The ball was hit, it lined up with the corner of the redesigned fence in left field, and an entire ballpark and press box held their collective breath and watched with fascination and maybe a pinch of fear.

Easily entertained? Perhaps. But this was the first time that the 90-degree angle at the bullpen area was going to influence an outfielder’s path to a ball.

Minnesota’s Nick Gordon ran out of room Monday night, went into a hard slide and slammed into it. Rougned Odor raced to third base for his first triple since 2019, the pre-pandemic days. Gordon stayed down on the warning track.

Don’t say he wasn’t warned. That corner didn’t suddenly appear out of nowhere.

Center fielder Byron Buxton made the throw back to the infield and checked on Gordon, who rose to his feet and stayed in the game. No harm done. But it provided an example of how playing left field at Camden Yards brings a unique set of challenges.

Rather than tearing the cover off baseballs and shaking his head on his way back to the dugout, the loud outs and gnashing of teeth providing the soundtrack to his season, Trey Mancini took a much quieter approach upon his return to the lineup.

Mancini reached in the first inning on an infield hit, which also coaxed a throwing error from Twins third baseman Gio Urshela. His bat broke in the fifth on a bloop single into shallow left field that scored Cedric Mullins with the tying run.

The game can seem out of whack and eventually find the proper balance.

Mancini missed the last three games with bruised ribs, but he made it through batting practice and the entirety of a 7-2 loss to the Twins at Camden Yards.

Tyler Nevin wasn’t as fortunate.

Trey Mancini completed his rounds of batting practice this afternoon, walked back inside the clubhouse and stayed in the lineup.

At least, as the Orioles left the field and the Twins began infield drills.

Manager Brandon Hyde planned on starting Mancini, who missed the past three games with bruised ribs, but there was a final test.

“He feels better,” Hyde said before heading outdoors. “He’s going to take batting practice, which starts here in about 20 minutes, and then we’re going to kind of go from there.

“He wants to be in there, he’s going to give it every effort, like the gamer he is, to try to be in there. But we’re still going to evaluate him after BP.”

Trey Mancini returns to the Orioles lineup tonight as the designated hitter after missing three games with bruised ribs.

Tyler Nevin is the third baseman. Anthony Bemboom is catching.

Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann has allowed only two earned runs, though seven total, in 19 1/3 innings in his four starts. He’s struck out 21 batters.

Zimmermann faced the Twins on June 1, 2021 and allowed two runs with seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Kyle Garlick homered.

Orioles starters have a 1.72 ERA at home. They’ve held opponents to two earned runs or fewer in 19 of 23 games this season.

The Orioles signed Chris Owings to a minor league contract in March after two partial seasons with the Rockies because his ability to play just about anywhere on the field made him ideal utility material.

Owings remains with the club following the roster cutdown for the exact same reason.

Kelvin Gutiérrez was 4-for-28 before heading out the door, with the Orioles designating him for assignment yesterday morning. A move that seemed more predictable with his name missing from the last three lineups.

Gutiérrez was a third baseman on a team that had other options. Owings has done everything except catch and play first base, making his 2-for-18 start with 12 strikeouts forgivable to the front office.

It’s really that simple. Gutiérrez had to hit in order to justify keeping a player who can’t really bounce to other positions. Owings is under a different microscope.

Following yesterday’s 101-pitch start from veteran Jordan Lyles, the Orioles rotation is shedding the restrictions imposed due to the lockout and shortened spring training. The label with instructions to handle with care is beginning to peel.

Tyler Wells is part of the group but also on his own. He understands that his switch back to starting after missing two seasons and working last summer in short relief carries its own rules. But he hasn’t relinquished total control over his usage.

Get through innings at a rapid pace and stay longer in games. Silence an opposing lineup and keep the bullpen phone quiet.

Wells retired the first six Twins batters tonight on 13 pitches. He recorded the first two outs in the second on only two. The ball never left the infield.

No one reached base until Luis Arraez, Wells’ friend from their days together in the Twins system, lined a one-out single into left field in the fourth. Wells completed five innings at 62 pitches, 46 for strikes, and allowed one run and four hits with no walks and four strikeouts in the Orioles’ 2-1 loss at Camden Yards.

Trey Mancini said he’s available off the Orioles bench tonight after bruising his ribs Friday night and being in a considerable amount of discomfort.

Mancini slammed into the right field wall after making a catch.

“I’m just trying to gear toward, if they need me in a big spot, I want to be out there and be able to go,” he said. “The last couple days, I was in a lot of pain. The rib bruise is no joke. Luckily, I feel definitely better today, which is really nice.

