The crowd didn’t erupt when Kyle Gibson was introduced and began to warm for tonight’s start at Camden Yards. The moment lacked sentimentality, which was fine with the veteran pitcher and the team that he returned to after signing in March as a free agent.

The Orioles hoped that Gibson could get into the middle innings as they gradually stretched him out. They wanted him to provide some stability and leadership to a rotation that’s torn apart by injuries.

It couldn’t have gone much worse.

The first three Yankees and four of the first five homered off Gibson, and back-to-back doubles put another run on the board before he got the final out. Ten batters came to the plate. A swinging bunt single left Gibson sprawled on the grass, the awkward split looking as painful as the results.

Gibson surrendered another homer in the second and was charged with nine runs in 3 2/3 innings, and the Orioles’ attempt to win back-to-back games for the second time fizzled. A 15-3 loss before an announced crowd of 22,164 lowered their record to 11-18, raised more concerns about their starters and sparked another debate over the exact location of rock bottom.

Kyle Gibson is back in Baltimore and making his return start tonight with the Orioles.

Gibson was activated onto the roster this afternoon. He made 33 starts in 2023 and went 15-9 with a 4.73 ERA in 192 innings.

The Orioles optioned Kade Strowd, who was recalled yesterday and didn’t pitch, to make room for Gibson.

Gibson is 3-7 with a 5.48 ERA in 13 career starts against the Yankees. Aaron Judge is 1-for-11. Trent Grisham is 3-for-16 with a double. Cody Bellinger is 2-for-15 with two home runs.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. is 5-for-14 with a double, triple and homer.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde confirmed that veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson will start Tuesday night against the Yankees.

Gibson hasn’t pitched since April 20 at High-A Aberdeen. He experienced some back soreness but is feeling better.

The rotation could use a veteran hand steering it in the right direction. The unit’s 5.83 ERA is last in the American League and 28^th in the majors, and it includes opener Keegan Akin’s 1 2/3 scoreless innings in Game 2 of Saturday’s doubleheader in Detroit.  

Gibson hasn’t started for the Orioles since Sept. 30, 2023. He pitched three relief innings against the Rangers in the elimination game of the Division Series.

“I hope he can just bring a lot of things, honestly,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “I know one thing, he’s gonna compete every single time out and he’s one of the best teammate I’ve ever been around in a clubhouse. He pitched really well for us a couple years ago, had a nice year in St. Louis last year. He kept us in the game more times than not two years ago and was absolutely fantastic.

WASHINGTON – Roughly 10 percent of the population is left-handed, according to Norgen Biotek. Lefties, though, make up a much larger percentage of pitchers in Major League Baseball. And in 2025, the Orioles have faced a left-handed starter in over 30 percent of their first 23 games.

Tonight, the Birds face another, as the Nationals roll out one of the best young lefties in the game, MacKenzie Gore.

In the seven games that the O’s have faced a lefty starter to begin 2025, Baltimore is just 1-6.

Gore, the former elite prospect, ranks in the 70th percentile or better in expected ERA, expected batting average, fastball velocity, whiff percentage, strikeout percentage and walk percentage this season.

In fact, he is in the 93rd percentile in whiff rate and leads Major League Baseball with 14 strikeouts per nine innings.

WASHINGTON – Sometimes you have it and sometimes you don’t.

An adage applicable to your driver on the golf course, your falsetto at karaoke and a starting pitcher’s feel for off-speed and breaking pitches.

Dean Kremer doesn’t have an overwhelming fastball. It averages about 93.6 mph, according to FanGraphs, and opponents are hitting .304 against the offering this season. Last year, according to Statcast’s run value, it was the worst of his five consistent offerings.

When Kremer has found success, he’s mixed the four-seamer with well-placed cutters and sinkers, plus a curveball to change speeds. But last season, the right-hander found a new, effective off-speed offering: the splitter.

In 2024, he had it. But in 2025, he hasn’t.

Jordan Westburg is leading off tonight and playing third base as the Orioles begin their series against the Guardians.

The lineup is heavy in right-handed bats against Guardians left-hander Logan Allen.

Gary Sánchez is catching, with Adley Rutschman serving as designated hitter. Ramón Laureano is in left field and Jorge Mateo is playing second base.

Gunnar Henderson slides down to the cleanup spot. Cedric Mullins is in center field and batting seventh as the other left-handed bat.

Jackson Holliday, Heston Kjerstad and Ryan O’Hearn go to the bench. Ramón Urías also is out of the lineup.

The Orioles are home for only their second series at Camden Yards. They don't hit the road again until April 22 in D.C., which barely counts.

Hitting the baseball is more important to them. They've scored nine runs in their last four games and six in their last four losses.

The mailbag has avoided any serious tears and mild strains. It helps to dig out some leftovers before the extra weight creates holes in the bottom.

You asked and I answered, and I treated editing the same way that I avoided those jelly-filled chocolates in a Whitman's sampler.

