Taking a few wrong turns

Taking a few wrong turns
Trying to predict moves in an unpredictable world is advised only if you're not putting down money. And I'm really talking about the baseball offseason. I get my share right. I also get some wrong. And sometimes I'm just a little surprised. I thought the Orioles would have no interest in bringing back Jonathan Villar, simply choosing to move on from a player they traded in December 2019, but they've spoken to his agent. A reunion remains a possibility. Villar obviously could play shortstop...

Orioles notes on minicamp and free agent possibilities

Orioles notes on minicamp and free agent possibilities
The Orioles are proceeding as though their pitchers and catchers will report to spring training on Feb. 16. As though there will be a full slate of workouts and exhibition games, followed by opening day on April 1 in Boston. They can't let the unpredictability of a pandemic influence their plans. Adjustments will be made if necessary. In the meantime, it's been deemed safe to hold a minicamp from Monday-Wednesday at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, with players and coaches following in-season...

Which minor league free agents should re-sign with Orioles?

Which minor league free agents should re-sign with Orioles?
The beauty of becoming a minor league free agent is the freedom to go back to the organization if given an offer. It can be "see you later" rather than "goodbye." Or it can be "no thanks" and the player moves on to the next phase of his professional life. Baseball America published a complete list of free agents in baseball, including 16 in alphabetical order from the Orioles minor league system: Cristian Alvarado, Danny Barnes, Malquin Canelo, Martin Cervenka, Brian Gonzalez, Tyler Herb,...

Taking the Orioles rotation for another spin

Taking the Orioles rotation for another spin
I can't recall the last Orioles offseason that didn't include the expectation that they'd sign a starting pitcher in free agency. Maybe two. Competition is a good thing, as we've been reminded. Can't have enough pitching. You need at least 10 starters just to find five. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias is searching for more of them. He's content with John Means and Alex Cobb in the top tier, the latter a trade candidate over the summer if a partner can be found. Keegan...

Could Kohl Stewart stay with Orioles? (and other notes)

Could Kohl Stewart stay with Orioles? (and other notes)
Three months after leaving the Orioles due to health concerns related to COVID-19, pitcher Kohl Stewart has no regrets and is working out in preparation for the 2021 season. The reps are done now with Stewart coming off the 40-man roster, a move announced Thursday by the Orioles. He declined his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and became a free agent. This is the second time that Stewart has been outrighted, with the Twins removing him from their 40-man roster in November 2019, so he...

Hess becomes free agent, surgery for Baumler (updated)

Hess becomes free agent, surgery for Baumler (updated)
The Orioles have created another opening on their 40-man roster as part of their early offseason business. Pitcher David Hess cleared waivers today and entered the free agent market, according to an industry source. Hess, 27, made three relief appearances this summer and allowed five runs and 10 hits in seven innings. He's 4-20 with a 5.86 ERA and a 1.466 WHIP in parts of three major league seasons covering 190 1/3 innings. Young pitching prospects Keegan Akin, Dean Kremer and Bruce Zimmermann...

What's next for Orioles?

What's next for Orioles?
The conclusion of the World Series, with the crowning of a 60-game COVID champion, opens the door for free agency and trades. The official offseason is underway. As always, please continue to breathe normally. Players enter free agency the day after the World Series. For the Orioles, it's a short line at the moment with only pitcher Wade LeBlanc and catcher Bryan Holaday, according to Baseball-Reference.com. A two-man stampede doesn't make much noise. LeBlanc will be removed from the 60-day...

Looking back at some non-roster invites

Looking back at some non-roster invites
The Orioles won't know whether they'll be able to open their spring training camp in February until the world gives its approval. Or Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association if they choose to ignore the world. First comes the fall instructional league, which so far has gone uninterrupted for two weeks. If we're lucky, the Orioles will reach the point where they can extend spring training invites and avoid another shutdown of the Ed Smith Stadium complex. It's interesting to...

Phillips outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk

Phillips outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk
The latest maneuver by the Orioles to create room on the 40-man roster has impacted reliever Evan Phillips. The team announced this afternoon that Phillips cleared outright waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk. Only 36 players remain on the 40-man roster and additional moves are coming to allow for placement of minor leaguers eligible to be chosen in December's Rule 5 draft. Phillips made multiple trips between the majors and alternate camp site in Bowie and registered a 5.02 ERA and a...

Latest look at 40-man roster and Rule 5 decisions (updated)

Latest look at 40-man roster and Rule 5 decisions (updated)
The task of clearing room on the 40-man roster began as the Orioles worked through the final games on their schedule. No need to wait until the last out. Pitcher Carson Fulmer, the former first-round pick of the White Sox, didn't make it through waivers. Reliever Cody Carroll passed through and was outrighted. The 40-man roster was reduced to 37 players, but the Orioles activated pitcher Kohl Stewart from the 10-day injured list yesterday, per their transactions page, and he goes back on the...

