Orioles won't leave their tender moments alone

Orioles won't leave their tender moments alone
As the organization undergoes its makeover, decisions must be made regarding arbitration-eligible players and whether to extend contracts for 2019. The non-tender deadline is Nov. 30, giving the Orioles plenty of time to figure it out. A new high-ranking executive should be in place to handle it. Starter Dylan Bundy, reliever Mychal Givens and infielder Jonathan Villar are the no-brainers to receive contract offers. The Orioles aren't letting them hit free agency. The only questions pertaining...

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Left-hander Josh Rogers had his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk and gets tonight's start against the Blue Jays, becoming the 53rd player used by the Orioles this season and the 12th to make his major league debut. The club record is 14, in 1955. The Orioles placed Tides catcher Andrew Susac on the restricted list to create room for Rogers on the 40-man roster. Susac fractured his left wrist last month after being hit by a foul ball and left the team. Left-handers hit .211 against...

Orioles tune out trade talk while winning third in a row

Orioles tune out trade talk while winning third in a row
The Orioles made it through today's game without a trade. Adam Jones stayed in the lineup, and likely will continue to do so through the season unless swayed to revoke his 10-5 rights. Brad Brach remained in the bullpen, inactive since Tuesday except for conversation and munching sunflower seeds. The games still matter to this crew despite the constant chatter surrounding a rebuild. Their opponent over the weekend can verify it. The Orioles jumped on Rays starter Yonny Chirinos for three runs...

Updating Brach trade talks and O's interest in Mesa (O's up 12-3)

Updating Brach trade talks and O's interest in Mesa (O's up 12-3)
As the Orioles focus on trying to move the rest of their pending free agents following trades this month that sent shortstop Manny Machado to the Dodgers and reliever Zach Britton to the Yankees, they are talking to multiple teams about reliever Brad Brach while attempting to complete a deal by Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline. The Cubs, Rockies and Indians are maintaining interest in Brach, according to a source. Brach is 1-2 with 11 saves, a 4.85 ERA and 1.769 WHIP in 42 games over 39...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
While the Orioles are fielding calls from numerous teams on a variety of players, they still seem more intent on moving their veterans who are pending free agents, a stance they've taken since early in the process. There's been interest in second baseman Jonathan Schoop, starters Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy and reliever Mychal Givens. Only Schoop can leave via free agency after 2019. Again, executive vice president Dan Duquette will listen on anyone. His phone isn't set up to cut off...

Yefry Ramirez making major league debut today to close series

Yefry Ramirez making major league debut today to close series
If this is what's become of the 2018 season, so be it. Give Yefry Ramirez a start. Keep giving David Hess starts. Begin an intense talent evaluation while also trying - and this is the tricky part - to avoid a season that elicits sympathy from the '62 Mets. Or the '88 Orioles, who lost their first 21 games and were 18-47 on June 17. This year's model is 19-47 heading into today's series finale against the Red Sox. Ramirez might be one and done with Andrew Cashner expected to miss only one...

Showalter on Wynns and a rookie catching tandem (O's up 2-1)

Showalter on Wynns and a rookie catching tandem (O's up 2-1)
FLUSHING, N.Y. - Catcher Austin Wynns' cheering section is getting in position behind the visiting dugout at Citi Field, the group including parents Jeff and Laura, close friends Chris and India Rowe and agent Michael Bonanno. Other seats will be filled later. Wynns' family made the trip from San Diego and he's also got a group of friends who boarded flights to Flushing. He said Jimmy Yacabonis' parents, who are like a "second family" to him, also are here. This is only the second time...

Today's postponement delays Wynns' debut (updated)

Today's postponement delays Wynns' debut (updated)
The Orioles didn't waste any time waiting through the rain this morning, announcing that their game against the Yankees has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a split separate-admission doubleheader on Aug. 25. First pitch for the opener is 1:05 p.m., with the nightcap starting at 7:05 p.m. Separate admission is required for each game. Tickets and prepaid parking passes for today's postponed game will be honored for the 1:05 p.m. game and don't need...

Orioles continue search for leadoff hitter

Orioles continue search for leadoff hitter
The Orioles are recalling catcher Austin Wynns from Triple-A Norfolk today to replace Andrew Susac, who was optioned last night. Wynns, 27, will be making his major league debut. It's termed "recalled" because he's on the 40-man roster. The leadoff carousel spun in Joey Rickard's direction yesterday, with the outfielder and former Rule 5 pick chosen to bat atop the order. If not him, then who? Manager Buck Showalter has used seven different players in the leadoff spot, with Rickard...

Orioles option Susac, Showalter on today's loss

Orioles option Susac, Showalter on today's loss
The Orioles made a roster move following today's 8-5 loss to the Yankees, optioning catcher Andrew Susac to Triple-A Norfolk. The corresponding move will be revealed Sunday morning. Caleb Joseph is behind the plate tonight at Norfolk. Austin Wynns is on the bench. Joseph was optioned May 17 to make room for Susac, who is 3-for-26 with the Orioles. Joseph was batting .182/.203/.325 in 24 games with the Orioles, threw out 4 of 19 runners attempting to steal and committed four errors. He also had...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
There will come a point later this month when the Orioles' bullpen includes Zach Britton and Darren O'Day. Together at the same time. Maybe it's not too late to produce dual bobbleheads for the occasion. Britton hasn't pitched this season after undergoing Achilles surgery back in December. O'Day's been on the disabled list since May 6 after a teammate ran into him in the bullpen and hyperextended his right elbow. (A perfect symbol of the 2018 season.) If the Orioles stick with a seven-man...

