Notes on Davis, upcoming starters, Valdez and more

Notes on Davis, upcoming starters, Valdez and more
Chris Davis is day-to-day with a lower back strain, explaining his absence in today's lineup against the Yankees. Apparently, it's health-related rather than the Orioles facing left-hander Jordan Montgomery. Manager Brandon Hyde said Davis sustained the injury during his last at-bat in Sunday's exhibition opener against the Pirates. Davis struck out earlier and left the game after two plate appearances. "He felt it tug on him a little bit on the fly ball to right," Hyde said during his...

Valdez could emerge as starter (and other notes)

Valdez could emerge as starter (and other notes)
César Valdez has become so important to the Orioles, and in such an unexpected manner after his prolonged absence from the majors, that manager Brandon Hyde is open to using the veteran right-hander in pretty much any role. The rotation isn't closed to him. Valdez became a starter in winter ball after one relief appearance with his original team, Tigres del Licey, and dominated for Gigantes and Águilas Cibaeñas - the latter being the Dominican Republic's entrant into the Caribbean...

Is bullpen built to bring everything Orioles want?

Is bullpen built to bring everything Orioles want?
The evolution of the Orioles bullpen over the years has stripped away the veterans and increased option flexibility. More importance is placed on the freedom to shuttle relievers back and forth and to get multiple innings out of them. Less baton-passing. Less stress trying to cover for starters running short on innings. This is amplified in pandemic seasons and with pitchers coming off a 60-game schedule. "Guys being able to throw multiple innings are going to be really valuable," said...

Could Orioles break camp with a six-man rotation?

Could Orioles break camp with a six-man rotation?
A spring training camp with a roster that's grown to 73 players is bound to have a lot of moving parts. Fold in the influences of a pandemic that's turned the sport on its ear, and those parts can leave a vapor trail. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde knows that he's allowed to construct a 26-man roster, but he's open to any ideas. One of them is breaking camp with six starters. Hyde confirmed on Wednesday's Zoom conference call that it's a viable option. "I think anything's possible this...

Hidden storylines as Orioles hold first spring workout

Hidden storylines as Orioles hold first spring workout
The first workout of Orioles pitchers and catchers will be held this morning on the back fields at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. With rain no longer in the forecast in Sarasota, Fla., where temperatures will approach the 80s. Without the media dodging puddles and remembering that an umbrella would have easily fit inside a suitcase or laptop bag. The gates and clubhouse aren't open to the press. The latter is expected to remain closed throughout camp and perhaps during the regular season. Major...

The reconfiguration of spring camp and non-roster candidates

The reconfiguration of spring camp and non-roster candidates
Pitchers and catchers are arriving today at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. We've made it this far. Smaller-scale workouts begin on Wednesday and broaden Feb. 22 with more players spread out on the back fields and over at Twin Lakes Park. There will be 73 players on the camp roster after Matt Harvey's deal is announced, two shy of capacity, but they're categorized as 40-man roster, non-roster invites and reserves. They won't be huddled together and making a mockery of the implemented...

Kjerstad recovering from episode of myocarditis

Kjerstad recovering from episode of myocarditis
Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias revealed this afternoon why outfielder Heston Kjerstad, the second overall pick in the 2020 draft, was withheld from the alternate camp site and fall instructional league. Kjerstad didn't participate in any activities after having "an episode of myocarditis," which is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The Orioles included Kjerstad, who turned 22 today, on their list of camp reserves. "He's doing really well," Elias said on his...

Still wondering about Orioles as first workout looms

Still wondering about Orioles as first workout looms
The first spring training workout is four days away. Some baseballs will be dropped, but not many clues about how the roster is going to be constructed and the pitching staff assembled. The full squad doesn't take the field until Feb. 22, but again, there's only so much you can read into early drills. Maybe where some players are taking grounders, though the media isn't permitted on the back fields. Maybe where some players are grouped - whether a fringe guy is placed with the regulars or...

More thoughts on Alex Cobb

More thoughts on Alex Cobb
Immediate reaction to yesterday morning's news that the Orioles were working on a trade to send veteran starter Alex Cobb to the Angels included the following: Why now? How many young pitchers are coming to the Orioles? What happens to the rotation? What is it about the Angels? How about that payroll? Not necessarily in that order, but you get the idea. Cobb might carry more value in early February than at the trade deadline, when he's a rental with free agency approaching. And there are no...

Penning more thoughts on some relievers

Penning more thoughts on some relievers
Left-hander Fernando Abad, signed by the Orioles to a minor league contract in December, has been exceptional as the closer for Toros del Este in the Dominican Winter League. Abad made 10 appearances prior to the Caribbean World Series and didn't allow a run in 11 innings. He surrendered only three hits, walked one batter, struck out 10 and recorded six saves. Toros del Este is set to compete in the Caribbean World Series beginning Sunday at Estadio Teodoro Mariscal in Mexico. Abad will be a...