Any Kyle Gibson updates?
Gibson made his first start yesterday with Triple-A Norfolk and threw 47 pitches in 3 1/3 innings. That’s four “ups” for Gibson, who allowed one run and three hits with no walks and four strikeouts. The innings and number of pitches were the most important components. He’ll attempt to increase both in his next start, and the Orioles can decide how much longer he needs to stay down there.

Opening Day is getting closer. The Orioles are in Toronto and will work out this afternoon at Rogers Centre. First pitch is right around the corner.

We don’t know the exact composition of the roster and whether it’s really just down to Jorge Mateo vs. Livan Soto for the last position spot and Bryan Baker vs. Matt Bowman for the last bullpen spot.

There are other questions that require more time before they can be answered. For instance:

When will Grayson Rodriguez return to the rotation?

Rodriguez wasn’t available to the local media after his injury was revealed in Sarasota, offering a daily, very polite, “not today, sorry” at his locker. But he appeared again on Foul Territory yesterday and confirmed that he’s throwing a bullpen session in a few days as part of his ramp-up.

The Orioles are chipping away at their camp roster. They've gotten it down to 36 players.

Veteran starter Kyle Gibson was optioned today to minor league camp after the Orioles signed him last week to a one-year deal. He was staying back in Sarasota, and manager Brandon Hyde told the media in D.C. that the ramp-up hopefully will have Gibson ready around May 1.

Catcher Maverick Handley and infielders Vimael Machín, Emmanuel Rivera and Luis Vázquez were reassigned to minor league camp.

None of these moves are unexpected. The Orioles are set behind the plate with Adley Rutschman and Gary Sánchez, who stayed healthy through camp. Livan Soto appeared to have an edge in the battle to replace injured shortstop Gunnar Henderson unless Jorge Mateo is deemed ready to play on Opening Day.

Mateo remains in Sarasota and is receiving heavy doses of at-bats over the next two days before a decision is made on his availability. He could join the team in Toronto or remain at the complex.

Jordan Lyles did exactly what the Orioles needed him to do in 2022. 

Lyles was an innings eater. He posted every fifth day, making 32 starts and tossing 179.0 innings, averaging close to six innings per outing. The 31-year-old was the only member of Baltimore’s pitching staff to make at least 25 starts, and provided incredibly valuable stability at the top of the rotation. 

Baltimore won 83 games that year, a shocking 31-win improvement from the previous season. Lyles’ consistency and veteran presence played a big part in that turnaround. 

In 2023, Kyle Gibson was tasked with much of the same. Post every fifth day, eat innings and give the bullpen some breathing room. He delivered exactly that. 

Gibson was tied for the American League lead in starts with 33 and tossed 192.0 innings, 12th most in the bigs. He completed five innings of work in 28 of his 33 outings. 

BRADENTON, Fla. – Zach Eflin was happy with his final exhibition start, but he didn’t smile during today’s media scrum until asked about Kyle Gibson.

They were teammates with the Phillies in 2021-22 and are reunited in spring training after the Orioles signed Gibson last night to a one-year deal.

“I was thrilled, absolutely thrilled,” Eflin said. “I think everybody in the clubhouse is thrilled. Everybody knows that Kyle Gibson is one of the best people on planet earth, so to be able to have him be a part of this team again is huge. Everybody’s looking forward to it.

“He’s such a role model, mentor in every single aspect of his life. He did great things with this team a couple years ago and I’m excited to be a part of it with him.”

The Orioles will break out one of the oldest rotations in baseball after Gibson completes his spring training.

BRADENTON, Fla. – A running joke developed between veteran pitcher Kyle Gibson and his agent as the winter months passed without a new contract. Free agency was dragging like an infield mat. It’s better to laugh about the situation than to stress.

“The next guy that would sign,” Gibson said this morning, “I’d be like, ‘OK, well, I’ve got to be next.’”

He said it over and over.

Gibson officially came off the board last night by passing his physical with the Orioles and signing a $5.25 million contract with incentives. He’s back with the team that named him the Opening Day starter in 2023, won 101 games and a division title and lauded his performance and leadership – long after he left.

“Everyone that I’ve talked to, I mean, guys were talking about Kyle to me when I first got here,” said Charlie Morton, who signed for $15 million on Jan. 3. “They were like, ‘Oh yeah, Kyle was this guy in the clubhouse. Gibby was one of the best guys I’ve been around. A great teammate.’ And so to see that he’s re-signed here, like those are the kind of guys ...

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles were on the brink of exploding, and in a good way. This wasn’t dissension. It was celebration.

They won 101 games and the division in 2023, stomping the rebuild into submission. The champagne was on ice after the clincher and players were handed goggles in the clubhouse to protect their eyes.

“You don’t need glasses,” veteran pitcher Kyle Gibson shouted. “The burn’s the best part.”

Now that’s leadership.

Free agency appeared to burn Gibson but he’s returning after signing a one-year contract last night for $5.25 million. Injuries dug into the Orioles’ depth. Gibson is one of the remedies. It just won’t be immediate with the need to undergo his own spring training and ramp-up.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The quest for starter depth has caused the Orioles to circle back to Kyle Gibson.

