CHICAGO – The White Sox announced last night’s attendance at 11,020, but the entire upper deck was empty and the lower bowl had rows and rows of unoccupied seats. Tickets sold don’t equal bodies in the ballpark. The Windy City isn’t keen on supporting a team that …

You can fill in the rest.

The mailbag carried the necessary weight to avoid tipping over. Time to sort through it.

This is the latest sequel to the beloved 2008 original. You ask and I answer. The sarcasm comes at no extra charge.

Also, my mailbag lays down squeeze bunts and your mailbag gets chased out of bakeries for squeezing bundts.

CHICAGO – Tony Mansolino was the Orioles third base coach and infield instructor last summer, not their interim manager, when Kyle Bradish tossed seven hitless innings in the White Sox’s home ballpark. The details are a bit fuzzy.

Rain delayed the start of the game for 1 hour and 40 minutes. Bradish matched his career high with 11 strikeouts and came out after 103 pitches. The first batter to face reliever Danny Coulombe ruined the drama by homering.

“How do I not remember this?” Mansolino asked this afternoon during his dugout media session.

“I hope he does it again tonight.”

Bradish walked the leadoff hitter, struck out the next two and surrendered back-to-back singles to give the White Sox an early lead. He wouldn’t chase history. The goal was much more simple. Just do the job well enough to give his team a chance to win.

CHICAGO – Albert Suárez started yesterday in Toronto, allowed a run over three innings, threw 53 pitches and was lost for the rest of the month.

That’s also a wrap on his 2025 season.

Suárez went on the 15-day injured list this afternoon with right elbow discomfort and is scheduled to undergo an MRI tonight. He made one appearance this season, on March 28 at Rogers Centre, and missed about five months with a rotator cuff strain.

In four September appearances, Suárez allowed two runs and four hits over nine innings and won twice. Yesterday was his first start since Sept. 29, 2024.

“After the third inning right there, just kind of where he was at, it was kind of, see how he felt, and he said there’s a little bit of tightness in the forearm, so wisely pulled the plug in that situation with Big Al,” said interim manager Tony Mansolino.

CHICAGO – The Orioles made another flurry of roster moves this afternoon in Chicago.

Relievers Chayce McDermott and Yaramil Hiradlo were recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Albert Suárez was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort, ending his season, and Carson Ragsdale was designated for assignment.

Ragsdale was optioned yesterday before the DFA.

The Orioles also claimed left-hander José Castillo on waivers from the Mariners, but he hasn’t reported.

Infielder Jordan Westburg is with the club and said he’s ready to go, but the Orioles didn’t announce a move with him.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Recalled RHP Yaramil Hiraldo and RHP Chayce McDermott from Triple-A Norfolk.
• Claimed LHP José Castillo off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. He has not yet reported.
• Placed RHP Albert Suárez (right elbow discomfort) on the 15-day Injured List.
• Designated RHP Carson Ragsdale for assignment after optioning him to Triple-A Norfolk after yesterday’s game.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.

The Baltimore Orioles and Major League Baseball today announced that infielder JORDAN WESTBURG has been named the Orioles’ 2025 nominee for the esteemed Roberto Clemente Award. The most prominent individual player award bestowed by MLB, the Roberto Clemente Award, presented by Capital One, is the annual recognition of a Major League player from each club who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions, both on and off the field.

The Orioles will join Major League Baseball in honoring the 24^th annual Roberto Clemente Day on Monday, September 15, as they take on the Chicago White Sox at 7:40 p.m. ET at Rate Field. This commemorative day was established by Major League Baseball to honor Clemente’s legacy and to officially acknowledge local club nominees of the Roberto Clemente Award. As part of the league-wide celebration, the Roberto Clemente Day logo will appear on the bases and official dugout lineup cards, all players will wear a “21” patch on their jersey (with 2025 nominees being notated on their patch), and a special tribute video will be played in ballparks. Once again this season, each team’s Clemente nominee will wear ”21” on their uniform, joining players and uniformed personnel from Puerto Rico, previous nominees, and those who have worn “21” on prior Roberto Clemente Days.

