This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles close out the first half with an open spot on their 25-man roster that's going to be filled by new pitcher Aaron Brooks. David Hess was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk yesterday without appearing in a game. Sort of like Josh Lucas, except he was designated for assignment over the weekend to make room for Brooks on the 40-man roster. Brooks' role with the Orioles hasn't been defined. The rotation coming out of the break includes Dylan Bundy on Friday against the Rays at Camden Yards,...
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Orioles and Blue Jays lineups

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups
The Orioles will close out the first half of the season by attempting to complete a three-game sweep in Toronto. Anthony Santander is in left field and Stevie Wilkerson is in center. Chance Sisco is batting cleanup again. Chris Davis moves up to sixth in the order. Asher Wojciechowski makes his second start with the Orioles. For the Orioles Jonathan Villar SS Anthony Santander LF Trey Mancini RF Chance Sisco C Renato Núñez DH Chris Davis 1B Hanser Alberto 2B Rio Ruiz 3B Stevie Wilkerson...
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More on Mancini missing All-Star Game (plus a few notes)

More on Mancini missing All-Star Game (plus a few notes)
The Orioles have reached the end of their first-half schedule, with today's series finale in Toronto followed by an All-Star break that provides rest for everyone except left-hander John Means. Trey Mancini hasn't been added to the American League team as a reserve. Baseball is sustaining the snub. Let's be clear that Means is a deserving representative. There shouldn't be outrage at his inclusion, though it came as a bit of a surprise given his innings count prior to the selection and the...
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Orioles claim Brooks off waivers from Athletics

Orioles claim Brooks off waivers from Athletics
The Orioles have claimed right-hander Aaron Brooks off waivers from the Athletics in the latest pitching-related move from the club today. Reliever Josh Lucas, optioned to Triple-A Norfolk last night, has been designated for assignment to create room for Brooks on the 40-man roster. Brooks was 2-3 with a 5.01 ERA and 1.252 WHIP in 15 games this year, including six starts, and he could become an option for the rotation. He allowed 28 earned runs (29 total) and 49 hits in 50 1/3 innings with 14...
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Orioles lineup vs. Jays (Ynoa scratched for Sunday)

Orioles lineup vs. Jays (Ynoa scratched for Sunday)
Today's matchup with the Blue Jays starting a left-hander is keeping Chris Davis out of the lineup. Trey Mancini is playing first base and Anthony Santander is in right field. Steve Wilkerson is in left instead of Dwight Smith Jr. Hanser Alberto is leading off and playing third base. Davis had an RBI single and two-run homer last night for his first multi-RBI game since May 10. He's 8-for-23 with two home runs in his last seven games. Both home runs have been hit to left field. Davis' .182...
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Orioles recall David Hess

Orioles recall David Hess
The latest shuffling in the Orioles bullpen has slid David Hess back to the majors. The Orioles recalled Hess from Triple-A Norfolk this morning. He replaced Josh Lucas, who was optioned after last night's 4-1 win in Toronto. Manager Brandon Hyde will explain to the media at Rogers Centre how he envisions using Hess, but it's likely to be in long relief and other in-game spots, rather than in the rotation. Hess was moved to the bullpen and then optioned to Norfolk on June 16. He kept pitching...
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Will Cashner continue with Orioles?

Will Cashner continue with Orioles?
Andrew Cashner is making his final start today before the All-Star break and it's interesting to consider whether there's another countdown to his last days with the Orioles. Not the last guaranteed year on his contract. His status as trade chip, perhaps the biggest on the club. Trey Mancini would rank first if we could determine his availability. The Orioles certainly would move Cashner, though creating another hole in the rotation might turn some stomachs queasy. Who's deserving of the...
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Bundy agreeable to adjustment in rotation

Bundy agreeable to adjustment in rotation
Dylan Bundy didn't ask for the rest. He had it thrust upon him. And he's fine with it. Bundy was supposed to start Tuesday night in St. Petersburg, Fla., but his spot suddenly became marked as TBD, leading to media speculation that he was hurt. And leading to some fan speculation that he was traded. Manager Brandon Hyde offered an explanation later that already had been communicated to Bundy. The lines are always open. Working backward in a sense to set up the rotation and seeking the most...
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Closer look at Orioles' roster usage

Closer look at Orioles' roster usage
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles made it through last night's game without calling upon a 47th different player. They managed to get by with the current group, covering nine innings and heading to Toronto for the final series before the All-Star break. Are 46 players a lot over the course of a season? How about in the first half? Spoiler alert: The first-half number is a club record. So, yes, it's a lot. Consider that the Orioles' record for a season is 56, set last year as they began to...
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Orioles score six runs in ninth and win 9-6 (with quotes)

Orioles score six runs in ninth and win 9-6 (with quotes)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - John Means tied his career high tonight by working seven innings, pounding the strike zone as if he's angry at it. Ninety-eight pitches and 71 strikes for Means, who held the Rays to two earned runs and three total, didn't walk a batter and left with the score tied. His 2.50 ERA didn't change. The game did after he left. The Orioles erupted for six runs in the ninth off reliever José Alvarado, the last three on Renato Núñez's 19th homer, and they avoided the...
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Rogers undergoes elbow surgery (and more notes, O's win 9-6)

