The Orioles aren’t mathematically eliminated from postseason consideration. That won’t come for perhaps another week or so, but Sunday’s results hastened the end of their season.
After they lost, 8-1, to the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland beat Minnesota, 9-2, the Orioles fell four games behind the Guardians. They also trail the Blue Jays, who are a game behind Cleveland and Texas, which is two behind.
At 72-78, they’ll have to win nine of their remaining 12 games to finish at .500 and avoid their second straight losing season.
What happened to Bradish? Before Sunday’s game, the Orioles ended right-hander Kyle Bradish’s season when they placed him on the 15-day injured list with lower abdominal discomfort.
After Sunday’s game, manager Craig Albernaz told reporters in Toronto that Bradish had been dealing with the injury recently and he’d head back to Baltimore for tests.
Bradish’s next start would have been on Friday, and they could recall either left-hander Cade Povich or right-hander Trey Gibson to make the two starts Bradish would have.
What’s happening with Alonso? Pete Alonso had three hits and drove in a run, his 100th of the season, in the Orioles’ loss.
Alonso makes his return to Citi Field on Monday night with 299 career home runs. He’ holds the Mets’ franchise record with 264 home runs.
Alonso and his former teammate, Francisco Lindor, both have 299.
He’ll be the 20th Oriole to hit 300 home runs in their career.
Can Oriole catchers hit? Samuel Basallo was hitless in three at-bats on Sunday. Basallo, who missed a month with left shoulder inflammation, is batting just .133 (9-for-68) in the second half of the season.
His principal backup, Carlos Narváez, is hitting only .106 (7-for-66) in 27 games since he came to the Orioles in the Adley Rutschman trade on August 3rd.
The Orioles have elected to keep three catchers, and after Albernaz hit for Basallo on Sunday, Yohel Pozo received an at-bat for the second straight day.
Pozo’s double-play grounder ended the game. He’s 5-for-17 (.294) since joining the Orioles in late July.
Are more roster moves coming? With Félix Bautista and Ryan Helsley on rehab assignments at Triple-A Norfolk, there will be more roster movement in the final two weeks of the season.
Bautista and Helsley each worked an inning on Saturday night. It was Helsley’s first appearance since June 27th. He’s been on the injured list with a right elbow injury twice, and has appeared in only 17 games.
Yaramil Hiraldo, who was recalled when Bradish went on the IL, threw a career-high 49 pitches, and allowed four runs on two hits and four walks in 1 2/3 innings.
Hiraldo is unlikely to be available for several days.
Outfielder Christian Franklin began a rehab assignment for Norfolk on Sunday, and he could return to the Orioles soon, as could Blaze Alexander, who’s on the IL with lower back discomfort.
Alexander can return on September 19th.
Looking ahead: The Orioles’ final homestand includes three games with Milwaukee and three with Toronto.
It’s questionable whether Brewers star right-hander Jacob Misiorowski will pitch during the series. He’s listed as Tuesday’s starter at Pittsburgh, and with Milwaukee heading to the postseason, The Mis has been working on five days’ rest.
Saturday will feature Trey Mancini’s retirement ceremony.
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Wehiwa Aloy’s three-run home run gave Double-A Chesapeake a 3-1 win over Richmond in the Baysox’s final game of the season.
Patrick Reilly allowed one run on six hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out seven.
Catcher Ethan Anderson and infielder Aron Estrada are being promoted to Triple-A Norfolk for the Tides’ final week of the season.
Creed Willems hit a two-run home run for Norfolk in its 3-2 loss to Memphis. It was Willems’ 18th home run of the season.
Albert Suárez, who was again signed to a minor league contract, pitched a spotless inning in relief.
Franklin, who’s on the injured list with left hand inflammation, began a rehab assignment with the Tides. He was 1-for-4.
What’s next? The Orioles will begin a three-game series with the New York Mets at Citi Field on Monday night. Brandon Young (9-4, 3.71) will start against Jonah Tong (2-1, 4.80). Game time is 7:10.
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