Brandon Hyde on roster moves, homecoming and more (game update)

Brandon Hyde on roster moves, homecoming and more (game update)
OAKLAND - The latest new member in the Orioles bullpen, left-hander Sean Gilmartin, joined the team today. He's thrown well at Triple-A Norfolk with a 2.48 ERA and a 9 1/3 consecutive innings scoreless run. "It's nice to have somebody with experience here," manager Brandon Hyde said of the 29-year-old Gilmartin, who has pitched in 78 career games with the Mets and Orioles. "Sean has thrown the ball really well in Norfolk. The way our games have played out, we just need someone to cover...

Orioles could use opener in Oakland (tied 3-3, Hyde ejected)

Orioles could use opener in Oakland (tied 3-3, Hyde ejected)
The Orioles may decide to use an opener Wednesday afternoon in Oakland instead of giving the start to left-hander Josh Rogers. The spot behind Andrew Cashner and Gabriel Ynoa again is to be determined. Manager Brandon Hyde announced yesterday that Rogers would get the assignment, but he's now considering alternatives. Rogers likely would follow the opener if he's put back in the bullpen. "We let the A's know it's still a little bit unsure," Hyde said. "It's kind of how things go the...

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...

Trumbo gets injection (Cashner scratched, O's down 12-3)

Trumbo gets injection (Cashner scratched, O's down 12-3)
Mark Trumbo's latest attempt to come back from knee surgery hit another snag. Trumbo reported soreness in the knee yesterday and received a platelet-rich plasma injection today in Baltimore. He left Triple-A Norfolk and has rejoined his teammates at Camden Yards. Coming off the 60-day injured list no longer is an option this weekend. The injury rehab assignment ends Sunday, but Trumbo will be shut down for at least a week. "Yesterday afternoon he had some soreness in his knee, so we got a PRP...

Wondering about Santander's staying power

Wondering about Santander's staying power
If you're willing to venture outside of the draft talk and who's a trade chip or candidate for an extension, one of the more interesting storylines that's developing with the Orioles involves their prospects and which ones are deemed ready for extended auditions with the club and which are viewed as needing more time in the minors. In the case of Anthony Santander, the Orioles could shift their thinking and keep him around, though it's only the second week of June. Santander was cut in...

Orioles could be ready to expand bench

Orioles could be ready to expand bench
The improvements in the Orioles rotation during the last road trip and John Means' ability to gut out five innings last night after a laborious first could open some doors for manager Brandon Hyde. Maybe shuffle the hand that he's been dealt. Hyde finds it much easier to rest certain relievers with fewer innings to cover. A burden finally is lifted from the bullpen, for however long it lasts. Game management is simplified. Hyde will take it. There's also the possibility that the club finally...

Means grinds through five innings in 4-2 win (updated)

Means grinds through five innings in 4-2 win (updated)
Extending the Orioles' streak of quality starts to six tonight became a tall order for left-hander John Means after a 33-pitch top of the first inning. Making it through the fifth was now an issue. Means managed to complete five innings while continuing to impress in his rookie campaign and the Orioles claimed their fourth series opener in the last five opportunities with a 4-2 victory over the Blue Jays before an announced crowd of 12,524 at Camden Yards. The bullpen held the Jays to one run...

Tackling topics before tonight's game

Tackling topics before tonight's game
Rather than take a deep dive into my "mailbag," and I realize that I'm getting loose with the language when I refer to it as such, I've chosen to tackle a few prevalent questions. No real heavy lifting this morning. Why are the Orioles wasting their international signing bonus slots instead of using them on the top foreign-born players? Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias was very clear with this point while addressing the crowd at FanFest. He wasn't going to spend just...

Orioles acquire Eshelman from Phillies

Orioles acquire Eshelman from Phillies
The Orioles need rotation help at the Triple-A level. Their options have been limited due to the ineffectiveness of starters who otherwise would have been under consideration for promotions. A move was made this morning to address the issue. The club announced that it's acquired right-hander Tom Eshelman from the Phillies in exchange for international signing bonus slots. He's been assigned to the Norfolk Tides. Eshelman, 24, has ties to executive vice president and general manager Mike...

Hays may be hovering over Orioles outfield

Hays may be hovering over Orioles outfield
HOUSTON - While the Orioles continued to audition Anthony Santander in right field yesterday with DJ Stewart on the injured list, one of their top prospects joined the highest affiliate for the first time in his professional career. Austin Hays started in center field last night with Triple-A Norfolk and went 2-for-5 with a double. Release the streamers and confetti. The rehab portion of Hays' season is finished. His thumb is healed and he no longer needs at-bats below his assigned level. Hays...

