Orioles return to Colorado, roster expansion nearing

DENVER - The Orioles are in Colorado for three games against the last-place Rockies, who are a bottom-three team in the majors. They are polar opposites of the Dodgers. It’s like drinking San Pellegrino or straight from the garden hose.

The clubs met at Camden Yards last summer and the Orioles won two of three, with each game decided by a single run. The Rockies won two of three in 2019 at Coors Field during the infant stages of the Orioles’ rebuild.

Known as “infant” because it made you cry every hour.

In the Orioles’ lone victory, Keon Broxton played center field and Stevie Wilkerson was in left. Hanser Alberto batted leadoff. Josh Lucas tossed three scoreless innings for his only major league save.

My only memory of that series isn’t Josh Lucas. It’s Broxton swinging at the first pitch thrown to him as an Oriole, by former prospect Jeff Hoffman, and hitting it 474 feet onto the left field concourse. Jaws dropped in the press box simultaneously, creating a sound louder than the home run.

A little more on Mullins

A little more on Mullins
Which player led the Orioles in WAR in 2020? If you trust STATS, it's outfielder Cedric Mullins at 1.4. If you claim that you predicted it back in March, well, no one believes you. If you can explain why FanGraphs.com gave Mullins a 0.6 WAR and Baseball-Reference.com gave him a 0.4, I'll try to stay awake. Eyes wide open but likely to roll. Mullins recorded five Outs Above Average this season, tied for second-most in the majors by an outfielder per Statcast. His 95 percent success rate ranked...

Broxton update and Orioles lineup in Anaheim

Broxton update and Orioles lineup in Anaheim
The Orioles won't be keeping center fielder Keon Broxton in the organization after designating him for assignment last weekend. Broxton has been claimed off waivers by the Mariners, allowing him to stay in the majors. Broxton is out of minor league options and would have needed to clear waivers and be outrighted. Acquired from the Mets on May 22 for international signing bonus slots, Broxton added value with his defense in center but slashed .204/.261/.350 (21-for-103) with three doubles, four...

Expecting the unexpected with Orioles (updated)

Expecting the unexpected with Orioles (updated)
The unpredictability of a team in a rebuild and its willingness to try just about anything should leave few surprises. Anything is possible in 2019. Always be ready for the unexpected. Unless you're me. I wasn't ready to see Anthony Santander become a regular in center field. Or in any spot after a lost 2018 season. I wasn't ready to see Renato Núñez back at third base, especially with so much emphasis placed on improving the defense. I wasn't ready to see Hanser Alberto leading the...

Hyde on Broxton, center field, bench and more

Hyde on Broxton, center field, bench and more
The removal of Keon Broxton from the roster this morning has left center field available to Anthony Santander and Stevie Wilkerson. A corner outfielder and an infielder are going to share the position. Santander is making his fifth start today and Wilkerson has made 32. They're newbies learning on the fly ball. "Both guys have done a nice job out there when they've had the opportunity and continue to play out there," said manager Brandon Hyde. The Orioles cut ties with Broxton after he...

Orioles DFA Broxton and recall Kline (with lineups)

Orioles DFA Broxton and recall Kline (with lineups)
The Orioles have brought in a fresh bullpen arm today by recalling right-hander Branden Kline from Triple-A Norfolk and are going with a short bench by designating outfielder Keon Broxton for assignment. Broxton homered Friday night for the first time since June 4, but he's slashing .204/.261/.350 (21-for-103) with three doubles, four home runs, nine RBIs and 49 strikeouts in 112 plate appearances over 37 games. The Orioles acquired him from the Mets on May 22 for international signing bonus...

A few takes on Orioles' 11-2 win over Red Sox

A few takes on Orioles' 11-2 win over Red Sox
So the Orioles went six games recently scoring 13 runs total in that span. Now they've scored 20 runs their last two games in beating Washington 9-2 and Boston 11-2. The Orioles have 28 hits, including four home runs, in the two games. A few thoughts on last night's win over Boston: * If you worried that John Means would turn into a pumpkin at midnight, forget it. Means slowed down a Boston team that was 14-2 in its last 16 road games, 19-10 in its last 29 overall and led the majors in runs...

Is it Smith's turn to break out of slump?

Is it Smith's turn to break out of slump?
The presence of left-hander David Price on the mound last night for the Red Sox drove Dwight Smith Jr. to the bench. Or maybe it was a slump that's gotten control of him. More likely a combination of the two. Right-handers Rick Porcello and Andrew Cashner start the last two games of the series and Smith could get back in the lineup if manager Brandon Hyde is in platoon mode. Hyde has other options, with the roster including switch-hitters Anthony Santander and Stevie Wilkerson. Chris Davis sat...

Means rebounds and Orioles rout Red Sox 11-2 (with quotes)

Means rebounds and Orioles rout Red Sox 11-2 (with quotes)
While Andrew Cashner provided a reminder today of what the Orioles lost in their rotation as he chatted with teammates behind the batting cage, they remained confident that Dylan Bundy will rejoin it next week on the West Coast. The experimenting and auditioning will only cover two-thirds of the group, with John Means remaining in his role as unlikely ace. Means completed six innings, Anthony Santander and Keon Broxton homered, and the Orioles posted an 11-2 victory over the Red Sox before an...

