Because You Asked - This Day

The forecast in Kansas City is calling for rain and cold temperatures throughout the day. The Orioles are supposed to start a three-game series and the last time that I checked, Kauffman Stadium isn’t equipped with a retractable roof. Then again, I wasn't invited to the ballpark tour. Maybe there's an upgrade like the Camden Yards sound system.

If not, think warm and dry thoughts.

The mailbag isn’t waterproof and must stay indoors while I’m gone. I decided to dump out some of its contents to prevent an overflow when I get home. Hopefully, I haven’t covered a doubleheader.

You ask, I answer (most times), and we have the latest sequel to the beloved 2008 original.

Editor’s note: Some questions have been edited for … well … there was this one time that I … nope, nothing. I’ve just withheld the ones with the words “Roch” and “sucks.” Does that count as editing?

Also, my mailbag runs a 4.2 40 at the Combine and yours runs errands.

If Cade Povich is pitching well and no other starters get injured, what happens when Kyle Gibson is deemed ready to play?
What happens is the Orioles have a tough decision to make. I’ll say again that I think it’s too early to consider a six-man rotation and play short in the bullpen. Povich can be optioned, which I know would seem unfair if he’s dealing. I don’t know how long the Orioles can keep Gibson in the minors before having to put him on the roster. You know what they say about these things always working themselves out, like Colton Cowser fracturing his thumb before Gunnar Henderson is reinstated today. Lots can happen between now and Gibson’s arrival.

Zach Fruit timeline? Word is he may be blossoming. What say you?
Did you ask this question just for the blossoming pun? I don't even think it works. Fruit is on Double-A Chesapeake's break camp roster and there isn’t a timeline for him to reach the majors. He’s got a little ways to go, but I’m sure you were hoping that I’d put more effort into it. Instead, I reached for the low-hanging fruit. Maybe I’ll start ranking prospects and can give you my Fruit seeding.

Too soon to start panicking?
Yes, of course. We’re seven games into the season. In case you haven’t heard, they play 162 of them. Sometimes more if you’re good and lucky. Gunnar Henderson is back. Other injured players will return. The rotation is going through only its second turn. Take a few deep breaths because it’s a marathon. This ain’t the Ravens. But I’ll add that I shouldn’t tell people how to live. If you wanna hyperventilate over baseball, carry a brown paper bag with you.

Will Charlie Morton begin pitching like a No. 2 starter?
We need to remember – and I’m being kind by lumping everyone together - that Morton wasn’t signed as No. 2 starter. This wasn’t part of the rotation plan. Grayson Rodriguez developed inflammation in his triceps/elbow area and starters moved up in line. None of this sounds familiar? Now, back to your question. Who knows? Morton is going to get better results than what we’ve witnessed after … lemme check … two whole starts. The velocity is up, his breaking ball was better yesterday and his stuff was good enough to strike out 10 batters in a really good Red Sox lineup. Maybe that will equate to a No. 2. Maybe it won’t be necessary because Rodriguez isn’t done for the season.

What are some early reviews from players on the mini-Walltimore?
Hitters love it, as you can imagine. Give them a vote and the wall would return to its original dimensions, but they’ll take this change over the last one. The ballpark plays more fair to them. Pitchers like these distances more than the originals, of course, but give them a vote and the wall would be pushed back to the Bromo tower.

By prearrangement with him, should the Orioles "risk" DFAing Jorge Mateo when Gunnar Henderson is activated?
The prearrangement would need to be made with other teams that could claim him on waivers. Unless I’m misunderstanding your question, I don’t know what arrangement the Orioles could make with him. “We really like you and are in a roster crunch, so, don’t answer your phone for a few days.” You can’t teach speed. Watch how quickly he’d change teams. However, I think Mateo is safe. It’s much easier now than a week ago to see how he co-exists with Henderson.

If Kyle Bradish is throwing long toss, it seems like the progression to pitching isn't too far off. Is he ahead of schedule or are we still looking at late Augustish?
Augustish? I’m looking at you. Here’s the problem with knowing whether he’s ahead of schedule: We’ve never been told what it’s like for him to be on schedule. He won’t return before the second half. Maybe we’re talking August. Maybe we’re talking the beginning of September. The former would be much preferred. That’s an ace added to the roster without costing any prospects.

Have you ever slid into first base?
No, but I’ve slid into some DMs.

Are the Orioles coaching players to not slide into first base?
I haven’t witnessed any spring training drills that encourage it. I’m sure that they’re advised to run through the bag, but instincts and hustle take over. That’s the case with Colton Cowser. He was trying to make a play and thought he could avoid the tag by diving. Unfortunately, he sustained a freak injury while doing it. I still say it slows you down, not to mention how it exposes hands and fingers to injuries. And if Cowser could turn back time, he’d take back that dive that hurt him.

Who's the most complete team in the American League?
The league is down this year compared to the past, but the Red Sox sure looked good this week. The Rangers are projected by a few sites to have the most wins in the league. Maybe it’s them. Maybe it’s the ’98 Yankees.

