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.

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.

Another reliever walked out the door today when the Orioles traded Gregory Soto to the Mets for minor league pitchers Wellington Aracena and Cameron Foster. Seranthony Domínguez knows that he could be the next one.

The bullpen is a hot spot in trade discussions.

Domínguez and Soto came to the Orioles is separate trades with the Phillies last summer, the latter on deadline day. Domínguez texted Soto earlier today after receiving the news.

“It’s part of the business,” Domínguez said. “We do what we have to do. I wish him the best and good luck to him.

“It’s hard when you get traded. You’ve got to move from somewhere to another (place) and get new teammates. But I wish the best for him and wait for what happens.”

CLEVELAND – On Monday, the Orioles got out to a 3-0 lead before the Guardians even came to the plate. Ramón Laureano, a catalyst for the O’s all season, kickstarted the offense and drove in two of those runs. 

Cleveland responded, though, pushing three runs of their own across in the bottom of the first. The Guardians went on to win that game 10-5, thanks in large part to a four-run seventh. 

This afternoon, the Orioles got out to a 3-0 lead before the Guardians even came to the plate. Ramón Laureano, a catalyst for the O’s all season, kickstarted the offense and drove in two of those runs.

This time, the Orioles came out on top 4-3.

They did so behind an excellent start from Charlie Morton and a sharp bullpen, one that didn't feature the recently injured Félix Bautista. 

The Orioles couldn’t go more than a day with only 14 players on the injured list.

Félix Bautista joined it this morning for the first time this season. He’s on the 15-day IL with right shoulder discomfort.

Reliever Kade Strowd was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.

Bautista alerted the dugout in the seventh inning last night that he was unavailable. Interim manager Tony Mansolino told the assembled media later that “something didn’t feel right” and the club would have more information today.

Bautista threw a season-high 34 pitches Sunday in Tampa after going 10 days without appearing in a game. He earned the save but it was a struggle, with Bautista allowing a run and walking three batters.

Trevor Rogers sat at his locker early this afternoon with headphones on and his mind seemingly clear. Facing the Marlins for the first time didn’t tie his emotions in knots. He churned on the inside but played it straight. 

Rogers grabbed his glove, headed to the bullpen to warm up and strung together another terrific outing. What he lacked was support from his bullpen. He wasn’t consumed with revenge. He just needed to be rewarded.

Gregory Soto let an inherited runner score after Rogers exited with two outs in the seventh, Seranthony Domínguez gave up an RBI single to pinch-hitter Jesús Sánchez in the eighth, and the Marlins broke it open with four runs off Scott Blewett in the ninth in a 6-0 victory over the Orioles before announced crowd of 34,332 at Camden Yards.

Among the failings for the Orioles (43-51) was the attempt to move six games below .500 for the first time since May 3, but they can still win their third series in a row for the first time this season.

Rogers carried a shutout bid into the seventh after tossing 6 2/3 scoreless in his previous start. Dane Myers singled with two outs and Rogers left to a standing ovation, touching the bill of his cap as he approached the first base line. Soto hit Kyle Stowers and Derek Hill singled into left field to break a scoreless tie. Hill was tagged in a rundown.

ATLANTA – The Orioles’ catching situation didn’t seem like it could go from bad to worse. 

Famous last words. 

On June 21, Adley Rutschman hit the injured list with a left oblique strain, with an expected return after the All-Star break. Just two days later, Maverick Handley collided with Jazz Chisholm and went on the concussion injured list. He has yet to resume baseball activities. Same with Chadwick Tromp, who hit the IL on July 1 with lower back tightness. 

Now, it’s Gary Sánchez who heads to the IL, with a moderate right PCL strain. There’s no timeline for his return just yet. 

Sánchez had previously missed a significant amount of time with a wrist injury before returning on June 14. Since then, though, his offensive production has been a huge boost in the absence of Rutschman. 

ARLINGTON, Texas – Another check on the trade interest generated by the Orioles still finds teams targeting their bullpen and All-Star first baseman Ryan O’Hearn. Nothing has changed or should be deemed as surprising.

Any club in the market for relievers is keeping tabs on Seranthony Domínguez, Gregory Soto and Andrew Kittredge. The $9 million option on Kittredge’s contract could be a deterrent in some organizations or bring appeal due to the controllability.

I had one scout suggest that the cost might be too rich for his team’s ownership, but that certainly won’t be true with others.

I’ve also heard Keegan Akin’s name come up with a few teams. He’s got another year of arbitration eligibility and can be used in long relief and as an opener.

Akin surrendered a game-tying three-run homer to Adolis García in the 10^th inning Monday night and went on the 15-day injured list yesterday with shoulder inflammation. He’s allowed four earned runs and five total with nine hits in his last four appearances covering 4 1/3 innings and has raised his ERA from 2.67 to 3.32.

