Because You Asked - First Contact

The Orioles have three more games to play in Kansas City before heading to Toronto. I was supposed to be on the current trip, but was switched to Rogers Centre. My first visit since the 2016 wild card game.

More on that later.

The mailbag is allowed in Canada, but I’ll leave it home. Much lighter than its current condition.

Welcome to the latest sequel to the original. You send along questions, I try to answer them, many of you ignore me and rephrase them.

The editing remains minimal. Please don’t contact a lawyer if I remove a word without first issuing a disclaimer about length, style, clarity and brevity.

Also, my mailbag takes the day off and makes your mailbag cover a makeup doubleheader.

During the shots into the dugout, I keep seeing a lot of non-uniform people. Who are they and what do they do?
You must be referring to athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches. There also might be a kid leaving menus for a new pizza place. He’s been told to stick them through one of the gates.

Is Heston Kjerstad arbitration eligible in three or six years due to his myocarditis and hamstring injury?
The clock doesn’t start until he’s in the majors.

Is Pat Connaughton still Orioles property?
No. His draft rights expired. I think he’s gonna stick with this basketball thing and try to make it work.

What is the worst pain you’ve ever endured physically?
Spraining my thumbs while muting people on Twitter. But really, bouts of diverticulitis have left me doubled over for five-six hours. It’s excruciating. And … brace yourself, but you asked – I just had an infected cyst drained from my back and need to keep the wound open for at least two weeks. So my poor wife, who’s already put up with my missing front tooth, has to remove the bandage each day, pull out the gauze, wait for me to shower, shove in new gauze and tape another bandage. Somehow, this is considered an “open” wound. Too much information?

Do you think the team is looking to make a move to acquire or promote a middle infielder to replace Chris Owings?
I’d never discount a waiver claim on a veteran utility guy. In the meantime, don’t wait by the door for Gunnar Henderson or Jordan Westburg to walk through it. Way too soon. Perhaps Richie Martin gets another shot when the Orioles decide it’s time to go back to a four-man bench. They could use a reserve who backs up at shortstop. Jorge Mateo and Ramón Urías usually are in the lineup.

Do you agree with Manny Machado's take that it's bull that Albert Pujols isn't getting a farewell tour?
Yes. Has Pujols stayed around maybe a tad too long? Sure, if you look at the numbers. Has he earned every right to make that decision? Absolutely. He’s in the perfect place to end his career. There should be celebrations in every city. Didn’t they do the same with David Ortiz?

Speaking of Ortiz, he wants to know if he can use your phone.
That isn’t a question. From you, I mean.

So how does a PTBNL actually work? Like, do the teams have an idea who it is and just wait for some legal things, or something like that?
There are a few scenarios, including how a team provides a list of minor leaguers to choose from. Often times, the player already is agreed upon and the announcement is put on hold for roster considerations. It was a little more complicated in 2020 with the pandemic and the alternate sites.

Who would you say is the most valuable player likely to be traded?
Most Valuable Oriole? Right now, I’d pick Trey Mancini. Austin Hays isn’t going anywhere.

Any chance the O's do not trade Jordan Lyles at the deadline if he's healthy?
They definitely could choose to hold onto him. An important veteran atop the rotation, especially with John Means out for the season. And no Grayson Rodriguez to take up one of the spots. But as always, it depends on the offer. It’s not like he’s off the table.

What are your top grammar pet peeves?
When people say “could care less.” It’s “couldn’t.” Think it through. And for some reason, it bothers me when someone says “try and” do something. You try to do it. And don’t get me started on your, you’re/should have, should of.

I know he is suspended, but what is the likelihood we see Harvey in the majors at some point this year?
A giant invisible rabbit? Never gonna happen.

Man, you really are old. I’m talking about Matt Harvey, of course. Why even bring back a player with that baggage when you are trying to build something good?
There’s a chance that he pitches for the Orioles after serving his 60-game suspension and getting into affiliated games. He could help to lighten the workload while the Orioles carefully monitor the young starters’ innings. And Grayson Rodriguez might not debut until 2023. Harvey was a model citizen in Baltimore. A clubhouse leader and a real gamer. The Orioles aren’t judging him on past mistakes.

With Matt Harvey's suspension, does it start when he's added to the 40-man? Could the O's just do that now to start the clock? Seems convenient since he probably needs that time to get ready anyway.
It already started, retroactive to April 29.

What's Matt Harvey been doing? Is his timetable impacted at all by Grayson Rodriguez’s absence?
Harvey was making starts at extended spring training. The Orioles can organize simulated games for him in Sarasota now that the Florida Complex League is beginning, since he isn’t eligible to play. And what’s impacting Harvey is his suspension and how quickly he can be ready to face major league hitters.

