Updating the Orioles rotation and bullpen (O's lead 6-5)

Updating the Orioles rotation and bullpen (O's lead 6-5)
The Orioles are starting Gabriel Ynoa for Monday night's series opener against the Yankees at Camden Yards, with manager Brandon Hyde able to avoid using him last night while sorting through bullpen options. Miguel Castro is still sick and unavailable for today's series finale against the Blue Jays. An expanded pitching staff still feels a little short. Hyde isn't sure how long the Orioles will carry 14 pitchers and two bench players. "We'll see how today goes and then we'll make a...
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Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
The Orioles will go for a split of their four-game series against the Blue Jays today with no roster move announced. They apparently intend to keep a two-man bench and 14 pitchers. Jonathan Villar is the shortstop today and leadoff hitter. Jace Peterson is playing third base. Stevie Wilkerson is in center field. The bench consists of shortstop Richie Martin and catcher Pedro Severino. Trey Mancini is in right field. His four RBIs last night were a season high and ran his career total to...
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What's next for the Orioles roster?

What's next for the Orioles roster?
The Orioles could go back-to-back days with a roster move, which would be as surprising as cracking open a peanut M&M and finding a peanut. The only shocker yesterday was the use of a two-man bench after the Orioles designated José Rondón for assignment and recalled pitcher Branden Kline. Especially with Hanser Alberto and Stevie Wilkerson hobbled. Unusual and risky. Wilkerson wasn't supposed to be in the lineup ... until he started in center field. Alberto figured to be ready after...
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Orioles rally past Jays for 6-4 homemade win (updated)

Orioles rally past Jays for 6-4 homemade win (updated)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a ball tonight that should have sent the cover in one direction and yarn in another. It also should have landed in Anthony Santander's glove, except he broke in and tried unsuccessfully to make a leaping catch. Guerrero had a run-scoring double with two outs in the first inning, another early lead for the visitors, and the Orioles probably had a "here we go again" moment as their homestand reached its third game. At least Santander didn't get hit squarely in the...
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Hyde explains need for extra reliever (O's lead 6-4)

Hyde explains need for extra reliever (O's lead 6-4)
The two-man bench utilized by the Orioles will be a short-term arrangement. Manager Brandon Hyde explained the need for an extra reliever, with Branden Kline recalled for the fifth time. Hyde said Miguel Castro has been under the weather and unavailable. Castro didn't sit in the bullpen last night. "We have a few guys who are unavailable," Hyde said. "We wanted to make sure that we were healthy and had enough people going into the Yankees series." Also, the Orioles are expected to go with...
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Orioles DFA Rondón (with lineup)

Orioles DFA Rondón (with lineup)
The Orioles made a series of roster moves this afternoon that leaves them with two bench players. José Rondón was designated for assignment and the club recalled reliever Branden Kline from Triple-A Norfolk. It has to be a temporary arrangement. Rondón popped up as a pinch-hitter and has disappeared in less than a week. Also, the Orioles claimed left-hander Ty Blach off waivers from the Giants - these teams love doing business with each other - and optioned him to Norfolk. More on this...
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Dalton Hoiles trying to make a name for himself

Dalton Hoiles trying to make a name for himself
The name carries a certain amount of weight. But it won't break Dalton Hoiles. He knows that it's a magnet for attention. The oldest son of former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles playing in the same organization. Wearing the same No. 23. It isn't quite on par with being Ryan Ripken or Preston Palmeiro, who are teammates at Double-A Bowie, but there's still a level of expectation that could make him uncomfortable if he allowed it. Maybe it helps that Dalton Hoiles plays the outfield at...
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Orioles can't overcome early deficit in 5-2 loss (updated)

Orioles can't overcome early deficit in 5-2 loss (updated)
Aaron Brooks began to hop off the mound at least twice tonight in the bottom of the first inning, thinking he caught the outside corner for a third strike and shifting his momentum toward the dugout. Plate umpire Jeremie Rehak wouldn't let him leave. The Blue Jays wouldn't let him get away unscathed. Brooks hopped and the Jays jumped him, scoring twice and never trailing in a 5-2 victory over the Orioles before an announced "Stranger Things" crowd of 16,331 at Camden Yards. Also strange was...
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Updating injuries, Sisco's slump, Tate's relief and more (O's down 4-2)

Updating injuries, Sisco's slump, Tate's relief and more (O's down 4-2)
The Orioles are down to one healthy reserve tonight, their short bench reduced further after Stevie Wilkerson and Hanser Alberto took foul balls last night off the right knee and left shin, respectively. José Rondón needs to avoid injury tonight or the Orioles are in a major bind. Wilkerson said the knee feels "OK," which isn't a ringing endorsement. "It's pretty sore, as expected, but I think if they need me tonight I could go in there and play. I think over the next couple of days...
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Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Stevie Wilkerson and Hanser Alberto are missing from the Orioles lineup tonight after taking foul balls off their knee and shin, respectively, in last night's 11-2 loss to the Blue Jays. Anthony Santander is in center field and Jace Peterson is in left. Renato Núñez is playing third base and Chance Sisco is the designated hitter. Sisco was 0-for-17 before his single last night in the seventh inning. Sisco is 14-for-37 (.378) in 13 career games against the Blue Jays. Aaron Brooks started...
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Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
Adley Rutschman caught last night for short-season Single-A Aberdeen, the media attention much lighter, and threw out two more runners attempting to steal. The first overall pick went 0-for-4 with a walk and run scored and is 4-for-20 with the IronBirds and 6-for-34 with a home run as a professional. The bat will come around. Give it time. Executive vice president Mike Elias is impressed by Rutschman on many levels. "Everything that I've heard has been exactly what we expected," Elias said...
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Orioles surrender five home runs in 11-2 loss (updated)

