Orioles promote Knight and Diplán, DFA Anderson and Leyba

Orioles promote Knight and Diplán, DFA Anderson and Leyba
The Orioles retooled their bullpen today by selecting the contracts of right-handers Dusten Knight and Marcos Diplán from Triple-A Norfolk, two more potential major league debuts. Forty-nine players have been used this season, with 12 making their debuts. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Orioles decided pitcher Shaun Anderson and infielder Domingo Leyba would be designated for assignment. Leyba was in Norfolk. Knight is wearing No. 67 and Diplán No. 78. Rule 5 pick Tyler Wells...

Knight and Diplán poised to make major league debuts

Knight and Diplán poised to make major league debuts
The Orioles are shaking up their bullpen and 26-man roster. A source confirmed that relievers Dusten Knight and Marcos Diplán are traveling to New York today to join the Orioles and could have their contracts selected from Triple-A Norfolk. There's only one opening on the roster after the Orioles optioned starter Alexander Wells following last night's 13-1 loss to the Yankees. Knight, known for his backflips after recording saves, has registered a 1.30 ERA and 1.084 WHIP in 25 appearances...

What's left to look forward to after the trade deadline?

What's left to look forward to after the trade deadline?
The trade talk is silenced. Another important date is crossed off baseball's calendar. Unless you get excited over expanded September rosters - and only two additional players may be added in 2021 - there isn't much left beyond the actual games. For the Orioles, attention to the minors only intensifies. Like the Adley Rutschman watch as he keeps pushing for a promotion to Triple-A Norfolk. It can't be much longer. And how convenient if he simply has to go from Richmond, where Double-A Bowie...

Notes on Valaika, Santander, Galvis and Wells

Notes on Valaika, Santander, Galvis and Wells
There isn't much news to report from the Orioles as afternoon moves into evening. Pat Valaika is out of the lineup again tonight in Detroit, his last start coming Sunday against the Nationals. He played an inning last night. Manager Brandon Hyde indicated that Valaika is fine physically. "I'm just giving (Domingo) Leyba some opportunities against right-handed pitching," Hyde said on his Zoom call. Valaika hit a home run on July 21 and two more the following game. He had a single and RBI in...

Tyler Wells wants chance to close when healthy

Tyler Wells wants chance to close when healthy
If you try to cast a silver lining into Tyler Wells' baseball world relating to his wrist injury, you won't get a nibble. The Orioles are monitoring his innings after he underwent Tommy John surgery and didn't pitch the last two seasons. A brief stay on the injured list makes it easier, giving the Rule 5 pick an unexpected rest period that could benefit him over the last two months. Wells stood in front of the dugout steps Sunday morning while teammates did some throwing in the outfield, a...

Fry on trade talk: "I want to be part of the solution either way"

Fry on trade talk: "I want to be part of the solution either way"
A new week is going to reheat the same old trade deadline talk. Which players are chips for the Orioles front office, which ones lost their luster. Who's more likely to leave and who's a longshot. What's become more evident as Friday approaches, executives ordered to put down their pencils at 4 p.m., is how left-handers Paul Fry and Tanner Scott are most likely to be gone. Pick one. This is a common expectation within the industry and who am I to argue? They're bringing the most appeal and...

Another debut on deck for Orioles

Another debut on deck for Orioles
The land of opportunity opened its doors to another newcomer yesterday. Conner Greene went from taxi squad pitcher to Triple-A Norfolk's bullpen to Camden Yards, where he's trying to become the 12th Oriole to make his major league debut this season. The club record, which I botched earlier this year due to an erroneous article found in a Google search, is 15 in 2018. The previous mark was 14 in 1955, followed by 12 in 2012 and 2001, per STATS research. I'd challenge anyone to name the 15...

Orioles lineup could change, Greene on promotion (updated)

Orioles lineup could change, Greene on promotion (updated)
Domingo Leyba is starting at second base tonight as the Orioles try to defeat the Nationals and claim the series following last night's 6-1 win at Camden Yards. Ryan McKenna is in left field and DJ Stewart is in right. Trey Mancini is the first baseman, with Ryan Mountcastle serving as designated hitter. Ramón Urías remains in the fifth spot in the order. However, the Nationals scratched starter Max Scherzer due to mild triceps soreness and moved up left-hander Jon Lester. Do the Orioles...

