Roch Kubatko

Mancini focused on health as Orioles open season without him

July 24, 2020, 8:31am

Orioles

Trey Mancini can see the light at the end of the tunnel. The final chemotherapy treatment and ride from D.C. to Johns Hopkins Hospital. The change in mindset from beating cancer, a fight that leaves him weak and with no appetite for about 48 hours after that trip into Baltimore, to beginning workouts that get him ready for the 2021 baseball season. He's so close. Five more treatments every other Monday, the last on Sept. 21, and he's hopefully defeated his most formidable opponent. "I'm...

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Orioles skillfully maneuver 40-man roster

July 23, 2020, 2:34pm

Orioles

The Orioles demonstrated yesterday how they're able to do the 40-man roster dance without tripping over their own feet. It was an impressive feat. They had one open spot and a lengthy list of non-roster players competing for jobs, though Stevie Wilkerson dropped out due to a broken finger on his left hand. That's a lot of traffic and the potential for a massive pileup. But utility player Pat Valaika was the lone addition, pretty much winning a job in spring training prior to the shutdown. He...

Means on injured list and excluded from 30-man roster

July 23, 2020, 8:25am

Orioles

Means on injured list and excluded from 30-man roster

The Orioles will begin the long-awaited 2020 season without their No. 1 starter and projected closer. John Means and Hunter Harvey have been placed on the 10-day injured list. Reliever Dillon Tate also is on the IL - with all three assignments backdated to Monday - but outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. has been activated and made the 30-man roster for Friday night's opening game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Manager Brandon Hyde indicated yesterday that Means likely would start against the...

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Orioles inching closer to the opener (updated)

July 22, 2020, 1:47pm

Orioles

Today marks the final time in 2020 that we can wonder whether the Orioles actually will make it to opening day without the coronavirus pandemic or any assortment of disasters and traumas again shutting down baseball. The completion of a 60-game season remains a dicey proposition, but the 30-man roster will be turned into Major League Baseball by noon, the Orioles will hold an optional workout and they'll head to Boston for their first opener at Fenway Park since 1966. "I think we're as ready...

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Hunter Harvey appears headed to injured list

July 22, 2020, 1:30pm

Orioles

Hunter Harvey appears headed to injured list

Orioles reliever Hunter Harvey won't be in the visiting bullpen for the opening series against the Red Sox, his next move appearing to be the 10-day injured list instead of the closer's role. Harvey is bothered by some tightness in his elbow that manager Brandon Hyde described as "muscular," which reduces the level of concern but also prevents the former first-round draft selection from remaining active. "That's very doubtful that he's going to break with us," Hyde said on his Zoom...

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Milone on unexpected opportunity to be opening day starter

July 22, 2020, 11:28am

Orioles

Milone on unexpected opportunity to be opening day starter

This isn't how it was supposed to happen. Tommy Milone didn't sign a minor league contract with the Orioles in February, a late arrival to their spring training camp in Sarasota, with the idea that he'd make the opening day start. He just wanted to make the club. In one of the sports' unpredictable and, depending on the depth of your sentimental slant, charming twists, Milone has gone from competing for the fifth spot in the rotation to leading it into the season. One of baseball's truly...

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Orioles moving on to finalization of roster for opening day

July 21, 2020, 7:15pm

Orioles

The Orioles must turn in their opening day roster by noon Thursday and decide whether anyone else is headed for the injured list. They must sort through the pile of ailing players and figure out if it's smarter to just remove guys from the pool and send them to the alternate camp in Bowie. It's a job so big, they should hire interns. Infielder Richie Martin underwent wrist surgery and is on the 60-day injured list, pitcher Ty Blach had a ligament reconstructed in his left elbow and utility...

Orioles left with 6-4 loss to Nationals in rain-shortened exhibition

July 21, 2020, 4:37pm

Orioles

WASHINGTON - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde broke out a version of his lineup tonight that could be used against left-handed starters. Not a carbon copy necessarily, but a close reproduction. Dilson Herrera has to earn a spot on the roster and a chance to play left field, but there's preview potential in the final exhibition game. Austin Hays will lead off under any circumstances, as he did tonight against Nationals southpaw Patrick Corbin, but Hanser Alberto moved up from sixth to second in the...

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Milone replaces Means as opening day starter

July 21, 2020, 12:24pm

Orioles

Milone replaces Means as opening day starter

For the second season in a row, the Orioles must switch opening day starters and deny the winner of the competition his first career assignment. John Means has been scratched with left arm fatigue and replaced by veteran left-hander Tommy Milone. Manager Brandon Hyde made the announcement earlier today in his Zoom conference call, delivering news that was anticipated for the past few days. Means hadn't been cleared to throw until playing catch today and the team won't risk a more serious...

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Orioles lineup vs. Nationals

July 21, 2020, 10:16am

Orioles

The Orioles will take another look at utility candidate Dilson Herrera in left field tonight as they conclude their three-game exhibition schedule against the Nationals in D.C. Herrera played right field and second base last night at Camden Yards. His chances of making the club increased with news that Stevie Wilkerson suffered a fractured bone in his left ring finger. Austin Hays returns to the lineup and is leading off, followed by Hanser Alberto. Anthony Santander, who went 2-for-2 last...