Roch, if no one picks up Jahmai Jones and the Orioles don’t re-sign him, who is responsible for his rehab after surgery? He’s not on the 40-man, so I assume he doesn’t have MLBPA insurance coverage. I know it’s a weird question, but I thought about that as soon as they released him.
Not weird. The Orioles are responsible. He’s been released and they’re covering it. Maybe they re-sign him. I don’t think the door is closed.

Have the Ravens made a firm offer to Lamar Jackson or is it up to him when they sit and talk?
Wrong mailbag.

Is the wall having the desired impact?
Yes. Pitchers aren’t burned by lazy fly balls landing in the first row. You’ve got to earn it now. And home runs will increase as it gets warming. We’re already seeing it. But it’s a more level playing field, so to speak.

When does Adley Rutschman record his first major league RBI? Will he conceivably be traded at the deadline before it happens?
1. Very soon, especially if his luck improves. 2. No. 3. I’m pretending that you were serious.

When is Adley being demoted?
When will I stop taking the bait? I'm not a Rochfish.

Is the mailbag made of fine Corinthian leather?
There’s no such thing. It was a marketing term and no one called out Chrysler for it. My parents owned a Cordoba in the ‘70s and it was a lemon. They quickly went back to Chevy. A guy bought it, and it broke down on the turnpike. But I have really fond memories of sitting in the backseat with my sister on trips to see our grandparents in Ford City, Pa., and listening to 8-track tapes. I remember we only had a couple, and they were alternated. Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” and Steve Miller Band’s “Fly Like an Eagle”.

Man, you really are old.
Also not a question.

So, the mailbag isn’t made of fine Corinthian leather?
No, it’s actually made of Retsyn, like they put in Certs breath mints.

This is probably a good place to stop.
That’s up to me. Stay in your lane.

Where can the fans purchase the O's home run chain? I would like to wear it around town.
They’re sold at the team store. For a price, you can get Rougned Odor to show up at your house and slip it around your neck.

Is Odor now a trade chip?
Much more than he was in April. That’s for sure. But there's still work to be done on that slash line.

Will we see Gunnar Henderson in Baltimore later this summer?
I’d be shocked, since he doesn’t turn 21 until June 29, he just got to Triple-A and the Orioles aren’t known for hustling a young player to the majors. Henderson began 2021 at low Single-A Delmarva. Geoff Pontes at Baseball America wrote the following yesterday: “With the way Henderson has performed there's a realistic case to be made he is the best player in the minor leagues.” So, never say never. And I didn’t think Henderson would make his Triple-A debut in early June. I assumed that the Orioles would let him keep dominating at Double-A through the season’s first half. My read on his situation hasn’t been crystal clear.

When do you expect to see DL Hall in the MLB?
I truly believe that when he does debut, “DL in the MLB” needs to be printed on a T-shirt. As for your question, I’m just going to say later this summer. As he’s more stretched out and having success with Norfolk.

With the call ups of Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg to Triple-A, do you think the seat is getting warm for Mike Elias to have the MLB team make big strides in 2023?
I do not think the seat is heating up. Elias has done everything promised up to this point. I do think Elias and others expect improvement on the field in 2023 rather than just the farm system rankings. But, please, stop with the injuries!

Why not raise the tarp up off the field with some cords when it rains and play UNDER it?
Making “under” upper-case will not help your argument.

Will Rougie helmets be the next big thing in the Orioles gift shop?
Brandon Hyde says it’s spelled “Roogie.” Anyway, I like your idea. Way to think outside the batter’s box.

In your opinion, who has been the most pleasant surprise so far this year? Who has been the biggest disappointment?
Keegan Akin is the biggest surprise for me. I didn’t know whether he’d even make the team and wondered if he’d be bypassed by so many young starters that he could disappear, unless the Orioles used him for mop-up duty. Now he’s a vital part of that bullpen, with outstanding numbers. The club has done a marvelous job with his development. I also could mention Anthony Santander for the walks and on-base percentage. As for a disappointment, I’m sure Cedric Mullins will have the numbers by the end of the season, but it’s been a struggle so far. We’ve seen some signs of him turning it around. And while Ramón Urías does have six home runs, he’s a better hitter than his slash line is showing.

Any interest in Kevin Parada for the number 1 pick? Would Mike Elias take a catcher No. 1?
I’m not privy to the names on their draft board, but I highly doubt it. Not with the elite talent rated above Parada, a class that includes Jackson Holliday, Druw Jones, Elijah Green, Termarr Johnson and Brooks Lee. But trying to predict what the Orioles will do in the draft is a futile exercise. Like leg day for me.

Which players have the Orioles worked out?
I only know about Johnson because I saw it happen one day before batting practice.

Any chance the Orioles draft a pitcher one/one?
Zero chance of that happening. There isn’t anyone worthy of it this year. Their final five are position players.

Is a hot dog casserole a sandwich or a stew?
Now it’s a good place to stop.