SARASOTA, Fla.-What’s happening?—Alex Cobb will begin the season on the 10-day injured list because of a sore right groin. Andrew Cashner is likely to make the start on Thursday at Yankee Stadium in the season opener.
Manager Brandon Hyde said it was likely Cobb could start the home opener at Oriole Park on April 4.
“I think at the worst we’ll be able to do that,” Hyde said. “And that might be the right time for him to come back anyway with the progression if we are holding him out, so we’re hopeful that the home opener at the worst.”
Cobb, who left Saturday’s game because of soreness in the right groin after one inning, played catch on Monday and will stay in Sarasota for the time being.
Catcher Austin Wynns, who’s been out because of a sore left oblique, joins Cobb on the 10-day injured list.
Mark Trumbo, who is recovering from September right knee surgery, has been placed on the 60-day IL.
Trumbo’s place on the 40-man roster will be taken by catcher Jesus Sucre, whose contract has been purchased. He signed a minor league contract last month.
Today, the Orioles are scheduled to visit the Naval Academy for a tour and lunch with the Midshipmen. They’ll have a workout at 3 p.m. at Oriole Park.
What happened? Dylan Bundy allowed four runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings as the Orioles lost to the New York Mets, 9-7, in their final Grapefruit League game.
“To finish spring training healthy, that’s the main goal,” Bundy said. “Today, I was mainly working on my changeup, and I threw a lot more than I would normally throw in a game.”
Bundy threw 82 pitches. Even though it took him nearly five innings to get there, he was happy with his stamina.
“I’m ready for the season,” he said.
Bundy hasn’t been told when he’ll pitch his first game because the rotation is in flux due to Cobb’s injury.
“I don’t think he was as sharp as he would have liked to be,” Hyde said.
Dwight Smith Jr. homered twice and Chris Davis hit his third home run of the spring.
“He’s been unbelievably impressive,” Hyde said. “I hope he continues to swing it like this as we go north.”
Both of Smith’s home runs were hit to center field.
“I haven’t seen much of him,” Hyde said. “I’ve seen his track record…For him to come out and juice some balls the way he has has been a pleasant surprise.”
New York’s Dominic Smith hit a three-run homer off Pedro Araujo in the ninth to put the Mets ahead.
What’s up with? Dwight Smith Jr. He homered twice and has five home runs in 12 games with the Orioles.
“I feel like this past offseason something clicked,” Smith said.
Smith, who was acquired from Toronto in exchange for international bonus money on March 8, said he was confident he could make the team despite the abundance of outfielders in camp.
“As long as I have a jersey, there’s always a chance,” Smith said.
What’s what? Since Cobb will begin the season on the injured list, the Orioles are likely to use an opener — a relief pitcher to start the game — with at least one rotation spot.
“The Cobb situation is probably forcing some creativity,” general manager Mike Elias said. “I hope that we settle into a situation where we have more regular starters, but I think you’ll see some creativity early, with a couple of bullpen games, maybe a pseudo-opener kind of thing going on.”
“..In the early part of the season, we’ll probably see some days where there are a couple of pitchers going with length, as opposed to a designated starter you hope would go 6-7 innings.”
What’s the word?” We want to take absolutely no risk in some kind of major setback, and he had a procedure that’s not a cakewalk in terms of rehab. Relative to other players that have done this, he’s very early in the time horizon for the rehab. He’s doing well, but we don’t want to push it, and he’s not ready. That’s for sure.”-Elias on deciding whether to place Mark Trumbo on the 60-day injured list.
What’s the number? 9. Just nine of the likely 25 players on the Opening Day roster were on the 2018 Opening Day roster. They’re pitchers Pedro Araujo, Richard Bleier, Dylan Bundy, Andrew Cashner, Miguel Castro, Mychal Givens and Mike Wright, first baseman Chris Davis and left fielder Trey Mancini.
