Orioles lineup vs. Mariners

Orioles lineup vs. Mariners

Cedric Mullins is leading off and playing center field tonight after getting a rest day for the final game in Boston.

Adley Rutschman is catching and batting fifth, followed by first baseman Ryan Mountcastle.

Ramón Urías is the third baseman again. Rougned Odor gets the start at second base against Mariners right-hander George Kirby.

Bryan Baker is making his second start. Left-hander Zac Lowther was recalled to provide a fresh bullpen arm and provide length.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Trey Mancini DH
Anthony Santander RF
Austin Hays LF
Adley Rutschman C
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Rougned Odor 2B
Ramón Urías 3B
Jorge Mateo SS

Baker gets another start tonight for Orioles (updated)

Bryan Baker throws gray

The Orioles have chosen a bullpen game tonight to begin their series against the Mariners at Camden Yards.

Right-hander Bryan Baker is making his second start. He did the same in St. Louis on May 12 and tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings with one hit, no walks and three strikeouts.

Baker’s last appearance came in Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader in Boston. He threw 31 pitches and didn’t allow a run in 1 1/3 innings.

Mariners rookie George Kirby, the 20th overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Elon University, is making his fifth major league start tonight. He’s allowed 10 earned runs (12 total) and 23 hits in 20 innings, with two walks and 20 strikeouts.

A May 8 debut against the Rays produced six scoreless innings with no walks and seven strikeouts. He’s allowed nine runs and 16 hits in his last two starts over 10 innings.

Bautista keeps coming up big for Orioles

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BOSTON – Félix Bautista is an exceptionally large man with a blazing fastball and a high walk rate in the minors.

That was pretty much the scouting report when Bautista reported to spring training as a new addition to the Orioles’ 40-man roster. A bubble guy who made it based on his plus velocity and strikeout rate.

An arm that the Orioles didn’t want to risk losing in a Rule 5 draft that, coincidentally, didn’t materialize due to the lockout.

Bautista is proving that he deserved the spot anyway.

He broke camp with the team while again on the bubble - which must be pretty thick to hold the guy - and hasn’t allowed a run in his last five appearances, to lower his ERA to 2.25.

Orioles come out swinging early and Wells is untouchable in 10-0 win (updated)

Orioles come out swinging early and Wells is untouchable in 10-0 win (updated)

BOSTON – The Orioles got loud in the first inning tonight against a soft-tossing left-hander who gave up nothing against them in an earlier game.

Rich Hill was down a couple runs just three batters into his start. The outs also made noise. There was no hangover for the Orioles after the previous day’s lopsided defeat.

Hangovers and loud noises don’t mix anyway.

Ryan Mountcastle hopped out of the batter’s box after crushing a full-count curveball, hoping to land on the other side of his slump. Ramón Urías got into the act in the third with a two-run shot to dead center field measured at 422 feet.

Tyler Wells grabbed lots of attention by shutting out the Red Sox over six innings, the longest scoreless outing of his career, Mountcastle had four hits, and the Orioles defeated the Red Sox 10-0 at Fenway Park.

Notes on Orioles rotation, Kremer and more

Dean Kremer throw orange spring away

BOSTON – The Orioles are waiting until Tuesday morning to announce their starter for the series opener against the Mariners at Camden Yards. Kyle Bradish starts Wednesday, followed by Jordan Lyles on Thursday in his 300th career game.

A pitcher could come up from Triple-A Norfolk or manager Brandon Hyde goes with another bullpen game to piece together nine innings.

The Tides are off tonight and list DL Hall as Tuesday’s starter.

Grayson Rodriguez isn't going to be promoted to work on short rest.

Left-hander Zac Lowther would be on normal rest if the Orioles summoned him, he’s on the 40-man roster and he held Gwinnett to two runs over five innings in his last appearance. However, he’s sporting a 6.67 ERA and 1.652 WHIP in 10 games and is averaging almost four walks per nine innings.

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox

Ryan McKenna Austin Hays jump black road

BOSTON – The Orioles still can claim the five-game series against the Red Sox with a victory tonight that concludes their homestand.

The teams have split the first four games, with the Red Sox cruising yesterday to a 12-2 win.

“We just need to let this one go,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “We’ve been playing good baseball, we’ve played competitively this entire trip.”

Cedric Mullins begins tonight’s game on the bench, with Ryan McKenna in center field.

Austin Hays is leading off and playing right field. Anthony Santander is in left field and batting cleanup.

Three nagging questions about the Orioles

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BOSTON - With years spent dumping out my mailbag, making snow angels with the contents, reading the questions and spending way too much time searching for movie sequel titles that I haven’t already used, I’d like to switch it up and provide some inquiries of my own.

See how the other half lives.

Nothing about timelines for major league promotions, players to be named later or casseroles. And especially not casseroles to be named later.

Sorry to bore you.

And I’m limiting myself to only three off the top of my head.