Given all the recent extensions of young players, do you think the Orioles are feeling pressure to get something done?
You should know by now that the Orioles don’t let other teams dictate their business and how they run the franchise. They understand a concept like windows closing and grasp the wisdom of locking up young stars. But there’s always the internal battle between the wisdom of it and the cost, and the concerns about the long-range health of the franchise. We don’t know exactly what’s happening behind closed doors because the Orioles don’t believe in sharing it. Not good for business. Gives agents the idea that private talks will be made public. Also, players have to be agreeable to these extensions. This is a long way of saying again that the Orioles don’t feel pressure. You can argue whether they should.

Who has the most hits on the club so far?
Jordan Westburg and Ramón Urías with nine. The second one might surprise you because, for whatever reasons, a lot of fans still undervalue Urías. They wonder why he’s on the roster. Defensive versatility is appealing, but also, the guy hits enough to warrant his spot on it.

When was the last time you watched an Orioles game as a fan?
That’s tricky because you’re supposed to stop being a “fan” if you’re covering the team. That’s how it happened for me. You don’t root for or against it. You just report on it. This goes back to my Baltimore Sun days. But I’ve always pointed out the pros of covering a winning team. Anyway, I actually used my comp tickets a few years ago to take my wife to a game – and by “few,” I mean Mark Trumbo hit a walk-off single in extras. We strolled through the ballpark and she laughed every time I’d ask, “How long has this been here?” Or, “Is this new.” It was not. I just hadn’t noticed. We had a frozen drink at the roof deck bar in center field. Man, I should do that more often. Thanks for the reminder.

Hows Kittredge? Is he looking Kittredgey? Is he the Kittredgest Kittredge that ever Kittredged a Kittredge.
Thanks for the headache. Reliever Andrew Kittredge is recovering from surgery to repair the cartilage in his left knee. He’s playing catch in the outfield. He’s going to miss at least two months of the season. That’s the extent of the update.

Favorite BBQ joint in K.C.?
Don’t have one. I might have gone to one in all my years on the beat and I don’t remember the name. I’m a unicorn among sportswriters. Most are willing to wait in line for an hour to get lunch in K.C. I’m OK with BBQ but I don’t like it that much. And on my list of favorite foods, it’s probably below Italian, Greek, Chinese and Japanese. But I do enjoy it. A Lyft driver in Charleston, S.C. said she knew a better place than the one we sought and it was amazing – Home Team BBQ. But I digress …  

Will Jackson Holliday get any more starts at shortstop with Gunnar Henderson and Jorge Mateo back?
I mean, it’s possible because he can play it, but I don’t see much of a need anymore. He’d probably be the third choice unless Henderson is rested and manager Brandon Hyde wants Holliday’s left-handed bat. So yeah, there you go. I can see it happening under that circumstance. But I also know that the Orioles want Holliday to keep getting comfortable at second base and it’s easier to do if he isn’t bouncing back and forth.

Did you have a go-to Val Kilmer movie?
I haven’t seen a lot of them, but he was really good in “Top Gun” and “The Doors.” “Tombstone” is one of Buck Showalter’s favorites and I really should watch it instead of “The Shawshank Redemption” for the 500^th time.

How’s Trevor Rogers coming along?
Rogers is throwing side sessions as he moves through his progression. That’s more than we saw down in Sarasota.

Where is Brandon Young on the depth chart as a taxi squad guy to join the O’s?
They don’t really have depth charts for this sort of thing and taxi squads are for catchers. David Bañuelos was in Toronto and Baltimore. But Young is on the radar, which you’ve heard. I bet he debuts this summer.

Is this the game blog?
Man, that’s funny. It is if it’s the last entry of the day. Please pass it on.

Grayson Rodriguez updates. Throwing from a mound yet?
More than that, he’s had a couple light bullpen sessions after a few “short box” sessions with the catcher setting up closer to the mound. Hyde has provided positive updates to a beat crew that needs the info but can't get much of it from the players.

Who loses at-bats when Gunnar Henderson comes back?
Well, Jorge Mateo for one, assuming he’s on the roster. Ramón Urías and Jordan Westburg are gonna play. Henderson will get some rest days, but he won’t sit much.

Has Tomoyuki Sugano been eating bananas? Monkeys never cramp because monkeys eat bananas every day.
You’ve been reading my tattoos.

When do the O's start using torpedo bats?
I haven’t joined the torpedo bat media craze, but Adley Rutschman has used it. Gary Sánchez owns one, too, I’m told. Maybe I’ll start paying attention.

Are they doing anything for the 1970 Orioles 55th anniversary? And don't say "your mom."
I'd never! That's a nice, round figure. But seriously, I haven't heard anything about a 55th-year promotion. However, Cal Ripken Jr. broke the unbreakable consecutive-games record 30 years ago. Can you believe it's that long? And that's what ... I'd expect some sort of recognition of that milestone.

If Jackson Holliday ever has a five-hit game, will it be known as "The Jackson 5?"
It should be! Let’s make it a thing. And this is probably a good place to stop. It can only go downhill from here.

When there's a bench-clearing brawl, do the trainers square up like goalies in hockey?
This is definitely a good place to stop.