The Orioles experienced a typical morning before Game 1 of their doubleheader. They used the injured list again. They waited for the Blue Jays to announce their starting pitcher after the usual delay. Interim manager Tony Mansolino provided injury and rehab updates and was asked again about the trade deadline, saying that family and friends won’t let players ignore it. Coby Mayo did some early work on the field. The heat was borderline unbearable.

The run-scoring fly balls that came later were a unique touch.

Winning games hasn’t been the norm during a last-place season that’s got the front office in sell mode, but the Orioles picked an interesting time to get hot.

Charlie Morton registered a quality start in perhaps his last appearance with the Orioles, and their first four runs and five overall scored on sacrifice flies in a 16-4 victory over the Blue Jays before an announced crowd of 16,194 at Camden Yards.

Ramón Urías had his second career multi-homer game, and the Orioles (49-58) are nine below .500 for the first time since July 13. They’ll try for their second doubleheader sweep this month.

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired minor league right-handed pitcher JUARON WATTS-BROWN from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for right-handed pitcher SERANTHONY DOMÍNGUEZ and cash considerations.

Watts-Brown, 23, is 2-5 with a 3.54 ERA (35 ER/89.0 IP) with 70 hits (6 HR), 38 total runs allowed, 38 walks, six hit batters, and 115 strikeouts in 19 games, all starts, between Double-A New Hampshire and High-A Vancouver this season. His 115 punchouts rank fifth among minor league pitchers, while his 30.5 percent strikeout rate is seventh in the minors (min. 80.0 IP) in 2025. In two professional seasons, he is 6-16 with a 4.17 ERA (89 ER/192.0 IP) and 246 strikeouts in 40 appearances, all starts. Watts-Brown is currently ranked Toronto’s No. 10 prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 14 by Baseball America. The Visalia, Calif. native was originally selected by the Blue Jays in the third round of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft out of Oklahoma State University.

Domínguez, 30, made 68 relief appearances in parts of two seasons with the Orioles, going 2-5 with 12 saves and a 3.50 ERA (25 ER/64.1 IP). In 43 appearances this year, he went 2-3 with two saves and a 3.24 ERA (15 ER/41.2 IP). He was acquired by Baltimore from the Philadelphia Phillies on July 26, 2024, along with outfielder Cristian Pache, in exchange for outfielder Austin Hays. The seven-year veteran is 21-22 with 40 saves and a 3.54 ERA (112 ER/285.0 IP) in 298 career appearances.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Recalled RHP Elvin Rodríguez from Double-A Chesapeake. He will wear No. 83.
• Selected the contract of RHP Houston Roth from Double-A Chesapeake. He will wear No. 95 and his first appearance will be his MLB debut.
• Optioned RHP Yaramil Hiraldo to Double-A Chesapeake after Game 1 of today’s doubleheader.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 38 players.

The Orioles won the first game of today’s doubleheader and traded another high-leverage reliever. And he can make a short walk down the hallway at Camden Yards to join his new team.

Right-hander Seranthony Domínguez was dealt to the Blue Jays for pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown, according to an industry source. Toronto is in Baltimore for a four-game series.

Domínguez is the third reliever traded by the Orioles this month after Bryan Baker (Rays) and Gregory Soto (Mets).

MLB Pipeline ranked Watts-Brown, 23, as the Jays’ No. 10 prospect. They drafted him in the third round in 2023 out of Oklahoma State and he’s registered a 4.17 ERA and 1.328 WHIP in 40 starts. He’s struck out 246 batters and walked 98 over 192 innings.

Watts-Brown was in the Eastern League with Double-A New Hampshire, where he made 11 starts and posted a 3.48 ERA and 1.239 WHIP in 11 outings with 26 walks, 53 strikeouts and only four home runs surrendered over 51 2/3 innings. He also started eight games with High-A Vancouver and posted a 3.62 ERA and 1.179 WHIP with 12 walks, 62 strikeouts and two homers in 37 1/3 innings.

