López goes six innings, Orioles hit four homers in 7-1 win (updated)

López goes six innings, Orioles hit four homers in 7-1 win (updated)
An organization that's emphasizing drafting and developing, talent infusion and patience isn't going to find many soft spots in its major league schedule. The challenges just get more daunting for stretches, especially in the American League East. The heights from the tightrope seem to reach the clouds. The falls that much harder. The Orioles weren't the team crashing to the ground tonight. Jorge López went from rattled early to unhittable through the fifth inning, his run support...

McKenna walks in ninth for walk-off win (updated)

McKenna walks in ninth for walk-off win (updated)
The parade of former Orioles pitchers was bound to stumble. It only takes one. Richard Bleier, the fourth to wear the designation tonight for the Marlins, allowed the tying runs to score in the eighth inning with a defensive breakdown providing an unwanted assist. Ryan McKenna walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and the Orioles rallied past Miami 8-7 before an announced crowd of 8,363 at Camden Yards. Pedro Severino and Trey Mancini homered and the Orioles head to Detroit...

Means works into seventh and O's rally for 5-4 win (updated)

Means works into seventh and O's rally for 5-4 win (updated)
The plan for left-hander Johns Means today was to extend him further than his first start after his reinstatement from the injured list. The pitch limit would be stretched beyond 78. His innings in the right scenario would move past the fifth. "I'm going to bump him up," manager Brandon Hyde said earlier in the day. "Hopefully, everything goes well and he'll go deeper in the game." Means kept Hyde relaxed until the sixth, when Ryan Zimmerman hit a three-run homer to erase a 3-1 lead. Trey...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles have gone back to a nine-man bullpen, removing a bench option for manager Brandon Hyde but also giving him an extra reliever. Some nights it's the ideal alignment, others it's a handicap. Anyone knowing in advance how it's going to play out should contact the team. There could be a job opportunity. Longer outings from the rotation could reduce the need for a ninth reliever. The last four starters completed five innings prior to last night, a first in 2021. And fewer weak links in...

Orioles get back Means, but can't extend win streak (updated)

Orioles get back Means, but can't extend win streak (updated)
John Means made his return to the Orioles and their rotation tonight and didn't immediately slip into his ace attire. A proper fit wasn't a reasonable expectation given the long layoff. The velocity was fine. The hard contact was not. And there was more of it than usual. Starting his first major league game since June 5, Means allowed two runs in the first inning, Randy Arozarena's solo homer in the third and Francisco Mejía's two-run shot in the fourth, and the Rays erupted again late...

Wells wrestling ninth inning away from Orioles relievers

Wells wrestling ninth inning away from Orioles relievers
Sometimes, a manager's plans for a player become more evident through actions rather than words. Brandon Hyde isn't proclaiming that Rule 5 selection Tyler Wells is the Orioles' unopposed and unchallenged closer. He doesn't put that much emphasis on the role during a rebuild, though he understands how crushing it is to lose a lead in the ninth inning - like what happened in Anaheim after Cedric Mullins, named to the All-Star team earlier in the day, homered in the top half. Wells has...

Does Akin keep auditioning in Orioles rotation?

Does Akin keep auditioning in Orioles rotation?
Without an official clock to check, I'm guessing that a week to 10 days have passed since someone asked Orioles manager Brandon Hyde whether Keegan Akin would be more effective and valuable as a bulk reliever. A week to 10 days since Hyde had to execute the tricky maneuver of pointing out the obvious without being condescending. Akin would be a big help to the Orioles in a bullpen role based on his ability to consume innings and perhaps avoid going through a lineup more than once. But there's...

Short starts resume in second half in 9-2 loss (updated)

Short starts resume in second half in 9-2 loss (updated)
The Orioles were comfortable going with a 25-man roster tonight in Kansas City following a four-day break that rested and recharged a tired bullpen. Manager Brandon Hyde didn't want to dip into it early, no matter its condition, but that same break didn't improve the early results of the second-half rotation. Rookie Keegan Akin fell behind by six runs in three innings and the Orioles lost to the Royals 9-2. Cedric Mullins singled in his first two at-bats, the only hits against Royals...

Walks and woozy bullpen team to topple Orioles 12-1 (updated)

Walks and woozy bullpen team to topple Orioles 12-1 (updated)
Manager Brandon Hyde can laugh now about the play Wednesday night that began as a blown call on a missed catch by left fielder Ryan McKenna and resulted in a run scoring and no outs recorded rather than the triple play that the Orioles thought might be possible. Catch a break? The Orioles are overdue, as Hyde noted. Anthony Santander slid into second base with an apparent double tonight leading off the fourth inning and removed his shin guard, an umpire signaled home run after the ball bounced...

