The Orioles have made the following roster moves:
The warning, or maybe it was just a gentle reminder, came from executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias on the day that the Orioles made their deepest roster cuts in spring training.
“We’re going to need more starters,” Elias said, as media crowded him outside the baseball operations center and sought an explanation for Grayson Rodriguez’s unexpected optioning to Triple-A.
Elias wasn’t breaking new ground, of course, as he stood on the concrete. No team goes through an entire 162-game grind with the same five members of its rotation. But the Orioles were only four deep into their season, the home opener on hold until later in the week, when Jonah Heim’s 104 mph line drive nailed Kyle Bradish on the right foot Monday night and made those words echo louder.
It also made a sickening thud, with initial fears that Bradish suffered a fracture. X-rays were negative for that, but further tests had to be scheduled because MRIs always reveal more.
I wonder why teams even bother with X-rays. There’s always the inevitable MRI.
ARLINGTON, Texas – As news surfaced before first pitch tonight that rookie right-hander Grayson Rodriguez was expected to make his major league debut on Wednesday afternoon for the Orioles, the club prepared to take the field against Texas. They were looking for a series win and to follow up last night’s uplifting shutout victory over the Rangers.
And they got the win and made it look rather easy, beating Texas 7-2 for their first 2023 win that did not come by either one or two runs. The Orioles improved to 3-2 tonight and Texas falls to 3-2. After sweeping defending National League champion Philadelphia to start their year, the Rangers could get swept in this series by the Orioles.
Just before the game started, multiple outlets reported that the Orioles would call up Rodriguez to make his big league debut in tomorrow afternoon’s series finale.
Rodriguez, 23, the No. 6 prospect in the sport per Baseball America, would be facing Texas right-hander Jacob deGrom, a pitcher with a career 2.55 ERA and two Cy Young Awards. He would also be pitching in his home state for his debut. The O’s drafted him in Round 1 (No. 11 overall) in the 2018 draft out of a high school in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Rodriguez was considered likely to break north with the Orioles in the Opening Day starting rotation, but late in camp was sent back to the minors after pitching to a spring ERA of 7.04 over 15 1/3 innings. He made his Triple-A season debut in Norfolk’s season opener at Durham last Friday night, allowing three runs (two earned) over four innings. He was scheduled to pitch this Thursday for the Tides at home, but now that plan has changed. Rodriguez would be pitching on normal rest tomorrow.
ARLINGTON, Texas – The Orioles got through a tough spot last night because right-hander Tyler Wells and two of his teammates saved the day in the 2-0 win over the Texas Rangers. When right-hander Kyle Bradish left last night’s game early, the Orioles put the wheels in motion in thinking about piecing together last night’s nine innings and about tonight’s outing. During the Monday game, they were already leaning toward having Opening Day starter Kyle Gibson pitch tonight.
But now comes the decision about the starter here tomorrow afternoon in the series finale at Texas. The O’s still have not made a decision on what they will do. They could use Austin Voth if he doesn’t pitch tonight. They could call someone up from the minor leagues to make the start.
“We’re still in discussions about tomorrow,” manager Brandon Hyde said today in the Baltimore dugout. “We’re going to get through tonight and then go from there.”
At Triple-A, DL Hall is scheduled to pitch Norfolk’s home opener tonight. Drew Rom is listed for Wednesday, Grayson Rodriguez for Thursday and Bruce Zimmermann on Saturday.
Hyde was asked if it’s too soon to call up Rodriguez after the organization decided to option him to the minors to begin the season. Rodriguez pitched to a 7.04 ERA in 15 1/3 spring innings. He went four innings, allowing three runs (two earned) in the Tides' season opener last Friday. He would be on regular rest for a start tomorrow.
Ryan McKenna gets the start in left field tonight as the Orioles try to guarantee a series win in Texas.
Gunnar Henderson collected his first two hits last night, including a home run, but he's on the bench against Rangers left-hander Andrew Heaney. Ramón Urías is starting at third base.
Anthony Santander is the designated hitter and Austin Hays is in right.
Cedric Mullins is the leadoff hitter rather than moving down to ninth, as he did versus Boston lefty Chris Sale.
