Roch Kubatko

Orioles promoting Mountcastle for tonight's game

August 21, 2020, 9:11am

Orioles

The long-awaited arrival of prospect Ryan Mountcastle to the majors is happening tonight. The Orioles are recalling Mountcastle from the alternate camp site in Bowie, according to an industry source. He's going to be in uniform for tonight's game against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. The team hasn't announced the move or offered confirmation. Mountcastle is the organization's No. 5 prospect per Baseball America and MLBPipeline.com and the most recent Most Valuable Player of the International...

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Wojciechowski loses handle on Red Sox in 7-1 loss (updated)

August 20, 2020, 7:02pm

Orioles

Wojciechowski loses handle on Red Sox in 7-1 loss (updated)

The Orioles finally got away from a Blue Jays player who feasts on their pitching like he's breaking a fast. Was it their turn tonight to pick on the opponent? To do it with their starting pitcher? Asher Wojciechowski made three starts against the Red Sox last season and allowed two runs in 17 2/3 innings. He registered a 5.98 ERA in his other 14 appearances. A no-hitter was carried into the seventh inning on July 21 before Rafael Devers stroked a leadoff double. Wojciechowski reached his...

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Some Ripken reflections on 2,131 and more on his cancer diagnosis

August 20, 2020, 5:23pm

Orioles

Some Ripken reflections on 2,131 and more on his cancer diagnosis

As the latest anniversary of Cal Ripken Jr.'s record-setting night approaches, he spun a popular question usually directed at himself while speaking with a group of local beat writers yesterday on a Zoom conference call. The proverbial shoe placed on the other foot. Does it really seem like it's been 25 years since he surpassed Lou Gehrig for most consecutive games played at 2,131? Since he took that glorious lap around the warning track while bathed in an ovation that lasted more than 22...

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Hyde meets with team to review fundamentals

August 20, 2020, 1:42pm

Orioles

Hyde meets with team to review fundamentals

The Orioles won't jog onto the field for the start of tonight's game until manager Brandon Hyde holds a meeting that's intended to review some basic fundamentals that were neglected earlier this week. Breakdowns on defense and the bases made it much harder for Hyde to accept the Blue Jays' three-game sweep and his team's tumble to the .500 mark. Play properly and move on to the next opponent. Hyde didn't see it happening against the Jays. One sequence lingered for him, when Renato...

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Shepherd outrighted, Alberto leading off

August 20, 2020, 11:41am

Orioles

Shepherd outrighted, Alberto leading off

Reliever Chandler Shepherd has cleared outright waivers and been assigned to the alternate camp site in Bowie. The 60-man pool is holding 59 players. The Orioles designated Shepherd for assignment on Sunday to create a roster spot for John Means, who was reinstated from the bereavement list. Shepherd could have declined the assignment and become a free agent based on a previous designation. Hanser Alberto returns to the leadoff spot for tonight's series opener against the Red Sox at Camden...

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Ripken goes public with news of prostate cancer and full recovery

August 20, 2020, 6:41am

Orioles

Ripken goes public with news of prostate cancer and full recovery

Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. is approaching the 25th anniversary of his historic 2,131st consecutive game, a record that wasn't supposed to be broken. A night he's going to keep reliving as he gets closer to the date. It's certain to be one of the most important moments of the year for Ripken, but health scares bring a perspective that never fails to resonate. Cancer comes before baseball. Learning you have it and then beating it. Ripken, who turns 60 on Monday, has gone public for the first...

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This, that and the other

August 19, 2020, 1:39pm

Orioles

The Orioles shouldn't go streaking while JosÃ© Iglesias has a sore quad. (A failed attempt to reference "Old School") This team has played eight series. Six have resulted in sweeps - the Orioles on the good side of three and the bad side of three. And now their losing streak has reached four games to lower their record to 12-12. The alternate cap should have a broom on the front. Players that live by the clichÃ©d "one game at a time" motto are handling the losses in the same manner as...

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Orioles can't get Grichuk or avoid sweep (updated)

August 19, 2020, 12:06pm

Orioles

Randal Grichuk keeps homering against the Orioles as if his contract provides incentives for it. Just one team. No one else. Grichuk hit two more today off left-hander Tommy Milone, raising his total to four in the series and 16 in 33 career games versus the Orioles. His leadoff shot in the second inning gave Toronto an early lead. His two-run shot in the sixth gave them a new one. One ball cleared the center field fence, the other bounced off an orange awning in the home bullpen. The Orioles...

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Notes on Sisco setup, Scott's dominance and Hays healing

August 19, 2020, 8:32am

Orioles

Notes on Sisco setup, Scott's dominance and Hays healing

The Orioles could be poised to revert back to a leadoff platoon. Manager Brandon Hyde elevated Hanser Alberto to first in the order against left-handed starters in 2019, with Jonathan Villar leading off versus right-handers. But Villar was traded to the Marlins over the winter and a new plan seems to be taking shape. Chance Sisco remains in the lineup today against Blue Jays right-hander Tanner Roark and he's batting first for only the second time in his career. The debut came last night...

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Orioles and Blue Jays lineups

August 19, 2020, 7:08am

Orioles

Chance Sisco remains in the leadoff spot today for the Orioles, and he's also behind the plate. Sisco is the first Orioles catcher to bat first since Floyd Rayford on June 26, 1985. Curt Blefary is the only other Orioles catcher to do it back in April 1968. Sisco walked and homered last night as the designated hitter. Hanser Alberto moves down to fifth in the order. Chris Davis is in the lineup today, as the Orioles try to avoid the sweep. Pat Valaika is the shortstop and Cedric Mullins is in...

