Watkins back at work this afternoon against former organization

Watkins back at work this afternoon against former organization
The learning continues today for Spenser Watkins. And we'll find out more about him, as well. We know about Watkins' perseverance as a 30th-round draft pick, his pitching intelligence, how he grasps the art of his profession as a survival tactic. Today, he gets the chance to show how he responds to his first dose of adversity at the major league level. Watkins allowed a total of three runs in his first three starts, but Marlins catcher Sandy Leon matched them with one swing - the ball landing...
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Orioles and Tigers lineups (updated)

Orioles and Tigers lineups (updated)
Anthony Santander is the cleanup hitter tonight as the Orioles continue their series against the Tigers in Detroit. Santander is starting in right field and DJ Stewart is in left. Austin Hays is on the bench. Pat Valaika remains in the lineup at second base. Pedro Severino is catching again tonight. He homered twice last night for his second career multi-homer game, and has hit three in the last two games. He's 5-for-14 in his last four games. Severino is batting .333/.400/.767 in his last...
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What's left to look forward to after the trade deadline?

What's left to look forward to after the trade deadline?
The trade talk is silenced. Another important date is crossed off baseball's calendar. Unless you get excited over expanded September rosters - and only two additional players may be added in 2021 - there isn't much left beyond the actual games. For the Orioles, attention to the minors only intensifies. Like the Adley Rutschman watch as he keeps pushing for a promotion to Triple-A Norfolk. It can't be much longer. And how convenient if he simply has to go from Richmond, where Double-A Bowie...
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Elias talks about trade deadline, minor league injuries and more

Elias talks about trade deadline, minor league injuries and more
The Orioles tried to trade at least one of their relievers prior to today's deadline. Talks began more than a week ago and kept moving at varying paces until 4 p.m. The effort wasn't lacking, only an agreement. Triple-A reliever Shawn Armstrong was dealt to the Rays this morning for cash considerations. Injured shortstop Freddy Galvis was sent back to the Phillies for Single-A pitcher Tyler Burch just before the negotiating window slammed shut. No one in the current bullpen had to pack up and...
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Santander back in Orioles lineup vs. Tigers

Santander back in Orioles lineup vs. Tigers
The Orioles reinstated outfielder Anthony Santander from the COVID-19 injured list today and optioned pitcher Thomas Eshelman to Triple-A Norfolk, again lengthening their bench to four players. Santander is in tonight's lineup in Detroit, playing right field and batting fifth. The 40-man roster had room after the Orioles traded injured shortstop Freddy Galvis to the Phillies. Manager Brandon Hyde said the team will take another day or two to determine the status of pitcher Keegan Akin, to...
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Orioles trade Galvis to Phillies

Orioles trade Galvis to Phillies
The Orioles managed to make another trade at the 4 p.m. deadline and again didn't touch a player on their active roster. After dealing Triple-A reliever Shawn Armstrong to the Rays this morning for cash considerations, the Orioles sent injured shortstop Freddy Galvis to the Phillies for 23-year-old Single-A pitcher Tyler Burch. Galvis hasn't played since straining his quadriceps muscle June 26 in Buffalo, the last image of him as an Oriole being carted off the field. He batted .249/.306/.414...
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Orioles trade Armstrong to Rays (Hartman claimed off waivers)

Orioles trade Armstrong to Rays (Hartman claimed off waivers)
The Orioles kicked off the final day of baseball's trade deadline by moving one of the organization's relievers. Not one who's on the active roster or has been riding the waves of rumors and speculation. The Rays have acquired right-hander Shawn Armstrong from the Orioles for cash considerations. A source confirmed that a deal was close and the Orioles just announced it. Armstrong was designated for assignment on June 4 after posting an 8.55 ERA and 1.900 WHIP in 20 games. He accepted his...
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Trade deadline arrives today with O's still trying to make a deal

Trade deadline arrives today with O's still trying to make a deal
We've plummeted below the 24-hour mark until reaching baseball's trade deadline. It's the final countdown. We're leaving together, but still it's farewell. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias is fielding and making calls, the activity brisk but producing nothing so far that's impacting the roster and the rebuild. There aren't many trade chips on the table, but contenders certainly are expressing interest in a handful of them, most notably in the bullpen. Quite similar to...
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Cabrera homers twice and Orioles lose 6-2 (updated)

Cabrera homers twice and Orioles lose 6-2 (updated)
Over the past few hours, the Orioles attempted to win a game in Detroit, find a trade partner and gain more clarity on their roster heading into the weekend. They went 0-for-3. Casey Mize was only partially to blame. Rookie Alexander Wells surrendered four runs in five innings, Mize carried a shutout into the seventh, the Tigers won 6-2 and manager Brandon Hyde concluded his postgame Zoom call with the same players who made the ride from the team hotel to Comerica Park earlier in the...
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Notes on Valaika, Santander, Galvis and Wells

Notes on Valaika, Santander, Galvis and Wells
There isn't much news to report from the Orioles as afternoon moves into evening. Pat Valaika is out of the lineup again tonight in Detroit, his last start coming Sunday against the Nationals. He played an inning last night. Manager Brandon Hyde indicated that Valaika is fine physically. "I'm just giving (Domingo) Leyba some opportunities against right-handed pitching," Hyde said on his Zoom call. Valaika hit a home run on July 21 and two more the following game. He had a single and RBI in...
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Orioles lineup vs. Tigers and game notes

