Analytics assist Armstrong in adjusting arm

Analytics assist Armstrong in adjusting arm
If the Orioles are going to make pitching data so readily available, creating a big splash with their plunges into analytics, reliever Shawn Armstrong would have been foolish to stay in the shallow end. To figure out why he was getting hit and losing command after leaving the injured list, Armstrong studied his mechanics and hunted for a solution beyond the standard side work and conversations with director of pitching/pitching coach Chris Holt and assistant pitching coach Darren Holmes. They...

Adam Plutko has been a solid addition to O's bullpen

Adam Plutko has been a solid addition to O's bullpen
Even though he once pitched in a college rotation at UCLA with both Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer, the Orioles could not have expected right-hander Adam Plutko to pitch this well for them. When they acquired him from Cleveland on March 27 for cash considerations, it was expected to be for long relief situations and to cover some innings. He is throwing so well for this club that he's been used recently in some late-in-the-game high-leverage spots. Over nine games, he has an ERA of 1.42 and a...

Updating Wednesday starter, Galvis injury and more

Updating Wednesday starter, Galvis injury and more
Dean Kremer is rejoining the Orioles on Wednesday and starting that night against the Yankees at Camden Yards. Precisely the way it was expected to play out. A corresponding roster move is coming, with reliever Jay Flaa a logical candidate to be optioned to the alternate training site after having his contract selected yesterday. Kremer has allowed eight runs and 14 hits in 10 2/3 innings, with six walks and 14 strikeouts in his three starts. The Orioles optioned him after he held the Rangers...

Means dominates and Lowther debuts in 8-1 win (updated)

Means dominates and Lowther debuts in 8-1 win (updated)
Zac Lowther sat in the Orioles bullpen this afternoon and waited for the phone to ring. A second call in less than 24 hours that would thrill him. That would allow a fourth player on the club to make his major league debut in less than a month. The fly in the ointment was a former All-Star pitcher who's the undisputed ace of the staff. A starter who didn't need a reliever to provide length. John Means was dealing again. Austin Hays was destroying fastballs. Lowther wasn't debuting until the...

Rain falls before Orioles do in 7-2 loss (Lowther joining O's)

Rain falls before Orioles do in 7-2 loss (Lowther joining O's)
The Orioles are recalling pitching prospect Zac Lowther from the alternate training site in Bowie, according to an industry source, and he'll be available in the bullpen for Sunday afternoon's series finale against the Athletics. Wade LeBlanc, who started tonight, will be designated for assignment to create roster space. Lowther, who turns 25 on Friday, is the No. 11 prospect in the system, according to MLBPipeline.com, and he's on the verge of making his major league debut. The Orioles...

On another tough night of offense, O's 'pen was good again

On another tough night of offense, O's 'pen was good again
As the Orioles continue to struggle many nights on offense, there is frustration in that. But also frustration in how, with just a few more runs, they could have several more wins. Here are the scores of the last six O's losses dating to the first doubleheader with Seattle: 4-3, 4-2, 2-1, 1-0, 3-0 and 3-1. They have allowed just 17 runs in those six losses, which have come by 10 total runs. I told you it would be frustrating. But as the offense has been exactly that, the O's bullpen has been...

Updating rotation plans and more

Updating rotation plans and more
The Orioles are pushing back John Means to Sunday afternoon against the Athletics and waiting until later tonight to choose Saturday's starter. The options are a bullpen game or recalling a pitcher from the alternate training site in Bowie. "Just going to give John an extra day," manager Brandon Hyde said today in his Zoom call. Means will get a full week with his most recent outing Sunday against the Rangers. Normal rest would have put him on the mound tonight, but the Orioles had two...

Means shines again on road in Orioles' 1-0 10-inning loss (updated)

Means shines again on road in Orioles' 1-0 10-inning loss (updated)
There's nothing wrong with the mound at Camden Yards, the home clubhouse or the ballpark atmosphere. The routine at home isn't disruptive. John Means just happens to pitch better on the road this month, for reasons that can't be explained beyond the ridiculously small sample size. In Means' lone outing in Baltimore, he faced the Mariners in the first game of a doubleheader and allowed three runs in five innings with two home runs attached to his line. In starts made on three trips, he's...

López completes fifth and bats catch fire in 5-2 win (updated)

López completes fifth and bats catch fire in 5-2 win (updated)
The starting pitcher was dealing early and a leadoff triple in the third inning led to a run and thoughts that the offense might have awakened. Deep in the heart of Texas, the Orioles were trying to bury everything that hurt them back home. What needed to be addressed was whether Jorge López could remain upright while taking another turn through the Rangers order and if settling for one run in that inning would bring regrets. Trying to stay in the rotation with other options available to the...

Kremer starts Saturday, Hays nearing return and more

Kremer starts Saturday, Hays nearing return and more
The Orioles have filled out their rotation for the weekend series in Texas and Dean Kremer is replacing TBD for Saturday night. Kremer is working on short rest after starting Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mariners, but he threw 54 pitches and has indicated that he's feeling good. Otherwise, the Orioles could have selected one of their long relievers, with the candidates including Wade LeBlanc and Adam Plutko. "We feel confident that he's going to be fine for it," said...

