Means: "It was just kind of a surreal moment" (and Puig note)

Means: "It was just kind of a surreal moment" (and Puig note)
John Means insists that he didn't know it was coming. The conversation with manager Brandon Hyde. The confirmation that he'd be the opening day starter on July 24. "I think up until I get told that I'm opening day, I just kind of assumed I was just fighting for a job," Means said this afternoon in a Zoom conference call with the media. Means already has notched his first win. "I kind of like that mentality. I like to keep that back-against-the-wall mentality and just never get...

Elias explains policy on testing (plus workout notes, draft signings)

Elias explains policy on testing (plus workout notes, draft signings)
Orioles outfielders Dwight Smith Jr. and Anthony Santander remained absent for a fifth consecutive day of workouts. Explanations are going to be withheld for now based on a club policy that executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias shared this afternoon. While other teams have confirmed the numbers of positive tests for COVID-19, making names public if given permission, the Orioles are giving the silent treatment. "We have a really elaborate testing setup that has been issued by the...

Orioles working to stay together while pushed apart

Orioles working to stay together while pushed apart
As the Orioles transformed yesterday's summer training camp workout from batting practice in the cage to live BP sessions for a group of relievers, projected starter Asher Wojciechowski emerged from the home dugout and headed over to the visiting side. Long hair tied back and a smile on his face as he joined a couple of his teammates. Maybe a chance to feel normal again if only for a few minutes. There isn't much mingling for the Orioles and other clubs during the pandemic. Pitchers dress in...

Recapping Day 2 of summer training camp

Recapping Day 2 of summer training camp
The Orioles still don't have a full turnout for their summer training camp, with manager Brandon Hyde saying again this afternoon that a couple of Dominican players remain in the intake process for COVID-19 testing. "We're still waiting on that," Hyde said today in a Zoom conference call. While some teams are confirming positive tests, whether or not they receive permission from players to reveal the names, the Orioles are keeping the process under wraps. Major League Baseball announced...

More on the possible 30-man roster and new rules for 2020

More on the possible 30-man roster and new rules for 2020
The composition of the Orioles' second camp roster is public knowledge. We've been able to identify the first 44 players set to gather later this week at Camden Yards. We're just figuring out exactly what to call it. "Summer camp" and "spring training 2.0" are getting mixed reviews on Twitter. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias used "summer camp" in yesterday's Zoom with the media, so perhaps that makes it acceptable. Put the blame on him if anyone rebels. Also under...

More questions surrounding the Orioles in 2020

More questions surrounding the Orioles in 2020
The 2020 baseball schedule in all of its truncated glory may not become public until after the spring training report date of July 1. That would be Wednesday. Not this weekend. Everything is subject to change this year, including access to bars and public beaches. And spring training complexes, of course. But I'm not expecting to know the identity of the Orioles' first opponent and the location of the series for at least a few more days. Camps open Wednesday, but the Orioles' first workout...

Wondering about free agents and arbitration-eligible players

Wondering about free agents and arbitration-eligible players
With COVID-19 stalling the start of the baseball season until July 23 and 24 and owners tallying the lost revenue, it appears to be a most unfortunate time for a player to be entering free agency. The usual big spenders might be keeping those checkbooks closed. Especially if they find it more difficult to calculate income in 2021. Service time counts in 2020 no matter how many games are played, which inches outfielder Mookie Betts closer to the market entrance. Does it become harder to break...

Is the DH destined to be done in both leagues?

Is the DH destined to be done in both leagues?
I'm going to be accused of American League bias. I don't care. A universal designated hitter is coming to Major League Baseball in 2020 and 2021. If owners get their way, of course. It's in the proposal - or the agreement, depending on which term you've adopted. There's a sense that the new rule will carry beyond 2021. That pitchers will keep their bats in the rack except for extreme circumstances. Who's shedding tears? The purists who will miss a .050 hitter bunting the ball foul? I'm...

Because You Asked - I Want to Believe

Because You Asked - I Want to Believe
Because I've become quite adept at disappointing fans who seek answers from me during the coronavirus pandemic, I'm comfortable opening my latest "mailbag" and also putting the word in quotation marks. With all of the binge-watching that's taking place in households around the world, I'm hoping that you'll happily accept my latest sequel. Try to fit it in between episodes of "Ozark" and "Tiger King." In a related story, I haven't seen either one. I actually thought the latter was a...

