John Means named opening day starter (and other notes)

The obvious has become official.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told the media today that left-hander John Means will start the July 24 opener against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Means made his major league debut in Boston in 2018.

Means, the club's lone All-Star representative last summer as a rookie, will start the July 19 exhibition game in Philadelphia to prep for the assignment.

"I told him yesterday and he's really excited," Hyde said on his daily Zoom conference call.

Asked what made Means the choice, Hyde replied, "Just the year he had last year. For a guy to do what he did, it's a great story, coming out of spring training and barely making the club, having some really impressive relief appearances and next thing you know he's in our rotation and making the All-Star Game. Really finished the season strong, too.

"He's definitely earned it and we're excited to watch him pitch on the 24th."

Means placed second in the American League's Rookie of the Year voting after going 12-11 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.135 WHIP in 155 innings. According to Hyde, he took today's news in a "straightforward" manner. He wasn't animated or bubbling over with excitement.

He probably had the same inkling as everyone else.

"I think John's all business," Hyde said. "He had a little smile. I think once it sinks in, it's going to become even more special for him. And I'm assuming that he was kind of assuming that he was going to be the starter anyway. It's kind of how we lined it up. But I think hearing it from me, it was good to see his face light up and I know as we get closer to that day he's going to become really special.

"It's always a good feeling to tell somebody good news."

Means worked five innings in last night's intrasquad game and his fastball still sat at 93-94 mph while facing his last batters. But the secondary stuff really grabbed Hyde's attention.

"He threw a couple really good breaking balls yesterday," Hyde said. "It's an intrasquad scrimmage type, so I went outside the box and threw a couple left-handers against him that were actually on his intrasquad team, just to get him to see a couple more left-handers. He's showing a really nice breaking ball.

"I think his growth with his curveball and slider last year in the second half could really be a separator for him. He's sitting at 93-94, the changeup was really good last night and he flashes that good breaking ball. I just think consistency with the breaking ball, a couple more weapons are going to be really key for him to be able to make adjustments back to the league."

Means topped 70 pitches last night and will get into the 80s in his next turn.

Alex Cobb is scheduled to pitch tonight and Hyde said "there's a really good chance" that the veteran will start the second game of the season.

"But we still have two weeks to go," Hyde said, "so you never know."

The Orioles are dumping more players into their camp pool, including catcher Adley Rutschman, the first overall pick in last year's First-Year Player Draft. He'll take batting practice and work out at Camden Yards.

"We want to see him here and get BP and catch some of starters," Hyde said. "The bottom line is just to get him playing again."

Also joining the Orioles are pitchers Keegan Akin, Michael Baumann and Isaac Mattson, outfielder Cedric Mullins and catcher Taylor Davis. Pitcher DL Hall will be added "at some point," Hyde said.

The group eventually will be redirected to the alternate camp site in Bowie.

Summer training camp and spring training are held in different locations and seasons of the year. The length isn't the same. The number of exhibition games is reduced and intrasquads are played on a regular basis after an initial wave of workouts.

One of the striking similarities is the need for injury updates. Just can't avoid them. And the Orioles have a pitcher and shortstop who are receiving treatment and close scrutiny.

Left-hander Ty Blach didn't complete two innings in last night's start. He came out of the game with elbow soreness.

"Getting reevaluated right now," Hyde said. "Elbow got a little sore there warming up in the second inning and he's getting looked at right now."

Shortstop José Iglesias doubled in both at-bats last night after missing a workout and the first intrasquad with back soreness. He was removed twice for a pinch-runner and came out of the game after hobbling to second base.

"It's much better today. Thank you for asking," he said this afternoon.

"I feel better than yesterday."

Iglesias wasn't able to face live pitching during the shutdown. It didn't show last night, especially on his line drive into left-center field.

"I know it seems like it because I feel pretty good at the plate, but no, I did not," he said. "I was just doing a lot of physical (activities) and playing catch, doing everything we can with every park being closed and this COVID-19 situation that we're dealing with."

Iglesias' contract includes a club option for 2021, giving the Orioles the flexibility to move on or keep a plus defender while their middle infield prospects inch up the organizational ladder. He blended nicely with his new teammates in spring training before having to return home.

"It was great," he said. "All the team and the coaching staff welcomed me really well. It was very smooth for me to talk to the guys and connect with them."

The roster isn't loaded with veteran players. Iglesias is an important exception and someone who wants to "lead by example."

"For me it's be the first in, last one out," he said. "Make sure I do everything properly where I can help my teammates by example, on and off the field any way I can.

"As a team, I think we definitely understand that we've got to be better, each individual, and we have a very young (team) that I'm very, very happy to be part of. I see a lot of potential in this team. We have a great chemistry, which is amazing and we're willing to get better each and every day. The guys have put in the effort and I'm just very happy to be a part of it."

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association announced the COVID-19 testing results through yesterday.

The 66 total number of positive tests was 1.8 percent of the 3,748 total samples tested. Fifty-eight of the positives involved players and eight were staff members. Twenty-seven teams had a covered individual test positive in intake screening.

We're left to assume that the Orioles are included in the 27.