This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Padres' decision to hire Jayce Tingler as their next manager had a ripple effect that nudged Buck Britton into a new set of responsibilities. Britton, who spent the 2019 season managing Double-A Bowie, has replaced Tingler as manager of Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League. Tingler was working for the Rangers as major league player development field coordinator. Britton was expecting to serve in a coaching capacity with Escogido. Gilbert Gómez become quality control coach...

Because You Asked - Dawn of Justice

Because You Asked - Dawn of Justice
The Orioles are three-quarters through the 2019 season and, much to the chagrin of the most optimistic of fans, a winning record no longer is a mathematical possibility. I've lost count of how many times I've responded to the same questions. Of how many times I've made a mockery of the mailbag format for interacting with readers. You keep coming back, so you must get the joke. Or you just keep coming back and are thinking, 'What joke?' In which case ... never mind. You ask and I answer and...

Leftover thoughts on Karns

Leftover thoughts on Karns
Anything interesting happen last night? The news last week that the Orioles released Nate Karns from his contract didn't send shockwaves through the industry. Karns cleared waivers and was outrighted. He had the right to decline the assignment and apparently chose to do it. What followed was a paper move. And a final admission that the major league free agent signing for the Orioles in the offseason didn't pan out. It was worth a shot. A veteran who could fill a spot in the rotation or...

Orioles lineup and today's transactions

Orioles lineup and today's transactions
Ditching the two-man bench lasted one game. The Orioles placed outfielder DJ Stewart on the seven-day concussion injured list today and reinstated left-hander John Means from the 10-day IL. Means is making tonight's start and close out the Yankees series. The Orioles could have optioned a pitcher for Means and recalled a position player for Stewart, but they'll go back to having two reserves. Stewart was hit on the left temple by Mike Ford's fly ball last night while sliding on the wet grass...

Latest on Castro, Smith and Karns (tied 6-6)

Latest on Castro, Smith and Karns (tied 6-6)
The Orioles needed a reliever more than a position player tonight, which led to them recalling right-hander Tayler Scott from Triple-A Norfolk. Scott made two relief appearances for the Orioles and allowed five runs in two innings. He surrendered two home runs. However, he's tossed 13 scoreless innings and recorded one walk and 17 strikeouts with Norfolk. Miguel Castro is "iffy" for tonight's game, according to manager Brandon Hyde. Castro threw on the field and did some running, and the...

Brandon Hyde on Orioles' recent winning stretch

Brandon Hyde on Orioles' recent winning stretch
ANAHEIM, Calif. - If, according to some observers, the Orioles are supposed to be tanking, some players may not have gotten the memo. This is no way to get the No. 1 draft pick. The Orioles have played hard for most of the year and now we are seeing them at times play both hard and well. When they get some big offense, they can take a series from Cleveland. When they get big starts from John Means and Asher Wojciechowski, they can take a series from Boston. And now they have a winning record...

Talking about Rutschman, Karns, Wilkerson and Ortiz

Talking about Rutschman, Karns, Wilkerson and Ortiz
The day has arrived. And so has Adley Rutschman. The first overall pick in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft has ditched the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and is moving up one level to short-season Single-A Aberdeen. Florida couldn't hold the kid. Time to get him in Maryland. Rutschman would have reported a day earlier, but only for batting practice, if not for Thursday's rainout. The Orioles wanted him to catch in one more game, which he did yesterday. Because he was behind the plate,...

Manager Brandon Hyde on flurry of roster moves (game update)

Manager Brandon Hyde on flurry of roster moves (game update)
ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Orioles made a series of roster moves in the final 80 minutes before gametime tonight, which included All-Star lefty John Means going to the 10-day injured list. But the Orioles fully expect Means back after his 10-day IL stay is up and their concern level right now is low. But manager Brandon Hyde said he did not yet know what he will do to replace Means in the rotation with the news fresh today. The rundown of the moves: * Placed Means on the 10-day injured list...

Hyde on Bundy, Núñez, Kline and Trumbo (O's lead 7-2)

Hyde on Bundy, Núñez, Kline and Trumbo (O's lead 7-2)
PHOENIX - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde will pay close attention as usual to Dylan Bundy's work on the mound tonight. However, it's the at-bats that might draw the closest scrutiny. And bring the most anxiety. Bundy sprained his ankle last summer in Atlanta while running to third base and he's coming off a stint on the injured list with tendinitis in his knee. The risk of injury always hangs heavy in the air, even beneath a closed roof. "I don't want him to push anything," Hyde said....

