The Orioles’ 30-man roster for Friday night’s opener at Boston includes some players who might not have been expected to make the team when the club began summer training at Camden Yards on July 3rd.
Right-handed pitcher David Hess, who has a 4-20 record, a 5.84 ERA and struggled against the Nationals in an exhibition game this week, is one of 16 pitchers. Hess, who had been sent to Triple-A Norfolk after spring training was halted on March 12 because of Covid-19, was among the 44 players asked to report to Baltimore as part of the 60-player pool.
Another surprise was right-hander Evan Phillips, who wouldn’t have made the team in March because of elbow issues. Phillips wasn’t among the original 44, but was the next addition.
Other notable additions are right-handers Cody Carroll, who missed nearly all of last season after back surgery, and three newcomers — Travis Lakins, Kohl Stewart and Cole Sulser. Left-hander Tanner Scott makes his first Opening Day roster.
Three pitchers will begin the season on the 10-day injured list — right-hander Hunter Harvey (elbow), left-hander John Means (arm fatigue) and right-hander Dillon Tate (elbow) ; those moves are retroactive to July 20th.
The Orioles optioned catcher Austin Wynns to the Bowie alternate site and will start the season with two catchers, Pedro Severino and Chance Sisco.
Among the other 12 position players are two players new to the organization, infielders Pat Valaika and Andrew Velazquez. Valaika’s contract was selected, and he fills the 40-man roster.
The Orioles activated Dwight Smith Jr. from the injured list. Smith didn’t appear in any of the workouts open to the media or the three exhibition games. He wasn’t cleared to participate until July 17 after a positive test for Covid-19.
Anthony Santander, who also had a late start because of a positive test for the virus, made the 30-man roster after looking sharp at the plate. Austin Hays and DJ Stewart also are on the Orioles’ Opening Day roster for the first time. Cedric Mullins, who was the Orioles’ starting centerfielder when the 2019 season began, makes the club as an additional outfielder.
According to an industry source, the Orioles’ initial three-man taxi squad includes catcher Bryan Holaday, infielder/outfielder Dilson Herrera and right-handed pitcher Thomas Eshelman. Herrera and Holaday’s inclusion was first reported by MASNsports.com.
Teams will use the taxi squad only for road games.
Right-hander Cesar Valdez, left-hander Rob Zastryzny, infielder/outfielder Ryan Mountcastle and outfielder Mason Williams did not make the 30-man roster and will report to Bowie.
Left-hander Ty Blach (Tommy John surgery) and infielder/outfielder Stevie Wilkerson (broken finger) were not on the 40-man roster and don’t have to be placed on the injured list. Infielder Richie Martin (broken wrist) and outfielder Trey Mancini (recovering from surgery for colon cancer) are on the 60-day injured list.
The Orioles will carry 30 players until August 6th and 28 players through August 20th. After that, they’ll be allowed to carry 26 through the end of the 60-game season.
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Have no idea why they activated Smith instead of Williams or Mountcastle...so it begins...go O’s...
Because Hyde has no say and Elias is a boy wonder who’s still wondering. Why is Davis Hess on the team I guess a 4 and 20 record is good enough for Elias . If I were Williams I would ask for a release if that’s possible. He does everything better then Smith jr , hits a ton better then Mullins and throws better then both of them
CP...I'm taking the under at 10.
David Hess??? I never dreamed the pitching could get worse. Silly me!
Beat me to it Norm. Silly you!
Both beat me to it...running out of what they might have for reasons...go O’s...
Is this a comedy we're watching? Is Harry Doyle in the house?
Two deserving players ... Mountcastle & and Williams. Don't make the squad. Not going to question these moves for there is a genius at work here.
And by activating Smith Jr .... does this mean HE makes the 30?
And David Bleepin' Hess? Really? REALLY?
The race with the Tigers starts tomorrow night. Does it really take a Yale man to put THIS together? Makes a guy feel like tossin' his Dippin Dots.
Maybe they had too many dippin dots & are suffering from brain freeze, wait, that would require having one...my bad...go O’s...
You are a super antagonist!!
Elias likes Smith jr dreadlocks and the way his throws from land 20 feet short of the infielders . He also likes the sound when Hess’s fastballs land in the stands. I remember some announcer last year saying someone is going to get hurt with the rockets landing off his pitches. I rather watch the players at Bowie if there were games this year
The Orioles were very cautious in adding to the 40 man roster. Only Valaika was added. Any additions to the 40 ( Herrera, Williams, Holoday), would require a corresponding removal as the 40 man roster is full. This not the final roster, like in the NFL. Players can be added and subtracted. Guess they didn’t want to make any rash decisions based on 3 exhibition games with weird rules or intra squad games. Not to worry, Mountcastle will be here in a week or two. Mason Williams will be ready when Dwight Smith Jr. flops. And when ( if) Hunter Harvey is healthy, David Hess will be back at Bowie. Bigger concern is Juan Soto testing positive for COVID. He played against the Orioles the other night. Hopefully no one else got exposed. This virus isn’t going away
Truly sorry to hear about Soto...hopefully none of our guys went clubbing with him after the game.
You know .. an extra week or two in Bowie for 2 of our better players possibly could result in 1 less win for this team ... 2 if the gods were interested. BUT ... in a 60 game sprint, 1 extra win could result in a higher draft position, if you get where I'm going with this.
Having Anthony Santander in the opening day lineup last year may have put them out of the top 3 picks this year's draft.
Genius at work here ... and it ain't me I'm talking about.
“I see” said the blind man...go O’s...
... who couldn't speak.
Mountcastle in a week or two wishful thinking. I’m sure Elias will give D Smith jr more then a few weeks to flop. Let’s see if Steward shows he’s a real player. Mullins will never hit 5 ft 8 outfielders are a thing of the past.
Meh, i'll just catch the Blue Jays game when they are in town instead
Will MLB then black out the Blue Jays on MLB.tv in Bal'more? I'm so confused.
That is confusing. My guess, which means nothing, is that it wouldn’t be blacked out here. It would be blacked out in the Toronto market. Purpose of the blackout is so that people in the TV market have to watch the game on their regional sports network. Since MASN isn’t carrying the games, shouldn’t be an issue. I guess that Buck Martinez and the Toronto crew will do the game from a studio in Toronto. Who knows? Can’t understand why they can’t play in Buffalo. They say the lights are bad. The minor league team plays there and there hasn’t been an issue. Guess major leaguers lose part of their eyesight when they make the majors
Buffalo’s lights didn’t seem to bother Guerrero, Biggio or Bichette...go O’s...
i just realized that with playoff expansion there is a chance, however small, that the Toronto Blue jays could play playoff games and even the World Series in Baltimore.
And the lights are a bunch of crap. my guess is noone wants to live in a Buffalo hotel or play in a bush league stadium
That's one sick, deviant thought BanMo. What's next ... an old timers game that featuring Alomar & Bautista?
I agree with all of your angst especially BRR. Hess and Smith must have the video on somebody.
It’s obvious Mountcastle just didn’t show them enough to justify having him on this team. Maybe next year. I mean, I think he still has to show them he can handle a full season in the minors. It’s not like he was MVP of the league or anything. Oh, wait...........
Another antagonist...lmao...go O’s...
I have hunch why Smith is on the Opening Day roster...
What’s your hunch?
Do tell...go O’s...
Could it be for his superior hitting skills and cannon of an arm?
And haircut
Ahh, I’m slow, too bad if that’s why...go O’s...