Zimmermann surrenders five home runs in lopsided loss (updated)

Zimmermann surrenders five home runs in lopsided loss (updated)

BOSTON – Bruce Zimmermann spun on the mound again, the sound of the contact telling him where the ball was going to land. He watched anyway. And then he needed to figure out quickly how to eliminate the mistakes and hope the Orioles had more rallies inside of them.

He couldn’t, and they didn’t.

Bobby Dalbec hit a two-run homer in the second inning, and Franchy Cordero drove a slider 448 feet into the center field bleachers before Zimmermann recorded the last out. And a bump turned into a mountain.

Rafael Devers led off the third with a 434-foot shot to right-center, the ball leaving his bat at 110.7 mph, Christian Arroyo and Kiké Hernandez cleared the Green Monster in the fourth, and the Red Sox rolled past the Orioles 12-2 at sun-splashed Fenway Park.

Zimmermann surrendered one home run in his first six starts, but opponents have hit nine in his last two and 12 in his last four.

Odor homers again and Reyes combines with 'pen for Game 2 win (updated)

Odor homers again and Reyes combines with 'pen for Game 2 win (updated)

BOSTON – Denyi Reyes went from a modest signing back in November, a minor league contract that barely drew notice, to his first major league start tonight. Against the team that let him go as a free agent.

These stories can swerve in any direction. A tale of redemption or bitter disappointment.

Reyes had some fun with it, neither vindictive nor victorious.

Jorge López had his own family story and it produced a beautiful chapter, his 9-year-old son Mikael able to watch him pitch, to record a four-out save. 

The night couldn't have gone any better.

Pregame notes on Vavra, Diaz, Hays, Mountcastle and more

Pregame notes on Vavra, Diaz, Hays, Mountcastle and more

BOSTON – Orioles minor league infielder Terrin Vavra has recovered from a hamstring injury and is completing his work at extended spring training.

His next stop is High-A Aberdeen to begin a rehab assignment that eventually will bring him back to Triple-A Norfolk.

Vavra, the No. 14 prospect in the organization per MLBPipeline.com, appeared in 13 games with the Tides and batted .327/.436/.423 with three doubles and a triple in 63 plate appearances.

Outfielder Yusniel Diaz is much farther away from returning to Norfolk.

Diaz injured his hamstring again and hasn’t appeared in a game since May 13. He’s in a progression with the team’s rehab crew in Sarasota, Fla.

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox

Zimmermann throwing gray

BOSTON – Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann is on the mound today as the Orioles try to guarantee a series win at Fenway Park.

The Orioles have won two of the first three games. The series concludes Monday night.

Zimmermann has a 3.78 ERA and 1.217 WHIP in nine starts. He surrendered one home run in his first six, but has allowed seven in his last three games.

Adley Rutschman is the designated hitter after catching last night. He’s 5-for-28 (.179) with a triple in seven games.

Trey Mancini is in left field and Austin Hays is on the bench.

Santander walking away from impatient past

Anthony Santander swing black road

BOSTON – The question comes at Anthony Santander in English, he smiles and raises both arms in mock triumph.

Santander doesn’t really need the team interpreter, Brandon Quinones, but keeps him close to pass along the responses. Never to relay the question unless it gets real complicated.

This one was easy yesterday morning. Santander nailed it less than halfway through.

“You drew your 23rd walk, which ties your total …”

And so begins the humorous celebration at his locker.

Orioles and Red Sox lineups for Game 2

Orioles and Red Sox lineups for Game 2

BOSTON – Ryan McKenna is in left field tonight for Game 2, whenever it’s able to begin.

The rain is much lighter now, but it's still coming down and there’s more in the forecast.

Adley Rutschman is catching and batting fifth behind first baseman Ryan Mountcastle. Austin Hays is in right field and Anthony Santander is the designated hitter.

Trey Mancini is one of the reserves.

The Orioles are 2-3 on their road trip and 7-17 away from home this season.

Orioles battle back to tie but can't win Game 1 (updated)

lyles delivers fenway black

BOSTON – Alex Verdugo took a few steps toward the historic left field wall, waited for the ball to slam against the base of the light tower and heaved his glove in the air, hoping to knock it down upon its return to the field. A signature move on the playground.

Catcher Robinson Chirinos’ two-run homer tied the game in the fifth inning, the eighth ball hit by the Orioles against Nathan Eovaldi with an exit velocity of 100 mph or more.

Would the Orioles rush past the Red Sox, as they did last night by scoring 10 runs in the final three innings? Today’s comeback attempt in the opening game of a doubleheader didn’t cover nearly as much ground. They didn’t trail twice by six.

They didn’t ride the momentum, if there’s such a thing, to another win.

Bobby Dalbec’s first career pinch-hit home run broke the tie in the sixth, the Red Sox tacked on an insurance run in the seventh, and Eovaldi went the distance in a 5-3 victory at Fenway Park.

Orioles DFA Jahmai Jones, Cody Sedlock poised for debut

Orioles DFA Jahmai Jones, Cody Sedlock poised for debut

BOSTON – The Orioles designated infielder Jahmai Jones for assignment this morning to create room on the 40-man roster for pitcher Cody Sedlock, whose contract they selected from Triple-A Norfolk.

