Nationals pull away from Orioles in 8-1 win (updated)

Nationals pull away from Orioles in 8-1 win (updated)
The Orioles missed Nationals ace and perennial Cy Young Award candidate Max Scherzer, who's on the injured list. They missed Stephen Strasburg, who's pushed back to Thursday and keeps alive his streak of never pitching in Baltimore. Tonight's matchup between right-handers Asher Wojciechowski and Austin Voth didn't necessarily send shivers up and down the spine, but the Orioles are trying to plug holes in their rotation and the Nats are doing some temporary tinkering. Wojciechowski gave the...

Notes on Bundy, Trumbo, Mancini and more (O's down 6-1)

Notes on Bundy, Trumbo, Mancini and more (O's down 6-1)
The cortisone injection in Dylan Bundy's right knee is having the desired effect and he remains confident that he'll be ready to come off the injured list when he's eligible. Bundy played catch and ran earlier today and said he'll throw a light bullpen session on Wednesday if the knee responds favorably. "It feels as good as it's felt since spring training," he said. The Orioles can adjust their rotation again with Thursday's off-day. They start Aaron Brooks on Wednesday and could give...

Orioles and Nationals lineups

Orioles and Nationals lineups
Anthony Santander is in center field tonight and Chance Sisco is batting third, as the Orioles open a two-game series against the Nationals at Camden Yards. Dwight Smith Jr. is in left field and trying to snap an 0-for-26 slump. Hanser Alberto is playing second base with Jonathan Villar at shortstop. Asher Wojciechowski is making his third start with the Orioles and his fourth appearance. He faced three batters Friday night. The two starts have covered 9 2/3 innings, with Wojciechowski allowing...

Orioles trying to bust a few slumps

Orioles trying to bust a few slumps
Failing to put a runner on base through eight innings of Sunday afternoon's game against the Rays allowed fans and media to redirect their attention from a disheveled rotation. Tom Eshelman was passable. Four runs allowed in 5 2/3 innings but better than the line indicated. He struck out seven, the last five with his curveball, and retired 11 in a row before the Rays tacked on two more runs. There's no reason to push him out of the rotation with Andrew Cashner traded. Just pitching into the...

Who's the next Orioles player to be traded?

Who's the next Orioles player to be traded?
Once the Orioles completed and announced their trade with the Red Sox Saturday afternoon, swapping Andrew Cashner for Rookie-level Dominican Summer League outfielder Elio Prado and infielder Noelberth Romero, the logical question hung in the air like a mile-high pop up. Who's next? Waiting for the next shoe to drop has become its own sport. And you don't sweat as much. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias isn't done, at least in his attempts to move other players. It might...

Orioles wait until ninth for first baserunner in 4-1 loss (updated)

Orioles wait until ninth for first baserunner in 4-1 loss (updated)
The pain that's inflicted on a rebuilding club threatened to run especially deep this afternoon at Camden Yards. The wins and losses aren't supposed to matter, but being on the wrong side of an historical moment does more than just sting. It embarrasses and again tests the resolve of players who wonder just how much worse it can get for them. The Rays retired 24 Orioles in succession, no one reaching base against them, before Hanser Alberto singled on the first pitch thrown to him in the...

More on rotation, Bundy's knee injury and Cashner trade (O's down 4-0)

More on rotation, Bundy's knee injury and Cashner trade (O's down 4-0)
The Orioles have set their rotation for the two-game series against the Nationals at Camden Yards. Asher Wojciechowski starts Tuesday night, followed by Aaron Brooks in the finale. Manager Brandon Hyde is unable to project much further down the road. Off-days on Monday and Thursday factor into his decisions, but it's mostly about finding replacements for Andrew Cashner and Dylan Bundy - one of them traded to the Red Sox, the other placed on the 10-day injured list. Bundy received a cortisone...

Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
Dwight Smith Jr. is on the bench today as the Orioles close out their series against the Rays, with Anthony Santander getting the start in left field. Smith is hitless in his last 26 at-bats, a career-high streak and the longest in the American League. Trey Mancini sat out Game 2 last night while in an 0-for-20 slump, but he's starting in right field today. Chris Davis is playing first base and batting sixth ahead of third baseman Hanser Alberto. Alberto's home run last night in Game 2 was...

Orioles recall Eshelman and give him today's start

Orioles recall Eshelman and give him today's start
The Orioles have recalled right-hander Tom Eshelman from Triple-A Norfolk as the logical replacement for Andrew Cashner on the 25-man roster. Eshelman also is taking Cashner's turn in the rotation today. Someone has to start after the Orioles traded the veteran to the Red Sox yesterday afternoon. The pairing between Eshelman and the Rays is a familiar one. Eshelman made his major league debut against the Rays on July 1 at Tropicana Field and allowed two runs over five innings. The last four...

Reviewing the list of injured Orioles

Reviewing the list of injured Orioles
The Orioles must be expanding on their relaxed facial hair policy. They can't seem to shave their injured list. Reliever Josh Lucas was activated, optioned, designated for assignment and outrighted. He probably felt safer on the IL. John Means was reinstated back on June 28, the collective sigh of relief from the organization causing the flags to flutter above the bullpen area. But the rotation has lost Dylan Bundy to right knee tendinitis, forcing another roster move in a season loaded with...