Kade Strowd was hesitant to talk about it. The 96 mph sinker last night that crashed into the side of George Springer’s batting helmet in the ninth inning. The collective gasp from fans and the silence as Springer stayed face-down in the dirt.

Strowd eventually told the media this morning that he would speak about the incident, but it still shook him.

Springer is OK. Strowd has to move on but remains impacted by it.

“The one pitch, lost control,” he said. “It was my first sinker of the day. Just lost that one up and in. Part of the game but you hate to see somebody, especially like George, go down like that, so hope he’s all right.”

Strowd walked toward Springer and later crouched at the mound.

Colin Selby became the 27^th different Orioles player to go on the injured list, tossing a scoreless inning last night and being sidelined today with a left hamstring strain. Selby will undergo an MRI this morning.

Yaramil Hiraldo was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk after the Orioles optioned him yesterday.

The Orioles are playing a day-night doubleheader as a makeup for an April 11 postponement. Charlie Morton is starting Game 1 this afternoon, and Brandon Young will start or work in bulk relief in Game 2 after being summoned as the 27^th man.

Former Orioles minor league left-hander Easton Lucas is starting Game 1 for Toronto, and left-hander Eric Lauer is starting Game 2.

Morton could be making his last start with the Orioles, with the trade deadline 6 p.m. Thursday. He allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings in Cleveland after surrendering seven over 5 1/3 in Tampa.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Recalled RHP Yaramil Hiraldo from Triple-A Norfolk.
• Placed RHP Colin Selby (left hamstring strain) on the 15-day Injured List.

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• Appointed RHP Brandon Young from High-A Aberdeen as the 27^th man for today’s doubleheader.

Adley Rutschman celebrated his return to the Orioles tonight. If Cedric Mullins passes him going the other way, he’s doing it with a bang.

Mullins and Coby Mayo hit back-to-back home runs in the second inning, Rutschman broke a tie with a two-run double in the third, and the Orioles kept unloading on Blue Jays pitching to win their third game in a row, 11-4, before an announced crowd of 20,176 at Camden Yards.

Zach Eflin lasted only 4 1/3 innings in what could be his last game with the Orioles, who improved to 48-58 with the trade deadline arriving at 6 p.m. Thursday. The Blue Jays have the best record in the majors at 63-44 but are 26-27 on the road.

Eflin wasn’t sharp and his luck wavered, but the Orioles supported him in every possible way. Runs were plentiful, and Mullins made a leaping catch at the center field fence to rob Nathan Lukes of a game-tying two-run homer in the fourth. Eflin stood frozen, the same look of disbelief that Trevor Rogers wore on Saturday after Mullins’ diving grab, and raised his cap.

Mullins landed with his back against the fence and with knees bent, as if sitting on an imaginary chair. He tossed the ball underhand to Ramón Laureano, who raced over from right field, and they jogged back to the dugout. One of them received a standing ovation.

An MRI on closer Félix Bautista’s right shoulder was inconclusive, but he’s going to remain unavailable for a considerable period.

Bautista went on the 15-day injured list after throwing a season-high 34 pitches on July 20 in Tampa and experiencing a decline in velocity.

“There’s a lot of swelling in the shoulder, can’t quite make a determination quite yet or diagnose it,” said interim manager Tony Mansolino. “Once the swelling goes down enough to scan it again, then we’ll have more information, and that’s gonna be probably more weeks than days.”

Bautista underwent elbow reconstructive surgery in October 2023 and didn’t pitch again until 2025. He hasn’t recaptured the triple-digit heat that was common during his All-Star season, but he recorded 19 saves in 20 chances and had a 2.60 ERA in 35 games. He struck out 50 batters in 34 2/3 innings but also walked 23.

The need for a closer lessens with the Orioles in last place and approaching the trade deadline as sellers, but they want to remain competitive, and their options are limited with Bryan Baker dealt to the Rays and Gregory Soto to the Mets. Seranthony Domínguez and Andrew Kittredge also are trade possibilities.