For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Adley Rutschman C
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Anthony Santander DH
Austin Hays RF
Ramón Urías 3B
Adam Frazier 2B
Jorge Mateo SS
Ryan McKenna LF
The line drive that knocked Kyle Bradish out of last night’s game in Texas also rattled the Orioles’ rotation for the series.
Kyle Gibson has moved up to start tonight on regular rest instead of closing out the series on Wednesday.
The Orioles chose Gibson to start the opener in Boston, and the off-day that followed kept him available for tonight’s assignment.
X-rays on Bradish’s right foot came back negative last night, but the club scheduled further tests to ensure that he didn’t sustain a fracture.
A decision is pending on Wednesday’s starter. The Orioles could hand the ball to Austin Voth, who threw one inning on Saturday, but they might need him tonight.
The mailbag collected questions in Boston and refused to board a flight to Arlington. Bought a seat for it and everything. Still, no.
That’s fine. I’ll share what I’ve got this morning, in the latest sequel to our beloved 2008 original mailbag.
Because I don’t want to be accused of tampering, I will continue to keep the editing to the bare minimum. Also, the bear minimum, which I guess belongs on a Cubs blog.
And finally, my mailbag runs the bases for free and yours must pay to get thrown out at second.
Do you think it's possible they kept too many players in camp for too long, which made it hard to give the actual regulars sufficient reps? Just trying to find a reason for the complete defensive flop we saw.
I feel like the regulars played a sufficient amount, and Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander got some reps in the World Baseball Classic. I don’t want to blame the conditions in Boston, but the cold, rain and wind presented some challenges. As if the outfield at Fenway Park needs more of them. But there were some botched plays in the infield, too. Maybe just write it off to a bad series.
ARLINGTON, Tex. – The Orioles starting rotation, which covered just 12 innings in three games at Boston to start the year, got another short start today. But this one had nothing to do with the pitcher’s performance.
Right-hander Kyle Bradish, who went 4-7 with a 4.90 ERA last season, took a line drive off his right foot. One-time O’s draft pick Jonan Heim drilled the comebacker at 104 mph. It knocked Bradish off his feet and out of this game. The ball was hit so hard it caromed to first baseman Ryan Mountcastle who recorded an out on the play.
Lefty reliever Danny Coulombe hurried into the game and faced a second and third, two outs situation. And he struck out lefty-hitting Brad Miller on a slider to keep the game 0-0 to end the second inning.
The O’s had big hopes this year for Bradish, in large part to his strong finish to the 2022 season. Over his last 13 starts of the year, beginning in late July, he went 3-3 with a 3.28 ERA. In his last eight starts, he threw four quality starts, going 3-2 with a 2.76 ERA and .500 OPS against.
In Boston, Opening Day starter Kyle Gibson’s five innings was the longest outing by the rotation, which allowed 20 hits and 15 runs over 12 innings. That forced the O’s bullpen to throw 13 2/3 innings in that series and they will be needed heavily again tonight.
ARLINGTON, Tex. – After losing two of three at Boston and allowing nine runs each game, the Orioles will look for immediate improvement in their pitching and defense tonight. Baltimore opens a three-game series at Globe Life Field against the Rangers.
The O’s scored 23 runs but allowed 27 at Boston and lost the last two days to the Red Sox by 9-8 and 9-5 scores.
Tonight right-hander Kyle Bradish (4-7, 4.90 ERA in 2022) will make his 2023 season debut. Bradish pitched 117 2/3 last season allowing 119 hits and pitching to a WHIP of 1.402 with a 3.5 walk rate and 8.5 strikeout rate. Bradish had six quality starts among his 23 starts and averaged 16.9 pitches per inning.
The Orioles went 14-9 in his starts last season and went 9-4 in his last 13 when he produced a very strong finish. After coming off the injured list in late July, Bradish was 3-3 with a 3.28 ERA in his last 13 games, allowing a .607 OPS. In his last eight starts of 2022, he pitched four quality starts and three scoreless outings, going 3-2 with a 2,76 ERA allowing a .169 batting average and .500 OPS. He gave up just two homers over 45 2/3 innings in those games and allowed two runs or less five times.
