O's build big early lead and hang on to take series

O's build big early lead and hang on to take series
Heading into this series, the Orioles had only won two of the last 13 series against the Boston Red Sox. They went 7-12 against Boston last year and 4-6 at Fenway Park. Then they got blasted 13-2 on opening night. But behind two wins on back-to-back days, the 2020 Orioles are off to a 2-1 start and have a rare series win against Boston. They got more early offense today and another solid starting pitcher effort in a 6-4 victory. They built a five-run lead and held on for the win. Now they head...

Orioles leave Boston with two wins (updated)

Orioles leave Boston with two wins (updated)
Maybe an expanded postseason field in 2020 doesn't impact the Orioles because they would have kept playing into October no matter the setup. They don't need any favors. Or maybe it's just a series win in Boston. Whatever. A team that posted the second-worst record in baseball last summer and is engaged in a lengthy and painful rebuild process is having a little fun and some early success. Wade LeBlanc dominated for most of his Orioles debut, Rio Ruiz and Anthony Santander homered and José...

A different kind of opening day

A different kind of opening day
Well, that was weird. But also the beginning of a new routine. I can't remember the last opening day spent at my home. Maybe in 1996 because I wasn't on the beat, though I could have been part of the overflow coverage at my former newspaper. More likely in 1995 with the Orioles in Kansas City. The openers at Camden Yards, Tropicana Field and Yankee Stadium ensured a seat in the press box. Breaking camp in Sarasota and driving to St. Petersburg simplified the travel process. The pandemic...

Notes on rotation, taxi squad, opening day, Davis' outlook and more

Notes on rotation, taxi squad, opening day, Davis' outlook and more
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is trying to set up the rest of his rotation without No 1. starter John Means, who's on the injured list with left shoulder fatigue. He appears to have made decisions through the first road trip. Alex Cobb and Wade LeBlanc start the last two games in Boston and Asher Wojciechowki gets the ball for Monday night's series opener against the Marlins in Miami. Hyde is leaning toward using Kohl Stewart the following night before the Orioles head back to Baltimore. The...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups, Hector Velázquez outrighted

Orioles and Red Sox lineups, Hector Velázquez outrighted
The Orioles are opening their season in Boston tonight for the first time since 1966 and they're sending out a lineup that includes Austin Hays leading off and José Iglesias batting third. Iglesias has hit third in two career games before tonight. Anthony Santander is slotted in between Hays and Iglesias. Chris Davis is fifth and Hanser Alberto sixth. DJ Stewart gets the start in left field and is batting ninth. Tommy Milone and Nathan Eovaldi are making their first career opening day...

Orioles skillfully maneuver 40-man roster

Orioles skillfully maneuver 40-man roster
The Orioles demonstrated yesterday how they're able to do the 40-man roster dance without tripping over their own feet. It was an impressive feat. They had one open spot and a lengthy list of non-roster players competing for jobs, though Stevie Wilkerson dropped out due to a broken finger on his left hand. That's a lot of traffic and the potential for a massive pileup. But utility player Pat Valaika was the lone addition, pretty much winning a job in spring training prior to the shutdown. He...

Hunter Harvey appears headed to injured list

Hunter Harvey appears headed to injured list
Orioles reliever Hunter Harvey won't be in the visiting bullpen for the opening series against the Red Sox, his next move appearing to be the 10-day injured list instead of the closer's role. Harvey is bothered by some tightness in his elbow that manager Brandon Hyde described as "muscular," which reduces the level of concern but also prevents the former first-round draft selection from remaining active. "That's very doubtful that he's going to break with us," Hyde said on his Zoom...

Milone replaces Means as opening day starter

Milone replaces Means as opening day starter
For the second season in a row, the Orioles must switch opening day starters and deny the winner of the competition his first career assignment. John Means has been scratched with left arm fatigue and replaced by veteran left-hander Tommy Milone. Manager Brandon Hyde made the announcement earlier today in his Zoom conference call, delivering news that was anticipated for the past few days. Means hadn't been cleared to throw until playing catch today and the team won't risk a more serious...

Orioles lineup vs. Nationals

Orioles lineup vs. Nationals
The Orioles will take another look at utility candidate Dilson Herrera in left field tonight as they conclude their three-game exhibition schedule against the Nationals in D.C. Herrera played right field and second base last night at Camden Yards. His chances of making the club increased with news that Stevie Wilkerson suffered a fractured bone in his left ring finger. Austin Hays returns to the lineup and is leading off, followed by Hanser Alberto. Anthony Santander, who went 2-for-2 last...

Orioles must make decision on Means

Orioles must make decision on Means
The Orioles should know later today whether left-hander John Means is making the opening night start at Fenway Park. They can't wait any longer because he'll need to throw for a couple of days without any arm discomfort. Has to prove that he can do it. A dose of good news would lift their spirits. This team is crawling to the starting line. Contingency plans are in place in case Means can't pitch. The Orioles have been prepping for his absence since last week. Withholding Wade LeBlanc from...

