NEW YORK – Tomoyuki Sugano’s future is up in the air with free agency approaching for the first time in the U.S.

Fewer fly balls might prolong his career, wherever he’s pitching next year.

Sugano surrendered three more home runs today and they came in the first two innings. Aaron Judge hit his 53^rd, Giancarlo Stanton his 24^th and third in two games, and Ryan McMahon his 20^th. No one has allowed more in the American League.

The solo shots led the Yankees to a 6-1 victory over the Orioles before an announced sellout crowd of 46,085 in the penultimate game of the regular season.

The Orioles are 75-86 and assured of a last-place finish in the division. They can’t nudge the Rays out of fourth place.

NEW YORK – Dean Kremer made his final start of the season on Tuesday.

He might not be done pitching.

Interim manager Tony Mansolino said there’s a chance that Kremer is used out of the bullpen for Sunday’s finale. He’s pitched twice in relief out of 125 major league games, including seven bulk innings on June 12 against the Tigers.

“He’s been advocating to come out of the bullpen between starts from Day One, so yes, he’s advocating and we’ll see,” Mansolino said.

“There’s a day tomorrow, right? Isn’t tomorrow on turn for him? We’ll see how it goes. Depends if he’s pleasant to be around today or not.”

NEW YORK – The latest bullpen change for the Orioles came this morning with left-hander Grant Wolfram recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and left-hander Dietrich Enns going on the paternity list.

Wolfram has a 4.85 ERA and 1.769 WHIP in 20 appearances.

Ryan Mountcastle is out of the lineup again today. Coby Mayo is playing first base and Tyler O’Neill is the designated hitter.

Dylan Beavers is playing left field and Jeremiah Jackson is in right. Samuel Basallo is catching, which puts Adley Rutschman on the bench after he was behind the plate last night.

Tomoyuki Sugano makes the final start of his U.S. rookie season after posting a 4.54 ERA and 1.336 WHIP in 29 games. He avoided the injured list, which made him an exception on the 2025 Orioles.

NEW YORK – Orioles reliever Rico Garcia can inherit a mess or create his own. The outcome is the same.

The man wanders into a buzz saw and walks away without a scratch.

Garcia has kept opponents hitless in 10 at-bats this season with the bases loaded, including 0-for-1 with the Mets. It’s a neat escape act that shouldn’t be attempted by just anyone.

The Orioles beat the Red Sox 4-3 in 11 innings on Aug. 19 at Fenway Park after Garcia struck out Jarren Duran, Trevor Story and Masataka Yoshida in the eighth to strand three of Kade Strowd’s runners. The Rays led 5-2 in the eighth inning Thursday at Camden Yards when Garcia replaced Strowd and allowed three consecutive singles. He struck out the next two batters, retired another on a line drive, and home runs from Coby Mayo and Dylan Beavers ignited a 6-5 walk-off win.

What’s the magic?

NEW YORK – The exit interview for Orioles left-hander Trevor Rogers won’t mimic what he heard last fall. He won’t need a new plan to get stronger physically and mentally. The conversation will be much simpler.

“I think just rub him on the back,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said earlier today, “and tell him, ‘Please do it again next year.’”

Left unspoken will be the need to avoid what happened tonight, a beating totally out of character from the 2025 version of Rogers.

The Yankees hit three home runs off Rogers in three innings, matching his entire season total, in an 8-4 victory over the Orioles before an announced crowd of 44,596. Giancarlo Stanton had a pair of two-run shots after two at-bats and Aaron Judge clubbed his 52^nd.

The three homers tied Rogers’ career high. The last time it happened was May 20, 2022 against the Braves.

NEW YORK – The exit meetings that are held with players at this time in the year are a custom fit for each individual. The talks don’t come off the rack.

There is, however, one central message that applies to everyone, the veterans and the core that’s much shorter on experience.

Interim manager Tony Mansolino wants something specific to resonate with this group.

“That this needs to never happen again,” he said. “That we need to solve the issues that we have and we need to fix it. And it’s up to the staff and the front office to set the path forward to fix it individually and holistically for the team.”

The Orioles are two games behind the Rays for fourth place in the division, but it’s an unappetizing consolation prize. They’d like to escape the basement but won’t celebrate it, not after back-to-back playoff appearances.

NEW YORK – Jackson Holliday and Samuel Basallo return to the lineup tonight, as the Orioles begin their final 2025 series against the Yankees.

Basallo is serving as designated hitter after being hit on the right wrist by a fastball over the weekend. Holliday, leading off as usual, has been nursing a sore knee.

Dylan Beavers is in left field and Tyler O’Neill is in right. Coby Mayo is the first baseman.

Adley Rutschman has a .421 career on-base percentage against the Yankees, second-highest in club history with a minimum 150 plate appearances, per STATS.