The Orioles will recognize Westburg in a special on-field ceremony at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, September 20, against the New York Yankees. In addition, Major League Baseball will make a donation to a charity of Westburg’s choice.

Since making his major league debut in 2023, Westburg has showcased all the qualities that the Roberto Clemente award was created to honor. Westburg’s leadership extends beyond the diamond and into the Orioles clubhouse, where his values and integrity set the tone. During Spring Training, he helped organize and lead team-wide Bible study sessions, creating an inclusive and encouraging space for teammates to grow in their faith and support one another in their spiritual journey.

Westburg is also active in the greater Baltimore community, which included his volunteer work at several non-profits during the Orioles’ 2025 Birdland Caravan. His efforts included wrapping diapers at ShareBaby, organizing books at the Maryland Book Bank, preparing athletic gear for underserved youth with Leveling the Playing Field, and assembling Narcan kits and foster care bags with Break a Difference. Westburg’s dedication to serving the community he calls home is evident. His wife, Anna Claire, later returned to volunteer with ShareBaby during the season, reflecting the couple’s shared dedication to service.

Jeremiah Jackson is the cleanup hitter today for the first time with the Orioles, who try to avoid a sweep this afternoon in Toronto.

Jackson is starting at third base. He’s hit in every spot in the lineup except third.

Dylan Beavers is in right field and batting second again. Samuel Basallo is the designated hitter and batting fifth.

Coby Mayo moves up to sixth after homering yesterday and producing his first multi-hit game since Aug. 6.

The Orioles lost yesterday for the 10th time when leading through seven innings and the third when ahead entering the ninth.

The Orioles brought up another new pitcher this morning, recalling right-hander Carson Ragsdale from Triple-A Norfolk and placing Shawn Dubin on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort.

Ragsdale will wear No. 83. He’s waiting to make his major league debut after posting a 3.47 ERA and 1.157 WHIP in seven games (five starts) with Norfolk.

Ragsdale, 27, began the season with Triple-A Sacramento in the Giants’ organization. The Orioles claimed him on waivers Aug. 3.

If Ragsdale gets into a game, he’ll be the 68^th player used by the Orioles this season.

Dubin made seven relief appearances and allowed three runs in eight innings. He pitched Friday and was charged with three runs and four hits in 1 2/3.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Recalled RHP Carson Ragsdale from Triple-A Norfolk. He will wear No. 83 and his first appearance will be his MLB debut.
• Placed RHP Shawn Dubin (right elbow discomfort) on the 15-day Injured List, retroactive to September 13.

The Orioles didn’t map out an extensive offseason plan for Ike Irish, their first pick in the 2025 amateur draft. He was able to determine necessary areas of improvement just by visiting Camden Yards last week.

Put a bunch of major league players around a 21-year-old in his first professional season and it becomes clear.

“I think it’s the big things, like you’ve got to get more physical,” he said during a media scrum in the Orioles’ dugout. “Just for myself, standing around these big leaguers, I’m a little smaller than they are, so get a little more physical. And then just fine-tune the talent and get better in all aspects of the game, because I have to.”

Irish obviously didn’t let his draft status go to his head.

The Orioles had four draft picks within the top 37 and chose Irish 19^th overall out of Auburn University, thrilled that one of the top hitters in the draft fell to them.

Dylan Beavers moves up to second in the Orioles’ lineup today, the first time he’s hit higher than fifth in the majors. He’s in right field, with Jeremiah Jackson on the bench.

Tyler O’Neill is the designated hitter again and is batting cleanup. Coby Mayo returns to the lineup at first base and is batting ninth.

Samuel Basallo is catching. Dylan Carlson is in left field and Emmanuel Rivera is at third base again.

Tomoyuki Sugano takes his turn today after leaving his last start with a sore right foot. He was hit by a sharp one-hopper and limped to the dugout.

