Orioles announce 2021 coaching staff

Orioles announce 2021 coaching staff
The Orioles announced their 2021 coaching staff this afternoon, which provided further confirmation that Tony Mansolino is handling third base duties and infield instruction. Mansolino, 38, replaces José Flores, who isn't returning after two seasons in the organization. News of Mansolino's hiring broke last month. He was the Indians' infield instructor and filled in at third base after Mike Sarbaugh moved into the dugout to serve as acting manager Sandy Alomar's bench coach. Mansolino...

MLB disputes report Elias and Holt linked to potential pension fraud

MLB disputes report Elias and Holt linked to potential pension fraud
A spokesman for Major League Baseball issued a statement tonight disputing a New York Daily News report that Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias and director of pitching Chris Holt are being investigated for potential pension fraud. "Major League Baseball is completely comfortable with the Orioles' coaching designations for the 2020 season, which are not only consistent with the terms of the pension plan but were approved in advance by MLB and shared prior to the start...

Rogers facing hitters in fall instructional camp

Rogers facing hitters in fall instructional camp
Among the important differences between the alternate camp site in Bowie and the fall instructional camp in Sarasota, Fla., is the ability of the Orioles to free their rehabbing players from home confinement. Injured Orioles couldn't report to Prince George's Stadium unless they were included in the 60-man pool, which had been reserved for players who might earn a call-up to the majors or healthy prospects. Left-hander Josh Rogers was working out at a friend's indoor sports training facility...

Wondering whether Orioles stay in-house during coaching search

Wondering whether Orioles stay in-house during coaching search
Past searches for coaching replacements on the Orioles' major league staff involved the casting of a wide net. Most recently, they found first base coach Anthony Sanders in the Rockies system, bullpen coach Darren Holmes after his stint in Colorado and major league coach Fredi González after his tenure in Miami. Third base coach José Flores came from Philadelphia prior to the 2019 season. Tim Cossins, the major league field coordinator and catching instructor, worked for the Cubs....

Brocail and Flores won't return to Orioles coaching staff

Brocail and Flores won't return to Orioles coaching staff
The offseason work conducted by the Orioles has moved past the 40-man roster today and impacted two coaches. The Orioles aren't going to bring back pitching coach Doug Brocail and third base coach/infield instructor Jose Flores, according to multiple industry sources. Potential candidates have not been determined and no other changes are coming to the staff at this time, per a source. Brocail was hired in January 2019 as the replacement for Roger McDowell, who served on former manager Buck...

Evan Phillips rolling in return trips

Evan Phillips rolling in return trips
The shuttle carried reliever Evan Phillips to Baltimore for Thursday's doubleheader against the Rays. Then it transported him back to the alternate camp site in Bowie, his status as the 29th man pretty much ensuring that his stay would be brief. He has the route memorized. Phillips was gone, but not forgotten or ignored. The Orioles recalled him again yesterday and he tossed two more scoreless innings. They were intrigued by the four batters faced and four strikeouts on 17 pitches in Game 2,...

Cobb's quality can't control outcome in 2-1 loss (updated)

Cobb's quality can't control outcome in 2-1 loss (updated)
Alex Cobb took his turn tonight, the senior member of a rotation that's filling up with freshmen. A bend in a popular September storyline. If Cobb is going to impact the rebuild, it's likely to be as a mentor for the rookies. Maybe as a trade chip over the winter or at next summer's deadline. Or perhaps he lessens the pain of it with a standout 2021. He has one season left on the four-year, $57 million deal he signed in March 2018. He has one start remaining after tonight. He needs to take...

Notes on Iglesias, MVO, Harvey, Valdez and Cobb

Notes on Iglesias, MVO, Harvey, Valdez and Cobb
Orioles shortstop José Iglesias is out of the lineup tonight for the second consecutive game, which leads to the latest quiz. Is Iglesias on the bench because of his quadriceps, shin or all of the above? "All of the above," manager Brandon Hyde said during today's Zoom conference call with the media. "It's a well-deserved day off for him. He'll be available off the bench. He actually wanted to be available off the bench in the second game last night as well. But yeah, giving him a...

O's lose in 10 innings, fall 4 1/2 games behind Yankees (updated)

O's lose in 10 innings, fall 4 1/2 games behind Yankees (updated)
The Yankee Stadium whistle still works. The one that plays after an opponent's strikeout. No longer done for the benefit of fans. Every bit as irritating to teams that don't want to be serenaded after another empty at-bat. The Orioles heard it five times today in the first two innings. Nine times through the fifth. The other sound is a club stumbling backward. Down to their last 15 games in a truncated season, the Orioles have fallen 4 1/2 behind the Yankees following today's 2-1 10-inning...

Akin shines and Stewart busts out of slump in 6-1 win (updated)

Akin shines and Stewart busts out of slump in 6-1 win (updated)
Keegan Akin didn't know the exact date when the Orioles intended to set him free from the alternate camp site and promote him to the majors. He had no idea that his debut in the rotation would happen in Buffalo and in the thick of the trade deadline. And he couldn't anticipate that he'd get into a pitchers' duel this month with Gerrit Cole. One is a rookie making his second start. The other is making $324 million. Akin didn't allow a run tonight through the first three innings. Cole struck...

