The Orioles aren't playing this afternoon and get to enjoy a legitimate off-day, however it's done with pandemic restrictions. That's a long time to sit in a hotel room. No intrasquad nonsense that removes the "off" from their day. A few pitchers will be allowed inside the complex to throw. Otherwise, stay away and find something safe to do. There isn't much risk digging into my mailbag, unless I suffer a virtual paper cut. I'll try again to respond to the questions that are asked on a...

Orioles left-hander John Means made it through the first inning today. Manager Brandon Hyde stayed in the dugout. There were no surprises or unexpected visits. The rest of his day can be categorized as getting in his work in spring training. Means was on the verge of watching the second inning roll over, with the Pirates scoring three runs and extending him to 27 pitches in the Orioles' 13-1 loss in Bradenton. He came out at 48 pitches after issuing a leadoff walk in the third. Hyde removed...

After his second spring training start, Orioles lefty John Means said his inability to put hitters away when he got to two-strike counts was an issue for him today. He allowed four runs in two innings plus against the Pirates in Bradenton. After working around a one-out double during a scoreless 14-pitch last of the first today, Means allowed three runs in the Pittsburgh second inning. Kevin Newman singled to right with one out and Dustin Fowler was hit by a fastball that bore in on his hands....

Jon Lester is flying back to West Palm Beach, Fla., today and is expected to be back in Nationals camp Monday to resume his preparation for the season following successful surgery to remove his thyroid gland. Manager Davey Martinez said the prognosis on Lester's thyroidectomy, performed Friday in New York, were "very encouraging" and the veteran left-hander should be fine to pick up where he left off upon leaving camp the middle of last week. "He'll be with us tomorrow," Martinez said...

Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays are sharing the outfield for this afternoon's game against the Pirates in Bradenton, Fla. Manager Brandon Hyde is giving Hays back-to-back starts, putting him in left field today. Mullins is in center. Two catchers also are in the lineup, with Pedro Severino used as the designated hitter and Chance Sisco stationed behind the plate. Severino caught last night. Yusniel Diaz is in right field after his two-run double last night. Jahmai Jones is the second...

It will not be a problem for the Orioles - well, maybe a good one - if both Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins play well throughout the spring. There are easy ways, with the DH spot, to get both of them in the same lineup. The Orioles could, for instance, start Hays in left and Mullins in center with Anthony Santander in right and Trey Mancini and Ryan Mountcastle at first and DH. You would have to think that many days the leadoff hitter could be followed by Mancini, Mountcastle or Santander. But...

The center field competition between Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins won't necessarily push one of them to the bench. Manager Brandon Hyde is willing to put them in the same lineup with their ability to handle all three outfield spots, which would strengthen the defense. The designated hitter role comes with a revolving door now that Renato Núñez has left the organization. On any given day, Ryan Mountcastle or another outfielder could land in that spot. "I think I'm going to move all...

The first round is complete in the veteran starter battle in Orioles camp. Wade LeBlanc tossed two scoreless innings in his debut outing against the Braves, allowing only one hit. The Blue Jays worked Matt Harvey for three runs and four hits yesterday in two innings. Félix Hernández took his first turn tonight against the Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium and retired the side in order in the first inning. He issued back-to-back walks in the second and surrendered two runs in a 6-5...

Orioles starting pitcher Félix Hernández said he was happy to be back pitching tonight after missing the 2020 regular season. He gave up two runs over two innings versus the Detroit Tigers and then pledged to be better his next time out. "It was good," Hernández said of his outing. "I was happy I had a chance to pitch again after a year off. The results could have been better, but I'm happy with it." The O's radio announcers said most of his fastballs were in the mid-80s range...

Savvy baseball observers know not to put too much stock into stats from September or spring training. Despite their seemingly glittery appearance, they can be nothing more than fool's gold, and players who have raked in September or spring often find themselves quickly struggling once pitchers adapt to them. But Andrew Stevenson made last September his personal coming-out party, picking up hits in all 12 of his games and slashing .417/.488/.833 over 41 plate appearances. That output set him up...