Most of the attention later today will fall upon Pete Alonso in his return to Citi Field after signing a five-year, $155 million contract with the Orioles and thus far justifying every penny of it.

He’s one home run away from 300. To get it in Queens would be a crowning achievement.

Alonso’s departure didn’t sit well with much of the fan base. The Mets made no attempt to negotiate. Alonso had no choice except to walk – and hit a bunch of home runs with the Orioles while also leading in just about every offensive category.

The ovation should be long and loud.

And then, it’s time to shift focus back to the Wild Card chase and whether the Orioles can still convince at least themselves that they aren’t out of it.

They dropped to four games behind the last spot after yesterday’s 8-1 loss in Toronto and the Guardians’ 9-2 win in Minnesota. A dozen games re left on the schedule, and that includes three more against the Blue Jays, three against the Brewers and three at Yankee Stadium.

The last-place Mets are 11 below .500 after yesterday’s 2-0 loss to the Yankees. They’ve won seven of 10 and nine of 14 but are counting the days until they can go home for the winter.

The Orioles lost two of three at Citi Field in 2024 after sweeping the Mets in a three-game series the previous year at Camden Yards. They’re 22-31 all-time against the Mets in the regular season and 1-4 in the postseason.

We won’t dwell on that last part.

Another change to the bullpen is nearing with Félix Bautista eight appearances deep into his rehab assignment, including seven with Triple-A Norfolk. He’s allowed two runs and four hits with four walks and eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings with the Tides. He hasn’t worked back-to-back days, which might not be a prerequisite.

I keep hearing and reading about Bautista’s improved velocity, but he topped at 95.6 mph on Saturday. He hit 97.9 mph in his previous appearance, but a first-pitch out earlier in the inning came on a 94.8 mph sinker.

I’m not saying he needs to be 99-100 before his reinstatement, but 2023 Félix isn’t coming.

Bautista’s rehab assignment runs until Sept. 21.

Yaramil Hiraldo was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk yesterday while starter Kyle Bradish went on the 15-day injured list, and he was charged with four runs in the eighth inning – three after he returned to the dugout with the bases loaded. This makes for an easy swap when Bautista is reinstated, though it’s always possible that the Orioles do something else.

Ryan Helsley pitched Saturday for Norfolk in his first rehab game and retired the side in order on 10 pitches. He made only two appearances in a previous assignment but could require a little more action in the minors. His last game with the Orioles was June 27 and he went through a lengthy shutdown period that raised questions about his return in 2026.

Twenty-one players have pitched in relief for the Orioles this season, but that includes infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson and catcher Chadwick Tromp. The bullpen registered a 2.34 ERA since Aug. 21, second lowest in majors, going into yesterday. Alex Hoppe surrendered a two-run homer Friday, and Anthony Nunez and Cam Sanders each allowed a run Saturday.

The eighth inning meltdown yesterday didn’t help those numbers.

Josh Walker hasn’t allowed a run in his last 16 games covering 14 innings since Aug. 6, the longest Orioles streak since Yennier Cano (17 games) from April 14-May 17, 2023. Walker has used this season to give him an edge going into spring training.

We’re going to assume that Helsley exercises his $14 million player option and that Bautista is healthy next spring, creating an intriguing late-inning one-two punch. Who closes? Is it a tag team match? Is there something else in play?

Andrew Kittredge is approaching free agency, but Cano is a lock to return in 2027 unless the Orioles unexpectedly trade him. Then, he’s unlocked.

Rico Garcia, Alex Hoppe and Grant Wolfram would be penciled into a mock. Anthoy Nunez and Cam Sanders also are possibilities. The Orioles converted young left-hander Luis De León to short relief but probably want to keep developing him as a starter. That’s the assumption.

Albert Suárez could be ordered to leave and still have his face pressed against the glass.

Bullpens never remain still and the Orioles could make multiple moves over the winter, or whenever teams are permitted to conduct business. A true left-on-left weapon should be a priority, even with the three-batter minimum.  

Left-handers are hitting .273/.304/.386 against Walker and right-handers are hitting .184/.281/.286. Left-handers are hitting .275/.347/.374 against Wolfram and right-handers are hitting .237/.294/.419.

If president of baseball operations Mike Elias could find a way to bring back 2023-24 Cionel Pérez, he’d probably do it.

*Manager Craig Albernaz told the media yesterday that Kyle Bradish, on the injured list with lower abdominal discomfort, will fly back to Baltimore to undergo imaging.

Albernaz said another pitcher will be plugged into the rotation. The Orioles are off Thursday.

*The Orioles are promoting infielder Aron Estrada and catcher Ethan Anderson to Norfolk.

MLB Pipeline ranks Estrada as the organization’s No. 13 prospect and Anderson No. 16.