The Orioles could peel more players off their roster this week, but they’ve added two from the injured list.

Catcher Adley Rutschman (oblique) and reliever Keegan Akin (shoulder) were reinstated this afternoon, as expected. The Orioles designated catcher Jacob Stallings for assignment and optioned right-hander Yaramil Hiraldo to Triple-A Norfolk.

The 40-man roster has 38 players.

The Blue Jays are in town for a four-game series, including Tuesday’s split doubleheader. Rutschman is expected to catch for the first time since June 19 in Tampa. He has a .993 OPS in 47 career games against Toronto, the highest by any catcher all-time in a minimum 175 plate appearances, according to STATS.

Tyler O’Neill has homered in three consecutive games. Yesterday’s homer had an exit velocity of 113.6 mph, the hardest of his career.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Reinstated LHP Keegan Akin (left shoulder inflammation) from the 15-day Injured List.
• Reinstated C Adley Rutschman (left oblique strain) from the 10-day Injured List.
• Optioned RHP Yaramil Hiraldo to Triple-A Norfolk.
• Designated C Jacob Stallings for assignment.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 38 players.

The trade deadline is 6 p.m. Thursday and I’m told that MASN is a seller only when it comes to me. Make them an offer.

A reporter-to-be-named later or cash considerations should get it done.

A straight-up for Chad Bradford is being discussed, according to an industry source with direct knowledge. He actually was at the ballpark over the weekend to sign autographs. At least, that's their story. I'm still suspicious. 

Players wonder how much the roster is going to change in the next few days. They try to block it out, but how is that possible? Relievers Bryan Baker and Gregory Soto already left and others are going to follow. They know it.

“Definitely a new experience for me, because the past two years, we’ve obviously won a lot more games,” said shortstop Gunnar Henderson. “Definitely a new experience. It’s a weird one, because obviously, don’t know who, when or if. It’s just kind of a crappy situation.

Tomoyuki Sugano made his 20^th major league start today, unsure whether No. 21 will come with the Orioles.

Sugano is a trade possibility with the deadline four days away. He didn’t treat this afternoon’s game as an audition for scouts. He wanted to give the Orioles a chance to win the series, the job he’s paid to perform. What happens next will reveal itself later.

Dylan Carlson moved the Orioles ahead in the second inning with a two-run single, Tyler O’Neill homered for the third day in a row, and Sugano tied his major league high with eight strikeouts in a 5-1 victory over the Rockies before an announced crowd of 16,407 at Camden Yards.

Sugano held the Rockies to one run and four hits in six innings for his eighth quality start, and the Orioles are 47-58 with the first-place Blue Jays coming to town.

O’Neill’s two-run shot off Austin Gomber in the third traveled 433 feet to left field. His home run total has grown to six, with good health allowing him to get extra work in the cage and fix his swing.

The Orioles have multiple roster moves coming that aren’t tied to the trade deadline.

Catcher Adley Rutschman is expected to be in Monday night’s lineup against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards, and left-hander Keegan Akin should be in the bullpen. Their injury rehab assignments with Triple-A Norfolk ended last night.

Rutschman caught in back-to-back games to check the final box. He went 2-for-15 with a double, but plate results didn’t influence his timeline.

Jacob Stallings or Alex Jackson will be the corresponding move for Rutschman. Jackson is in today’s lineup. Stallings caught Trevor Rogers last night, when the left-hander tossed seven scoreless innings and gave up just one hit.

Akin retired both batters faced last night, and he can give the Orioles a second left-handed reliever with Grant Wolfram. Yaramil Hiraldo was recalled yesterday and retired the side in order in the eighth inning. Corbin Martin, Colin Selby and Kade Strowd also are in the ‘pen.

Jordan Westburg is leading off and playing second base for today’s series finale against the Rockies. Jackson Holliday is on the bench.