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Could Sisco get more chances to bat leadoff?

August 18, 2020, 8:06pm

Orioles

Could Sisco get more chances to bat leadoff?

Chance Sisco led off for the Orioles last night, but as the designated hitter. Not the starting catcher, where he'd normally be assigned. We won't let it ruin our fun. Who was the last Orioles catcher to bat first? Floyd Rayford on June 26, 1985. Rayford, mainly a third baseman, was behind the plate for Scott McGregor's start in New York. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in a 4-3 loss. Rickey Henderson swiped second and third base. Henderson was so eager to run, which is like saying water...

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Santander's two homers still leave Orioles short in 8-7 loss (updated)

August 18, 2020, 7:34pm

Orioles

The pose has become familiar. He just needs paparazzi to capture the moment. Anthony Santander unloads on another ball and admires its flight, tosses his bat and beings a slow trot to first base. He'll glance at the dugout and gesture to teammates. A pointed finger, a few words. A celebration after crossing home plate with fists and elbows sometimes touching only air. The hard contact's already been made. Santander extended his hitting streak to a career-high 13 games tonight with a two-run...

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Hyde on Alberto, Iglesias, UrÃas, Davis and Harvey

August 18, 2020, 1:30pm

Orioles

Hyde on Alberto, Iglesias, UrÃas, Davis and Harvey

Catcher Chance Sisco has hit in every spot in the order except first during his major league career. There's a first time for everything. Sisco is leading off tonight as the Orioles continue their series against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Manager Brandon Hyde needed a replacement for Hanser Alberto, who's healthy but getting a breather. Sisco has a .474 on-base percentage and the team doesn't carry a prototypical leadoff hitter on the active roster. Makes sense to try it. Cedric Mullins...

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Orioles place Iglesias on injured list (plus Orioles lineup)

August 18, 2020, 11:51am

Orioles

The Orioles have placed shortstop JosÃ© Iglesias on the 10-day injured list today and recalled infielder RamÃ³n UrÃas from the alternate camp site in Bowie. Iglesias is dealing with a left quadriceps strain and has been limited to sporadic appearances in the lineup and in the field due to his injury. Manager Brandon Hyde suggested yesterday that the IL had become a consideration, though the Orioles hate to lose a bat that's been extremely productive. They're left with no choice. Signed...

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Orioles traveling tough division road, Davis sits again

August 17, 2020, 6:59pm

Orioles

The dog days of August can clamp down on a team under normal circumstances or in a season that's been shortened and manipulated and undergone changes on the fly. The Orioles began a stretch last night of 14 straight games against division opponents. They knew it was coming. The restrictions on travel set them up for it. They won two of three games in Boston to start the season, lost twice to the Yankees and swept the Rays. Now they get the Blue Jays for three, followed by four against the Red...

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Infield hits and one big swing doom Cobb in 7-2 loss (updated)

August 17, 2020, 6:21pm

Orioles

Infield hits and one big swing doom Cobb in 7-2 loss (updated)

The Orioles can no longer hide, even on the nights they'd like to do it. They've been ignored by the national media over the past few years because rebuilds don't have much curb appeal, but recognition is increasing beyond the local coverage. They've become the talk of Twitter, MLB Network and other outlets. This is the good kind of attention. No accusations of "tanking" or being "historically bad." But none of it really matters to them. They've done a pretty good job of tuning out the...

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Iglesias becoming a consideration for injured list

August 17, 2020, 1:14pm

Orioles

Iglesias becoming a consideration for injured list

The inability to keep shortstop JosÃ© Iglesias in the lineup due to a sore left quadriceps muscle has the Orioles at least pondering the benefits of a stint on the 10-day injured list. Iglesias is on the bench again tonight and has been the designated hitter on three occasions to lessen the strain on his leg. He's appeared in 16 games, making 10 starts at shortstop, and slashed .400/.414/.564 with nine doubles and 10 RBIs. "That's a possibility," manager Brandon Hyde said during today's...

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Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

August 17, 2020, 11:57am

Orioles

Chris Davis stays on the bench tonight while the Orioles open a three-game series at home against the Blue Jays. Davis pinch-hit in the ninth inning yesterday and struck out with the count full. He's 6-for-45 (.133) with a .388 OPS, three doubles, an RBI, three walks and 13 strikeouts. His last home run was hit Sept. 23 in Toronto, where the Blue Jays are prohibited from playing this summer. They've relocated to Buffalo. Davis' last start came in Friday's 15-3 loss to the Nationals. He has...

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Orioles add Tate to active roster

August 17, 2020, 8:10am

Orioles

The Orioles have made another bullpen move heading into tonight's series opener against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Dillon Tate has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list. In a corresponding move, the Orioles optioned reliever Evan Phillips to the alternate camp site in Bowie. Manager Brandon Hyde told the media yesterday in his Zoom conference call that Tate was facing hitters and nearing a return. "Couple days ago, threw an inning-plus down there," Hyde said, "so he's getting...

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Orioles praising 'pen while also searching for more substantial starts

August 16, 2020, 3:38pm

Orioles

The glass is half full or half empty. The viewpoint is up for debate. An Orioles bullpen providing outstanding coverage in games and a rotation unable to work beyond the middle innings. One is lauded, the other lectured. Relievers tossed four scoreless innings Saturday night against the Nationals to seal a 7-3 win, after Asher Wojciechowski threw one pitch in the sixth and watched the ball sail over the left field fence. Jorge LÃ³pez made his Orioles debut yesterday and walked off the mound...