A few thoughts on expanded roster

A few thoughts on expanded roster
The speculation can slow today as the Orioles and the rest of the teams in baseball can begin expanding their September rosters like waistlines at Thanksgiving. The Orioles won't stuff themselves. Manager Buck Showalter doesn't want a huge crowd in the clubhouse and dugout. A few players are expected to officially join the Orioles this afternoon in Kansas City, while others will trickle onto the roster in the coming days. A third catcher always is part of the expansion, and Chance Sisco is...

Mark Trumbo's surgery is set for next week (game update)

Mark Trumbo's surgery is set for next week (game update)
KANSAS CITY - The Orioles' Mark Trumbo will have arthroscopic right knee surgery next week on either Thursday or Friday in Baltimore. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Leigh Ann Curl. "We all felt like that was where this was going to head, but Mark gathered all the information and feels real comfortable with what is going to be done," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "He should be a (healthy) player if everything goes well, should make the start of the season next year. It's...

Hardy resumes life without baseball but doesn't rule out return

Hardy resumes life without baseball but doesn't rule out return
J.J. Hardy is bound to lose cell phone reception as he drives on a stretch of Montana highway. He's headed back to his ranch, where his family has been living for almost two months. The conversation cuts out and returns, which could mimic his playing career. Though he didn't hook on with a team this season as a free agent, the former Orioles shortstop still hasn't filed retirement papers with Major League Baseball. He might give it another try this winter. Or he could continue to move toward...

Orioles remain quiet as next trade deadline approaches

Orioles remain quiet as next trade deadline approaches
With the second trade deadline arriving on Friday, the Orioles aren't poised to make other moves after doing the heavy lifting last month. Players must pass through waivers before a deal can be struck - most of them clear - and Friday marks the last day that they're eligible for inclusion on a team's playoff roster. Everything can change with a single phone call or text, but I'm hearing that there's nothing percolating with the Orioles. They checked the market for veteran outfielder Craig...

Orioles complete first three-game sweep of 2018 (with quotes)

Orioles complete first three-game sweep of 2018 (with quotes)
The Orioles had their hottest pitcher on the mound tonight and a chance to secure their first three-game sweep of the season. The opponent was sending out a rookie with only 12 starts in the majors and much better splits at home than on the road. What could go wrong? Stars that are aligned can scatter like a kindergarten class. But they also can be corralled, at least in baseball terms. Alex Cobb served up three solo home runs in 5 2/3 innings and his streak of six consecutive quality starts...

Trumbo chooses knee surgery (plus other notes, O's lead 7-5)

Trumbo chooses knee surgery (plus other notes, O's lead 7-5)
The latest examination of Mark Trumbo's right knee today brought the same recommendation for surgery, which the veteran will undergo while ending his 2018 season. The Orioles passed along the information this afternoon, saying that Trumbo will decide on a date and location for the procedure within the next few days. Trumbo flew out to Northern California for the latest consultation. He was shut down and placed on the 10-day disabled list after an Aug. 19 game in Cleveland with discomfort in...

Orioles monitoring pitching innings

Orioles monitoring pitching innings
While the Orioles set their September roster by deciding on the number of call-ups, they also will continue to chart the innings accumulated by various pitchers while determining which ones eventually will be shut down to eliminate any risk of injury or fatigue. Manager Buck Showalter stated yesterday that no one in the current rotation besides Josh Rogers, who made his major league debut last night, is in danger of an early dismissal. He could choose to provide additional rest on occasion, but...

Showalter on Mullins, Rogers and more (O's lead 9-4)

Showalter on Mullins, Rogers and more (O's lead 9-4)
The Orioles are withholding Cedric Mullins from tonight's lineup as a precaution after the rookie complained of soreness in his hip that led to his benching Sunday night. Manager Buck Showalter said Mullins is available tonight. John Andreoli gets the start in center field, his first since joining the Orioles. "He's OK, he's available," Showalter said of Mullins. "Just, we want to get a look at John in center field and just trying to be a little careful with (Mullins') leg. I'd really...

Morning leftovers on Akin, Núñez and Maríñez

Morning leftovers on Akin, Núñez and Maríñez
The Orioles will announce their minor league award winners next month, and the top pitcher, while expected to be Double-A Bowie left-hander Keegan Akin based on his run toward the Eastern League's "Triple Crown," won't be an easy choice. That's tremendously good news for an organization that absolutely must develop its own pitching, especially through the rebuilding process. Stock the rotation with homegrown arms or stockpile them in order to consummate trades, as so many contenders are...

Orioles option Carroll and announce Rogers as Tuesday starter

Orioles option Carroll and announce Rogers as Tuesday starter
The Orioles have optioned reliever Cody Carroll to Triple-A Norfolk and announced that left-hander Josh Rogers, as reported earlier today, will make his major league debut by starting Tuesday night against the Blue Jays. Rogers arrived in Baltimore tonight and will be the first left-hander to start for the club this season. The roster moves are a swap of players obtained from the Yankees for closer Zach Britton. Carroll has allowed seven runs and eight hits with nine walks and six strikeouts in...

