The enormous improvements in the bullpen, with manager Brandon Hyde finally able to trust the unit in any situation, ranks No. 1 on the list of reasons why the Orioles are so much better in 2022. However, the tightened defense also has earned props.

The Orioles began last night’s game in Cincinnati ranked fourth in the majors with 45 defensive runs saved per Sports Info Solutions.

How does that compare to the recent past?

Hold onto your bucket hats.

They were 24th with -30 DRS in 2021, tied for 16th with one DRS in the shortened 2020 season, were 28^th with -53 DRS in 2019, and were 28^th with -42 DRS in 2018.

With the trade speculation engulfing Trey Mancini, the Orioles’ lineup for tonight’s series opener in Cincinnati includes him serving as the designated hitter.

Mancini is batting third behind catcher Adley Rutschman.

Rutschman has walked in six straight games, tied with Houston's Yordan Álvarez for the longest active streak in the majors.

Anthony Santander is batting cleanup and playing right field. Austin Hays is in left.

The infield includes Ramón Urías at third base and Rougned Odor at second.

The Orioles are bringing back Kyle Bradish for their 26-man roster and their rotation.

Bradish has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, with reliever Logan Gillaspie optioned after one day in the bullpen. The rookie right-hander starts tonight in Cincinnati after three injury rehab appearances in the minors.

Right shoulder inflammation landed Bradish on the 15-year injured list. He pitched twice with Double-A Bowie and once with Norfolk, and he’s on regular rest tonight.

Dean Kremer is pushed back to Saturday and Austin Voth to Sunday.

Bradish is 1-4 with a 7.38 ERA and 1.770 WHIP in 10 starts. He hasn’t pitched for the Orioles since allowing six runs and 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings against the Rays on June 18. He also surrendered one of his 11 home runs.

When Orioles’ area scout Brandon Verley says there’s “definitely room for growth” with 13^th-round draft pick Jared Beck, he’s speaking about the development as a pitcher. By no means is he suggesting that Beck could become taller.

Sure, it’s possible. But Beck is probably done at 7-feet, a height that’s never been listed on a major league roster.

Verley, whose scouting territory moved to south Florida in 2020, believes that Beck is capable of improving on tools that got him noticed as a senior at Saint Leo University and enticed the Orioles into selecting him on the third day. He signed his professional contract on Tuesday.

“I know there’s never been a guy like him to make it,” said Verley, previously the Orioles’ Northwest scout who tracked catcher Adley Rutschman in 2019. “I’m hoping that he’s going to continue to project and get better. Guys just figure things out and they get better, and it could happen, really, at any time. And for him, it happened before it was too late, which is great.”

A pitcher with long limbs making a tremendous jump during his two seasons at Saint Leo after transferring from Illinois State.

Trey Mancini stood at his locker this morning and packed his folded clothes in a duffle bag for the trip to Cincinnati, where the Orioles begin their next road trip. He’s going to board the team charter. But his eventual destination is unknown.

Fans at Camden Yards stood to applaud Mancini again before his first at-bat, knowing that he could be traded by Tuesday’s deadline. They’ve seen the schedule. They know that the Orioles don’t return home until Aug. 5.  

The response from Mancini was a line drive single into left field, his third hit since entering last night’s game in an 0-for-26 slump. Nothing emotional in the batter’s box. Just his usual professional approach.

Mancini batted in the eighth after Austin Hays doubled in a 3-0 win over the Rays, and of course, it had to be dramatic. A fly ball to right field off former Orioles reliever Shawn Armstrong that hit Josh Lowe in the face, Mancini rounding the bases for his 10^th home run and first career inside-the-park, the place erupting.

The first inside-the-park homer by the Orioles since Hays on Aug. 11, 2020 in Philadelphia. Robert Andino had the last one in Baltimore, on Sept. 26, 2011.

The Orioles placed starter Tyler Wells on the 15-day injured list this morning with lower left side discomfort. Wells is undergoing further testing today, which should provide a more specific diagnosis.

Wells’ placement on the IL was anticipated. The exact nature of the injury remains unknown beyond the pain he experienced last night in his side and lower back.

A slider thrown down and away to Tampa Bay’s Yandy Díaz to begin an at-bat in the fifth inning led to Wells’ departure from a 6-4, 10-inning loss.

The Orioles need a starter for Monday in Texas. They optioned left-hander Nick Vespi after last night’s game and recalled relievers Logan Gillaspie and Beau Sulser from Triple-A Norfolk this morning.

Nothing that solves the Monday riddle.

Austin Hays remains in the Orioles’ lineup this afternoon after being hit last night on the right wrist. He’s leading off and playing left field, with Cedric Mullins on the bench.

Hays has the wrist wrapped but said the ball caught muscle instead of bone. A bit lower than the last time he was drilled by a slider.

