The ball was hit, it lined up with the corner of the redesigned fence in left field, and an entire ballpark and press box held their collective breath and watched with fascination and maybe a pinch of fear.

Easily entertained? Perhaps. But this was the first time that the 90-degree angle at the bullpen area was going to influence an outfielder’s path to a ball.

Minnesota’s Nick Gordon ran out of room Monday night, went into a hard slide and slammed into it. Rougned Odor raced to third base for his first triple since 2019, the pre-pandemic days. Gordon stayed down on the warning track.

Don’t say he wasn’t warned. That corner didn’t suddenly appear out of nowhere.

Center fielder Byron Buxton made the throw back to the infield and checked on Gordon, who rose to his feet and stayed in the game. No harm done. But it provided an example of how playing left field at Camden Yards brings a unique set of challenges.

Rather than tearing the cover off baseballs and shaking his head on his way back to the dugout, the loud outs and gnashing of teeth providing the soundtrack to his season, Trey Mancini took a much quieter approach upon his return to the lineup.

Mancini reached in the first inning on an infield hit, which also coaxed a throwing error from Twins third baseman Gio Urshela. His bat broke in the fifth on a bloop single into shallow left field that scored Cedric Mullins with the tying run.

The game can seem out of whack and eventually find the proper balance.

Mancini missed the last three games with bruised ribs, but he made it through batting practice and the entirety of a 7-2 loss to the Twins at Camden Yards.

Tyler Nevin wasn’t as fortunate.

Trey Mancini returns to the Orioles lineup tonight as the designated hitter after missing three games with bruised ribs.

Tyler Nevin is the third baseman. Anthony Bemboom is catching.

Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann has allowed only two earned runs, though seven total, in 19 1/3 innings in his four starts. He’s struck out 21 batters.

Zimmermann faced the Twins on June 1, 2021 and allowed two runs with seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Kyle Garlick homered.

Orioles starters have a 1.72 ERA at home. They’ve held opponents to two earned runs or fewer in 19 of 23 games this season.

The Orioles signed Chris Owings to a minor league contract in March after two partial seasons with the Rockies because his ability to play just about anywhere on the field made him ideal utility material.

Owings remains with the club following the roster cutdown for the exact same reason.

Kelvin Gutiérrez was 4-for-28 before heading out the door, with the Orioles designating him for assignment yesterday morning. A move that seemed more predictable with his name missing from the last three lineups.

Gutiérrez was a third baseman on a team that had other options. Owings has done everything except catch and play first base, making his 2-for-18 start with 12 strikeouts forgivable to the front office.

It’s really that simple. Gutiérrez had to hit in order to justify keeping a player who can’t really bounce to other positions. Owings is under a different microscope.

A manager uses six relievers to secure a win, he’s going to wish for a lengthy outing from his starting pitcher less than 24 hours later.

Brandon Hyde watched Jordan Lyles strand two Red Sox runners in the first and second innings and leave the bases loaded in the third. Escape acts that should be applauded, but also left him at 55 pitches.

The forecasted rain wasn’t helping, either – 100 percent chance over the next two hours, the gray sky not offering a counterpoint.

A lineout to begin the fourth was followed by a single, walk and 6-3 double play. Fourteen more pitches, but still no runs.

The slithering out of jams ended in the fifth, with Boston scoring on Franchy Cordero’s sacrifice fly after Xander Bogaerts led off with a double.

Orioles pitcher Alexander Wells has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain of his left ulnar collateral ligament and is expected to miss eight-to-12 weeks.

Surgery isn’t a consideration at this time. Wells will rehab at the spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla.

Wells felt the discomfort in his elbow after Tuesday’s game in New York.

Chris Ellis is still dealing with inflammation in his right shoulder.

“Still seeing some medical people about it,” said manager Brandon Hyde, “but we’ll have some more news about him this week sometime.”

The Orioles conclude the first of three series on the homestand this afternoon with Jordan Lyles starting and Trey Mancini on the bench.

Mancini wasn’t available last night after bruising his ribs Friday while making a catch in right field and slamming into the wall. He said yesterday that he was fine, but manager Brandon Hyde wanted to rest him.

Mancini is 1-for-14 with a home run against Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta.

Tyler Nevin is starting at first base. Ryan Mountcastle is the designated hitter.

Ramón Urías is the third baseman, with Kelvin Gutiérrez out of the lineup for the third game in a row. Jorge Mateo is the shortstop.

Jorge López just wants the ball. Starter or reliever. But he seems to prefer coming out of the bullpen, his smile offering proof before his words when asked about it.

López was dominant again last night with two scoreless and hitless innings in a 2-1 win over the Red Sox. He retired the side in order in the ninth and stranded automatic runner Jaylin Davis in the 10^th while tackling the top of the potent Red Sox lineup – beginning with a strikeout of Trevor Story.

