This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles managed to go three days between transactions, ending their streak late Wednesday night by optioning reliever Tayler Scott to Triple-A Norfolk. Scott's disappointment at leaving the Orioles is softened by his inclusion earlier that day in the team photo. That's right. Years from now you'll scan the photo and find Tayler Scott. Alex Cobb and Nate Karns aren't in it. Andrew Cashner missed by a week. Hanser Alberto was with his wife for the birth of their second daughter. But...

Reviewing the list of injured Orioles

Reviewing the list of injured Orioles
The Orioles must be expanding on their relaxed facial hair policy. They can't seem to shave their injured list. Reliever Josh Lucas was activated, optioned, designated for assignment and outrighted. He probably felt safer on the IL. John Means was reinstated back on June 28, the collective sigh of relief from the organization causing the flags to flutter above the bullpen area. But the rotation has lost Dylan Bundy to right knee tendinitis, forcing another roster move in a season loaded with...

Mullins moves down to Double-A Bowie (and other notes)

Mullins moves down to Double-A Bowie (and other notes)
The Orioles' center fielder on opening day has moved down to Double-A Bowie. Cedric Mullins has been transferred to the Baysox after batting .205/.272/.306 in 66 games with Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles optioned him after he started the season with only six hits in 64 at-bats. Mullins, 24, broke camp with the Orioles despite going 8-for-53 in exhibition games and he's never been able to heat up at the plate. He's leading off tonight and playing center field in Akron. The Tides made a series...

Brooks added to roster (and other notes)

Brooks added to roster (and other notes)
The Orioles completed their pending roster move today by adding right-hander Aaron Brooks to the 25-man roster. Brooks will wear No. 38 and he's set to become the 47th player used by the Orioles this season. Reliever Josh Lucas was designated for assignment Saturday to make room for Brooks on the 40-man roster. Lucas cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, news also announced today by the Orioles. So much for a break. Brooks was a waiver claim Saturday from the...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles close out the first half with an open spot on their 25-man roster that's going to be filled by new pitcher Aaron Brooks. David Hess was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk yesterday without appearing in a game. Sort of like Josh Lucas, except he was designated for assignment over the weekend to make room for Brooks on the 40-man roster. Brooks' role with the Orioles hasn't been defined. The rotation coming out of the break includes Dylan Bundy on Friday against the Rays at Camden Yards,...

Orioles claim Brooks off waivers from Athletics

Orioles claim Brooks off waivers from Athletics
The Orioles have claimed right-hander Aaron Brooks off waivers from the Athletics in the latest pitching-related move from the club today. Reliever Josh Lucas, optioned to Triple-A Norfolk last night, has been designated for assignment to create room for Brooks on the 40-man roster. Brooks was 2-3 with a 5.01 ERA and 1.252 WHIP in 15 games this year, including six starts, and he could become an option for the rotation. He allowed 28 earned runs (29 total) and 49 hits in 50 1/3 innings with 14...

Orioles recall David Hess

Orioles recall David Hess
The latest shuffling in the Orioles bullpen has slid David Hess back to the majors. The Orioles recalled Hess from Triple-A Norfolk this morning. He replaced Josh Lucas, who was optioned after last night's 4-1 win in Toronto. Manager Brandon Hyde will explain to the media at Rogers Centre how he envisions using Hess, but it's likely to be in long relief and other in-game spots, rather than in the rotation. Hess was moved to the bullpen and then optioned to Norfolk on June 16. He kept pitching...

Will Cashner continue with Orioles?

Will Cashner continue with Orioles?
Andrew Cashner is making his final start today before the All-Star break and it's interesting to consider whether there's another countdown to his last days with the Orioles. Not the last guaranteed year on his contract. His status as trade chip, perhaps the biggest on the club. Trey Mancini would rank first if we could determine his availability. The Orioles certainly would move Cashner, though creating another hole in the rotation might turn some stomachs queasy. Who's deserving of the...

Hyde on Lucas, Kline, Wojciechowski and more (O's lose 6-3)

Hyde on Lucas, Kline, Wojciechowski and more (O's lose 6-3)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The bullpen has changed again for the Orioles tonight with Josh Lucas activated from the injured list and Branden Kline optioned last night to Triple-A Norfolk. There's less shuffling in a casino. Lucas hasn't pitched since working three innings on June 13 and trying to ignore the tightness in his shoulder. He didn't require an injury-rehab assignment. It isn't unprecedented, of course. Others have returned without joining an affiliate, including first baseman Chris...

Orioles select Wojciechowski contract, activate Lucas

Orioles select Wojciechowski contract, activate Lucas
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles no longer have Asher Wojciechowski on their taxi squad. He's in the rotation. Wojciechowski will become the 14th pitcher to start for the Orioles this season when he takes the ball tonight against the Rays at Tropicana Field. His contract was selected from Triple-A Norfolk after he joined the team yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla. Pitcher Matt Wotherspoon has been designated for assignment again to make room for Wojciechowski on the 40-man roster. The Orioles...

