Latest check on Orioles roster, moves and more

The Orioles maintained their streak yesterday of conducting business or announcing it on an off-day. Well, pretty much every day, under any circumstances.

Don't get too attached to the roster.

Of course, there's bound to be separation when a team is 38-72 and unable to stay healthy.

The Orioles designated reliever Conner Greene for assignment Saturday and recalled Isaac Mattson from Triple-A Norfolk. The Dodgers claimed Greene off waivers yesterday.

This was the last loose end, needing confirmation whether Greene would clear waivers and be outrighted or join another organization.

Reliever Shaun Anderson and infielder Domingo Leyba were designated for assignment on Wednesday in a shakeup that including the arrivals of relievers Dusten Knight and Marcos Diplán. The Padres claimed Anderson off waivers. Leyba cleared and accepted his outright assignment to Norfolk.

Infielder Pat Valaika was designated Thursday when the Orioles claimed speedster Jorge Mateo off waivers from the Padres. Valaika cleared Sunday and accepted his outright assignment.

So what have we learned?

Teams can't get enough pitching.

Anderson had a 9.00 ERA and 2.200 WHIP in seven appearances over 10 innings. Greene had a 14.73 ERA and 2.182 WHIP in three appearances over 3 2/3 innings and lost a 5-2 lead in the sixth inning Friday night after surrendering a three-run homer to Nelson Cruz.

Ryan Mountcastle is on the seven-day concussion list, so he's missing the Tigers series that begins tonight at Camden Yards. Relievers Tyler Wells and Tanner Scott appear to be nearing returns. Manager Brandon Hyde projected that Hunter Harvey could be back in the Aug. 15-20 range.

More changes are coming to the roster, with the bullpen in serious need of remodeling.

The Orioles are deciding what to do with left-hander Bruce Zimmermann - when to reinstate him and what role to give him. He's made two rehab starts and is listed as Norfolk's starter tonight against Memphis, with No. 1 prospect Adley Rutschman behind the plate after Sunday night's promotion from Double-A Bowie.

There's so much focus on Rutschman, I wonder how many people are going to notice who's on the mound.

Meanwhile, first-round pick Colton Cowser had three more hits yesterday in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League, including two doubles, and his sixth RBI. He's 9-for-13 and probably should begin researching the Delmarva area.

Second-rounder Connor Norby has been a bit slower to adjust, but he's getting there. He's collected hits in his last two games and is 2-for-14.

The orange team defeated Pirates gold in Sarasota. The black team's game against Pirates black in Bradenton was canceled.

I've stopped trying to figure out Florida.

The Orioles will be busy over the next three nights trying to prevent Miguel Cabrera from hitting his 500th career home run. Cabrera is sitting on 498, with two coming against the Orioles on July 29 at Comerica Park.

If it happens, the scene won't be as crazy as the night Manny Ramirez hit his 500th at Camden Yards on May 31, 2008. The ballpark was packed with Red Sox fans and I recall a guy breakdancing on the roof of the visiting dugout.

Ramirez homered in the seventh inning on the first pitch of the night from Orioles reliever Chad Bradford.