Bundy on his season: "It was an up and down year"

Bundy on his season: "It was an up and down year"
Dylan Bundy wasn't ready to reflect. He was polite and funny about it. But the weekend wasn't the proper time to think about his season beyond the unevenness of it. Get him back to Oklahoma first. Put him in a tree stand instead of a visiting clubhouse. Maybe that's the ideal setting for him. "You know how I am," Bundy said. "I don't look too deep into it right now until the season's over and you get home and then you're like, thinking about the season and how things went." Bundy...

Orioles claim Cole Sulser off waivers

Orioles claim Cole Sulser off waivers
The Orioles didn't waste much time filling their 40-man roster again. One day after outrighting pitcher Chandler Shepherd to Triple-A Norfolk, the Orioles have claimed right-handed reliever Cole Sulser off waivers from the Rays and slipped him into the vacant spot. Sulser, 29, made seven relief appearances for the Rays last month and didn't allow a run. He surrendered five hits, walked three batters and struck out nine in his first 7 1/3 innings in the majors. The Rays included Sulser on...

Holt: "If we can compete in this division, we can smoke anybody"

Holt: "If we can compete in this division, we can smoke anybody"
A big chunk of the early offseason work being done by the Orioles involves the construction of the minor league coaching staffs. A task that already was in motion long before the Red Sox's walk-off win on Sunday. Making outside hires and reassigning individuals to a higher or lower affiliate. Changing a few roles in order to keep people in the organization while also making room for others or eliminating the job as it previously had been defined. Sean Berry is expected to come back to the...

Orioles outright Shepherd to Triple-A Norfolk

Orioles outright Shepherd to Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles have wasted little time in beginning their work on the 40-man roster. Less than 24 hours after losing their final game in Boston, the Orioles have outrighted pitcher Chandler Shepherd to Triple-A Norfolk after he cleared waivers, per multiple industry sources. That's one move. Shepherd started yesterday's game and lasted five-plus innings in a 5-4 loss to the Red Sox. He was charged with two earned runs and three total, the last scoring after Shawn Armstrong replaced him. Manager...

More work to be done after Orioles conclude season

More work to be done after Orioles conclude season
BOSTON - With the Orioles unable to secure the last out yesterday in the ninth inning, a walk-off loss done in a bizarre manner being an appropriate parting shot in a summer filled with oddities, we're left to wonder what the heck is coming next. The offseason won't be stagnant. The 40-man roster will undergo a major reconstruction. It should be surrounded by yellow caution tape. Pitchers Alex Cobb and Josh Rogers need to come off the 60-day injured list, with the assumption that the latter...

Orioles lose final game 5-4 in walk-off fashion (updated)

Orioles lose final game 5-4 in walk-off fashion (updated)
BOSTON - As the visiting dugout emptied this afternoon at Fenway Park, the 162nd game completed and players in a rush to eat, shower and catch their flights, there was no evidence of the grim atmosphere that carried so many of them out the door last year. The Orioles felt good about the effort and energy in 2019. They'd like to cut back on the losses, of course, but seem confident that it's only a matter of time. They understand the process and the patience that it requires. There's more...

Hays on closing out his 2019 season (tied 4-4)

Hays on closing out his 2019 season (tied 4-4)
BOSTON - Austin Hays grounded out in his first at-bat this afternoon, on the last day that he's going to play baseball in 2019. Hays no longer is headed to the Arizona Fall League and can return home, as the rest of his teammates are doing after the last out is recorded. He's hopping on the team charter, taking with him a tremendous sense of accomplishment. "It's nice to be able to close this season on a good note and just try to carry this momentum into spring training next year," he said...

Hays no longer ticketed for Arizona Fall League

Hays no longer ticketed for Arizona Fall League
BOSTON - The Orioles have changed their plans regarding outfielder Austin Hays, choosing to shut him down after today's game instead of sending him to the Arizona Fall League. Hays had been part of the Surprise Saguaros' roster until the Orioles learned that they could recall him this month prior to the assignment - a new rule implemented by Major League Baseball. The decision is based on Hays' at-bats, a total that's reached 415 with the 64 that he's accumulated with the Orioles. He's in...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
BOSTON - Jonathan Villar stays in the Orioles lineup this afternoon and is going to play in all 162 games. Villar is the first Orioles player to do it since Jonathan Schoop in 2016. Mark Trumbo is playing his final game with the Orioles, serving today as the designated hitter. Austin Hays is in center field and Austin Wynns is catching again. Stevie Wilkerson is in right field. Renato Núñez is playing first base. Chandler Shepherd, the former 13th-round pick of the Red Sox in 2014, makes...

Orioles reach end of 2019 season

Orioles reach end of 2019 season
BOSTON - The final Orioles lineup of the 2019 season will be posted later this morning. We've moved past penultimate. The word is placed in storage until the next-to-last exhibition game unless someone is bold enough to break it out on the Wednesday of baseball's Winter Meetings. The lineup is going to include Mark Trumbo, playing his last game with the club and perhaps in his career. Anthony Santander is expected to sit again, having already completed his mission of getting back to the...