Getting back on the spin rate train

Getting back on the spin rate train
It's been about a week since I first wrote in this space about four-seam fastball spin rates. So today, I am jumping back on the spin rate train and presenting more data that is available to all from the baseballsavant.mlb.com website. Once again trying not to hurt myself, pull a hammie or break a hamate and/or injure myself in any way as I jump on the train. Too close to the start of a new season for any reporter setbacks. Today let's look at breaking pitches - sliders, curveballs and cut...

Ninth means the last three outs, but not necessarily the biggest outs

Ninth means the last three outs, but not necessarily the biggest outs
Who will be the closer for the 2021 Orioles? Who knows today? But is it really that important for a rebuilding team? Probably not. The Orioles had five pitchers record saves last year. Cole Sulser was 5-for-8 in save chances, while César Valdez was 3-for-3. Miguel Castro was 1-for-3, Tanner Scott 1-for-2, Travis Lakins Sr. 1-for-1 and Thomas Eshelman 0-for-1. Sulser was the only player in the major leagues with two saves of at least two innings each. Scott picked up his first career save...

Valdez provides a valuable lesson on January signings

Valdez provides a valuable lesson on January signings
The downplaying and scant reporting of a minor league signing in January is as common as a cold. Players pop into an organization and often leave it without a fuss. The same indifference coming and going. César Valdez is a classic example, except for the part about him going. He's stayed on the 40-man roster since the Orioles selected his contract on Aug. 27, the latest move of significance in his rejuvenated career after the appearances in exhibition games as an extra from Twin Lakes Park...

Disorder in an early lineup projection

Disorder in an early lineup projection
An offseason exercise that doesn't require a home gym, but makes me sweat as if competing in a triathlon, is creating an Orioles lineup in December. Taking the players on the current 40-man roster and the likely invites to spring training and filling every position. Go nuts and, if you dare, also craft a bench, rotation and bullpen. But only if you've stretched prior to attempting it. A national publication seeks my assistance every winter, with a deadline prior to the Christmas holiday. The...

Looking at leadership on the Orioles

Looking at leadership on the Orioles
As I watch the National Football League and college teams try to make it through their seasons with the COVID-19 interruptions and rescheduling - Maryland's games against Ohio State and Michigan State have been canceled, for example, as the Terrapins pause all activities - I'm still amazed that Major League Baseball reached the finish line. I didn't like the chances at the outset and lost the last ounces of faith after the Marlins debacle. The biggest win recorded at Camden Yards was the...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
With the World Series over and teams firing up the hot stove, it shouldn't be much longer before the Orioles identify the return on the trades of pitchers Tommy Milone and Hector Velázquez. When is it considered late to be announcing players to be named later? The Orioles sent Velázquez to the Astros on July 29 for a PTBNL. He never threw a pitch in 2020 outside of summer training camp and alternate camp sites. Milone was traded to the Braves the following day for two PTBNL, an...

O's still not ready to worry much about closer's role

O's still not ready to worry much about closer's role
Should the Orioles look to establish one pitcher as their closer in the 2021 season? Baltimore had five pitchers record saves in the shortened 60-game season in 2020. The short answer for me is definitely not. No reason to try and find one established closer right now. In fact, on a rebuilding team, why not give several players a chance to save games next year? Find out which players seem to handle the ninth-inning pressure well and which do not. Closing games is hard and there are pitchers...

Another quizzical look at the Orioles

Another quizzical look at the Orioles
Schools are open with remote classrooms, which should make it easier for you to take today's quiz. Except it's much harder to cheat off the person next to you. I can't fix that part. Also, I waited again until the weekend to pass out a quiz because I'm a real jerk. Please share your answers with the moderator. The opening day starter will be: A. Alex Cobb B. John Means C. A pitcher who signs over the winter D. None of the above The 2021 Most Valuable Oriole will be: A. Ryan Mountcastle B....

In 2020, O's 'pen was good again

In 2020, O's 'pen was good again
There are areas where we saw improvement during the 2020 Orioles season, but few as dramatic as the bullpen. The bullpen ERA improved by nearly two runs per game. And the 'pen changed from one that gave up a lot of homers and was among the easiest to get a hit off in the American League to a stingy one in allowing homers and much tougher to hit. At a time when bullpens are used more than ever and are more important than ever, the trend upward this season was big for the Orioles. The 'pen...

Zooming past players in 2020

Zooming past players in 2020
The removal of media from the clubhouse in 2020 reduced players to images on a laptop screen. Better than just a voice on the other end of a phone call, but a wall that prevented real connections. The weeks spent in spring training provided the only interaction, and there were no introductions, one-on-ones or scrums with starter Jorge López and reliever César Valdez, who became prominent members of the pitching staff. López didn't arrive in the organization until Aug. 9, when the...