Hess duplicates success, Mancini has five RBIs in 7-0 win

Hess duplicates success, Mancini has five RBIs in 7-0 win
One way for the Orioles to learn more about David Hess tonight was to observe whether the Blue Jays figured out the rookie starter. Hess was facing the Jays for the third time this season, but in back-to-back outings following last week's series at Rogers Centre. Can't sneak up on a team under these circumstances. Familiarity didn't breed a beating for Hess, who tossed six scoreless innings and watched Trey Mancini drive in five runs in the Orioles' 7-0 win over the Blue Jays before an...

Showalter on Mullins, Mancini, trade deadline and more (O's up 7-0)

Showalter on Mullins, Mancini, trade deadline and more (O's up 7-0)
The Orioles were able to get Cedric Mullins back into their lineup tonight for the series opener against the Blue Jays. However, manager Buck Showalter can't be certain that Mullins' hip flexor won't become an issue again. Roll out the rookie and keep a close eye on him. There's only the assumption right now that Mullins is healthy again. "You're familiarizing yourself with players," Showalter said. "Brian (Ebel) and him were out there running and hitting and moving around. We think,...

Orioles renovating their fall instructional league

Orioles renovating their fall instructional league
The Orioles are in the late stages of deciding which players will represent them with the Glendale Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League. The only confirmation from the AFL is that minor league infield coordinator Dave Anderson will serve as manager. The Orioles brought him back to the organization in December 2015 after he left to manage Triple-A Salt Lake for one season. Outfielder Austin Hays and infielder Steve Wilkerson would make sense as inclusions on the Glendale roster to provide more...

O's swept in four-game series for fifth time in 2018 (with quotes)

O's swept in four-game series for fifth time in 2018 (with quotes)
The velocity was up a tick tonight and the first inning didn't provide any real challenges for Dylan Bundy. Optimism began to spread over a club waiting for him to again resemble a young starter on the verge of ace-dom. Luke Voit hit a two-out, two-run homer in the second on a 93 mph heater that stayed over the middle of the plate. The old questions and concerns began to resurface. The bullpen began to stir by the third, when the Yankees padded their lead with two more runs, and Bundy was done...

Roster expansion and Showalter expanding on rebuild (O's down 5-3)

Roster expansion and Showalter expanding on rebuild (O's down 5-3)
The Orioles can expand their roster in less than a week and names continue to be discussed inside the warehouse and manager's office. Manager Buck Showalter said they're not necessarily close to solidifying the choices and he's checking on Triple-A Norfolk's bid for a wild card spot in the International League playoffs. "We haven't really gotten there yet," he said. "It's a few days away. I'm sure Dan (Duquette) has got it wired with what he's thinking and when there's the best...

Mullins out of lineup with hip flexor

Mullins out of lineup with hip flexor
Orioles rookie center fielder Cedric Mullins is out of tonight's lineup with a sore hip, removing him from the national stage for the ESPN broadcast. Manager Buck Showalter termed the injury as a "hip flexor" and wouldn't comment whether Mullins could play later tonight, but he's likely day-to-day with the earliest return possible Monday night against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Mullins might have tweaked the hip on a throw in yesterday's doubleheader. He played in both games. "He's...

Bundy gets another chance to shake slump

Bundy gets another chance to shake slump
The curious case of Dylan Bundy gets reexamined today as he readies for his latest start to close out the four-game series against the Yankees at Camden Yards. Bundy went 3-0 with a 1.98 ERA and 0.988 WHIP in four June starts. Opponents batted .186/.255/.289. He surrendered only two home runs compared to 13 in his six May outings. Bundy found his stride and built his case for being the staff ace. And then July and August happened. Bundy has lost five of six decisions and allowed 40 earned runs...

Mariñez rejoining O's, Yankees complete sweep (with quotes)

Mariñez rejoining O's, Yankees complete sweep (with quotes)
The Orioles are prepared to activate right-hander Jhan Mariñez from the disabled list Sunday as a fresh bullpen arm for their series finale against the Yankees at Camden Yards. Mariñez was on the DL retroactive to Aug. 3 with a strained right hamstring. He's been pitching at Triple-A Norfolk, working a scoreless inning Friday night against Durham. Mariñez has registered a 2.72 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 39 games with the Tides. However, he's allowed five earned runs (six total) and nine...

Pregame notes on Yacabonis, Wynns and Araujo (O's down 9-2)

Pregame notes on Yacabonis, Wynns and Araujo (O's down 9-2)
Jimmy Yacabonis seems to be enjoying his new role as starter and his designation as 26th man for doubleheaders. Yacabonis drove to Camden Yards yesterday, leaving behind his 3.93 ERA, 1.16 WHIP in .208 average-against in 20 starts with Triple-A Norfolk. "He embraces it and he loves it compared to the alternative," said manager Buck Showalter. "He knows what his role is and what he's going to do, and he comes in here and kind of gun slings it and see what happens. "He's aware of the...

Kirby and Showalter share messages behind "thank you" patches

Kirby and Showalter share messages behind "thank you" patches
Hall of Famer Eddie Murray participated in the Players' Weekend last night by appearing at Camden Yards, which should be a more common occurrence with his new role as special advisor, and holding up a bright orange jersey when shown on the video board with "Steady Eddie" across the back. The fans ate it up, of course. First base coach Wayne Kirby chose Murray's name for his "thank you" patch on the sleeve of his jersey. Kirby was a longtime fan who later became a teammate with the...