Notes on Valencia, Hart and more (O's down 2-0)

Notes on Valencia, Hart and more (O's down 2-0)
The decision on Danny Valencia's return to the Orioles rests entirely with the player and his family. Valencia went on paternity leave today following the birth of his first child, Oliver, early this morning. He can be away from the club for a maximum of three days, but is allowed to come back sooner. It's a different rule if a player goes on bereavement leave. He has to be gone for the three full days. "That's completely up to Danny and his wife (Jocelyn)," said manager Buck Showalter....

Can Hess turn Nats into Rays?

Can Hess turn Nats into Rays?
The major league education of rookie right-hander David Hess continues tonight and he won't be facing the club that's provided the least resistance. Hess already owns two victories and quality starts against the Rays, including his debut in Game 1 of a May 12 doubleheader at Camden Yards. Matt Duffy's three-run homer in the first inning accounted for all of the scoring against him. He tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings last week at Tropicana Field, leading the Orioles to their only win of the...

Orioles offense still in low gear in 3-2 loss to Nats (updated)

Orioles offense still in low gear in 3-2 loss to Nats (updated)
There are only so many ways that a manager can manipulate a 25-man roster while trying to resuscitate his offense. Sub out a few names, raise or lower guys in the lineup, say a few prayers and maybe light a few candles, depending on the level of desperation and religious denomination. Buck Showalter dropped Trey Mancini from the leadoff spot to sixth yesterday afternoon and completely out of the order last night, the slump white-knuckling his left fielder to the tune of a .113 average in the...

Cashner can't keep Rays off bases in 5-1 loss (with quotes)

Cashner can't keep Rays off bases in 5-1 loss (with quotes)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The third time through the order didn't trip up Andrew Cashner today. He struggled right out of the gate, with five runs allowed through the second inning and 12 baserunners against him as the game progressed through the fourth. The Orioles weren't in come-to-the-rescue mode. They didn't have a hit until Danny Valencia's leadoff triple in the fifth and stranded him as part of a frustrating afternoon and a 5-1 loss to the Rays at Tropicana Field. Cashner was removed...

Hess and three relievers combine for 2-0 win (with quotes)

Hess and three relievers combine for 2-0 win (with quotes)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles knocked out the starting pitcher tonight after only two-thirds of an inning. They scored one run. A quick hook or a quirky plan by the opposition? Go with the latter. The Rays continue to use relievers as starters, tabbing Sergio Romo for tonight and Sunday afternoon. The Orioles turned to prospect David Hess, the more conventional move, and he responded with 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a 2-0 victory at Tropicana Field. The Orioles have won back-to-back road...

Hess falters in fifth and Orioles strand 14 in 5-0 loss (with quotes)

Hess falters in fifth and Orioles strand 14 in 5-0 loss (with quotes)
BOSTON - The Red Sox lineup can take a promising start and destroy it as if hooked to explosives. It can bring down a veteran pitcher or a prospect making his second major league start. And it won't be gentle. David Hess needed only seven pitches this afternoon to cruise through the fourth inning and keep the Orioles within a run, but it all came apart in the fifth. Andrew Benintendi and J.D. Martinez hit two-run homers, the Orioles littered the bases and couldn't convert, and the Red Sox...

Latest on Britton, O'Day and more (O's lead 6-4)

Latest on Britton, O'Day and more (O's lead 6-4)
BOSTON - Zach Britton threw another batting practice session earlier today at Fenway Park, facing Craig Gentry and Andrew Susac before handling more fielding drills. Britton increased his pitch count from 15 to 30 by working two "innings." "It was good," he said. "Threw against Gentry and Susac, so I got a good read. Didn't tell them what was coming this time, so I got a little more realistic look and how the stuff was and it's a little more competitive because they don't know what's...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
BOSTON - Mark Trumbo moves up to fifth in the order tonight with Chris Davis lowered to sixth. Joey Rickard remains in right field and Andrew Susac is behind the plate. A loss tonight would give the Orioles a club-record 14 in a row on the road. Alex Cobb is still looking for his first win as an Oriole, going 0-5 with a 7.06 ERA and 1.875 WHIP in six starts over 29 1/3 innings. His debut came against the Red Sox on April 14 at Fenway Park, when he allowed seven earned runs (eight total) and 10...

About last night ...

About last night ...
BOSTON - A team hitting the road shouldn't expect to keep getting punched in the mouth. Not this many times in a row. The Orioles have lost 13 consecutive games away from Camden Yards to tie the club record set during their historic 0-21 start in 1988. As if we need another link to the inglorious past. No team had lost 13 straight on the road since the Braves from Aug. 11-Sept. 6, 2015. Last night marked the Orioles' seventh straight loss to the Red Sox dating back to last season, their...