Roch Kubatko

Reviewing recent roster and player pool reconstruction

September 21, 2020, 1:14pm

Orioles

Reviewing recent roster and player pool reconstruction

The trade that brought right-hander Conner Loeprich to the Orioles organization was announced in the ninth inning of Sunday afternoon's game against the Rays. In the middle of the filing frenzy, when most of the beat crew is rushing to get its stories ready to post after the final out - and hoping that the score and stats don't require a late adjustment. CÃ©sar Valdez was in the process of retiring the side in order for his second save. Leadoff hitter Willy Adames smoked a ball to the...

Orioles surrender Carson Fulmer on waiver claim

September 21, 2020, 10:42am

Orioles

Carson Fulmer's stay in Baltimore was brief. The Orioles lost Fulmer today on a waiver claim by the Pirates after he made three relief appearances. He's headed back to the organization that lost him on a waiver claim by the Orioles two weeks ago. Reliever Cody Carroll was placed on outright waivers, cleared them and will remain assigned to the alternate camp site in Bowie. The moves leave the Orioles with only 37 players on the 40-man roster and 59 in the 60-man pool. Fulmer, the eighth...

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NÃºÃ±ez and Severino trying to be set free of slumps

September 20, 2020, 3:28pm

Orioles

NÃºÃ±ez and Severino trying to be set free of slumps

Renato NÃºÃ±ez was back in the Orioles lineup yesterday after sitting out Saturday night's game, a cleanup hitter in a messy slump. Pedro Severino was the designated hitter on Saturday and behind the plate yesterday, also looking lost during the times that he stepped up to it. Could two players bust out of two funks on the same afternoon? The Orioles settled for a split, which enabled them to defeat the Rays 2-1 and avoid a sweep in the final home game at Camden Yards. John Means earned...

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Means strikes out 12 in 2-1 win (updated)

September 20, 2020, 11:36am

Orioles

Means strikes out 12 in 2-1 win (updated)

Sammy Stewart was a rookie making his major league debut in 1978 when he struck out seven batters in a row to set an Orioles record. John Means was in his second full season, though in truncated style, when he tied the record today. Pitching in the final home game in 2020. Back to the form that made him an All-Star last summer. Means went on to set a career high with 12 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings, allowing only one run in his third consecutive start, and the Orioles defeated the Rays 2-1 at...

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Hyde on Iglesias, Means and last home game of 2020

September 20, 2020, 8:40am

Orioles

Hyde on Iglesias, Means and last home game of 2020

Orioles shortstop JosÃ© Iglesias is out of today's lineup and undergoing more tests on his left wrist. Manager Brandon Hyde couldn't provide an update in today's Zoom conference call with the media. Iglesias was drilled on the left wrist last night and came out of the game. "He's getting re-evaluated this morning, but the news last night was good, that the X-rays from last night came back negative," Hyde said. "He's just really sore today. Haven't gotten the results back from doctors...

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Orioles complete Castro trade with Mets, release Shepherd (plus lineups)

September 20, 2020, 7:27am

Orioles

The Orioles announced the completion of another trade, receiving shortstop Victor GonzÃ¡lez from the Mets as the player to be named later in the Miguel Castro deal. GonzÃ¡lez has been added to the 60-man pool and the Orioles released pitcher Chandler Shepherd from the alternate camp site in Bowie. The pool is holding 60 players. GonzÃ¡lez, 17, was originally signed by the Mets on July 2, 2019, as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic. He hasn't played...

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Evan Phillips rolling in return trips

September 19, 2020, 7:02pm

Orioles

The shuttle carried reliever Evan Phillips to Baltimore for Thursday's doubleheader against the Rays. Then it transported him back to the alternate camp site in Bowie, his status as the 29th man pretty much ensuring that his stay would be brief. He has the route memorized. Phillips was gone, but not forgotten or ignored. The Orioles recalled him again yesterday and he tossed two more scoreless innings. They were intrigued by the four batters faced and four strikeouts on 17 pitches in Game 2,...

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Orioles held to one run again and will finish below .500 (updated)

September 19, 2020, 6:40pm

Orioles

In a mathematical technicality, the Orioles remain in the pennant race as they close out the final homestand of the season. The numbers don't shove them to the curb. They also had a shot at finishing .500, but only by winning their last eight games. The final record won't push along the rebuild. The development and impact of Ryan Mountcastle will make a real difference. His presence in the middle of the order. What the young starters do will make a real difference. The young arms in the back...

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Davis won't play again in 2020

September 19, 2020, 12:49pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde confirmed this afternoon that first baseman Chris Davis will remain on the injured list through the last eight games of the season. Davis returned to the IL five days ago with left knee patella tendinitis after already receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection, resting and working out at the alternate camp site in Bowie. He was activated on Sept. 8 after accompanying the team on its trip to New York, but appeared in only one game. In his final appearance in a 2020...

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Orioles recall Phillips and option Velazquez (plus lineups)

September 19, 2020, 12:10pm

Orioles

The Orioles brought back reliever Evan Phillips today after his role Thursday as the 29th man in the doubleheader. Phillips was optioned after Game 2, but has been recalled from the alternate camp site in Bowie. The Orioles optioned infielder Andrew Velazquez. Phillips struck out all four batters he faced Thursday and has a 3.65 ERA and 1.541 WHIP in 12 1/3 innings. He's walked eight and struck out 16. Velazquez is batting .159/.274/.206 in 40 games and 77 plate appearances. He's made 19...

