Which relievers are returning to Orioles in 2022?

Which relievers are returning to Orioles in 2022?
Are there any guaranteed returns among Orioles relievers beyond Rule 5 pick Tyler Wells? Is it weird that Wells is the first and perhaps only mention? This is quite the commentary on Wells, who emerged as the most likely closer candidate next spring, and the state of the bullpen. Left-handers Paul Fry and Tanner Scott are eligible for arbitration and projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to make $1.1 million and $1 million, respectively. Teams expressed interest in both relievers at the trade...

After his 2021 season, what should we be making of Akin?

After his 2021 season, what should we be making of Akin?
After ending the 2020 season looking like he could be a key member of the 2021 Orioles rotation, lefty Keegan Akin was not even on the opening day roster this season. But he would eventually get to Baltimore. And partially because the minor league season didn't start until May, he wound up throwing just one game and two innings at Triple-A this year and pitching in 24 games and throwing 95 innings in the majors for the Orioles. After May 10, he never went back to the farm. Akin was one of just...

More on Orioles' 40-man moves, plus Stowers note

More on Orioles' 40-man moves, plus Stowers note
As the participants in the World Series begin to come into focus, the Orioles are busy doing their own heavy lifting with moves to clear room on their 40-man roster. They needed a big broom. The season concluded with a full 40-man. Putting reliever Zack Burdi on waivers, and he was claimed by the Diamondbacks, was just the first attempt. They're down to 35 after outrighting catcher Austin Wynns, infielder Pat Valaika, and pitchers Thomas Eshelman and Konner Wade. That leaves space for the five...

Orioles outright Valaika, Eshelman and Wade

Orioles outright Valaika, Eshelman and Wade
The Orioles outrighted four players off their 40-man roster yesterday to reduce the total to 35, as they continue to perform one of the more important offseason tasks leading into the Rule 5 draft in December. In addition to catcher Austin Wynns, whose disposition was reported yesterday, the Orioles also outrighted pitchers Thomas Eshelman and Konner Wade and infielder Pat Valaika, per the transactions page at MLB.com. The club hasn't announced the moves. Valaika was eligible again for...

Orioles outright Austin Wynns

Orioles outright Austin Wynns
The Orioles performed more work on their 40-man roster this afternoon, outrighting catcher Austin Wynns after he cleared waivers, according to sources. Wynns can become a free agent. The 40-man is down to 38 players, the most recent move before today coming last week when the Diamondbacks claimed reliever Zack Burdi off waivers. Wynns, 30, batted .185/.232/.308 in 45 games, with four doubles, four home runs and 14 RBIs in 139 plate appearances. He threw out 11 of 29 runners attempting to steal...

Orioles facing many more 40-man moves

Orioles facing many more 40-man moves
The early work on the Orioles' 40-man roster consisted of one move that probably didn't require hours of study, deliberation and angst. The team likes Travis Lakins Sr. Manager Brandon Hyde talked about the reliever's recovery from elbow surgery and the likelihood that he'd be ready for spring training. But it made no sense to move Lakins from the 60-day injured list to a 40-man roster that requires heavy cuts. A chain saw rather than a pocket knife. Teams figured to pass on Lakins after he...

Orioles lose Burdi on waivers and outright Lakins

Orioles lose Burdi on waivers and outright Lakins
The Orioles began work this afternoon on a 40-man roster that must undergo significant changes to accommodate injured players and prospects eligible for the Rule 5 draft. One spot opened up when reliever Zack Burdi was put on waivers and claimed today by the Diamondbacks. The 40-man now holds 39 players. Burdi was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Aug. 30 and made his lone appearance with the Orioles on Sept. 6, tossing a scoreless inning against the Royals. He was optioned the next day. The...

The rise and fall of Valdez and Plutko

The rise and fall of Valdez and Plutko
The Orioles already made a few decisions on their minor league free agents, bringing back outfielder Cristopher Céspedes and pitchers Ofelky Peralta and Nick Vespi. Other moves will be sprinkled into their offseason, with some bigger names in the industry likely to compete for jobs on minor league deals with invitations to spring training. Like the past winter when the Orioles signed starters Félix Hernández, Matt Harvey and Wade LeBlanc. Relievers Adam Plutko and César Valdez...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The statistics are the first points of reference when critiquing the Orioles pitching staff this season. Eyes are drawn to a 5.84 ERA that's the highest in club history, the 258 home runs allowed that also led the majors. But there's more to the story. Manager Brandon Hyde will preach the urgency to upgrade and how a team can't compete in the American League East with these deficiencies. But he also will place an asterisk beside these numbers and explain the complications in fully judging...

New CBA and old rotation concerns inhabit O's offseason

New CBA and old rotation concerns inhabit O's offseason
The Orioles can make plans and create lists and envision how to properly operate their offseason, but the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement sits on their shoulders. Never removed or forgotten. It's potential influence, a constant presence. A new CBA must be negotiated after Dec. 1. The first face-to-face session between Major League Baseball and union officials was held in August and included a proposal for a revised service time arrangement for arbitration-eligible...