“He’s still himself, but he’s just a different animal out there this year,” said starter Spenser Watkins, the first of seven pitchers used.

“It’s really, really fun to watch him go after hitters and just do what he does best. He’s been great.”

How much enjoyment is López finding in 2022?

Kyle Bradish struck out his first major league batter tonight. DL Hall struck out the side in the first inning about 35 miles away in Aberdeen.

Orioles pitching prospects dueling without being on the same field.

They’re on the same side of the rebuild, providing fuel that’s supposed to speed the organization through it.

Bradish kept the Red Sox scoreless in five of his six innings in a 3-1 loss before an announced crowd of 15,685 at Camden Yards. He allowed three runs, two earned, and five hits, with one walk and two strikeouts.

Ryan Mountcastle broke up the shutout with a 423-foot home run off Hansel Robles leading off the ninth, the ball clearing the left field fence with plenty of room to spare. Somebody had to do it. Mountcastle is the first.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde had to wait before posting tonight’s lineup, checking on Ryan Mountcastle’s neck and welcoming back Tyler Nevin.

A busy transactions day included promoting Nevin and starter Kyle Bradish from Triple-A Norfolk, optioning reliever Mike Baumann and putting left-hander Alexander Wells on the 10-day injured list with a sore elbow.

Hyde said Wells noticed the discomfort after pitching Tuesday night in New York, where he surrendered solo home runs to Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo. He’ll undergo further tests on the elbow later tonight.

The Orioles chose to bring up a position player rather than another reliever, and Nevin seemed like a solid choice after batting .364/.434/.546 with six doubles, two home runs and 17 RBIs in 17 games with the Tides. He’s starting at third base tonight and Hyde can him around to other corner positions in the infield and outfield.

“We feel pretty good about our pitching right now, as of today, and we like what Tyler’s done in Norfolk, want to give him an opportunity,” Hyde said.

The Orioles begin a 10-game homestand, minus any breaks in the schedule, with rookie Kyle Bradish making his major league debut tonight against the Red Sox.

Bradish was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk this afternoon after allowing only two earned runs and striking out 17 batters in 15 innings in his three starts. He tossed two scoreless innings each against the Phillies and Yankees in spring training, showing extreme confidence and quality stuff against their top lineups.

Baseball America ranks Bradish as the No. 9 prospect in the system and MLBPipeline.com has him 10^th.

The Orioles acquired Bradish, 25, from the Angels in the December 2019 Dylan Bundy trade.

Reliever Mike Baumann was optioned to Norfolk to create room for Bradish, who’s wearing No. 56. He threw 47 pitches yesterday at Yankee Stadium.

NEW YORK – The one pitch that Tyler Wells wanted back tonight traveled 417 feet.

The rest of his start carried the former reliever a little farther into his transition back to a starter’s life. It was a pretty sweet ride.

Wells made his deepest dive this season with five innings and 72 pitches in the Orioles’ 5-2 loss to the Yankees in The Bronx. He retired 13 of the last 14 batters after Giancarlo Stanton homered in the first.

Stanton became the seventh-fastest player to reach 350 home runs with his two-run shot off Wells. Aaron Judge singled with one out, Anthony Rizzo flied out and Stanton launched a 94 mph fastball over the fence in left-center field, the exit velocity 108.6 mph, per Statcast.

Wells retired 10 of the next 11 batters to get him through the fourth, matching his previous high on April 16 versus the Yankees at Camden Yards. Manager Brandon Hyde sent him back out for the fifth, and Wells responded by striking out Joey Gallo on a 94 mph fastball and coaxing ground balls from Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Jose Trevino.

NEW YORK – Ryan Mountcastle was scratched from tonight’s lineup with neck stiffness. Anthony Santander moved from right field to the designated hitter spot, and Ryan McKenna is playing right.

Manager Brandon Hyde stopped by McKenna’s locker to pass along the update.

“He’s getting treatment right now on the side of his neck,” Hyde said, adding that Mountcastle should be available off the bench.

Reliever Paul Fry wasn’t available in Anaheim because of a similar ailment.

“What’s up with the pillows?” Hyde said. “We’re staying in a nice hotel. These beds are super comfortable. I don’t know. They’re not used to the bed or pillow or something, but we’ve had two stiff necks in the last week.”

NEW YORK – The Orioles don’t have a confirmed starting pitcher for Saturday night and their options at the major league level seem to be dwindling.

Alexander Wells was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, removing him from the taxi squad, and threw 34 pitches last night in relief to finish a 12-8 loss to the Yankees. And while his outing could be construed as similar to a bullpen session prior to a start, there’s an intriguing possibility one level below.

