The Orioles were victims of a violent flood of injuries over the course of the season, threatening to sweep away their hopes to repeat as division champions, but players who are able to return will do so in trickles.

Reliever Jacob Webb appears the closest to reinstatement after Thursday night’s scoreless inning with Triple-A Norfolk. Manager Brandon Hyde told the assembled media in Detroit that the right-hander could be available this weekend. The Orioles just need to check his recovery.

Danny Coulombe could be right behind him after a second rehab outing, expected to be tonight. He threw 10 pitches Wednesday in a scoreless inning with the Tides.

The Orioles went slowly with Webb, giving him five days’ rest between appearances before Tuesday night’s outing. He pitched for a fourth time Thursday and the shorter break seemed like a positive sign.

Coulombe might not be on the same schedule. He faced hitters in live batting practice at least twice at Camden Yards. The elbow felt great.

The Orioles had an off-day in Detroit yesterday because Passaic, New Jersey was booked.

OK, let’s get serious.

The penultimate road trip of the season is close to a wrap – I’ll be on the next one - and the Orioles are two games behind the Yankees. They have three against the Tigers beginning tonight and three more next weekend at Camden Yards after hosting the Giants.

This could be the penultimate mailbag, but they aren’t on a set schedule. I can only promise today.

Here’s the latest sequel to the beloved 2008 original. No need to edit myself for clarity because I’ve been quite clear about my disdain for editing.

BOSTON – After spending 27 years with the Orioles in various capacities, Dave Schmidt isn’t returning to the organization in 2025.

Schmidt was told Monday that his contract wouldn’t be renewed, according to sources.

The most recent title bestowed upon Schmidt was “complex pitching and rehab coordinator,” which allowed him to be based near his home in Sarasota. He set up or followed the schedules depending on the player and worked with the physical therapist, “making sure our guys are heading in the right direction, getting better,” Schmidt said in a 2022 interview with MASNsports.com.

Among the pitchers under his supervision in 2022 was Grayson Rodriguez, who rehabbed a Grade 2 right lat strain sustained over the summer with Triple-A Norfolk. Rodriguez was out for three months.

Schmidt, 67, goes back to the 1998 season with Syd Thrift as farm director. He’s served as pitching ach at pretty much every level, had two stints as pitching coordinator and two as rehab coordinator. He also was tasked with overseeing the Dominican program for a couple of years.

BOSTON - Dean Kremer appeared to be the victim tonight of bad luck, two-out execution and run support in a ballpark that’s treated him rudely. Someone needed to have his back, and Anthony Santander stepped up with a game-tying homer off Red Sox reliever Justin Slaten with two outs in the eighth inning.

Only Kremer could be saved. A game was lost in sudden and harsh fashion, another stumble by the Orioles that also cost them ground in the division race.

Emmanuel Rivera did his part earlier with a solo homer in the third inning and he came up big again much later, but Tyler O'Neill hit a three-run homer off Keegan Akin in the 10th to give the Red Sox a 5-3 walk-off win over the Orioles before an announced crowd of 32,448 at Fenway Park.

The Orioles have lost four of their last five games and five of seven while falling to 83-64, including 25-26 since the break. The Yankees beat the Royals 4-3 in 11 innings to open a 1 1/2 game lead.

An off-day Thursday is followed by a three-game series in Detroit to finish the penultimate road trip of the season.

BOSTON – More than half of manager Brandon Hyde’s pregame media session this afternoon again centered on injury and rehabilitation updates.

It’s become a daily roll call.

Jordan Westburg took dry swings earlier today in front of the dugout before fielding ground balls and making throws in the infield. His right hand is responding favorably, but there are plenty of other steps before he’s ready for reinstatement.

“He’s still got the hitting progression to do, but everything’s getting better,” Hyde said. “Doing dry swings today he felt OK after, so we’re continuing the progression. It takes a little time with a broken hand, unfortunately, but he’s right on track and looking forward to him hopefully taking batting practice here sometime soon.”

Reliever Jacob Webb made his third injury rehab appearance last night and tossed a scoreless inning with Triple-A Norfolk. He hasn’t gone multiple innings or back-to-back. He worked on five days’ rest last night.

