie Martin is starting at second base today as the Orioles continue their East Coast trip with a 1:05 p.m. game against the Marlins in Jupiter. Austin Hays is leading off and playing center field - another hint, perhaps, of where he'll be slotted on opening day. José Iglesias, who had three hits yesterday against the Nationals, is batting second. Anthony Santander remains the designated hitter. Pat Valaika is playing first base while vying for a utility job. Stevie...

Velazquez and Valaika in thick of utility competition (3-3 tie)

Velazquez and Valaika in thick of utility competition (3-3 tie)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Andrew Velazquez lined a single into right-center field this afternoon off Rays starter Charlie Morton, who handed the ball to his manager and exited one out short of completing the third inning. At the plate again in the fifth, Velazquez coaxed a walk out of former Orioles reliever Oliver Drake. He's 4-for-9 with three stolen bases this spring. Velazquez is the last Orioles player to crack the camp roster after a Feb. 19 waiver claim. He's also migrating toward the front of...

John Means rolls through three versus Phillies (O's win 3-2)

John Means rolls through three versus Phillies (O's win 3-2)
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Left-hander John Means is looking ready for opening day already. He'll have several spring outings yet to go, but today he buzzed through a frontline Phillies lineup, recording nine straight outs in a three-inning outing. Means had one web gem behind him. Bryce Harper hit a hard grounder wide of first in the opening inning. First baseman Stevie Wilkerson made a diving stop to the backhand side and tossed to Means covering the bag. Means needed just 41 pitches and threw 24...

Orioles lineup vs. Phillies

Orioles lineup vs. Phillies
SARASOTA, Fla. - Ryan Mountcastle is in left field today against the Phillies and Stevie Wilkerson is playing first base as the Orioles attempt to run their winning streak to five games in a row. Dilson Herrera keeps moving around, with today's game putting him in right field. Hanser Alberto is leading off and Rio Ruiz is batting cleanup. Mason Williams gets the start in center field. Regulars who are staying back in Sarasota include Austin Hays, Trey Mancini, Anthony Santander, Chris Davis...

Injury updates, utility competition, Harvey and Cervenka

Injury updates, utility competition, Harvey and Cervenka
BRADENTON, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde broke out a sheet of paper this morning with the list of players who are recovering from injuries and illnesses and the next stages of their individual progressions. Too many names and tasks to memorize with so many other activities happening at the complex. Hunter Harvey, who's been able to shake his flu-like symptoms, threw a simulated game today in Sarasota. Kohl Stewart (biceps) and Alex Wells (oblique) are throwing in the bullpen Saturday....

Orioles lineup vs. Pirates

Orioles lineup vs. Pirates
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 pick Brandon Bailey gets his first start today, as the Orioles travel to Bradenton to play the Pirates in a 1:05 p.m. game. Bailey pitched in relief in Sunday's home opener against the Red Sox and allowed one run and three hits with no walks and two strikeouts over two innings. Yusniel Diaz makes his spring debut today as the designated hitter. Dwight Smith Jr. is leading off, followed by Hanser Alberto. Ryan Mountcastle moves to first base after playing left field in...

For Stevie Wilkerson: New year, same challenge

For Stevie Wilkerson: New year, same challenge
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' versatile infielder and outfielder Stevie Wilkerson was designated for assignment last March 23 when the club added catcher Pedro Severino via waivers. But in this case the DFA was not very damaging for his career. Less than a month later - on April 22 - Wilkerson was called up from the minors and added back to the major league roster. He didn't know it then, but after playing 16 games for Triple-A Norfolk, he would go on to play 117 for the 2019 Orioles. He...

Orioles lineup vs. Braves

Orioles lineup vs. Braves
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are sitting a few of their regulars today for a home game against the Braves, the bench crew including first baseman Chris Davis, shortstop José Iglesias and outfielders Austin Hays, Trey Mancini and Anthony Santander. Ryan McKenna is patrolling center field, with Dwight Smith Jr. in left and Dilson Herrera in right. Herrera played first base yesterday. Andrew Velazquez is making his first start at shortstop. Stevie Wilkerson has been used in center field, but...