Núñez on his return to third base

Núñez on his return to third base
PHOENIX - It's taken 100 games into the 2019 season for Renato Núñez to make his return to third base. Núñez started at first base last night at Chase Field and is moving across the diamond tonight. The motivation for manager Brandon Hyde likely centers on the lack of a designated hitter in a National League park and the desire to keep Núñez's power bat in the lineup. Hyde indicated prior to the road trip that Núñez would get more opportunities in the field....

Updating Karns, Scott's return, catching and more (O's down 16-6)

Updating Karns, Scott's return, catching and more (O's down 16-6)
Reliever Nate Karns threw a 20-pitch simulated game this afternoon in the intense heat at Camden Yards, sweat pouring off his face later as he sat at his locker and tried to recover in the air conditioning. He mimicked one inning and headed indoors. Karns hasn't pitched for the Orioles since April 8 due to stiffness in his right forearm and multiple rehab assignments have been interrupted. He's set a goal for his return as the Orioles prepare for a three-city West Coast trip that begins...

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...

Orioles lineup vs. Nationals

Orioles lineup vs. Nationals
Aaron Brooks makes his second start with the Orioles tonight as they try for a split of their two-game series with the Nationals. Brooks worked 2 2/3 scoreless and hitless innings in his debut Saturday in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Rays. He was removed after 32 pitches. Brooks has never faced the Nationals. Adam Eaton is 2-for-4 against him and Yan Gomes is 1-for-3. Anthony Santander has moved to left field tonight with Dwight Smith Jr. on the bench and sitting on an 0-for-30...

Notes on Bundy, Trumbo, Mancini and more (O's down 6-1)

Notes on Bundy, Trumbo, Mancini and more (O's down 6-1)
The cortisone injection in Dylan Bundy's right knee is having the desired effect and he remains confident that he'll be ready to come off the injured list when he's eligible. Bundy played catch and ran earlier today and said he'll throw a light bullpen session on Wednesday if the knee responds favorably. "It feels as good as it's felt since spring training," he said. The Orioles can adjust their rotation again with Thursday's off-day. They start Aaron Brooks on Wednesday and could give...

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...

Bundy could be headed to IL with right knee tendinitis (updated)

Bundy could be headed to IL with right knee tendinitis (updated)
The Orioles are preparing for the possibility that starter Dylan Bundy is headed to the 10-day injured list after a medical exam this morning revealed tendinitis in his right knee. Bundy lasted only one inning and 37 pitches last night, allowing a season-high seven runs and revealing afterward that he felt discomfort while throwing in the outfield and in the bullpen and throughout his abbreviated start. "We're going to monitor here and have some more discussions about it in the next hour...

Means on his All-Star experience: "It was a blast" (O's down 16-2)

Means on his All-Star experience: "It was a blast" (O's down 16-2)
John Means wasn't surprised that he didn't pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game, the lone Orioles representative unable to get back on the field until the final out of the American League's 4-3 win. He knew how his night would play out. AL manager Alex Cora kept Means in the loop as well as the bullpen. "I knew before the game I was extra innings," Means said earlier today. "He brought me in and was like, 'I've got to plan out 15 innings. I know you're a starter, you can go longer, so...

Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
The Orioles open the second half tonight with Anthony Santander in center field. Chance Sisco is batting cleanup to begin a four-game series against the Rays at Camden Yards. Jonathan Villar is the shortstop and Hanser Alberto is playing second base. Chris Davis is batting seventh. He's 6-for-12 this month with a double and two home runs and his .189 average is its highest since reaching .191 on May 17. He's 10-for-26 since June 19. For the Orioles Jonathan Villar SS Dwight Smith Jr. LF Trey...

Questions and curiosities about the Orioles' second half

Questions and curiosities about the Orioles' second half
The Orioles open the second half of their season Friday night against the Rays and host two more teams, the Nationals for two games and the Red Sox for three, before going back out to the West Coast. (Quick, when is the last time they've played consecutive series of four, two and three games? Someone contact STATS or the other Elias.) There are some lingering questions and curiosities hanging over the team, including whether it finishes again with the worst record in baseball and gets the...

Closer look at Orioles' roster usage

Closer look at Orioles' roster usage
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles made it through last night's game without calling upon a 47th different player. They managed to get by with the current group, covering nine innings and heading to Toronto for the final series before the All-Star break. Are 46 players a lot over the course of a season? How about in the first half? Spoiler alert: The first-half number is a club record. So, yes, it's a lot. Consider that the Orioles' record for a season is 56, set last year as they began to...