Question: With the Orioles’ 2026 year ending, I’m interested in your thoughts about mangers criticizing players publicity. Orioles manager Craig Albernaz has been critical of several players, including Jeremiah Jackson, Rece Hines and Samuel Basallo. It seems unprofessional to me.

Accountability is important but should be addressed privately. I was impressed by the way Brandon Hyde publicly supported his players. I fear that openly criticizing players is not showing leadership and doing so with some players and not others could lead to friction and a loss of respect. What do you think? From: Jim Becker

Answer: Jim, I think it’s not a good look, especially because there seemed to be a double standard. Despite Gunnar Henderson’s disappointing season, Albernaz didn’t criticize him and continued to support him.

The criticism of Basallo happened in the first few months of the season, and then it stopped.

Jackson, whom Albernaz criticized for swinging at the first pitch after a Milwaukee pitcher had loaded the bases due to wildness, was simply following a pattern. Jackson doesn’t walk very much. He walked just 10 times in 293 plate appearances, and if they wanted him to take until he had a strike, they should have told him that.

As for Hinds, he made a silly mistake by not wearing sunglasses even though it was cloudy to begin the game.

Sometimes players need to be reminded about basic things, but they should be told ahead of time, not after it happens.

Question: Would you please explain how the taxi squad works? How many guys are on there and how often they can be changed out? I think MLB needs to put a pitcher on there who can be activated in the event of a blowout so the losing team can use a real pitcher instead of an infielder throwing 45 mph. From: Allen File

Answer: Allen, teams are allowed to keep an infielder, outfielder or pitcher on the taxi squad without being activated for one game. If a player who’s been brought to the majors isn’t activated after a game, they must be returned to the minor leagues.

Theoretically, this could be done for every game, but it isn’t.

Teams are always allowed to have a catcher on the taxi squad, and the Orioles often do, both at home and on the road because they don’t want to play a game with only one healthy catcher.

As for your idea of having an extra blowout pitcher, perhaps that can be part of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, though I think they have a few more pressing issues to work out first.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: [email protected]. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.