The Orioles have made the following roster moves:
Additionally, LHP Matt Krook has been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.
The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.
The roster reshaping by the Orioles isn’t over.
No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday is headed to Baltimore, multiple sources have confirmed. He could join the active roster before Wednesday afternoon’s game against the Blue Jays or accompany the team to Cleveland before he’s officially recalled.
Holliday was removed from tonight’s lineup, as MASNsports.com reported earlier, following the Connor Norby trade that also sent outfielder Kyle Stowers to the Marlins in exchange for left-hander Trevor Rogers.
This will be Holliday’s second stint in the majors. An unpopular camp cut, Holliday had his contract selected on April 10 and he went 2-for-34 with 18 strikeouts before the Orioles optioned him April 26.
Holliday missed almost two weeks with right elbow inflammation and was eased back into action as the designated hitter before returning to second base. He’s batting .271/.431/.477 with 25 doubles, 10 home runs, 38 RBIs, 75 walks and 77 strikeouts in 73 games.
As Orioles ace pitcher right-hander Corbin Burnes (9-3, 2.28 ERA) went on the paternity list today, it opened an opportunity for Triple-A lefty reliever Matt Krook to join the team.
Manager Brandon Hyde said Burnes will rejoin the team for Tuesday’s game at Seattle and then they will map out his next start. Today Krook was called from Norfolk to take his roster spot. A player can be on the paternity list for up to three games.
For now, Krook arrives for the first time on the O’s roster. At 29, Krook has spent a lot of time in the minors since being drafted in round four in 2016 by San Francisco.
His first chance at the majors came in four games for the Yankees in 2023 and he allowed 11 runs over four innings, pitching in games in June, July and September.
He was designated for assignment by New York on Feb. 13 of this year and traded five days later to Baltimore for cash considerations. This year at Triple-A Norfolk, he has gone 2-2 with a 3.71 ERA in 26 games over 26 2/3 innings with 17 walks, 31 strikeouts, a .200 average against and 1.35 WHIP.
The Orioles placed Corbin Burnes on the paternity list today and recalled left-hander Matt Krook from Triple-A Norfolk. The bullpen has an extra reliever tonight.
Burnes can be away from the team for three days. Reliever Jacob Webb went on the paternity list on Opening Day.
The news comes after Burnes registered his 13th quality start last night by allowing one run over seven innings in an 11-2 win over the Rangers.
Krook was acquired in spring training from the Yankees for cash considerations. He debuted last summer and made four appearances, allowing 11 runs in four innings.
He’s appeared in 26 games with Norfolk and posted a 3.71 ERA and 1.350 WHIP in 26 2/3 innings, walking 17 batters and striking out 31. He’s surrendered only two home runs.
I’ve left the Windy City and decided to blow through another mailbag.
Better than trying to do it in the Steel City. Much heavier and much harder on the back.
This is the latest sequel to the beloved 2008 original. You know the rules. You ask, I try to answer, you wonder if I did much editing and I scold you.
We want levity and don’t care an ounce about brevity. Who’s printing the T-shirts?
Also, my mailbag directs all spam calls to your mailbag.
Time for more Orioles facts and opinions as we get closer to their spring training opener on Saturday at Ed Smith Stadium versus Boston.
Fact: The Orioles acquired Craig Kimbrel in December with the intent that he serves as the club’s closer in the 2024 season.
Opinion: Despite the fact that Kimbrel is a 9-time All-Star and ranks eighth all-time with 417 saves, there is some concern about him around Birdland.
And while yes, he did struggle last year in the NL Championship Series, there are reasons to believe Kimbrel will do a good enough job for the Orioles. Experience for one – few have as much as a closer and he may blow some games, but it won’t be because he is not up to the moment.
But after a slow start last year, he pitched very, very well, going 7-5 with a 2.21 ERA from May 9 on. In that time, batters hit just .162 off him and his OPS against was .538. By the way that is still not up to Bautista dominance as last year he held batters to a .144 average and .460 OPS. But no one said they were getting another Bautista.
SARASOTA, Fla. – Anthony Santander was on his own for this morning’s media scrum.
The team interpreter was in a meeting. Santander can handle an interview solo but enjoys having his friend close, just in case he gets crossed up.
You’ve seen him at his locker postgame with his arm around Brandon Quinones’ shoulder. Always smiling. Rarely in need of any assistance.
“I’ll do my best,” he said.
Santander had spent the last few months in Venezuela and joked that he was out of practice speaking English. But he came through again in the clutch.