Robinson Chirinos is catching. Adley Rutschman is on the bench.

Tyler Nevin is the third baseman and Ryan McKenna is in center field.

Jordan Lyles has started twice against the Rays this season and allowed 11 runs and 13 hits in 7 2/3 innings.

Shortstop Jackson Holliday signed his first professional contract yesterday, the $8.19 million bonus setting a record for a high school selection. A big-time perk for going one/one.

Holliday hasn’t made an extravagant purchase or drawn up a shopping list. He smiled about it yesterday, one of those moments that reminded you of his youth, that he’s still a kid.

“I already got a car,” he said, “so nothing yet.”

He has plenty of time. And a family that’s instilled the right values.

Holliday never thought about doing something else with his life, to pursue a different dream, and there are witnesses to it in his household. Never a time when he wanted to ditch the sport that his father, Matt, played in the majors for 15 seasons.

The family tables have turned for the Hollidays.

Jackson Holliday is no longer “Matt’s son,” as he’s been referenced for most of his life. Matt Holliday, who had a 15-year major league career and made seven All-Star teams, was introduced today as “Jackson’s dad” to begin a press conference at Camden Yards.

Much to his amusement.

The former outfielder repeated the line before and after sitting down in front of the cameras and recorders. It already felt natural. It gave him another reason to be proud.

The Orioles selected Jackson with the first-overall pick in the MLB Draft, signed him to a contract this afternoon and introduced him to the local media. Matt, wife Leslee, children Ethan, Reed and Gracyn and Jackson's girlfriend Chloe Cox sat in the front row as Jackson buttoned his Orioles jersey and pulled down his cap.

Adley Rutschman is batting second tonight as the Orioles attempt to secure another series win against the Rays.

Terrin Vavra has media gathered at his locker this afternoon, but his name isn’t in the lineup. His major league debut remains on hold.

Ramón Urías, who hit the decisive two-run homer last night in the eighth inning, is batting .397/.426/.707 in 17 games this month with three doubles, five home runs and 18 RBIs.

Cedric Mullins hit his 13^th career leadoff home run last night, tying him for second in club history with Don Buford, Al Bumbry and Brian Roberts. Brady Anderson is first with 44.

Tyler Wells is 7-6 with a 3.69 ERA and 1.096 WHIP in 19 starts. He’s allowed 11 runs and 17 hits in his last three starts over 14 2/3 innings.

Orioles assistant pitching coach Darren Holmes affectionately refers to the bullpen as “Animal Kingdom.”

“It’s kind of how I look at it,” he said, “because everybody who goes down there turns into an animal.”

Baseball’s version of the Baltimore Zoo has posted the third-lowest ERA in the majors at 3.06 following six scoreless innings Monday and 3 2/3 last night. A collection of castoffs who reeled the Orioles back above .500 and into fourth place.

“We’ve got guys down there from trades, we’ve got guys DFA’d, we’ve got all mixes and matches down there, and these guys have really come together,” Holmes said. “They’re very focused and they work really hard, they’re good listeners. You couldn’t ask for anything better than what’s going on down there.”

“It’s been phenomenal,” said Chris Holt, who serves the dual role of pitching coach and director of pitching. “I can’t say enough about how hard they’re working, how determined they are to perform. And they have good habits with their work. They’re doing tremendous work. It’s really encouraging with everything they’re doing.”

Shane McClanahan, the American League’s starter in the All-Star Game, threw one pitch tonight and watched the ball land on the flag court in right field. Cedric Mullins wasn’t going to let the Baltimore native get too comfortable in his hometown.

Anthony Santander belted his team-leading 17^th home run in the fourth inning, the Orioles’ first hit since Mullins’ blast. McClanahan retired the next 10 batters, with the two solo shots the only hits he allowed through seven innings.

He was cruising.

And then he was gone, with manager Kevin Cash deciding 81 pitches were enough.

Also gone was the Rays’ slim lead.

The Orioles are ready to unleash another prospect on major league opponents.

Terrin Vavra, acquired from the Rockies as part of the 2020 Mychal Givens trade, has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. He’ll be on the bench tonight with the Rays starting left-hander Shane McClanahan.

Vavra is batting .324/.435/.451 with 14 doubles, one triple, two home runs, 18 RBIs, 28 walks and 36 strikeouts in 45 games with Norfolk. He missed five weeks with a strained right hamstring.

For the month of July, Vavra is slashing .296/.441/.444 with 16 hits in 54 at-bats. He was 17-for-52 (.327) in April and 2-for-4 in May before the injury.

“He’s been swinging the ball well all year in Norfolk,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “He played a few positions. And we’re so right-handed that adding a left-handed bat is nice for us. And good to see a young guy playing well in Triple-A get rewarded with getting called up to the big leagues.”

