Kline explains his reasons for retiring

Kline explains his reasons for retiring
Branden Kline took his 98 mph fastball and went home. The Orioles drafted Kline, a Frederick native, in the second round in 2012 out of the University of Virginia. They aided his recoveries from multiple elbow surgeries that cost him two full seasons, introduced him to the majors in 2019 while providing a nice feel-good story, brought him up again last summer for three games, outrighted him in October and read about his retirement last week on social media. Kline celebrated his 29th birthday in...

Reviewing past Rule 5 risks

Reviewing past Rule 5 risks
Leaving players unprotected in the Rule 5 draft comes with varying levels of risk, though they usually wind up back in their organizations as teams give up trying to carry them through an entire major league season. There's the occasional waiver claim, which is how the Orioles acquired shortstop José Morban on March 28, 2003. The Twins would have offered him back to the Rangers, but the Orioles intervened and utility player Jeff Reboulet was pulled off the field and told that he actually...

Will Orioles protect Isaac Mattson from Rule 5 draft?

Will Orioles protect Isaac Mattson from Rule 5 draft?
The internal discussions in the Orioles organization related to Friday's deadline for setting the 40-man roster expand beyond the prospect lists that are blooming in the fall. You won't find reliever Isaac Mattson in the top 30 published by MLBPipeline.com. You could find him among the protected players. There's room on the bubble for Mattson and, without any inside information, I'm predicting that he goes on the 40-man along with outfielder Yusniel Diaz and pitchers Michael Baumann and Zac...

Could Kohl Stewart stay with Orioles? (and other notes)

Could Kohl Stewart stay with Orioles? (and other notes)
Three months after leaving the Orioles due to health concerns related to COVID-19, pitcher Kohl Stewart has no regrets and is working out in preparation for the 2021 season. The reps are done now with Stewart coming off the 40-man roster, a move announced Thursday by the Orioles. He declined his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and became a free agent. This is the second time that Stewart has been outrighted, with the Twins removing him from their 40-man roster in November 2019, so he...

Hess becomes free agent, surgery for Baumler (updated)

Hess becomes free agent, surgery for Baumler (updated)
The Orioles have created another opening on their 40-man roster as part of their early offseason business. Pitcher David Hess cleared waivers today and entered the free agent market, according to an industry source. Hess, 27, made three relief appearances this summer and allowed five runs and 10 hits in seven innings. He's 4-20 with a 5.86 ERA and a 1.466 WHIP in parts of three major league seasons covering 190 1/3 innings. Young pitching prospects Keegan Akin, Dean Kremer and Bruce Zimmermann...

In 2020, O's 'pen was good again

In 2020, O's 'pen was good again
There are areas where we saw improvement during the 2020 Orioles season, but few as dramatic as the bullpen. The bullpen ERA improved by nearly two runs per game. And the 'pen changed from one that gave up a lot of homers and was among the easiest to get a hit off in the American League to a stingy one in allowing homers and much tougher to hit. At a time when bullpens are used more than ever and are more important than ever, the trend upward this season was big for the Orioles. The 'pen...

Trying to evaluate players in a 60-game season

Trying to evaluate players in a 60-game season
If this were a normal season, players currently slumping would have over 100 games to do something about it. But now those same players have three more games. It's probably not enough time to overcome slumps that have lasted a week or more. Some players' stats are falling big-time and they are going to have to look at them all winter. Does that create a complicated evaluation process for the Orioles? They have 60 games of a body of work and not 162 to look at. Some players that were key...

Notes on roster move, Núñez, Phillips and exit interviews

Notes on roster move, Núñez, Phillips and exit interviews
The Orioles recalled David Hess, who was on the taxi squad, to give them a fresh bullpen arm for tonight's series finale against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. With Dean Kremer making his final start last night, the rookie has been optioned to the alternate camp site in Bowie. It's the type of move often made leading into the All-Star break. "We optioned Dean just because he wasn't going to make another start," manager Brandon Hyde said this afternoon in his Zoom conference call with the...

Another rough night in Boston for the Orioles

Another rough night in Boston for the Orioles
This is not the way the Orioles wanted to play to end the 2020 season. There are four games to go, but they need to clean a few things up and fast. They've lost the first two games of their series at Boston. If they get swept tomorrow, these clubs will be tied for fourth place with three to play. A last-place finish is within reach. Just a week or two weeks ago there were playoff hopes and talk. After last night's 8-3 loss at Fenway Park, they got smoked 9-1 tonight. The Orioles have gone...

Kremer has shortest outing and O's lengthen skid with 9-1 loss

Kremer has shortest outing and O's lengthen skid with 9-1 loss
Staying in the pennant race until the final week of the season is small consolation for Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. A feeling of pride that doesn't overflow the cup. Hyde recounts the leads lost along the way. The games that should have been won. And it gnaws at him. A "pretty good accomplishment," Hyde says, considering the inexperience, injuries and daily challenges of living and working in a pandemic. But his competitive side reminds him of the offensive droughts and late-inning...

