Trevor Rogers makes his 17^th start tonight as the Orioles try to even their series with the Yankees following last night’s 7-0 loss, their 15^th shutout of the season.

Rogers is 8-2 with a 1.43 ERA and 0.894 WHIP in 100 2/3 innings. He’s allowed two runs or fewer in 15 starts.

His ERA is the lowest by any major league pitcher through the first 16 starts of a season since Nolan Ryan’s 1.29 in 1981, per STATS. And it’s the fourth-lowest in a minimum 15 starts since 1920, after Satchel Paige (1.01 in 1944), Jacob deGrom (1.08 in 2021) and Bob Gibson (1.12 in 1968). Dwight Gooden is behind Rogers with a 1.53 ERA in 1985.

Opponents have a .408 OPS against Rogers through six home starts. Per STATS, he’s the first American League pitcher with that mark or lower through his first six home starts, with a minimum 150 batters faced, since Ryan in 1979.

Tonight marks Rogers’ first game against the Yankees in 2025. He’s faced them twice and allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Recalled RHP Jose Espada from Triple-A Norfolk. He will wear No. 72.
• Placed RHP Chayce McDermott on the Bereavement/Family Medical Emergency List.
• RHP Scott Blewett (right elbow discomfort) was returned from his rehab assignment, reinstated from the 60-day Injured List, and designated for assignment.
• INF Emmanuel Rivera cleared outright waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 39 players.

Some leftovers are more appetizing than others. For instance, the container of Chinese food that I ordered before flying to Chicago has no business being in my refrigerator. The plastic lid is corroding.

However, the mailbag questions that weren’t used earlier this week remain fresh – except for the one asking whether Hanser Alberto has a future in Baltimore. Don’t know how I missed that one. Must have gotten pushed to the back like my beef lo mein.

Here are some extras that didn’t make the first cut.

Do the Orioles expect Grayson Rodriguez to be ready for spring training?
Absolutely. He underwent a procedure on his right elbow to remove a bone spur on Aug. 11. That's plenty of recovery time. There's a reason why he did it last month. And it was a bone spur. We're not talking reconstructive surgery here. The question is whether he remains a starter and can he make it through an entire season healthy. He hasn't pitched in a major league game since July 31, 2024. Counting on him to work near or at the top of the rotation and getting nothing from him is one reason why the season went south.

Will Jackson Holliday get reps in center field next spring, Maybe Coby Mayo in right field some? It sure would help if we have as many extra-inning games next year as this one.
Plans for players in camp will reveal themselves later, but the Orioles seem committed to keeping Holliday and Mayo on the right side of the infield. They didn’t give Mayo reps in right field last spring and have settled on first base as his permanent home. He isn’t working out at third anymore. Holliday stands a better chance of becoming a plus defender at second if he isn’t experimenting with the outfield. Any changes with these players would be a surprise.

The quest for a .500 season just got a little harder.

A 7-0 loss to the Yankees tonight, played before an announced crowd of 25,253 at Camden Yards, left the Orioles at 72-81 with only nine games remaining in the season. They need to run the table to post a non-losing record.

The schedule includes six more games with the Yankees, including the final series in the Bronx, and three versus the Rays at home. 

Cade Povich allowed three runs and five hits with four walks and five strikeouts in five innings and carries a 5.06 ERA into his final start, assuming that the six-man rotation remains untouched. He couldn’t keep up with Yankees left-hander Max Fried, who tossed seven scoreless innings and tied his career high with 13 strikeouts.

Coby Mayo had the only hit off Fried, a one-out single in the second, until Ryan Mountcastle’s single with one out in the sixth. Twelve Orioles in a row were retired.

Ryan Mountcastle didn’t play the past two days in Chicago because of a sore finger, but he’s batting leadoff tonight for the first time in his career.

Mountcastle is part of interim manager Tony Mansolino’s right-handed lineup against Yankees lefty Max Fried.

“Just trying to give Jackson (Holliday) a blow for today,” Mansolino said. “Like a lot of guys this time of year, they’re kind of nicked up in a lot of ways. Just felt like he needed to take the day. I think if you’re in the hunt, Jackson’s probably playing today.”

Holliday has reached base in all seven of his career games against the Yankees. David Newhan was the last Oriole to do it in 2004, per STATS. Brian Roberts (14) was the last to reach in at least eight games in a row from 2001-03.

Mansolino wants to give Mountcastle more playing time down the stretch, though Coby Mayo remains the primary first baseman.

Ryan Mountcastle is batting leadoff tonight for the first time in his career, in his 646^th major league game, as the Orioles begin a four-game series against the Yankees at Camden Yards.

Interim manager Tony Mansolino is using a right-handed heavy lineup against Yankees left-hander Max Fried.

Colton Cowser is on the bench again, with Jorge Mateo in center field. Luis Vázquez is the second baseman instead of Jackson Holliday.

Catcher Samuel Basallo is the only left-handed hitter.

Dylan Beavers also is sitting tonight. Jeremiah Jackson is in right field and Tyler O’Neill is in left.