The Orioles placed infielder Jonathan Araúz on the 10-day injured list with a right digit avulsion fracture, sustained last night while diving into second base, and recalled infielder Terrin Vavra from Triple-A Norfolk.

Vavra isn’t in tonight’s lineup. He’ll wait to make his major league debut as the No. 12 prospect in the system per MLBPipeline.com.

Having Vavra on the roster gives the Orioles a needed left-handed bat. He can play second base and the outfield.

The Orioles signed infielder Max Wagner, their second-round draft pick out of Clemson University and the 42^nd overall.

Wagner’s deal is for $1.9 million, according to an industry source. The slot value was $1,861,900.

Trey Mancini is playing defense on days that he’s the designated hitter or on the bench.

A mitt isn’t needed. Just fingers that can work his phone.

Mancini said he’s disabled the Twitter and Instagram apps to better shield himself from the trade rumors as the Aug. 2 deadline approaches. To resist any temptations. Give him some peace.

The Mets have serious interest in Mancini, which would reunite him with former manager Buck Showalter, and the industry buzz grew much louder last night regarding the possibility of a deal.

“I’m trying to do a much better job of not following that,” said Mancini, who didn't appear in last night's 5-1 win over the Rays. “It’s so much noise and so much uncertainty and speculation that it doesn’t really benefit you as a player. There are some good aspects of social media, but in my opinion it can be a pretty tough place, too, so I just try to drown out the noise.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde called the decision by outfielder Anthony Santander and reliever Keegan Akin to get vaccinated “a personal choice by them.”

There were no meetings between the club and players. No mentions of the competitive disadvantage with Santander and Akin unable to enter Canada based on its COVID-19 regulations.

They missed the series against the Blue Jays in June, weren’t paid and didn’t receive service time.

“I didn’t talk to them about where we are standings-wise or anything like that,” Hyde said. “That was something that we had talked about in the past. I was happy to hear that. But like I said, that’s a choice by those two guys and I’m proud of our club for being fully vaccinated.”

The Orioles return to Toronto on Aug. 15-17. They called up outfielder Kyle Stowers and reliever Rico Garcia for the last visit to Rogers Centre.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has made some changes to tonight’s lineup, opening a four-game home series against the Rays with Jonathan Araúz at shortstop and Trey Mancini and Jorge Mateo on the bench.

Araúz is 4-for-24 with the Orioles and hasn’t played since July 8. His last start was July 7.

Mancini is 0-for-20 with nine strikeouts in his last five games. He’s hitless in his last 22 at-bats.

Mateo has been playing every day and is due for a breather.

Adley Rutschman has moved back up to second in the order. Anthony Santander is batting fourth as the designated hitter, with Ryan McKenna in right field.

The theories are plentiful and varied, with no expectations that actual evidence is going to surface.

Three Orioles relievers threw pitches that were clocked at 100 mph or more during the first two games of the weekend series against the Yankees. Two experienced their first exposure to triple digits in the majors. Granted membership into the club.

Bryan Baker hit the exact mark Friday night while facing Aaron Judge in the seventh inning. Judge fouled off the fastball and later struck out.

Closer Jorge López topped Baker at 100.6 mph the following night with Gleyber Torres batting in the ninth inning. The All-Star missed his mark with the sinker, then coaxed a fly ball to right field.

Baker’s four-seamer averages 95.7 mph this season, per BrooksBaseball.net. López’s fastball averages 97.4 mph and his sinker 97.8 mph.

The curveball that Dean Kremer fed Aaron Judge in the first inning today made the Yankees slugger look bad. Or at least human.

Judge took his usual mighty cut, caught only air, and walked back to the dugout with a rare strikeout in the series.

Kremer tried the same pitch in the third inning with a runner on base, and Judge destroyed it with the same ferocity.

The bender almost broke a seat in the section behind the left field bleachers, a 456-foot shot to increase a lead that the Yankees held throughout the steamy afternoon in a 6-0 win over the Orioles before an announced crowd of 25,623 at Camden Yards.

All-Star Nestor Cortes Jr. tossed six scoreless innings, and his former team moved below .500 again at 47-48. The Orioles still haven’t won two series against the Yankees in the same season since 2017.

To keep rookie Adley Rutschman in the Orioles’ lineup this afternoon as the designated hitter, manager Brandon Hyde had to sit one of his starters. He chose outfielder Anthony Santander, who moved to the bench for the series finale against the Yankees.

Santander leads the club with 16 home runs. He has five multi-hit games in his last 14. But someone had to step aside.

“It’s just a day off,” Hyde said, clarifying that an injury isn’t in the equation.

“It’s the summer and day game after a night game, we’re going to rotate guys as much as we possibly can and try to keep guys fresh as we can the last couple months.”

Reliever Rico Garcia has warmed during the past two games without leaving the bullpen. He also warmed at Tropicana Field before the break. But his last appearance was July 10.