Orioles surrender five home runs in 11-2 loss (updated)
Orioles pitching coach Doug Brocail and head athletic trainer Brian Ebel walked to the mound tonight with two outs in the fifth inning and a 2-1 count on Blue Jays outfielder Randal Grichuk. They wanted to check on Asher Wojciechowski as Jimmy Yacabonis warmed in the bullpen. Something didn't seem right to them. Allowed to stay in a game he already trailed by three runs, Wojciechowski threw a strike and then served up his second homer of the night, which brought manager Brandon Hyde out of the...
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Elias on trade deadline and other topics (O's down 9-2)

Elias on trade deadline and other topics (O's down 9-2)
The Orioles didn't reach the serious stages of trade talks involving major league talent at yesterday's deadline. Not from a lack of effort or discussions. The right offer just eluded executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, who settled for trading Triple-A Norfolk pitcher Dan Straily to the Phillies for cash considerations. "I think there were some moments where it looked like something might happen," Elias said shortly before first pitch tonight at Camden Yards. "We...
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More on trade deadline, Rondón's addition and Trumbo's plans

More on trade deadline, Rondón's addition and Trumbo's plans
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde threw batting practice to son Colton in right field yesterday and sat in his office at Camden Yards until the conclusion of the trade deadline. He stayed in contact with executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias. And he kept busy. Hyde didn't know until 4 p.m. that he'd also keep the players on his current roster. "I honestly had no idea what to expect," Hyde said this afternoon. "I talked to Mike early and I just went into the day not even...
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Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
The Orioles begin a new month and a 10-game homestand tonight with Asher Wojciechowski making the start against the Blue Jays. They went 12-12 in July for their first non-losing month since going 17-12 in August 2017. Wojciechowski has allowed five runs with three walks and 23 strikeouts in his last three starts over 19 2/3 innings. He started July 7 in Toronto and surrendered three runs in 4 1/3 innings. In two career starts against the Blue Jays, Wojciechowski has allowed seven runs and eight...
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Orioles get back to non-trade baseball business (updated)

Orioles get back to non-trade baseball business (updated)
The trade deadline is dust and Orioles manager Brandon Hyde can get back to talking about his rotation, bullpen, lineup, injuries and anything else that doesn't involve territory occupied by the front office. (I was beginning to feel sorry for him. What is he supposed to say when he isn't the one doing the trading?) Of course, Hyde will be pressed to offer his thoughts on keeping the players on his roster. How he won't have to fill any roles. How certain players can relax. How much he'll...
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Orioles settle on minor league trade at deadline (updated again)

Orioles settle on minor league trade at deadline (updated again)
Of the needs that encompass a rebuilding club, a ninth inning specialist is significantly low on the priority list. So is a middle infielder due to get another raise in arbitration that could push his salary above $5 million. The Orioles tried but were unable today to reach agreement on trades involving Mychal Givens or Jonathan Villar. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias is following the Andrew Cashner trade to the Red Sox on July 13 with a deadline deal involving a minor...
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Deadline day has arrived

Deadline day has arrived
The countdown to baseball's trade deadline has gotten serious. Teams have until 4 p.m. to make deals. They're on the clock. Here's a final reminder, since no one wants to be lectured, that executives taking calls on a player isn't news. Executives pushing to move a player or at least showing a willingness is news. No one is going to screen calls and refuse to listen. And this is especially true for the Orioles, who aren't placing an untouchable label on anyone. You don't lose 115 games,...
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Orioles claim José Rondón off waivers

Orioles claim José Rondón off waivers
The roster moves keep coming from the Orioles, adding another layer of intrigue as the trade deadline approaches. Infielder José Rondón has been claimed off waivers from the White Sox. He's expected to join the team Thursday at Camden Yards following the return trip from San Diego and off-day. Rondón, 25, is a career .202/.260/.337 hitter in a combined 105 games with the Padres and White Sox. He was slashing .197/.265/.282 this season in 156 plate appearances. Versatility is the...
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Orioles and Padres lineups (Smith goes on injured list)

Orioles and Padres lineups (Smith goes on injured list)
Chris Davis makes it back into the Orioles lineup this afternoon as they close out their road trip against the Padres and try for a split of the two-game series. Davis struck out last night as a pinch-hitter and stranded three runners. He's 0-for-13 with 11 strikeouts since July 21. Anthony Santander is in center field and Renato Núñez is playing third base. Jace Peterson is in left field after Dwight Smith Jr. reinjured his left calf muscle last night. The Orioles haven't announced a...
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