Looking back at Mattson's 2021 season

Looking back at Mattson's 2021 season
Reliever Isaac Mattson was counted among the 16 Orioles who made their major league debuts in 2021, 14 of them pitchers. He stood out for a few reasons, none that guarantee him a job this summer. Mattson appeared in four games - never more than one in a month, which seems highly unusual. His first major league outing was May 7 at Camden Yards, followed by opportunities on July 3 in Anaheim, Aug. 7 in Baltimore and Oct. 1 in Toronto. That's one way to spread the wealth, though I believe the...

Conway on Stallings, Peek and Brnovich

Conway on Stallings, Peek and Brnovich
When the Orioles acquired pitcher Garrett Stallings from the Angels in the José Iglesias trade on Dec. 2, 2020, there were no professional starts to sift through. No professional data to digest. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias knew Stallings from the University of Tennessee, targeting him in the previous year's draft before the Angels selected him in the fifth round. Elias kept tabs on the right-hander while Los Angeles shut him down that summer and COVID-19 forced the...

Rewinding an Orioles roster review

Rewinding an Orioles roster review
Among the inconveniences of baseball's lockout is the delay in attacking roster deficiencies with major league free agent signings. Get ready for the frenzy of activity after a new collective bargaining agreement is in place, with teams racing through the green light at speeds that could leave many competitors in the dust. The Orioles tossed a starting pitcher and second baseman in their cart before the market closed. Jordan Lyles isn't listed on the 40-man roster, which holds at 38, because...

Which relievers are returning to Orioles in 2022?

Which relievers are returning to Orioles in 2022?
Are there any guaranteed returns among Orioles relievers beyond Rule 5 pick Tyler Wells? Is it weird that Wells is the first and perhaps only mention? This is quite the commentary on Wells, who emerged as the most likely closer candidate next spring, and the state of the bullpen. Left-handers Paul Fry and Tanner Scott are eligible for arbitration and projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to make $1.1 million and $1 million, respectively. Teams expressed interest in both relievers at the trade...

Orioles facing many more 40-man moves

Orioles facing many more 40-man moves
The early work on the Orioles' 40-man roster consisted of one move that probably didn't require hours of study, deliberation and angst. The team likes Travis Lakins Sr. Manager Brandon Hyde talked about the reliever's recovery from elbow surgery and the likelihood that he'd be ready for spring training. But it made no sense to move Lakins from the 60-day injured list to a 40-man roster that requires heavy cuts. A chain saw rather than a pocket knife. Teams figured to pass on Lakins after he...

Orioles' late rally falls short in 6-4 loss in Toronto (updated)

Orioles' late rally falls short in 6-4 loss in Toronto (updated)
The Orioles tried to stay in spoiler mode tonight while going with a bullpen game rather than a starter equipped to provide actual length. Teams wanting the Blue Jays to implode in the weekend series and influence the wild card race could be heard cringing. Their eyes were bulging while checking the late score. Injuries have tampered with the Orioles rotation, which becomes more settled in the last two games with John Means and Bruce Zimmermann. So, manager Brandon Hyde lined up his available...

Hyde on Fry, Kremer, Hays and Baby Birds

Hyde on Fry, Kremer, Hays and Baby Birds
The Orioles appear to be done with roster moves for 2021 after recalling reliever Isaac Mattson from Triple-A Norfolk and optioning left-hander Alexander Wells. Mattson, who joined the team in Baltimore and hopped on the charter flight to Toronto, provides an extra arm in a bullpen game. Manager Brandon Hyde doesn't know how much length he'll get from Thomas Eshelman. "To be able to add a pitcher who's available was important," Hyde said. Dean Kremer and Paul Fry weren't added to the...

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups
Reliever Isaac Mattson has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and heads to the Orioles bullpen as they begin their final series of the year tonight in Toronto. Mattson, acquired from the Angels in the Dylan Bundy trade, has made three appearances with the Orioles and allowed three runs and three hits in three innings, with four walks and three strikeouts. Left-hander Alexander Wells, who held the Red Sox to one run in six innings last night, was optioned to Norfolk. He wasn't going to pitch...

Elias on coaching staff, starting pitching, free agents and more

Elias on coaching staff, starting pitching, free agents and more
Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias spent 20 minutes in the dugout today fielding questions from the media. The typical season-ender with the club down to its last home game, followed by three in Toronto. Elias believes the organization is in "a very healthy spot right now" with "a ton of young talent" in the system, plus the advances made in analytics and international scouting. But he also knows the on-field product must be upgraded without compromising the rebuild...

Orioles shut out in penultimate home game of 2021 (updated)

Orioles shut out in penultimate home game of 2021 (updated)
Zac Lowther turned to watch the ball and slapped his glove against his leg. Knowing where it would land and the implications. Perhaps also knowing that one run might be too much for the Orioles to overcome against Nathan Eovaldi. J.D. Martinez's 28th homer of the season, a solo shot to center field with one out in the second inning, was the only run surrendered by the rookie left-hander through the fifth. Plenty of hard-hit line drives, but nothing to influence the score. That happened in the...

