BOSTON - A season that again proved to be unforgiving for the Orioles, highlighting every deficiency while also sprinkling in the occasional reward in an ill-fated attempt to provide some balance, finally and mercifully has reached its 162nd game.
The chance to make an impression, to perhaps have it carry through the cold winter months and into sunny Sarasota, Fla., is down to a nub.
DJ Stewart, twice forced onto the injured list and engaged in a heated outfield competition that's expanding,...
BOSTON - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde isn't ready to name his starter for Sunday's season finale, waiting to find out which relievers are used this afternoon.
"It could absolutely be anybody," Hyde said.
Meanwhile, left-hander John Means is wrapping up an impressive first season that could thrust him into the voting for American League Rookie of the Year.
Means has proven to be one of the major's better success stories at 11-11 with a 3.54 ERA and 1.127 WHIP in 150 innings.
"He's had an...
BOSTON - The penultimate game of the Orioles' 2019 season includes Rio Ruiz batting cleanup today against the Red Sox and Stevie Wilkerson playing center field.
Chris Davis is playing first base and Austin Wynns is catching.
Austin Hays and Hanser Alberto are on the bench
For the OriolesJonathan Villar 2BDJ Stewart LFTrey Mancini RFRio Ruiz 3BRenato Núñez DHChris Davis 1BStevie Wilkerson CFAustin Wynns CRichie Martin SS
John Means LHP
For the Red SoxJackie Bradley Jr. CFRafael Devers...
BOSTON - A decision has been made regarding Dylan Bundy's final start in 2019.
He's already made it.
Bundy no longer is going to take the mound for the last game of the season. Manager Brandon Hyde hasn't named a Sunday replacement, but called it a "potential" bullpen game.
"That's probably going to be decided after Saturday," Hyde said. "We're probably going to piece it together."
Bundy will conclude the season with a 7-14 record, 4.79 ERA and 1.355 WHIP in 161 2/3 innings. The 30...
BOSTON - The final series of the 2019 season came upon manager Brandon Hyde in quick fashion, the months since spring training gaining speed and distorting as if painted by Picasso.
The only similarity to a work of art, though tonight's game had shades of a masterpiece.
"It does seem like spring training was years (ago). I feel like the season did kind of fly by," Hyde said before tonight's 4-1 victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
"I remember being here early in the year, a little bit...
BOSTON - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he intends to put Mark Trumbo in Sunday's lineup to close out the season.
Left unsaid is how the game also closes out Trumbo's career with the Orioles. He'll decide later whether to retire or pursue a contract with another team.
Trumbo is 5-for-25 with three doubles this month since coming off the 60-day injured list. He didn't play in the three-game series in Toronto.
Hyde spoke with Trumbo earlier today about the weekend.
"He's going to be...
BOSTON - Anthony Santander remains out of the lineup tonight as the Orioles begin their final series of the 2019 season.
Santander hasn't played since Monday. He's in a 1-for-23 slump.
Dwight Smith Jr. is in left field and batting cleanup. DJ Stewart is in right field.
Trey Mancini is playing first base and Chance Sisco is catching.
Mancini has hit safely in 12 consecutive games at Fenway Park since May 19, 2018, posting a .340 average (16-for-47) during that stretch. He's slashed...
The Orioles won't finish with the worst record in baseball this season.
Does it matter?
That sound you might have heard following Wednesday night's game in Toronto wasn't champagne corks popping. The lockers inside the visiting clubhouse weren't covered in plastic. Players weren't covered in alcohol.
First or second pick. Second or third. It won't alter the rebuild plan crafted by executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias.
Fewer or more losses than 2018. Still doesn't tweak the...
As Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias makes a series of changes to the front office, player development and scouting departments, it's become clear that titles also can be altered or eliminated.
It isn't just the individuals behind them.
I've heard that the Orioles might do away with the role of minor league catching coordinator that used to be filled by Don Werner, who learned earlier this month that he wouldn't return in 2020.
Elias said the following back on...
Austin Wynns is behind the plate again tonight for the Orioles after hitting his first home run last night in Toronto.
Austin Hays remains in center field and Chris Davis is playing first base.
Dwight Smith Jr. is in left field after going 3-for-4 with a home run last night.
Trey Mancini collected five hits last night and he's the designated hitter tonight as the Orioles close out the series.