Gunnar Henderson needs one more stolen base to become the youngest Oriole to swipe 30 bags in a season.

The Orioles are happy with their internal options for the starting rotation and also know that upgrades are important. They will check the various markets, see whether trade partners and free agents provide any solutions.

Trey Gibson will be a phone call away. He’s easy to reach.

Gibson, 23, went from High-A Aberdeen to Double-A Chesapeake and Triple-A Norfolk this season and was chosen as the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year, achieving the honor as an undrafted free agent in 2023.

How close is he to making his major league debut?

“I think pretty close,” he said yesterday while meeting with the media outside the Orioles’ clubhouse.

The Orioles turned on the power at closing time.

Fans stood and cheered Orioles left-hander Cade Povich this afternoon as he walked off the mound for the last time in 2025. The game didn’t turn out as he wanted. The effort and ability to make 20 starts, along with two relief appearances, seemed to be appreciated. A kind gesture from the crowd.

The place erupted on Coby Mayo’s game-tying two-run homer in the eighth, and again in the ninth when Dylan Beavers demolished Kevin Kelly's first-pitch cutter and reached the flag court. Both appreciated and celebrated with gusto. The ballpark came alive, absolutely electric, with placement in the division standings irrelevant. 

Beavers' walk-off homer gave the Orioles a 6-5 win over the Rays before an announced crowd of 16,777 at Camden Yards, which brought the season total to 1,803,655. The ball left his bat at 107.7 mph, he took a few steps toward first base and flipped the lumber so high he could have brought rain.

A teammate tossed him a Ravens helmet before he touched home plate. Beavers scored the game-winner and didn't fumble his opportunity.  

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Claimed RHP Carson Ragsdale off waivers from the Atlanta Braves and optioned him to the Spring Training Complex.
• Designated RHP Dom Hamel for assignment.

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

The 96.6 mph fastball that slammed into catcher Samuel Basallo’s right wrist last night in the ninth inning didn’t cause a fracture and might not keep the rookie from playing this weekend in New York.

Basallo had the wrist wrapped this morning after being hit by Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks and leaving the game in obvious pain.

“I tried to react but I didn’t have enough time to do so,” he said via interpreter Brandon Quinones. “Hand's feeling much better today. Couldn’t really feel it yesterday. Thankfully today I’m feeling better.”

Asked about appearing in the final series, Basallo said, “Yes, I think it’s going to be something day-to-day right now. They’re giving me a day to see how I feel and hopefully I’ll be ready to go tomorrow.”

“I think he’ll be in there tomorrow,” said interim manager Tony Mansolino.

The final home game for the Orioles in the 2025 season comes with a lineup this afternoon with Dylan Beavers leading off for the second time in the majors.

Samuel Basallo said his right wrist feels much better today and he hopes to play Friday night at Yankee Stadium. Alex Jackson is catching today.

Jeremiah Jackson is in right field and Jorge Mateo is at second base, with Jackson Holliday on the bench. Holliday is dealing with a sore knee.

Gunnar Henderson stole his 29^th base last night and has been successful in his last 15 attempts since Aug. 4.

Colton Cowser, in center field again today, is 14-for-14 in stolen base attempts. He would set a team record.

Tyler Wells made it back onto a mound this summer after his reconstructive elbow surgery in June 2024. He found a spot in the starting rotation, which is his preference among roles on the Orioles’ pitching staff.

The rehab and perseverance earn him a win every time he picks up the ball.

It won’t show on his record tonight.

Wells turned in his poorest showing among his four starts, allowing three runs over four innings in a 6-2 loss to the Rays before an announced crowd of 18,367 at Camden Yards.

More stressful was rookie Samuel Basallo leading off the ninth against Pete Fairbanks and getting hit on the right wrist by a 96.6 mph fastball. He was in obvious pain as he crouched and then walked off the field while tilting back his head, grimacing and holding onto his wrist, but X-rays were negative for a fracture.

Jackson Holliday was in the Orioles’ original lineup tonight but a sore knee moved him to the bench.

“A little banged up,” said interim manager Tony Mansolino. “In one of the knees, something he’s been dealing with all year. I think it flared up on him a little bit today. Wisely, just kind of took a step back with it today. I definitely think that, I’d say nine out of 10 players have something going on right now. This for him today was something we didn’t feel like was appropriate to deal with.

“I’ve said this before, I think if we’re chasing down the pennant he’s probably in there today, but we’re just trying to be smart with the kid.”

Holliday has appeared in 146 games, four behind leader Gunnar Henderson. He has the most at-bats with 575, has avoided the injured list and ranks second in the majority of offensive categories except for the 17 home runs that lead the club.

“Listen, what we’ve asked of this kid this year has been a lot, and I do feel like he’s answered in a lot of ways,” Mansolino said. “This is a long season. The stress on this season in particular, how it’s been here in Baltimore this year and just kind of not meeting expectations as a team, and the pressure and stress and everything and having to play every day and be a focal point, lead off and be in the middle of the field every single day, it’s a big ask for a 21-year-old kid.