Orioles can begin easing into offseason

Orioles can begin easing into offseason
The offseason business can commence with the Orioles completing their final regular season game yesterday in Toronto and finishing at 52-110, and with a club-record 62 players used, - catcher Nick Ciuffo being the last - and 16 making their debuts. Major League Baseball prefers that teams remain relatively quiet this month while the playoffs are ongoing. No major announcements. But the 40-man roster can be adjusted, for example, while the Orioles sweat the small stuff. They also can evaluate...

Final game gives Zimmermann last chance to impress

Final game gives Zimmermann last chance to impress
The final game of the 2021 season is sneaking up on the Orioles today and tapping them on the shoulder, perhaps leery of a harsh reaction. Tip-toeing around this team probably is a wise strategy. Whispered apologies. Keeping its guard up, just in case. The Orioles went 54-108 in 2019, the most recent full season. They're 52-109 heading into today's finale in Toronto. They're also 20-55 against the American League East. The 55 losses are their second-most in a season in franchise history...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles would much prefer to be hosting games late in the season that dictate whether they make the playoffs. Somewhere down the rebuild road, it's supposed to happen for them. In the meantime, while the last few games determine whether they pick first or second in next year's draft, they get a chance to see how the other half lives on its home turf. In a raucous environment. They can't catch postseason fever, which certainly would present complications during COVID-19, but they're...

Zimmermann stingy in return and O's rally past Red Sox (updated)

Zimmermann stingy in return and O's rally past Red Sox (updated)
Bruce Zimmermann was worth the long wait for the Orioles. The multiple injuries and more than three months between starts. The unexpected delay in his return and further rehab. This is what September is about in Baltimore. The presentation of another prospect to evaluate, and the hopes of squeezing out a few more wins and perhaps influence a pennant race. The Orioles took a poke at the Red Sox's balloon, winning 4-2 before an announced crowd of 8,098 at Camden Yards in the last home series in...

Santander and Ellis placed on injured list (and other notes)

Santander and Ellis placed on injured list (and other notes)
The Orioles placed outfielder Anthony Santander and pitcher Chris Ellis on the 10-day injured list this afternoon, bringing their seasons to a premature end. Bruce Zimmermann was activated from the 60-day injured list to make tonight's start against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Infielder/outfielder Tyler Nevin was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Pitcher Keegan Akin was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room for Zimmermann on the 40-man roster. A sprained right knee sent Santander...

Zimmermann rejoins Orioles' auditions for rotation

Zimmermann rejoins Orioles' auditions for rotation
The matchup tonight is just so appropriate for where the two teams reside, what they're playing for, what these games represent. The Red Sox begin the series at Camden Yards with Chris Sale on the mound. A seven-time All-Star who's finished sixth, fifth, third, fourth, fifth, second and fourth in Cy Young voting in the American League. The Orioles, tied with the Diamondbacks for the worst record in baseball, have chosen left-hander Bruce Zimmermann, a rookie with 12 major league starts who's...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Orioles outfielder Austin Hays returned to the dugout Thursday night after hitting his 22nd home run and saw Anthony Santander flash three fingers at him. Hays turned around, made eye contact with Cedric Mullins and offered the same sign. Mullins, in return, waved his index finger at Hays. Was it a running home run count, with Mullins needing one more for 30 that night and Hays needing three to reach 25? "Yeah, that's what it was," Hays confirmed yesterday after taking his rounds of batting...

Hyde on Akin, Ciuffo, Baumann and more

Hyde on Akin, Ciuffo, Baumann and more
Today's roster moves by the Orioles leave 10 players on the 10-day or 60-day injured lists. Only starter Bruce Zimmermann is a candidate to rejoin the active roster. Keegan Akin has a left adductor strain that requires a surgical procedure. He's on the 10-day injured list, but could be moved to the 60-day if the club needs space on its 40-man roster. "He's piled up a ton of innings," said manager Brandon Hyde, "and he's going to have a procedure done in the core region that we want to...

Akin set for surgery, Krehbiel and Ciuffo join O's roster

Akin set for surgery, Krehbiel and Ciuffo join O's roster
Orioles rookie left-hander Keegan Akin won't pitch again this season. Akin was placed on the 10-day injured list this afternoon with a left adductor strain and is set to undergo a surgical procedure. The Orioles recalled reliever Joey Krehbiel from Triple-A Norfolk and purchased the contract of catcher Nick Ciuffo from the Tides. They optioned pitcher Mike Baumann following last night's game because the rookie reached his innings limit of 80 2/3 between the majors and minors. Krehbiel, signed...

Akin and Hays impress again, but O's lose 4-3 (updated)

Akin and Hays impress again, but O's lose 4-3 (updated)
As the Orioles keep piling more players on their injured lists and going day-to-day with others who are ailing, they cherish every individual who stays in the lineup or rotation and seems determined to finish strong. Keegan Akin, a couple starts removed from his six no-hit innings, shut out the Phillies over 5 1/3 and struck out six batters before Eric Hanhold replaced him. Austin Hays retained ownership of the month of September, his scorching bat producing a run-scoring double in the sixth...