The Orioles are four games below .500 again and the rotation issues won’t go away. They were one-hit, so it isn't just the pitching. The anger generated from Sunday's 24-2 loss was supposed to shatter slumps and funks.

What can you trust? Well, there’s mailbag leftovers.

You asked, I answered, and some stuff had to be held. Let’s get to it before the Orioles send Tomoyuki Sugano to the mound tonight and hope that he can be their stopper.

How far away is Chayce McDermott’s rehab start?
Manager Brandon Hyde told the media in D.C. that McDermott was “a little bit behind Trevor Rogers,” who starts this afternoon at Double-A Chesapeake. “I don’t think that date has been set in stone, but in the next week or so,” Hyde said. The Orioles want Rogers to get three or four starts before he’s reinstated. Not that you asked.

What’s happening with Zach Fruit? He really impressed me in spring training.
The Baysox put Fruit on the seven-day injured list yesterday. No explanation accompanied the news. Fruit allowed nine runs and 10 hits and walked six batters in eight innings over three starts. Patrick Reilly also went on the IL yesterday after exiting his last start with right elbow discomfort. Not that you asked.

SARASOTA, Fla. – In describing Enrique Bradfield Jr. following the Spring Breakout game in Sarasota, a scout from outside the organization pretty much nailed it in four words.

“He’s a total disruptor.”

This is meant in a good way, of course. Not the kind who gets detention after school.

Bradfield provided an example of his disruptive nature in the first inning against the Yankees’ prospects. He slaps a two-strike single into left field, goes first to third with ease on an errant pickoff throw and bolts home on a wild pitch. Pitchers become distracted. The defense tightens from the pressure that he applies.

The scout said he’s done a 180 on Bradfield since a couple of years ago. He uses Kenny Lofton as a comp for the 2023 first-round draft pick. The questions about whether Bradfield will hit are growing silent.

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson hit on the field earlier today in Sarasota, went through more defensive drills and is progressing well, according to manager Brandon Hyde. However, Hyde added that Henderson remains “a little bit away from game activity.”

That isn’t good.

Time is running out on Henderson with the last exhibition next Monday in D.C. The Orioles break camp the previous day after playing the Braves in North Port.

The Orioles traveled to Fort Myers today to face the Red Sox. Livan Soto hit leadoff and started at shortstop.

Henderson isn’t expected to make the Opening Day roster if he can’t get back into the spring lineup.