Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
The Orioles get Austin Hays back on the roster yesterday and lose Anthony Santander a few hours later. Two players just trying to make it through a season healthy. Neither injury is regarded as serious. Hays had a mild right hamstring strain, Santander sprained his left ankle. Hays knew he'd go on the injured list, but wouldn't miss much time. Santander had to be carried off the field, which suggested a possible break or torn tendon. A sprain is cause for celebration. Especially after X-rays...

Hyde on Mancini's day off, Ruiz's slump and more (game postponed)

Hyde on Mancini's day off, Ruiz's slump and more (game postponed)
For the first time in a young 2021 season, Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini will begin a game sitting on the bench. Mancini is getting a break tonight as the Orioles attempt to resume their series against the Mariners with rain returning to the forecast. Maikel Franco is playing first base rather than starting across the infield. Manager Brandon Hyde used Mancini as the designated hitter in one game. Otherwise, the 2019 Most Valuable Oriole has been on the field and struggling to find his...

Orioles option Pat Valaika

Orioles option Pat Valaika
The Orioles announced one half of a roster move this afternoon, optioning utility player Pat Valaika to the alternate training site in Bowie. How they replace Valaika will be revealed prior to Saturday night's game against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Outfielder DJ Stewart is expected to be activated from the injured list. He hasn't played since straining his left hamstring on March 5 in Dunedin, but he's working out at Bowie and eligible to return. Valaika is 1-for-9 with a walk and run...

Early returns on Rule 5 pitchers (and more)

Early returns on Rule 5 pitchers (and more)
The Orioles are only seven games into their season, but they don't have a reason to second-guess the decision to carry two Rule 5 pitchers on the opening day roster. The risk made sense back in Sarasota and it makes sense further north. Tyler Wells surrendered his first major league home run Thursday, but he also struck out three batters in the inning. Franchy Cordero was fed two changeups and two four-seam fastballs and swung through an 87 mph slider. Wells got swinging strikes on Bobby...

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox
Rio Ruiz stays at third base this afternoon and Pat Valaika is the second baseman for the Orioles' home opener against the Red Sox and left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. Trey Mancini is batting second, playing first base and set to receive the loudest and most prolonged ovation of the day. Maikel Franco is the designated hitter again and Ryan Mountcastle stays in the cleanup spot. Cedric Mullins, who remains in center field and atop the order, has a 10-game hitting streak dating to last...

McKenna and Sceroler debut in Orioles' 7-0 loss in Bronx (updated)

McKenna and Sceroler debut in Orioles' 7-0 loss in Bronx (updated)
Ryan McKenna has no idea how long he's going to stay with the Orioles beyond the trip to New York. His taste of the majors could sit on the tip of his tongue as he reports to the alternate training site in Bowie later this week. He could be introduced to fans at Thursday's home opening day. A mere taste turning into a mouthful. An appetizer or a feast. He isn't counting courses. He's just appreciative of the invitation, so unexpected less than a week into the season. Rule 5 pitcher Mac...

Hays goes on IL, McKenna recalled and Armstrong reinstated

Hays goes on IL, McKenna recalled and Armstrong reinstated
The Orioles have placed outfielder Austin Hays on the 10-day injured list with a strained right hamstring and recalled Ryan McKenna from the alternate training site. McKenna was on the taxi squad. The latest downturn in Hays' health occurred yesterday at Fenway Park on his double in the third inning. He limped off the field after diving back into the bag and Pat Valaika pinch-ran and played left field. Manager Brandon Hyde didn't notice that Hays was hurt until he saw the outfielder heading...

Hays' status remains uncertain due to sore hamstring

Hays' status remains uncertain due to sore hamstring
The Orioles will make a decision later this afternoon about the status of outfielder Austin Hays, whose sore right hamstring could force the club into placing him on the 10-day injured list. Hays is having the leg examined again today. "He's still sore," manager Brandon Hyde said in his Zoom call. "We're getting him checked out and we're going to have a decision on him here very shortly. Probably the next 30 minutes or so." Hays injured the hamstring yesterday in Boston on his double in...

Orioles lose Hays and win again in Boston (updated)

Orioles lose Hays and win again in Boston (updated)
Adam Plutko was kidding. He didn't bite when challenged to place a guarantee on it. He did, however, ramp up the humor yesterday by saying the Orioles "obviously" would go 162-0 this season. The newest Orioles pitcher also offered to hand over his salary if they ran the table. It's much too soon to hit the ATM, but the Orioles cashed in on an opportunity to sweep the Red Sox. They haven't hit a home run in three games, but they keep manufacturing runs and wins. They jumped Garrett Richards...

Armstrong transferred from paternity list to injured list (plus notes)

Armstrong transferred from paternity list to injured list (plus notes)
Reliever Shawn Armstrong has been reinstated from the paternity list today. However, he can't rejoin the team until going through the intake process, which has placed him on the injured list. This is a procedural move, which happened a few times last summer. Another similarity between 2020 and 2021. The bullpen remains intact while he's on the IL. A corresponding roster move will be made after he's activated. Manager Brandon Hyde said he was hopeful that Armstrong would be available Monday...