BOSTON – The Orioles finish their series in Boston with Austin Slater in right field and Emmanuel Rivera at third base.

Jackson Holliday is playing second base and batting eighth.

Dean Kremer is coming off his six scoreless innings against the Rays, when he allowed only two hits. He’s registered four quality starts in his last five outings.

Kremer hasn’t faced the Red Sox this season. He’s made eight career starts against them and posted a 6.45 ERA and 1.540 WHIP. He’s 0-3 with a 10.47 ERA 2.082 WHIP in four starts at Fenway Park.

Rafael Devers is 7-for-18 with a double and two home runs lifetime against Kremer.

BOSTON – To blend with his new Orioles teammates, Eloy Jiménez simply had to demonstrate a strong work ethic and sense of humor. Grind through at-bats and celebrate the successes of others with the faucet and sprinkler gestures at the railing, which he does with enthusiasm. Seek improvement through the organizational hitting philosophy of hard and elevated contact and understand the importance of helping others less fortunate.

The Orioles traded for him at the deadline.

The charitable side of Jiménez also travels.

Catcher James McCann was announced this week as the Orioles’ nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. His family donated 50 pairs of shoes last offseason to Church of the City’s Wrap Around Closet in Nashville to support children in foster care. McCann and wife Jessica have dedicated themselves to supporting local NICUs by visiting hospitals, bringing gifts and offering encouragement to families in need, having gone through the experience with their twin boys born prematurely. McCann also created a video Meals on Wheels to promote its “Night of A Million Meals” event.

Center fielder Cedric Mullins led the Swinging for Impact fundraiser at Topgolf Baltimore that raised nearly $27,000 for City of Refuge Baltimore, a faith-based organization that helps individuals and families transition out of crisis. McCann, Ryan Mountcastle, Ryan O’Hearn, Grayson Rodriguez, Jordan Westburg and Heston Kjerstad also participated, with fans invited to compete against them.

BOSTON – Cedric Mullins won’t be moving down the lineup anytime soon against right-handed pitching.

Albert Suárez might not leave the rotation against anyone.

Mullins homered in his first two at-bats tonight to power the Orioles to a 5-3 victory over the Red Sox before an announced crowd of 30,898 at Fenway Park. One came cheaply, the other earned. They both counted.

Suárez allowed one run in six innings, and the Orioles improved to 83-63 with a chance to win the series Wednesday night before flying to Detroit. The Yankees lost and are only a half-game ahead in the division race.

Mullins’ multi-homer game was the fifth of his career and first since June 19, 2021 against the Blue Jays. The previous four happened in his 30/30 season.

BOSTON – Jordan Westburg did some throwing in the outfield this afternoon, moved to the dirt and began taking ground balls at third base and at second. He made throws across the infield and flipped the ball as if starting a double play.

The Orioles can’t wait to get the real thing from Westburg, who’s on the injured list since fracturing his right hand on July 31.

“I’m happy with how it’s progressing,” he said later while standing at his locker. “Past couple days I feel like I’ve turned a little bit of a corner strength-wise. I’m able to grip some weights more and like really grasp down. It’s something I was having a problem with just putting pressure on that pinky side. But past couple days it’s felt good so I’m encouraged by that.”

And somehow not overly discouraged by the interruption to his season.

“It’s frustrating that I have a broken hand and I’m missing time, but it’s also an occupational hazard,” he said. “It’s been the way that I’ve described it. We know what we signed up for playing baseball. We know the dangers and the possibilities of injury involved with this game. It’s certainly not a contact sport like football, but when somebody’s throwing really hard and you’re in the box and you don’t have a lot of time to get out of the way, that stuff can happen.

BOSTON – Coby Mayo is starting at third base tonight at Fenway Park and Jackson Holliday returns to the lineup at second base.

Cedric Mullins is batting second again.

James McCann is catching, with Adley Rutschman serving as designated hitter.

Albert Suárez needs to bounce back from his last start, when he allowed six runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings against the White Sox. He surrendered three home runs to tie his career high, and Chicago snapped a 12-game losing streak.