Rogers undergoes elbow surgery (and more notes, O's win 9-6)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Josh Rogers underwent a procedure on his left elbow today known as an ulnar collateral ligament "revision," the name given for a second Tommy John surgery. Rogers had the first procedure as a high school senior. Dr. Keith Meister performed today's surgery in Arlington, Texas and the Orioles said it was successful. The timetable is the same, with Rogers missing the rest of the 2019 season and perhaps most of 2020. "It went well today," said manager Brandon...
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Orioles lineup vs. Rays

Orioles lineup vs. Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Chance Sisco is batting third and catching tonight as he tries to extend his power run and the Orioles try to avoid being swept at Tropicana Field. Sisco has homered in three of his last four games. Jonathan Villar is playing shortstop with Hanser Alberto at second base. Keon Broxton is in center field. Chris Davis is at first base after homering last night for the first time since May 12. Nothing eye-popping about the lineup. John Means makes his first start since being...
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Santander's catch, Wojciechowski's start and Davis' home run

Santander's catch, Wojciechowski's start and Davis' home run
The play tends to get lost in a game where the Orioles again fall on the wrong side of the score. A catch that's marked in the book as exceptional and is minimized later because it didn't influence the outcome. Manager Brandon Hyde will remember it. So will first base coach Arnie Beyeler, who also serves as the outfield instructor. Anthony Santander charged Kevin Kiermaier's sinking liner last night with two outs in the fourth and made a diving grab, his belly flop getting starter Asher...
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Wojciechowski goes 5 1/3 innings in 6-3 loss (updated)

Wojciechowski goes 5 1/3 innings in 6-3 loss (updated)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles have an opportunity to relax their rotation following tonight's 6-3 loss to the Rays. The next four starters are known and already with the team. No one is coming up from the minors or outside the organization. Asher Wojciechowski made his debut with the club tonight and worked into the sixth inning. He walked off the mound just as uncertain about his immediate future. Does he get the ball again after the break or is he headed to Triple-A Norfolk? Tom...
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Hyde on Lucas, Kline, Wojciechowski and more (O's lose 6-3)

Hyde on Lucas, Kline, Wojciechowski and more (O's lose 6-3)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The bullpen has changed again for the Orioles tonight with Josh Lucas activated from the injured list and Branden Kline optioned last night to Triple-A Norfolk. There's less shuffling in a casino. Lucas hasn't pitched since working three innings on June 13 and trying to ignore the tightness in his shoulder. He didn't require an injury-rehab assignment. It isn't unprecedented, of course. Others have returned without joining an affiliate, including first baseman Chris...
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Orioles lineup vs. Rays

Orioles lineup vs. Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Chris Davis is playing first base tonight and Trey Mancini is the designated hitter as the Orioles continue their series against the Rays. Chance Sisco is catching and batting cleanup. Anthony Santander is in right field. Stevie Wilkerson is the center fielder. Asher Wojciechowski makes his Orioles debut tonight. Right-hander Charlie Morton was named to the All-Star team after going 8-2 with a 2.43 ERA and 1.050 WHIP in 100 innings. He's allowed only seven home runs in...
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Orioles select Wojciechowski contract, activate Lucas

Orioles select Wojciechowski contract, activate Lucas
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles no longer have Asher Wojciechowski on their taxi squad. He's in the rotation. Wojciechowski will become the 14th pitcher to start for the Orioles this season when he takes the ball tonight against the Rays at Tropicana Field. His contract was selected from Triple-A Norfolk after he joined the team yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla. Pitcher Matt Wotherspoon has been designated for assignment again to make room for Wojciechowski on the 40-man roster. The Orioles...
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This, that and the other

This, that and the other
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are poised to begin announcing a batch of international signings today as they move into a new era for the organization and try to gain ground on teams that have been doing this for a lot longer. The spectators are becoming serious participants. You won't recognize them. The total impact won't be felt overnight, but the July 2 market opening signals a brand new philosophy that actually had been revealed during last summer's trade deadline activity under...
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Mancini moves past snub while Orioles lose 6-3 (Kline optioned)

Mancini moves past snub while Orioles lose 6-3 (Kline optioned)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Trey Mancini just wanted to get back to playing baseball tonight. No more sadness, no more painful conversations with family and friends. Push it aside, grab a bat and mitt, and resume his professional life. Mancini started at first base for the series opener against the Rays, but a crowded outfield is the reason why he didn't make the American League All-Star team as a reserve. Knowing that the media wanted him this afternoon and always accommodating, Mancini walked...
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Bundy pushed back in Orioles rotation (O's down 6-3)

Bundy pushed back in Orioles rotation (O's down 6-3)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are making another adjustment to their rotation that involves Dylan Bundy, but isn't due to an injury or other physical issue. Manager Brandon Hyde explained this afternoon that he wants Bundy to start the series opener Friday night in Toronto and be on the mound immediately after the break July 12 against the Rays at Camden Yards. The latest tweaking is tied in part to rookie John Means being the Orioles representative in the All-Star Game in Cleveland. A...
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