Trying to set the roster in December

Trying to set the roster in December
Knowing that the Orioles have more work to do on their roster is on par with being able to recite your zip code. You won't gain the respect of your peers or earn bragging rights among friends. The rotation and middle infield are in a construction zone. The bullpen and bench aren't set. A new rule allowing teams to carry 26 players also increases the guesswork. I reached my yearly deadline for submitting a mock lineup, rotation, bullpen and bench for consideration by a national publication....

Does Smith retain same status with Orioles?

Does Smith retain same status with Orioles?
How does a player who appeared in 101 games pull a disappearing act while staying on the roster? That's how it feels with Dwight Smith Jr. He's on the 40-man roster, but tends to be excluded from the outfield conversation or led late into it. Manager Brandon Hyde couldn't be pinned down on a set outfield as he handled his media obligations at the Winter Meetings. A suggestion was made that Hyde might have a better grasp of his starters now with Austin Hays flanked by Anthony Santander and...

Harvey's on solid bullpen ground in 2020

Harvey's on solid bullpen ground in 2020
The degree to which Hunter Harvey has advanced his professional career can be measured through bullpen projections for 2020. Through the notion that Harvey might be the only sure thing for the Orioles. There are assumptions to be made, of course. Mychal Givens is slotted into the bullpen with the caveat that he could be traded, if the market cooperates, while MLBTradeRumors.com projects his salary to climb to $3.2 million. Richard Bleier is mentioned as a non-tender candidate, but I've been...

Splitting up the Orioles bullpen

Splitting up the Orioles bullpen
Major League Baseball's plan to eliminate one-and-done relievers beginning next season can cause a person to rush for the splits. I almost pulled a hamstring running the 40-yard overreact. The idea is to make relievers face a minimum of three batters instead of just one, or pitch to the end of the half-inning in which they enter. Maybe to reduce mound visits and speed up a game that has proven too stubborn to pick up the pace, no matter how many new rules are implemented. It seems necessary...

Mancini, mysteries and minors

Mancini, mysteries and minors
Moving past the final game of the season allowed players to take a much-needed break from baseball. But for how long? It's going to vary depending on the individual and his circumstances. "I think it's important to take some time off," said Trey Mancini. "I'm going to take a lot of time off from baseball. Not hit. But certainly I don't sit on the couch for the first few weeks of the offseason, either." (Is that frowned upon? Because I intend to set a land speedless record while doing...

Orioles lose final game 5-4 in walk-off fashion (updated)

Orioles lose final game 5-4 in walk-off fashion (updated)
BOSTON - As the visiting dugout emptied this afternoon at Fenway Park, the 162nd game completed and players in a rush to eat, shower and catch their flights, there was no evidence of the grim atmosphere that carried so many of them out the door last year. The Orioles felt good about the effort and energy in 2019. They'd like to cut back on the losses, of course, but seem confident that it's only a matter of time. They understand the process and the patience that it requires. There's more...

Orioles assured of series win to close out season (updated)

Orioles assured of series win to close out season (updated)
BOSTON - A season that again proved to be unforgiving for the Orioles, highlighting every deficiency while also sprinkling in the occasional reward in an ill-fated attempt to provide some balance, finally and mercifully has reached its 162nd game. The chance to make an impression, to perhaps have it carry through the cold winter months and into sunny Sarasota, Fla., is down to a nub. DJ Stewart, twice forced onto the injured list and engaged in a heated outfield competition that's expanding,...

Toronto produces walk-off win in the 15th inning

Toronto produces walk-off win in the 15th inning
TORONTO - A marathon game that featured 21 runs, 29 hits, 10 homers and 20 pitchers finally ended early Tuesday morning at Toronto. Anthony Alford hit a walk-off homer with two outs in the last of the 15th as Toronto beat the Orioles 11-10. Alford hit a 2-2 changeup from right-hander Ryan Eades, the 10th O's pitcher, to end a five-hour, 21-minute struggle. Eades had thrown 2 2/3 scoreless when Eades connected for his first career home run in his 51st career plate appearance. Earlier, for the...

Another one got away: O's blow 7-1 lead against Blue Jays

Another one got away: O's blow 7-1 lead against Blue Jays
For the Orioles tonight, it was an epic late-inning meltdown. A 7-1 lead after four innings was not safe and neither was a 9-5 lead going to the ninth. Last night's loss was pretty brutal. This was worse. The Orioles lost 11-10 to Toronto tonight at Camden Yards to fall to 49-103 with 10 games remaining in the season. Called on to pitch with the O's up 9-5 in the ninth, Miguel Castro got an out and then walked two around a bloop single. With Toronto later down to their last out, Cavan Biggio...

Castro surrenders slam to Grichuk in 11-10 loss (Harvey shut down)

Castro surrenders slam to Grichuk in 11-10 loss (Harvey shut down)
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde bumped back Dylan Bundy in the rotation to provide a little extra rest as the season moved into the third week of September. A sound plan, except that Bundy threw 31 pitches tonight in the first inning and 20 more in the second. A heavy load threatening to cancel out the benefits of a slightly fresher arm. Bundy pushed through five innings while tying his career high with five walks, the bats produced five doubles and two home runs in the first four innings and the...

