Machado returns while Orioles are reeling

The Orioles have lost 11 of their last 12 games, 15 of 18 and 27 of 34. They went 1-6 on the road trip and were outscored 59-29. They've surrendered 10 runs or more in six games this month and the rotation is in turmoil with another bullpen collaboration in the works tonight, John Means on the injured list and Gabriel Ynoa allowing 13 runs in his last two starts over 7 2/3 innings

They're 9-28 at home, easily the lowest win total in the majors. The have a run differential of -181, easily the worst in the majors.

How former Orioles All-Star Manny Machado is received by fans tonight in his return to Camden Yards probably isn't high on the club's list of interests. The peak rating is likely to be mild curiosity.

They're just hoping to keep him from inflating the staff's home run total, which currently leads the majors at 156.

Fans have the right to boo anyone as long as they don't cross a line. They buy a ticket, they carry an opinion and they can express it. But it would seem foolish to vent at a guy who was sent packing as part of a roster teardown.

Machado didn't demand to leave. The Orioles never followed up on an early attempt to negotiate a long-term extension. He wanted to stay in the organization, but he also wanted to be paid.

He didn't fit in the rebuild plans, not at that cost, and he was the Orioles' biggest trade chip. So they traded him, which is their right. Plain and simple.

But yeah, people still can choose to boo him for whatever reason.

I won't see a better third baseman as long as I remain a beat writer. He was special. I miss watching him on a nightly basis.

I don't miss the occasional drama. But I can sit back and enjoy it from a distance.

Machado is batting .278/.354/.493 with 14 doubles, 16 home runs and 47 RBIs in 76 games. He's made 41 starts at third base and 35 at shortstop.

The trade with the Dodgers could net a big return, but it's too early to assign final grades.

Outfielder Yusniel Diaz is a top prospect whose season at Double-A Bowie has been interrupted by a hamstring strain and paternity leave. He was batting .246/.322/.438 yesterday in 34 games and had collected 12 hits - including four home runs - in his past eight games.

Diaz was named the Eastern League's Player of the Week last week.

Pitcher Dean Kremer began the season on the injured list with a strained oblique. He made it back to Bowie and has a 4.28 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in six starts, with 38 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings.

Reliever Zach Pop had a 0.84 ERA in eight games with Bowie before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He's only 22 and has plenty of time to evolve into the pitcher that the Orioles are anticipating. Infielder Rylan Bannon was batting .276/.364/.400 with 17 doubles, a triple, four home runs and 27 RBIs in 71 games with the Baysox.

Bannon was chosen to play in the Eastern League All-Star Game, to be held July 10 in Richmond. He joins Baysox left-handers Zac Lowther and Alex Wells and infielder Mason McCoy.

Infielder Breyvic Valera's contract was purchased by the Giants on Jan. 5, 2019 and the Yankees claimed him off waivers four months later. He was batting .370/.441/.630 yesterday with nine doubles and eight home runs in 37 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Orioles split two games against the Padres in Baltimore in 2016 and they swept a two-game series in San Diego. The Padres claimed both games at Camden Yards in 2013.

The teams have played 17 games against each other, with the Orioles winning 10.

The Orioles are facing two more left-handed starters in Logan Allen and Matt Strahm. It seems to happen almost on a daily basis.

Jimmy Yacabonis is the opener again tonight after tossing two scoreless innings in the role Wednesday afternoon in Oakland. He worked one inning Saturday afternoon in Seattle and struck out the side.

Left-hander Josh Rogers could follow Yacabonis again tonight.