Baker optioned to Triple-A Norfolk (plus Orioles lineup and notes - updated)

Jack Flaherty has joined the Orioles after yesterday’s trade with the Cardinals, and reliever Bryan Baker is optioned to Triple-A Norfolk as the corresponding move.

Flaherty is wearing No. 15.

Baker has registered a 3.64 ERA and 1.310 WHIP in 45 appearances, and he’s averaging 5.1 walks per nine innings. He spent the entire 2022 season with the Orioles and remained one of their high-leverage relievers this year, but he’s allowed 51.5 percent of inherited runners to score, the second-most among qualified relievers.

The Orioles are a season-high 25 games above .500 and trying tonight to secure their 21^st series.

Last night’s 13-3 blowout win made them 7-1 against the Blue Jays season, assuring that they’d claim the season series, and 5-0 at Rogers Centre. Their division lead remains 1 ½ games over the Rays.

Anthony Santander hit his second career grand slam last night and is in right field again tonight.

In eight games against the Blue Jays this season, Santander is batting .345 (10-for-29) with a double, two home runs, eight RBIs, a .472 on-base percentage and a 1.058 OPS.

Gunnar Henderson hit his 18^th homer of the season last night and is batting fifth and playing third base.

Henderson walks almost twice as often against left-handed pitching (17.8 percent) as right-handers (9.7 percent), working southpaws for 4.29 pitches per plate appearance, according to STATS.

Ryan Mountcastle is batting second in back-to-back games, raising his season total to three. He’s 5-for-10 with a double and four home runs lifetime against left-hander Yusei Kikuchi.

In 47 career games against Toronto, Mountcastle is batting .322 (58-for-180) with 12 doubles, 15 home runs, 41 RBIs and a 1.021 OPS.

Ryan McKenna remains in center field. Jordan Westburg is the second baseman and Adley Rutschman is the designated hitter.

Grayson Rodriguez is coming off his best start, shutting out the Yankees on three hits in 6 1/3 innings. He pitched at Rogers Centre on May 20 and allowed two runs with six strikeouts in five innings.

George Springer hit a two-run homer.

The Orioles have retired 69.6 percent of batters with runners in scoring position this season, the second-highest rate in the majors, per STATS. The Blue Jays rank fourth at 69 percent.

Kikuchi is 8-3 with a 3.79 ERA and 1.280 in 21 games. He’s struck out 116 batters in 109 1/3 innings.

In his last three starts, Kikuchi has allowed a combined two earned runs (three total) with six walks and 20 strikeouts in 16 innings.

Kikuchi has faced the Orioles twice this season and allowed five runs in 9 1/3 innings. He’s made 10 career appearances (six starts) against the Orioles and posted a 6.00 ERA and 1.539 WHIP in 39 innings.

Jorge Mateo is 6-for-13 with a double and triple. McKenna is 4-for-11 with three doubles. Rutschman is 3-for-11 with two homers. Santander is 4-for-10 with a home run.

Austin Hays is 2-for-16 with a home run. He’s batting cleanup tonight.

The 13 runs surrendered last night are the most given up by Toronto since July 19, 2021 against the Red Sox.

For the Orioles
Adley Rutschman DH
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Anthony Santander RF
Austin Hays LF
Gunnar Henderson 3B
Jordan Westburg 2B
James McCann C
Ryan McKenna CF
Jorge Mateo SS

Grayson Rodriguez RHP

The Orioles promoted outfielder Dylan Beavers, the 33^rd-overall pick in the 2022 draft, from High-A Aberdeen to Double-A Bowie. He posted a .369 on-base percentage in 85 games, with 26 doubles, three triples, nine home runs and 48 RBIs.

Beavers led off today with Bowie, serving as the designated hitter, and doubled in his first at-bat. He also singled and walked.

Update: Félix Bautista is the American League Reliever of the Month for July after tossing 14 scoreless innings with three hits allowed, four walks and 25 strikeouts.

Bautista went 3-0 with eight saves and opponents batted .070/.167/.070 in 11 games.

This is the third honor for Bautista this season.

The Orioles are still listing Thursday's starter as TBD.

Update II: Manager Brandon Hyde told the media that Flaherty is starting Thursday, as expected.