Can Stewart solidify his spot on 40-man roster?

Can Stewart solidify his spot on 40-man roster?
Earlier this week, I wrote about outfielder Yusniel Diaz and the importance of staying healthy in 2022 and putting up the kind of numbers that finally get him to the majors - and at least keep him on the 40-man roster. Then there's DJ Stewart, also an outfielder who brought big-time expectations into the organization. Diaz after being the central figure in the Manny Machado trade with the Dodgers. Stewart after being the 25th overall selection in the 2015 draft out of Florida State...

Can Nevin power his way into Orioles' plans?

Can Nevin power his way into Orioles' plans?
If Tyler Nevin wanted to leave a nice impression on the Orioles heading into the offseason, hitting a 442-foot home run on the last day seemed like a solid idea. Nevin, 24, reached the third deck in left field at Rogers Centre against Blue Jays starter Hyun Jin Ryu for his first career home run in his sixth major league game. It was the longest first homer by an Oriole since the Statcast era. I should point out that the Statcast era dates back only to 2015, so we're not taking a deep dive into...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Becoming the first Orioles player with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the same season should be the most impressive achievement for Cedric Mullins in 2021, but discussions on his breakout year inevitably circle back to how he abandoned switch-hitting and experienced left-on-left success. It blows away everyone who talks about it. I've had scouts, in the middle of a chat, bring up what Mullins did against left-handed pitching and how unusual it was to make that decision. To choose one side...

Because You Asked - The Return of the King

Because You Asked - The Return of the King
The first mailbag of the 2021 offseason is upon us. Keep breathing normally and suspending disbelief. Many topics are impossible to answer on this date - and some are impossible on any date - but I'm not above fudging it like a Keebler cookie. What's important is that you keep asking and I keep answering and you keep ignoring my responses and asking again and I discover a new sequel. Also important is that I remain a mailbag rebel. Let the length overflow. Let the lack of style be our...

Orioles finish 2021 season with 12-4 loss to Blue Jays (updated)

Orioles finish 2021 season with 12-4 loss to Blue Jays (updated)
Pat Valaika grounded into a force against Adam Cimber this afternoon and the Orioles' 2021 season was a wrap. The fifth in a row below .500. A final record of 52-110, with two fewer wins than the last full season in 2019. With 56 road losses that are third-most in team history. And with a minus-297 run differential. The Blue Jays did their part to stay alive in the wild card race by winning 12-4 at Rogers Centre, a game that included George Springer's leadoff home run against Orioles rookie...

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups in Game 162

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups in Game 162
The Orioles end the 2021 season today in Toronto with the opportunity to play spoilers, keeping the Blue Jays out of the playoffs with a victory. It's that simple. Rookie Bruce Zimmermann is making his 13th major league start and 14th appearance, and his second since coming off the 60-day injured list. He held the Red Sox to one run and two hits over four innings on Tuesday. Zimmermann has never faced the Blue Jays. The Baltimore native hasn't allowed a hit in 36 consecutive two-strike...

Orioles' late rally falls short in 6-4 loss in Toronto (updated)

Orioles' late rally falls short in 6-4 loss in Toronto (updated)
The Orioles tried to stay in spoiler mode tonight while going with a bullpen game rather than a starter equipped to provide actual length. Teams wanting the Blue Jays to implode in the weekend series and influence the wild card race could be heard cringing. Their eyes were bulging while checking the late score. Injuries have tampered with the Orioles rotation, which becomes more settled in the last two games with John Means and Bruce Zimmermann. So, manager Brandon Hyde lined up his available...

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups
Reliever Isaac Mattson has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and heads to the Orioles bullpen as they begin their final series of the year tonight in Toronto. Mattson, acquired from the Angels in the Dylan Bundy trade, has made three appearances with the Orioles and allowed three runs and three hits in three innings, with four walks and three strikeouts. Left-hander Alexander Wells, who held the Red Sox to one run in six innings last night, was optioned to Norfolk. He wasn't going to pitch...

Wells rolls, Mountcastle homers again in O's 6-2 win (updated)

Wells rolls, Mountcastle homers again in O's 6-2 win (updated)
One pitch tonight from Orioles rookie Alexander Wells, and the last home game of the 2021 season felt like too many others. Wells fed leadoff hitter Kiké Hernández a fastball and it landed in the left field seats. An immediate deficit against a team in the thick of the wild card race. One bad fastball didn't spoil the whole start. Wells worked a career-high six innings, and retired 10 of 11 batters and 16 of 18. Ryan Mountcastle hit his 33rd home run of the season, a three-run shot in...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups (plus notes)

Orioles and Red Sox lineups (plus notes)
The Orioles' final home game of the 2021 season will begin with rookie Alexander Wells making his 11th major league appearance and eighth start. Wells has a 7.61 ERA and 1.745 WHIP in 36 2/3 innings. He's averaging 12.3 hits, 3.4 walks, 5.9 strikeouts and 2.2 home runs per nine innings. Wells has completed five innings in his last two starts, allowing eight runs and 11 hits. He faced the Red Sox on Sept. 19 and surrendered five runs and six hits, with J.D. Martinez hitting a solo...

