In case you thought baseball would get back to normal in 2021, and I have no idea why you'd assume so, please consider the following: Each team is appointing at least one facemask enforcement officer and automatic fines will be issued for non-compliance during games, with fines collected donated to charity. I remember when a bench coach was a new idea. Face coverings must be worn except for players on the field for games or warmups. Then it's optional. I'm amused whenever a see a report that...

The Orioles farm system got some further positive recognition yesterday when it was ranked No. 7 by Baseball America in organizational rankings. That is up from No. 12 last year. In MLBPipeline.com's latest organizational rankings, released in the fall, the O's moved up from No. 13 to No. 8. It should be pointed out that not every outlet sees the O's farm as top 10 or even top 15. The Athletic rated the O's No. 18 when it released ratings for every MLB club yesterday. Baseball America noted...

The first spring training workout is four days away. Some baseballs will be dropped, but not many clues about how the roster is going to be constructed and the pitching staff assembled. The full squad doesn't take the field until Feb. 22, but again, there's only so much you can read into early drills. Maybe where some players are taking grounders, though the media isn't permitted on the back fields. Maybe where some players are grouped - whether a fringe guy is placed with the regulars or...

We've had some fun trying to construct lineups based on players currently in the organization, knowing that future moves could bring changes. It's easier to fill the positions than decide on an exact order. And to stick with it. We can take the 32 starts Anthony Santander made in the second slot and assume he won't budge, or knock him down a peg after José Iglesias was traded to the Angels. We can put Austin Hays in the leadoff spot, reserve it for Cedric Mullins or cheat a little and go...

Major League Baseball formally announced its health and safety protocols Tuesday. And if you haven't heard yet, the 2021 season is going to look a lot like the 2020 season. At least at the outset. With the pandemic still consuming the nation and vaccinations still not available to most Americans yet, baseball had little choice but to reinstate many of the procedures that were necessary last season. This time, though, they're going to have to hold up through a full spring training, 162-game...

The Orioles begin spring training next week with a much better idea of the rules and health and safety protocols awaiting them in 2021. The wait is finally over. Major League Baseball offered confirmation on some details that recently began to leak, including how rosters will hold 26 players and increase to 28 in September. There's no limit on the number of pitchers. Any clubs that experience a COVID-19 outbreak among its players are allowed to add to the major league active list temporarily,...

We now know some of the rules that will govern the 2021 Major League Baseball season. MLB and the MLB Players Association announced the health and safety protocols that will be in place starting when spring training begins next week. By the way, as a reminder, O's pitchers and catchers report Tuesday, Feb. 16 with the first workout set for the next day. The first full-squad workout in Sarasota is Feb. 22. Some things that were agreed on include: * Doubleheaders will feature two seven-inning...

The Orioles and the Maryland Stadium Authority agreed earlier today to a two-year extension on the lease for Camden Yards. The MSA approved an amendment to the agreement at an ad hoc meeting of its board of directors. The extension will run through Dec. 31, 2023. The Orioles have the option of exercising a five-year extension, with a decision needed by Feb. 1, 2023. The amendment is contingent upon and subject to the approval of the Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW). Once signed by both the...

Neither player is currently on the Orioles' 40-man roster. Of the two, one has played in the majors, while the other has yet to play a single inning of pro ball. Both could play in Baltimore at some point in the 2021 season. In this recent entry, I got the take and opinions from a National League scout on the O's possible double play combo of Freddy Galvis and Yolmer Sánchez. Today, the scout takes a look at Chris Shaw and Garrett Stallings. Shaw is a 27-year-old lefty-hitting...

As the Nationals prepare to convene in West Palm Beach, Fla., our thoughts turn toward warm nights spent sitting in the stands at Nationals Park and watching baseball. While it'll be a bit before we can actually do that again - dang pandemic! - MASN has you covered with a plethora of "Nationals Classics" from yesteryear. This week's offerings include pitching prowess, offensive fireworks and some Clinchmas memories. "Pitchers and catchers report" is the welcome start of another year of...