Orioles option Lakins (tonight's game postponed)

The Orioles optioned reliever Travis Lakins Sr. to Triple-A Norfolk after last night's game to create room on the active roster for left-hander Logan Allen, claimed on waivers yesterday from the Guardians.

Lakins was most vulnerable among the bullpen bunch, surrendering three home runs, including two grand slams, and nine runs total in 8 1/3 innings. The first slam came after he inherited three runners from Chris Ellis in Anaheim.

Allen gives the Orioles four left-handers in their nine-man bullpen, including Keegan Akin, Paul Fry and Cionel Pérez. 

Four relievers combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings last night in a 5-3 win over the Twins.

Allen is wearing No. 61.

The Orioles also announced that third baseman Kelvin Gutiérrez cleared outright waivers and was assigned to Norfolk.

The Royals are in town for a three-game series that’s threatened tonight by rain in the forecast. The Orioles went 4-3 against them last season, splitting four games at home.

Their last sweep of the Royals in a three-game series at Camden Yards was in 2017. Kansas City’s last three-game sweep in Baltimore happened in 1998.

Cedric Mullins is 10-for-26 with four doubles and a home run during a six-game hitting streak.

Jorge Mateo last night became the first Oriole with a triple and home run in the same game since Hanser Alberto on Aug. 12, 2019.

Jordan Lyles has registered a 4.50 ERA and 1.615 WHIP in four starts. He’s allowed 32 hits in 26 innings.

Lyles is 3-1 with a 2.20 ERA and 0.888 WHIP in five career starts against the Royals. He’s allowed eight runs in 32 2/3 innings, walking only two batters.

The Royals’ arrival in Baltimore sparks further debate over the Orioles’ decision to draft catcher Adley Rutschman over infielder Bobby Witt Jr., chosen second overall in 2019.

Witt is playing third base and batting .229/.264/.349 with five doubles, one triple, one home run and 20 strikeouts in 87 plate appearances. He crafted an 11-game hitting streak that ended Wednesday.

Rutschman moved up to Triple-A Norfolk yesterday and will be in tonight’s lineup in Nashville.

Right-hander Carlos Hernández has allowed 12 earned runs and 13 total in 18 innings. He’s surrendered 24 hits, walked 10 batters and struck out eight.

The Royals are 8-15 and have lost seven of their last 10 games. Their .603 OPS ranks 28th in the majors, and their .218 average is 27th. They’ve hit 13 home runs, the second-fewest behind the Tigers’ 11.

Kansas City’s 4.57 ERA is last in the American League and 27th in the majors.  

Double-A Bowie and high Single-A Aberdeen have already postponed their games tonight.

Note: Tonight's game has been postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a traditional, single-admission doubleheader on Sunday, with the first game at 1:35 p.m.