Hyde unsure of corresponding roster move
Hyde unsure of corresponding roster move
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
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...
Cedric Mullins on his hot hitting, bunt hits and more
Cedric Mullins on his hot hitting, bunt hits and more
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles' 2015 draft class has been well represented in several of their recent wins. The club's top pick in that draft, taken No. 25 overall, was DJ Stewart. Then 11 picks later, the Orioles selected Ryan Mountcastle. Much later in round 13, with overall pick No. 403, they added Campbell University outfielder Cedric Mullins. The Orioles have won six of nine games to move into contention for the No. 8 American League playoff spot. And homegrown players including those three and pitchers...
Orioles and Yankees lineups in opener
Orioles and Yankees lineups in opener
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles activated veteran right-hander Alex Cobb from the injured list leading into today's start in the opener of today's doubleheader against the Yankees in the Bronx. Cobb is the 29th man for the doubleheader. A corresponding roster move must be made after the nightcap, and it doesn't have to involve Cobb. The 40-man roster and 60-man player pools are full. Pat Valaika is playing first base and batting ninth, with Chris Davis on the bench. Davis hasn't played since the Orioles...
Doolittle's return halted by oblique injury
Doolittle's return halted by oblique injury
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Sean Doolittle spent weeks trying to rediscover the form that made him one of the best relievers in baseball. And then just as he seemed to find it, the Nationals left-hander suffered an injury that could bring an abrupt end to his season. Doolittle injured his right oblique muscle throwing a pitch in the top of the ninth during Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Braves, manager Davey Martinez revealed after the game. Though the club didn't know the severity of it in the immediate aftermath,...
Eaton and offense rolled early, but then slowed down
Eaton and offense rolled early, but then slowed down
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals offense rolled out of the gates with five early runs against the first-place Braves on Thursday night at Nats Park, scoring three in the first inning and two in the second frame for a 5-0 lead. Trea Turner tripled, Juan Soto doubled and Asdrúbal Cabrera tripled in the first against Braves starter Robbie Erlin. In the second, Michael A. Taylor doubled and Adam Eaton launched a two-run shot. It seemed like the Nats were going to score more after Erlin left when reliever Huascar...
Nats again can't keep Braves in the yard in 7-6 loss (updated)
Nats again can't keep Braves in the yard in 7-6 loss (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
There appear to be two ways to beat the Braves, neither simple. You can try to outslug one of the most powerful lineups in baseball. Or you can try to keep Ronald Acuña Jr. and Freddie Freeman in the ballpark. Again, neither of these is a simple task, as the Nationals have painfully learned over the last week. And because they once again couldn't keep Acuña and Freeman in the yard, and couldn't turn a good night at the plate into a great night at the plate, they suffered another loss to...
Young O's to gain some valuable experience in stretch run
Young O's to gain some valuable experience in stretch run
Steve Melewski
Orioles
A couple of hours before his team was scheduled to open a big series in the Bronx against the New York Yankees, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told us via Zoom interview that his team's demeanor was no different than it had been all year. The game last night would later get rained out, and now this pivotal four-game series will begin with a doubleheader later today and be played out over three days. Just like last weekend, when the Orioles took three of four in Baltimore. "I think we're taking...
Bringing opposites together in Akin and Kremer
Bringing opposites together in Akin and Kremer
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
No one is going to mistake Keegan Akin and Dean Kremer for carbon copies as pitchers and personalities, but they seem destined to be linked. It's hard to separate them and there's no real motivation to attempt it. Not as long as their talents and energy are so vital to the current playoff run and the future success of the organization. Two highly touted prospects making their major league debuts in 2020. Working back-to-back in the rotation last weekend. Doing it again this week, with Kremer...
Notes on Cobb's return, rest of rotation and more (game postponed)
Notes on Cobb's return, rest of rotation and more (game postponed)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Alex Cobb is rejoining the active roster and the rotation. Manager Brandon Hyde said Cobb is expected to start Friday night against the Yankees "if everything works out protocol-wise." The veteran right-hander has been on the injured list, with the assumption that it's been related to COVID-19. "He's been throwing," Hyde said in his Zoom conference call, "so he'll be ready to go." Dean Kremer will make his second major league start on Saturday afternoon and left-hander John Means is...
O's game blog: The series begins in the Bronx
O's game blog: The series begins in the Bronx
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles have 18 games remaining in this truncated 2020 regular season. Their last playoff berth came in 2016, but this year they've got a shot to get back into what is an expanded eight-team American League field. The Orioles are pursuing the New York Yankees and the teams begin a four-game series with a doubleheader today at Yankee Stadium. New York holds the No. 8 playoff spot right now in the AL, and here are the Yankees closest pursuers: * New York (22-21)* Orioles (20-22) are 1.5...