Hyde on Santander, Nevin, Ellis and more

Hyde on Santander, Nevin, Ellis and more
Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander was removed from Sunday afternoon's game against the Rangers after struggling to reach first base on a ground ball in the bottom of the eighth inning. However, it wasn't the sore left hamstring that forced a change. A third injury did the trick. Santander went on the 10-day injured list this afternoon with a sprained right knee, ending a season that also included a sprained left ankle on April 20 in Miami. Staying healthy was more challenging to Santander...

Santander and Ellis placed on injured list (and other notes)

Santander and Ellis placed on injured list (and other notes)
The Orioles placed outfielder Anthony Santander and pitcher Chris Ellis on the 10-day injured list this afternoon, bringing their seasons to a premature end. Bruce Zimmermann was activated from the 60-day injured list to make tonight's start against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Infielder/outfielder Tyler Nevin was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Pitcher Keegan Akin was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room for Zimmermann on the 40-man roster. A sprained right knee sent Santander...

Orioles and Rangers lineups

Orioles and Rangers lineups
The Orioles get a four-game break from contending opponents, facing the Rangers tonight with rookie Zac Lowther on the mound and a designated hitter back in their lineup. Trey Mancini is the cleanup hitter and DH. Anthony Santander remains out of the lineup with a sore left hamstring. Santander ran sprints earlier today and hit in the cage. Austin Hays is in left field and Ryan McKenna is in right. Jahmai Jones is the second baseman. Austin Wynns is catching. Lowther is making his ninth...

Orioles put Urías on injured list and DFA Valdez

Orioles put Urías on injured list and DFA Valdez
The Orioles' roster moves are official and their 28-man roster has been refreshed again. The club has recalled infielder Jahmai Jones and reliever Konner Wade from Triple-A Norfolk today, placed infielder Ramón Urías on the 10-day injured list with a right adductor strain and designated reliever César Valdez for assignment. Reliever Joey Krehbiel, claimed off waivers yesterday from the Rays, was optioned to Norfolk. Urías was a late scratch from the lineup yesterday, but he...

Orioles preparing to make multiple roster moves

Orioles preparing to make multiple roster moves
The Orioles end their road trip tonight in Philadelphia with a few more roster moves pending. Infielders Jahmai Jones and Tyler Nevin have joined the club and could be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Manager Brandon Hyde said there's also a fresh arm available for the bullpen as a possible transaction. Hyde said, "We have a bunch of things going on right now," which includes pitcher Chris Ellis' arm fatigue, infielder Ramón Urías' sore right upper leg and Anthony Santander tweaking...

O's hit three homers and Baumann gets win in debut (updated)

O's hit three homers and Baumann gets win in debut (updated)
The Orioles keep building new streaks as if tool belts are now part of the uniform. Usually the kind that feel like a drill bit twisting through the temples of their manager. Brandon Hyde was able to joke about the most recent streak, the one-run games that reached five in a row going into tonight. How he told his players it was OK to win 7-2 once in a while. They didn't exactly follow orders against the Royals, but a four-run first inning hinted that they no longer wanted to be so...

Orioles rally to tie, but lose 5-4 in Toronto (updated)

Orioles rally to tie, but lose 5-4 in Toronto (updated)
A couple of bases-loaded walks tonight in the second inning gave the Orioles a lead and some evidence that they can work a count and offer their manager the type of at-bats he's been pleading for during the season. Those walks, by Cedric Mullins and Ryan Mountcastle, weren't intended to provide the bulk of the offense. The Orioles would need to back them with some clutch hitting and hope the bullpen also could step up. Jorge Mateo led off the sixth with a double against Tayler Saucedo, his...

Jones on promotion, popularity, playing Angels and more

Jones on promotion, popularity, playing Angels and more
Jahmai Jones is the 54th player used by the Orioles this season, his return to the majors including a start tonight at second base. He's facing the organization that traded him on Feb. 2 for pitcher Alex Cobb. The Orioles kept Jones at Triple-A Norfolk to work on his defense at second. He had to wait for the call, with no complaints. "It really allowed me to really just focus on things down at Norfolk that I felt like I needed to work on before I came up here, and it really just allowed me to...

Adding only two players in September expands challenges

Adding only two players in September expands challenges
The new rule in 2021 that September rosters expand to just 28 players creates another headache for baseball's front offices. As if more were needed. I never liked the idea of stuffing 40 players on a club for the final month and completely altering how the game is managed. The strategy of matching up is destroyed. Benches and bullpens are bursting at the seams. It just doesn't make sense. The sport shouldn't morph into something so unrecognizable while teams are trying to reach the...

Watkins struggles again, losing streak reaches nine games (updated)

Watkins struggles again, losing streak reaches nine games (updated)
Cedric Mullins got his usual business out of the way early tonight, which is so often how it happens. Richie Martin maintained his power surge at Fenway Park, though with a pronounced gap in between home runs. The Orioles had a couple of positive moments in their return to the site of their season-opening sweep, but the slumping Red Sox kept topping them. Kept extending at-bats and innings against rookie starter Spenser Watkins. Kept flexing their muscle after the bullpen came into play. And a...