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.

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.

The smartest warning to be issued for the 2025 season was to expect the unexpected from the Orioles.

They weren’t supposed to land in last place or fire manager Brandon Hyde, let alone in May. They weren’t supposed to tie the Marlins for most players used with 70 or post a run differential of minus-98. They weren't supposed to use the injured list 39 times with 29 different players.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg that they crashed into this year.

The season will go on … until Sunday’s finale in the Bronx. Near, far, wherever they are, it’s one for the books. They can’t wait to close it and regroup for 2026.

Did you ever imagine that …

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.

The climb out of the deepest pit in his professional career has landed Trevor Rogers in first place in voting for Most Valuable Oriole.

Rogers was honored by members of the media covering the team. Coming up next could be appearances on Cy Young ballots and perhaps a Comeback Player of the Year award.

One start remains in Rogers’ season, this weekend at Yankee Stadium. He’s 9-2 with a 1.35 ERA, 0.872 WHIP, .178 opponents’ average and 6.0 bWAR, the lowest ERA in Orioles history among pitchers in their first 17 starts.

"I probably told you a few starts ago, 'You're waiting for the other shoe to drop, the other foot to drop,’” interim manager Tony Mansolino said on Friday. “I don't think we're waiting anymore.”

Rogers has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 15 consecutive starts, the longest streak in Orioles history and longest in the majors since the Dodgers’ Julio Urías (17) from July 16, 2022-April 10, 2023. He’s surrendered more than two earned runs in only one start, and he tossed six scoreless innings while giving up just one hit in his most recent outing against the Yankees.

The events of March 18 seemed like a much bigger deal in spring training compared to the final week of the 2025 season.

Time passed can bring a new perspective.

The Orioles made seven cuts in camp, and catcher Samuel Basallo and first baseman Coby Mayo were the most noticeable names on the list. Basallo was reassigned to Twin Lakes Park, as expected, and Mayo was optioned.

Basallo knew that he’d begin the season with Triple-A Norfolk at age 20, but Mayo expressed his disappointment at a return trip after dominating International League pitching and having 151 games of experience over the previous two years. He spoke at his locker about the difficulty in going back and a “lose-lose” situation, with success expected and failure overblown.

The Orioles called up Mayo on May 3 while placing infielder Ramón Urías on the injured list. He had three hits in his first 25 at-bats and five in 36, but the production improved with more experience and consistent starts. Also, settling at one position removed a distraction.

The Orioles have returned catcher Adley Rutschman to the active roster for the final six games of the 2025 season.

Rutschman was reinstated today from the 10-day injured list after recovering from a right oblique strain and completing his rehab assignment. Triple-A Norfolk’s season ended yesterday.

Rutschman is hitting .227/.310/.373 with 16 doubles, a triple, nine home runs and 29 RBIs in 85 games. He’s posted a .264 average and .764 OPS in his last 32 games but has been shut down twice with oblique injuries.

Rookie Samuel Basallo has handled regular catching duties in Rutschman’s absence, with Alex Jackson backing up. Interim manager Tony Mansolino explained yesterday that Rutschman would regain the starting job.

“Adley Rutschman is going to be your catcher here as long as we’ve got him,” Mansolino said. “He’s a really, really good catcher. The beautiful thing about Sammy Basallo is he’s also a very good first baseman. So between the first base position, the DH and the catching position, there is no doubt they can both be in the lineup at the same time pretty much every day.”

The Orioles reach another milestone today with their last off-day in 2025.

We’re counting it.

The next break will extend through the winter and into spring training. There could be an instructional camp in January, but we’re not counting it.

Do the last six games on the schedule matter? Winning is better than losing – if we learned anything from Bull Durham – and therefore, yes, a team should keep fighting as a matter of pride and because it’s the job.

Beating the fourth-place Rays at Camden Yards, where their series begins Tuesday night, could lift the Orioles out of the basement. Beating the Yankees in the Bronx over the weekend won’t influence whether the front office is more active in the offseason or becomes convinced that they can contend. Just like losing three of four at Camden Yards doesn't lower their opinion.

