ARLINGTON, Texas – Trey Mancini was stalling. Finding excuses to stay at his locker. Knowing that walking out of the clubhouse would be his final act with the Orioles.

Mancini wasn’t coming back. At least, not in 2022.

A bag sat on the floor, packed for the trip to Houston, where he’d meet his new team.

The old team could have come out flat tonight in its series opener against the Rangers and everyone would have understood. The energy seemed to get sucked out of the room. And the Orioles rely so heavily on it.

Cedric Mullins hit his 14^th career leadoff home run, and the Orioles sent nine batters to the plate in the second inning while building a four-run lead. The Rangers committed a fielding error in the second, and starter Jon Gray walked off the mound with soreness in his left side in the middle of Anthony Santander’s at-bat with the bases loaded.

ARLINGTON, Texas - Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias knew that trading Trey Mancini would be an unpopular move. A beloved player and leader inside the clubhouse. Someone fans adore. The face of the franchise. A class act and an ideal role model.

Part of a team that’s been a surprise contender, just three games out of the last wild card spot heading into tonight’s series opener against the Rangers.

But Elias stuck to business, and he couldn’t pass up the two pitching prospects who came to the Orioles in a three-team transaction.

Elias acquired right-hander Seth Johnson from the Rays and Chayce McDermott from the Astros. Houston also gets right-hander Jayden Murray from the Rays, who obtained outfielder José Siri from Houston.

Johnson will undergo Tommy John surgery, making him a longer-term investment for the Orioles. Both pitchers are coming from the high Single-A level.

ARLINGTON, Texas - The trade that sent Trey Mancini to the Astros this afternoon involved three teams.

The Orioles received right-hander Chayce McDermott from the Astros and right-hander Seth Johnson from the Rays. MLBPipeline.com ranked McDermott, 23, as Houston’s No. 12 prospect and Johnson, 23, as the No. 6 prospect for the Rays.

The Orioles also recalled outfielder Yusniel Diaz from Triple-A Norfolk. He's waiting to make his major league debut.

Johnson was the 40^th overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Campbell University, which also claims Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins. He’s set to undergo Tommy John surgery.

Johnson made seven starts at high Single-A Bowling Green, allowing nine earned runs in 27 innings with 11 walks and 41 strikeouts.

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Orioles made their first deadline trade today and it involves first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini, who’s going to the Astros in exchange for multiple pitching prospects, according to an industry source.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias is dealing with his former organization, and the cost is the longest tenured player in the Orioles’ clubhouse and a fan favorite who didn't want to leave but understood the business.

Mancini hit an inside-the-park home run Thursday in his final at-bat as an Oriole at Camden Yards. Fans called him back onto the field, as if knowing he’d be gone by the next homestand.

The Orioles drafted Mancini in the eighth round in 2013 out of the University of Notre Dame. He reached the majors three years later and leaves the organization with a career .270/.334/.463 line in 701 games. He had 137 doubles, 11 triples, 117 home runs and 350 RBIs in 2,933 plate appearances.

Mancini emerged as the clubhouse leader and an inspiration after beating Stage 3 colon cancer, which was diagnosed in March 2020. He returned in 2021, finished as runner-up in the All-Star Home Run Derby, and won three Comeback Player of the Year awards.

The trade deadline is close enough to touch. The countdown is tracked in hours rather than weeks or months.

The Orioles aren’t expected to step back and watch other teams conduct their business. They have players that appeal to contenders. They can provide starting pitching, relievers, outfielders and infielders. They have veteran backup catchers, with Robinson Chirinos behind Adley Rutschman, Anthony Bemboom on the taxi squad and Jacob Nottingham at Triple-A Norfolk.

Make an offer.

The Orioles didn’t do much at last year’s deadline, trading minor league reliever Shawn Armstrong to the Rays and injured shortstop Freddy Galvis to the Phillies. The total return was minor league pitcher Tyler Burch and cash.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias wasn’t going to trade controllable relievers unless the return was strong, which kept Paul Fry and Tanner Scott in the organization. Anthony Santander was bothered most of the season by a hamstring injury, holding down his numbers and value. Trey Mancini, returning from Stage 3 colon cancer, wasn’t going anywhere.

Ryan Mountcastle returns to the Orioles’ lineup today for the series finale in Cincinnati, attempting to bust out of a 2-for-33 slump.

Trey Mancini is leading off for the 54^th time in his career and the first since June 29, 2018 versus the Angels. Only Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays have led off this season.

Hays is batting fourth today and playing center field. Mullins isn’t in the lineup.

Mancini played in his 700th career game last night, the 41^st player in club history to reach that mark. He’s in right field today, and 6-for-14 in his last four games.

Fifty-one of Mancin's 54 games atop the order came in 2018. He did it twice in 2017.

The bullpen and defense are attracting the bulk of the credit for the Orioles’ turnaround in 2022. There’s also the timely hitting. The energy and confidence, which builds with each victory, that allows them to overcome deficit after deficit. Ingredients in a winning stew.

