Orioles allow season-high 16 runs in latest loss (updated)

Orioles allow season-high 16 runs in latest loss (updated)
If it really does start with starting pitching, as baseball folks preach, the Orioles really are having a rotten weekend in Boston. Spenser Watkins allowed six runs last night in four innings, the sweat making it harder to find his grip on the ball. Manager Brandon Hyde revealed earlier today that left-hander Bruce Zimmermann must remain on the injured list after spraining his ankle in a training mishap, which prohibits the rookie from joining the rotation on Sunday. Jorge López loaded the...
    

Zimmermann unable to start due to injury

Zimmermann unable to start due to injury
Orioles left-hander Bruce Zimmermann no longer is a candidate, and the overwhelming favorite, to make Sunday afternoon's start in Boston. Zimmermann was expected to be reinstated from the injured list, but an ankle sprain is keeping him off the active roster. Manager Brandon Hyde provided the surprising update in today's media Zoom call while also naming left-hander Keegan Akin as Sunday's starter to close out the series. "Bruce Zimmermann had a training accident," Hyde said. "He sprained...
    

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
The Orioles continue their series in Boston this afternoon, trying to end a nine-game losing streak and with Jorge López attempting to complete six innings in his third consecutive start. López has allowed three runs and five hits in 12 innings this month, with seven walks and nine strikeouts. He's made two starts against the Red Sox this season and allowed eight runs and 12 hits in 9 2/3 innings. He owns a career 8.62 ERA and 1.532 WHIP in four appearances (two starts) against the Red...
    

Watkins struggles again, losing streak reaches nine games (updated)

Watkins struggles again, losing streak reaches nine games (updated)
Cedric Mullins got his usual business out of the way early tonight, which is so often how it happens. Richie Martin maintained his power surge at Fenway Park, though with a pronounced gap in between home runs. The Orioles had a couple of positive moments in their return to the site of their season-opening sweep, but the slumping Red Sox kept topping them. Kept extending at-bats and innings against rookie starter Spenser Watkins. Kept flexing their muscle after the bullpen came into play. And a...
    

How Zimmermann's return impacts rotation and roster

How Zimmermann's return impacts rotation and roster
The TBA for the Orioles' starter Sunday afternoon is expected to become rookie left-hander Bruce Zimmermann in the latest change to the rotation. The tweaking never stops. It just takes a brief rest. John Means and Matt Harvey are staying for the obvious reasons. The Orioles were reluctant to move Jorge López into a bullpen role, though they saw the same logic as everyone else, and he's completed six innings in both starts this month with only three runs allowed to lower his ERA from 6.19...
    

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox (updated)

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox (updated)
The Orioles will try tonight to end an eight-game losing streak, their third this season, in the series opener against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. They've been swept 13 times. Cedric Mullins brings a 19-game hitting streak to Boston, the longest for the Orioles since Adam Jones hit in 20 straight in May 2012. Austin Hays is in right field tonight. He's hit safely in 10 consecutive games to start the month of August. DJ Stewart is the designated hitter. He homered twice yesterday and has three...
    

Scout on Mateo: "He's still young and he's got a lot of tools"

Scout on Mateo: "He's still young and he's got a lot of tools"
Middle infielders Richie Martin and Jorge Mateo have experience playing the outfield. Mateo has made more starts and appearances in center than in any other position in the majors. Will the Orioles play them in the outfield this year? While it's possible late in the summer or under special circumstances - like Mateo serving as a defensive replacement - manager Brandon Hyde wants to take an extended look at them in the infield. There are no immediate plans to switch their roles. Martin's...
    

Orioles and Tigers lineups

Orioles and Tigers lineups
The Orioles received another high-leverage reliever this afternoon with Rule 5 pick Tyler Wells' reinstatement from the 10-day injured list. Wells replaces Isaac Mattson, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after last night's 5-2 loss to the Tigers. Wells has been on the IL with tendinitis in his right wrist. Anthony Santander is the cleanup hitter again today. He's homered in three consecutive games for the first time in his career, totaling four in that stretch. Cedric Mullins has an...
    

Chris Davis announces his retirement

Chris Davis announces his retirement
Chris Davis won't make a final attempt at resuming his baseball career. He's done for good. Davis announced his retirement this morning with one year remaining on his franchise-record seven-year, $161 million contract. He was out for the entire 2021 season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery May 19 in Dallas to repair the labrum in his left hip. "After an extended time dealing with my injury and recent hip surgery, I informed the Orioles about my decision to retire effective today," Davis...
    

Santander homers again, Cabrera hits 499th in O's loss

Santander homers again, Cabrera hits 499th in O's loss
Matt Harvey's right knee appears to be fine. His survival tactics were in pretty good shape tonight until the fifth inning. Harvey steered out of a couple jams but hung a curveball to Miguel Cabrera, whose 499th career home run broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning. Niko Goodrum added a two-run double and exited with a left groin strain, the Orioles were quiet offensively until Anthony Santander homered again in the eighth and the losing streak reached seven games. The Orioles kept their...
    