Orioles recall Wynns (plus lineups)

Orioles recall Wynns (plus lineups)
The Orioles have recalled catcher Austin Wynns from Triple-A Norfolk, giving them an extra position player after they optioned reliever Tayler Scott following Wednesday night's game. Catcher Pedro Severino is ill and presumably unavailable tonight. The Red Sox are starting left-hander David Price, but Chance Sisco gets the start behind the plate. The bullpen had a chance to freshen up with yesterday's off-day and left-hander John Means is starting tonight. His ability to provide some length...

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...

Santander staying with Orioles

Santander staying with Orioles
Anthony Santander was the chosen one on May 1 when the Orioles needed a 26th player in Chicago, and he responded by hitting a home run. He was the chosen one again on June 7 after the Orioles placed Dwight Smith Jr. on the concussion injured list, unsure how long he'd stay but pretty confident that he'd surpass one game. It was safe to unpack, but he didn't get too comfortable. The Orioles had a decision to make Sunday night after removing DJ Stewart from his rehab assignment. Stewart was...

Orioles trying to bust a few slumps

Orioles trying to bust a few slumps
Failing to put a runner on base through eight innings of Sunday afternoon's game against the Rays allowed fans and media to redirect their attention from a disheveled rotation. Tom Eshelman was passable. Four runs allowed in 5 2/3 innings but better than the line indicated. He struck out seven, the last five with his curveball, and retired 11 in a row before the Rays tacked on two more runs. There's no reason to push him out of the rotation with Andrew Cashner traded. Just pitching into the...

Orioles and Rays Game 2 lineups

Orioles and Rays Game 2 lineups
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is keeping Stevie Wilkerson in the lineup tonight for Game 2 of the doubleheader against the Rays. The Orioles are trying for their first sweep since June 25, 2016 versus Tampa Bay. Wilkerson hit the decisive two-run homer off left-hander Colin Poche in a 2-1 victory in Game 1 and he's in center field for the nightcap. Wilkerson has eight home runs this season, the first seven coming off right-handers. He's 5-for-50 against left-handers this season. Keon Broxton...

Brooks opens twinbill with effective outing in 2-1 win (updated)

Brooks opens twinbill with effective outing in 2-1 win (updated)
The first part of the plan worked to near perfection for manager Brandon Hyde, who had to resist joining the crowd in applauding Aaron Brooks as the right-hander walked off the mound in the third inning. Getting eight outs from Brooks in his Orioles debut, in his first start since late April, was cause for celebration. Who's got the laundry cart? Also factor in the 2 2/3 scoreless innings, with no hits or walks, less than 24 hours after a 16-4 loss that included the pitching debut of Stevie...

Wilkerson recounts his pitching debut (O's lead 2-1)

Wilkerson recounts his pitching debut (O's lead 2-1)
Stevie Wilkerson couldn't come up with a new nickname after making his pitching debut last night. He was open to suggestions. "Stevie Slider" wouldn't work because he doesn't have one in his limited arsenal. The super-utility player might settle on "Stevie Strike-thrower." No one can argue that it doesn't fit after he located the zone on seven of his 10 pitches in the ninth inning of a 16-4 loss. Wilkerson became the fourth position player to toe the rubber this season and the 31st...

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...

A look at the Orioles' improved play during a 5-3 stretch

A look at the Orioles' improved play during a 5-3 stretch
TORONTO - So why have the Orioles played much better lately? They looked bad during a 1-6 road trip and not much better in getting swept two in a row at home recently by San Diego. But they beat Cleveland 13-0 on back-to-back nights and are 5-3 over their last eight games. It's been a bit of a team effort. The O's offense has scored 21 runs the last three games and 53 over the past eight games. They've hit 13 homers in that span. The starting pitchers are 4-2 with a 2.05 ERA in the...

O's hit two homers to back Cashner in 8-1 romp over Blue Jays

O's hit two homers to back Cashner in 8-1 romp over Blue Jays
TORONTO - During their recent West Coast road trip, the Orioles went 1-6 and were outscored 59-29. Then they lost two straight at home to the San Diego Padres and gave up nine homers and 18 runs. But since then the club has played much better, a stretch that began with those back-to-back 13-0 wins last weekend over Cleveland. Today the Orioles backed right-hander Andrew Cashner with two homers and one big inning as they beat Toronto 8-1, their fifth win in the last eight games. The Orioles...

Santander gets the start in center field for Orioles

Santander gets the start in center field for Orioles
Anthony Santander is making his first start in center field tonight as the Orioles play the Blue Jays in Toronto. Santander's experience in center consists of one inning in the Venezuelan Winter League and two with the Orioles this season. Keon Broxton is on the bench. He's struck out 46 times in 93 at-bats. Chris Davis is playing first base and batting seventh, one spot below Santander. Chance Sisco is batting cleanup. Richie Martin is the shortstop. Davis is 6-for-19 with a home run in his...