“I feel like I can definitely be available if they need me in a spot tonight.”

Mancini didn’t want to broadcast the injury when asked Saturday about his exclusion from the lineup. Meanwhile, he wasn’t available the past two games.

Trey Mancini is out of the lineup tonight for a third consecutive game as the Orioles begin their four-game series against the Twins at Camden Yards.

Mancini bruised his ribs Friday night while making a catch in right field and slamming against the fence.

Tyler Nevin is batting fifth and serving as the designated hitter, following by second baseman Rougned Odor.

Austin Hays is in left field and Anthony Santander is in right. Jorge Mateo is the shortstop.

The bench is down to three players: Mancini, infielder Chris Owings and backup catcher Anthony Bemboom.

The Orioles made their final roster move this morning to get down to the required 26 players, announcing that they designated infielder Kelvin Gutiérrez for assignment.

Gutiérrez joined the team on July 3 after having his contract purchased from the Royals, and he became the regular third baseman over the final month. He batted .248/.327/.336 in 47 games but was 4-for-28 in 12 this season.

The last three lineups didn’t include Gutiérrez, who’s out of minor league options, and manager Brandon Hyde confirmed yesterday that the infielder wasn’t dealing with a health issue.

Chris Owings remains with the Orioles despite a 2-for-18 start with 12 strikeouts. Owings can play just about anywhere, while Gutiérrez is mainly a third baseman on a team that has other choices at the corner.

Gutiérrez committed two errors Sunday at Yankee Stadium in his final start.

The relievers didn’t talk about it. They didn’t call a meeting and discuss the responsibilities inherited when ace starting pitcher John Means underwent surgery on his elbow and was done for the rest of the season.

They just knew.

Means wasn’t around to absorb heavy innings and lessen the burden on the bullpen. Instead, the group would have to do more lifting.

As if it’s been on vacation the first month.

Orioles relievers began yesterday ranking fifth in the majors with 93 2/3 innings pitched and handled the last three innings to close out the series against the Red Sox. They recorded three scoreless innings on Friday and 5 1/3 on Saturday to key a 2-1, 10-inning win over the Red Sox.

A manager uses six relievers to secure a win, he’s going to wish for a lengthy outing from his starting pitcher less than 24 hours later.

Brandon Hyde watched Jordan Lyles strand two Red Sox runners in the first and second innings and leave the bases loaded in the third. Escape acts that should be applauded, but also left him at 55 pitches.

The forecasted rain wasn’t helping, either – 100 percent chance over the next two hours, the gray sky not offering a counterpoint.

A lineout to begin the fourth was followed by a single, walk and 6-3 double play. Fourteen more pitches, but still no runs.

The slithering out of jams ended in the fifth, with Boston scoring on Franchy Cordero’s sacrifice fly after Xander Bogaerts led off with a double.

Orioles pitcher Alexander Wells has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain of his left ulnar collateral ligament and is expected to miss eight-to-12 weeks.

Surgery isn’t a consideration at this time. Wells will rehab at the spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla.

Wells felt the discomfort in his elbow after Tuesday’s game in New York.

Chris Ellis is still dealing with inflammation in his right shoulder.

“Still seeing some medical people about it,” said manager Brandon Hyde, “but we’ll have some more news about him this week sometime.”

The Orioles conclude the first of three series on the homestand this afternoon with Jordan Lyles starting and Trey Mancini on the bench.

Mancini wasn’t available last night after bruising his ribs Friday while making a catch in right field and slamming into the wall. He said yesterday that he was fine, but manager Brandon Hyde wanted to rest him.

Mancini is 1-for-14 with a home run against Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta.

Tyler Nevin is starting at first base. Ryan Mountcastle is the designated hitter.

Ramón Urías is the third baseman, with Kelvin Gutiérrez out of the lineup for the third game in a row. Jorge Mateo is the shortstop.

Jorge López just wants the ball. Starter or reliever. But he seems to prefer coming out of the bullpen, his smile offering proof before his words when asked about it.

López was dominant again last night with two scoreless and hitless innings in a 2-1 win over the Red Sox. He retired the side in order in the ninth and stranded automatic runner Jaylin Davis in the 10^th while tackling the top of the potent Red Sox lineup – beginning with a strikeout of Trevor Story.

“He’s still himself, but he’s just a different animal out there this year,” said starter Spenser Watkins, the first of seven pitchers used.