The best of Kyle Bradish isn’t displayed in each start since his return from elbow surgery and the 60-day injured list. There’s room to grow, which excites a club that’s been limited financially in its freedom to reach for an ace.

Bradish is here and he’s pitching like one again, carrying a one-hit shutout into the sixth this afternoon before the Orioles' 10th-inning meltdown in a 7-1 loss to the Yankees before an announced crowd of 31,974 at Camden Yards.

The Orioles (73-83) dropped three of four games in the series, their chances at a split disappearing with a Keegan Akin fastball to Ben Rice that carried into the right-center field seats for a grand slam. Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered onto the flag court with one out.

Kade Strowd walked Aaron Judge to begin the top of the 10th and Akin entered the game. Cody Bellinger singled to load the bases and Rice unloaded, hitting his second career slam and giving him four hits and five RBIs. Orioles fans were heading for the exits before Chisholm batted. They missed Yaramil Hiraldo allowing a run and the Orioles leaving the bases loaded.x

"You go up and down the lineup, it's an elite lineup, and they have a lot of matchups sitting on the bench on a nightly basis to where they can pop pinch-hitters and make it tough on your relievers," said interim manager Tony Mansolino. "Still liked our guys in the situations they got put in, and unfortunately just didn't go our way."

The Orioles close out their four-game series against the Yankees this afternoon with Kyle Bradish making his fifth start. He’s allowed six runs and 16 hits in 22 innings, with eight walks, 30 strikeouts and only two home runs.

Bradish hasn’t faced the Yankees since May 2, 2024, his first outing after leaving the injured list. He allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings. The previous start against them was on July 6, 2023 in the Bronx, when he tossed six scoreless innings. He also faced them on the road May 23, 2023, when he allowed four runs in five innings.

Bradish’s final start in 2022 came against the Yankees, again on the road, where he allowed an unearned run over five innings. The second matchup at Camden Yards occurred in his fourth major league start on May 16, 2022, when he surrendered four runs and eight hits in 4 1/3.

Aaron Judge, who hit his 49^th home run last night, is 0-for-5 with three walks and two strikeouts against Bradish.

Per STATS: Bradish has a first-pitch strike percentage of 73.2 against right-handed hitters this season, compared to 57.8 versus left-handers.

Plotting an offseason strategy to improve the roster and the Orioles’ chances of reaching the playoffs in 2026 requires a deep-dive into the weaknesses that must be addressed and an accurate measurement of payroll flexibility.

Contending comes at a cost.

The trade deadline, free agency and Félix Bautista’s shoulder surgery created openings across the board - in the rotation, bullpen, infield and outfield. The Orioles have room for Jorge Mateo and a need for a utility-type player with elite speed, but he might be running out of time.

Mateo is coming off back-to-back, injury-shortened seasons, appearing in only 68 games in 2024 before undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery and 40 this summer due to elbow inflammation and a hamstring strain that he sustained on his rehab assignment.

The Orioles added Mateo to their expanded September roster, but he’s started only four times – three since Wednesday against left-handers, and received 15 at-bats. He went 0-for-3 with a strikeout last night, is hitting .184/.225/.276 and owed $5.5 million next season.

The punishment that Tomoyuki Sugano absorbed tonight in the first inning looked a lot worse on the scoreboard than on the field.

Still counts, though.

Aaron Judge poked a two-out single into right-center field at 88.2 mph, and Cody Bellinger followed with a looping single to right at 68.5. Giancarlo Stanton lined a sweeper the opposite way, the ball carrying only 358 feet but reaching the first row of fans above the out-of-town scoreboard.

The sequence didn’t seem alarming but it set the tone, with the Orioles losing to the Yankees 6-1 before an announced crowd of 37,675 at Camden Yards and guaranteeing a sub-.500 finish to the season.