Elias on Rutschman, rebuilds and reunions (tied 3-3)

Elias on Rutschman, rebuilds and reunions (tied 3-3)
HOUSTON - Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias anticipates that the club can begin announcing draft-pick signings next week, and he remains convinced that the process with catcher Adley Rutschman, the first-overall selection out of Oregon State University, will be a smooth one. The July 12 deadline shouldn't trip up the Orioles. "We've got a big effort on our hands now getting all these guys signed," Hyde said earlier today. "I'm working on that. Brad Ciolek,...

Santander on his latest opportunity with the Orioles

Santander on his latest opportunity with the Orioles
HOUSTON - Dwight Smith Jr. has joined the Orioles in Houston, allowing the medical staff to check on him again before he dressed and headed out of Minute Maid Park this afternoon. Smith isn't available to the media because he's under concussion protocol. In his place is outfielder Anthony Santander, who's starting tonight in right field after the Orioles recalled him from Triple-A Norfolk. "I feel good," Santander said via interpreter Ramón Alarcón. "Very thankful to the team for...

Orioles recall Anthony Santander

Orioles recall Anthony Santander
HOUSTON - Needing an outfielder today to replace Dwight Smith Jr., the Orioles have recalled Anthony Santander from Triple-A Norfolk as they begin a three-game series against the Astros. Smith has been placed on the seven-day concussion injured list after crashing into the left field fence last night at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas. He didn't fly with the team following a 4-3 loss to the Rangers. The Orioles also had Smith undergo X-rays on his shoulder, but today's transaction only...

What it means for Means to be considered for All-Star Game

What it means for Means to be considered for All-Star Game
ARLINGTON, Texas - The Orioles are urging fans to cast votes for Trey Mancini and get him into next month's All-Star Game in Cleveland. Ideas on how to promote him are percolating and he's the logical team representative based on his impressive first-half statistics and the limited alternatives on a team that began last night tied with the Royals for the worst record in baseball. Mancini hit his 13th home run in the top of the first inning, a sore left foot still able to carry him around the...

Smith latest injured Orioles player in 4-3 loss (updated)

Smith latest injured Orioles player in 4-3 loss (updated)
ARLINGTON, Texas - The 62nd game of the season produced the 62nd different lineup posted by Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. Hyde isn't trying to earn points for creativity. He's searching for a winning combination. He's playing matchups. And he's making concessions again tonight for a rash of injuries. A three-man bench hasn't limited the ways that Hyde maneuvers personnel. Nor has one healthy reserve. Chris Davis made his first start in right field since 2016. Stevie Wilkerson batted...

Orioles and Rangers lineups

Orioles and Rangers lineups
ARLINGTON, Texas - Renato Núñez stays in the Orioles lineup tonight against the Rangers after manager Brandon Hyde removed him for a pinch-hitter last night in the sixth inning. Hyde said Núñez has a sore leg and the intent was keeping him available as the designated hitter. Núñez is batting third, as he did last night. Chris Davis is on the bench after going 0-for-5 last night upon his return from the injured list. Trey Mancini is playing first base and DJ Stewart is in right...

Hyde must figure out how to back up center field

Hyde must figure out how to back up center field
ARLINGTON, Texas - If a player doesn't show up on the Orioles roster with a diverse background in defense, the club is going to make it happen through trials and extreme patience. The organization is weighed down by corner outfielders, first basemen and designated hitters. And Mark Trumbo is getting closer to being reinstated from the 60-day injured list, his rehab assignment taking him to first base last night with Triple-A Norfolk. Trumbo went 0-for-3 with a strikeout before leaving the...

Severino's three homers and Smith's six RBIs key 12-11 win (updated)

Severino's three homers and Smith's six RBIs key 12-11 win (updated)
ARLINGTON, Tx. - It started with a bunt single. An innocent infield hit. Nothing to suggest that muscles would flex and a four-run lead would accompany Dylan Bundy to the mound in the bottom of the first inning. That the Orioles would match their season high in runs and the teams would combine for 23. The Orioles worked Rangers left-hander Drew Smyly for 40 pitches in top of the inning. They pretty much coasted until running into more late drama and somehow managed to lead the entire way while...

Orioles and Rangers lineups (and draft update)

Orioles and Rangers lineups (and draft update)
ARLINGTON, Tx. - The Orioles reinstated first baseman Chris Davis from the injured list this afternoon to complete their 25-man roster. He's batting seventh tonight to start a three-game series against the Rangers at Globe Life Park. Renato Núñez moves up to third, followed by Dwight Smith Jr. Dylan Bundy was 0-4 with a 6.67 ERA and 1.518 WHIP in six March/April starts over 28 1/3 innings. He went 2-2 with a 2.64 ERA and 0.978 WHIP in five May starts over 30 2/3 innings. He allowed four...