The storm clouds rolled in today after the Tigers finished their batting practice rounds, unleashing a torrential downpour that pushed back the first pitch almost two hours. Fans instructed to leave open areas of the ballpark and head for cover due to the severe weather. The Camden Yards drainage system challenged again like a close play on the bases, except the grounds crew always gets it right.
The most impressive pitching line in the organization already was complete, with left-hander Bruce...
The promotion of No. 1 prospect Adley Rutschman from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk was bound to create more discussion about the wisdom of bringing him to the majors by September versus waiting until 2022.
Another 100-loss season creates arguments from both sides. Either it's a good reason to delay it or the exact reason why it should be done, as if there's really nothing to lose besides more games.
Rutschman ended the 2019 season with a handful of games at low Single-A Delmarva. He...
The Orioles are on the verge of getting back one of their high-leverage relievers for a beleaguered bullpen.
Tyler Wells threw a simulated inning this afternoon and the results were positive for a team that badly needs him. No discomfort in his right wrist and the stuff was crisp.
"Came off the mound feeling good," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He looked great. Fastball was there. He threw some really good curveballs and sliders and changeup. So, encouraged how he came off the mound.
"We're...
Rule 5 reliever Tyler Wells pitched to outfielders Ryan McKenna and DJ Stewart this afternoon at Camden Yards in a live batting practice session.
The Orioles are deciding whether Wells is ready to be reinstated from the injured list. Soreness in his right wrist delayed his return after his last mound session.
Wells hasn't pitched for the Orioles since July 19 due to tendinitis in the wrist. He's the closer in waiting for a bullpen that needs a trustworthy option for manager Brandon Hyde.
The...
The Orioles maintained their streak yesterday of conducting business or announcing it on an off-day. Well, pretty much every day, under any circumstances.
Don't get too attached to the roster.
Of course, there's bound to be separation when a team is 38-72 and unable to stay healthy.
The Orioles designated reliever Conner Greene for assignment Saturday and recalled Isaac Mattson from Triple-A Norfolk. The Dodgers claimed Greene off waivers yesterday.
This was the last loose end, needing...
There are no easy or obvious solutions to the Orioles' explosive bullpen, holes in the rotation and thinning roster due to injuries. Not unless the production picks up at its highest affiliate. That would at least provide an option.
Relievers have surrendered 52 runs in the past five games - 16 scored in the eighth inning in the Rays' sweep - and manager Brandon Hyde can't be criticized for running the same group into games every night. He can't be ripped for ignoring hot hands that simply...
Catcher Adley Rutschman's work at Double-A is done.
The Orioles are promoting Rutschman to Triple-A Norfolk, according to a source. His final game with the Bowie Baysox unfolded earlier today when he started behind the plate in Somerset and went 0-for-3 in a 7-0 loss to the Patriots, who registered a combined no-hitter.
Luis Severino, with Somerset on an injury rehab assignment, tossed four perfect innings.
Rutschman appeared in 80 games in his first season with Bowie and batted .271/.392/.508...
The Orioles closed out their series against the Rays today trying to dodge a sweep and keep the runs allowed under 10 for the first time in five games, with one of their best hitters removed from the active roster and a couple other starters banged up on the bench.
A volatile bullpen received a fresh arm. The Orioles needed a fresh start.
Cedric Mullins gave them a hot one with his leadoff home run in the first inning, making him the seventh player in Orioles history with a 20/20 season...
The Orioles placed Ryan Mountcastle on the seven-day concussion injured list today and recalled left-hander Alexander Wells from Triple-A Norfolk.
Wells was eligible to return in fewer than the minimum 10 days based on an injury. He was scheduled to start today for the Tides.
Manager Brandon Hyde said the club will re-evaluate going with an extra pitcher after Monday's off-day.
The bench includes catcher Pedro Severino, who left last night's game with a sore right knee but should be available...
Maikel Franco spent almost a month trying to come back from a sprained ankle. His pursuit of a foul ball in Houston leading to a spill on the warning track and an injury that coincided with Ryan McKenna's catch for the last out of the game.
Franco has resumed his role as the everyday third baseman, but do the arrivals of Richie Martin and Jorge Mateo impact him?
The Orioles cleared out two third basemen recently by optioning Kelvin Gutiérrez and having Domingo Leyba designated for...