As the industry perception builds that the Orioles will be sellers at the trade deadline, their bullpen is attracting the expected interest.

The collective stats aren’t impressive, but woven in are numbers from position players Gary Sánchez, Emmanuel Rivera, Jorge Mateo and Luis Vázquez. The first three combined to allow 17 runs in three emergency innings. Vázquez tossed a scoreless inning last Saturday.

Catcher Jacob Stallings, signed to a major league contract on Tuesday and sent to Triple-A Norfolk, has made nine career relief appearances and allowed five runs in 11 innings. But he’s in the organization to fill a need behind the plate, not on the mound.

Pending free agents Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto are obvious targets due to their contracts and past production. Domínguez retired the side in order last night in the sixth and extended his streak to 14 appearances in a row without an earned run allowed. An automatic runner scored against him in the 10^th inning Tuesday against the Rangers.

Domínguez has let only one of 20 inherited runners score. Mark Thurmond holds the single-season franchise record of 10.5 percent scoring in 1988. Domínguez’s five percent is second on the club this year behind Keegan Akin’s 4.2.

The Orioles looked like a team that finally had reached its limit, that was done being pushed around. They were no-hit for seven innings Saturday in New York and for six tonight on their home turf. And then they exploded, launching three consecutive home runs to take the lead.

But these aren’t the comeback Orioles of previous seasons, when they’d routinely close the deal. That’s why a club in a state of desperation to build a winning streak that might get it into the Wild Card chase can’t stop spinning its wheels.

Félix Bautista put a runner on second base with no outs in the top of the ninth and escaped the jam, but Evan Carter scored on Sam Haggerty’s fielder’s choice grounder against Seranthony Domínguez in the 10^th, and the Orioles lost to the Rangers 6-5 before an announced crowd of 16,909 at Camden Yards.

Cedric Mullins laid down a sacrifice bunt against Robert Garcia that moved automatic runner Luis Vázquez to third base. Dylan Carlson struck out and Jackson Holliday flied out. 

The outcome moved the Orioles 11 games below .500 again at 34-45. They can claim the series on Wednesday but they’re 3-9 in rubber games.

The Orioles’ attempts to climb out of the deep hole they dug earlier this season are aided by a relief unit that’s acted as a rope ladder.

Don't let last night's fraying in Tampa change your opinions and perceptions. 

The bullpen went into the matchup with a 1.76 ERA in the last 23 games since May 24, the second-lowest mark after the Cubs’ 0.68. Four of the 17 earned runs came from Dean Kremer after he was used behind opener Scott Blewett. They struck out 33.3 percent of batters in that span, the best reliever rate in baseball.

The improvement had lowered the bullpen’s season ERA to 4.42. It was 5.62 through May 23, fourth-highest in the majors.

Trevor Rogers made his second Orioles start of 2025 last night and was gone after 2 1/3 innings, forcing Blewett into the game and messing with the numbers, ideal order and momentum. Blewett was charged with one run in 1 2/3 and Yennier Cano, summoned by the fifth, coughed up four to tie the game. Andrew Kittredge surrendered four in the seventh to give the Rays a 12-8 lead. 

Left-hander Trevor Rogers has joined the Orioles in Tampa and is on the taxi squad.

The Orioles need a starter on Wednesday and Rogers appears to be the choice. He tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings against the Red Sox in Game 2 of a May 24 doubleheader in Boston.

Coby Mayo is out of the lineup again tonight, as the Orioles try to bounce back from last night’s 7-1 loss to the Rays. Ryan O’Hearn is playing first base and Cedric Mullins is the designated hitter.

Colton Cowser is in center field. Jordan Westburg is the third baseman and cleanup hitter.

Gunnar Henderson has a 10-game hitting streak. He’s slashing .322/.402/.411 (29-for-90) in his last 24 games.

BOSTON – The Orioles had a game postponed yesterday for the fifth time this season, setting up the third of their four scheduled doubleheaders.

Life keeps getting harder for them.

They give up 13 runs in the eighth inning of Game 1, forced again to use a position player to pitch, and the tarp goes on the field less than two hours before Game 2's start time. It begins to rain, as if on cue. They’re stuck in a cramped clubhouse at “America’s most beloved ballpark,” which is a kind way of saying it’s old.

They never posted a lineup, unlike the Red Sox, who either held more confidence in the rain halting or just did it for practice. A starter wasn’t confirmed until last night, when the club announced Zach Eflin for Game 1 and TBA for Game 2. Trevor Rogers finally could get the ball as the 27^th man, but Charlie Morton also is a possibility.

The season hasn’t gotten past May and the Orioles have allowed 19-plus runs twice this season. Emmanuel Rivera became the 26^th player to pitch for them with his emergency appearance in Game 1, and Rogers could be the 27^th - seven fewer than last year’s total. The group includes two infielders and a backup catcher.

