Orioles get group effort in 6-3 win (Bleier traded to Marlins)

Orioles get group effort in 6-3 win (Bleier traded to Marlins)
Alex Cobb thought he had a strikeout tonight to close the top of the first inning. He took a couple of steps toward the dugout and catcher Pedro Severino stood to join him. But plate umpire Ryan Additon said the split-changeup missed high, an opinion that replays and pitch charts disputed, and Yoshi Tsutsugo lined the next offering into the gap for a run-scoring double. The Orioles put two runners in scoring position with no outs in the bottom of the first and stranded them. These are the times...

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...

Notes on Davis, Iglesias, rotation and more

Notes on Davis, Iglesias, rotation and more
First baseman Chris Davis remains away from the Orioles as they finish their two-game series against the Yankees at Camden Yards. He also was absent from the ballpark last night. Manager Brandon Hyde isn't allowed to provide specific information on Davis, who's likely under COVID-19 protocol. The Orioles haven't replaced him on the active roster. "C.D. is still unavailable today," Hyde said during his Zoom conference call. "I'm going to leave it at that." Davis worked out with the team...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Orioles reliever Hunter Harvey left the alternate camp site in Bowie yesterday and joined his teammates at Camden Yards for the home opener. He arrived at the ballpark around 3 p.m. and headed through the gate reserved for players. Harvey was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right forearm strain and won't be activated today. However, left-hander John Means is coming off the IL and making the start against the Yankees. Manager Brandon Hyde already knew that Harvey and reliever Dillon...

Home runs hurt Orioles again in home opener (updated)

Home runs hurt Orioles again in home opener (updated)
The orange carpet wasn't unrolled tonight at Camden Yards. Players walked out of the dugouts and lined up sans the traditional introductions. The only bunting used was intended to advance a runner. The Orioles held their home opener in understated fashion, adapting to the new policies implemented because of the coronavirus pandemic. A video played at 7:12 p.m. celebrating baseball's return but also calling for an end to racial injustice and reminding everyone of the importance of wearing...

Davis: "I would say I'm definitely a little bit more concerned"

Davis: "I would say I'm definitely a little bit more concerned"
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was able to joke tonight about his experience Monday at the team hotel in Miami, how he ordered a delicious cheeseburger for lunch with a side of sweet potato fries. He definitely recommends the fries. Hyde was preparing for a game but instructed his players to stay near their phones. Don't leave their rooms. And take advantage of the 24-hour food service. Guys are trying to keep it light, but the last few days have been unsettling. The reports on the positive...

Orioles left playing waiting game rather than Marlins

Orioles left playing waiting game rather than Marlins
Safety comes first. Before a winning series, before the standings, before anything relating to balls and strikes. The Orioles were stuck in their hotel in Miami yesterday unsure whether they'd play the following night or receive clearance to fly back to Baltimore. Less than a week into a truncated season that offers little flexibility, they had gone from summer training camp to the danger zone. The team boarded a charter flight last night and left the state of Florida, one of the pandemic hot...

Elias on player pool, alternate camp and Mountcastle (plus notes)

Elias on player pool, alternate camp and Mountcastle (plus notes)
The Orioles are discussing how they'll proceed with their 60-man player pool that currently has five open spots. The next meeting is going to be held on Monday, according to executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias. The vacancies exist by design as the club determines how to fill them in order to provide insurance for the major league club and instruction for prospects. "We visit the topic regularly," Elias said during a Zoom conference call. "I think we wanted to see how...

A different kind of opening day

A different kind of opening day
Well, that was weird. But also the beginning of a new routine. I can't remember the last opening day spent at my home. Maybe in 1996 because I wasn't on the beat, though I could have been part of the overflow coverage at my former newspaper. More likely in 1995 with the Orioles in Kansas City. The openers at Camden Yards, Tropicana Field and Yankee Stadium ensured a seat in the press box. Breaking camp in Sarasota and driving to St. Petersburg simplified the travel process. The pandemic...

Orioles drop opener to Red Sox 13-2 (updated)

Orioles drop opener to Red Sox 13-2 (updated)
The Orioles formed a row along the third base line tonight while waiting for the playing of the national anthem. One of baseball's long-standing traditions that brought each of them to one knee. They clutched the long black ribbon that's been unfurled in ballparks as a symbol of the racial reckoning that's happening in the United States. Rising to their feet, the Orioles moved closer together and linked arms as another gesture of unity and equality that didn't require or demand social...

Opening night blowout: O's lose big at Boston

Opening night blowout: O's lose big at Boston
In search of their ninth opening day win in the last 10 years, a couple of bad innings happened to the Orioles tonight. A couple of really, really bad innings. They got bombed 13-2 at Fenway Park in the 2020 season opener. Instead of another opening day win - and the club was 15-4 its previous 19 openers coming in - the Orioles have lost back-to-back opening day games for the first time since 2007 and 2008. Lefty Tommy Milone was making his first career opening day start and his Orioles debut....