Adjustment in Castro's delivery monitored from long distance

Adjustment in Castro's delivery monitored from long distance
The last pitch thrown by Orioles reliever Miguel Castro on March 6 provided evidence that work done on the side, the late tinkering of his delivery, was producing the desired results. But could he keep it going so many miles from the spring training complex? From his home in the Dominican Republic over the past two months? Pitching coach Doug Brocail keeps checking on it while back at his residence in Texas. Again, the video technology that's keeping family and friends connected during the...

Taking the latest Orioles quiz during the shutdown

Taking the latest Orioles quiz during the shutdown
If you sense that I'm giving you a quizzical look this morning, well, scroll down for verification. Or maybe the headline gave it away. This is the latest coronavirus edition. We could use the distraction and a few smiles. Extra credit awarded for expanding on "none of the above" by making a prediction. The season is going to start: A. In June B. In July C. In 2021 D. None of the above Games will be played: A. Exclusively in Arizona B. In Florida and Arizona C. In no more than five states D....

Recalling where Orioles played one year ago and bullpen woes

Recalling where Orioles played one year ago and bullpen woes
At the risk of rubbing salt into an open wound caused by the sports shutdown, the Orioles are supposed to be playing the Royals tonight to begin a four-game series at Camden Yards. I would have spent the following weekend in Chicago for the three-game set against the White Sox, as the season rolled merrily along. A year ago today, the Orioles were in the middle of a series against the Twins in Minnesota that treated them with concrete gloves. No kidding. The Orioles were swept by a combined...

Because You Asked - The Island of Lost Dreams

Because You Asked - The Island of Lost Dreams
I'm wearing rubber gloves today while sorting through my mailbag. All of my clothes are made out of Glad trash bags. Safety first. Don't use the scented brand. They'll give you a headache. I'd keep a six-foot distance from the mail, but my vision is pretty bad. Also, my arms wouldn't reach it. You know what's also a reach? Trying to convince anyone that there's an actual bag. But treat it as you would "Rocky IV" and suspend disbelief. (The Soviet crowd chanting his name at the end?...

Another look at what could be coming in a 2020 MLB season

Another look at what could be coming in a 2020 MLB season
The agreement between Major League Baseball owners and players this week ensures that players will get service time in 2020, even if there is not a season. While both sides seem very committed to playing this year and playing the most games possible, they did account for this scenario in their latest talks. Players on the roster all year in 2020, no matter how many games are scheduled, will also get a full year of service time. That makes sense as they would have played a full year, even if...

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...

How it might look in 2020: The O's rotation

How it might look in 2020: The O's rotation
Over the next few weeks, let's take a look at some aspects of the Orioles and how they were shaping up at the time that spring training was halted. Today, a look at the rotation. To me the rotation was setting up this way: No. 1 - John Means: He was slated to be the opening day starter if the opener was going to be on March 26. Everything was pointing to that and Means was on schedule for that start. It just had not been announced yet. Means had a solid spring and looked confident and ready to...

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...

Learning about the Orioles before spring training ended

Learning about the Orioles before spring training ended
The Orioles would have been hosting the split-squad Nationals this afternoon if spring training had proceeded without interruption. More roster cuts would have been made in order to get closer to 26. To at least get out of the 50s, which I'd love to do. Instead, players are returning home or waiting for the next directive. Workouts turned informal and then became discouraged. Trying to stay unified is admirable, but no longer seems practical. At least in large groups. Owners are clinging to...

Hector Velázquez prepping for Orioles debut

Hector Velázquez prepping for Orioles debut
DUNEDIN, Fla. - Hector Velázquez isn't quite set to make his Orioles debut. Maybe it comes over the weekend. The reliever anticipates a second bullpen session before he's cleared to pitch in a game for the Orioles, who claimed him off waivers from the Red Sox earlier this week. He's waiting for manager Brandon Hyde to give him more information. "I think that I'm going to need to throw one more bullpen," he said through interpreter Ramón Alarcón. "After that, the manager is going...

Scott still sending strikeouts with sizzle

Scott still sending strikeouts with sizzle
SARASOTA, Fla. - Tanner Scott will take the one-pitch outs. Ground ball, fly ball, however they come. He isn't averse to them. There are those occasions, however, when he can't stop the strikeouts. It happened again Sunday afternoon against the Yankees. Scott was assigned the ninth inning and fanned the side. Armando Alvarez, Brandon Lockridge and Trey Amburgey took turns flailing at fastballs clocked at 100-101 mph and the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium reacted to each radar reading on the...