Asher Wojciechowski made his latest bid tonight to stay in the Orioles rotation by starting for the orange team, designated as the hosts, in the penultimate intrasquad game at Camden Yards.
Never read too much into a scrimmage, whether or not it's accompanied by recorded crowd noise and walkup music, but Wojciechowski is lined up to serve as the No. 4 starter behind John Means, Alex Cobb and Wade LeBlanc.
Dilson Herrera didn't care. He lined a two-run homer into the left field seats in the...
The Orioles have a full camp roster at Camden Yards with outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. reporting today.
The club hasn't explained Smith's absence, but it's tied to COVID-19 testing. He's been quarantined prior to his return to the ballpark.
Manager Brandon Hyde, on his daily Zoom conference call with the media, said Smith tracked pitches earlier today.
"We'll be working him into our workouts going forward," Hyde said.
"I don't have any idea if Smitty's going to be ready or not, so I...
The Orioles are streaming players from their summer training camp site at Camden Yards to the facility in Bowie, offering some hints about their intentions at a couple of positions.
Players aren't trapped inside Prince George's Stadium. The Orioles can bring them back as options for the opening day roster. But they've tumbled down the power rankings.
While the Bowie camp is set up to keep guys ready in case a spot opens on the major league club later in the summer or to push along the...
Chris Davis sent a fly ball over the fence in right-center field tonight, a high drive off southpaw Wade LeBlanc in the top of the first inning. Fans could be heard cheering, though none were planted in the seats. DJ Stewart crossed the plate ahead of Davis after his walk and they tapped spikes instead of fists or elbows.
Shoes are deemed safe.
Davis was introduced by Orioles public address announcer Ryan Wagner and walk-up music played as the first baseman reached the batter's box. The ball...
Orioles reliever Dillon Tate remains day-to-day with inflammation in his right elbow, an injury that occurred after he was struck by Pat Valaika's comebacker during Friday night's intrasquad game.
Tate is trying to win a job in job in the bullpen, but he's losing valuable innings.
"Still having some soreness, still hasn't thrown yet," manager Brandon Hyde said earlier this afternoon in his Zoom conference call.
"Hoping he gets a ball in his hand here pretty soon, but there's still some...
As Orioles starter Asher Wojciechowski increases his innings and pitch count in camp, he'd also like to tear down the stigma of a rebuilding club and the narrative that he perceives as following it through the summer.
He can stomach the lowered expectations within the industry. But don't question the heart.
"We all believe in ourselves," he said today in a Zoom conference call with the media. "To be honest with you, I get really tired with people saying, 'Oh, they're rebuilding, they're...
The Orioles appear to have made a couple of important roster decisions as they approach opening day.
The club announced tonight that it purchased the contracts of left-handers Wade LeBlanc and Tommy Milone, who are likely to be included on the pitching staff that breaks summer training camp.
LeBlanc is in line to be the No. 3 starter after signing a minor league deal on Feb. 1. Milone could be slotted as the fourth or fifth starter or be used in a long relief/swingman role.
Either way, he also...
The Orioles closed yesterday's workout by again simulating an extra-inning situation. A runner on second base and no outs. Pressure applied to the hitters and the defense.
Be satisfied with an RBI or a putout, depending on your point of view.
John Means wasn't subjected to the same treatment during Tuesday's night's intrasquad game - it was reserved for the four relievers - but the Orioles demonstrated one technique for scoring in a similar situation.
Chance Sisco led off the fifth inning...
The Orioles didn't play an intrasquad game today, devoting the hours on the field to live batting practice and workout drills.
Alex Cobb threw live BP after John Means started last night. Wade LeBlanc is expected to pitch Thursday night to stay in line for the opening series in Boston.
Anthony Santander stood in the box against Cobb and appeared to be tracking pitches rather than hunting for something to hit. He did the same from the right side against Rob Zastryzny.
Also throwing today during...
Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander, made available earlier today to the media, confirmed that he tested positive to COVID-19 after arriving in Baltimore for the intake process and was quarantined for two weeks.
Santander said he had "mild" symptoms, which included a low fever, and considers himself lucky.
"Now I'm healthy, I'm not contagious, happy to be back on the field with my teammates and ready to work out," Santander said during a Zoom conference call, answering most questions...