Mancini's four-RBI night wasted in 8-5 loss (updated)

Mancini's four-RBI night wasted in 8-5 loss (updated)
The Orioles used their power tonight to take an early lead while attempting to win the first game of their series against the Blue Jays. They switched to a small ball approach to tie the score. Anything that might work for them. Don't live and die by one method. Trey Mancini proved again that he could handle both of them. But his work was wasted. Too many mistakes and one 95 mph fastball that was launched deep into the night. Disconsolate yesterday after striking out on three pitches to leave...

Hyde adjusting bullpen usage today (O's lead 8-2)

Hyde adjusting bullpen usage today (O's lead 8-2)
DETROIT - Using nine relievers last night has forced manager Brandon Hyde to make a few adjustments for today's game against the Tigers. The expanded roster doesn't solve every issue. Hunter Harvey is available because Hyde kept him in the bullpen for an 8-4, 12-inning loss. However, he's going to avoid multiple relievers this afternoon while hoping for an extended appearance from starter Asher Wojciechowski. "There's a lot of guys that I'm going to stay away from today," Hyde said....

Eades surrenders Hicks walk-off grand slam in 12th (updated)

Eades surrenders Hicks walk-off grand slam in 12th (updated)
DETROIT - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde knew exactly what was coming. When the Tigers were making their first bullpen move and which reliever would enter the game. There are certain tendencies that begin to take shape. The trick is being able to counterpunch. Left-hander Daniel Norris worked three innings for the seventh start in a row and right-hander Drew VerHagen replaced him for the sixth time during that stretch. The Tigers didn't send out alerts to the visiting side, but Hyde and his...

Brooks trying to get back to better starts

Brooks trying to get back to better starts
DETROIT - Aaron Brooks was a solitary figure in the visiting dugout yesterday, the first Orioles player out of the clubhouse with about 45 minutes left before the game started. He'd walk to the bullpen and warm up, but not before he sat alone on the bench, leaning forward with an intense stare as if locking his eyes on an invisible object in front of him. Perhaps it was a silent pep talk, though it looked more like a stern lecture. Brooks had a miserable start last weekend, allowing six runs...

Means offers quality and Villar breaks tie in 7-3 win (updated)

Means offers quality and Villar breaks tie in 7-3 win (updated)
A sense of calm and comfort swept over Orioles manager Brandon Hyde today as he glanced at the bottom of his lineup card. Where the starting pitcher is listed. Left-hander John Means was assigned the task of getting the Orioles through the early innings, which hadn't been done lately. No more instant deficits and quick exits. No more sorting through an expanded bullpen to cover the majority of a game. The staff ace was back on the mound and still on a roll. It just slowed a little in the...

Orioles bullpen can't hold lead in 7-6 loss (updated)

Orioles bullpen can't hold lead in 7-6 loss (updated)
With his team playing so many close games, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde keeps relying on the same set of relievers rather than diving into the expanded area of his bullpen. It works at times. Tonight wasn't one of them. The Orioles couldn't hold a two-run lead in the seventh inning, with Paul Fry unable to throw strikes and Shawn Armstrong unable to save him. And the quest to match last season's win total stalled again. The Rangers scored three times in the seventh after Dylan Bundy exited...

Orioles calmly dispose of Rays 4-2

Orioles calmly dispose of Rays 4-2
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Tommy Pham saw five pitches today from Ty Blach in the bottom of the first inning. None of them clocked higher than 91.3 mph. None of them buzzing the tower. Pham drew a walk and was erased on a double play. There was no takeout slide at second base or chirping from an Orioles dugout that tends to set the volume at library level. Both teams decided to turn the page. With tempers held and accusations muted, Game 1 of a rare doubleheader at Tropicana Field relied strictly...

Brandon Hyde on today's roster additions (postgame quotes)

Brandon Hyde on today's roster additions (postgame quotes)
KANSAS CITY - The Orioles today added four players as major league rosters can expand to as many as 40 players on Sept. 1. The club has reinstated right-handed Shawn Armstrong from the 10-day injured list, and recalled right-hander Branden Kline, lefty Tanner Scott and outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. from Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles are expected to have more roster additions during the upcoming Tampa Bay series, which begins Monday. Mark Trumbo is expected to meet the Orioles in Tampa Bay. He has...

Orioles and Royals lineups

Orioles and Royals lineups
The Orioles placed four players on their expanded September roster this morning, recalling outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. and pitchers Branden Kline and Tanner Scott from Triple-A Norfolk and reinstating pitcher Shawn Armstrong from the 10-day injured list. More moves are coming after Monday. Smith is starting in left field today as the Orioles close out their series in Kansas City. Trey Mancini is playing first base with the lineup leaning heavy to the right side. Smith is the only Oriole who...

First inning dooms Orioles in 8-4 loss to Nationals (updated)

First inning dooms Orioles in 8-4 loss to Nationals (updated)
WASHINGTON - Asher Wojciechowski struck out the first and last batter he faced tonight in the first inning. The stuff in between eventually would decide the outcome. All of it bad for the Orioles. The Nationals hit for the cycle in the span of four batters, scored five runs and made the Orioles settle for another split of a two-game series with an 8-4 victory in D.C. Juan Soto delivered a two-run triple, Kurt Suzuki launched a two-run homer and the Orioles' winning streak ended at three games....