More on Orioles' 40-man roster and personnel changes (updated)

More on Orioles' 40-man roster and personnel changes (updated)
The Orioles' 40-man roster continues to hold 39 players after the Mariners claimed outfielder John Andreoli yesterday afternoon. However, it's going down to 36 with pitcher Sean Gilmartin and infielders Jace Peterson and Corban Joseph also on outright waivers, their names appearing on the wire. Pitcher Gabriel Ynoa is on the 60-day disabled list, but he won't be activated and placed on the 40-man. None of the moves were unexpected. Ynoa didn't pitch for the Orioles this season, opening the...

Orioles lose Andreoli on waiver claim

Orioles lose Andreoli on waiver claim
The Orioles' 40-man roster was full on Sunday, contained an opening on Monday, was filled again yesterday and has more space on it today. The lack of front office hires, still on hold following the World Series, hasn't shut down business. The Mariners claimed outfielder John Andreoli off waivers from the Orioles, who now have 39 players on the roster. Both clubs made the announcement this afternoon. Baseball's circle of life has returned Andreoli to the Mariners after the Orioles selected...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
A last-place finish isn't keeping the Orioles idle as the Red Sox and Dodgers play in the World Series. Beyond the interviews that will lead to the hiring of a president of baseball operations, general manager and manager, the Orioles are making changes in their scouting department and minor league staff and working to create space on a 40-man roster that currently is filled. I've mentioned the need to activate five players from the 60-day disabled list - pitchers Richard Bleier, Pedro Araujo...

More roster talk, Lee update and former Orioles in October

More roster talk, Lee update and former Orioles in October
Setting the 40-man roster prior to the Rule 5 draft won't necessarily be the first order of business for the Orioles' reconstructed front office, with the non-tender deadline set for Nov. 30, but it's going to involve more heavy lifting. The roster is full and the Orioles need to create room for pitchers Dillon Tate and Branden Kline, who are assured of making it. Catcher Martin Cervenka and left-hander Luis Gonzalez also are expected to have spots open to them. As I've pointed out in the...

The latest non-update update on Orioles

The latest non-update update on Orioles
I was asked again yesterday about candidates to manage the Orioles next season. Whether a particular name is in the mix. Whether I can place odds on a veteran such as Joe Girardi or Dusty Baker versus a newbie such as MLB Network analyst and former player Mark DeRosa. We must go back to my previous statement that the new president of baseball operations will choose the manager. We're putting the cart before the horse by speculating on Buck Showalter's replacement. I'm still expecting the...

Orioles swept in doubleheader with 5-2 loss in Game 2

Orioles swept in doubleheader with 5-2 loss in Game 2
The sixth doubleheader of the season for the Orioles resulted in the third sweep against them. Two more losses to toss on the pile. The Orioles have grown accustomed to peering through the defeats to find positive strands. It's one way to maintain their sanity and stay optimistic as the worst season in franchise history sputters to a stop. Rookie Yefry Ramírez made his 13th major league start and 18th appearance tonight in Game 2 and he offered quality by baseball's long-standing...

Wrapping up Game 1 loss (O's down 5-2)

Wrapping up Game 1 loss (O's down 5-2)
The Orioles are trying to avoid being swept in today's doubleheader and also are seeking their first win against the Astros this season. The process is complicated, of course, by the opponent rolling out ace after ace. It seems unfair, as if the deck is stacked. Myles Straw hit his first major league home run, a solo shot to center field in the first inning to give the Astros a 1-0 lead, but rookie catcher Austin Wynns tied the game in the second with a single off left-hander Dallas Keuchel...

Orioles and Astros Game 2 lineups

Orioles and Astros Game 2 lineups
Adam Jones is in right field for Game 2 of today's doubleheader, as the Orioles try to gain a split. Jonathan Villar is the shortstop and Steve Wilkerson is playing second base. Tim Beckham is the designated hitter and John Andreoli is in left field. For the Orioles Cedric Mullins CF Jonathan VIllar SS Adam Jones RF Trey Mancini 1B Tim Beckham DH Renato Núñez 3B John Andreoli LF Austin Wynns C Steve Wilkerson 2B Yefry Ramírez RHP For the Astros Jose Altuve 2B Myles Straw LF Alex...

Stewart waiting for more chances against left-handers

Stewart waiting for more chances against left-handers
BOSTON - Marked absent in the lineup for yesterday's doubleheader against a pair of Red Sox left-handed starters, Orioles rookie outfielder DJ Stewart should resurface in the final homestand that also brings the 2018 season to a merciful conclusion. The Astros are starting right-handers Gerrit Cole tonight and Justin Verlander on Friday. The last two spots could be bullpen games. The Orioles certainly can relate. Stewart has amassed only three plate appearances against left-handers, drawing a...

Orioles gain split with 10-3 win in nightcap (updated)

Orioles gain split with 10-3 win in nightcap (updated)
BOSTON - The Orioles squeezed a combined 3 2/3 innings out of their starters in today's doubleheader, with Jimmy Yacabonis doing the heavy lifting. Yacabonis worked into the fourth inning in the nightcap, leaving with runners on the corners and one out in a tie game. Manager Buck Showalter would have to mobilize his relievers again while still keeping an eye on the next two games with rookie starters. So much juggling going on, so many balls in the air, so many reasons for players to wonder...