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Orioles must make decision on Means

July 20, 2020, 6:12pm

Orioles

The Orioles should know later today whether left-hander John Means is making the opening night start at Fenway Park. They can't wait any longer because he'll need to throw for a couple of days without any arm discomfort. Has to prove that he can do it. A dose of good news would lift their spirits. This team is crawling to the starting line. Contingency plans are in place in case Means can't pitch. The Orioles have been prepping for his absence since last week. Withholding Wade LeBlanc from...

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Cobb impressive early, Santander with two hits in 4-2 loss (updated)

July 20, 2020, 4:52pm

Orioles

Cobb impressive early, Santander with two hits in 4-2 loss (updated)

Alex Cobb knows the pain of being unable to start on opening day for the first time because an injury ruined the experience. He can sympathize with left-hander John Means, whose assignment in Boston is in jeopardy due to arm fatigue. Cobb isn't a candidate to replace Means because he stood on the mound tonight with baseball in hand and his own, more modest goal, in mind. The Orioles wanted to stretch out Cobb to four innings and never considered the idea of using him on short rest against the...

Orioles still don't know whether John Means can start opener

July 20, 2020, 1:04pm

Orioles

The Orioles are waiting to find out the results of Stevie Wilkerson's visit today to a hand specialist and should be able to gather more information later this afternoon. Wilkerson had swelling in his left ring finger after making a diving catch last night in Philadelphia. He's become a candidate for the injured list. John Means isn't throwing while trying to work through a dead-arm period. He's just receiving treatment and the Orioles aren't sure about his status for opening day. "John...

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Santander in Orioles lineup vs. Nationals

July 20, 2020, 10:38am

Orioles

Anthony Santander is in the Orioles' exhibition lineup tonight against the Nationals, making the start in right field after reporting to camp last week. Santander was late after testing positive for COVID-19, but the Orioles are optimistic that he can get ready for Friday night's opener in Boston. DJ Stewart is leading off and Cedric Mullins, who homered last night in Philadelphia, is in center field and batting ninth. Austin Hays is out of the lineup after being hit on the left knee last...

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Valdez and Herrera making surprising bids for opening day roster

July 19, 2020, 6:06pm

Orioles

Valdez and Herrera making surprising bids for opening day roster

One of the more startling developments of summer training camp beyond John Means' dead-arm period is the potential crashing of the opening day roster projection party. Who invited CÃ©sar Valdez and Dilson Herrera? It feels like they carpooled and brought their own keg. The odds of Valdez's making the trip to Boston for Friday night's opener were placed at a "hard no" back in March, if such a thing actually exists, as he worked out at the minor league complex in Twin Lakes Park. His five...

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Wilkerson seeing hand specialist after leaving game with injury

July 19, 2020, 5:58pm

Orioles

Wilkerson seeing hand specialist after leaving game with injury

Stevie Wilkerson's bid to break summer camp with the Orioles as one of their super-utility players was hurt tonight in Philadelphia. Wilkerson is going to see a hand specialist to determine the cause of the swelling in his left ring finger. He made a diving catch in the bottom of the second inning to rob the Phillies' Jean Segura and came out of the game. Manager Brandon Hyde provided the update on his Zoom conference call with the media following a 5-1 win at Citizens Bank Park. Wilkerson is...

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Updating Means, exhibition pitchers and more

July 19, 2020, 12:32pm

Orioles

Updating Means, exhibition pitchers and more

The Orioles remain uncertain about John Means' status for opening day, though there's been improvement in the condition of his left arm. Manager Brandon Hyde said the club remains in day-to-day mode with Means. "He felt a lot better today," Hyde said during his Zoom conference call with the media. "Has done a lot of treatment today. We haven't made a decision on that yet, but obviously we need to do that here in the next couple days." The Orioles won't use a starter on short rest if...

Orioles lineup vs. Phillies

July 19, 2020, 9:44am

Orioles

The Orioles will play their first summer training camp exhibition game tonight with Austin Hays leading off and Pat Valaika handling the shortstop position at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. JosÃ© Iglesias' exclusion from the lineup is the only surprise. He didn't play in last night's final intrasquad game and received treatment for a sore back earlier in camp. Hanser Alberto, who's been a presence at the top of the lineup in intrasquads, is lowered to sixth tonight. DJ Stewart is...

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Iglesias offering more than defense in summer camp

July 18, 2020, 5:20pm

Orioles

Iglesias offering more than defense in summer camp

The only way to cool down JosÃ© Iglesias in summer training camp is to offer him a seat in the dugout and keep him there. Point the big fan at him. Assuming those kind are permitted inside the ballpark. Iglesias brought a stellar defensive reputation to the organization after signing over the winter. One plus is inadequate when describing him. He's treating camp as if trying to make a point about other facets of his game. Don't sleep on the bat. Iglesias collected three more hits in Friday...

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Taylor Davis and Austin Hays hit back-to-back intrasquad homers

July 18, 2020, 4:40pm

Orioles

Taylor Davis and Austin Hays hit back-to-back intrasquad homers

The Orioles played their final intrasquad game tonight at Camden Yards. Major League Baseball keeps chugging forward in its quest to begin the 2020 season. For the Orioles to reach opening day against the Red Sox, they first must play three exhibition games and hold a workout Wednesday in Baltimore. They'll head to Boston the following day. They aren't out of the woods, but they're almost ready to leave Maryland. Tonight was more of a scrimmage with crowd noise piped in but no player...