Orioles still don't know whether John Means can start opener

Orioles still don't know whether John Means can start opener
The Orioles are waiting to find out the results of Stevie Wilkerson's visit today to a hand specialist and should be able to gather more information later this afternoon. Wilkerson had swelling in his left ring finger after making a diving catch last night in Philadelphia. He's become a candidate for the injured list. John Means isn't throwing while trying to work through a dead-arm period. He's just receiving treatment and the Orioles aren't sure about his status for opening day. "John...

Updating Means, exhibition pitchers and more

Updating Means, exhibition pitchers and more
The Orioles remain uncertain about John Means' status for opening day, though there's been improvement in the condition of his left arm. Manager Brandon Hyde said the club remains in day-to-day mode with Means. "He felt a lot better today," Hyde said during his Zoom conference call with the media. "Has done a lot of treatment today. We haven't made a decision on that yet, but obviously we need to do that here in the next couple days." The Orioles won't use a starter on short rest if...

Means scratched from Sunday exhibition with arm fatigue

Means scratched from Sunday exhibition with arm fatigue
Just as the Orioles managed to fill out their summer camp roster with outfielders Anthony Santander and Dwight Smith Jr. returning to Camden Yards this week, they've become unsure about the availability of their No. 1 starter on opening day. Left-hander John Means has been scratched from Sunday night's exhibition game against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park due to a fatigued arm. Thomas Eshelman will make the start. Manager Brandon Hyde announced the switch this afternoon in his Zoom...

Valdez impressive in intrasquad (MASN airing two exhibitions)

Valdez impressive in intrasquad (MASN airing two exhibitions)
Asher Wojciechowski made his latest bid tonight to stay in the Orioles rotation by starting for the orange team, designated as the hosts, in the penultimate intrasquad game at Camden Yards. Never read too much into a scrimmage, whether or not it's accompanied by recorded crowd noise and walkup music, but Wojciechowski is lined up to serve as the No. 4 starter behind John Means, Alex Cobb and Wade LeBlanc. Dilson Herrera didn't care. He lined a two-run homer into the left field seats in the...

Orioles turn up volume on intrasquad game

Orioles turn up volume on intrasquad game
Chris Davis sent a fly ball over the fence in right-center field tonight, a high drive off southpaw Wade LeBlanc in the top of the first inning. Fans could be heard cheering, though none were planted in the seats. DJ Stewart crossed the plate ahead of Davis after his walk and they tapped spikes instead of fists or elbows. Shoes are deemed safe. Davis was introduced by Orioles public address announcer Ryan Wagner and walk-up music played as the first baseman reached the batter's box. The ball...

Updates on Tate, Martin, Blach and more

Updates on Tate, Martin, Blach and more
Orioles reliever Dillon Tate remains day-to-day with inflammation in his right elbow, an injury that occurred after he was struck by Pat Valaika's comebacker during Friday night's intrasquad game. Tate is trying to win a job in job in the bullpen, but he's losing valuable innings. "Still having some soreness, still hasn't thrown yet," manager Brandon Hyde said earlier this afternoon in his Zoom conference call. "Hoping he gets a ball in his hand here pretty soon, but there's still some...

Wojciechowski on camp, the rotation and his message

Wojciechowski on camp, the rotation and his message
As Orioles starter Asher Wojciechowski increases his innings and pitch count in camp, he'd also like to tear down the stigma of a rebuilding club and the narrative that he perceives as following it through the summer. He can stomach the lowered expectations within the industry. But don't question the heart. "We all believe in ourselves," he said today in a Zoom conference call with the media. "To be honest with you, I get really tired with people saying, 'Oh, they're rebuilding, they're...

Orioles select contracts of LeBlanc and Milone

Orioles select contracts of LeBlanc and Milone
The Orioles appear to have made a couple of important roster decisions as they approach opening day. The club announced tonight that it purchased the contracts of left-handers Wade LeBlanc and Tommy Milone, who are likely to be included on the pitching staff that breaks summer training camp. LeBlanc is in line to be the No. 3 starter after signing a minor league deal on Feb. 1. Milone could be slotted as the fourth or fifth starter or be used in a long relief/swingman role. Either way, he also...

Recapping today's workout, Santander's second day on the field

Recapping today's workout, Santander's second day on the field
The Orioles didn't play an intrasquad game today, devoting the hours on the field to live batting practice and workout drills. Alex Cobb threw live BP after John Means started last night. Wade LeBlanc is expected to pitch Thursday night to stay in line for the opening series in Boston. Anthony Santander stood in the box against Cobb and appeared to be tracking pitches rather than hunting for something to hit. He did the same from the right side against Rob Zastryzny. Also throwing today during...

Orioles practice extra-inning situations in intrasquad

Orioles practice extra-inning situations in intrasquad
If rules are going to change in the 2020 season, the Orioles must keep up by implementing special drills in workouts and intrasquad games. This is a matter of baseball survival beyond staying safe in a pandemic. Beginning with Hunter Harvey in the bottom of the first inning, the Orioles sent a succession of relievers to the mound for the "visitors" and placed a runner on second base to simulate extra innings. Because this team has been known to stretch games beyond regulation. Mason Williams...