As the beat writers have learned, you can’t “write from the top” anymore after the Orioles fall behind early.

(They should have stuck to that strategy last night instead of scoring twice in the first inning. If it ain’t broke …)

The delete button is worn out. Paragraphs highlighted and blown out, statistics and records updated in the reverse.

To minimize Brandon Hyde’s impact as manager and leader would be the same kind of mistake.

The Orioles are two games above .500 and two behind the Rays for the final wild card spot as they continue their series tonight against the Reds in Cincinnati.

They’ve won four of their last five games, 16 of 21, 21 of 31 and 27 of 41. They’re 16-7 this month. And the schedule remains favorable with an upcoming trip to Arlington, Texas, and a home series against the Pirates.

The Orioles haven’t been above .500 after 100 games since 2016, though the 2017 team exceeded it in August and September before fading.

Last night marked their 23^rd comeback win of the season.

They won’t stop.

The enormous improvements in the bullpen, with manager Brandon Hyde finally able to trust the unit in any situation, ranks No. 1 on the list of reasons why the Orioles are so much better in 2022. However, the tightened defense also has earned props.

The Orioles began last night’s game in Cincinnati ranked fourth in the majors with 45 defensive runs saved per Sports Info Solutions.

How does that compare to the recent past?

Hold onto your bucket hats.

They were 24th with -30 DRS in 2021, tied for 16th with one DRS in the shortened 2020 season, were 28^th with -53 DRS in 2019, and were 28^th with -42 DRS in 2018.

With the trade speculation engulfing Trey Mancini, the Orioles’ lineup for tonight’s series opener in Cincinnati includes him serving as the designated hitter.

Mancini is batting third behind catcher Adley Rutschman.

Rutschman has walked in six straight games, tied with Houston's Yordan Álvarez for the longest active streak in the majors.

Anthony Santander is batting cleanup and playing right field. Austin Hays is in left.

The infield includes Ramón Urías at third base and Rougned Odor at second.

The Orioles are bringing back Kyle Bradish for their 26-man roster and their rotation.

Bradish has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, with reliever Logan Gillaspie optioned after one day in the bullpen. The rookie right-hander starts tonight in Cincinnati after three injury rehab appearances in the minors.

Right shoulder inflammation landed Bradish on the 15-year injured list. He pitched twice with Double-A Bowie and once with Norfolk, and he’s on regular rest tonight.

Dean Kremer is pushed back to Saturday and Austin Voth to Sunday.

Bradish is 1-4 with a 7.38 ERA and 1.770 WHIP in 10 starts. He hasn’t pitched for the Orioles since allowing six runs and 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings against the Rays on June 18. He also surrendered one of his 11 home runs.

When Orioles’ area scout Brandon Verley says there’s “definitely room for growth” with 13^th-round draft pick Jared Beck, he’s speaking about the development as a pitcher. By no means is he suggesting that Beck could become taller.

Sure, it’s possible. But Beck is probably done at 7-feet, a height that’s never been listed on a major league roster.

Verley, whose scouting territory moved to south Florida in 2020, believes that Beck is capable of improving on tools that got him noticed as a senior at Saint Leo University and enticed the Orioles into selecting him on the third day. He signed his professional contract on Tuesday.

“I know there’s never been a guy like him to make it,” said Verley, previously the Orioles’ Northwest scout who tracked catcher Adley Rutschman in 2019. “I’m hoping that he’s going to continue to project and get better. Guys just figure things out and they get better, and it could happen, really, at any time. And for him, it happened before it was too late, which is great.”

A pitcher with long limbs making a tremendous jump during his two seasons at Saint Leo after transferring from Illinois State.

Trey Mancini stood at his locker this morning and packed his folded clothes in a duffle bag for the trip to Cincinnati, where the Orioles begin their next road trip. He’s going to board the team charter. But his eventual destination is unknown.

Fans at Camden Yards stood to applaud Mancini again before his first at-bat, knowing that he could be traded by Tuesday’s deadline. They’ve seen the schedule. They know that the Orioles don’t return home until Aug. 5.  

The response from Mancini was a line drive single into left field, his third hit since entering last night’s game in an 0-for-26 slump. Nothing emotional in the batter’s box. Just his usual professional approach.

Mancini batted in the eighth after Austin Hays doubled in a 3-0 win over the Rays, and of course, it had to be dramatic. A fly ball to right field off former Orioles reliever Shawn Armstrong that hit Josh Lowe in the face, Mancini rounding the bases for his 10^th home run and first career inside-the-park, the place erupting.

The first inside-the-park homer by the Orioles since Hays on Aug. 11, 2020 in Philadelphia. Robert Andino had the last one in Baltimore, on Sept. 26, 2011.

The Orioles placed starter Tyler Wells on the 15-day injured list this morning with lower left side discomfort. Wells is undergoing further testing today, which should provide a more specific diagnosis.

Wells’ placement on the IL was anticipated. The exact nature of the injury remains unknown beyond the pain he experienced last night in his side and lower back.

