Orioles acquire Kelvin Gutierrez from Royals

Orioles acquire Kelvin Gutierrez from Royals
The Orioles made another roster move this morning, West Coast time, to create room on their 40-man roster and improve the infield depth at the upper level of the farm system. Infielder Kelvin Gutierrez has been acquired from the Royals for cash considerations and optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. To accommodate him on the 40-man, reliever Travis Lakins Sr. has been transferred to the 60-day injured list with right elbow pain. The Orioles haven't offered a specific diagnosis for Lakins, but manager...

More on Lakins' elbow and Watkins' arrival in majors

More on Lakins' elbow and Watkins' arrival in majors
Orioles pitcher Travis Lakins Sr. isn't done undergoing tests on his right elbow. Manager Brandon Hyde said today on his Zoom call that Lakins will have the elbow checked again later this week after the team arrives in California to finish its road trip against the Angels. The Orioles are off Thursday. No matter the result, Lakins is expected to be unavailable for a significant stretch. "Right now we're still calling it an elbow strain, but they're going to do some further tests on it,"...

Orioles put Lakins on IL, add Watkins and Mattson

Orioles put Lakins on IL, add Watkins and Mattson
The Orioles placed pitcher Travis Lakins Sr. on the 10-day injured list today with right elbow pain, selected the contract of pitcher Spenser Watkins from Triple-A Norfolk and recalled reliever Isaac Mattson. Watkins and Mattson were on the taxi squad. Left-hander Alexander Wells was optioned to the Tides after earning his first major league win last night. The Orioles also declared infielder Stevie Wilkerson has been designated for assignment to create room for Watkins on the 40-man...

Lakins leaves with injury, Orioles erupt late in 13-3 win (updated)

Lakins leaves with injury, Orioles erupt late in 13-3 win (updated)
A bullpen game to compensate for optioning a starter to the minors is a shakier proposition when six relievers are used the previous night. At least the Orioles planned on it tonight. Well, part of it. The Astros unexpectedly tapped into their bullpen in the second inning to replace injured starter José Urquidy. Travis Lakins Sr. exited with an injury after loading the bases with two outs in the bottom of the second. There are bullpen games and then there are emergency situations, mad...

Orioles aren't done debuting players

Orioles aren't done debuting players
Knuckleballer Mickey Jannis, and the law states that he can't be referenced without his signature pitch proceeding his name, became the eighth Oriole on Wednesday to make his major league debut this season. Konner Wade was the ninth, and the 42nd player used by the club, when he replaced starter Keegan Akin yesterday and allowed six runs and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings. Alexander Wells became Nos. 10 and 43 when he replaced Wade in the seventh and tossed two scoreless innings. And it's only...

Orioles lose lead in second inning and eighth game in a row

Orioles lose lead in second inning and eighth game in a row
The topic probably didn't come up tonight during assistant pitching coach Darren Holmes' visit to the mound in the second inning, but Dean Kremer's lengthy stay on it threatened to get a beleaguered bullpen busy. Wheels in motion with the possibility of having them come off again. Kremer surrendered two runs, and a walk following his conversation with Holmes loaded the bases with one out. The pitch count was skyrocketing, reaching 54 by the time he made it back to the dugout. Two wild...

Bradish gets set for Triple-A debut, O's offense perks up

Bradish gets set for Triple-A debut, O's offense perks up
The Dylan Bundy trade has been looking pretty good recently for the Orioles. It was a trade from Dec. 4, 2019 with the Los Angeles Angels and the Orioles got four right-handers in return. They added Kyle Bradish, Kyle Brnovich, Zach Peek and Isaac Mattson. Mattson has already made it to Baltimore and Bradish got one step closer Saturday with his promotion from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk. That was a quick promotion but the 24-year-old Bradish had thrown 13 2/3 scoreless innings on seven...

Orioles trying to find some relief

Orioles trying to find some relief
Whether the Orioles make a roster move this morning seems less compelling than exactly how many. Is one reliever sufficient after yesterday's 12-9 loss? Manager Brandon Hyde hinted at the possibility of multiple pitchers joining the team in D.C. today, though as I wrote Friday night, there are 40-man roster complications. Another starter didn't get deep into yesterday's game, with rookie Bruce Zimmermann lasting only three innings and the Orioles surrendering leads of 5-0 and 6-1. Hyde used...

López falters in fifth and offense late to fire up in 4-2 loss (updated)

López falters in fifth and offense late to fire up in 4-2 loss (updated)
The Orioles gambled today by leaving their tired bullpen intact and counting on Jorge López to provide some length. But they didn't necessarily bypass an obvious solution. The pitching staff at Triple-A Norfolk isn't loaded with 40-man options. Hard decisions are pending, with Hunter Harvey's return from the 60-day injured list, perhaps by early June, just one of them. Manager Brandon Hyde wasn't going to use a couple of his relievers tonight after an exhausting homestand. Finding a hot...

More on decision to DFA Rio Ruiz

More on decision to DFA Rio Ruiz
The latest Orioles transaction this month unfolded yesterday with Rio Ruiz taken off the 40-man roster and Stevie Wilkerson returning to the majors, again transforming a minor league contract into an opportunity. The May movement began on the third with reliever Isaac Mattson recalled from the alternate camp site in Bowie and left-hander Bruce Zimmermann optioned in an exchange of rookies. Mattson was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk five days later, with left-hander Zac Lowther recalled from the...

