Wojciechowski joins Orioles at Tropicana Field

Wojciechowski joins Orioles at Tropicana Field
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles assigned right-hander Asher Wojciechowski to Triple-A Norfolk after today's trade with the Indians, but he never made it. Wojciechowski is in the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field, with the Orioles placing him on the 24-hour taxi squad. Dylan Bundy has been scratched from Tuesday's start against the Rays and Wojciechowski apparently is with the Orioles in case a roster move is necessary. Bundy also is in the clubhouse and manager Brandon Hyde will...
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Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are breaking out their right-handed lineup tonight in anticipation of Rays left-hander Ryan Yarbrough following opener Ryne Stanek at Tropicana Field. Trey Mancini is playing first base while Chris Davis goes to the bench. Pedro Severino is catching. An exception is Dwight Smith Jr. in left field and batting cleanup. But Hanser Alberto is at third base instead of Rio Ruiz. Keon Broxton is in center field. Tom Eshelman makes his Orioles and major league debuts...
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O's call up Eshelman, scratch Bundy, acquire Wojciechowski

O's call up Eshelman, scratch Bundy, acquire Wojciechowski
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are ready to name their starting pitcher for tonight's game against the Rays. Tom Eshelman had his contract selected today and is going to open the series at Tropicana Field in his major league debut. He's also going to become the 45th player used by the Orioles this season. In order to make room for Eshelman on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have moved left-hander Josh Rogers to the 60-day injured list. They optioned left-hander Tanner Scott to Norfolk...
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Orioles critiquing their young catchers

Orioles critiquing their young catchers
While the Orioles are transparent about their primary goals for the 2019 season, outlining the importance of development and talent infusion and devoting a substantial amount of energy toward auditioning players for various roles, they're in a unique position regarding their catching situation. It's common for a rookie or player with limited major league experience and no real track record to be paired with an accomplished veteran, the setup on opening day when the Orioles kept Pedro Severino...
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Means chosen as Orioles representative for All-Star Game

Means chosen as Orioles representative for All-Star Game
Rookie left-hander John Means didn't expect to break camp with the Orioles. Didn't expect to crack the rotation and become one of the most reliable pitchers on the staff. Didn't think having to stop inside his manager's office before today's game was leading to good news. The surprises keep coming to Means, who learned today that he's been chosen to the American League All-Star team. The announcement was made on ESPN. Means, 26, will be the only Orioles representative on July 9 at...
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Shutout shoe on other foot as Orioles lose 2-0 (Scott optioned)

Shutout shoe on other foot as Orioles lose 2-0 (Scott optioned)
The Orioles didn't get greedy. The consecutive shutouts with 13 runs scored in both games, a major league first, had a shelf life. The streak wasn't going to carry through an entire series. Carlos Santana's run-scoring single with two outs in the third ended the Orioles' scoreless streak at 21 innings. The task at hand was finding a way to overcome a small deficit, to reignite an offense that had plowed through Indians pitching. It didn't happen. Santana drove in another run in the...
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Monday's starter, injury updates and other notes (O's down 2-0)

Monday's starter, injury updates and other notes (O's down 2-0)
The Orioles won't announce their Monday starter against the Rays until later today. However, Tom Eshelman has been scratched from his start at Triple-A Norfolk and manager Brandon Hyde said his club won't resort to a bullpen game. Sure sounds like Eshelman is the choice, but the Orioles haven't made it official. "We're still figuring some things out and nobody's been told," Hyde said. "The last few days isn't affecting Monday's start." Eshelman, 25, would become the 45th player used...
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Orioles and Indians lineups

Orioles and Indians lineups
Dwight Smith Jr. is the Orioles' designated hitter this afternoon and Anthony Santander stays in the lineup in left field for the series finale against the Indians. Trey Mancini is in right field and Chris Davis is playing first base. Chance Sisco, who's homered in back-to-back games, is catching and batting fourth. Stevie Wilkerson replaces Keon Broxton in center field. Jonathan Villar has scored 12 runs in his last 10 games and gone 11-for-34 (.324) with nine walks during that stretch. He...
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Sifting through more starter options

Sifting through more starter options
The series win and back-to-back victories are out of the way. The Orioles don't have to be reminded of the huge gaps. Of the many teases and failed attempts. Let it go. The next goal is a three-game sweep, which would be the first since Aug. 27-29, 2018 against the Blue Jays. Probably not as long ago as many people would have expected. David Hess, Josh Rogers and Sean Gilmartin were the winning pitchers in the series. Hess is in Triple-A Norfolk's bullpen, Rogers is on the injured list and...
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Orioles post back-to-back 13-0 victories to win series (updated)

Orioles post back-to-back 13-0 victories to win series (updated)
The announcement was made shortly before the anthem. Andrew Cashner no longer would start for the Orioles. Reliever Shawn Armstrong had become the chosen one. Not a trade. Not an injury. Just a weather report that called for storms to pummel the area. Manager Brandon Hyde didn't list "juggler" on his baseball resume, but he's been doing it with his rotation. The Orioles nailed the forecast and switched back to Cashner, who blanked the Indians on three hits in seven innings and rode the...
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More on pitching plans and playing Sisco (O's leading 13-0)