“It’s really, really fun to watch him go after hitters and just do what he does best. He’s been great.”

How much enjoyment is López finding in 2022?

Tyler Nevin thought he hit his second major league home run tonight, his fly ball carrying to the fence in center field. Kiké Hernández reached up and made the catch, and Nevin slapped his hands together in frustration as he rounded first base.

Every at-bat is important, but especially with the pending roster changes. Who stays, who goes. How to get down to 26 players on Monday.

The out still impressed. Take it as a win, no matter the result.

Solid contact was scarce against Nathan Eovaldi, who didn’t allow a hit until Cedric Mullins lined a double down the left field line with two outs in the sixth inning. One night after Rich Hill retired the first 12 batters.

Runs weren’t plentiful, either. The Orioles didn’t score until the bottom of the eighth, when Mullins doubled on a fly ball to shallow left-center field and came home on Anthony Santander’s single up the middle to tie the game against reliever Matt Barnes.

Ryan Mountcastle barreled a pitch from Red Sox reliever Hansel Robles in the ninth inning last night, tossed the bat, paused at the plate and realized that he needed to start running.

His leadoff home run broke up the shutout, but it came with a sliver of doubt about where it would land.

No player had cleared the left field wall since the Orioles moved it back and raised the height from seven feet to 13. Boston’s Xander Bogaerts came close earlier in the game, but Austin Hays made the catch at the edge of the warning track.

Mountcastle’s ball traveled 423 feet with an exit velocity of 111.2 mph, the second-hardest hit ball by an Oriole this season. Enough to let him slow the pace as he rounded the bases.

“That’s one of the best balls I’ve ever hit. It went about three rows deep,” he said with a laugh. “It’s a long way out there, but it feels good to finally get one over there.

Trey Mancini, Jorge Mateo and Kelvin Gutiérrez are on the bench for tonight’s game against the Red Sox at Camden Yards.

Anthony Santander is in right field after being out of last night’s lineup.

Tyler Nevin is the designated hitter. Ramón Urías is starting at third base and Chris Owings is the shortstop.

Austin Hays is in left field and batting fourth. He’s 8-for-18 (.444) with two home runs and six RBIs in his last five games.

Spenser Watkins is making his second career start and fourth appearance against the Red Sox. He’s allowed seven runs and 10 hits in seven innings.

The Orioles gave everyone a lot to unpack after returning from their 11-day road trip.

We knew that Kyle Bradish was starting his first major league game. The news broke Thursday afternoon.

The corresponding roster move wasn’t as clear. It turned out to be Mike Baumann, who couldn’t sustain the momentum from his 2 1/3 scoreless innings against the Brewers, including one hit allowed and credit for the win.

Baumann was charged with five earned runs and six total over his next four appearances covering five innings. He walked five batters, and the Orioles want him pounding the strike zone in Triple-A and operating in a more controlled environment.

Much easier to map out his week in the minors.

Kyle Bradish struck out his first major league batter tonight. DL Hall struck out the side in the first inning about 35 miles away in Aberdeen.

Orioles pitching prospects dueling without being on the same field.

They’re on the same side of the rebuild, providing fuel that’s supposed to speed the organization through it.

Bradish kept the Red Sox scoreless in five of his six innings in a 3-1 loss before an announced crowd of 15,685 at Camden Yards. He allowed three runs, two earned, and five hits, with one walk and two strikeouts.

Ryan Mountcastle broke up the shutout with a 423-foot home run off Hansel Robles leading off the ninth, the ball clearing the left field fence with plenty of room to spare. Somebody had to do it. Mountcastle is the first.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde had to wait before posting tonight’s lineup, checking on Ryan Mountcastle’s neck and welcoming back Tyler Nevin.

A busy transactions day included promoting Nevin and starter Kyle Bradish from Triple-A Norfolk, optioning reliever Mike Baumann and putting left-hander Alexander Wells on the 10-day injured list with a sore elbow.

Hyde said Wells noticed the discomfort after pitching Tuesday night in New York, where he surrendered solo home runs to Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo. He’ll undergo further tests on the elbow later tonight.

The Orioles chose to bring up a position player rather than another reliever, and Nevin seemed like a solid choice after batting .364/.434/.546 with six doubles, two home runs and 17 RBIs in 17 games with the Tides. He’s starting at third base tonight and Hyde can him around to other corner positions in the infield and outfield.

“We feel pretty good about our pitching right now, as of today, and we like what Tyler’s done in Norfolk, want to give him an opportunity,” Hyde said.