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.
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Let the screaming about "why wasn't it D.J. Stewart?"... commence.
Personally, I think D.J. Stewart is going to a major league player for the better part of the next decade. McKenna, although speedy and defensively superior, I'm not sure of yet.
If some mad scientist could just combine the two...;)...go O’s...
Maybe that scientist could throw in Urias' heart?
BRR, here’s the thing about Urias, as I too was a critic of him. Whatever he did while being sent down to Norfolk worked. Whether it was coaching, a sense of urgency or maybe even thinking this was it for him if he didn’t improve, I don’t know. But ever since he came back up he’s been outstanding. I’d love to ask why can’t more players do that but while some probably sulk and complain, others take the opportunity and run with it. To his credit it seems that’s what he’s done.
I think that's what I meant by heart. He's making the most of the opportunity, and didn't seem to give a spit about what fools like I said about him. Now this IS baseball, and this spurt he's on now may pass as the laws of average take hold, but it won't be because he lacks sand. Like you said 'to his credit'.
Totally agree DL, I was told it’ll hurt their confidence, suck it up buttercup, do you want to get better, stop all the coddling...lol...go O’s...
I feel like McKenna is the outfield version of Ryan Flaherty?
Not the worst comp I've heard.
Same thing would be comparing hi to Mario Mendoza, Who, had the same career BA as Flaherty, a robust .216!
I like McKenna. Hope he gets more extended looks.
He seems to play with some enthusiasm and has a spark defensively.
However, this up and down yo yo thing can’t be easy for players.
Agree, like it’s not difficult enough, let’s send you away every couple of days...go O’s...
Ray, I'm sure that many readers would like me to go away--for longer than a couple of days.
Am I reading it right that the game is only on YouTube tonight? Or is that only for the Bangles broadcast?
Only on YouTube, Marty
That sucks...sure someone is making $ off that...go O’s...
Ray, many more people can watch it than a normal telecast.
If you say so, no Directv or Dishtv subscribers can...go O’s...
Rich, why isn’t MASN broadcasting tonight’s game?
Marty, MLB has a deal to show some games on YouTube.
Ray, you can watch on your phone or computer.
Thanks to this site for letting us know that tonight’s game is only on YouTube! DirectTV just gives me their logo and elevator music.
Same as dish tv...go O’s...
14 pitchers is excessive, you need a 4 man bench. When are the Orioles going to realize Ethelman is not a Major League pitcher?
Watching the game on YouTube. Not sure about the all female announcing team. Seems like they may be compensating by forcing a wealth of background knowledge on the players. For instance, they noted that Anthony Santander has a huge fanbase in the U.K. Who'd a thunk it? Hell, who knew anybody across the pond even paid attention to the game?
I remember a game a couple years ago when a large contingent of fans from UK were at OPACY. I think that’s when his fan club started.
Bringing Anderson in in a tight game screams TANK!!! Nice pickup, Mikey!
Asher Wojciechowski is gonna pitch for Yanks on Wednesday. He’s one guy I always found myself rooting for, sorta like Lopez right now. Oughta be interesting to see how he does. His minor league numbers aren’t good but Yanks find themselves in almost as much of a pitching predicament as the O’s do now.