Is Hess really changing roles?

Is Hess really changing roles?
One decision had been made on David Hess. He was going back down to Triple-A Norfolk as the latest poster child for the Orioles' quest to reset. But what would Hess be doing after returning to the International League? The Orioles could have slotted him into the Tides' rotation or continued with their plan to again make him a reliever, the path taken over the weekend until one appearance on Sunday turned into his last with the club. Manager Brandon Hyde told the media last night in Oakland...

Brandon Hyde on roster moves, homecoming and more (game update)

Brandon Hyde on roster moves, homecoming and more (game update)
OAKLAND - The latest new member in the Orioles bullpen, left-hander Sean Gilmartin, joined the team today. He's thrown well at Triple-A Norfolk with a 2.48 ERA and a 9 1/3 consecutive innings scoreless run. "It's nice to have somebody with experience here," manager Brandon Hyde said of the 29-year-old Gilmartin, who has pitched in 78 career games with the Mets and Orioles. "Sean has thrown the ball really well in Norfolk. The way our games have played out, we just need someone to cover...

Sean Gilmartin on his call-up to the Orioles today

Sean Gilmartin on his call-up to the Orioles today
OAKLAND - After being a minor league free agent for about a day over the offseason, left-hander Sean Gilmartin quickly re-signed with the Orioles on a minor league contract on Nov 2. He was outrighted off the 40-man roster and briefly elected to take minor league free agency. "That's a good question," Gilmartin said in the visitor clubhouse today when asked why his free agency was so short. "Obviously, the opportunity here would be better than most places to get back to the big leagues and...

O's fail to protect late lead and lose 8-6 in 10 innings (Hess optioned)

O's fail to protect late lead and lose 8-6 in 10 innings (Hess optioned)
The final game of the homestand was turning into a day of atonement for the Orioles. An improved level of play had to satisfy their manager, who fumed after yesterday's defeat. And then Brandon Hyde boiled over and got tossed on Father's Day. Scolded by Hyde for their shoddy play the previous afternoon, mental and physical errors pushing him to the breaking point, the Orioles were offering a crisper version of themselves. But they couldn't avoid another series of missteps and had another win...

Orioles could use opener in Oakland (tied 3-3, Hyde ejected)

Orioles could use opener in Oakland (tied 3-3, Hyde ejected)
The Orioles may decide to use an opener Wednesday afternoon in Oakland instead of giving the start to left-hander Josh Rogers. The spot behind Andrew Cashner and Gabriel Ynoa again is to be determined. Manager Brandon Hyde announced yesterday that Rogers would get the assignment, but he's now considering alternatives. Rogers likely would follow the opener if he's put back in the bullpen. "We let the A's know it's still a little bit unsure," Hyde said. "It's kind of how things go the...

Rogers returns to rotation while Hess moves to 'pen

Rogers returns to rotation while Hess moves to 'pen
The Orioles are moving David Hess to the bullpen in the latest rotation makeover of the season. Left-hander Josh Rogers, recalled yesterday from Triple-A Norfolk, will start Wednesday night in Oakland. Hess is available in relief today and will remain in that role for an undermined length of time. Manager Brandon Hyde informed Hess yesterday of the switch and decided on Rogers as the replacement after the rookie allowed two runs last night in 4 1/3 innings in a 13-2 loss to the Red Sox. Hess is...

Orioles stay on wrong side of lopsided score in 13-2 loss (Ortiz optioned)

Orioles stay on wrong side of lopsided score in 13-2 loss (Ortiz optioned)
Luis Ortiz was given orders to attack. Don't nibble or the Red Sox will devour you. Work quickly, throw strikes, stay aggressive. A high pitch count and short outing would be frowned upon on a club scrambling late last night to find a starter and freshen up the bullpen. Do anything to avoid it. Pitching coach Doug Brocail visited Ortiz by the third inning, which included a bases-loaded jam and prolonged at-bat by Brock Holt, who homered earlier in the game. Holt struck out looking at a slider...

Once signed, how will first pro season play out for Rutschman?

Once signed, how will first pro season play out for Rutschman?
The awards keep pouring in for Adley Rutschman, the Oregon State junior catcher drafted No. 1 overall by the Orioles in the First-Year Player Draft. PerfectGameUSA yesterday named Rutschman college baseball's Player of the Year. That adds to similar honors earlier this week from Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball. More are expected. Earlier this week, Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias indicated that the Orioles will allow Rutschman some time to collect some...

Blue Jays outlast Orioles 8-6 to even series

Blue Jays outlast Orioles 8-6 to even series
So much for the recent run of success for Orioles pitchers. After allowing 17 runs over the past six games, they allowed eight over a two-inning span tonight as they lost to Toronto. Blue Jays designated hitter Rowdy Tellez hit a grand slam to highlight a six-run fifth as Toronto beat the Orioles 8-6 to snap a five-game losing streak and move to 24-43. The Orioles fall to 21-46. Right-hander David Hess struggled again and falls to 1-9 with an ERA of 7.20. He began this game tied for the...

Hess can't repeat success vs. Jays in 8-6 loss (with quotes)

Hess can't repeat success vs. Jays in 8-6 loss (with quotes)
David Hess tossed a nine-inning no-hitter against the Blue Jays. He just did it over two starts separated by two months. Hess attached 2 2/3 hitless innings tonight to 6 1/3 back on April 1 that sparked fan outrage over his removal, which was done based on pitch count and the early portion of the schedule. He served up Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s single with two outs in the third to block another flirtation with history. Scoring against Hess remained an issue for the Jays until the fifth. When...

