Orioles facing many more 40-man moves

Orioles facing many more 40-man moves
The early work on the Orioles' 40-man roster consisted of one move that probably didn't require hours of study, deliberation and angst. The team likes Travis Lakins Sr. Manager Brandon Hyde talked about the reliever's recovery from elbow surgery and the likelihood that he'd be ready for spring training. But it made no sense to move Lakins from the 60-day injured list to a 40-man roster that requires heavy cuts. A chain saw rather than a pocket knife. Teams figured to pass on Lakins after he...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Becoming the first Orioles player with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the same season should be the most impressive achievement for Cedric Mullins in 2021, but discussions on his breakout year inevitably circle back to how he abandoned switch-hitting and experienced left-on-left success. It blows away everyone who talks about it. I've had scouts, in the middle of a chat, bring up what Mullins did against left-handed pitching and how unusual it was to make that decision. To choose one side...

Stowers and Diaz headline Orioles entries in Arizona Fall League

Stowers and Diaz headline Orioles entries in Arizona Fall League
The Orioles will have eight players representing the organization with the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League. Pitchers Cameron Bishop, Logan Gillaspie, Conner Loeprich and Nick Vespi, catcher Ramon Rodriguez, infielder Greg Cullen, and outfielders Yusniel Diaz and Kyle Stowers will play for Mesa. Rodriguez is on the taxi squad. Triple-A Norfolk hitting coach Tim Gibbons will serve in the same capacity with the Solar Sox. The first game is Wednesday, Oct. 13. The annual Fall Stars Game...

Putting Hays in corner an appealing move for Orioles

Putting Hays in corner an appealing move for Orioles
Among the important developments for the Orioles in 2021, and it requires looking past the record, run differential, negative WARs and the rest, is the ability of Austin Hays to stay in the lineup after his return from a strained left hamstring on June 11 and play in a career-high 131 games. A mark that wasn't hard to surpass considering the previous best was 33 last summer. Hays accumulated 529 plate appearances, and he built on a reputation for finishing strong while others tend to whither....

Orioles can begin easing into offseason

Orioles can begin easing into offseason
The offseason business can commence with the Orioles completing their final regular season game yesterday in Toronto and finishing at 52-110, and with a club-record 62 players used, - catcher Nick Ciuffo being the last - and 16 making their debuts. Major League Baseball prefers that teams remain relatively quiet this month while the playoffs are ongoing. No major announcements. But the 40-man roster can be adjusted, for example, while the Orioles sweat the small stuff. They also can evaluate...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups (plus notes)

Orioles and Red Sox lineups (plus notes)
The Orioles' final home game of the 2021 season will begin with rookie Alexander Wells making his 11th major league appearance and eighth start. Wells has a 7.61 ERA and 1.745 WHIP in 36 2/3 innings. He's averaging 12.3 hits, 3.4 walks, 5.9 strikeouts and 2.2 home runs per nine innings. Wells has completed five innings in his last two starts, allowing eight runs and 11 hits. He faced the Red Sox on Sept. 19 and surrendered five runs and six hits, with J.D. Martinez hitting a solo...

Stewart's placement on injured list latest change to outfield

Stewart's placement on injured list latest change to outfield
With so much turbulence striking the Orioles roster this summer, there was no reason to believe that the outfield would be unaffected. And that the depth so fiercely advertised throughout the winter and spring would protect it. DJ Stewart is done for the last two weeks of the season and primed to undergo surgery on his right knee. A procedure to correct an "osteochondral defect," which also is known as "osteochondritis dissecans," which brings no clarity. Basically, it's damage to the...

Orioles rally to tie, but lose 5-4 in Toronto (updated)

Orioles rally to tie, but lose 5-4 in Toronto (updated)
A couple of bases-loaded walks tonight in the second inning gave the Orioles a lead and some evidence that they can work a count and offer their manager the type of at-bats he's been pleading for during the season. Those walks, by Cedric Mullins and Ryan Mountcastle, weren't intended to provide the bulk of the offense. The Orioles would need to back them with some clutch hitting and hope the bullpen also could step up. Jorge Mateo led off the sixth with a double against Tayler Saucedo, his...

Because You Asked - The Edge of Reason

Because You Asked - The Edge of Reason
The Orioles aren't playing tonight. They have an off-day in New York. We should all be so lucky. "Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to Broadway?" "Practice, practice, practice." I've already mastered the art of the mailbag. How to gather questions, provide answers - or at least make the attempt - and exhibit tremendous patience while repeating myself. And also how to make it conversational at times, which ain't easy with the mail. I implore everyone to be as expansive as you'd like...

More thoughts on September roster expansion

More thoughts on September roster expansion
The Orioles can happily push aside August, giving it a hard shove after losing 24 of 28 games, and get down to September business. There's always something to keep them active and it's usually about the roster. The difference now is they can expand it rather than just plugging holes. With the team in Canada and transporting a taxi squad, the logical moves today would be to recall left-hander Alexander Wells and right-hander Dusten Knight since they're already in the visiting clubhouse at...

