Orioles lineup vs. Padres

Orioles lineup vs. Padres
Chris Davis is on the bench again tonight as the Orioles open a two-game series against the Padres in San Diego. Renato Núñez is playing first base and the Orioles lose their designated hitter in a National League ballpark. Davis has made one start since July 24 and twice has come off the bench in the late innings. Jonathan Villar is the shortstop tonight with Hanser Alberto at second base. Stevie Wilkerson is in center field with Anthony Santander in left. Jace Peterson stays at third...

Hess recalled to start tonight in San Diego

Hess recalled to start tonight in San Diego
David Hess is getting another chance in the Orioles rotation. For however long it lasts. Hess has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to start tonight's series opener against the Padres in San Diego. Reliever Evan Phillips was optioned to create room on the 25-man roster. The Orioles needed someone to replace rookie John Means, who's on the 10-day injured list with a left biceps strain. The decision puts Hess on the mound on short rest. He started Thursday for the Tides and threw 86 pitches...

Wondering about Monday's starter (and Aberdeen leftovers)

Wondering about Monday's starter (and Aberdeen leftovers)
While the Orioles downplay John Means' second stop on the injured list, this time with a left biceps strain, they need to find a starter to take his next turn. Means is expected to miss only one start, but who's making it? Someone has to take the mound Monday night in San Diego, and manager Brandon Hyde isn't ready to announce his choice. Probably because he doesn't know yet what it is. Gabriel Ynoa is an option if he's fresh. He worked 1 2/3 innings Wednesday in Arizona and three innings...

Orioles need more relievers after Anaheim marathon

Orioles need more relievers after Anaheim marathon
The Orioles are going to make a change to their bullpen later today. At least one. Manager Brandon Hyde used eight relievers and a position player last night after Jimmy Yacabonis, who earned the title of "opener" because Tom Eshelman followed with 4 1/3 innings. Otherwise, it's just a bullpen game. Well, it actually became both because the game stretched through 16 innings before the Orioles posted a 10-8 win. Eshelman allowed only one run. He's a hero. Gabriel Ynoa worked three scoreless...

O's pitching gets hammered in 17-6 loss to Red Sox

O's pitching gets hammered in 17-6 loss to Red Sox
When they fell behind early by five runs, the Orioles pulled even on the scoreboard. When they fell behind by 11, that was too big of a hole to dig out of. Boston scored eight runs in the fourth and three in the fifth and turned what was once a 5-5 tie into a blowout win tonight. They beat the Orioles 17-6 in front of 21,339 at Camden Yards. With one out and none on in the Boston fourth, O's shortstop Richie Martin made an error. Ironically it made all eight runs the Red Sox would score that...

Means struggles and Orioles settle for split (updated)

Means struggles and Orioles settle for split (updated)
While Orioles manager Brandon Hyde wonders how he's going to piece together his rotation following today's Andrew Cashner trade, he must rely even more on left-hander John Means to anchor the staff. It's a lot of weight to place on the rookie's shoulders, but who else is going to step up? How is Means going to hold up? Means allowed six runs and surrendered three homers for the first time in his career and the Orioles settled for a split of their doubleheader with a 12-4 loss to the Rays...

Cashner on trade: "It's a shocking moment" (O's down 9-3)

Cashner on trade: "It's a shocking moment" (O's down 9-3)
Andrew Cashner felt that a trade was coming. He could sense it. He could pick up on clues via the text messages on his phone. It's the timing that surprised him. Rather than make his scheduled start Sunday afternoon against the Rays, Cashner is packing his belongings and joining the Red Sox following today's deal that sends 17-year-old outfielder Elio Prado and infielder Noelberth Romero to the Orioles. Prado and Romero have been assigned to the Rookie-level Dominican Sumer League on separate...

Bundy could be headed to IL with right knee tendinitis (updated)

Bundy could be headed to IL with right knee tendinitis (updated)
The Orioles are preparing for the possibility that starter Dylan Bundy is headed to the 10-day injured list after a medical exam this morning revealed tendinitis in his right knee. Bundy lasted only one inning and 37 pitches last night, allowing a season-high seven runs and revealing afterward that he felt discomfort while throwing in the outfield and in the bullpen and throughout his abbreviated start. "We're going to monitor here and have some more discussions about it in the next hour...

Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. Rays

Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. Rays
David Hess is the 26th man for today's doubleheader against the Rays, making his latest stop with the Orioles. Hess could back up Aaron Brooks, who isn't stretched out to work deep into the opener. The Orioles also could make another roster move before the nightcap. Trey Mancini is starting at first base and Anthony Santander is in right field. Santander is 17-for-48 (.354) in 12 home games. Hanser Alberto is leading off and playing third base. Pedro Severino is catching and batting...

Brooks is the opener for Game 1 (and other notes)

Brooks is the opener for Game 1 (and other notes)
Aaron Brooks is in uniform tonight for the Orioles but he won't be in the bullpen. Brooks is tabbed to serve as the opener Saturday in Game 1 of the doubleheader against the Rays at Camden Yards. Gabriel Ynoa could back him up, with Brooks needing to be stretched out before he can be viewed as a starter. "He hasn't thrown in a while and hasn't started in a while," said manager Brandon Hyde. "We see him possibly joining the rotation at some point. Kind of see how it goes. "We want to get...