O's game blog: Looking for a series win against Toronto

O's game blog: Looking for a series win against Toronto
After a pitchers' duel last night at Camden Yards, won by the Orioles 4-2 over Toronto, tonight's game could feature something very different. Two pitchers that have struggled square off in the second game of a three-game series. Well we think that will be the case. The Orioles start right-hander David Hess (1-8, 7.08 ERA), who is tied for first in the American League in losses and homers allowed. Toronto was scheduled to start right-hander Edwin Jackson (0-4, 11.90 ERA). Acquired for cash...

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups
David Hess finally gets another shot tonight at his favorite opponent. Hess no-hit the Blue Jay for 6 1/3 innings on April 1 for his only win of the season. He's failed in his next 11 attempts, though he posted only his second quality start in his last outing. Hess has made four career starts against the Blue Jays and allowed only two runs and 12 hits in 25 1/3 innings. Justin Smoak is 0-for-11 with eight strikeouts. Randal Grichuk is 3-for-10 with three doubles. Renato Núñez is playing...

Hyde on lineups, Davis, Broxton, Hays, Trumbo and more (down 3-0)

Hyde on lineups, Davis, Broxton, Hays, Trumbo and more (down 3-0)
HOUSTON - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde didn't know that he'd used a different lineup through the first 64 games until told about it last week. It wasn't done intentionally. It wasn't devised as some sort of a plan. Hyde has been basing his decisions on personnel and how the club is approaching the 2019 season. Nothing more to it. But today marks the first repeat, with Hyde posting the exact same lineup as yesterday. The Orioles were the last team to come up with a different combination for...

Orioles recall Anthony Santander

Orioles recall Anthony Santander
HOUSTON - Needing an outfielder today to replace Dwight Smith Jr., the Orioles have recalled Anthony Santander from Triple-A Norfolk as they begin a three-game series against the Astros. Smith has been placed on the seven-day concussion injured list after crashing into the left field fence last night at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas. He didn't fly with the team following a 4-3 loss to the Rangers. The Orioles also had Smith undergo X-rays on his shoulder, but today's transaction only...

What it means for Means to be considered for All-Star Game

What it means for Means to be considered for All-Star Game
ARLINGTON, Texas - The Orioles are urging fans to cast votes for Trey Mancini and get him into next month's All-Star Game in Cleveland. Ideas on how to promote him are percolating and he's the logical team representative based on his impressive first-half statistics and the limited alternatives on a team that began last night tied with the Royals for the worst record in baseball. Mancini hit his 13th home run in the top of the first inning, a sore left foot still able to carry him around the...

Smith latest injured Orioles player in 4-3 loss (updated)

Smith latest injured Orioles player in 4-3 loss (updated)
ARLINGTON, Texas - The 62nd game of the season produced the 62nd different lineup posted by Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. Hyde isn't trying to earn points for creativity. He's searching for a winning combination. He's playing matchups. And he's making concessions again tonight for a rash of injuries. A three-man bench hasn't limited the ways that Hyde maneuvers personnel. Nor has one healthy reserve. Chris Davis made his first start in right field since 2016. Stevie Wilkerson batted...

O's game blog: Looking for a series victory in Texas

O's game blog: Looking for a series victory in Texas
For the Orioles, the search for the elusive series win could end tonight in Arlington, Texas. Without a series victory since April 22-24 versus the Chicago White Sox, they will try to win tonight's rubber match game against Texas. The Orioles (19-42) allowed 11 runs Tuesday but won. They allowed just two runs in 12 innings last night but lost. When Richie Martin homered in the ninth to tie it up last night, the Orioles had a chance for their first win this year when trailing after eight...

Stewart headed to injured list

Stewart headed to injured list
ARLINGTON, Texas - The Orioles are placing outfielder DJ Stewart on the 10-day injured list pending doctor approval, which is expected to come shortly. Stevie Wilkerson reported to Globe Life Park as the corresponding roster move. He's allowed to return prior to the minimum 10-day requirement because he's replacing an injured player. Stewart sprained his right ankle last night while chasing a fly ball in foul territory in right field. Hanser Alberto slid into him to avoid a collision and...

Cashner pushed back to Saturday (and other notes, tied 1-1)

Cashner pushed back to Saturday (and other notes, tied 1-1)
ARLINGTON, Texas - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is making an adjustment to his rotation that allows extra rest for veteran right-hander Andrew Cashner. Cashner was supposed to start Thursday night to close out the series against the Rangers, but he's pushed back to Saturday afternoon in Houston. David Hess starts Thursday and Gabriel Ynoa takes the mound Friday night to open the series against the Astros at Minute Maid Park. Hyde explained his reasoning for the switch during the daily media...

Orioles fail again to earn series win with 8-1 loss

Orioles fail again to earn series win with 8-1 loss
An Orioles rotation that's already run nine starters through it is seemingly in a holding pattern. Gabriel Ynoa took his second turn this afternoon, retired nine of the first 11 batters and was hurt by the latest home run surrendered by the staff and some fundamental breakdowns in an 8-1 loss to the Giants before an announced crowd of 16,991 at Camden Yards. An offense that produced nine runs on Friday was held to three in the last two days and the Orioles fell to 18-41 overall and 8-23 at...