Orioles lineup vs. Tigers and game notes
Can the Orioles produce another ninth inning win? If so, it's going to happen in Detroit, where they begin a four-game series against the Tigers. Austin Hays is in right field tonight with Ryan McKenna in left. DJ Stewart is batting fourth as the designated hitter. Trey Mancini is playing first base and Ryan Mountcastle is on the bench. Domingo Leyba gets another start at second base and Austin Wynns is catching. McKenna's bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning last night was the club's first...
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Akin back with Orioles and awaiting further instructions

Akin back with Orioles and awaiting further instructions
While the Orioles decide what's next for pitcher Keegan Akin, he's just glad to rejoin the team and continue hoping for a more peaceful stretch in his professional life. His failure to make the club out of spring training was followed by a cut left index finger sustained in a kitchen accident in April that ruined a chance to be recalled. He finally made it back to the team and into the rotation and had to be scratched from a July 21 start against the Rays due to his placement on the COVID-19...
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Mancini: "I love this team and being a leader on this team"

Mancini: "I love this team and being a leader on this team"
The repetition and predictability bring such amusement to Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini that he's able to crack a joke about missing the 2020 season and experiencing the most frightening moments of his life. Mancini's name is coming up again in rumors and speculation as the trade deadline approaches. The media wants to know whether he's heard anything, how he'd react to leaving the organization, if he thinks the Orioles will attempt to negotiate an extension. You can set your baseball...
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McKenna walks in ninth for walk-off win (updated)

McKenna walks in ninth for walk-off win (updated)
The parade of former Orioles pitchers was bound to stumble. It only takes one. Richard Bleier, the fourth to wear the designation tonight for the Marlins, allowed the tying runs to score in the eighth inning with a defensive breakdown providing an unwanted assist. Ryan McKenna walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and the Orioles rallied past Miami 8-7 before an announced crowd of 8,363 at Camden Yards. Pedro Severino and Trey Mancini homered and the Orioles head to Detroit...
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Updates on Akin and Santander (plus lineup)

Updates on Akin and Santander (plus lineup)
Orioles pitcher Keegan Akin and outfielder Anthony Santander have completed the COVID-19 protocols implemented by Major League Baseball. Akin is throwing a bullpen session today and Santander is cleared to take batting practice, run and participate in defensive drills. The club will decide soon whether to return them to the active roster after their layoff. "We're going to evaluate both of them after today," said manager Brandon Hyde. "We want to get them on the field. It's been a week....
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Wondering how holes could be filled if trades go down

Wondering how holes could be filled if trades go down
To keep the activity in its proper order, discussions about filling vacancies on the Orioles roster should be tabled until trades are consummated. But who said anything about being proper? The Orioles are receiving interest in left-handed relievers Paul Fry and Tanner Scott, and removing one likely leads to a promotion from Triple-A Norfolk. They are the only southpaws in the bullpen. This could open the door for veteran Fernando Abad, who has spent the entire season with Norfolk. The 5.23 ERA...
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Bullpen trade chips aren't displayed in 7-3 loss (updated)

Bullpen trade chips aren't displayed in 7-3 loss (updated)
Scouts who descended upon Camden Yards again tonight weren't attracted to the crab cakes and pit beef. Those are just perks of the job. The Orioles are sellers again and the trade deadline is 4 p.m. Friday. Contenders are checking on available players and determining whether there's a potential match and at what cost. The weekend series against the Nationals and the current two-game set against the Marlins comprise the final homestand before August. Remaining observations on Orioles trade...
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Orioles and Marlins lineups (plus notes)

Orioles and Marlins lineups (plus notes)
DJ Stewart is in right field tonight and Austin Hays is starting in left as the Orioles begin a two-game series against the Marlins at Camden Yards. Ryan Mountcastle is the cleanup hitter and first baseman, and Trey Mancini is serving as the designated hitter. Mancini is 13-for-33 (.394) with two doubles and two home runs during his eight-game hitting streak. He has multiple hits in five of those games. Domingo Leyba took ground balls at second base before batting practice and that's where...
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Tyler Wells wants chance to close when healthy

Tyler Wells wants chance to close when healthy
If you try to cast a silver lining into Tyler Wells' baseball world relating to his wrist injury, you won't get a nibble. The Orioles are monitoring his innings after he underwent Tommy John surgery and didn't pitch the last two seasons. A brief stay on the injured list makes it easier, giving the Rule 5 pick an unexpected rest period that could benefit him over the last two months. Wells stood in front of the dugout steps Sunday morning while teammates did some throwing in the outfield, a...
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Fry on trade talk: "I want to be part of the solution either way"

Fry on trade talk: "I want to be part of the solution either way"
A new week is going to reheat the same old trade deadline talk. Which players are chips for the Orioles front office, which ones lost their luster. Who's more likely to leave and who's a longshot. What's become more evident as Friday approaches, executives ordered to put down their pencils at 4 p.m., is how left-handers Paul Fry and Tanner Scott are most likely to be gone. Pick one. This is a common expectation within the industry and who am I to argue? They're bringing the most appeal and...
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