Coby Mayo is at first base, pretty much assured against left-handed starters. Dylan Carlson is in left field, Ramón Laureano is in right and Tyler O’Neill is the designated hitter.

Colton Cowser and Ryan O'Hearn join Holliday on the bench. 

Tomoyuki Sugano makes his 20^th major league start. He’s posted a 4.54 ERA and 1.350 WHIP in 103 innings.

Sugano had a 3.00 ERA through April, but a 3.48 ERA in five starts in May, but he registered a 6.20 ERA, 1.743 WHIP and .330 opponents’ average in five June starts and has allowed 12 earned runs (13 total) and 20 hits this month in 14 1/3 innings over three outings.

Cedric Mullins must rely on his own organization to feel the love for his glove.

Interim manager Tony Mansolino spoke again yesterday about “the eye test,” just as his predecessor always did. Just as most people do who watch him on a nightly basis.

Mansolino praised Mullins yesterday while the metrics continued to pummel him. The Fielding Bible calculated his defensive runs saved (DRS) at minus-17, the worst of his career, the worst in baseball. And then, Mullins bolted into left-center field in the third inning, the angle taking him toward the fence, and laid out to snag Orlando Arcia’s 105 mph line drive.

Statcast calculated the catch probability at 75 percent. Mullins, it seems, can’t catch a break.

He could scale the warehouse and break glass to rob a home run and be downgraded for the angle.

The trade deadline can’t touch Trevor Rogers and Tyler O’Neill. They aren’t on expiring contracts. They aren’t expected to go anywhere except on the team charter.

Cedric Mullins is a pending free agent and could be moved. Fans seem to be cheering him a little louder these days. Twice tonight, for sure.

The Orioles didn’t make any deals and all three players, controllable and vulnerable, stepped up in an 18-0 thrashing of the Rockies, which set the club record for largest shutout win. The previous mark was 17-0 against the White Sox on July 27, 1969.

Rogers allowed one hit over seven scoreless innings, retiring 20 of 22 batters. O’Neill hit his second homer in two nights, a two-run shot off Colorado starter Antonio Senzatela, and reached base four times. Mullins made a spectacular diving catch and belted a three-run homer. And the Orioles evened the series before an announced crowd of 20,188 at Camden Yards.

Thirteen batters came to the plate in a nine-run seventh, with Gunnar Henderson doubling twice and driving in two and Coby Mayo contributing a walk and two-run double off the bench, and the Orioles improved to 46-58. Kyle Farmer went from designated hitter to emergency pitcher in the eighth and Alex Jackson greeted him with a pinch-hit homer.

The Orioles returned to having eight relievers in their bullpen today by optioning infielder Jeremiah Jackson and recalling right-hander Yaramil Hiraldo.

Hiraldo made his major league debut on May 27 against the Cardinals and tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings in his lone appearance.

Grant Wolfram remains the only left-hander in the ‘pen, but interim manager Tony Mansolino expects Keegan Akin to be reinstated from the injured list on Monday. Akin is pitching again tonight with Triple-A Norfolk.

Ryan O’Hearn is back at first base tonight and Coby Mayo heads to the bench after homering last night.

O’Hearn turns 32 today. He could become the third Oriole to homer on his birthday in the last 10 years after Ramón Urias last summer and Matt Wieters in 2016.

Winning matters to Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino and the players who remain in the clubhouse. Time cards aren’t punched. Flight reservations aren’t made in advance. They intend to compete every night.

The games still count.

It’s just a whole lot harder to claim them.

This is the life of a seller, a role which the Orioles haven’t portrayed in the past few years. They didn’t expect to do it in 2025, but they were torn apart again by injuries, underperformed, fired their manager and eventually began to make trades that wouldn’t impact the club this year or probably next.

Bryan Baker going to the Rays brought back the 37^th-overall pick in the draft, who became Oregon prep outfielder and aspiring musician Slater de Brun. “Lil Slayyy” will have his dayyy, but it won’t be anytime soon.