Suárez shut out the Red Sox over six innings on Aug. 18.

BOSTON – Suggesting ways that Brandon Hyde might attempt to revive a lagging offense, the baseball equivalent of using jumper cables on a stalled car, won’t come across as fresh ideas to the manager. Move guys up or down. Sit some and start others.

“I’ve tried all those things,” he said after Sunday’s 2-0 loss to the Rays.

Hyde had a few more tricks up his sleeve yesterday. Or combinations on his lineup card.

The 127^th different order in 145 games had Cedric Mullins hitting second for only the second time in his career, Liván Soto at second base instead of Jackson Holliday and Coby Mayo at third base instead of collecting splinters on the bench.

Anthony Santander hit his 40^th homer and drove in all three runs in a 12-3 loss to the Red Sox. They’re now below .500 since the break.

BOSTON – Cedric Mullins broke hard on Jarren Duran’s line drive to right-center field, went into full extension on his dive and made a remarkable catch. Anthony Santander raised his fist after Mullins crashed to the ground. Cade Povich raised his cap in appreciation.

Three pitches later, Mullins raced back to the center field warning track, slowed and watched Rob Refsnyder’s ball land in the seats for a two-run homer after Rafael Devers singled.

The third pitch thrown to Tyler O’Neill was 110.1 mph off the bat and launched at 41 degrees to clear the left field wall. The Red Sox went back-to-back against Povich in his 13^th major league start and first at Fenway Park, which can be downright cruel to left-handed pitchers. A higher level of experience isn’t always a shield.

The Orioles grabbed a quick lead, let go almost as fast and began an important series in Boston with a 12-3 loss before an announced crowd of 30,600.

Santander drove in all three runs, the last on his 40^th home run, launched against Josh Winckowski leading off the seventh inning. He’s the eighth Orioles player to reach that mark, the first since Mark Trumbo in 2016, and it’s the ninth occurrence. Chris Davis did it twice. Santander also is the first switch-hitter in the majors with 40 since Carlos Beltran and Lance Berkman in 2006.

BOSTON – While the Orioles are getting closer to reinstating some pitching from the injured list, first baseman Ryan Mountcastle’s status remains cloaked in uncertainty.

Mountcastle is out with a sprained left wrist and hasn’t played since Aug. 22. The last update didn’t have him hitting in the cage and doing full baseball activities.

Manager Brandon Hyde’s optimism in getting back Mountcastle for the final playoff push also is murky.

“I don’t know, I don’t know,” he said this afternoon. “I want to say it’s optimistic, but I’m not really sure. I think he’s gonna come back by the end of the regular season, I just don’t know when.”

The offense must get hot without him.

BOSTON – Major League Baseball announced today that catcher James McCann is the Orioles’ nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, which is presented annually to the player who “best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.”

The Orioles will recognize McCann in a special on-field ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 21.

The following comes from the club’s press release:

“Since joining the Orioles prior to the 2023 season, McCann has emerged as a cornerstone of community support in Baltimore, earning him a nomination for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. His unwavering dedication to community service is a family affair, with McCann, his wife Jessica, and their twin boys actively contributing to their communities year-round. The McCann family donated 50 pairs of shoes to Church of the City’s Wrap Around Closet in Nashville, Tenn. supporting children in foster care.

“Earlier this season, the Orioles announced their adoption of Harlem Park Elementary Middle School, aiming to foster a lasting relationship and support students from pre-k all the way through their entry into the workforce. McCann eagerly embraced this partnership, actively engaging with Harlem Park students and staff at Friday home game batting practices, proudly donning a Harlem Park-branded t-shirt. His involvement extended to the classroom as well, where he visited PE classes to teach baseball skills and inspire students to pursue their dreams with perseverance. To further support Harlem Park, McCann and Jessica provided Harlem Park students with essential items such as backpacks, clothing, and shoes for the new school year, underscoring their dedication to fostering the growth and success of Baltimore’s youth.

The Orioles can envision a pitching staff that returns Grayson Rodriguez to the rotation and Danny Coulombe and Jacob Webb to the bullpen. Like “trade deadline 2.0,” as pitching coach Drew French called it yesterday. An apt description.

