Orioles have sure packed a lot into 15 games

Orioles have sure packed a lot into 15 games
On a night when both teams had a lot go wrong and the bullpens combined to allow 13 runs, the Orioles bullpen at least steadied at the very end. Paul Fry got the second out of the last of the 10th and Travis Lakins Sr. got the third as they outlasted Philadelphia 10-9. The Orioles have had two extra-inning games, both rather eventful, and have won them both. They improved to 8-7 with that wild win and now they are 25 percent into a 60-game season. If the season ended after Tuesday's games, the...

Wojciechowski starting Sunday in D.C. (and other notes)

Wojciechowski starting Sunday in D.C. (and other notes)
The major league debut of Orioles left-hander Keegan Akin won't necessarily come in a starting role. Not on Sunday, for sure. Manager Brandon Hyde said today on his Zoom conference call that Asher Wojciechowski will work on short rest to close out the series in D.C. Akin is available in long relief this weekend. Left-hander John Means will miss his turn while on the bereavement list. Wojciechowski started the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Marlins and threw 67 pitches, which...

As the pitching delivers, the bats go silent in Birdland

As the pitching delivers, the bats go silent in Birdland
Orioles pitchers allowed just three runs combined in both games of a doubleheader but managed to lose them both. The pitchers were real good, the hitters were really not. When Austin Hays singled in a run in the sixth inning of the second game last night, it allowed the Orioles to avoid a third straight shutout, something they last endured in 2015. But in the Miami series, O's batters are 10-for-77 (.130) with one run scored. They have just three extra-base hits (all doubles), have drawn only...

Lumber slumber has led Orioles to brink of series sweep

Lumber slumber has led Orioles to brink of series sweep
More changes came to the Orioles last night beyond their status as the road team inside their own ballpark. Can't wipe the weirdness slate clean. Rather than wait until later today, the Orioles further reduced their roster to 28 players by optioning outfielder DJ Stewart to the alternate camp site in Bowie. Coupled with pitcher John Means going on the bereavement list, the Orioles can stop tweaking the roster unless they want to swap out personnel before playing tonight's series finale...

Orioles lineup vs. Rays

Orioles lineup vs. Rays
Chris Davis and José Iglesias remain out of the Orioles' lineup this afternoon as they go for their first series sweep since August 2018. Iglesias pinch-hit last night but didn't play in the field. Austin Hays also is on the bench today, with Hanser Alberto leading off. Cedric Mullins is playing center field. Rio Ruiz is batting cleanup and Andrew Velazquez is the shortstop. Renato Núñez replaces Davis at first base. Chance Sisco is the designated hitter. Left-hander Tommy Milone is...

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...

Means on injured list and excluded from 30-man roster

Means on injured list and excluded from 30-man roster
The Orioles will begin the long-awaited 2020 season without their No. 1 starter and projected closer. John Means and Hunter Harvey have been placed on the 10-day injured list. Reliever Dillon Tate also is on the IL - with all three assignments backdated to Monday - but outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. has been activated and made the 30-man roster for Friday night's opening game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Manager Brandon Hyde indicated yesterday that Means likely would start against the...

Orioles inching closer to the opener (updated)

Orioles inching closer to the opener (updated)
Today marks the final time in 2020 that we can wonder whether the Orioles actually will make it to opening day without the coronavirus pandemic or any assortment of disasters and traumas again shutting down baseball. The completion of a 60-game season remains a dicey proposition, but the 30-man roster will be turned into Major League Baseball by noon, the Orioles will hold an optional workout and they'll head to Boston for their first opener at Fenway Park since 1966. "I think we're as ready...

Valdez and Herrera making surprising bids for opening day roster

Valdez and Herrera making surprising bids for opening day roster
One of the more startling developments of summer training camp beyond John Means' dead-arm period is the potential crashing of the opening day roster projection party. Who invited César Valdez and Dilson Herrera? It feels like they carpooled and brought their own keg. The odds of Valdez's making the trip to Boston for Friday night's opener were placed at a "hard no" back in March, if such a thing actually exists, as he worked out at the minor league complex in Twin Lakes Park. His five...