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Current Orioles wanting to follow in 1970 team's footsteps

September 18, 2020, 6:40pm

Orioles

The Orioles managed again last night to reach back to their past while focusing on the present, their latest game against the Rays that ended with a 2-1 loss, and the promising future with the influx of prospects on the roster. None of them should be ignored or neglected. Fifty years have melted away since the Orioles won the second World Series title in franchise history. They couldn't remove the pain from the upset loss to the Mets in '69, but they plowed through the regular season and...

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Cobb's quality can't control outcome in 2-1 loss (updated)

September 18, 2020, 6:34pm

Orioles

Cobb's quality can't control outcome in 2-1 loss (updated)

Alex Cobb took his turn tonight, the senior member of a rotation that's filling up with freshmen. A bend in a popular September storyline. If Cobb is going to impact the rebuild, it's likely to be as a mentor for the rookies. Maybe as a trade chip over the winter or at next summer's deadline. Or perhaps he lessens the pain of it with a standout 2021. He has one season left on the four-year, $57 million deal he signed in March 2018. He has one start remaining after tonight. He needs to take...

Orioles acquire De LeÃ³n from Marlins as PTBNL

September 18, 2020, 2:17pm

Orioles

The Orioles completed one of their earlier summer trades this afternoon, receiving infielder Isaac De LeÃ³n from the Marlins as the player to be named later for left-handed reliever Richard Bleier. The Bleier deal was consummated on Aug. 1. De LeÃ³n is 18 and the type of player sought in the past by executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias. A young prospect to increase the talent level in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. Elias acquired outfielder Elio Prado and infielder...

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Notes on Iglesias, MVO, Harvey, Valdez and Cobb

September 18, 2020, 1:16pm

Orioles

Notes on Iglesias, MVO, Harvey, Valdez and Cobb

Orioles shortstop JosÃ© Iglesias is out of the lineup tonight for the second consecutive game, which leads to the latest quiz. Is Iglesias on the bench because of his quadriceps, shin or all of the above? "All of the above," manager Brandon Hyde said during today's Zoom conference call with the media. "It's a well-deserved day off for him. He'll be available off the bench. He actually wanted to be available off the bench in the second game last night as well. But yeah, giving him a...

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Orioles lineup vs. Rays

September 18, 2020, 11:49am

Orioles

JosÃ© Iglesias is out of tonight's lineup, whether due to a sore quadriceps muscle or shin. Andrew Velazquez gets the start at shortstop as the Orioles try to rebound from yesterday's doubleheader sweep. Ryan Mountcastle is the first baseman and cleanup hitter and Chance Sisco is the designated hitter. Bryan Holaday is catching. Austin Hays is in left field. Third baseman Rio Ruiz is on the field today for early work on his throws. Alex Cobb is making his penultimate start of the season....

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Rookies in rotation reason to respect September baseball in 2020

September 17, 2020, 6:47pm

Orioles

Rookies in rotation reason to respect September baseball in 2020

The drudgery of September baseball for a team out of contention or barely visible is spiced by the arrival of prospects. The legitimate types rather than the fringy, "it's the best we've got" collection. The Orioles are carrying the developmental process from their alternate camp site in Bowie to the majors, another unique feature of 2020 baseball. Gains are possible with the final month more closely resembling mid-summer baseball. Active rosters aren't expanded to the maximum 40 players,...

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Zimmermann has eventful debut in O's 10-6 loss (updated)

September 17, 2020, 6:29pm

Orioles

Zimmermann has eventful debut in O's 10-6 loss (updated)

The firsts began to pile up for Orioles pitcher Bruce Zimmermann in the first inning. His first pitch in the majors, a 92 mph fastball that brought weak contact from Rays leadoff hitter Randy Arozarena on a fly ball to right field. His first hit batter, a slider nailing Hunter Renfroe on the left knee and bringing the Rays' athletic trainer on the field. His first walk, with Brandon Lowe headed to first base on five pitches. His first home run allowed, with Willy Adames lining a changeup into...

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Valdez allows first runs in Orioles' 3-1 loss in Game 1 (updated)

September 17, 2020, 3:07pm

Orioles

Dean Kremer has become the rookie middle brother. He's the Peter Brady of the Orioles. Keegan Akin made his major league debut on Aug. 14, about three weeks ahead of Kremer. Bruce Zimmermann, the Ellicott City resident and newest arrival, is starting Game 2 of tonight's doubleheader after the Orioles selected his contract from the alternate camp site. It's follow and be followed for Kremer, whose third career start this afternoon finally let him to face a team from outside New York. The Rays...

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More on Zimmermann's promotion and rotation plans

September 17, 2020, 10:44am

Orioles

More on Zimmermann's promotion and rotation plans

Bruce Zimmermann was headed to Fort Myers to start a March 12 exhibition game against the Twins when the team bus circled the Orioles spring complex and returned. The game was canceled. The sport had shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Zimmermann already made a positive impression on the Orioles and he's preparing for his major league debut in Game 2 of today's doubleheader against the Rays at Camden Yards. The Orioles will select Zimmermann's contract from the alternate camp site in...

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Wojciechowski DFA, Zimmermann starting Game 2

September 17, 2020, 9:02am

Orioles

Wojciechowski DFA, Zimmermann starting Game 2

Baltimore native Bruce Zimmermann has been summoned from the alternate camp site in Bowie and announced as the probable starter for Game 2 of today's doubleheader against the Rays at Camden Yards. The corresponding roster move will be made following Game 1. Asher Wojciechowski has been designated for assignment and the Orioles recalled relievers Branden Kline and Evan Phillips from the secondary site. Phillips was added as the 29th man. One of the relievers could return to Bowie after Game 1...