Bradish faced Texas just once last season and it was at Globe Life Field, where he allowed one run and three hits over five innings on Aug. 3 on 93 pitches.
ARLINGTON, Tex. – The Orioles scored 23 runs in Boston and had two players produce a five-hit game. They hit nine doubles and added seven homers and their team OPS of 1.033 leads the American League at this early point.
But baseball’s No. 1 prospect, Gunnar Henderson, considered a leading candidate to be the American League Rookie of the Year, is still looking for his first hit of 2023. He is 0-for-8 but has also drawn a team-leading six walks.
That is six walks out of the Orioles' team total of 15 and no other player on the roster has walked more than twice thus far.
“The hits haven’t come yet but they will,” manager Brandon Hyde said this afternoon in the visitor’s dugout at Globe Life Field. “But he’s taking good at-bats. Lot of 3-2 counts. Laying off borderline, the pitches that are off (the plate). Feel like on some of his swings, he’s just missing a few. Little bit musclely, I think he’s trying to get that first one. Once he gets that first one, he’s going to be able to relax a little bit. But his at-bats have been good so far.”
Henderson’s walk rate, which was 12.1 last year is 42.9 at this very early juncture. Last season he saw 4.08 pitches per plate appearance and that is up to 4.50 so far this year.
ARLINGTON, Tex. – The Orioles (1-2) begin their second series of the year tonight playing unbeaten Texas (3-0) to start a three-game series at Globe Life Field.
Right-hander Kyle Bradish (4-7, 4.90 ERA in 2022) makes his season debut facing Texas right-hander Jon Gray (7-7, 3.96 ERA). In his last 13 starts of last season, Bradish went 3-3 with a 3.28 ERA and the Orioles went 9-4 in those games.
Kyle Stowers and Anthony Bemboom are making their first starts of the year with Stowers batting sixth in left field and Bemboom batting ninth and catching while Adley Rutschman hits second as the DH. Stowers is the O's fourth different left fielder in four games.
For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Adley Rutschman DH
Anthony Santander RF
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Gunnar Henderson 3B
Kyle Stowers LF
Adam Frazier 2B
Jorge Mateo SS
Anthony Bemboom C
BOSTON – The Orioles came within a pitch, an out, a fly ball, of guaranteeing a series win at Fenway Park and wound up losing two of three games.
Baseball isn’t boring. It’s just so darn unpredictable and doesn’t care about your feelings.
The 2022 season began with three losses at Tropicana Field, and the Orioles contended for the wild card until the final week. In that sense, they’re further ahead in 2023.
Here are some leftover topics and observations as they get ready for the Rangers, who already won their opening series against the defending National League champion Phillies before the teams played again last night.
Impact of bigger bases blown out of proportion.
At least so far.
BOSTON – With his starters churning out a combined eight innings in the first two games and his calls to the bullpen exceeding any level of comfort, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said it would be “huge” today for Cole Irvin’s debut to carry deep in the series finale.
“We’ve used a lot of people the first couple games,” he said.
The wheels already were turning. Who would provide length if Irvin had an early exit? How many times could the baton reasonably be passed from hand to hand, with the bullpen covering the last six innings on Saturday?
“We’re in the third game of the year and we’re already talking about (this),” Hyde said, laughing.
And then Irvin took the mound in the bottom of first inning and threw 32 pitches.
BOSTON – Terrin Vavra is playing left field today for the 11th time in the majors. He knows the position and embraces his utility-type role if it keeps him on the Orioles’ roster.
“This is something that, really hope to be playing it in the postseason,” he said this morning. “This is the same type of environment, same type of climate, so I think just try to take it all in and make the most of it.”
Everything is the same except for the left field wall.
Today is Vavra’s introduction to it.
Anthony Santander started in left on Opening Day and Ryan McKenna played it last night. They won’t take away fond memories of the experience, though McKenna made a sensational diving catch earlier in the game before the dropped fly ball in the ninth preceded Adam Duvall’s walk-off home run.
BOSTON – The Orioles will try for the series win this afternoon with the latest outfield alignment putting Terrin Vavra in left field.
Three games and three different left fielders, including Anthony Santander on Opening Day and Ryan McKenna last night.
