Hunter Harvey exits 6-2 loss with oblique injury (Fenter returned)
Hunter Harvey exits 6-2 loss with oblique injury (Fenter returned)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles reliever Hunter Harvey threw one pitch today and left the mound. The same questions about injuries and durability followed him. At least it wasn't Harvey's arm, the only good news attached to the scene. The Orioles announced that Harvey injured his left oblique, which should keep him off the opening day roster and adjust the team's bullpen plans. An oblique doesn't heal quickly. The Orioles have plenty of references at their disposal. Today was supposed to mark the third appearance...
John Means sizes up strong outing (O's lose to Phils)
John Means sizes up strong outing (O's lose to Phils)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It has been a bit of a rarity for the Orioles this spring - a solid starting pitching performance. But they got one today from the left-hander that is expected to be their opening day starter. John Means, making his third spring start, allowed just one run in four innings as the Orioles hosted the Philadelphia Phillies at Ed Smith Stadium. Means pitched a 1-2-3 first inning, getting a called strikeout and two flyball outs to start his day. He entered this outing having allowed eight hits and...
Orioles allowing fans inside Camden Yards at 25 percent capacity
Orioles allowing fans inside Camden Yards at 25 percent capacity
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
In the latest sign that Major League Baseball is moving in carefully measured increments toward the normalcy that didn't exist last summer, the Orioles are allowing fans back into Camden Yards at 25 percent capacity to begin the 2021 season. In observation of social distancing guidelines and approved capacity limits, the club will begin the season by hosting approximately 11,000 fans per game, according to a press release issued this morning. As the public health situation improves, the...
Orioles to welcome fans back to Oriole Park at Camden Yards for 2021 season
Orioles to welcome fans back to Oriole Park at Camden Yards for 2021 season
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
Exactly one year after the pandemic gripped communities across the globe and halted the baseball industry, the Orioles today announced plans to welcome fans back to Oriole Park at Camden Yards for the 2021 season. In observation of social distancing guidelines and approved capacity limits, the club will begin the season by hosting approximately 11,000 fans per game, operating at 25 percent capacity. As the public health situation improves, the Orioles will consult with the City of Baltimore,...
Orioles lineup vs. Phillies
Orioles lineup vs. Phillies
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Trey Mancini is making his third start today in the last four days, going back to first base for a 1:05 p.m. game versus the Phillies in Sarasota. Mancini is 4-for-14 with an RBI and is searching for his first extra-base hit. He underwent surgery exactly one year ago to remove a malignant tumor from his colon, but has made a full recovery and is expected to be in the opening day lineup. Austin Hays gets his turn in center field and Ryan McKenna is in right. Rio Ruiz, who's 1-for-12 this...
One year later, spring training shutdown still feels surreal
One year later, spring training shutdown still feels surreal
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals are off today, and there is some strange symbolism to be found there, because exactly one year ago, they played one of the final six games to be held in Florida before Major League Baseball shut down all spring training operations. March 12, 2020, was a day unlike any we'd ever experienced. It was surreal. It was filled with uncertainty. It was, as it turned out, the end of an era. "It was tough," manager Davey Martinez said Thursday, reminiscing about the one-year anniversary...
Memories on this date haven't faded a year later
Memories on this date haven't faded a year later
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The charter buses circled the Orioles spring training complex one year ago today and returned to the home site, a series of left turns that would symbolize a day of dizzying news and activity. Manager Brandon Hyde, his coaches and players walked through the narrow doors, down the steps and back indoors, their minds filled with equal parts confusion and concern. Media packed up laptop bags and headed to cars for the drive to Fort Myers and a night game against the Twins, only to learn of the...
Experimental rules coming to the farm during 2021 season
Experimental rules coming to the farm during 2021 season
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When minor league baseball begins in May, there will be some changes with new rules. It's Major League Baseball's attempt to look at new rules on the farm to see if they want to bring them to the big leagues. MLB said it would "closely monitor and analyze the impact of each rule change throughout the 2021 season and report to clubs on their effects for further analysis. Consistent with the preferences of our fans, the rule changes being tested are designed to increase action on the...
With increased velocity, Corbin feeling more like himself
With increased velocity, Corbin feeling more like himself
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
When Patrick Corbin pitched 364 days ago - in what proved to be the final game of spring training 2020 before Major League Baseball shut down in response to the rapidly growing pandemic - his fastball hovered in the 87-88 mph range. And though it ticked up to an average of 90 mph once the season finally took place last summer, it wasn't enough to prevent the left-hander from giving up the most hits in the league. When Corbin pitched this afternoon in Jupiter, Fla., in his second start of this...
Wrapping up Mullins' day, Hernández's second start and 7-5 loss
Wrapping up Mullins' day, Hernández's second start and 7-5 loss
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
What to do with Cedric Mullins is one of the items that's missing from manager Brandon Hyde's plate. Mullins is going to be on the opening day roster. He's going to play a lot of center field. And he's going to hit in the leadoff spot. Baseball is losing its prototypical leadoff types, but Mullins fits the description and fits in the Orioles lineup. He began today's 7-5 loss to the Pirates with another hustle double and scored on Yolmer Sánchez's single. Center fielder Anthony Alford...