A slider thrown down and away to Tampa Bay’s Yandy Díaz to begin an at-bat in the fifth inning led to Wells’ departure from a 6-4, 10-inning loss.

The Orioles need a starter for Monday in Texas. They optioned left-hander Nick Vespi after last night’s game and recalled relievers Logan Gillaspie and Beau Sulser from Triple-A Norfolk this morning.

Nothing that solves the Monday riddle.

Austin Hays remains in the Orioles’ lineup this afternoon after being hit last night on the right wrist. He’s leading off and playing left field, with Cedric Mullins on the bench.

Hays has the wrist wrapped but said the ball caught muscle instead of bone. A bit lower than the last time he was drilled by a slider.

Robinson Chirinos is catching. Adley Rutschman is on the bench.

Tyler Nevin is the third baseman and Ryan McKenna is in center field.

Jordan Lyles has started twice against the Rays this season and allowed 11 runs and 13 hits in 7 2/3 innings.

Shortstop Jackson Holliday signed his first professional contract yesterday, the $8.19 million bonus setting a record for a high school selection. A big-time perk for going one/one.

Holliday hasn’t made an extravagant purchase or drawn up a shopping list. He smiled about it yesterday, one of those moments that reminded you of his youth, that he’s still a kid.

“I already got a car,” he said, “so nothing yet.”

He has plenty of time. And a family that’s instilled the right values.

Holliday never thought about doing something else with his life, to pursue a different dream, and there are witnesses to it in his household. Never a time when he wanted to ditch the sport that his father, Matt, played in the majors for 15 seasons.

Tyler Wells has been on strict pitch and innings counts this season, the Orioles wanting to get him through a full season as a starter without shutting him down. Push him a little in a start, then pull him back. Provide rest where it can be found.

They didn’t want an injury to factor into his usage, but it happened tonight.

Wells threw a slider down and away to Tampa Bay’s Yandy Díaz to begin the at-bat with one out in the fifth inning, twisted his torso slightly, grimaced and bent at the waist. Rougned Odor put an arm around his shoulder as manager Brandon Hyde, pitching coach Chris Holt and head athletic trainer Brian Ebel rushed to the mound.

The club announced that Wells experienced lower back discomfort. The Orioles received 4 2/3 scoreless innings from the bullpen in regulation but lost 6-4 after the Rays scored twice in the 10th.

Jorge Mateo hit a game-tying home run off Colin Poche with one out in the ninth inning. Adley Rutschman walked with two outs and Trey Mancini singled off Poche, who surrendered Ramón Urías’ go-ahead, two-run homer last night in the eighth. Anthony Santander struck out.

The family tables have turned for the Hollidays.

Jackson Holliday is no longer “Matt’s son,” as he’s been referenced for most of his life. Matt Holliday, who had a 15-year major league career and made seven All-Star teams, was introduced today as “Jackson’s dad” to begin a press conference at Camden Yards.

Much to his amusement.

The former outfielder repeated the line before and after sitting down in front of the cameras and recorders. It already felt natural. It gave him another reason to be proud.

The Orioles selected Jackson with the first-overall pick in the MLB Draft, signed him to a contract this afternoon and introduced him to the local media. Matt, wife Leslee, children Ethan, Reed and Gracyn and Jackson's girlfriend Chloe Cox sat in the front row as Jackson buttoned his Orioles jersey and pulled down his cap.

Adley Rutschman is batting second tonight as the Orioles attempt to secure another series win against the Rays.

Terrin Vavra has media gathered at his locker this afternoon, but his name isn’t in the lineup. His major league debut remains on hold.

Ramón Urías, who hit the decisive two-run homer last night in the eighth inning, is batting .397/.426/.707 in 17 games this month with three doubles, five home runs and 18 RBIs.

Cedric Mullins hit his 13^th career leadoff home run last night, tying him for second in club history with Don Buford, Al Bumbry and Brian Roberts. Brady Anderson is first with 44.

Tyler Wells is 7-6 with a 3.69 ERA and 1.096 WHIP in 19 starts. He’s allowed 11 runs and 17 hits in his last three starts over 14 2/3 innings.

Orioles assistant pitching coach Darren Holmes affectionately refers to the bullpen as “Animal Kingdom.”

“It’s kind of how I look at it,” he said, “because everybody who goes down there turns into an animal.”

Baseball’s version of the Baltimore Zoo has posted the third-lowest ERA in the majors at 3.06 following six scoreless innings Monday and 3 2/3 last night. A collection of castoffs who reeled the Orioles back above .500 and into fourth place.

“We’ve got guys down there from trades, we’ve got guys DFA’d, we’ve got all mixes and matches down there, and these guys have really come together,” Holmes said. “They’re very focused and they work really hard, they’re good listeners. You couldn’t ask for anything better than what’s going on down there.”

“It’s been phenomenal,” said Chris Holt, who serves the dual role of pitching coach and director of pitching. “I can’t say enough about how hard they’re working, how determined they are to perform. And they have good habits with their work. They’re doing tremendous work. It’s really encouraging with everything they’re doing.”