Monday's starter, injury updates and other notes (O's down 2-0)

Monday's starter, injury updates and other notes (O's down 2-0)
The Orioles won't announce their Monday starter against the Rays until later today. However, Tom Eshelman has been scratched from his start at Triple-A Norfolk and manager Brandon Hyde said his club won't resort to a bullpen game. Sure sounds like Eshelman is the choice, but the Orioles haven't made it official. "We're still figuring some things out and nobody's been told," Hyde said. "The last few days isn't affecting Monday's start." Eshelman, 25, would become the 45th player used...

Updates on Rogers, Stewart, Karns, Lucas and more (O's up 9-0)

Updates on Rogers, Stewart, Karns, Lucas and more (O's up 9-0)
Orioles rookie pitcher Josh Rogers will receive the second opinion on his left elbow Tuesday morning in Arlington, Texas, while bracing for confirmation that he'll need a second Tommy John surgery. Rogers also underwent the procedure as a high school senior in 2013. He had a bone spur removed from the elbow four years later. He's no stranger to elbow surgeries. Not that it gets any easier for him. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Timothy Kremcheck performed the first two surgeries, but Rogers is...

Importance of returning Means to the rotation (and other notes)

Importance of returning Means to the rotation (and other notes)
The importance of a rookie left-hander on the Orioles roster keeps growing. To the point where his absence feels like it could lead to a total collapse. Not just a brick at a time. An implosion and a huge cloud of dust. John Means is coming off the injured list today, making him available to start against the Indians as the Orioles keep searching for their 10th home win. His left shoulder strain wasn't serious, though it removed him briefly from the rotation. Any signs of panic would be...

Hyde on Machado, Rutschman and injured Orioles (O's down 8-3)

Hyde on Machado, Rutschman and injured Orioles (O's down 8-3)
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde joked twice today about speeding up and concluding his pregame media session so everyone in the room could get the next guy. Manny Machado drew a crowd in his return to Camden Yards and his session lasted about 11 minutes longer. Hyde was more of an opener, but only for today. "I didn't get to see him play much to be honest with you. I saw him play a couple times interleague when we came here in '17," Hyde said. "I obviously watched him on TV a lot. Everybody...

Kline and Scott return in the O's bullpen shuffle (game update)

Kline and Scott return in the O's bullpen shuffle (game update)
SEATTLE - In just the last week or so the Orioles pitching staff has seen Josh Rogers join the team again along with Jimmy Yacabonis and Sean Gilmartin. Today Branden Kline and Tanner Scott returned. Among those headed out to Triple-A Norfolk were Paul Fry and Evan Phillips to join David Hess. Josh Lucas went on the injured list. It's recently been a continuing shuffle for a bullpen that has an ERA of 10.70 during a nine-game losing streak. But in bringing back Kline and Scott today the...

Rogers leaned on Cashner long-distance

Rogers leaned on Cashner long-distance
The friendship that developed between pitchers Andrew Cashner and Josh Rogers in spring training shifted a bit toward mentorship last week as the veteran decided to contact the rookie. A phone call that accomplished two purposes. Check on Rogers' life outside of baseball and pass along some professional advice. Rogers was struggling and unable to gain a promotion until the Orioles had little choice. They needed a starter for Friday night, coincidentally with Cashner scratched due to a blister...

Lucas provides update on injured shoulder

Lucas provides update on injured shoulder
Reliever Josh Lucas sat at his locker this morning with an ice pack wrapped on his right shoulder. He's on the 10-day injured list, but optimistic about his ability to return as soon as he's eligible. An MRI confirmed a strain in the shoulder, but no structural damage. Lucas said he felt some tightness while warming up prior to the ninth inning of Thursday night's outing against the Blue Jays. The bullpen was taxed and Lucas pushed through his third inning of work, totaling a career-high 63...

Orioles recall Rogers and put Lucas on IL

Orioles recall Rogers and put Lucas on IL
The Orioles needed more coverage for their bullpen tonight and recalled left-hander Josh Rogers from Triple-A Norfolk. Reliever Josh Lucas was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. Lucas handled the last three innings last night and threw 63 pitches. A fresh arm was necessary following last night's 12-3 loss to the Blue Jays. "Last night hurt us in a lot of ways," said manager Brandon Hyde. "We're obviously really short today, so it was a scramble in the office...

Orioles recall Ortiz to make tonight's start

Orioles recall Ortiz to make tonight's start
The Orioles are giving tonight's start to right-hander Luis Ortiz, who's been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to face the Red Sox in the opener of a three-game series at Camden Yards. Reliever Evan Phillips has been optioned to Norfolk in the corresponding roster move. Phillips, who was recalled Saturday, worked two-thirds of an inning last night and surrendered one run and three hits in a 12-3 loss to the Blue Jays. He also allowed an inherited runner to score and has a 7.71 ERA. Ortiz is...

Pitching falls apart for Orioles in 12-3 loss (updated)

Pitching falls apart for Orioles in 12-3 loss (updated)
The Orioles begin to feel better about their rotation and bullpen and inevitably are thrown a curve. They're caught looking at another predicament. They won't get Alex Cobb back in the mix because he's set to undergo season-ending hip surgery this week. Andrew Cashner has been scratched from Friday night's series opener against the Red Sox due to a blister on his right middle finger. Five straight quality starts on the last road trip, as well as the good vibes attached to them, won't carry...