MILWAUKEE – Baltimore was right there. The losing streak was over. 

The Tony Mansolino era had its first victory in the palm of its hand. 

For the first time this season, Baltimore could come back to win a game after trailing entering the seventh inning. They found clutch situational hits when they needed to. Their former All-Star closer was on the mound with a chance to seal things in the ninth. 

Baltimore was one strike away. 

In a 2-2 count, American Family Field erupted at the sight of a Caleb Durbin RBI single to tie the game at three runs apiece. 

DETROIT – Tyler O’Neill tried to play through the neck soreness and had to succumb.

The Orioles put O’Neill on the 10-day injured list yesterday. He’s hoping to be back when eligible to return.

“That’s obviously the goal,” he said last night. “Just, unfortunately, dealing with some pain and immobility for the better part of a week. It’s just better to get it dealt with now and not have it lingering around over the course of the season.

“Hopefully, we can knock it out and be back out there as soon as possible.”

The issue began on the last homestand, leading to O’Neill’s 15^th career trip to the injured list but the first involving his neck.

Tyler O’Neill knew that he’d move around the outfield after signing his three-year, $49.5 million deal with the Orioles. He won two Gold Gloves in left with the Cardinals but has made four of his five starts in right this season.

Last night’s original lineup had O’Neill in left and Ramón Laureano in right, the same setup as Monday for home Opening Day, but they switched positions in the updated lineup less than an hour later.

Left field is up for grabs after Colton Cowser fractured his left thumb Sunday in Toronto. He’s expected to be out six-to-eight weeks at a minimum. But the Orioles have the same flexibility in their outfield as they do in the infield.

Long gone are the days of Don Buford in left, Paul Blair in center and Frank Robinson in right. Or two-thirds of the outfield consisting of Al Bumbry in center and Ken Singleton in right, or Adam Jones in center and Nick Markakis in right.

O’Neill is most likely to play where Markakis used to roam.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Félix Bautista finally made it back into a Grapefruit League game tonight, his first in a week, and he stuck around for two outs and 26 pitches.

If the idea was to gain clarity on his status for Opening Day, the mission failed.

Bautista surrendered a wind-aided, opposite-field home run to Zach McKinstry. He struck out two batters but also walked two. Afterward, he described the outing as “good, excellent,” via interpreter Brandon Quinones.

“Apart from everything, I felt good, my arm feels really good,” he said. “I think right now the most important thing is feeling healthy and making sure I feel good out there.

The fastball topped out again at 98 mph and was clocked at 97 four times.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Félix Bautista has become a mountainous riddle.

His fastball touches 98 mph, which it’s done multiple times. He says that his arm feels good and yes, of course, he’s going to be on the Opening Day roster. His last outing was scoreless and hitless with two strikeouts. He retired the side in order after twice running the count full.

The scoreboard radar readings had Bautista at 96 mph, 96, 95, 93 for the first out; 82, 88, 86, 96, 96, 96 for the second out; and 84, 98, 85, 97, 97, 88, 97 and 86 to end the inning. He threw some good splitters.

This isn’t 2023 All-Star Bautista, but he seems to be trending that way. It was supposed to be a gradual build.

The list of relievers last night behind Tomoyuki Sugano didn’t include Bautista, which raised some eyebrows because of the gap between appearances. The media was told that he threw on the back fields, like most of the starters. More innings can be squeezed outside the Grapefruit League.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Charlie Morton will start the second game of the season on March 28 against the Blue Jays in Toronto. Two-thirds of the rotation is confirmed.

Zach Eflin is the Opening Day starter on March 27. Dean Kremer and Tomoyuki Sugano, who pitches tonight, will slot further down.

Morton, 41, has tossed six scoreless innings in his three spring starts. He signed a $15 million contract in January and is entering his 18^th major league season.

“He’s been everything,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “He’s been an amazing influence on our team so far already. Just with his interactions with guys. He’s throwing the ball extremely well, he looks great. That’s just Charlie Morton.

“The stuff he’s thrown out every time out has been really good. He’s brought a lot to our team already.”

SARASOTA, Fla. – The long wait is over for Jorge Mateo. He gets to appear in his first game today since injuring his left elbow on July 23 and undergoing reconstructive surgery a month later.

The Orioles haven’t sounded as optimistic as Mateo about his availability for Opening Day. Today’s start at shortstop could be an indication that he remains in play or that he’ll be able to leave the injured list when he’s eligible.

“Jorgie was a big loss for us last year,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “He adds so much to our team – versatility, the speed. I love his energy he brings on a daily basis. We missed that last year.

“This is his first step back, a big step back in his rehab, to get a little game action.”

Mateo will rest Monday rather than make the trip to Fort Myers to play the Red Sox. The Orioles wrap up the Grapefruit League schedule March 23 in North Port.