More on pitching plans and playing Sisco (O's leading 13-0)
The Orioles are set with two of their starters for next week's series against the Rays at Tropicana Field. However, they haven't committed to anyone for Monday's opener and are mulling a variety of possibilities. "Not ready to announce," said manager Brandon Hyde. "We just have some gaps to fill and we'll do that here shortly." Asked whether the choice could come from the minors, Hyde replied, "We're looking at the whole organization to see what we're going to do. We're not sure as...
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Orioles lineup vs. Indians

Orioles lineup vs. Indians
Chance Sisco and Anthony Santander combined for nine RBIs last night and they're back in the lineup this afternoon against the Indians. Sisco is catching and batting fifth and Santander is in right field, with Trey Mancini replacing Chris Davis at first base. Sisco is 7-for-16 with two home runs in four home games. Santander is 14-for-35 in nine home games. Hanser Alberto is 11-for-28 during a six-game hitting streak. He's batting .359 (33-for-92) in 22 games this month and .362 (21-for-58)...
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What's next for Orioles rotation? (and other notes)

What's next for Orioles rotation? (and other notes)
The return of Orioles rookie left-hander John Means makes life a lot easier for manager Brandon Hyde, who has four-fifths of his rotation in place. It's far from perfect, but the situation doesn't seem as dire. The off-days on Monday and Thursday allow Hyde to tweak the rotation if he chooses, but he hasn't figured out what to do. Andrew Cashner gets the ball this afternoon and Gabriel Ynoa closes the series, but Monday night's starter against the Rays at Tropicana Field is to be...
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Orioles hit halfway point with 13-0 win, familiar record (updated)

Orioles hit halfway point with 13-0 win, familiar record (updated)
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde hasn't memorized the standings. He isn't loyal to them. They aren't part of his daily reading. The Orioles are halfway through their schedule following tonight's 13-0 romp over the Indians at Camden Yards that raised their record to 23-58. They had the same amount of wins and losses at this point in 2018. Hyde will take your word for it. "I'll be honest with you, I have no idea what our record is," he said before Chance Sisco and Anthony Santander homered...
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Updates on Rogers, Stewart, Karns, Lucas and more (O's up 9-0)

Updates on Rogers, Stewart, Karns, Lucas and more (O's up 9-0)
Orioles rookie pitcher Josh Rogers will receive the second opinion on his left elbow Tuesday morning in Arlington, Texas, while bracing for confirmation that he'll need a second Tommy John surgery. Rogers also underwent the procedure as a high school senior in 2013. He had a bone spur removed from the elbow four years later. He's no stranger to elbow surgeries. Not that it gets any easier for him. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Timothy Kremcheck performed the first two surgeries, but Rogers is...
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Orioles lineup vs. Indians

Orioles lineup vs. Indians
Chance Sisco is behind the plate tonight and batting in the cleanup spot as the Orioles begin another home series. Anthony Santander is in right field and future All-Star Trey Mancini is the designated hitter. Jonathan Villar moves to shortstop and Stevie Wilkerson is the center fielder. John Means has been activated from the injured list and is starting tonight. The Indians are starting Mike Clevinger, the first of three right-handers the Orioles will face in the series. The southpaw streak...
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Hall and Rodriguez chosen for All-Star Futures Game

Hall and Rodriguez chosen for All-Star Futures Game
The top draft picks by the Orioles over the past two years will participate in the 2019 All-Star Futures Game, to be held July 7 at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Single-A Frederick left-hander DL Hall and Single-A Delmarva right-hander Grayson Rodriguez have been chosen on the American League side. The format has changed for the annual event, with top prospects divided by leagues following the U.S. vs. World matchups of the last 20 years. Hall, 20, is 2-3 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 13...
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Importance of returning Means to the rotation (and other notes)

Importance of returning Means to the rotation (and other notes)
The importance of a rookie left-hander on the Orioles roster keeps growing. To the point where his absence feels like it could lead to a total collapse. Not just a brick at a time. An implosion and a huge cloud of dust. John Means is coming off the injured list today, making him available to start against the Indians as the Orioles keep searching for their 10th home win. His left shoulder strain wasn't serious, though it removed him briefly from the rotation. Any signs of panic would be...
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Orioles bullpen still unable to provide much relief

Orioles bullpen still unable to provide much relief
Each break in the Orioles' schedule gives the bullpen a chance to settle down. The phone doesn't ring. The revolving door doesn't spin. It's the calm before the next storm. Keeping track of the changes is becoming harder to do. Especially while I vacationed in Charleston, S.C., with limited access to the West Coast reports. (Want to test the strength of your relationship? Keep checking your phone during dinner and other activities.) I saw Tanner Scott sitting at his Camden Yards locker...
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Rogers likely to undergo elbow surgery

Rogers likely to undergo elbow surgery
Orioles pitcher Josh Rogers is seeking a second opinion on his left elbow that's expected to lead him to season-ending surgery. Rogers came out of yesterday's game with soreness in the elbow and underwent tests today. The Orioles are classifying the injury as a strain of the ulnar collateral ligament. "I'm pretty concerned," said Rogers, who will visit orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas. "I think the level of concern for everybody is pretty high. It's not good. I know...
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