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...

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...

Early production from Stewart and Urías leads Orioles to win

Early production from Stewart and Urías leads Orioles to win
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told the media prior to the break that DJ Stewart would get more chances to play, that their conversation included instructions to keep his head up. A crowded outfield wouldn't push Stewart out the door or too far down the bench. "It's a long season left," Hyde said, "and he's going to get plenty of at-bats here in the second half." In the lineup for only the third time this month, Stewart singled twice and had an RBI and two runs scored by the third inning....

Mancini comes off bench to tie game, Orioles lose in 10th

Mancini comes off bench to tie game, Orioles lose in 10th
The All-Star break is a time for rest and reflection, and Orioles manager Brandon Hyde knows exactly why his club has the worst record in the American League. Precisely what he's going to think about before play resumes Friday night in Kansas City. "For me," he said this afternoon, "it just shows you how far away we are, pitching-wise." Spenser Watkins tried to narrow the gap a little, maybe present Hyde with another option and keep earning more chances. He held the White Sox to one run in...

Taking the rotation for another spin

Taking the rotation for another spin
The Orioles confirmed again yesterday how their starters will line up heading into the All-Star break. The rainout didn't force an adjustment beyond denying Dillon Tate his first major league assignment as an opener. Jorge López, Thomas Eshelman and Spenser Watkins are going to oppose the White Sox in the weekend series that begins tonight at Camden Yards, followed by four days without games. Four days to pretty much make anything possible. There are only a few certainties to begin the...

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...

Watkins gets first major league win in Orioles' 7-5 victory (updated)

Watkins gets first major league win in Orioles' 7-5 victory (updated)
Retiring all three batters faced in his major league debut left Orioles right-hander Spenser Watkins ripe for a bunch of firsts tonight beyond how he was making his initial start. Get the walk out of the way with a free pass to Blue Jays leadoff hitter Marcus Semien. Get ahead of Bo Bichette 0-2 and surrender the first hit, a groundball single into right field. Followed by the first run on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s line drive to deep left that went into the box score as a sacrifice fly. Manager...

Franco scratched from Orioles lineup (and other notes)

Franco scratched from Orioles lineup (and other notes)
Third baseman Maikel Franco has been scratched from the Orioles lineup and replaced by Domingo Leyba, a failed attempt to play for the first time since Wednesday night in Houston. Franco sprained his right ankle while chasing the last out and slipping on the track in foul territory. He sat out the series in Anaheim. Blue Jays starter Steven Matz catches a break. Franco is 7-for-13 with two home runs and six RBIs lifetime against him. For the Orioles Cedric Mullins CF Austin Hays LF Trey Mancini...

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...

Shohei Ohtani homers twice and Angels get a walk-off win (updated)

Shohei Ohtani homers twice and Angels get a walk-off win (updated)
The Orioles offense got going again tonight, early in the game in Anaheim. But would they be able to overcome a special player having a special night in the series opener? Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels began tonight leading the majors with 28 homers and had homered in nine of his last 14 games. Then he hit two more tonight as the Angels overcame an early 6-2 deficit to move ahead 7-6 in the fourth. The Orioles would tie the score at 7, but the Angels came up with a walk-off win in the...

Sceroler "thankful for this whole entire situation"

Sceroler "thankful for this whole entire situation"
The Tuesday drive from Mac Sceroler's home in Louisiana to Chattanooga, Tenn., didn't show it on any map, but he traveled down a steep hill to get there. The peak of it actually back in Baltimore. The descent from the majors to Double-A baseball is common with Rule 5 selections. Sceroler sensed that it might be coming. Braced for it and understanding of the reasons. Two months spent on the injured list and rehabbing his right shoulder tore through whatever odds of success existed with...

Orioles issue walks and score late runs in 9-7 win (updated)

Orioles issue walks and score late runs in 9-7 win (updated)
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde spun his lineup again tonight in an attempt to find the right combination. A group that can make plays in the field and generate runs. Perhaps run with an opportunity. Locating strike-throwers also is on the agenda. The shuffling in the rotation is happening now in the infield with the arrivals of Domingo Leyba and Ramón Urías. They started again tonight, with Urías at short and Leyba switching from second base to third base. Slumps and health factor into...