“Acquisitions by reinstatement from the IL,” he said, maintaining his roll.

But the club can’t simply count on additions to subtract the entirety of its arm issues.

Craig Kimbrel retired the first two batters faced in the ninth inning Saturday afternoon and surrendered another run on Jonny DeLuca’s triple into left-center field and a wild pitch. He’s been scored upon in nine of his last 17 appearances, with 15 earned runs (17 total), 14 walks and 18 hits over 16 1/3 innings.

Kimbrel won’t close again unless other options are drained, and the pool of candidates deepens with Coulombe and Webb returning. But French offered some encouraging words yesterday regarding Kimbrel’s progress, which isn’t necessarily evident on the stat sheet.

The outs were coming more easily to Corbin Burnes. Early traffic on the bases had thinned. He was back on his familiar roll.

And then it stopped.

Even a brief pause can be costly for a team that can't offer much support.

Burnes hung a slider to Jonny DeLuca in the sixth inning, and the resulting two-run homer broke a scoreless tie. One pitch would decide the outcome because another day passed with the Orioles left searching for their offense and in recovery mode following a 2-0 loss to the Rays before an announced crowd of 29,519 at Camden Yards.

The Orioles are 82-62 overall, 24-24 since the break and 4-3 this month. They went 3-3 on a homestand that began with three games against the Rockies, owners of the second-worst record in the majors.

Orioles reliever Danny Coulombe is ready to begin his rehab assignment.

Coulombe will join Triple-A Norfolk for Wednesday night’s game in Durham, his first competition beyond live batting practice since undergoing surgery in June to remove bone chips in his left elbow.

The Orioles haven’t used Coulombe since June 8, when he retired all six batters faced and struck out three at Tropicana Field. On hold is a 2.42 ERA and 0.615 WHIP in 29 appearances, and a streak of all 12 inherited runners stranded, that led to some early talk about a possible All-Star selection.

The Orioles would settle for making him available to manager Brandon Hyde in a pennant race.

Left-handers are batting .171/.229/.400 against Coulombe and right-handers are hitting .130/.175/.315. He's evolved into a high-leverage reliever and an absolute steal from the Twins in a March 27, 2023 cash transaction trade.

The Orioles go for the series win this afternoon, the last game on the homestand, with Nick Maton at third base and Austin Slater in right field.

Anthony Santander is the designated hitter.

Corbin Burnes has posted a 4.97 ERA and 1.342 WHIP in nine starts in the second half. He had a 7.36 ERA and 1.597 WHIP in five starts last month.

Burnes went five innings against the White Sox in his last outing and allowed one earned run and two total for his career-high 13^th win.

Burnes has faced the Rays twice this season at Tropicana Field and allowed three earned runs and five total in 13 innings.

Gunnar Henderson got hot again at the plate.

His .234/.303/.405 August was followed by nine hits in 19 at-bats prior to yesterday, with a double, three home runs, seven RBIs and four walks. The tater total is two shy of last month’s output in 28 games and one more than he hit in 24 games in July. And he was robbed of a three-run shot yesterday on Jose Siri’s leaping catch at the center field fence, keeping him at 36, a franchise record for shortstops.

The fielding fluctuates from fabulous to frustrating.

Henderson made two more errors Friday night to raise his team-leading total to 23. His fielding percentage was .959 before yesterday.

The first miscue originally was scored a hit for Jonathan Aranda with two outs in the eighth inning. Henderson ranged to his right and didn’t appear to get his glove turned in the proper position before the ball deflected off it. Aranda later was awarded a single.

Zach Eflin has provided a huge lift to the Orioles since his arrival in a trade with Tampa Bay. It was their turn to pick him up.

They owed him. They had numerous chances.

They didn’t do it.

Eflin served up leadoff home runs to Yandy Díaz in the first inning and Taylor Walls in the third, and the Orioles couldn’t deliver in the clutch in a 7-1 loss to the Rays before an announced crowd of 34,256 at Camden Yards, where rain held up the start for 27 minutes.

The Yankees won today and lead the division by a half-game.