Phillips on injured list (plus lineups and notes)

Phillips on injured list (plus lineups and notes)
The Orioles placed reliever Evan Phillips on the 10-day injured list this afternoon with right elbow inflammation and recalled Branden Kline, who traveled with the team as part of the taxi squad. Phillips won't pitch again this season, but avoided a more serious injury. He walked off the mound in the sixth inning last night after surrendering a three-run homer to Christian Vázquez, and while facing Jackie Bradley Jr. Kline has made one relief appearance with the Orioles this summer and...

Hyde on Tate, Iglesias, Zimmermann, Fulmer and more

Hyde on Tate, Iglesias, Zimmermann, Fulmer and more
Orioles reliever Dillon Tate fell yesterday in his apartment and landed on the injured list. Tate "had an unfortunate accident where he tripped in his apartment yesterday," manager Brandon Hyde said during a Zoom conference call with the media. The accident occurred on the team's off-day. Tate came down on his hand and sprained his right pinky finger, and he's scheduled to undergo an MRI later today. The Orioles reinstated reliever Shawn Armstrong from the injured list as Tate's...

More on Zimmermann's promotion and rotation plans

More on Zimmermann's promotion and rotation plans
Bruce Zimmermann was headed to Fort Myers to start a March 12 exhibition game against the Twins when the team bus circled the Orioles spring complex and returned. The game was canceled. The sport had shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Zimmermann already made a positive impression on the Orioles and he's preparing for his major league debut in Game 2 of today's doubleheader against the Rays at Camden Yards. The Orioles will select Zimmermann's contract from the alternate camp site in...

Wojciechowski DFA, Zimmermann starting Game 2

Wojciechowski DFA, Zimmermann starting Game 2
Baltimore native Bruce Zimmermann has been summoned from the alternate camp site in Bowie and announced as the probable starter for Game 2 of today's doubleheader against the Rays at Camden Yards. The corresponding roster move will be made following Game 1. Asher Wojciechowski has been designated for assignment and the Orioles recalled relievers Branden Kline and Evan Phillips from the secondary site. Phillips was added as the 29th man. One of the relievers could return to Bowie after Game 1...

Hyde unsure of corresponding roster move

Hyde unsure of corresponding roster move
Alex Cobb is staying with the Orioles beyond today's start, his status as the 29th man more of a procedural move. How the Orioles make room for him on the active roster is going to be decided after the second game tonight. Manager Brandon Hyde could check pitch counts after the doubleheader and gauge the availability of his relievers. Carson Fulmer, claimed off waivers from the Pirates, is out of minor league options. Cole Sulser still had three options when the Orioles claimed him from the...

Orioles lineup, Hyde on how he'll use Davis plus other notes

Orioles lineup, Hyde on how he'll use Davis plus other notes
Chris Davis is back on the Orioles' active roster, but he isn't in their lineup for tonight's game against the Mets at Citi Field. Pat Valaika is playing first base and Renato Núnez is the designated hitter. Núñez has been receiving treatment for a sore hamstring and missed the last two games. José Iglesias moves up to second in the order after batting third this season. Davis hasn't played since Aug. 19 and has two hits in his last 23 at-bats. "Chris, the last few days, has...

Orioles activate Fulmer and option Kline

Orioles activate Fulmer and option Kline
The Orioles have made a late roster move tonight, again impacting their bullpen. Carson Fulmer has been activated after completing the intake process. Branden Kline was optioned to the alternate camp site in Bowie as the corresponding roster move. Fulmer has joined the team in New York, where a two-game series against the Mets begins Tuesday night. The Orioles also are playing four games against the Yankees. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias claimed Fulmer, 26, on waivers from...

Did O's 'pen provide a glimpse of the future in opener?

Did O's 'pen provide a glimpse of the future in opener?
It may have happened during one of the toughest losses of the year. But as the Orioles were struggling for the clutch hit that never came in the opener of yesterday's doubleheader, their new-look bullpen was throwing gas. It was definitely a look at the immediate and perhaps long-term future for a Baltimore bullpen that has lost Richard Bleier, Mychal Givens and Miguel Castro in trades since Aug. 1. The group of five of Branden Kline, Evan Phillips, Dillon Tate, Hunter Harvey and Tanner Scott...

Williams and Hess rejoin Orioles

Williams and Hess rejoin Orioles
The Orioles have summoned outfielder Mason Williams and pitcher David Hess from the alternate camp site in Bowie. Williams can only return if he's replacing an injured player, making his arrival likely tied to outfielder Anthony Santander, who left the early game of yesterday's doubleheader with a sore oblique. Santander was undergoing tests earlier today. The 40-man roster had two openings, so no corresponding move would be necessary to accommodate Williams. The Orioles outrighted Williams...

Cobb scratched from today's start and placed on injured list

Cobb scratched from today's start and placed on injured list
Alex Cobb no longer is the starter for the opener of today's doubleheader against the Yankees at Camden Yards. He's on the injured list. No explanation has been provided. Manager Brandon Hyde is going to speak with the media later this afternoon on his Zoom conference call and will announce the substitute starter. The Orioles made a flurry of moves today. They summoned infielder Ramón Urías as the 29th man and selected reliever Branden Kline's contract from the alternate camp site in...