Judge hit his 49^th home run leading off the third, a full-count sweeper – the eighth pitch of the at-bat – staying fair down the left field line at 112.2 mph and landing deep in the lower section. That one was loud.

The Orioles claimed right-hander Dom Hamel on waivers today from the Mets and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk. The 40-man roster is full.

Hamel, 26, was a third-round draft pick in 2021 out of Dallas Baptist University. His only major league appearance came on Wednesday against the Padres and he tossed a scoreless inning with three hits allowed and a hit batter.

Hamel made 31 appearances (11 starts) with Triple-A Syracuse and posted a 5.32 ERA and 1.330 WHIP. He struck out 75 batters in 67 2/3 innings.

Alex Jackson is catching tonight in a mostly right-handed lineup. Ryan Mountcastle is the designated hitter. Jorge Mateo gets another start in center field, which moves Colton Cowser to the bench.

Tomoyuki Sugano makes his 29^th start. His ERA is down to 4.39 in 149 2/3 innings after holding the Blue Jays to one run in six frames in Toronto.

The Orioles won’t have much of a presence in the voting for the four major awards, which is part of the fallout from being in last place and underachieving to such a large degree. The shows will go on without them.

There’s always 2026.

The Baseball Writers’ Association of America is adding a reliever award next year, but it wouldn’t have mattered this summer. Félix Bautista was the only hope and he hasn’t pitched since July 20, before his surgery to repair his labrum and rotator cuff. And he might not return until 2027.

None of the Orioles are expected to sneak onto the 10-man ballot for Most Valuable Player after Gunnar Henderson finished eighth and fourth in his first two seasons. Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh and Bobby Witt Jr. can battle it out for first place.

The rookie ballot is expanding from three to five players, but the Orioles probably will be shut out again unless Tomoyuki Sugano gets some backend support. We can talk about Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers next season.  

Trevor Rogers sprinted from the dugout to the mound tonight after Jackson Holliday made the last out in the bottom of the fifth inning. Yankees players hadn’t started to come off the field and Rogers wanted to begin warming. He might have set a land speed record.

Rogers exudes confidence, always in control, always giving the Orioles a chance, whether he’s working in a five- or six-man rotation.

Ryan Mountcastle moved down from leadoff to cleanup tonight and gave them an early lead with the loudest home run of his career, and he expanded it with a sacrifice fly.

Reduced to playing the role of spoiler, the Orioles slowed the Yankees’ pursuit of first place in the division with a 4-2 victory before an announced crowd of 26,269 at Camden Yards.

Rogers tossed five no-hit innings before Austin Wells led off the sixth with a groundball single. Dylan Beavers made two outstanding catches on consecutive plays to ensure that Rogers would keep the Yankees scoreless under his watch, and the Orioles improved to 73-81 while preserving their slim hopes of a .500 season. They’ve got to run the table.

Interim manager Tony Mansolino received the news of his bump from third base coach after a May 16 loss to the Nationals at Camden Yards, and his immediate thought turned to the rest of the staff. The uncertainty for everyone moving forward.

He could relate and sympathize.

Mansolino witnessed it through his childhood. He’s dealing with it now, unsure whether he’s returning in 2026. What's here today can be gone tomorrow.

“Listen, I grew up, and I can use my history as a kid, I watched my dad (Doug) be on one-year contracts for most of his career,” Mansolino said. “I watched my dad get fired, get sent home, have to look for a job, and just saw how that affected our family. I lived it, so I’m very sensitive to it and understand it. And in this situation here, I think once this all happened in May, my first reaction was the room, the staff. Because usually what happens in these scenarios is, things change quite a bit.

“Now, I’m hoping that our coaches are recognized for the job that they’ve done here over the last four months. I was just informed that, I guess we’re about to set a record for players used. I had no idea. But if we use that many players and we’ve traded everybody and done the whole deal, and our guys have played the way they have, I hope that reflects upon that coaching room in there. I really hope it does. And they deserve it.