More thoughts on September roster expansion

More thoughts on September roster expansion
The Orioles can happily push aside August, giving it a hard shove after losing 24 of 28 games, and get down to September business. There's always something to keep them active and it's usually about the roster. The difference now is they can expand it rather than just plugging holes. With the team in Canada and transporting a taxi squad, the logical moves today would be to recall left-hander Alexander Wells and right-hander Dusten Knight since they're already in the visiting clubhouse at...

More on the losing streak and Bundy trade

More on the losing streak and Bundy trade
The Orioles are waiting to exhale. A losing streak that's reached 18 games threatens to turn their cheeks blue. They're frustrated, embarrassed and pressing. Everything that you'd expect during one of the worst periods in club history. Would it be better if they had spent money and made moves aimed at a run at the postseason, or do the rebuild concept and its on-field sacrifices make their record more palatable? Does it really matter? The 2018 season began with the Orioles inserting new...

Elias on September expansion, Diaz, Rutschman and more

Elias on September expansion, Diaz, Rutschman and more
The constant glimpses into the future, where many of the Orioles maintain their gaze for as long as the days allow, isn't just for the 2022 season and beyond. It isn't just about where the finish line to the rebuild might be placed. There's the task of figuring out which players to call up in September and in what increments with rosters expanding only to 28. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias tackled that subject yesterday while sitting in the dugout during batting...

Elias on Hyde, status of rebuild, injury updates and more

Elias on Hyde, status of rebuild, injury updates and more
Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias spent about 25 minutes in the home dugout this afternoon for his latest media session. The 15-game losing streak, second-longest in club history, the path of the rebuild and the organization's prospects were among the many topics. Elias said he senses the pressure that manager Brandon Hyde is feeling beyond winning games and offers encouragement in their discussions. That Hyde is the right man for the job and it's going to work out....

Orioles and Tigers lineups

Orioles and Tigers lineups
The Orioles received another high-leverage reliever this afternoon with Rule 5 pick Tyler Wells' reinstatement from the 10-day injured list. Wells replaces Isaac Mattson, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after last night's 5-2 loss to the Tigers. Wells has been on the IL with tendinitis in his right wrist. Anthony Santander is the cleanup hitter again today. He's homered in three consecutive games for the first time in his career, totaling four in that stretch. Cedric Mullins has an...

Latest check on Orioles roster, moves and more

Latest check on Orioles roster, moves and more
The Orioles maintained their streak yesterday of conducting business or announcing it on an off-day. Well, pretty much every day, under any circumstances. Don't get too attached to the roster. Of course, there's bound to be separation when a team is 38-72 and unable to stay healthy. The Orioles designated reliever Conner Greene for assignment Saturday and recalled Isaac Mattson from Triple-A Norfolk. The Dodgers claimed Greene off waivers yesterday. This was the last loose end, needing...

Early excitement from Orioles evaporates in 12-3 loss (updated)

Early excitement from Orioles evaporates in 12-3 loss (updated)
Before the Orioles began tonight's game against the Rays, about 30 minutes later than intended, they stood along the dugout railing to watch the club's newest inductees into its Hall of Fame. To enjoy the ceremony and see how the other half lived, rather than just gazing across the field. The video tribute for former shortstop J.J. Hardy closed with him reaching for home plate to score the go-ahead run on Delmon Young's bases-clearing double in the 2014 Division Series. The loudest moment in...

Orioles recall Mattson and DFA Greene

Orioles recall Mattson and DFA Greene
The bullpen is changing again for the Orioles, who announced this afternoon that they recalled Isaac Mattson from Triple-A Norfolk and that Conner Greene would be designated for assignment. They also reinstated left-hander Ryan Hartman from the injured list at Triple-A Norfolk after he completed the intake process. Hartman goes on the 40-man roster, with Greene's removal opening a spot. Mattson, acquired from the Angels in the Dylan Bundy trade with the Angels in December 2019, made his major...

Valdez reinstated from IL, Mullins and Santander out of lineup

Valdez reinstated from IL, Mullins and Santander out of lineup
Reliever César Valdez has been reinstated today from the 10-day injured list, with reliever Isaac Mattson optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Valdez hasn't pitched since June 20 due to a lower back strain. A prolonged slump has raised his ERA to 5.74 and WHIP to 1.650 in 25 appearances and 26 2/3 innings. He allowed two earned runs in 12 2/3 innings in April and recorded six of his eight saves. Mattson made his second major league appearance last night and tossed 1 1/3 scoreless and hitless...

Renewing old friendships: Dylan Bundy on his time with O's

Renewing old friendships: Dylan Bundy on his time with O's
After the Orioles traded him to the Los Angeles Angels for four minor league pitchers on Dec. 4, 2019, Dylan Bundy got a fresh start with a new club. The Orioles were the only team he had known. They drafted him No. 4 overall in 2011 and brought him to the big leagues. After pledging to throw his slider more, Bundy had a strong 2020 season, going 6-3 with a 3.29 ERA for the Angels. He finished ninth in the American League Cy Young voting. But the results have not been there this year, with the...