Means struggles and Orioles settle for split (updated)

Means struggles and Orioles settle for split (updated)
While Orioles manager Brandon Hyde wonders how he's going to piece together his rotation following today's Andrew Cashner trade, he must rely even more on left-hander John Means to anchor the staff. It's a lot of weight to place on the rookie's shoulders, but who else is going to step up? How is Means going to hold up? Means allowed six runs and surrendered three homers for the first time in his career and the Orioles settled for a split of their doubleheader with a 12-4 loss to the Rays...

Cashner on trade: "It's a shocking moment" (O's down 9-3)

Cashner on trade: "It's a shocking moment" (O's down 9-3)
Andrew Cashner felt that a trade was coming. He could sense it. He could pick up on clues via the text messages on his phone. It's the timing that surprised him. Rather than make his scheduled start Sunday afternoon against the Rays, Cashner is packing his belongings and joining the Red Sox following today's deal that sends 17-year-old outfielder Elio Prado and infielder Noelberth Romero to the Orioles. Prado and Romero have been assigned to the Rookie-level Dominican Sumer League on separate...

Orioles trade Cashner to Red Sox

Orioles trade Cashner to Red Sox
The Orioles have made their first significant trade as the deadline approaches. Starter Andrew Cashner is headed to the Red Sox in exchange for outfielder Elio Prado and infielder Noelberth Romero. Prado and Romero are both 17 and natives of Venezuela. Prado will be assigned to the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Orioles 1 and Romero to the DSL Orioles 2. Cashner was supposed to start Sunday afternoon's series finale against the Rays and manager Brandon Hyde will need to come up with a...

Orioles and Rays Game 2 lineups

Orioles and Rays Game 2 lineups
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is keeping Stevie Wilkerson in the lineup tonight for Game 2 of the doubleheader against the Rays. The Orioles are trying for their first sweep since June 25, 2016 versus Tampa Bay. Wilkerson hit the decisive two-run homer off left-hander Colin Poche in a 2-1 victory in Game 1 and he's in center field for the nightcap. Wilkerson has eight home runs this season, the first seven coming off right-handers. He's 5-for-50 against left-handers this season. Keon Broxton...

Brooks opens twinbill with effective outing in 2-1 win (updated)

Brooks opens twinbill with effective outing in 2-1 win (updated)
The first part of the plan worked to near perfection for manager Brandon Hyde, who had to resist joining the crowd in applauding Aaron Brooks as the right-hander walked off the mound in the third inning. Getting eight outs from Brooks in his Orioles debut, in his first start since late April, was cause for celebration. Who's got the laundry cart? Also factor in the 2 2/3 scoreless innings, with no hits or walks, less than 24 hours after a 16-4 loss that included the pitching debut of Stevie...

Wilkerson recounts his pitching debut (O's lead 2-1)

Wilkerson recounts his pitching debut (O's lead 2-1)
Stevie Wilkerson couldn't come up with a new nickname after making his pitching debut last night. He was open to suggestions. "Stevie Slider" wouldn't work because he doesn't have one in his limited arsenal. The super-utility player might settle on "Stevie Strike-thrower." No one can argue that it doesn't fit after he located the zone on seven of his 10 pitches in the ninth inning of a 16-4 loss. Wilkerson became the fourth position player to toe the rubber this season and the 31st...

Bundy could be headed to IL with right knee tendinitis (updated)

Bundy could be headed to IL with right knee tendinitis (updated)
The Orioles are preparing for the possibility that starter Dylan Bundy is headed to the 10-day injured list after a medical exam this morning revealed tendinitis in his right knee. Bundy lasted only one inning and 37 pitches last night, allowing a season-high seven runs and revealing afterward that he felt discomfort while throwing in the outfield and in the bullpen and throughout his abbreviated start. "We're going to monitor here and have some more discussions about it in the next hour...

Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. Rays

Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. Rays
David Hess is the 26th man for today's doubleheader against the Rays, making his latest stop with the Orioles. Hess could back up Aaron Brooks, who isn't stretched out to work deep into the opener. The Orioles also could make another roster move before the nightcap. Trey Mancini is starting at first base and Anthony Santander is in right field. Santander is 17-for-48 (.354) in 12 home games. Hanser Alberto is leading off and playing third base. Pedro Severino is catching and batting...

More on today's doubleheader and Mancini's All-Star break

More on today's doubleheader and Mancini's All-Star break
Back in the city where he's employed and no longer mingling with All-Stars, Orioles left-hander John Means can be certain that he's going to pitch tonight. The manager won't withhold him in case he's needed in extra innings. Means is returning to a normal routine that includes plenty of games against the Rays. Today marks his third appearance, his first half closing with two earned runs allowed (three total) in seven innings that matched his career high and lowered his ERA to 2.50. Means'...

Bundy leaves tonight's game with right knee soreness

Bundy leaves tonight's game with right knee soreness
Dylan Bundy began to notice some soreness in his right knee today while long tossing in the outfield and again throughout his bullpen session. He didn't say anything about it until after the first inning. After giving up seven runs and eight hits, throwing 37 pitches and watching someone else work the second. Bundy received treatment on the knee and the Orioles, coming off an embarrassing 16-4 loss to the Rays at Camden Yards, will evaluate him again Saturday morning while preparing to play a...