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Attempts to get comfortable with the structure of the Orioles’ roster is time wasted. The changes and debuts are coming at a dizzying pace.
The Orioles set a club record by using 62 players in the 110-loss 2021 season. The total is 54 this year and they have infielder/outfielder Vidal Bruján and relievers Elvin Rodríguez and Houston Roth waiting for their first chance. Bruján will meet the team in Philadelphia.
Terrin Vavra received in his first at-bat Saturday since 2023, and before the Orioles designated him for assignment the following day. He just made it under the wire.
A corresponding move is pending with Bruján. Vavra seemed to be the most likely player to go but he’s already out the door. Shortstop Luis Vázquez could be vulnerable.
Jeremiah Jackson has started in right field the past two games and he’s hit, moving up to fifth in the order yesterday. The ground beneath his feet might be more solid.
Ryan Noda made his Orioles debut yesterday and delivered a pinch-hit RBI single. He’s a left-handed bat, which is appealing with Ryan O’Hearn traded to the Padres.
Two other roster moves were expected today with Cade Povich leaving the injured list to start against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park and first baseman Ryan Mountcastle also being reinstated. Povich will be making his 14th appearance. Mountcastle hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring on May 30, but as it turns out, he won’t return today.
Interim manager Tony Mansolino told the media yesterday in Chicago that it could be another day or so with Mountcastle, but the hamstring is great.
Noda has two minor league options and could step aside for Mountcastle. Jordyn Adams was recalled after the trade deadline. The Orioles are carrying only four outfielders – Adams, Colton Cowser, Tyler O’Neill and Dylan Carlson. O’Neill didn’t play again yesterday after being scratched Saturday with an illness.
The Orioles need an extra outfielder more than an infielder, which could create an issue for Jackson. Honestly, who knows? Someone else could get hurt, because … Orioles.
Carlson is settling into center after the Cedric Mullins trade. Mansolino told the media over the weekend that he’d prefer keeping Cowser in left. Cowser made a couple of outstanding plays Saturday and nearly came up with a diving grab on a sinking fly ball.
Roth, meanwhile, sits in the dugout waiting for the phone to ring. And now he’s got to hope that he isn’t called into Mansolino's office and becomes a casualty with Povich returning.
“It’s something you work your whole life for,” he said last week at Camden Yards. “It’s exciting to finally be here and I’m excited to see what I can do to help this team.”
Roth, 27, didn’t jump to any conclusions as the trade deadline approached and bullpen openings popped up like pimples.
“I just kept my head down and kept moving, kept throwing the ball, and do what I can and let them make the decisions,” he said.
Roth can always brag about going from 29th-round pick, before the draft was whittled to 20, to major league reliever. He’s a rare breed.
“It hasn’t been easy,” he said. “I haven’t been giving anything and I had to work for what I got.”
It only took seven years and a lot of determination.
“I had a great support system behind me with the Orioles and my family, as well,” he said. “It’s been a lifelong dream since a kid, and I think that’s what kept me going is the dream.”
The Orioles didn’t select his contract solely to reward him. He had a combined 2.21 ERA and .206 opponents’ average in 24 appearances between Triple-A Norfolk and Double-A Chesapeake, and he struck out 40 batters in 36 2/3 innings.
“I wanted to come out this year and see what I was made of and really go at guys,” he said, “and it’s worked out well for me.”
* The Orioles keep bumping up prospect. Right-hander Anthony Nunez (No. 24 per MLB Pipeline), acquired from the Mets in the Cedric Mullins trade, was promoted from Chesapeake to Norfolk. Outfielder Austin Overn (No. 30) advances from High-A Aberdeen to Chesapeake.
Overn batted .242/.367/.386 with eight doubles, four triples, eight home runs, 30 RBIs and 43 stolen bases in 50 attempts in his 84 games with the IronBirds. He’s a third-round pick in the 2024 draft out of USC.
Reliever Nathan Webb was released after posting a combined 4.70 ERA in 28 appearances between Norfolk and Chesapeake. He tossed a scoreless inning yesterday with the Tides.
Norfolk’s Dylan Beavers homered twice yesterday off Zach Plesac to give him 16. He also singled and drove in three runs. He’s batting .307 with a .941 OPS.
Samuel Basallo singled and hit his 21st home run. He’s batting .271 with a .974 OPS.
Catcher Silas Ardoin went 4-for-4.
Shortstop Brandon Butterworth, acquired from the Padres in the O’Hearn/Ramón Laureano deal, hit his first Double-A homer. He’s 5-for-11 with two extra-base hits since his promotion.