Orioles claim López while going for sweep (game suspended)

Orioles claim López while going for sweep (game suspended)
The search for pitching that can provide length and serve in swingman and long relief roles has brought the Orioles to right-hander Jorge López. A team that's trying to get back above .500 fiddling with its roster. The Orioles claimed López off waivers from the Royals earlier today, filling their 40-man roster and 60-man player pool with one transaction. They made the move while also busy building a lead against the Nationals that's been put on hold in the top of the sixth inning due to...

Hyde on Davis, Iglesias, Stewart, Eshelman and more

Hyde on Davis, Iglesias, Stewart, Eshelman and more
Now that Chris Davis has rejoined the Orioles after a two-game absence, he's likely to make it back into the lineup Saturday night against Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow. Davis is on the bench tonight and available to play. And the speculation that swirled while he stayed home can be grounded. He didn't test positive for COVID-19 or opt out. "He feels good," manager Brandon Hyde said on his daily Zoom conference call. "Been texting with him the last couple days, also. It just sounds like...

Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
Chris Davis is out of tonight's lineup, but he's back with the Orioles. Davis confirmed in a Zoom call this afternoon that he had had a low fever due to a sinus infection. He underwent about eight tests for COVID-19 in the past few days that came back negative. Davis is on the bench against Rays left-hander Blake Snell. Shortstop José Iglesias remains day-to-day with a sore left quadriceps muscle. Pat Valaika gets the start at first base tonight and Andrew Velazquez is the shortstop. DJ...

Chris Davis returns but Kohl Stewart decides to pause his season

Chris Davis returns but Kohl Stewart decides to pause his season
After undergoing, by his count, at least eight COVID-19 tests over the past few days, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis said today he does not have coronavirus. After being away from the club for two games, he returned to Camden Yards this afternoon. He is not in tonight's lineup against Tampa Bay, but he is available when a three-game series starts at 7:35 p.m. As the Orioles get Davis back today, they lose right-handed pitcher Kohl Stewart, who is headed to the injured list and is removed...

Notes on Davis, Iglesias, rotation and more

Notes on Davis, Iglesias, rotation and more
First baseman Chris Davis remains away from the Orioles as they finish their two-game series against the Yankees at Camden Yards. He also was absent from the ballpark last night. Manager Brandon Hyde isn't allowed to provide specific information on Davis, who's likely under COVID-19 protocol. The Orioles haven't replaced him on the active roster. "C.D. is still unavailable today," Hyde said during his Zoom conference call. "I'm going to leave it at that." Davis worked out with the team...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Orioles reliever Hunter Harvey left the alternate camp site in Bowie yesterday and joined his teammates at Camden Yards for the home opener. He arrived at the ballpark around 3 p.m. and headed through the gate reserved for players. Harvey was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right forearm strain and won't be activated today. However, left-hander John Means is coming off the IL and making the start against the Yankees. Manager Brandon Hyde already knew that Harvey and reliever Dillon...

Davis: "I would say I'm definitely a little bit more concerned"

Davis: "I would say I'm definitely a little bit more concerned"
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was able to joke tonight about his experience Monday at the team hotel in Miami, how he ordered a delicious cheeseburger for lunch with a side of sweet potato fries. He definitely recommends the fries. Hyde was preparing for a game but instructed his players to stay near their phones. Don't leave their rooms. And take advantage of the 24-hour food service. Guys are trying to keep it light, but the last few days have been unsettling. The reports on the positive...

Orioles left playing waiting game rather than Marlins

Orioles left playing waiting game rather than Marlins
Safety comes first. Before a winning series, before the standings, before anything relating to balls and strikes. The Orioles were stuck in their hotel in Miami yesterday unsure whether they'd play the following night or receive clearance to fly back to Baltimore. Less than a week into a truncated season that offers little flexibility, they had gone from summer training camp to the danger zone. The team boarded a charter flight last night and left the state of Florida, one of the pandemic hot...

Elias on player pool, alternate camp and Mountcastle (plus notes)

Elias on player pool, alternate camp and Mountcastle (plus notes)
The Orioles are discussing how they'll proceed with their 60-man player pool that currently has five open spots. The next meeting is going to be held on Monday, according to executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias. The vacancies exist by design as the club determines how to fill them in order to provide insurance for the major league club and instruction for prospects. "We visit the topic regularly," Elias said during a Zoom conference call. "I think we wanted to see how...

Notes on Harvey, lineup trend, bullpen, Cobb and more

Notes on Harvey, lineup trend, bullpen, Cobb and more
Orioles reliever Hunter Harvey won't come off the 10-day injured list when he's eligible on Thursday, with manager Brandon Hyde noting that the right-hander is improving but still facing a number of tests. Players on the injured list, including John Means and Dillon Tate, have moved to the alternate camp site in Bowie. Harvey is shelved with a right forearm strain that's been described as arm fatigue. "He's still in a progression," said Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. "He's going to start...