LeBlanc leaves game with left elbow discomfort

LeBlanc leaves game with left elbow discomfort
Wade LeBlanc threw a curveball this afternoon to Red Sox designated hitter Christian Vázquez in the top of the first inning, signaled to the dugout and waited to be led off the mound. LeBlanc sustained an apparent injury with two outs and a 1-0 count on his fifth batter. Manager Brandon Hyde, pitching coach Doug Brocail and assistant athletic trainer Mark Shires walked onto the field to check on him. Shires and LeBlanc walked together to the clubhouse in an unexpected development in the...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles shouldn't go streaking while José Iglesias has a sore quad. (A failed attempt to reference "Old School") This team has played eight series. Six have resulted in sweeps - the Orioles on the good side of three and the bad side of three. And now their losing streak has reached four games to lower their record to 12-12. The alternate cap should have a broom on the front. Players that live by the clichéd "one game at a time" motto are handling the losses in the same manner as...

Scott left with high-leverage situations

Scott left with high-leverage situations
Tanner Scott must wonder sometimes whether he's going to be the last lefty standing. Scott had Zack Britton as a mentor in the Orioles bullpen. Then he relied on Richard Bleier. Leaders of the relief unit who are now gone in separate trades. Britton went to the Yankees at the 2018 deadline and later re-signed as a free agent. Bleier was sent to the depleted Marlins two weeks ago for a player to be named later. An expanded pitching staff this summer now holds Scott and Paul Fry as the only...

O's release Blach, set start time for suspended game (updated)

O's release Blach, set start time for suspended game (updated)
The 60-man player pool no longer is full for the Orioles. The team announced this morning that it released left-hander Ty Blach, who was on the injured list after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Blach wasn't on the 40-man roster, which is full, but his removal from the pool allows the Orioles to bring in another player. Pitcher Jorge López was claimed off waivers yesterday from the Royals and tossed into the pool. He's out of minor league options and set to join the team this week after...

Orioles turn up volume on intrasquad game

Orioles turn up volume on intrasquad game
Chris Davis sent a fly ball over the fence in right-center field tonight, a high drive off southpaw Wade LeBlanc in the top of the first inning. Fans could be heard cheering, though none were planted in the seats. DJ Stewart crossed the plate ahead of Davis after his walk and they tapped spikes instead of fists or elbows. Shoes are deemed safe. Davis was introduced by Orioles public address announcer Ryan Wagner and walk-up music played as the first baseman reached the batter's box. The ball...

Aiming for a mightier 'pen and other notes

Aiming for a mightier 'pen and other notes
The Orioles have certainly tried to build a better bullpen. Since the end of the 2019 season, they've added some new pitchers, and some holdovers have made changes that they hope will prove significant. Some talented young pitchers such as Hunter Harvey and Dillon Tate, who is injured currently, could be with the team for most of the 2020 season. O's pitching coach Doug Brocail presented Harvey as a closer option during a Zoom interview Sunday morning. No one is committing to the kid in that...

Roster reductions out of team's control, Stewart's rotation candidacy

Roster reductions out of team's control, Stewart's rotation candidacy
Camp reductions aren't supposed to happen due to injury. The Orioles would prefer maintaining control of the process, but it keeps slipping from their grasp. Forty-five players in the pool are supposed to be competing for spots on the 30-man roster for opening day. The rest are headed to the alternate camp in Bowie, with the Orioles having the freedom to call upon them. They were counting on Anthony Santander and Dwight Smith Jr. being at Fenway Park for the opener, but the odds keep shrinking...

Martin has broken bone in wrist, three spots in rotation appear set

Martin has broken bone in wrist, three spots in rotation appear set
The utility competition in the Orioles' summer training camp no longer includes Richie Martin, who's been lost in an unexpected manner. Martin underwent X-rays yesterday afternoon that revealed a fractured bone in his right wrist, an injury that occurred after he collided with first baseman Chris Davis while diving back into the bag during Friday night's intrasquad game. The former Rule 5 pick held his left hand while walking off the field, the discomfort caused by a torn fingernail and...

John Means: "I was ready to feel like I was worth something again"

John Means: "I was ready to feel like I was worth something again"
The Orioles haven't named their opening day starter for July 24, an announcement shelved due to baseball's shutdown. John Means was lined up for the assignment and nothing has happened to change the narrative. Means worked four "innings" yesterday while throwing live batting practice, which actually meant dialing down from his home activity. "I think I'm very close," he said today in a Zoom conference call. "Over the quarantine, I had built up to five innings, 75 pitches, but since the...

Milone on workouts, health and uncertain season

Milone on workouts, health and uncertain season
Orioles pitcher Tommy Milone is spending his days and nights working out and finding tasks to stay busy at his home in Santa Clarita, Calif., a city that's located about 45 minutes north of Los Angeles and known for its variety of roller coasters at the Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park. Milone should be used to the ups and downs. But his first year with the Orioles has been a shock to the system. How could the veteran left-hander have anticipated everything thrown at him? The coronavirus...