Before the Orioles began tonight's game against the Rays, about 30 minutes later than intended, they stood along the dugout railing to watch the club's newest inductees into its Hall of Fame. To enjoy the ceremony and see how the other half lived, rather than just gazing across the field.
The video tribute for former shortstop J.J. Hardy closed with him reaching for home plate to score the go-ahead run on Delmon Young's bases-clearing double in the 2014 Division Series. The loudest moment in...
Out of the lineup tonight, Orioles rookie Ryan Mountcastle is moving toward an exit from the active roster.
The Orioles are expected to place Mountcastle on the seven-day concussion injured list after he absorbed Wander Franco's hard tag on the side of the head last night while attempting to steal second base in the first inning.
Mountcastle came out of the game in the top of the third, with Maikel Franco replacing him at first base. He underwent a concussion evaluation and the club has been...
Ryan Mountcastle is out of the Orioles lineup tonight after undergoing an evaluation last night for a concussion.
Mountcastle was removed from last night's game after two innings. He took a hard tag from Wander Franco on the side of his head in the first on a failed stolen base attempt.
Trey Mancini is starting at first base and Anthony Santander is the designated hitter.
Maikel Franco is starting at third base and the Orioles are going with a double play combination of Jorge Mateo at second...
The bullpen is changing again for the Orioles, who announced this afternoon that they recalled Isaac Mattson from Triple-A Norfolk and that Conner Greene would be designated for assignment.
They also reinstated left-hander Ryan Hartman from the injured list at Triple-A Norfolk after he completed the intake process. Hartman goes on the 40-man roster, with Greene's removal opening a spot.
Mattson, acquired from the Angels in the Dylan Bundy trade with the Angels in December 2019, made his major...
Ryan Mountcastle was thrown out trying to steal second base tonight, absorbed a hard tag to the side of his head and left the game in the top of the third. Trey Mancini fouled a ball off his crotch in the fifth, dropped face-down in the dirt and didn't move for several seconds.
The Orioles were trying to win a game while in full survival mode, with Nelson Cruz doling out more punishment.
Mancini lined his second double of the night on the next pitch and scored on Jorge Mateo's triple to...
Type the name in an internet search and a professional hockey winger appears, a former first-round draft pick who plays for the Minnesota Wild.
If you want the Ryan Hartman who's a pitcher in the Orioles organization, the word "baseball" is required to distinguish the two. Otherwise, he's buried beneath the National Hockey League results.
"I actually messaged him this off-season," said the Orioles' Hartman, claimed off waivers last week from the Astros and optioned to Triple-A...
Jorge Mateo will be in Saturday night's lineup to make his Orioles debut, whether as the 51st or 52nd player used in 2021. Reliever Marcos Diplán could finish ahead of him later tonight.
The Orioles claimed Mateo off waivers from the Padres yesterday and Hyde met him this afternoon in the dugout before batting practice. Mateo will start at shortstop or second base in the middle game of the series against the Rays.
"I'm going to give him a big opportunity," Hyde said. "It's a really...
Richie Martin is starting at shortstop again tonight and Ramón UrÃas is playing second base, as the Orioles begin a three-game series against the Rays at Camden Yards.
Maikel Franco is the third baseman. No sign of new infielder/outfielder Jorge Mateo.
Ryan Mountcastle is the first baseman again with Trey Mancini serving as designated hitter.
Anthony Santander is in right field and batting sixth.
Cedric Mullins has a 13-game hitting streak, batting .385 (20-for-52) with three doubles, a...
Baseball America has published its updated top 30 prospects list for the Orioles, and first-round pick Colton Cowser ranks fifth while beginning his professional career in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League.
Heston Kjerstad, last year's first-rounder, hasn't appeared in a single game after being diagnosed with myocarditis, but he's sixth.
This year's second-round pick, infielder Connor Norby, is 10th.
A big jump was made by Double-A Bowie shortstop Joey Ortiz, who's 12th in the system...
Moving past the trade deadline didn't create slower movement on the Orioles' active and 40-man rosters.
A day after retooling their bullpen, the Orioles tweaked their infield again by claiming Jorge Mateo off waivers from the Padres and announcing Pat Valaika would be designated for assignment.
Mateo, 26, became available on Tuesday after the Padres designated him to make room for left-hander Matt Strahm. He's one of the fastest players in the majors but also a career .195/.235/.310 hitter...