Bullpen management made easier yesterday

Bullpen management made easier yesterday
A bullpen that experienced more hiccups over the weekend wasn't going to choke away a lead yesterday and subject the Orioles to a sweep. The use of rookie Bruce Zimmermann in a bulk role was rewarded in a big way with 5 2/3 sparkling innings. He was the first in a succession of southpaws, the baton passed to left hands. Manager Brandon Hyde knows who's available for every game, though he won't necessarily share it with the public. He tries to piece together nine innings when starters fail...

Updates on Sunday starter, Means, Tate and more

Updates on Sunday starter, Means, Tate and more
The Orioles are waiting to announce Sunday afternoon's starter, whether it's a reliever coming out of their bullpen or perhaps a pitcher down at Triple-A Norfolk. They'll offer confirmation after tonight's game. Manager Brandon Hyde said there probably will be a roster move later tonight. They could recall, for example, left-hander Bruce Zimmermann and return him to the rotation. Zimmermann hasn't pitched since working three innings for the Tides on May 8 and allowing a two-run homer to...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups (updated)

Orioles and Red Sox lineups (updated)
The Orioles recalled Zac Lowther today, taking him from the alternate training site to the taxi squad to the majors for his first major league start and second appearance. Lowther tossed a scoreless ninth inning in his debut on April 25 against the Athletics at Camden Yards. The No. 11 prospect in the system per MLBPipeline.com was optioned and joined the Orioles for their West Coast trip. A start is needed tonight with Bruce Zimmermann optioned, and Lowther gets the assignment, with a spot...

Unearned runs ruin Harvey's night in 6-2 loss (updated)

Unearned runs ruin Harvey's night in 6-2 loss (updated)
Matt Harvey struck out J.D. Martinez tonight and extended the Orioles' streak of hitless innings to 10. John Means did the heavy lifting. Harvey was just following a tough act and trying to keep up. The Red Sox elevated Harvey's pitch count early, plated four unearned runs in the fourth inning and kept the Orioles below .500 with a 6-2 win before an announced crowd of 7,724 at damp and cold Camden Yards. Ryan Mountcastle led off the sixth inning with a home run, driving a full-count 99 mph...

The plan for Zimmermann and minors update

The plan for Zimmermann and minors update
No longer in the Orioles rotation or on their active roster, rookie left-hander Bruce Zimmermann is reporting to Triple-A Norfolk and tasked with getting back to the majors after he's eligible to return. The Orioles optioned Zimmermann to the alternate training site last night and recalled reliever Isaac Mattson. The camp is shut down with the minor leagues starting tonight and Zimmermann is listed on the Tides roster. Zimmermann isn't immediately available after throwing 87 pitches Sunday...

Remaining Rutschman rumblings and more

Remaining Rutschman rumblings and more
Adley Rutschman is going to catch DL Hall tonight in Double-A Bowie's opener in Altoona, Pa. He's going to catch a lot of guys. He's the starter and he's lauded throughout the industry for his arm, defensive skills and leadership. But he won't be limited to one position. The Orioles want Rutschman to get some work at first base to keep his bat in the lineup while also giving him a break from the beatings sustained behind the plate. Rutschman played 36 games at first base in his three...

Stewart removed from tonight's lineup, Zimmermann optioned

Stewart removed from tonight's lineup, Zimmermann optioned
Removing one player from tonight's Orioles lineup led to a massive shuffling of personnel. Outfielder DJ Stewart is a late scratch due to stiffness in his lower back. Manager Brandon Hyde said Stewart is receiving treatment and is "kind of day-to-day right now." When the dust settled, Pat Valaika wound up at second base rather than sitting on the bench among three reserves. Rio Ruiz moved from second base to third and Maikel Franco is the designated hitter, with Trey Mancini at first base...

O's game blog: The series opener at Seattle

O's game blog: The series opener at Seattle
The West Coast road trip continues at T-Mobile Park tonight when the Orioles play the Seattle Mariners to start a three-game series. The Orioles (13-15) took two of three over the weekend at Oakland. Seattle (16-13) won two of three from the Los Angeles Angels. The Mariners are 5-2-2 in series play this year and 8-6 at home. They are 14-8 in their last 22 games, a stretch that includes a four-game series in Baltimore where they won three of four games. When these clubs last played on April 15,...

Long talks about Mancini and Mountcastle working through slumps

Long talks about Mancini and Mountcastle working through slumps
The offensive spurts that hinted at breakthroughs for Trey Mancini were mere teasers until a few weeks ago. Until a four-strikeout game in Texas and more conversations with Orioles hitting coach Don Long. It wasn't one day or just a few words that lifted Mancini. They watched video again on Wednesday, studying his at-bats from 2019. And they kept talking. Mancini has hits in nine of his last 11 games and he's reached base safely in seven straight. He's collected 10 hits in 26 at-bats (.385)...

Kremer starts Saturday, Hays nearing return and more

Kremer starts Saturday, Hays nearing return and more
The Orioles have filled out their rotation for the weekend series in Texas and Dean Kremer is replacing TBD for Saturday night. Kremer is working on short rest after starting Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mariners, but he threw 54 pitches and has indicated that he's feeling good. Otherwise, the Orioles could have selected one of their long relievers, with the candidates including Wade LeBlanc and Adam Plutko. "We feel confident that he's going to be fine for it," said...