Thoughts on Stewart's demotion, Mountcastle's inevitable arrival

Thoughts on Stewart's demotion, Mountcastle's inevitable arrival
Is the path clearer for Ryan Mountcastle to make his major league debut? Can an hour pass without someone asking why he's still at the Bowie camp site? There's absolutely no doubt that Mountcastle is going to play for the Orioles this summer, and it could happen at any minute with his service time unaffected by a promotion. There are no excuses beyond the organization's mandate that he must be able to handle left field rather than serve exclusively as the designated hitter and must exhibit...
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Defensive shortcomings for O's contribute to series sweep (updated)

Defensive shortcomings for O's contribute to series sweep (updated)
The bats came out of the rack. They made some loud noises. The threat of another shutout was obliterated like the pitch Renato Núñez launched into the left field seats to open the top of the second inning. If the Orioles were going to lose again tonight, at least they'd go down swinging. A problem is fixed and the ship springs two other leaks. And the solution wasn't to keep plugging away. Wade LeBlanc lasted only 3 1/3 innings, the defense collapsed behind him and an offensive rush...
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Hyde on Stewart, opportunties and improved bullpen

Hyde on Stewart, opportunties and improved bullpen
The roster is set at 28 players after the Orioles optioned DJ Stewart to the alternate camp site at Bowie following last night's doubleheader. No moves have been made this afternoon, and the team is doing stretching exercises and taking batting practice after an earlier gathering on the field with manager Brandon Hyde that included a round of applause but no explanation. Stewart missed it. He left the club last night after going 0-for-14 with six walks and eight strikeouts this season. "Like...
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Orioles and Marlins lineups

Orioles and Marlins lineups
José Iglesias is getting the start at shortstop tonight rather than kept as the designated hitter or a pinch-hitter. Rio Ruiz, however, isn't ready to return to third base while dealing with a sore right shoulder. Ruiz is 7-for-22 (.318) with three home runs and a 1.112 OPS. Iglesias is 11-for-24 (.458) with six doubles and a 1.188 OPS. The Orioles need both of them with their offense in a major funk. An offense that's totaled one run and 10 hits in three losses in the series. Ruiz could...
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Lumber slumber has led Orioles to brink of series sweep

Lumber slumber has led Orioles to brink of series sweep
More changes came to the Orioles last night beyond their status as the road team inside their own ballpark. Can't wipe the weirdness slate clean. Rather than wait until later today, the Orioles further reduced their roster to 28 players by optioning outfielder DJ Stewart to the alternate camp site in Bowie. Coupled with pitcher John Means going on the bereavement list, the Orioles can stop tweaking the roster unless they want to swap out personnel before playing tonight's series finale...
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Orioles avoid shutout but drop doubleheader (Stewart optioned)

Orioles avoid shutout but drop doubleheader (Stewart optioned)
The Orioles waited to bat in the top of the first inning in the second game of today's doubleheader while wearing their white jerseys and treated as outsiders. Walk-up music was played for the Marlins. Introductions were accompanied by images of the Miami players on the video board. If meals weren't prepackaged in the clubhouses, the spread surely would have included Joe's stone crabs. The crab shuffle should have been replaced by Don Johnson hiding a baseball in his white suit. The 2020...
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Bats stay quiet in 1-0 loss in first game of doubleheader (updated)

Bats stay quiet in 1-0 loss in first game of doubleheader (updated)
Alex Cobb was first out of the home dugout today, which later became the visiting dugout. Baseball in 2020 is funny that way. Cobb did a small hop before finding his stride, as every pitcher attempts to do during the game. There were a few stumbles in the early innings, which soon became middle innings due to the shortening under minor league rules. The four-pitch walk to Miami's Corey Dickerson in the first, his throwing error in the second after fielding Matt Joyce's roller near the first...
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Hyde on Means, Eshelman and today's doubleheader

Hyde on Means, Eshelman and today's doubleheader
The Orioles won't make a roster move today as they prepare to play the Marlins twice beginning at 5:05 p.m. Teams don't get an extra player for the doubleheader. The expanded rosters make it unnecessary, per Major League Baseball's 2020 rules. Who knew? John Means has been placed on the bereavement list. The club is saying only that he's "dealing with a family matter" and that it is respecting his privacy. The Orioles are allowed to replace Means on the roster, but they must reduce from...
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Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. Marlins (updated)

Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. Marlins (updated)
José Iglesias is the designated hitter today for the opening game of a doubleheader against the Marlins at Camden Yards, where the Orioles are tabbed as the home team. They're the visitors in the second game because it's 2020 and weirdness is the theme. Iglesias has been kept off the field due to a sore left quad, but he's 10-for-19 with five doubles and four RBIs. Austin Hays is batting sixth after collecting two hits last night to break an 0-for-15 streak. Renato Núñez is the...
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Orioles and Marlins set for unusual doubleheader today

Orioles and Marlins set for unusual doubleheader today
Getting the Marlins to play one game is a chore. Let's try two. The Orioles are the hosts today for the first game of a doubleheader and the visitors for the second. The uniform colors should change, but the teams won't be switching dugouts. We wouldn't want to make a mockery of coronavirus baseball. The clubs get an extra player for the doubleheader, with both games set for seven innings. The Orioles likely will want another bullpen arm, but I'm done trying to predict anything as it...
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Means masterful and bats muted in 4-0 loss (updated)