Mancini is batting .353/.412/.600 this month, with six doubles, five home runs and 19 RBIs. He has 30...
If Austin Hays stays healthy - and it's been a challenge over the past few seasons - he's going to be the Orioles' opening day starter in 2020. Period. End of discussion.
OK, there's more.
Manager Brandon Hyde isn't prepared to make that declaration. He's just trying to navigate his team through the last road trip. He's busy conducting exit interviews with players and figuring out how to manipulate the bullpen in the middle and late innings.
The rotation no longer requires his attention....
The Orioles have made multiple changes to tonight's lineup in Toronto.
The Blue Jays scratched their starting pitcher.
Write down everything in pencil.
In an apparent response to the hosts replacing left-hander Anthony Kay with left-hander Thomas Pannone, if that makes sense, the Orioles have removed shortstop Richie Martin, third baseman Hanser Alberto and right fielder Anthony Santander from their lineup with less than two hours remaining before first pitch.
Jonathan Villar moves from second...
Austin Hays stays in center field tonight as the Orioles continue their series in Toronto.
According to STATS, Hays became the first major league rookie last night to have at least five RBIs, a stolen base and an outfield assist in the same game since RBIs became an official stat in 1920.
Trey Mancini is playing first base. He's batting .413 (19-for-46) with four home runs and 16 RBIs during a 10-game hitting streak.
The streak is tied with infielder Hanser Alberto's 10-gamer from Aug. 11-21...
While sorting through Sunday afternoon's 15-minute dugout interview with Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias, held before the home finale, there were certain points that stood out more than the others.
It's bound to happen during a conversation of that length. The important and enlightening stuff mixed in with the more obvious parts.
Wins and losses don't matter in the early stages of a rebuild, but Elias still is asked about them. And he still has to remind people...
Trey Mancini wasn't done after collecting his Most Valuable Oriole award yesterday afternoon.
The honors keep rolling in for Mancini, who's been named the American League's Player of the Week.
Mancini, who's the designated hitter for the Orioles tonight in Toronto, collected 12 hits in 26 at-bats for a .462 average. He had four doubles, two home runs, 10 RBIs and four runs scored.
The award came to Mancini after he tied for the AL lead in hits and extra-base hits and was second in RBIs,...
Chris Davis is in the Orioles lineup for back-to-back games, playing first base tonight in the series opener against the Blue Jays in Toronto.
Austin Hays remains in center field and is batting second. Trey Mancini, who sat out yesterday's game with a bruised left thigh, is the designated hitter.
Anthony Santander is the right fielder and he's batting cleanup. Rio Ruiz moves down to fifth.
Stevie Wilkerson is in left field again tonight.
Chandler Shepherd is making his second start and fourth...
The final days spent on the road for Orioles manager Brandon Hyde will include a series of closed-door meetings with players as part of the annual exit interviews.
They happen everywhere, but it isn't something that Hyde has done as a major league manager.
The closest comparisons are the talks in spring training after players are optioned or reassigned, and when someone is sent down during the season.
He's had lots of practice with that one.
"I'm really interested in what they have to...
The status of other players on the roster didn't really matter today to Orioles manager Brandon Hyde as he wrote out his final home lineup for 2019.
Mark Trumbo was playing. Chris Davis was playing. And he knew exactly how he wanted the crowd at Camden Yards to receive them.
"They both have done so many good things in their career," Hyde said. "Had some really good years here and done some spectacular things with playoff-type clubs. I just hope (fans) show their appreciation for, these guys...
Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias stressed again today that wins and losses won't be a priority next season as the Orioles move through the rebuilding process.
It's still about infusing talent into the organization. Rebuilds don't happen overnight or in one year.
Elias covered a variety of topics during a 15-minute media session, including the expectation that Chris Davis will be with the team in spring training. He didn't offer any specifics about the coaching...
The Orioles will begin their final home game this afternoon with Austin Hays moving up to second in the order.
Renato Núñez is playing third base and Chris Davis is across the diamond.
Mark Trumbo is the designated hitter in his final home game with the Orioles. He becomes a free agent after the season and likely won't be re-signed. He also could choose to retire.
Dwight Smith Jr. is in left field and DJ Stewart in right.
Trey Mancini and Anthony Santander are out of the lineup.
John...