Tate replaces Akin as tonight's starter

Tate replaces Akin as tonight's starter
In another unexpected twist to the Orioles' season, Dillon Tate is making a start tonight against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Rookie left-hander Keegan Akin has been scratched, with the Orioles providing more information later this afternoon. Akin could be working in a bulk role behind Tate, who's making his first major league start. Or Akin could be dealing with a physical issue. Manager Brandon Hyde will explain it during his media scrum, with the weather dictating if it's done on the...

Harvey still can't locate win, Orioles lose to Jays 10-2 (updated)

Harvey still can't locate win, Orioles lose to Jays 10-2 (updated)
Matt Harvey has pitched in some tough luck this season, as Orioles manager Brandon Hyde mentions with great frequency. Tonight, he pitched in confusion. Mark it on the Matt Harvey bingo card. Umpires ruled that left fielder Ryan McKenna made a diving catch of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s sinking liner after the first two batters reached. Marcus Semien was tagged after rounding third base, the call requiring him to go back to second, and two runners stood on first. A double play? A triple play? The...

Notes on Valdez, rotation, Means and more

Notes on Valdez, rotation, Means and more
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is hoping that César Valdez's extended stay on the injured list with a lower back strain did more than improve the reliever's health. Perhaps it also provided a much-needed refresh and restart. Valdez lost the closer's job while posting an 11.57 ERA and 2.429 WHIP in seven innings in May and a 7.71 ERA and 1.857 WHIP in seven innings last month. "Took some time off, threw a really nice side a couple days ago," Hyde said today on his media Zoom call. "He...

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...

Updates on John Means and more, plus checking in with Dylan Bundy

Updates on John Means and more, plus checking in with Dylan Bundy
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde provided an update today on three pitchers that are currently on the 10-day injured list in starters John Means and Bruce Zimmermann and bullpen right-hander César Valdez. Hyde confirmed what was reported on the high Single-A Aberdeen Twitter feed earlier today. Means, who has not pitched since early June while out with a left shoulder strain, will make a rehab start for the IronBirds at Ripken Stadium on the Fourth of July game at 2:05 p.m. "He's starting his...

Orioles claim Shaun Anderson off waivers (plus lineups)

Orioles claim Shaun Anderson off waivers (plus lineups)
The roster moves keep coming for the Orioles. They've barely taken a breath today. Pitcher Shaun Anderson was claimed off waivers from the Rangers and optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Pitcher Konner Wade was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Also, Stevie Wilkerson cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Norfolk. Anderson, 26, was a third-round draft pick of the Red Sox in 2016 out of the University of Florida. He pitched for the Giants in 2019-20 and the...

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...

Checking back on Orioles 2022 roster

Checking back on Orioles 2022 roster
Three years ago, the staff at Baseball America took a shot at projecting the Orioles lineup, rotation and closer for the 2022 season. Let's just say the publication didn't bat 1.000. OK, let's say more. It's virtually impossible to hit on any team because of the variables that blow up predictions. The lists ran in October, after the Orioles began dismantling the team over the summer. The teardown started with the trades of Manny Machado, Zack Britton, Jonathan Schoop, Brad Brach, Kevin...

Orioles DFA Mac Sceroler and select Mickey Jannis' contract

Orioles DFA Mac Sceroler and select Mickey Jannis' contract
The Orioles have cut ties with Rule 5 pitcher Mac Sceroler. The club designated Sceroler for assignment this afternoon and selected the contract of knuckleballer Mickey Jannis from Triple-A Norfolk. Jannis is wearing No. 76, a first in team history, and waiting to make his major league debut. Sceroler, the nephew of former Orioles pitcher and current MASN analyst Ben McDonald, made five appearances and allowed 12 earned runs (15 total) and 15 hits in 7 2/3 innings. He walked seven batters,...

Orioles avoid no-hitter but not a 10-2 loss (updated)

Orioles avoid no-hitter but not a 10-2 loss (updated)
The only stickiness for Keegan Akin tonight was a third-inning jam. A worse mess for the Orioles was their inability to get a hit until the eighth inning. Three Astros pitchers beginning with Jake Odorizzi combined for only a walk and hit batter before Maikel Franco's two-run homer off reliever Brandon Bielak in the Orioles' 10-2 loss before an announced crowd of 7,414, a potential eighth no-hitter against them and second at Camden Yards sailing into the bullpen. Bielak nailed Austin Hays on...

Valdez on injured list, Santander updates ankle and more

Valdez on injured list, Santander updates ankle and more
The Orioles have placed reliever César Valdez on the 10-day injured list with a strained muscle in his lower back and recalled reliever Travis Lakins Sr. from Triple-A Norfolk. Valdez lost his closer's job and is carrying a 5.74 ERA and 1.650 WHIP in 25 appearances and 26 2/3 innings. He surrendered two more runs yesterday in the eighth inning and has allowed six runs and 11 hits this month in only seven innings. The slump has been extensive, with Valdez registering a 1.42 ERA and 1.105...