Kyle Bradish, the No. 9 prospect in the system per Baseball American and No. 10 according to MLBPipeline.com, no longer is listed as tonight’s starter with Norfolk. He’s replaced by Blaine Knight, who moves up from Thursday’s scheduled assignment.

Kevin Smith was supposed to start Friday, but Bradish has been pushed back to that spot.

What does it all mean?

NEW YORK – The lineup was loaded with prospects, the future put on display for fans to admire as if shuffling through a baseball museum, pausing to stare at the most attractive pieces. Except the most valuable also were the newest.

This is what happened in Aberdeen, where the Orioles’ high Single-A affiliate stole the major league team’s thunder on a rainy night with catcher Adley Rutschman’s first injury rehab game.

The Orioles stepped into the third series of their road trip and were flattened early by Luis Severino, who retired the first 14 batters and didn’t allow a hit until Jorge Mateo singled in the sixth inning in the Yankees’ wild 12-8 win in the Bronx.

A different vibe entirely, though entertaining in their own way.

A familiar comeback attempt, with the Orioles again falling behind by six runs before fighting back. Twice. But unlike Sunday’s game in Anaheim, they couldn’t get even.

NEW YORK – Austin Hays is in left field tonight and Anthony Santander is in right, as the Orioles open a three-game series against the Yankees.

Jorge Mateo is the shortstop and Ramón Urías is playing third base.

Jordan Lyles is making his fourth start. He’s allowed six runs and 18 hits with six walks in 15 1/3 innings, but only one run in his last two starts over 10 1/3 innings.

Lyles held the Yankees to one run in 5 1/3 innings at Camden Yards.

Right-hander Luis Severino has made three starts for the Yankees this season and allowed only three runs in 13 innings. He’s surrendered 14 hits, walked four batters and struck out 14.

In parts of his five major league seasons, Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander hasn’t been able to post an on-base percentage higher than .315, a level attained in only 37 games in 2020.

Santander played in 110 games last summer and accumulated 438 plate appearances, missing a month with a sprained ankle and being shut down after Sept. 26 with a left knee sprain. He finished with a .286 OBP that again drew attention to his poor pitch recognition and struggles to stay patient in the box.

The Orioles are closing out their series in Anaheim this afternoon, and Santander has reached base in the first 15 games of the season to draw within three of his record. He ranks third in the American League and seventh in the majors with a .452 OBP.

Santander has walked 13 times to rank second in the league behind Seattle’s Jesse Winker. Ten more and he’ll match his total for last season.

The 21 percent walk rate puts Santander in the top two percent in the majors, according to Statcast data. He’s seeing 4.40 pitches per plate appearance, 10^th in the league, and his 273 total pitches seen put him second in the AL behind the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (276).

One day short of his 29^th birthday, Orioles starter John Means confirmed today that he won’t pitch again in 2022.

Means tweeted that he’s undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery on his left elbow, an expected outcome after the Orioles placed him on the injured list retroactive to April 14, transferred him to the 60-day IL and clarified the injury as a sprain. He left his April 13 start after four innings with forearm tightness.

With a recovery time that can exceed a full year, Means likely won’t return to the mound until he’s 30.

Means sought multiple opinions following his first MRI. He’ll have surgery on Wednesday in Texas, with Dr. Keith Meister handling the procedure. Meister performed the same surgery on Orioles 2020 fifth-round draft pick Carter Baumler.

“I’m obviously disappointed, but more motivated than ever,” Means tweeted. “In the meantime, I’m looking forward to watching what this team can do this year. I’ll be back, Go O’s.”

The Orioles flew into Anaheim last night after losing three of four games in Oakland, and they’re starting left-hander Bruce Zimmermann in the series opener against the Angels.

Zimmermann hasn’t allowed a run in nine innings. He’s never faced the Angels.

Catcher Robinson Chirinos returns to the lineup after being hit by a pitch Wednesday that struck his shoulder and the side of his face.

Trey Mancini, ejected yesterday for the first time in his career, is batting second as the designated hitter. Anthony Santander is the left fielder and cleanup hitter.

Ramón Urías starts at second base, Jorge Mateo at shortstop and Kelvin Gutiérrez at third.

The Orioles close out their series in Oakland this afternoon with Tyler Wells on the mound and a chance to gain a split after last night’s 1-0 win – the team’s third shutout of the season.

Wells is making his third start after tossing four scoreless innings against the Yankees. He’s been stretched out to 64 pitches.

The rotation has registered a 1.13 ERA since April 11, the lowest in the majors, with five earned runs in 39 2/3 innings.

The Orioles and Giants have allowed three home runs, fewest in the majors. The Orioles and Mets are the only staffs with three shutouts.

On the offensive side, the Orioles’ four home runs and 24 runs scored are the fewest in baseball. The .585 OPS is the lowest in the American League and third-lowest in the majors.