Two of his first three starts in the U.S. came against the Blue Jays. He allowed two runs in four innings in his debut in Toronto and three runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 at Camden Yards.

Various worlds were rocked back in May with manager Brandon Hyde’s firing in his seventh season on the job. It began with Hyde, of course, who learned of his fate the night before the team’s announcement and returned to his home in Sarasota County. Major league field coordinator and catching instructor Tim Cossins, a close friend of Hyde’s since they were teenagers, also was dismissed.

Tony Mansolino thought he’d remain third base coach, his role since the 2021 season, but the Orioles named him interim manager. His move out of the box prompted Buck Britton’s switch from major league coach.

Britton managed Triple-A Norfolk for the past three seasons. He barely had time to get acclimated to the majors, a level he never reached as a player, and he already was inheriting a new title.

“I’ve been in the big leagues for, what five months? It feels like I’ve been here for two years,” Britton said this week, smiling at the accelerated pace of his professional life.

“I never expected to be thrown into the fire. Very thankful and blessed that I was the guy to go over to third base and do that. It’s been a wild ride.

Tyler O’Neill is serving as the designated hitter tonight and batting sixth, as the Orioles begin their three-game series in Toronto.

O’Neill was reinstated from the injured list earlier today.

Ryan Mountcastle is the first baseman, which puts Coby Mayo on the bench.

Dylan Beavers is in left field and Jeremiah Jackson is in right. Samuel Basallo is catching.

The Orioles’ five walk-off wins in the second half are tied with the Rangers and Mariners for most in the majors.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• OF Tyler O’Neill (right wrist inflammation) was returned from his rehab assignment and reinstated from the 10-day Injured List.
• Optioned OF Daniel Johnson to Triple-A Norfolk after yesterday’s game.

Tyler O’Neill will give it another try and hope to make it through the rest of the month.

The Orioles reinstated O’Neill from the 10-day injured list this afternoon and optioned outfielder Daniel Johnson to Triple-A Norfolk. O’Neill hasn’t played since Aug. 5 in Philadelphia due to right wrist inflammation. He just finished a rehab assignment that ended with Triple-A Norfolk.

O'Neill has made three stops on the injured list this season. He's appeared in 43 games in his first season with the Orioles and slashed .210/.293/.434 with six doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 23 RBIs. He homered and went 3-for-3 with three RBIs on Opening Day at Rogers Centre. He also homered against the Blue Jays on April 13 in Baltimore.

Left-hander Trevor Rogers makes his 16^th start after posting a 1.51 ERA and 0.868 WHIP in 95 2/3 innings. He allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings against the Dodgers in his last outing, the first time that he surrendered more than one since July 20 in Tampa.

Rogers’ 1.51 ERA through 15 starts is an all-time low among Orioles pitchers.

The Orioles today announced plans for Fan Appreciation Weekend, which will be held from Friday, September 19, through Sunday, September 21, as the Orioles host the New York Yankees for their final weekend home series of the season. The weekend will feature special prizes and opportunities for fans to enjoy unforgettable experiences at Oriole Park. Fans can purchase tickets for the weekend at Orioles.com/FanAppreciation.

All weekend long, select fans will be invited to participate in pre- and in-game ceremonies, such as the lineup card exchange, high-five tunnel, and guest splasher appearances. The weekend will also feature various opportunities for fans to receive prizes, including autographed merchandise and prizes, and celebrate Orioles baseball throughout the ballpark and on the Orioles social media accounts. Additionally, Orioles Legend and National Baseball Hall of Famer EDDIE MURRAY and Orioles Hall of Famer BOOG POWELL will be on site to visit with fans throughout the ballpark, with additional details to come.