Sedlock is in the bullpen for today's doubleheader. Jones is in limbo a day after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Jones was acquired from the Angels on Feb. 2, 2021 for starter Alex Cobb. He appeared in 26 games last season and went 10-for-67 (.149) with a .402 OPS.

Reliever Beau Sulser was optioned after allowing two runs and seven hits last night in three innings. Denyi Reyes is the 27th man for the doubleheader after the Orioles recalled him, and manager Brandon Hyde said the right-hander probably will start the nightcap.

The plan would change if Reyes, set for his first major league start and second appearance, is needed in relief for the opener.

Sedlock joins Orioles bullpen for today's doubleheader

Sedlock joins Orioles bullpen for today's doubleheader

BOSTON – The Orioles will begin a day-night doubleheader today at Fenway Park with veteran Jordan Lyles starting the opening game and apparently finish it with Denyi Reyes in the nightcap.

Reyes hasn’t been announced, but the Orioles selected the contract of former first-round draft pick Cody Sedlock from Triple-A Norfolk this morning and he’s in the bullpen.

Beau Sulser isn’t listed among the relievers.

A 40-man roster move is coming to accommodate Sedlock, who leaves the taxi squad and awaits his major league debut.

Reyes would be making his first major league start and only his second appearance. He tossed two scoreless and hitless relief innings on May 13 in Detroit.

Rutschman showing enthusiasm behind the plate and patience at it

Adley Rutschman Orange Holding bat

BOSTON - Kyle Bradish threw 40 pitches last night in a four-run first inning, made a slow walk toward the dugout and was intercepted like a tipped pass.

Catcher Adley Rutschman doesn’t pick six. He does it with everyone.

Rutschman, also a rookie who arrived in the majors after Bradish, maintained his routine of meeting up near the baseline. The talk is brief. Usually a tap on the shoulder or chest. Can be encouragement or consolation.

Bradish accepted a fist-bump and kept moving, his frustration apparent over a start that didn’t allow for a second on-field interaction.

Manager Brandon Hyde removed Bradish with two outs in the second inning. Beau Sulser, making his Orioles’ debut, stranded two runners and got the full Rutschman treatment – his catcher in his ear and they walked together.  

Orioles rally for 10 runs in final three innings in 12-8 win (updated)

Orioles rally for 10 runs in final three innings in 12-8 win (updated)

BOSTON – The major league education of Orioles rookie Kyle Bradish was bound to bring some hard lessons. No matter how much he earned his promotion. No matter how many Triple-A batters couldn’t touch him.

There’s no substitute for pitching in the American League East. Just as it's hard to match the thrill of a completed rally against one of its hottest teams.

Four of Bradish’s six starts have come within the division, and what’s supposed to constitute a break of sorts are games against the first-place Twins and the Cardinals in St. Louis.

The Red Sox saw Bradish for a second time tonight and handled him in an aggressive manner, scoring six runs in 1 2/3 innings. But the Orioles also showed him the value in pitching for a team that won’t let up. That stays engaged in the dugout and treats deficits like minor inconveniences.

The Orioles scored three runs in the seventh and eighth innings to tie the game and four more in the ninth to post a stunning 12-8 win at Fenway Park - their 11th comeback win of the year.

Notes on taxi squad, Saturday starters, Watkins, Jones and Mateo

Brandon Hyde pointing black away

BOSTON – The Orioles brought a small taxi squad to Boston for the five-game series, and it could provide a clue to the identity of Saturday’s starter.

Right-handers Denyi Reyes and Cody Sedlock reported to Fenway Park, along with catcher Cody Roberts.

Reyes is on the 40-man roster and could start one of the doubleheader games. Sedlock is a non-roster pitcher who became a candidate simply by making the trip.

Sedlock was supposed to start Thursday at Triple-A Norfolk until a rainout the previous day pushed DL Hall into a doubleheader with Zac Lowther. Grayson Rodriguez is pitching tonight for the Tides.

The Orioles selected Sedlock with the 27th overall pick in the 2016 draft out of the University of Illinois, and he’s waiting to make his major league debut. He has a 5.83 ERA and 1.466 WHIP in eight games (four starts) this season, with 35 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings.

Jones undergoes elbow surgery (plus lineup and notes)

Jahmai Jones throwing white

BOSTON – Infielder Jahmai Jones underwent Tommy John surgery today on his right elbow and is done playing for the 2022 season.

Jones, 24, was batting .212/.339/.343 with five doubles, one triple, two home runs and seven RBIs in 27 games with Triple-A Norfolk.

The Orioles acquired Jones from the Angels on Feb. 2, 2021 for starter Alex Cobb. He returned to the majors on Aug. 24, appeared in 26 games and went 10-for-67 (.149).

Dr. Timothy Kremcheck performed the surgery in Cincinnati. 

The Orioles begin a five-game series tonight at Fenway Park with Kyle Bradish facing the team that provided the opposition for his major league debut.