JUPITER, Florida.-What’s happening? Rule 5 pitcher Brandon Bailey will start for the Orioles when they play the Minnesota Twins on Thursday in Sarasota.
Bailey has allowed a run on three hits in four innings in two spring appearances.
Catcher Austin Wynns was scratched from Wednesday’s game. He suffered a groin injury on Monday when he was hit by a foul ball.
“We decided to leave him back and get a little more treatment,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “I just thought it was the right thing to do.
Shortstop José Iglesias was scratched because of an injury to his upper quadriceps muscle. Hyde hopes he plays on Thursday.
Anthony Santander, who has yet to play the field because Hyde of a sore shoulder, will soon play the outfield.
“I think if we can get him out there the last couple of weeks of camp.We’re in good shape,” Hyde said. “We’re limiting his throwing.”
Kohl Stewart, who hasn’t pitched because of a sore biceps, is scheduled to pitch on Sunday against the New York Yankees. Hyde said it will be difficult for Stewart to make the team out of spring training because of the time missed.
Brady Rodgers, who also hasn’t pitched because of a sore arm, threw a side session on Tuesday and is scheduled to throw another on Friday.
Tommy Milone was scratched from throwing a simulated game on Tuesday because of pain in his trapezius muscle.
Hyde is trying to keep starters John Means and Alex Cobb, who are scheduled to pitch in the first series of the regular season against the New York Yankees, away from them so they’ll throw side sessions on Friday. Means is scheduled to pitch on March 11 against Toronto.
What’s happened?- Wade LeBlanc allowed a run on three hits in three innings in the Orioles’ 5-3 victory over the Miami Marlins before 2.922 at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Wednesday. LeBlanc walked one and struck out four.
In two spring starts, LeBlanc, 35, has allowed a run on five hits in five innings with six strikeouts and a walk.
“I got the work in,” LeBlanc said. “I got the [pitch count] up, got the three ‘ups’ — that was the goal. Changeup is still a little behind everything else, which it typically is. That usually comes later in camp, so pleased with everything for the most part.”
Besides his two spring starts, LeBlanc has thrown a simulated game and probably has three starts remaining in the spring.
“Last couple of outings, you want to start putting things together, getting ready for the lights to come on,” LeBlanc said.
LeBlanc came to camp on a minor league contract and appears to be a favorite for a spot in the rotation.
“What you’re doing here is not necessarily trying to win a rotation spot,” LeBlanc said. “More so, trying to get ready for the season. If a rotation job comes with that, that’s just a bonus. For me to worry about that while I’m trying to get ready to do my job is shortsighted, I guess. You’re just trying to focus on the day-to-day and get ready for game No. 1.
“I’m not getting my brains beaten in. I’m not walking the house. Stuff feels OK. It feels like it’s trending in the right direction.”
Pat Valaika hit a two-run home run, his third of the spring.
What’s up with Mason Williams? He’s a 28-year-old outfielder competing for a reserve job. Williams, who signed a minor league contract before the season, played 11 games with the Orioles in 2019, hitting .267. His season ended when he injured a knee injury running into a wall while trying to make a catch at Oriole Park.
Williams was taken off the 40-man roster after the season but returned on a minor league deal.
“I signed back pretty quickly,” Williams said. “I just thought for things in my life right now, this is my best opportunity, the best situation for me. I just like being here. I was pretty fortunate last year to have a good time, have a good year, especially with the guys and the coaches and the friendships that I gained. I just thought it was a good fit for me this year as well.”
Williams didn’t get a hit in his only at-bat on Wednesday and is 5-for-17 (.294) this spring with one RBI.
What’s what? –Hall of Fame NFL coach Bill Parcells, who lives in Jupiter, spent time on the field talking with Hyde, coach Fredi Gonzalez, a former Marlins manager, and trainer Brian Ebel.
“I’m just a big sports fan and coaches’ fan,” Hyde said.
Hyde told Parcells how much enjoyed the ESPN special, “Bill and Bill,” on the relationship between Parcells and Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
“He came to my office, sat for about 30 minutes and talked about coaching,” Hyde said “I’m a big fan of coaches, and that’s one of the best of all time.
What’s the word? “We’re still evaluating and not even close to figuring out who’s going to be on the club, yet. It’s a long way to go.”-Hyde on roster decisions
What’s the number? 9. The Orioles drew nine walks but had only three hits Wednesday — Valiaka’s home run, a double by Richie Martin, and a single by Taylor Davis.
What’s the record? 7-5-1. The Orioles play the Minnesota Twins at Ed Smith Stadium at 3.:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast on 105.7 The Fan.
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Changing the subject a little. Why aren’t there more Orioles Spring Games, on TV and why does the Radio Reception on the Eastern Shore Suck. During the Summer Month’s, Ocean City average’s close to 300,000 people. We can hear the National’s and the Phillies very clearly, but not our Home Team. THE ORIOLES.
PC, radio reception isn’t my expertise, but I
would advise a subscription to Sirius/XM radio for clearer reception.
As for TV, the Orioles show seven games on MASN, the same as the Nationals. They show only home games, so the network has to pick and choose carefully.
The seven games is a bit on the low side, but there are teams that show fewer, and a few large market teams, the Dodgers, Angels and Cubs that show nearly all the games.
As long as the Orioles and Nationals share MASN, the number of games will be equal for both teams, and only home games will be shown.