On Friday, fans entering the ballpark at Gate H will have the opportunity to have their tickets scanned by Orioles broadcasters GEOFF ARNOLD, ROB LONG, and BEN WAGNER. Fans can also enjoy pregame music by DJ Maybach on the Coors Light stage in Legends Park with special appearances by Orioles broadcasters KEVIN BROWN, BEN McDONALD, and Orioles Legend and National Baseball Hall of Famer JIM PALMER. Orioles Hall of Famer MELVIN MORA and additional O’s alumni will be on Eutaw Street, near the New Era cap store, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. to sign autographs for fans, free of cost. Before the game, select fans will have the opportunity to interact with Orioles players in a “Shirts Off Our Backs” jersey ceremony.

As part of the year-long Orange Out Saturday celebrations, fans can continue to enjoy orange-themed food and beverages available throughout the ballpark and gates will open to fans two hours prior to the first pitch before Saturday’s matchup. My Chemical Bromance, a local cover band, will perform for fans on the Coors Light stage in Legends Park from 5-6:45 p.m.

On Sunday, DJ Brae will play kid-friendly music from the stage at Legends Park beginning when gates open until 1:15 p.m. Orioles Hall of Famer, Mora, will be in the Bird Bath Splash Zone to serve as a Guest Splasher during the game. Select children at the ballpark will have one final opportunity of the season to join their favorite players on the field prior to the game for the national anthem. Following the game, kids ages 4 to 14 will have the opportunity to run the bases as part of Kids Run the Bases, presented by Weis Markets.

Tony Mansolino wrote out his lineup again yesterday, confirmed the plan for starter Dean Kremer in Toronto and tried to guide the Orioles to a series sweep against the Pirates before boarding the team charter for another road trip.

The season is down to the final 16 games. The Blue Jays are in first place in the American League East, fighting to stay ahead of the Yankees. The Orioles play them, too – four games at Camden Yards and three in the Bronx to close out 2025.

Mansolino dismissed a suggestion yesterday that he isn’t managing under any pressure based on the team’s last-place residency and being outside the heat of a playoff chase. That maybe the job is different for him. He recalled some advice he received many years ago from former Cleveland manager Terry Francona.

It still applies with the Orioles as Mansolino related the question to managing in the majors versus the minors.

“He told me at the time, ‘Make Lynchburg your Cleveland,’” Mansolino said.

The Orioles looked like they were trying to maintain their run of walk-off wins this afternoon. Tie the game, take a lead and be tied again within the first three innings. Get in and out of jams. Pin the opposing pitcher on the ropes and let him escape.

Just get them to the ninth or past regulation, when something magic happens.

Dylan Beavers was last night’s hero with his bases-loaded single in the 10^th. He delivered the go-ahead run again today, but it came from an infield hit in the seventh inning to propel the Orioles to a 3-2 win before an announced crowd of 13,957 at sunny Camden Yards.

Four of the previous five games ended with walk-off wins, but wild celebrations aren’t promised.

The Orioles (69-77) have won eight of their last nine games and nine of 11. Twelve more victories guarantee a .500 finish or better.

The Orioles will expand their offseason searches beyond deciding on a manager and coaching staff. They have more on their plate than improving the roster. 

Mike Elias was promoted from executive vice president/general manager to president of baseball operations, according to a source. The switch was made last winter.

A replacement for Elias is on the docket. 

The team's staff directory still lists Elias with his former title, which he held since his hiring from the Astros organization on Nov. 16, 2018.

A painfully slow start to the season cost manager Brandon Hyde his job on May 17, with third base coach Tony Mansolino replacing him on an interim basis. Speculation swirled around Elias pertaining to his own job security, with his bump remaining quiet until today.

The Orioles are planning on a bullpen game for Sunday in Toronto, an adjustment made to their rotation after skipping Dean Kremer’s turn.

Albert Suárez is a candidate after working three innings Saturday. He also earned the win last night with a scoreless 10^th inning.

Keegan Akin also could be under consideration. He’s served as an opener three times. Dietrich Enns has opened in one game.

“Kind of whoever we have available after the first two,” said interim manager Tony Mansolino.

Trevor Rogers starts Friday night and Tomoyuki Sugano on Saturday.