Hyde on Kremer, Sceroler and celebrating Jackie Robinson Day

Hyde on Kremer, Sceroler and celebrating Jackie Robinson Day
The 54 pitches thrown by Dean Kremer in Tuesday's doubleheader may not preclude him from starting again on short rest in Texas. Manager Brandon Hyde is listing Saturday's starter as TBD, but Kremer is a possibility. Kremer worked three innings in Tuesday's second game. "We're considering Dean, as well as some other options," Hyde said this morning in his Zoom call with the media. "We're going to talk it over a little bit more today and tomorrow, just because he only threw 54 pitches and...

Urías' first career walk-off hit gives Orioles split (updated)

Urías' first career walk-off hit gives Orioles split (updated)
The eight-pitch first inning tonight, the ease in which Dean Kremer handled the Mariners, didn't establish a tone for his start. Didn't offer any hints or clues. Just provided a reminder of how good he can be - and where the Orioles want to get him. Kyle Seager's sacrifice fly and a three-run homer by José Marmolejos in the third set up Kremer for another short outing, but it also didn't define Game 2. Too much happened after he left. There was a comeback, which included Cedric Mullins'...

O's pick up a walk-off win and a doubleheader split

O's pick up a walk-off win and a doubleheader split
Down 4-0 in the last of the third in Game 2 of tonight's doubleheader against the Seattle Mariners, the Orioles were in desperate need of a break. They got a couple in that third inning that were big, but got another one in the last of the seventh to produce the season's first walk-off win. Ramón Urías' RBI single to center with two outs gave the O's a 7-6 win and doubleheader split. Leading 6-4, the Orioles got tied up 6-6 in the top of the seventh, the scheduled last inning of the...

Mancini homer can't cover for lost lead in 6-4 loss

Mancini homer can't cover for lost lead in 6-4 loss
A major league debut played in an empty ballpark last summer felt strange to Orioles left-hander Bruce Zimmermann. An occasion to celebrate, but without a guest list. Tonight's start was like a party with family and friends. Dozens of them. The Orioles could have moved the game to his parents' backyard. Either way, there's good barbeque. The Baltimore native and Loyola Blakefield graduate received a huge ovation upon his introduction and again after striking out Red Sox cleanup hitter...

Kremer leaves early, Orioles avoid shutout in ninth (updated)

Kremer leaves early, Orioles avoid shutout in ninth (updated)
Dean Kremer's three most important pitches tonight didn't require a batter or plate umpire. His line and the score wouldn't be impacted. He did, however, draw a small crowd near the mound. An unexpected pod. Aaron Judge lined a fastball up the middle that slammed off the back of Kremer's leg in the first inning, threatening the rookie's start just two batters into the game. An exit velocity near 110 mph could have sent Kremer to the clubhouse almost as quickly. But Kremer convinced manager...

Orioles lose Hays and win again in Boston (updated)

Orioles lose Hays and win again in Boston (updated)
Adam Plutko was kidding. He didn't bite when challenged to place a guarantee on it. He did, however, ramp up the humor yesterday by saying the Orioles "obviously" would go 162-0 this season. The newest Orioles pitcher also offered to hand over his salary if they ran the table. It's much too soon to hit the ATM, but the Orioles cashed in on an opportunity to sweep the Red Sox. They haven't hit a home run in three games, but they keep manufacturing runs and wins. They jumped Garrett Richards...

Leftovers for Sunday breakfast

Leftovers for Sunday breakfast
A couple of strategies have worked for the Orioles in the season's first two games. Get a deep start from ace John Means, hand the ball to a setup man and the closer of the day, and head back to the team hotel. Call upon a bulk reliever working behind a starter who gets into the fourth or fifth inning, hand the ball to a setup man and the closer of the day, and head back to the team hotel. That's how the Orioles have gone 2-0 and can try to complete the sweep later today at Fenway Park....

O's long relief depth includes two Rule 5 pitchers

O's long relief depth includes two Rule 5 pitchers
If it's a long reliever you seek, check out the Orioles bullpen. They have several there, waiting their chance. They include newcomer Adam Plutko and former starter Wade LeBlanc, along with the club's two Rule 5 draft picks - right-handers Tyler Wells and Mac Sceroler. Plutko made his O's debut on Saturday and pitched very well in his long relief outing. He threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings and got the win against Boston. Wells, drafted out of the Minnesota Twins organization, has not pitched in...

Harvey and Plutko debut for Orioles in 4-2 win

Harvey and Plutko debut for Orioles in 4-2 win
The Dark Knight caught his last glimpse of sunlight on the mound this afternoon after failing to grab a ball hit back to him that produced a run and a visit from his manager. Matt Harvey's first game with the Orioles, his first experience at Fenway Park, lasted 4 2/3 innings and was neither a rousing success nor a dud. A middle-of-the-order result from the No. 2 starter. A couple of clutch hits and lockdown relief assured the Orioles of a series win after they defeated the Red Sox...

A look at Matt Harvey's Orioles debut (O's are 2-0)

A look at Matt Harvey's Orioles debut (O's are 2-0)
They will want him to get deeper into the games, but besides that, right-hander Matt Harvey did a lot right in his Orioles debut today. He kept his team in the game, even though he didn't get a decision. Harvey gave up two runs over 4 2/3 innings in his official club debut this afternoon at Fenway Park. The Orioles pulled out a 4-2 win over the Red Sox to win this series and produce a 2-0 start. New Birds pitcher Adam Plutko had a strong relief outing. He kept Boston off the board over 2 1/3...