Orioles option McKenna to make room for Means; Lowther goes to injured list - BaltimoreBaseball.com
Rich Dubroff

Orioles option McKenna to make room for Means; Lowther goes to injured list

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The Orioles optioned outfielder Ryan McKenna to Triple-A Norfolk before Tuesday’s game at Tampa Bay. McKenna’s demotion made room for starting pitcher John Means, who was placed on the 10-day injured list because of a strained left shoulder on June 6th.

McKenna was hitting .181 with four RBIs in 46 games.

“Tough decision, loved the way Ryan McKenna was playing,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Hopefully, we’ll see him back up here soon because he’s really helped us in a lot of ways. The offensive numbers might not stand out, but I think he’s been taking really good at-bats in inconsistent playing time.

“Love the defense that he gives us, the baserunning he showed in Kansas City [last weekend], the speed he has on the bases. He’s becoming a good baseball player. I talked with him for a while this afternoon just because I’ve been really impressed since he’s been here. Love the competitiveness in his at-bats. He’s got some big hits for us, and the defense is really good. It was a tough decision.”

The move leaves the Orioles with 14 pitchers and three reserve players.

“We’ve got Means going tonight, coming back off a rehab,” Hyde said. “He’s not going to be normal in length.”

Keegan Akin will start Wednesday’s game against the Rays.

“We’ll see how far Keegan can go as well. Just the way our rotation is now, we feel like we can use another arm in the bullpen,” Hyde said.

Thomas Eshelman will probably be a long man, Hyde said.

Hyde said that Austin Hays and Anthony Santander, both of whom were placed on the 10-day injured list because of sprained ankles, have improved in the past few weeks.

“I’ve been rotating as much as I can,” Hyde said.

Injury update: Shortstop Freddy Galvis, who’s on the 10-day injured list because of a strained right quadriceps, and right-hander Hunter Harvey, who has a right lat strain, are both in Sarasota, Hyde said.

“Freddy is going to start [next week] taking some live game down there and start his progression back,” Hyde said. “Hunter is late July, early August … in some rehab appearances.”

Third baseman Maikel Franco, who’s been on the injured list because of a sprained right ankle, had three at-bats in the Florida Complex League on Tuesday.

“The ankle felt good,” Hyde said.

Lowther to injured list: Left-hander Zac Lowther has been placed on Norfolk’s injured list because of a left shoulder strain.

Lowther, who was 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA in five games with the Orioles, is 0-4 with a 6.93 ERA in seven games with the Tides.

Mancini’s good deed: Trey Mancini and the Orioles will host an event on Sunday to encourage fans to bring food items to the ballpark to help those in need.

Blessings in a Backpack is an organization that feeds elementary-aged children on the weekends.

Fans are asked to being canned soup, cereal, shelf-stable milk or monetary donations to gates A and H.

Orioles unlimited pass: The Orioles are offering access to all August and September home games for $40 per month. Fans can purchase general admission standing-room-only tickets through the MLB Ballpark app. Each account can purchase two passes.

Tonight’s game on YouTube: The Orioles-Rays game will be shown exclusively on YouTube with the first all-female broadcast team in major league history.

Orioles broadcaster Melanie Newman will be joined by MLB.com’s Sarah Langs and field reporter Alanna Rizzo. Lauren Gardner and Heidi Watney will host the pregame and postgame shows.

The game can be viewed at www.YouTube.com.

Lowther to injured list: Left-hander Zac Lowther has been placed on Norfolk’s injured list because of a left shoulder strain.

Lowther, who was 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA in five games with the Orioles, is 0-4 with a 6.93 ERA in seven games with the Tides.

Mancini’s good deed: Trey Mancini and the Orioles will host an event on Sunday to encourage fans to bring food items to the ballpark to help those in need.

Blessings in a Backpack is an organization that feeds elementary-aged children on the weekends. Fans are asked to bring canned soup, cereal, shelf-stable milk or monetary donations to gates A and H.

Orioles unlimited pass: The Orioles are offering access to all August and September home games for $40 per month. Fans can purchase general admission standing-room only tickets through the MLB Ballpark app. Each account can purchase two passes.

Tonight’s game on YouTube: The Orioles-Rays game will be shown exclusively on YouTube with the first all-female broadcast team in major league history.

Orioles broadcaster Melanie Newman will be joined by MLB.com’s Sarah Langs and field reporter Alanna Rizzo. Lauren Gardner and Heidi Watney will host the pregame and postgame shows.

The game can be viewed at www.YouTube.com.

RAVENS NEWS FROM
RAVENS NEWS from BaltimoreSports.com

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