Leftovers for Sunday breakfast

Leftovers for Sunday breakfast
A couple of strategies have worked for the Orioles in the season's first two games. Get a deep start from ace John Means, hand the ball to a setup man and the closer of the day, and head back to the team hotel. Call upon a bulk reliever working behind a starter who gets into the fourth or fifth inning, hand the ball to a setup man and the closer of the day, and head back to the team hotel. That's how the Orioles have gone 2-0 and can try to complete the sweep later today at Fenway Park....

Reflecting on yesterday's opening day win in Boston

Reflecting on yesterday's opening day win in Boston
Too soon to trend after one game? Manager Brandon Hyde's faith in Rio Ruiz as a second baseman was rewarded yesterday when the infielder ran down two shallow fly balls with over-the-shoulder catches in right and center, then made a diving stop and throw to rob Alex Verdugo in the seventh inning. Two innings at the position before yesterday. More to come as long as it's unsettled and the other options are utility players Pat Valaika and Ramón Urías. "Rio played outstanding at second...

A look at the potential of the O's offense

A look at the potential of the O's offense
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has said he believes his team will score some runs and has some real upside on offense. He's got a point, with players like Austin Hays, Ryan Mountcastle, Trey Mancini and Anthony Santander. You can add to that the speed of Cedric Mullins and the hope to get some offense out of other spots that would exceed what was produced there last year. Here is a look at where the Orioles ranked by position last year in OPS in the American League and I'll list which player or...

Injuries weren't biggest hurdle cleared by Orioles in spring training

Injuries weren't biggest hurdle cleared by Orioles in spring training
The Orioles couldn't dodge injuries in spring camp. How many teams make it through six weeks without a tweak, twinge or other trauma? Chris Davis with his back. DJ Stewart with his hamstring. Félix Hernández with his elbow. Rio Ruiz with his illness. Hunter Harvey, Anthony Santander and Alexander Wells with their obliques. Davis and Harvey are on the 60-day injured list, the latter a bigger loss, of course, because he was supposed to be a high-leverage reliever and possible closer. And...

What's left to decide on Orioles' opening day roster?

What's left to decide on Orioles' opening day roster?
The minor soreness in Anthony Santander's side is beginning to feel like the slight tweak of DJ Stewart's hamstring. As the late Joe Strauss used to tell me after we joined The Baltimore Sun baseball beat in 1997, never underwrite or downplay an injury. Of course, that also leads to overwriting an actual day-to-day situation, but it's the risk you take. Stewart won't be ready for opening day because he hasn't played since March 5 and accumulated only eight at-bats. We're just waiting for...

Ruiz and roster rumblings as Orioles approach opener

Ruiz and roster rumblings as Orioles approach opener
A roster that holds 36 players in camp and must be pared to 26 apparently won't undergo its final cuts today. Maybe some light trimming, maybe nothing. But manager Brandon Hyde indicated yesterday that there probably won't be 10 moves. The Orioles weren't likely to break camp without a utility player on the roster. Now they're basically carrying two with Pat Valaika and Ramón Urías. Still counts in my book if one of them is starting at second base. A second baseman who appeals to the...

The roster is still churning after a busy Saturday

The roster is still churning after a busy Saturday
There are two games remaining in spring training. But even with so little time remaining, the Orioles roster is still in flux, as the activity on Saturday proved. The starting second baseman, Yolmer Sánchez, was designated for assignment and a pitcher not in the organization was acquired by trade, as the club added Adam Plutko from Cleveland for cash considerations. As for what we know or think we know to this point: * John Means and Matt Harvey will start the first two games, with the rest...

Yesterday's moves raise more questions about Orioles roster

Yesterday's moves raise more questions about Orioles roster
The roster cuts announced on Friday night seemed to make it easier to come up with the 26 players going north for opening day, and then pandemonium struck again. The Orioles designated second baseman Yolmer Sánchez for assignment yesterday and traded for pitcher Adam Plutko. The projected lineup was destroyed. There no longer appeared to be a decision pending between utility players Pat Valaika and Ramón Urías, who potentially could share second base and bench duties. Plutko is out of...

Elias discusses trade and roster after 8-5 loss

Elias discusses trade and roster after 8-5 loss
The search for pitching won't keep executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias glued to the waiver wire and free agent market. He resorted to a third option late this afternoon. Elias acquired right-hander Adam Plutko from the Indians for cash considerations and gave manager Brandon Hyde more innings coverage to begin the regular season. He also raised a few interesting questions that he addressed after an 8-5 loss to the Braves in North Port. Plutko can work as a starter and reliever,...

Orioles trade for Plutko and DFA Sánchez

Orioles trade for Plutko and DFA Sánchez
Yolmer Sánchez no longer can be penciled in as the Orioles' starting second baseman on opening day. The Orioles have acquired right-hander Adam Plutko from the Indians in exchange for cash considerations and declared Sánchez would be designated for assignment. The 40-man roster remains full. The camp roster remains fluid. Opening day projections remain unreliable. Plutko, 29, was the Indians' 11th-round draft pick in 2013 out of UCLA who's made 50 appearances (36 starts) in the majors...