Orioles Game 2 lineup

Orioles Game 2 lineup
BOSTON - Adam Jones is the designated hitter for Game 2 of today's doubleheader, and Chris Davis stays on the bench against left-hander Chris Sale. Steve Wilkerson stays at second base and Jonathan Villar stays at shortstop. John Andreoli will patrol right field. Jimmy Yacabonis is starting for the Orioles. For the Orioles Cedric Mullins CF Jonathan Villar SS Trey Mancini 1B Adam Jones DH Renato Núñez 3B Joey Rickard LF John Andreoli RF Steve Wilkerson 2B Caleb Joseph C Jimmy Yacabonis...

Bullpen handles nine innings and Beckham homers twice in 6-3 win

Bullpen handles nine innings and Beckham homers twice in 6-3 win
NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter always talks about having to prepare for the what-ifs. As in, what if the starting pitcher gets nailed on the shin by a line drive in the first inning? How will the bullpen cover the rest of the game? Showalter sits down with pitching coach Roger McDowell and bullpen coach Alan Mills to ascertain the availability of their relievers. An expanded roster doesn't necessarily provide adequate cover. Alex Cobb's blister issues had the Orioles on high alert...

Orioles and Yankees lineups

Orioles and Yankees lineups
NEW YORK - Adam Jones is out of the lineup today for the series finale at Yankee Stadium. John Andreoli is in right field and Joey Rickard is in left. Breyvic Valera is batting second and playing second base. Jonathan Villar is the shortstop. Tim Beckham is the designated hitter. Chris Davis goes to the bench. Before Steve Wilkerson yesterday, the last Orioles player to get thrown out twice at the plate in the same game while trying to take an extra base was Eddie Murray on June 24, 1988...

DL Hall moves into the top 100, O's lose No. 110

DL Hall moves into the top 100, O's lose No. 110
Baseball America recently made some adjustments to the bottom of its latest top 100 prospects list. A couple of prospects graduated, meaning they no longer have major league rookie eligibility. So BA added two players to the bottom of the list, and one was Orioles pitching prospect DL Hall. The club's No. 1 draft choice in 2017, Hall enters at No. 100. This gives the Orioles four in the top 100, with outfielder Yusniel Díaz No. 44, outfielder Austin Hays No. 58 and infielder Ryan...

O's shut out for 15th time and tie club record for losses (updated)

O's shut out for 15th time and tie club record for losses (updated)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't decide to become trendy and go with an "opener" instead of a traditional starter against the Blue Jays. It was done out of necessity with injuries and innings limits forcing his hand. And he avoided the term as if it were contagious. A reliever stood on the mound tonight after the playing of both anthems. Call it what you want. Evan Phillips made his first major league start and second as a professional in front of an intimate gathering that waited out a...

Phillips starting tonight for Orioles

Phillips starting tonight for Orioles
The Orioles have chosen right-hander Evan Phillips as tonight's starter against the Blue Jays in the series opener at Camden Yards. Phillips has made one career start and it came last year with Triple-A Gwinnett. Chris Davis is out of the lineup again. Tim Beckham is the designated hitter and Jonathan Villar gets another start at shortstop. John Andreoli is in left field. Austin Wynns is catching. Rookie left-hander Ryan Borucki, a 15th-round pick in 2012, is 3-4 with a 4.26 ERA and 1.421 WHIP...

Notes on tonight's starter, Meisinger's roll and Stewart's DH duty

Notes on tonight's starter, Meisinger's roll and Stewart's DH duty
The Orioles will reveal their starter for tonight's game before the anthem. Hopefully, before the media gains access to the clubhouse at 3:10 p.m. It's an unwritten rule that pitchers don't talk on the day that they're starting. I'd hate to approach the wrong guy. The choice would seem to come down to left-handers Sean Gilmartin (my guess) and Donnie Hart and right-hander Evan Phillips. No matter who gets the ball, the bullpen figures to be busy. Gilmartin has made two starts in the majors...

Bundy's quality start and early runs produce 5-3 win (updated)

Bundy's quality start and early runs produce 5-3 win (updated)
Andrew Cashner underwent an MRI on his left knee, is expected to receive a cortisone injection and might not be ready to make his next start. Alex Cobb has a cut on his right middle finger that needs more time to heal, perhaps pushing him back to next weekend in the Bronx. Rookies Josh Rogers and David Hess have been moved to the bullpen and could back up rookie starters Luis Ortiz and Yefry Ramírez over the next two nights. The Orioles really needed Dylan Bundy to shake his slump tonight,...

Orioles lineup and Hays update

Orioles lineup and Hays update
The Orioles close out their series tonight against the Athletics with Adam Jones on the bench for the fourth time in six games. Joey Rickard is in right field tonight. John Andreoli is in left field. Jonathan Villar is the shortstop, with Breyvic Valera at second base. Tim Beckham is the designated hitter and Chris Davis joins Jones on the bench. An Orioles rotation that's painted in uncertainty is in need of a solid outing from Dylan Bundy, who's registered an 8.29 ERA and 1.671 WHIP since...

Jones on finishing out the season "with a smile" (O's down 10-5)

Jones on finishing out the season "with a smile" (O's down 10-5)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter met with Adam Jones to explain the outfielder's absence from the lineup, which is expected to continue through Sunday's series finale against the Rays. Showalter indicated that Jones will play again this month. Jones, meanwhile, said he's going to handle the situation "with a smile." "It's a great opportunity for some guys to get some big league experience," he said after taking batting practice and shagging fly balls. "It's good...