Dylan Beavers is batting leadoff for the first time in his brief career, as the Orioles try to secure their series against the Rays at Camden Yards.

Jackson Holliday is on the bench, freeing up second base for Jordan Westburg.

Samuel Basallo is playing first base.

Basallo didn’t have any hits against inside pitches in August, but he’s hitting .286 and slugging 1.000 this month, per STATS.

Jeremiah Jackson gets the start at third base.

The Orioles today announced the winners of their player development and scouting awards for 2025, including outfielder NATE GEORGE as the club’s top minor league player and right-handed pitcher TREY GIBSON as the club’s top minor league pitcher. FCL Orioles Manager CHRISTIAN FRIAS and Area Scout RICH AMARAL were also recognized for their contributions to the organization. The award winners will be recognized in an on-field ceremony prior to tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, with awards presented by Orioles Vice President of Player Development and Domestic Scouting MATT BLOOD and Orioles Director of Minor League Operations KENT QUALLS.

George, 19, slashed .337/.413/.483 (109-for-323) with 14 doubles, nine triples, five home runs, 66 runs scored, 42 RBI, 38 walks, and 50 stolen bases in 87 regular season games between the FCL Orioles, Single-A Delmarva, and High-A Aberdeen. He opened the season with the FCL Orioles where he hit .383 (31-for-81) with one double, two triples, and three home runs in his first taste of professional action. George earned FCL Player of the Week honors for the week of May 19-25 when he went 11-for-22 (.500) at the plate with one home run, eight runs scored, seven RBI, one walk, one hit-by-pitch, and five stolen bases. In the 23 games that he played with the FCL Orioles from May 3-June 7, he paced all FCL hitters in batting average and hits while ranking in the top five in stolen bases (2^nd, 13), total bases (3^rd, 45), OPS (4^th, 1.007), runs (T-4^th, 20), on-base percentage (5^th, .451), and slugging percentage (5^th, .556). In 43 games with the Shorebirds from June 10-August 9, he led all Carolina League hitters in hits (55), batting average (.337), slugging percentage (.491), OPS (.901), triples (7), and total bases (80) while ranking tied for first in stolen bases (25). George’s .337 batting average was third highest among all minor league players with at least 300 at-bats, trailing Colorado’s Roldy Brito (.371) and San Diego’s Luis Campusano (.338). He is currently ranked as the No. 2 Orioles prospect by Baseball America and No. 8 by MLB Pipeline, while being ranked as the No. 78 overall prospect in Baseball America’s Top 100. George was drafted by the Orioles in the 16^th round of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft out of Minooka Community High School (IL).

Gibson, 23, posted a 5-8 record with a 4.26 ERA (57 ER/120.1 IP), allowing 102 hits, 67 total runs, 13 home runs, nine hit batters, 44 walks, and 166 strikeouts in 26 games (25 starts) between High-A Aberdeen, Double-A Chesapeake, and Triple-A Norfolk. Gibson began the year with the IronBirds, going 1-2 with a 5.12 ERA (22 ER/38.2 IP) on 32 hits (7 HR), 14 walks, and three hit batters with 67 strikeouts in nine games (8 GS). Following his final outing with the IronBirds on June 1, his 67 strikeouts were tied for first among all South Atlantic League pitchers along with Wilmington’s Alex Clemmey. Gibson was promoted to Chesapeake on June 3, and went 3-2 with a 1.55 ERA (9 ER/52.1 IP) on 29 hits (1 HR), 18 walks, and four hit batters with 68 strikeouts in 10 starts with the Baysox. Gibson was twice named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week (7/6 & 7/27) and during his 10-outing stint with Chesapeake from June 7-August 7, ranked among all Eastern League pitchers in games started (T-1^st, 10), strikeouts (2^nd, 68), opponent batting average (2^nd, .157), ERA (3^rd, 1.55), WHIP (3^rd, 0.90), and innings pitched (4^th, 52.1 IP). Gibson was promoted to Triple-A Norfolk on August 12, and went 1-4 with a 7.98 ERA (26 ER/29.1 IP) in seven starts with the Tides. He was named the International League Pitcher of the Week on August 17, after completing 5.0 scoreless innings on one hit with six strikeouts and earning the win on August 13 at Jacksonville. Gibson finished the year tied for fourth among all MiLB pitchers with 166 strikeouts, the most by an Orioles farmhand since Cade Povich (171) in 2023. He was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Orioles on August 9, 2023, out of Liberty University (VA). Gibson is currently ranked as the No. 8 O’s prospect by Baseball America and No. 12 Orioles prospect by MLB Pipeline.

