Updates on Stewart, bullpen and rotation (O's down 8-2)

Updates on Stewart, bullpen and rotation (O's down 8-2)
NEW YORK - Outfielder DJ Stewart will go on a brief rehab assignment before the Orioles activate him from the seven-day concussion injured list. Stewart will join Triple-A Norfolk in Pawtucket and play in two games before coming back to the Orioles on Friday in Boston, where a roster move will be made. The latest move for a club that's in a constant state of change. The bullpen has been impacted the most, with Chandler Shepherd the latest pitcher to settle into the group. The Orioles have used...
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Shepherd hoping for chance to pitch in return to Orioles

Shepherd hoping for chance to pitch in return to Orioles
NEW YORK - Chandler Shepherd lasted one day with the Orioles to close out the month of July. Joined them in San Diego and was optioned quicker than it takes to unpack a bag. The Orioles recalled Shepherd again today as Evan Phillips' bullpen replacement and he's hoping to do more than dig into the pregame and postgame meals. "It would be special," he said this afternoon while standing at his locker at Yankee Stadium. "My last time up here was a great experience for me and I've been ready...
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Orioles lineup and more on Shepherd

Orioles lineup and more on Shepherd
NEW YORK - Renato Núñez is playing first base tonight as the Orioles continue their series against the Yankees and try to shake off yesterday's doubleheader sweep. Trey Mancini is the designated hitter and Anthony Santander is playing right field. Jace Peterson continues to play left field. Jonathan Villar is leading off and playing shortstop. Rio Ruiz, who had a two-run single and RBI grounder in Game 2, is the third baseman. Chandler Shepherd has joined the Orioles after they optioned...
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Leftovers for breakfast (Shepherd joining Orioles)

Leftovers for breakfast (Shepherd joining Orioles)
NEW YORK - The release of the 2020 schedule seemed to come a bit earlier than usual and held a couple of interesting nuggets for the Orioles, including the home-and-home series against the Cubs. Manager Brandon Hyde goes back to Wrigley Field, where he served in a coaching capacity and can share countless stories. The dugout will be crowded for the pregame media sessions. I'm particularly fond of the three off-days on Fridays and a weekend two-game series against the Nationals instead of the...
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Orioles' losing streak to Yankees grows in Game 2 (updated)

Orioles' losing streak to Yankees grows in Game 2 (updated)
NEW YORK - The 52nd player used by the Orioles this season had one major issue tonight. Same as everyone else. A wrong kind of bonding. Can't beat the Yankees. Not anymore. Four of the first five batters reached against Ty Blach, Brett Gardner delivered a three-run triple and Gleyber Torres kept bullying the Orioles while they were being swept by the Yankees with an 11-8 loss in Game 2. Trey Mancini homered again, delivering a two-run shot in the third, and Hanser Alberto added a three-run...
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Lineups and more on Santander's offensive surge (O's down 11-6)

Lineups and more on Santander's offensive surge (O's down 11-6)
NEW YORK - Ty Blach makes his Orioles debut tonight in Game 2 of the doubleheader, the 52nd player they've used this season and four short of last year's club record. Blach hasn't started in the majors since Aug. 11 with the Giants. He's working on three days' rest after throwing 61 pitches in his lone start with Triple-A Norfolk. DJ LeMahieu is 3-for-7 lifetime against Blach and he's leading off tonight. The Yankees are going with the opener strategy and sending Chad Green to the...
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Orioles allow four more homers in 8-5 Game 1 loss (updated)

Orioles allow four more homers in 8-5 Game 1 loss (updated)
NEW YORK - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde keeps stating what should be obvious to everyone. That his club has to pitch better in order to be competitive and at least partially tame a Yankees club that slips into savage mode when it steps in the box. Can't keep giving up home runs at a record pace. Can't keep running through relievers as if there's prize money at stake for most used. Hyde preaches and again has his patience tested to the extreme. Gabriel Ynoa was handed a lead in the top of the...
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Blach on his first visit to Yankee Stadium and more (O's down 8-3)

Blach on his first visit to Yankee Stadium and more (O's down 8-3)
NEW YORK - Ty Blach will start Game 2 of today's doubleheader after spending the opener on the taxi squad. Blach is set to become the 52nd player used by the Orioles, four shy of last year's club record. The corresponding move will be announced after Game 1. Meanwhile, Jimmy Yacabonis is the 26th man. The Orioles selected Blach off waivers from the Giants on Aug. 3. He's 15-19 with a 4.56 ERA and 1.397 WHIP in 87 major league games, including 39 starts, over parts of four seasons with the...
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Details on Orioles' 2020 schedule

Details on Orioles' 2020 schedule
NEW YORK - The Orioles are opening the 2020 season at home on March 26 against the Yankees, with Major League Baseball releasing the schedule earlier today. The Red Sox follow the Yankees to Camden Yards before the Orioles head to St. Louis for their first road series - and first visit there since 2003 at the old Busch Stadium. The Orioles then head to Yankee Stadium and return home. Other highlights include National League Central interleague matchups that bring the Cubs to Camden Yards in...
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Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. Yankees (update)

Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. Yankees (update)
NEW YORK - The Orioles recalled Evan Phillips today from Triple-A Norfolk as the replacement for reliever Tayler Scott, who was optioned yesterday. They also recalled Jimmy Yacabonis as the 26th player. No Ty Blach, which is a reversal from what I heard yesterday. Yacabonis could be the opener in Game 2, though the Orioles haven't revealed their plans. Trey Mancini is playing first base in the opener, with Anthony Santander in right field, Jace Peterson in left and Stevie Wilkerson in...
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Positive feedback on two Dominican Summer League players

Positive feedback on two Dominican Summer League players
You don't judge a trade for at least a few years unless the players involved disappear quickly. A one-for-one where ties are cut, maybe retirement is the next life phase. But in the case of the Andrew Cashner deal orchestrated by executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, it's premature to assign a final grade to it. What we know so far is that Cashner's roll with the Orioles slowed as it reached New England. He didn't make it out of the second inning yesterday, walking five...
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Rio Ruiz walk-off home run gives Orioles 8-7 win (updated)

Rio Ruiz walk-off home run gives Orioles 8-7 win (updated)
How the Orioles responded to last night's thrashing at the hands and bats of the Astros provided the most intriguing element of the day. Get back on their feet and hold their ground or be knocked down again. Heads held high or chins pressed into their chests. Could they return to playing competitive baseball, a trait that's been harder to sustain this month? Could they close out the homestand on a positive note before wading deeper into a treacherous portion of their schedule? Rio Ruiz...
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More on Orioles pitching plans and bouncing back (O's up 5-4)

More on Orioles pitching plans and bouncing back (O's up 5-4)
Gabriel Ynoa is starting Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against the Yankees in the Bronx. Plans for the nightcap remain uncertain, perhaps depending on what transpires today against the Astros. "The second game is still up in the air," said manager Brandon Hyde. "We'll see what happens in the game today. Not ready to announce the starter for the second game yet." I'm hearing that left-hander Ty Blach will join the club in New York and would present an option as the starter. Both teams...
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Orioles and Astros lineups

Orioles and Astros lineups
The Orioles will try to make a quick recovery from last night's 23-2 shellacking with the same 25-man roster. Changes will be made before Monday's doubleheader in New York, including the use of a 26th man. Anthony Santander is in center field today and Jace Peterson is in left. Rio Ruiz, who homered last night, gets the start at third base. He returns to the lineup for the first time since the Orioles optioned him. Chris Davis is at first base and Chance Sisco is the designated hitter. The...
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Leftover thoughts on Karns

Leftover thoughts on Karns
Anything interesting happen last night? The news last week that the Orioles released Nate Karns from his contract didn't send shockwaves through the industry. Karns cleared waivers and was outrighted. He had the right to decline the assignment and apparently chose to do it. What followed was a paper move. And a final admission that the major league free agent signing for the Orioles in the offseason didn't pan out. It was worth a shot. A veteran who could fill a spot in the rotation or...
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Orioles lineup vs. Astros

Orioles lineup vs. Astros
Chris Davis returns to the Orioles lineup tonight after coming off the bench last night and going 0-for-2, his line drive into the shift providing the final out in a 3-2 loss. Past success against Aaron Sanchez might factor into the decision. He's 9-for-26 (.346) with two doubles, five home runs and 11 walks against Sanchez. Aaron Brooks continues to search for his first win with the Orioles. He's 0-2 with a 6.63 ERA and 1.579 WHIP in five starts over 19 innings. Brooks threw a season-high 97...
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This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Manager Brandon Hyde finally had to bite his tongue this week. And on this club, any movement is an injury risk. Hyde tore into the umpiring and review process Monday night after the blown call at the plate on the Jace Peterson-Chris Davis double steal attempt, and he didn't pull any punches - or muscles or tendons - after the pitching staff served up six more home runs the following night. I've read fan comments praising and criticizing Hyde for his bluntness. Way to go for not sugar-coating...
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Orioles calmly lose to Astros 3-2 (with quotes)

Orioles calmly lose to Astros 3-2 (with quotes)
The Orioles made it through nine innings tonight without any extracurricular activities in the dugout. Guys leaned on the railing or sat on the bench. They talked. They spit. They bonded. They watched another early deficit materialize and the Orioles lose for the sixth time in eight games since a .500 July. Given the unwanted attention that clung to them since the fifth inning Wednesday night, they were just glad to shift the focus back to the field. Being on the wrong end of the score must...
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Elias and Hyde address Davis' dugout eruption (O's down 3-2)

Elias and Hyde address Davis' dugout eruption (O's down 3-2)
Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is ready to move on from Wednesday night's dugout incident. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde feel the exact same way. The matter has been discussed internally, they've met individually with the media and now they want to drop it. Among the important points made today are how Hyde and Davis respect each other and have cleared the air, Davis won't be fined or face any disciplinary measures, leaving before the...
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Davis talks about dugout incident with Hyde

Davis talks about dugout incident with Hyde
Orioles first baseman Chris Davis met with the media outside the clubhouse today for nine minutes and offered an explanation for Wednesday night's dugout eruption without getting into too much detail. Davis said he reached a "breaking point" over a poor defensive showing and a season that again has been one long struggle. Davis and manager Brandon Hyde met for more than an hour today, their first interaction since Davis came out of Wednesday's game for a pinch-hitter and had to be...
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