There are reasons to not give up on Cole Sulser
There are reasons to not give up on Cole Sulser
Steve Melewski
Orioles
On a team that didn't have a true closer going into the 2020 season, right-hander Cole Sulser, a veteran before this year of only 7 1/3 major league innings, was thrust into the role. He's had some big blow-ups recently and now has been moved out of the closer's role. But in my humble opinion, he certainly should not be moved off the team. The Orioles need to give him lower-leverage situations to pitch in and get him back on track, and that is the new plan. One wrinkle in the mix is that the...
Orioles launch "Player's Favorite Things" benefit auction
Orioles launch "Player's Favorite Things" benefit auction
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
The Orioles today launched the "Player's Favorite Things" basket auction to benefit Living Classrooms. Fans have the opportunity to bid on collections of items from their favorite Orioles players including Shawn Armstrong, Paul Fry, Travis Lakins Sr., Rio Ruiz, Chance Sisco, Pat Valaika and manager Brandon Hyde. Fans can bid at Orioles.com/auction from now until Monday, September 7, at 10:00 p.m. ET. Photos and details on each basket are also available at...
Orioles avoid four-game sweep with 4-3 win in 11 innings (updated)
Orioles avoid four-game sweep with 4-3 win in 11 innings (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde posted his lineup this morning and wondered if it would remain intact. If anyone would be scratched or removed from the game before 4 p.m. If the relievers who walked together to the bullpen would board the same flight back to Baltimore. The first major league start for Keegan Akin played out in the middle of the trade deadline frenzy. At least Hyde knew the rookie wasn't on the block. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias sent reliever Miguel Castro...
Padres aggressively take aim at postseason
Padres aggressively take aim at postseason
Mel Antonen
Orioles
Everything has changed with the San Diego Padres. The question: Have they added enough to their roster to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006, or even the World Series for the first time since 1998, the year they were swept by the Yankees? As Monday's trade deadline approached, the Padres were by far the most active team in the market. They fixed all their weaknesses: designated hitter, catching, the bullpen and the rotation. They added DH Mitch Moreland from Boston, closer Trevor...
Martinez says Voth will remain in rotation, start Friday
Martinez says Voth will remain in rotation, start Friday
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Manager Davey Martinez is not giving up on right-hander Austin Voth. Pitching coach Paul Menhart, Voth and Martinez are working on trying to figure out how to get some more movement and cutting action on Voth's fastball. Voth wants to be able to alter the spin rate so that opposing hitters have a tougher time picking up his fastball. Martinez confirmed today that Voth will remain in the rotation and start one of the two games of the doubleheader Friday in Atlanta. "He's going to throw...
A closer look at Keegan Akin's start, plus a trade note
A closer look at Keegan Akin's start, plus a trade note
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Orioles lefty pitching prospect Keegan Akin threw a very strong game today against Toronto in Buffalo. In fact, he became just the third O's starter on the year to not allow an earned run. He gave up two unearned runs in 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision. The Orioles broke a five-game losing streak and avoided a four-game sweep and winless road trip. They beat Toronto 4-3 in 11 innings on RBI doubles by José Iglesias and Bryan Holaday in the 11th. In the last of the 11th, Toronto scored one...
Orioles trade Miguel Castro to Mets at deadline (updated)
Orioles trade Miguel Castro to Mets at deadline (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles have lost another reliever at today's trade deadline. Miguel Castro has been dealt to the Mets for minor league left-hander Kevin Smith and a player to be named later or cash, according to reports. The news broke a few minutes past 4 p.m., but an agreement already was in place. Smith, 23, was selected in the seventh round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Georgia. He struck out 130 batters in 117 combined innings at the Single-A and Double-A levels in...
Nationals stand pat at deadline, stick with roster (updated)
Nationals stand pat at deadline, stick with roster (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
What does a defending champion sitting seven games under .500 in the strangest season in baseball history do at the trade deadline? Nothing. The Nationals did not make any deals before today's 4 p.m. deadline, opting instead to stick with the roster as currently constructed and hope it can turn things around over the final month of this 60-game season. "If there's something out there that we could've gotten, they would've gotten it to help us," manager Davey Martinez said from...
Game 32 lineups: Nats at Phillies
Game 32 lineups: Nats at Phillies
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals continue their 11-game road trip in Philadelphia tonight as they open a four-game set against the Phillies. The Nats went 1-2 in Boston and 0-2 last week against the Phillies in D.C., and are now 6-6 on the road. Tonight's pitching matchup features right-hander Erick Fedde (1-2, 3.57 ERA) opposing the Phillies right-hander Spencer Howard (0-1, 6.17). Last week against the Phillies, Fedde took the loss in an 8-3 setback, giving up four runs on seven hits over five innings with one...
Hyde changing closer strategy with Sulser struggling
Hyde changing closer strategy with Sulser struggling
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Cole Sulser has been removed from the closer's role with the Orioles. Manager Brandon Hyde spoke with Sulser this morning, less than 24 hours after the rookie walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning and surrendered Teoscar Hernández's walk-off single that produced another loss to the Blue Jays. And his second blown save in three games. Sulser has walked 13 batters in 15 1/3 innings for an average of 7.6 per nine. He averaged 2.7 in six minor league seasons. "Suls is just...