I’m thinking Valaika is making the team as utility guy. 4th outfield, maybe give Mullins shot again, Williams? Wilkerson?
Not Wilkerson , unless we need a guy to pitch the 15th inning
What’s up with Mason Williams I’ll tell you. He has a quick bat, can play all three outfield positions and after the year he had in Norfolk last year he has nothing to prove in AAA. I know he fighting Smith for the fourth outfielder but he more flexible and Smith has no arm and terrible hair. Lol
So, we have over sixty guys in camp, and they are all so brilliant that the manager has no idea who will be cut. I submit that the manager could name the thirty-six guys out of whom twenty-six would make the team and the other ten go to Norfolk or Bowie. The rest are not ready for prime time. Perhaps he's waiting for injuries to make some decisions for him.
BHoff ... don't fret ...Smith is history. He simply isn't a major league outfielder in my opinion ... and that hair ... just awful! .
Hey if they really are going to play Mountcastle in left (after his delayed callup), that leaves no room for Smith. And let's not forget about DJ Stewart. Hays, Santander, Mancini and Stewart. Add in Mountcastle and possibly Mullins, and I can't see keeping Smith on the team or even the 40 man. Oh .. forgot .. Mason Williams keeps making a case for himself, although at his age, he's got a rough road ahead.
If only Davis would hurry up and come back to earth ... it would help the logjam .. well it COULD help the log jam ..but then again, that's up to Tank Elias to make that call. But then again, it would be nice if Crush could keep this spring tease up all year long wouldn't it?
Is 28 that old Boog
I think we all know the answer to that. Certainly not in my world it's not.
But you have to remember that current management is focused on 3 to 4 years down the road!
Well for sure they are not focused on winning this year. Just hope the David Hess’s and the Steve Wilkerson’s are not part of our team. Amazing how they want to go with old journeyman starting pitchers . I remember the baby birds, Wally Bunker in particular. They were brought up without all this minor league seasoning and were exciting and flourished.
Wally Bunker came up at age 19 and won 19 games. Hurt his arm the next year and was never the same. Last year in the majors was 1971 when he was 26. Chuck Estrada was 22 in 1960 when he won 18 games . Last year in the majors was 1967 when he was 29. Bringing them up early may have hurt their later development. Pappas and Palmer on the other hand, came up at 19 and had successful careers. Of course back then, didn’t have to worry about service time and free agency. Guess the best thing is to let the pitchers develop at their own pace. If you have a Jim Palmer in your system, bring him up at 19. Unfortunately, not too many Jim Palmer’s out there
I don't personally remember any of these guys, as I was a child living in Germany during the 60s and didn't begin following baseball until '69, but I do know that Jim Palmer too had some arm problems in his early 20s. He also was in the majors by the age of 19. I'm not sure of the specifics as I've only ever heard him talk about it, but I'm pretty sure there was a lost year early in his career.
I'm certainly one preach about bringing up the young position players as I believe they that either have it or don't, and seasoning in the minors is often overrated, but I certainly am of the opinion that as hard as these guys throw, they should be limited by pitch count, and kept i the minors until they're a bit more physically mature. Last case in point I can think of in Bal'more is Dylan Bundy.
Clay these days they know how to pace pitchers better less likelihood of hurting their arms though many of them because they throw so hard in HS and College , Bundy the perfect case are finished before they get here. I agree with Boog you either have it or you don’t. I saw Soto the other day in WPB he’s 22 and he has it . I also saw Diaz and I bet my money he could play in the majors this year without a year in Norfolk. I spoke with Freddy Gonzales the new bench coach and he said we have a lot of talent in lower levels but they need some more seasoning. Obviously I’m not fond of that word.Talk about young players Adley is the real deal you can see it clearly even though he might not be happy with his results this spring he will be a superstar
Diaz hit .262 at AA last year, so he could use a little more seasoning. The OF this year should be Santander, Hays, Mancini and Mountcastle when he is ready. Better to have Diaz get regular playing time at Norfolk than sitting on the bench in Baltimore. If Diaz can stay healthy and hit, he should be here quickly. You are only guaranteed 6 years at the most with players nowadays. Rather have a healthy productive Diaz in 2027, then have him sitting on the bench this year
So you mean the Nats only have 5 more years of Soto. No if they produce and your not the Miami Marlins you sign them long term.
Like the Nationals re signed Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon
What about Strasbourg . Yes Rendon was a big loss but they won a WS without Harper. I’ll take that anyday
But back to the main point, Diaz hit only .262 last year at AA. Not in the same conversation with a Soto or Acuna. Fredi Gonzalez knows more than I do and if he thinks these guys need more seasoning, I will defer to his logic
Having Bill Parcells in camp had to be a thrill for all. His approach and demeanor is part of a bygone era in sports and particularly baseball unfortunately. Why do I have this gut feeling that Stevie will be there OD. He's kinda implemented himself as the new Joey/Flaherty/Nick fan favorite type. Come on Brandon you can do better--sorry Stevie. O's do have a knack for bringing in 2nd tier pitchers and then waiting on them to become healthy. That's why LeBlanc is a breath of fresh air. Put Mountcastle in LF and play him.every other day at least. It's near crunch time with this guy. Diaz--might as well just send him to the minors camp and play him.every day. Gotta start moving this process along a bit.
Rich, Thanks, for getting back to me.