Brooks latest to enter Orioles bullpen

Brooks latest to enter Orioles bullpen
The 2019 season starts up again tonight with the Orioles inserting Aaron Brooks into their bullpen as the latest adjustment to a unit that's trying to gain more consistency in the second half. The Orioles are carrying a four-man bench and seven relievers - Brooks, Mychal Givens, Richard Bleier, Paul Fry, Miguel Castro, Jimmy Yacabonis and Shawn Armstrong. But two open dates on the schedule next week, countering Saturday's doubleheader, could allow for some creativity from manager Brandon...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles close out the first half with an open spot on their 25-man roster that's going to be filled by new pitcher Aaron Brooks. David Hess was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk yesterday without appearing in a game. Sort of like Josh Lucas, except he was designated for assignment over the weekend to make room for Brooks on the 40-man roster. Brooks' role with the Orioles hasn't been defined. The rotation coming out of the break includes Dylan Bundy on Friday against the Rays at Camden Yards,...

Orioles fall in Toronto, hit the break at 27-62

Orioles fall in Toronto, hit the break at 27-62
TORONTO - The Orioles lost a game today, but won a series at Rogers Centre, and as they hit their All-Star break, they left Toronto encouraged by their recent performance and hopeful for the second half. After beating the Blue Jays 4-1 Friday and 8-1 Saturday, they lost 6-1 today to hit the break with a 27-62 record. They have gone 5-4 the last nine games, winning series against the Indians and Blue Jays. "I think we played well the first two games here, and you win a series on the road, you...

Orioles claim Brooks off waivers from Athletics

Orioles claim Brooks off waivers from Athletics
The Orioles have claimed right-hander Aaron Brooks off waivers from the Athletics in the latest pitching-related move from the club today. Reliever Josh Lucas, optioned to Triple-A Norfolk last night, has been designated for assignment to create room for Brooks on the 40-man roster. Brooks was 2-3 with a 5.01 ERA and 1.252 WHIP in 15 games this year, including six starts, and he could become an option for the rotation. He allowed 28 earned runs (29 total) and 49 hits in 50 1/3 innings with 14...

O's adjust rotation for Sunday and other notes (O's win 8-1)

O's adjust rotation for Sunday and other notes (O's win 8-1)
TORONTO - The Orioles have made an adjustment to their rotation for the final game before the All-Star break. Gabriel Ynoa was originally listed as the starter and while he is staying in the rotation, right-hander Asher Wojciechowski will get the start on Sunday against Toronto. "He's on regular rest and we kind of want to see him again," manager Brandon Hyde said today. "Got a lot of stuff after the break, the doubleheader and some others things. So just taking another look at him. Ynoa is...

Orioles recall David Hess

Orioles recall David Hess
The latest shuffling in the Orioles bullpen has slid David Hess back to the majors. The Orioles recalled Hess from Triple-A Norfolk this morning. He replaced Josh Lucas, who was optioned after last night's 4-1 win in Toronto. Manager Brandon Hyde will explain to the media at Rogers Centre how he envisions using Hess, but it's likely to be in long relief and other in-game spots, rather than in the rotation. Hess was moved to the bullpen and then optioned to Norfolk on June 16. He kept pitching...

Closer look at Orioles' roster usage

Closer look at Orioles' roster usage
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles made it through last night's game without calling upon a 47th different player. They managed to get by with the current group, covering nine innings and heading to Toronto for the final series before the All-Star break. Are 46 players a lot over the course of a season? How about in the first half? Spoiler alert: The first-half number is a club record. So, yes, it's a lot. Consider that the Orioles' record for a season is 56, set last year as they began to...

Sifting through more starter options

Sifting through more starter options
The series win and back-to-back victories are out of the way. The Orioles don't have to be reminded of the huge gaps. Of the many teases and failed attempts. Let it go. The next goal is a three-game sweep, which would be the first since Aug. 27-29, 2018 against the Blue Jays. Probably not as long ago as many people would have expected. David Hess, Josh Rogers and Sean Gilmartin were the winning pitchers in the series. Hess is in Triple-A Norfolk's bullpen, Rogers is on the injured list and...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
Adley Rutschman provided a nice distraction yesterday for the Orioles. He also supplied the humor. Asked if he had any nice purchases in mind after receiving a record $8.1 million signing bonus, Rutschman smiled and said, "I don't really know. I'm pretty comfortable with my Honda Civic." A question about his physical condition was handled in three words and with another grin: "I feel great." If you want him to expand on it, find a comfortable seat and keep waiting. Rutschman made a...

Kline and Scott return in the O's bullpen shuffle (game update)

Kline and Scott return in the O's bullpen shuffle (game update)
SEATTLE - In just the last week or so the Orioles pitching staff has seen Josh Rogers join the team again along with Jimmy Yacabonis and Sean Gilmartin. Today Branden Kline and Tanner Scott returned. Among those headed out to Triple-A Norfolk were Paul Fry and Evan Phillips to join David Hess. Josh Lucas went on the injured list. It's recently been a continuing shuffle for a bullpen that has an ERA of 10.70 during a nine-game losing streak. But in bringing back Kline and Scott today the...