Major League Baseball is attempting to start up a season. That much we can agree on.
Is it a legitimate season?
Don't get me started.
I respect most opinions. You won't sell me on Caddyshack II or Gary Cherone fronting Van Halen. You won't convince me that a plant-based burger is a burger and zoodles replicate a bowl of pasta. Or that pickleball is equal to or better than tennis. But I'll accept most opinions because you're entitled to them.
Baseball in 2020 is a shell of its former self,...
If rules are going to change in the 2020 season, the Orioles must keep up by implementing special drills in workouts and intrasquad games.
This is a matter of baseball survival beyond staying safe in a pandemic.
Beginning with Hunter Harvey in the bottom of the first inning, the Orioles sent a succession of relievers to the mound for the "visitors" and placed a runner on second base to simulate extra innings. Because this team has been known to stretch games beyond regulation.
Mason Williams...
Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander has reported to Camden Yards and is participating in this afternoon's workout.
Manager Brandon Hyde didn't provide any details on Santander's prolonged absence from summer training camp, which likely has been related to COVID-19 testing. Outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. remains absent.
The club is rushing to get Santander ready for the July 24 opener against the Red Sox in Boston, with a multitude of factors in play.
"We're going to try our best," Hyde...
Another Orioles prospect is taking a dip in the player pool.
The team announced today that right-hander Dean Kremer has been added to the 60-man pool and is headed to the alternate training site in Bowie.
Pitcher Hector Velázquez, viewed as a long relief candidate when summer training camp began, has been optioned to the alternate site. He's no longer in the running for a bullpen role.
Also, infielder Richie Martin has been placed on the 60-day injured list and removed from the player pool...
As manager Brandon Hyde provides the occasional reminder that it's still too early to offer a completed lineup projection for opening day, he keeps batting Austin Hays and Hanser Alberto in the leadoff spot during intrasquad games and offering a glimpse at the options that enable him to complete one of the tasks.
Proven leadoff hitters aren't falling from the Orioles' tree. Hays and Alberto are the only logical considerations - the former based on tools that eventually could lower him into...
Ryan Mountcastle was given another look in left field tonight for the "visiting" Orioles in their intrasquad game at Camden Yards.
Use him before they lose him.
Both teams had a full outfield, which in itself is a noteworthy achievement. Mountcastle, Andrew Velazquez and Mason Williams for the team wearing white. DJ Stewart, Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins for the team in orange.
Both lineups held 10 players. The Orioles suddenly are overflowing - though still minus outfielders Dwight Smith...
Orioles infielder Richie Martin and pitcher Ty Blach are scheduled to undergo surgery on Wednesday after suffering injuries last week in summer training camp. The truncated 2020 season will go on without them.
Martin is having a procedure to repair a fractured bone in his right wrist. Blach is slated for Tommy John surgery after receiving a second opinion on his sore left elbow.
Manager Brandon Hyde said the timetable on Martin's recovery is two to three months. The regular season ends on...
Camp reductions aren't supposed to happen due to injury.
The Orioles would prefer maintaining control of the process, but it keeps slipping from their grasp.
Forty-five players in the pool are supposed to be competing for spots on the 30-man roster for opening day. The rest are headed to the alternate camp in Bowie, with the Orioles having the freedom to call upon them.
They were counting on Anthony Santander and Dwight Smith Jr. being at Fenway Park for the opener, but the odds keep shrinking...
The utility competition in the Orioles' summer training camp no longer includes Richie Martin, who's been lost in an unexpected manner.
Martin underwent X-rays yesterday afternoon that revealed a fractured bone in his right wrist, an injury that occurred after he collided with first baseman Chris Davis while diving back into the bag during Friday night's intrasquad game.
The former Rule 5 pick held his left hand while walking off the field, the discomfort caused by a torn fingernail and...
The final arrangements have been completed on the Orioles' alternate summer camp site.
The club is using the Prince George's Stadium facility in Bowie, which is the home of the Double-A Baysox.
Preparations are ongoing to get the complex ready and the first full workout is expected to be held on Thursday morning.
There are 53 players working out at Camden Yards, with the last eight additions ticketed for Bowie. That group consists of outfielder/infielder Ryan Mountcastle, outfielders Mason...