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
The double play combination of shortstop Richie Martin and second baseman Jorge Mateo resurfaced last night at Camden Yards after a brief interruption. Martin was on the bench for the series opener, but Ramón Urías slid over to third base last night. Getting comfortable with a new middle infielder is a process, but Martin said it's gone smoothly. Not by accident, of course. They take ground balls and throws prior to batting practice. "He's super talented and super athletic and it's...
    

Updates on Zimmermann, Wells, Mountcastle, Kremer

Updates on Zimmermann, Wells, Mountcastle, Kremer
The Orioles are going to adjust their rotation again by early next week. Whenever left-hander Bruce Zimmermann is deemed ready to start again. Zimmermann tossed five hitless innings last night at Triple-A Norfolk in his third injury rehab game and second with the Tides. The Orioles wanted to stretch him out a little more before reinstating him from the injured list. "We're seeing how he recovers today and probably make that decision in the next day or two," said manager Brandon Hyde. Asked...
    

Scott returns from injured list (plus other notes)

Scott returns from injured list (plus other notes)
The Orioles reinstated left-hander Tanner Scott from the injured list this afternoon and optioned southpaw Alexander Wells to Triple-A Norfolk. Scott has recovered from a sprained left knee and convinced the club that he was ready yesterday after a bullpen session. Rule 5 pick Tyler Wells is expected to be reinstated within a day or two after yesterday's simulated inning. Alexander Wells hops back on the shuttle after allowing a run and three hits last night in the ninth inning. He can return...
    

Runs flow against Orioles after heavy rain in 9-4 loss (updated)

Runs flow against Orioles after heavy rain in 9-4 loss (updated)
The storm clouds rolled in today after the Tigers finished their batting practice rounds, unleashing a torrential downpour that pushed back the first pitch almost two hours. Fans instructed to leave open areas of the ballpark and head for cover due to the severe weather. The Camden Yards drainage system challenged again like a close play on the bases, except the grounds crew always gets it right. The most impressive pitching line in the organization already was complete, with left-hander Bruce...
    

Wondering how Orioles handle catching in 2022

Wondering how Orioles handle catching in 2022
The promotion of No. 1 prospect Adley Rutschman from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk was bound to create more discussion about the wisdom of bringing him to the majors by September versus waiting until 2022. Another 100-loss season creates arguments from both sides. Either it's a good reason to delay it or the exact reason why it should be done, as if there's really nothing to lose besides more games. Rutschman ended the 2019 season with a handful of games at low Single-A Delmarva. He...
    

Updates on Wells, Scott, Harvey, Severino, Zimmermann and more

Updates on Wells, Scott, Harvey, Severino, Zimmermann and more
The Orioles are on the verge of getting back one of their high-leverage relievers for a beleaguered bullpen. Tyler Wells threw a simulated inning this afternoon and the results were positive for a team that badly needs him. No discomfort in his right wrist and the stuff was crisp. "Came off the mound feeling good," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He looked great. Fastball was there. He threw some really good curveballs and sliders and changeup. So, encouraged how he came off the mound. "We're...
    

Wells throws off mound again (and lineups)

Wells throws off mound again (and lineups)
Rule 5 reliever Tyler Wells pitched to outfielders Ryan McKenna and DJ Stewart this afternoon at Camden Yards in a live batting practice session. The Orioles are deciding whether Wells is ready to be reinstated from the injured list. Soreness in his right wrist delayed his return after his last mound session. Wells hasn't pitched for the Orioles since July 19 due to tendinitis in the wrist. He's the closer in waiting for a bullpen that needs a trustworthy option for manager Brandon Hyde. The...
    

Latest check on Orioles roster, moves and more

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...
    

Orioles trying to find ways to fix a frustrating situation

Orioles trying to find ways to fix a frustrating situation
There are no easy or obvious solutions to the Orioles' explosive bullpen, holes in the rotation and thinning roster due to injuries. Not unless the production picks up at its highest affiliate. That would at least provide an option. Relievers have surrendered 52 runs in the past five games - 16 scored in the eighth inning in the Rays' sweep - and manager Brandon Hyde can't be criticized for running the same group into games every night. He can't be ripped for ignoring hot hands that simply...
    

Source: Orioles promoting Rutschman to Triple-A Norfolk

Source: Orioles promoting Rutschman to Triple-A Norfolk
Catcher Adley Rutschman's work at Double-A is done. The Orioles are promoting Rutschman to Triple-A Norfolk, according to a source. His final game with the Bowie Baysox unfolded earlier today when he started behind the plate in Somerset and went 0-for-3 in a 7-0 loss to the Patriots, who registered a combined no-hitter. Luis Severino, with Somerset on an injury rehab assignment, tossed four perfect innings. Rutschman appeared in 80 games in his first season with Bowie and batted .271/.392/.508...