Means masterful and bats muted in 4-0 loss (updated)
As more players reported back to Camden Yards today, the ballpark deemed safe again after a few Marlins were retested for COVID-19 and an earlier evacuation was lifted, they were subjected to the latest disruption to their normal preparation and routine. Because the year 2020 hasn't provided enough to satisfy everybody. Pitchers threw in the outfield and headed to the bullpen for their side sessions. Renato Núñez knelt on a towel and fielded grounders in front of the dugout, with third...
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Notes on new start time, rotation, injuries and more

Notes on new start time, rotation, injuries and more
The start time for tonight's game between the Orioles and Marlins has been reset for 8:15 p.m. as players keep filtering into Camden Yards. First pitch was slated for 7:35 p.m., but some Marlins had to be retested for COVID-19 due to inconclusive results and players were sent home or to their hotel rooms. "A lot of parties are getting together to determine what time the game starts because this is an unusual circumstance," manager Brandon Hyde said earlier in the day on his Zoom conference...
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Orioles lineup vs. Marlins

Orioles lineup vs. Marlins
The Orioles are able to put first baseman Chris Davis in their lineup for tonight's game against the Marlins at Camden Yards. However, shortstop José Iglesias is listed again among the reserves. Davis hasn't played since Friday due to some knee soreness. Iglesias hasn't started at shortstop since Wednesday due to a sore left quadriceps muscle, but he's come off the bench in the past few games and is 10-for-19 this season with five doubles and four RBIs. Austin Hays is back in the lineup...
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Game between Orioles and Marlins could be delayed (updated)

Game between Orioles and Marlins could be delayed (updated)
The Orioles and Marlins have gone back into a holding pattern. Four postponements between the clubs due to an outbreak of COVID-19 among the Marlins has delayed the two series to this week at Camden Yards, with the Orioles serving as hosts for half. Tonight's game is supposed to begin at 7:35 p.m., but it's in jeopardy. The tarp remains on the field, the players' lot is practically empty and umpires have been turned away from the ballpark. Media wasn't granted access until 4 p.m., which is...
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Will Orioles finally play Marlins tonight?

Will Orioles finally play Marlins tonight?
The Orioles have a fresher bullpen today and renewed concerns about the Marlins arriving at their ballpark. Whether or not they'd admit to it. They're trusting the extensive safety measures that have reduced the level of worry beyond how a team forced to shut down due to a COVID-19 outbreak could compromise them. Welcome to Camden Yards. Just don't touch anything. The Marlins are piecing together their roster via waiver claims and trades after a bus transported the quarantined group from...
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Zimmermann, McKenna and Bradish join alternate camp site

Zimmermann, McKenna and Bradish join alternate camp site
The Orioles have added three prospects to their alternate camp site in Bowie, including left-hander Bruce Zimmermann, who would have started the season at Triple-A Norfolk and vied for a promotion to the majors. Zimmermann is joined by outfielder Ryan McKenna and right-hander Kyle Bradish. The 60-man player pool has increased to 57. Zimmermann, of Ellicott City, made 18 appearances with the Baysox in last summer and registered a 2.58 ERA and 1.204 WHIP in 101 1/3 innings. Earning a late...
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Schedule set this week for Orioles-Marlins games at Camden Yards

Schedule set this week for Orioles-Marlins games at Camden Yards
The weather may have the final word this week, but the Orioles learned when they're supposed to play the Marlins at Camden Yards. This is pure 2020. The games on Tuesday and Thursday will begin at 7:35 p.m. However, the Orioles will be the home team for the first and the Marlins for the last. In between are a pair of seven-inning games in a Wednesday doubleheader. Its first game starts at 5:05 p.m. and the nightcap begins approximately 30 minutes after the last out. Here's where it gets...
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Orioles back on hold while trying to maintain roll

Orioles back on hold while trying to maintain roll
The last ounce of certainty is lost for the Orioles today. They don't have a game. Everyone knew about the open date on their schedule that Major League Baseball handed to them over the weekend. But what happens next is a puzzle. The Orioles are supposed to play four games against the Marlins over the next three nights, which requires a doubleheader in order to make the math work. They haven't been told when it's happening or provided any start times. Tropical storm Isaias is expected to...
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Orioles celebrate rare series sweep (updated)

Orioles celebrate rare series sweep (updated)
Renato Núñez lined a sinker from Rays starter Yonny Chirinos into the left field seats today, rounded the bases and did the social distance celebration. Every team has its own versions of it. Núñez was greeted at the dugout steps by a teammate who mimicked a chest bump, hand slap and spike tap. The high fives were more like waves. The Orioles would be thrilled to hold more air celebrations through the rest of the season. It's like splashing in an empty pool. Tommy Milone shut out...
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Ruiz scratched from lineup, Hays rested (plus other notes)

Ruiz scratched from lineup, Hays rested (plus other notes)
Rio Ruiz has been scratched from the lineup today for unspecified reasons. He was supposed to play third base and bat cleanup. Pat Valaika, who delivered the walk-off single last night in the 11th inning, has replaced Ruiz at third. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is sitting Austin Hays today, a decision based on performance rather than health. The center fielder isn't in the same category as first baseman Chris Davis and shortstop José Iglesias, who are out of the lineup again due to...
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