Jorge Mateo is out of the lineup after sustaining two cuts on his right index finger last night. He stayed in the game and said he was fine, but Gunnar Henderson is playing shortstop and Ramón Urías is at third base after he struck out five times last night.
Urías drops from the leadoff spot to ninth.
Santander remains the designated hitter and Austin Hays is in right field. Kyle Stowers is on the bench again.
BOSTON – A long season awaits Anthony Bemboom, whether he’s in the majors or catching at Triple-A, but he’s already set aside some time for reflection. How could he not?
Bemboom has been through a lot, starting with his decision to re-sign with the Orioles following the 2022 season. He was put on the 40-man roster and removed a month later, already knowing, it appeared, that the Orioles wanted to keep him in the organization but likely would have to outright him.
More unexpected was the trade that brought catcher James McCann from the Mets on Dec. 21. Bemboom had no shot at making his second straight Opening Day roster unless an injury created an opportunity.
The unpredictability of sports struck again.
McCann developed soreness in his left oblique about a week before the Orioles broke camp. He tried hitting off a tee, the session didn’t go as he hoped, and the Orioles placed him on the 10-day injured list and selected Bemboom’s contract.
BOSTON – Adley Rutschman lined a single into left field in the first inning today, his determination growing to reach base in every plate appearance in 2023. To keep spinning major league and franchise records.
The ball left Rutschman’s bat at 109 mph, and it was a foreshadowing of things to come against Chris Sale. But there was no way to predict what would happen in the ninth inning.
No lead is safe at Fenway Park, but this?
Félix Bautista retired the first two batters, but Ryan McKenna dropped a fly ball from Masataka Yoshida and Adam Duvall lined a ball to the first row above the Green Monster for a stunning 9-8 win over the Orioles.
"Ran to it pretty hard, it was up in the sky, and I guess I just didn't follow all the way through with it," McKenna said. "It hit the (heel) of my glove and just fell out. It was unfortunate timing. Bautista was throwing a hell of an inning there and all of our guys were really working hard to give us a chance to win that game. Just tough timing."
BOSTON – The Orioles used six leadoff hitters over the course of last season, with Cedric Mullins getting the vast majority of the starts.
Manager Brandon Hyde already has used two this year and the Orioles are two games into their schedule.
Mullins moves down to eighth today against Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale, and Ramón Urías rises to the top of the order for the first time in his major league career.
“We’re facing a really tough starting pitcher in Chris Sale, so we try to get as many right-handers in there as possible, give yourself the best opportunity,” Hyde said. “It’s a very unique arm angle the way he throws, his delivery, and he’s really good, with great stuff.
“We just saw him a couple weeks ago, thought we took pretty good at-bats against him in spring training, and hope we can do that again today.”
BOSTON – Ramón Urías is batting leadoff today for the first time in 215 major league games. He's starting at second base.
Manager Brandon Hyde adjusted his lineup with left-hander Chris Sale starting for the Red Sox. Cedric Mullins moves down to eighth.
Anthony Santander goes from left field on Opening Day to designated hitter. Ryan McKenna is batting ninth and playing left. Austin Hays stays in right.
Gunnar Henderson is at third base.
Dean Kremer is making his sixth career start against the Red Sox. He’s 0-4 with a 6.85 ERA and 1.690 WHIP in 23 2/3 innings.
BOSTON – The Orioles can’t just sit on their 1.000 winning percentage as if it’s a papasan shaped like their loss total in 2023. They’ll have to play another game. Maybe the rain gods will get their own off-day, or we’ll have to wait a little longer. But it’s happening.
The beauty of yesterday’s prearranged break is it allows fans, though eager for an immediate follow up, to reflect a little more on Opening Day. To savor the sensation of a 10-9 win and catcher Adley Rutschman’s historic performance.
Rutschman soaked up a spotlight that he didn’t pursue. He kept trying to step aside of it while staying in the MASN camera frame. Happy for the win. The most important thing. Don’t lose sight of it within the glare of a 5-for-5 day that included a home run and walk.
Guilty as charged. He was the main story. But let’s explore a few other nuggets from Thursday afternoon. They’ve been kept on ice, which seems right with a game time temperature of 38 degrees.
(OK, that’s above freezing, but don’t overthink it.)