Orioles and Red Sox lineups, Hector Velázquez outrighted

Orioles and Red Sox lineups, Hector Velázquez outrighted
The Orioles are opening their season in Boston tonight for the first time since 1966 and they're sending out a lineup that includes Austin Hays leading off and José Iglesias batting third. Iglesias has hit third in two career games before tonight. Anthony Santander is slotted in between Hays and Iglesias. Chris Davis is fifth and Hanser Alberto sixth. DJ Stewart gets the start in left field and is batting ninth. Tommy Milone and Nathan Eovaldi are making their first career opening day...

O's game blog: The season opener arrives

O's game blog: The season opener arrives
The Orioles begin their 2020 season tonight with the beginning of a three-game series at Fenway Park in Boston. Tonight the Orioles begin their 67th season in Baltimore. The year starts with a five-game trip to Boston and Miami. The Orioles tuned up for this with three exhibition games. They won 5-1 at Philadelphia and lost by scores of 4-2 and 6-4 to the Washington Nationals. The Orioles lost on opening day last year to the Yankees in New York. Before that they had won the previous three...

Orioles skillfully maneuver 40-man roster

Orioles skillfully maneuver 40-man roster
The Orioles demonstrated yesterday how they're able to do the 40-man roster dance without tripping over their own feet. It was an impressive feat. They had one open spot and a lengthy list of non-roster players competing for jobs, though Stevie Wilkerson dropped out due to a broken finger on his left hand. That's a lot of traffic and the potential for a massive pileup. But utility player Pat Valaika was the lone addition, pretty much winning a job in spring training prior to the shutdown. He...

Hunter Harvey appears headed to injured list

Hunter Harvey appears headed to injured list
Orioles reliever Hunter Harvey won't be in the visiting bullpen for the opening series against the Red Sox, his next move appearing to be the 10-day injured list instead of the closer's role. Harvey is bothered by some tightness in his elbow that manager Brandon Hyde described as "muscular," which reduces the level of concern but also prevents the former first-round draft selection from remaining active. "That's very doubtful that he's going to break with us," Hyde said on his Zoom...

Milone on unexpected opportunity to be opening day starter

Milone on unexpected opportunity to be opening day starter
This isn't how it was supposed to happen. Tommy Milone didn't sign a minor league contract with the Orioles in February, a late arrival to their spring training camp in Sarasota, with the idea that he'd make the opening day start. He just wanted to make the club. In one of the sports' unpredictable and, depending on the depth of your sentimental slant, charming twists, Milone has gone from competing for the fifth spot in the rotation to leading it into the season. One of baseball's truly...

Orioles left with 6-4 loss to Nationals in rain-shortened exhibition

Orioles left with 6-4 loss to Nationals in rain-shortened exhibition
WASHINGTON - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde broke out a version of his lineup tonight that could be used against left-handed starters. Not a carbon copy necessarily, but a close reproduction. Dilson Herrera has to earn a spot on the roster and a chance to play left field, but there's preview potential in the final exhibition game. Austin Hays will lead off under any circumstances, as he did tonight against Nationals southpaw Patrick Corbin, but Hanser Alberto moved up from sixth to second in the...

Milone replaces Means as opening day starter

Milone replaces Means as opening day starter
For the second season in a row, the Orioles must switch opening day starters and deny the winner of the competition his first career assignment. John Means has been scratched with left arm fatigue and replaced by veteran left-hander Tommy Milone. Manager Brandon Hyde made the announcement earlier today in his Zoom conference call, delivering news that was anticipated for the past few days. Means hadn't been cleared to throw until playing catch today and the team won't risk a more serious...

Orioles must make decision on Means

Orioles must make decision on Means
The Orioles should know later today whether left-hander John Means is making the opening night start at Fenway Park. They can't wait any longer because he'll need to throw for a couple of days without any arm discomfort. Has to prove that he can do it. A dose of good news would lift their spirits. This team is crawling to the starting line. Contingency plans are in place in case Means can't pitch. The Orioles have been prepping for his absence since last week. Withholding Wade LeBlanc from...

Orioles still don't know whether John Means can start opener

Orioles still don't know whether John Means can start opener
The Orioles are waiting to find out the results of Stevie Wilkerson's visit today to a hand specialist and should be able to gather more information later this afternoon. Wilkerson had swelling in his left ring finger after making a diving catch last night in Philadelphia. He's become a candidate for the injured list. John Means isn't throwing while trying to work through a dead-arm period. He's just receiving treatment and the Orioles aren't sure about his status for opening day. "John...