The club announced tonight that it signed Gibson to a one-year contract. A source confirmed that the deal guarantees $5.25 million. The Athletic also reported that Gibson can earn $1.525 million in performance bonuses.

Gibson, 37, spent the 2023 season with the Orioles and emerged as one of their most popular players while going 15-9 with a 4.73 ERA in 33 starts. He pitched for the Cardinals last season and registered a 4.24 ERA in 30 starts.

The free-agency process didn't move as quickly for Gibson this winter.

“Kyle was amazing for us a couple years ago, what he did in the clubhouse, plus how he took the ball every five days and kept us in almost every game,” manager Brandon Hyde said after a 9-1 loss to the Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium. “He was an unbelievable leader. Had a good year last year in St. Louis, and I’m really happy about having him back.”

It’s still early November, so the Hot Stove is far from heating up. But with this past week getting us further removed from the end of the World Series, the offseason – specifically free agency – has officially begun.

For the Nationals, that means it may be time to make some significant offseason additions to the major league roster after years of waiting for their in-house prospects to reach the bigs, opening the window for them to compete again.

Mike Rizzo reportedly said at the General Manager Meetings this week in San Antonio that he thinks the Nats could make a big free agent signing this winter if it makes sense for the club, which would be a stark contrast to the organization’s philosophy over the last three offseasons.

So with that in mind, let’s take a look at MLB Trade Rumors’ list of the top 50 free agents and which players its staff predicts will land in Washington …

1B PETE ALONSO
Top 50 rank: 7
Contract: Five years, $125 million

ST. LOUIS – The Orioles have had many nights this year where they have been an aggressive hitting team. And many nights where that works out well for them.

They began last night leading the American League in runs per game. But they also ranked 14^th and next to last in walk rate and they are 28^th in the majors with a walk rate of 7.0 percent. American League average is 8.2.

The O’s hitters, on average, see 3.80 pitches per plate appearance to rank 11^th-most in the league and league average is 3.88 per PA.

Yes, they rate low in walks, but high in runs scored and they rank first in the majors in slugging and sixth in MLB in team OPS where they are also third in the AL.

In an extended answer before last night’s game, manager Brandon Hyde explained why many nights the O’s are an aggressive hitting team that sometimes hunts pitches early in counts and why they like it that way.

Money remains a determining factor in free agency, with the most lucrative offers usually winning out. The game’s evolution still has its limits. Some things stay the same.

However, the Orioles are finding that they’re a more attractive destination after emerging from the rebuild.

The perception of the organization has shifted, and more dramatically than the left field wall.

It won’t make Shohei Ohtani regret the $700 million he’s getting from the Dodgers, but the selling points are beginning to multiply.

“It’s been really refreshing and it’s such an easy conversation for Brandon Hyde and I to explain why this is a good place to come play,” executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said at the Winter Meetings.

A week’s vacation for your trusty beat writer usually guarantees something for the Nationals: News.

Countless times over the years have I gone off the grid only to find out the Nats made some kind of major transaction in my absence. So, count me genuinely shocked when I got back to town after an extended Thanksgiving break with nary a peep coming out of South Capitol Street. Don’t get me wrong, I was glad Bobby Blanco’s holiday weekend wasn’t ruined by breaking news. But I fully expected to come back with reason to share my thoughts on multiple items of interest.

Instead … well, there really isn’t anything new on the Nationals to discuss. The Winter Meetings begin Sunday in Nashville, so there will be actual news soon enough. But not yet.

Perhaps the most interesting development of the last week from the Nats’ perspective was the flurry of moves made by other clubs. Especially when it came to free agent starting pitchers.

There have already been a number of moves in that oh-so-important department, and you better believe the Nationals were paying attention and calculating how it might impact their own pursuit of pitching help this winter.

The Cardinals signing of Kyle Gibson to a one-year, $12 million deal with an option didn’t shed much light on the Orioles’ plans for their rotation.

Those intentions already are illuminated.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias wants an upper-level starter for the rotation. Gibson is a great guy who put up some good numbers in 2023, but Elias is aiming higher.

He won’t find a higher-quality individual, but this is about upgrading the rotation.

Elias gave interviews at the general managers meetings and to MASNsports.com and 105.7 The Fan over the last few weeks, and it’s the same summary. He wants pitching. Near or at the top of the rotation and in the back end of the bullpen.

The Orioles were expected to find a new Opening Day starter in 2024, whether from outside the organization or by choosing one of their returnees.

Now, they’re assured of doing it.

Kyle Gibson reached agreement today on a one-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals that includes an option for 2025, per a report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, with multiple outlets confirming.

ESPN’s Jesse Rogers first reported that Gibson will receive $12 million next season.

It’s an ideal landing spot for Gibson, who lives in the St. Louis area and attended the University of Missouri. He follows the Cardinals’ agreement yesterday with veteran Lance Lynn to a one-year deal plus an option for a guaranteed $11 million.