CHICAGO – The Orioles are back home for a four-game series against the Yankees that begins tonight, followed by three against the Rays and a final trip to the Bronx. The light at the end of the tunnel isn’t another oncoming train. The season is almost done.

An entire day passed yesterday without a roster move, if you don’t count the Braves claiming reliever Carson Ragsdale on waivers. No one was hurt. No one was put on a plane with instructions to join the team.

Poor health has wrecked the Orioles’ hopes of a third consecutive playoff berth, but they aren’t leaning on that excuse.

It might not support their weight, and the crash could bring physical harm.

“It’s gonna be a huge part of (the story) in a lot of ways,” said interim manager Tony Mansolino. “We’re not gonna blame it all on injuries. I think that’s a little bit of a copout, it’s not very accountable from our perspective to do that. But yeah, it’s hard when all your players aren’t on the field at the same time.

CHICAGO – With a Wild Card berth no longer a mathematical possibility, official elimination arriving late last night, the Orioles must set other goals over the last few weeks.

Perhaps they can finish in fourth place in the division. Maybe post a non-losing record along the way.

Sights are lowered for a team in the basement.

The Orioles completed their sweep of the White Sox this afternoon with a 3-1 victory before an announced crowd of 10,919 at Rate Field. They return home to play the Yankees and Rays and make their final trip with a weekend series in the Bronx.

That’s a wrap on 2025.

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• RHP Carson Ragsdale claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves.

CHICAGO – The Orioles will go for their eighth sweep this afternoon as they wrap up their series against the White Sox.

Tyler Wells makes his third start after allowing three runs in 11 2/3 innings. He’s faced the White Sox twice in his career and surrendered five earned runs (six total) in 7 1/3 innings.

Jorge Mateo is in center field today and batting ninth. Jordan Westburg bats second and starts at third base.

Tyler O’Neill is the designated hitter. Jeremiah Jackson moves down to fifth in the order and is in right field.

Alex Jackson is catching. Samuel Basallo goes to the bench.

CHICAGO – Four relievers pitched last night for the Orioles before they could secure an 8-7 win over the White Sox. Left-hander José Castillo kept his jacket on and his seat on the bench.

Castillo would be the 69^th player to appear in a game with the Orioles this season. The Marlins set the record last year by using 70.

The Orioles are in a September race, but not the one they wanted.

The club record was 62 in 2021, but it didn’t stand a chance this year. Injuries and the trade deadline created a roster churn that’s still in motion.

The Orioles have used 39 different pitchers, including position players forced into emergency relief, the second-most in franchise history behind the 42 in 2021. Thirty-four position players have gotten into games, tied for first with the 1955 team.

CHICAGO – What seemed inevitable has become official. The numbers can’t be manipulated. Optimism can’t be manufactured.

The 2025 Orioles are eliminated from the playoff chase.

Tonight’s 8-7 victory over the White Sox at Rate Field won't prolong their bid for a miracle run at the final Wild Card. The Mariners and Astros won, and those teams held the Orioles' fate in their hands.

Finishing above .500 remains a possibility if the Orioles (71-80) win their last 11 games. Their most recent non-winning season was in 2021, when they lost 110.

They shocked the industry in ’22 by posting 83 victories and signaling an end to the rebuild, and they went 101-61 the following year to claim the division.

CHICAGO – The Orioles will get a second opinion on Albert Suárez’s right elbow after he underwent an MRI last night.

Suárez is done pitching in 2025 after the Orioles put him on the 15-day injured list yesterday with right elbow discomfort. He noticed it after throwing three innings Sunday in Toronto.

“I think in the next week we’ll have something official on him that we want to release,” said interim manager Tony Mansolino, “but we have to go through the proper channels and make sure that the treatment plan and everything is appropriate.”

The season has been a grind for Suárez, who made one appearance in March, also in Toronto, before going on the IL with a rotator cuff strain. He got into four games this month, allowing two runs in nine innings, before enduring another shutdown.

The bullpen has a new left-hander, José Castillo, a waiver claim from the Mariners who reported today.

CHICAGO – Jordan Westburg is ready to play again for the Orioles, who reinstated him from the 10-day injured list earlier today. He’s serving as the designated hitter for tonight’s game against the White Sox.

Westburg’s last appearance came on Aug. 18 in Boston. He’s been out with a right ankle sprain.

The injured list is back down to 10 players.

Infielder Emmanuel Rivera was designated for assignment to make room for Westburg. He’s hit .250/.291/.283 in 42 games.

The 40-man roster has 39 players.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• INF Jordan Westburg (right ankle sprain) was returned from his rehab assignment and reinstated from the 10-day Injured List.
• Activated LHP José Castillo. He will wear No. 66.
• Optioned LHP Grant Wolfram to Triple-A Norfolk after yesterday’s game.
• Designated INF Emmanuel Rivera for assignment. 

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 39 players.

HOMESTAND HIGHLIGHTS

Thursday, September 18 – HBCU and Divine Nine Night

HBCU and Divine Nine Night – Orioles.com/HBCU

Pregame Concert: Lloyd with Morgan State Alumnus DJ Heat

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.