Orioles assured of series win to close out season (updated)

Orioles assured of series win to close out season (updated)
BOSTON - A season that again proved to be unforgiving for the Orioles, highlighting every deficiency while also sprinkling in the occasional reward in an ill-fated attempt to provide some balance, finally and mercifully has reached its 162nd game. The chance to make an impression, to perhaps have it carry through the cold winter months and into sunny Sarasota, Fla., is down to a nub. DJ Stewart, twice forced onto the injured list and engaged in a heated outfield competition that's expanding,...

Hyde on Means: "He's been a rock for us" (O's lead 8-4)

Hyde on Means: "He's been a rock for us" (O's lead 8-4)
BOSTON - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde isn't ready to name his starter for Sunday's season finale, waiting to find out which relievers are used this afternoon. "It could absolutely be anybody," Hyde said. Meanwhile, left-hander John Means is wrapping up an impressive first season that could thrust him into the voting for American League Rookie of the Year. Means has proven to be one of the major's better success stories at 11-11 with a 3.54 ERA and 1.127 WHIP in 150 innings. "He's had an...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
BOSTON - The penultimate game of the Orioles' 2019 season includes Rio Ruiz batting cleanup today against the Red Sox and Stevie Wilkerson playing center field. Chris Davis is playing first base and Austin Wynns is catching. Austin Hays and Hanser Alberto are on the bench For the OriolesJonathan Villar 2BDJ Stewart LFTrey Mancini RFRio Ruiz 3BRenato Núñez DHChris Davis 1BStevie Wilkerson CFAustin Wynns CRichie Martin SS John Means LHP For the Red SoxJackie Bradley Jr. CFRafael Devers...

Bundy done in 2019

Bundy done in 2019
BOSTON - A decision has been made regarding Dylan Bundy's final start in 2019. He's already made it. Bundy no longer is going to take the mound for the last game of the season. Manager Brandon Hyde hasn't named a Sunday replacement, but called it a "potential" bullpen game. "That's probably going to be decided after Saturday," Hyde said. "We're probably going to piece it together." Bundy will conclude the season with a 7-14 record, 4.79 ERA and 1.355 WHIP in 161 2/3 innings. The 30...

Orioles begin final series by beating Red Sox 4-1 (updated)

Orioles begin final series by beating Red Sox 4-1 (updated)
BOSTON - The final series of the 2019 season came upon manager Brandon Hyde in quick fashion, the months since spring training gaining speed and distorting as if painted by Picasso. The only similarity to a work of art, though tonight's game had shades of a masterpiece. "It does seem like spring training was years (ago). I feel like the season did kind of fly by," Hyde said before tonight's 4-1 victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. "I remember being here early in the year, a little bit...

Hyde on Trumbo, Santander, Williams, Sisco, more (O's up 4-0)

Hyde on Trumbo, Santander, Williams, Sisco, more (O's up 4-0)
BOSTON - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he intends to put Mark Trumbo in Sunday's lineup to close out the season. Left unsaid is how the game also closes out Trumbo's career with the Orioles. He'll decide later whether to retire or pursue a contract with another team. Trumbo is 5-for-25 with three doubles this month since coming off the 60-day injured list. He didn't play in the three-game series in Toronto. Hyde spoke with Trumbo earlier today about the weekend. "He's going to be...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
BOSTON - Anthony Santander remains out of the lineup tonight as the Orioles begin their final series of the 2019 season. Santander hasn't played since Monday. He's in a 1-for-23 slump. Dwight Smith Jr. is in left field and batting cleanup. DJ Stewart is in right field. Trey Mancini is playing first base and Chance Sisco is catching. Mancini has hit safely in 12 consecutive games at Fenway Park since May 19, 2018, posting a .340 average (16-for-47) during that stretch. He's slashed...

Checking on Orioles' progress with three games left

Checking on Orioles' progress with three games left
The Orioles won't finish with the worst record in baseball this season. Does it matter? That sound you might have heard following Wednesday night's game in Toronto wasn't champagne corks popping. The lockers inside the visiting clubhouse weren't covered in plastic. Players weren't covered in alcohol. First or second pick. Second or third. It won't alter the rebuild plan crafted by executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias. Fewer or more losses than 2018. Still doesn't tweak the...

Orioles could eliminate title of minor league catching coordinator

Orioles could eliminate title of minor league catching coordinator
As Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias makes a series of changes to the front office, player development and scouting departments, it's become clear that titles also can be altered or eliminated. It isn't just the individuals behind them. I've heard that the Orioles might do away with the role of minor league catching coordinator that used to be filled by Don Werner, who learned earlier this month that he wouldn't return in 2020. Elias said the following back on...

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups
Austin Wynns is behind the plate again tonight for the Orioles after hitting his first home run last night in Toronto. Austin Hays remains in center field and Chris Davis is playing first base. Dwight Smith Jr. is in left field after going 3-for-4 with a home run last night. Trey Mancini collected five hits last night and he's the designated hitter tonight as the Orioles close out the series. Mancini is batting .353/.412/.600 this month, with six doubles, five home runs and 19 RBIs. He has 30...