What’s the record? 12-17-3. The Orioles were winless in their last seven games, six losses and a tie. The Orioles open the season on Thursday at Yankee Stadium at 1:05 p.m.
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Patience. With a few exceptions, these are not the guys whom you would choose to lead the team back into contention. Anyone who distinguishes himself will probably be traded anyway. Just embrace the joy of baseball for the game’s sake; those who need to cheer for a winner can drive over to catch the Nationals or head up to Philly.
Bite your tongue. No one in their right mind should go to a Nat game. They ate the enemy.
That’s certainly one way to handle your enemies! ;)
I find it gives me indigestion.
Well said, and I couldn't agree more. Enough with the crying over who was sent to Norfolk. We have to have patience and trust that Mike Elias knows what he is doing.
The NL East will be a division to watch this year with 4 teams trying to beat each other to get to the top.
Patience. See the big picture, embrace the change. Quit crying about the not ready for prime time players who were sent down for much needed seasoning and development. Let them grow and establish a track record in the minors, then they might succeed in the bigs. It will be interesting to see how many players from the OD roster are with the team in September!
So why did Elias say it was so important that Hyde and the major league coaches have player development skills? Apparently he only trusts the minor league coaches to teach the kids.
I think they hired minor league coaches as well Victoree
How about Smith, he was my early pick to surprise and so far so good.I know it’s early but fingers crossed that he may be a good one. I know everyone complaining but I don’t think there is too much room for failure , especially with the vets behind the plate.I do believe O’s may want to hang on to one and trade the other. Sisco should be back as soon as he gets in the groove.Finding starting pitchers will be a big, if not the biggest priority.
Sisco may have also gone to Norfolk to help him build a rapport with pitchers who are viewed to have a future with the MLB club. Cobb, Cashner and Bundy are who they are going to be. Anyone can be their catcher during the first couple years of the rebuild. Some of those future pitchers are at Norfolk and some may be there soon. Their relationship with their catcher may be critical to any O’s success 3-4 years from now.
How about the most important matter at hand--Austin Hays. How is his thumb? MRI results? Does Bundy have options left? He may need them.
Bundy is out of options.
Let me get this straight... we trade four legitimate major leaguers for fourteen prospects and one guy who was actually playing ML ball (Villar) and he’s the only one on the club for opening day... Such a deal(s)!
Did you think they were going to trade four major league players for...14 major league players? That’s not how it works. They traded for prospects, players that everyone knew were not MLB ready, but could be in the future. That future is not now.
I see absolutely no problem with taking those prospects and putting them through the system that this regime has established.
It’s the correct way to rebuild.
The thought behind this post was because of some of the hype that came with these players. I followed ALL of them when they arrived at the various teams they were assigned to and with few exceptions their performance was underwhelming. In past trades of high performing players we got players who were on the cusp of making it to the ML. Not so with this group.
I know spring training games mean nothing, especially when you're losing, but they Orioles have been essentially winless since the New Bosses began making cuts and changing the lineup. Some interpret this as proof that they are sticking to a plan and that wins would indicate a weakness in their commitment. Of course, the alternative explanations are too scary to ponder.
Having Sisco and back him up with one of these two defensive guys who can’t swing a bat would have been the right thing to do period. The way Hays was playing it would have been exciting to see him on this team. Now he’s out for all knows how long. I know Elias thinking but give the fans some pleasure and excitement like we had a few weeks ago in spring training. This team right now will keep Camden Yards empty.
Totally agree, need to pick OSU’s catcher, have seen two games, batting almost .450, up side, we’ll also have they top pick next year as well...
If you care to recall last years spring training Sisco had a great camp and promptly fell flat on his face during the regular season. Relax, if Sisco performs well in Triple A you will see him in the bigs this year. Nothing wrong with making him earn it during regular play, everything wrong with awarding a spot based on Spring training
So Dwight Smith's numbers matter to Hyde but sisco and hays numbers don't since they both tore it up but were told they weren't ready.