Delays for Santander and Smith could mean starts for Stewart

Delays for Santander and Smith could mean starts for Stewart
Rio Ruiz's fly ball was slicing toward the left field line. DJ Stewart was racing to it. Could have been a double, could have been an out with flair. Could have been an injury to Stewart, who made a sensational diving catch and really felt it. Stewart rose to his feet and bent forward for a couple of seconds. He straightened, reached for his right ribcage and motioned to center fielder Andrew Velazquez that he was fine. The first intrasquad game featuring crowd noise piped into the ballpark...

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...

Work on extra-inning situations continues at Camden Yards

Work on extra-inning situations continues at Camden Yards
The Orioles closed yesterday's workout by again simulating an extra-inning situation. A runner on second base and no outs. Pressure applied to the hitters and the defense. Be satisfied with an RBI or a putout, depending on your point of view. John Means wasn't subjected to the same treatment during Tuesday's night's intrasquad game - it was reserved for the four relievers - but the Orioles demonstrated one technique for scoring in a similar situation. Chance Sisco led off the fifth inning...

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...

Roster reductions out of team's control, Stewart's rotation candidacy

Roster reductions out of team's control, Stewart's rotation candidacy
Camp reductions aren't supposed to happen due to injury. The Orioles would prefer maintaining control of the process, but it keeps slipping from their grasp. Forty-five players in the pool are supposed to be competing for spots on the 30-man roster for opening day. The rest are headed to the alternate camp in Bowie, with the Orioles having the freedom to call upon them. They were counting on Anthony Santander and Dwight Smith Jr. being at Fenway Park for the opener, but the odds keep shrinking...

Players unable to work out losing chance for opening day roster

Players unable to work out losing chance for opening day roster
Time is running out for players who can't participate in summer training camp to make the Orioles 30-man opening day roster. Manager Brandon Hyde didn't reference outfielders Dwight Smith Jr. and Anthony Santander, who have been held out of workouts and intrasquad games - the assumption being that it's linked to COVID-19 testing - but there are 13 days left before the beginning of the season. Santander was projected to start in one of the corners and Smith had a shot at the other - or at...

Orioles' first intrasquad game features home runs by Núñez and Hays

Orioles' first intrasquad game features home runs by Núñez and Hays
Austin Hays led off the top of the first inning tonight with a fly ball to the right field warning track. It bounced. It rolled. No one was around to retrieve it. Mark it down as F-9. Stevie Wilkerson was the only outfielder for the "home" team in the intrasquad game at Camden Yards. He played center field. Flanked by two ghost defenders. DJ Stewart played left field and Hays was in center for the "visiting" team, which settled for a 3-3 tie as the last few innings dissolved into live...

Elias explains policy on testing (plus workout notes, draft signings)

Elias explains policy on testing (plus workout notes, draft signings)
Orioles outfielders Dwight Smith Jr. and Anthony Santander remained absent for a fifth consecutive day of workouts. Explanations are going to be withheld for now based on a club policy that executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias shared this afternoon. While other teams have confirmed the numbers of positive tests for COVID-19, making names public if given permission, the Orioles are giving the silent treatment. "We have a really elaborate testing setup that has been issued by the...

Hyde on pitching updates, roster flexibility and more

Hyde on pitching updates, roster flexibility and more
Orioles pitchers Alex Cobb and Mychal Givens will throw live batting practice on Monday after doing side work earlier in summer training camp. They, too, are marked as present and active. "Really good. They threw the ball well," manager Brandon Hyde said in today's Zoom conference call when asked how the two right-handers have looked after three days. Cobb threw to hitters on a back field at the Ed Smith Stadium complex on the day that baseball shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. He...