Albernaz on O’s woes: ‘If you want to jump ship, you can jump ship, but don’t ask to come back on’; Westburg shut down, Holliday to Chesapeake; Trivino signed, Gibson optioned

NEW YORK—Since the Orioles won Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Astros last Thursday, they’ve fallen hard and are struggling in every facet of the game.

They’ve lost four straight, and all four have been blowouts. After Sunday’s 11-3 loss to the Yankees, manager Craig Albernaz said: “There’s adversity in this game at all times. All those guys have been through adversity, that’s how they got into that clubhouse. For me, it’s at a crucial point where, what team do you want to be?”

On Monday, before the Orioles closed out a four-game series with the Yankees, Albernaz was asked if he still believes the Orioles are a championship contender.

“Hell, yeah, absolutely,” he said. “If you want to jump ship, you can jump ship, but don’t ask to come back on.

“It’s a long season, but we’re going about the process each and every day. The last four games have been tough, but it’s been four games. Every loss, it stinks to lose, no matter what it is. You want to go back out the next day and get back to work and try to win that game in front of you.”

Westburg shut down, Holliday to Chesapeake

There was more bad news for the Orioles on Monday. Third baseman Jordan Westburg’s throwing progression was halted after he felt discomfort in his right elbow. Westburg has a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament and the Orioles have held off on surgery, hoping he’ll be able to return in 2026.

The length and the intensity of his throwing had been increased. After he rests the elbow, he’ll be re-evaluated.

Another starter the Orioles miss, second baseman Jackson Holliday, will take live batting practice at Double-A Chesapeake beginning Tuesday. The Orioles hope he’ll be playing games this weekend.

Closer Ryan Helsley, who’s on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, has started treatment and will be re-evaluated for throwing later this week.

Designated hitter/outfielder Heston Kjerstad, who’s on the injured list with a strained right hamstring, will be re-evaluated to see when he can begin a rehab assignment.

O’s add reliever

The Orioles signed right-handed reliever Lou Trivino to a major league contract, and he’ll be active for Monday night’s game. The 34-year-old Trivino, who is 24-27 with a 3.87 ERA and 37 saves in six major league seasons, had been pitching for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he was 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in 10 games.

Trivino has pitched for Oakland, the Dodgers, Yankees, Philadelphia and San Francisco in a career that began in 2018.

“Heavy sinker, turbo sinker,” Albernaz said. “The ability to throw strikes, and I just remember him attacking hitters no matter what the circumstance was and never was fazed.”

To make room for Trivino on the 26-man roster, the Orioles optioned right-hander Trey Gibson to Triple-A Norfolk. Gibson had an impressive major league debut on Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits, walking two and striking out three in 4 2/3 innings. He wasn’t helped by his defense.

Right-hander Albert Suárez cleared outright waivers and accepted an assignment to Norfolk.

Notes: Outfielder Taylor Ward, who’s played every game this season, is not starting on Monday night. … Chris Bassitt, Brandon Young and Cade Povich will start the Orioles’ three games in Miami beginning Tuesday night.

Orioles-Yankees starting lineups

Orioles

Gunnar Henderson-SS

Adley Rutschman-C

Dylan Beavers-RF

Pete Alonso-1B

Samuel Basallo-DH

Leody Taveras-CF

Colton Cowser-LF

Jeremiah Jackson-2B

Blaze Alexander-3B

Shane Baz-RHP

Yankees

Trent Grishamn-CF

Aaron Judge-RF

Cody Bellinger-LF

Jasson Domínguez-DH

Jazz Chisholm-2B

Paul Goldschmidt-1B

Austin Wells-C

Ryan McMahon-3B

José Caballero-SS

Cam Schlitter-RHP

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