Frias was named the winner of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Player Development Award, in honor of the late Orioles coach and manager who is widely regarded as the architect of “The Oriole Way.” Each year, a minor league staff member who exemplifies Ripken’s qualities as an instructor is recognized with the award. Frias, the Salinas, Puerto Rico native, completed his fourth season as manager of the FCL Orioles and his sixth overall in the Orioles organization. He served as Fundamentals Coach for the Rookie-level Florida Complex League in 2021 after joining the Orioles organization in the same role in 2020 with the Gulf Coast League Orioles. This past season, he led the FCL Orioles to a 35-24 record and played an integral role in the development of several top prospects, including George and right-handed pitcher ESTEBAN MEJIA. On August 28, he was named the FCL Manager of the Year. Under Frias' instruction, several FCL Orioles earned league-wide accolades, including outfielder JORDAN SANCHEZ, who was named the FCL Most Valuable Player and selected as an FCL All-Star along with Mejia and catcher ANDREW TESS.

“Frias has been a living example of dedication, hard work, and humility since he arrived,” said Blood.

A 19-year-old outfielder will be honored as the Orioles’ top minor league player in 2025.

That’s a bright future.

Nate George will receive his award tonight in an on-field ceremony prior to the game against the Rays at Camden Yards. Right-hander Trey Gibson, 23, was chosen as the system’s top pitcher.

Florida Complex League manager Christian Frias and area scout Rich Amaral also were recognized for their contributions to the organization.

The Orioles drafted George in the 16^th round in 2024 out of Minooka Community High School in Illinois. His first professional season carried him to three levels – the FCL, Class A Delmarva and High-A Aberdeen – and he hit a combined .337/.413/.483 with 14 doubles, nine triples, five home runs, 42 RBIs, 38 walks, 62 strikeouts and 50 stolen bases in 87 games.

That’s a wrap on Dean Kremer’s 2025 season. He put a pretty bow on it.

Kremer made his final start tonight and shut out the Rays on one hit in 6 1/3 scoreless innings in the Orioles’ 6-0 victory before an announced crowd of 15,267 at Camden Yards. He waited through a 1 hour and 11 minute rain delay and started to deal.

Colton Cowser belted a two-run homer in the sixth, giving him 16 to tie Gunnar Henderson for second on the team, and the Orioles began their last home series by improving their record to 74-83 overall and 6-5 against Tampa Bay. They moved within two games of fourth place.

Kremer finishes with an 11-10 record, 4.23 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 30 appearances covering 170 1/3 innings, including a bulk relief assignment. He received a standing ovation as he came out of the game at 97 pitches after nailing Junior Caminero in the back with a splitter with one out in the seventh. Kremer walked none and struck out four.

“It was really good,” said interim manager Tony Mansolino. “I feel like we’ve seen that outing seven or eight times this year, that same type of deal. Commanding the pitches, attacking the zone. When he got behind, he was able to get back in the fight a little bit, getting them to put the ball in play, weak contact. It was a very nice outing for him right there.”

The honor might have meant more to Trevor Rogers than anyone else in the clubhouse.

Media chose Rogers as Most Valuable Oriole, with the announcement coming earlier today. He was recognized for a comeback that carried him from a 7.11 ERA in four starts last summer and a demotion to Triple-A Norfolk to a 1.35 ERA that’s the lowest ever by an Orioles pitcher in his first 17 starts.

He’s also going to bring a 0.872 WHIP, .178 opponents’ average and 6.0 bWAR into his last game this weekend in the Bronx, with a streak of two earned runs or fewer in 15 consecutive starts that’s the longest in franchise history.

“It’s huge,” Rogers said this afternoon. “I’m honored just to be in the elite company that’s had this award in years past. And just the entire journey that I’ve been on since I’ve gotten here, kind of a bumpy start, not the start that any of us would have wanted. But seeing where we are today, it was worth it going through those struggles. Getting this award, I’m very thankful.

“My stuff is in a really good spot consistently. I’m not a one-dimensional guy anymore. I always relied on my fastball-changeup in years past. It seems like if one of those pitches went haywire, I only relied on one pitch. Developing multiple pitches I can throw for strikes and be competitive with those makes my job a little easier.”

Catcher Gary Sánchez won’t return to the Orioles this week. His first, and likely only, season with the team ends after 30 games and a .231/.297/.418 line with two doubles, five home runs and 24 RBIs in 101 plate appearances.

The Orioles signed Sánchez to a one-year, $8.5 million contract. He made two stops on the injured list with wrist and knee injuries.

Another change was made to the Orioles bullpen this afternoon. They returned Colin Selby from his rehab assignment and reinstated him from the injured list.

Jose Espada was optioned to the spring training complex.

Selby hasn’t pitched since July 28 because of a hamstring strain. Espada tossed three scoreless innings in his only appearance with the Orioles, and his second in the majors.