Elias on September expansion, Diaz, Rutschman and more

Elias on September expansion, Diaz, Rutschman and more
The constant glimpses into the future, where many of the Orioles maintain their gaze for as long as the days allow, isn't just for the 2022 season and beyond. It isn't just about where the finish line to the rebuild might be placed. There's the task of figuring out which players to call up in September and in what increments with rosters expanding only to 28. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias tackled that subject yesterday while sitting in the dugout during batting...

Losing streak puts Orioles in position for first pick in 2022 draft

Losing streak puts Orioles in position for first pick in 2022 draft
Moving below the Diamondbacks for the worst record in the majors has put the Orioles in front of everyone else for the No. 1 pick in the 2022 amateur draft. There must be a reward for enduring such agony. Baseball America's early mock draft, published last month, has IMG Academy outfielder Elijah Green as the top choice. It noted his "special combination of elite physicality, electric tools and an impressive underclass track record of hitting." Former Orioles bench coach John Russell, a...

Updates on Wells, Scott, Harvey, Severino, Zimmermann and more

Updates on Wells, Scott, Harvey, Severino, Zimmermann and more
The Orioles are on the verge of getting back one of their high-leverage relievers for a beleaguered bullpen. Tyler Wells threw a simulated inning this afternoon and the results were positive for a team that badly needs him. No discomfort in his right wrist and the stuff was crisp. "Came off the mound feeling good," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He looked great. Fastball was there. He threw some really good curveballs and sliders and changeup. So, encouraged how he came off the mound. "We're...

Wells throws off mound again (and lineups)

Wells throws off mound again (and lineups)
Rule 5 reliever Tyler Wells pitched to outfielders Ryan McKenna and DJ Stewart this afternoon at Camden Yards in a live batting practice session. The Orioles are deciding whether Wells is ready to be reinstated from the injured list. Soreness in his right wrist delayed his return after his last mound session. Wells hasn't pitched for the Orioles since July 19 due to tendinitis in the wrist. He's the closer in waiting for a bullpen that needs a trustworthy option for manager Brandon Hyde. The...

Orioles trying to find ways to fix a frustrating situation

Orioles trying to find ways to fix a frustrating situation
There are no easy or obvious solutions to the Orioles' explosive bullpen, holes in the rotation and thinning roster due to injuries. Not unless the production picks up at its highest affiliate. That would at least provide an option. Relievers have surrendered 52 runs in the past five games - 16 scored in the eighth inning in the Rays' sweep - and manager Brandon Hyde can't be criticized for running the same group into games every night. He can't be ripped for ignoring hot hands that simply...

Early excitement from Orioles evaporates in 12-3 loss (updated)

Early excitement from Orioles evaporates in 12-3 loss (updated)
Before the Orioles began tonight's game against the Rays, about 30 minutes later than intended, they stood along the dugout railing to watch the club's newest inductees into its Hall of Fame. To enjoy the ceremony and see how the other half lived, rather than just gazing across the field. The video tribute for former shortstop J.J. Hardy closed with him reaching for home plate to score the go-ahead run on Delmon Young's bases-clearing double in the 2014 Division Series. The loudest moment in...

Because You Asked - Heading Home

Because You Asked - Heading Home
The month of July is behind us and the ol' mailbag is swollen like a tick on a Doberman. The dog days of summer are upon us. I need to get back to answering your questions - over and over without complaint or pointing out how many of them are repetitious. It can be done with sincerity or a dash of sarcasm. It can be informative and fun. It's a floor wax, it's a dessert topping. There is no editing for length, clarity, style or brevity. It's the internet. We have room. Also, my mailbag cup...

Orioles and Yankees lineups (updated)

Orioles and Yankees lineups (updated)
Cedric Mullins brings an 11-game hitting streak into tonight's game against the Yankees in the Bronx. Mullins is 17-for-44 (.386) with three doubles, a triple, two home runs, four walks and four stolen bases during his streak. Last night marked his team-leading 33rd multi-hit game of the season. He's batting .318 (14-for-44) with two doubles, four home runs, five RBIs, three walks, four stolen bases and eight runs scored in 11 games against the Yankees this season. Left-hander Nestor Cortes...

What's left to look forward to after the trade deadline?

What's left to look forward to after the trade deadline?
The trade talk is silenced. Another important date is crossed off baseball's calendar. Unless you get excited over expanded September rosters - and only two additional players may be added in 2021 - there isn't much left beyond the actual games. For the Orioles, attention to the minors only intensifies. Like the Adley Rutschman watch as he keeps pushing for a promotion to Triple-A Norfolk. It can't be much longer. And how convenient if he simply has to go from Richmond, where Double-A Bowie...

Elias talks about trade deadline, minor league injuries and more

Elias talks about trade deadline, minor league injuries and more
The Orioles tried to trade at least one of their relievers prior to today's deadline. Talks began more than a week ago and kept moving at varying paces until 4 p.m. The effort wasn't lacking, only an agreement. Triple-A reliever Shawn Armstrong was dealt to the Rays this morning for cash considerations. Injured shortstop Freddy Galvis was sent back to the Phillies for Single-A pitcher Tyler Burch just before the negotiating window slammed shut. No one in the current bullpen had to pack up and...