Morton (0-5) took the loss Sunday against the Reds, allowing seven runs on seven hits and four walks over 2.1 innings with two strikeouts.
The 41-year-old right-hander did not have it again in this 68-pitch outing --completing just seven outs -- his shortest start of the season. Morton has now allowed four or more runs in each of his first five starts. His production has been downright unsightly, as he's posted a 10.89 ERA, 2.23 WHIP and 21:15 K:BB across 20.2 innings. Given how badly Morton has struggled, the Orioles have to be contemplating removing him from the rotation. If he makes it, Morton's next start is currently slated to be at Detroit next weekend.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Extends throwing distance
Rotowire
Eflin (lat) threw from 120 feet Sunday and said he feels great, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Eflin was placed on the injured list since April 9 due to a low-grade right lat strain, but he appears to be making good progress in his recovery. The right-hander has expressed optimism that his absence will be short, though it's not yet clear if he'll need a rehab assignment once he's cleared to resume pitching in games. Eflin is expected to throw a bullpen soon as the next step in his ramp-up, per Kubatko.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Tyler O'Neill: Beginning on bench Sunday
Rotowire
O'Neill is not in the starting lineup for Baltimore's matchup against Cincinnati on Sunday, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.
O'Neill returned to the lineup Friday following a two-game absence due to a neck injury. He also started Saturday and went 1-for-4 with a walk, a run and an RBI. O'Neill's absence from the starting nine Sunday appears to be a rest day. Ramon Laureano, Cedric Mullins and Ryan O'Hearn will form Baltimore's outfield from left to right.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Cody Poteet: Joining big-league club
Rotowire
The Orioles recalled Poteet from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.
Poteet joined Baltimore via a trade with the Cubs in late March, and the veteran righty will now get a chance to debut with his new club. Poteet has been used as both a reliever and a starter in his major-league career, and he started four of the five regular-season games in which he appeared with the Yankees last year, posting a 2.22 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB over 24.1 innings. Poteet had been working as a reliever in Norfolk since joining the Orioles' organization, and he tossed three innings in his most recent outing April 17. He could provide bullpen depth while up with Baltimore, as Kyle Gibson -- who is making his fourth minor-league start with High-A Aberdeen on Sunday -- is a candidate to be called up the next time Baltimore has an open spot in its rotation, per Jake Rill of MLB.com.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Brandon Young: Sent back down to minors
Rotowire
The Orioles optioned Young to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.
Young got his first MLB call-up and made his big-league debut Saturday against the Reds. He got the start and yielded three runs over four innings, but he'll now rejoin Norfolk's rotation. The Orioles recalled righty Cody Poteet from Triple-A to take Young's roster spot, though it could be veteran Kyle Gibson, who is ramping up in the minors with a start Sunday, who gets the next open spot in Baltimore's rotation Friday against Detroit, per Jake Rill of MLB.com.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Heston Kjerstad: Not in lineup Sunday
Rotowire
Kjerstad (elbow) isn't in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against Cincinnati, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Kjerstad was lifted in the third inning of Saturday's contest after getting hit in the elbow by a Hunter Greene fastball in the first frame. X-rays returned negative, so Kjerstad may have escaped a serious injury. Baltimore doesn't play Monday and next hits the road for a series in Washington beginning Tuesday.
Orioles' Adley Rutschman: Average drops under Mendoza Line
Rotowire
Rutschman went 0-for-4 with a walk in Saturday's win over the Reds.
Rutschman began the season with hits in 12 of his first 14 outings, but he's now hitless in his last 19 at-bats to drop his batting average under the Mendoza Line at .192 on the season. However, he entered play Saturday with an elite 38.8 percent squared-up rate, per Statcast, which suggests Rutschman is still seeing the ball quite well in the early going. Fantasy managers should keep exercising patience with the switch-hitting All-Star backstop, who continues to regularly occupy a premium spot in Baltimore's lineup.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Gunnar Henderson: Homers in win
Rotowire
Henderson went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, two walks, two RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 9-5 win over the Reds.
Henderson got off to a fast start, homering in the first inning and tacking on an RBI double in the second. He also drew two walks and, for the first time in 13 games this season, avoided striking out. The 23-year-old appears to be finding his rhythm and is now slashing .245/.286/.472 with two home runs, three RBI, nine runs scored and two steals across 56 plate appearances.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Brandon Young: Allows three runs in debut
Rotowire
Young did not factor into the decision in Saturday's 9-5 win over the Reds, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out three over four innings.
Young allowed three runs across his first two major-league innings but settled in with two scoreless frames before being lifted after issuing a walk to open the fifth. The 26-year-old featured a fairly balanced four-pitch mix but managed just four swinging strikes on 81 pitches. He'd be in line for a road matchup with the Tigers next weekend should he stick in the rotation, but the impending debut of Kyle Gibson could send Young back to the minors.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Felix Bautista: Secures second save
Rotowire
Bautista earned the save in Saturday's 9-5 win over the Reds, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.
Bautista was called upon to protect a 9-5 lead in the ninth after Matt Bowman allowed the first three batters to reach. The closer needed just 10 pitches to lock down the save, stranding a pair of baserunners in the process for his fourth straight scoreless appearances. On the season, he owns a 3.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 7:6 K:BB across six innings while converting both of his save opportunities.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ramon Laureano: Homers twice off bench
Rotowire
Laureano went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Saturday's 9-5 win over the Reds.
The 30-year-old was not in the starting lineup Saturday but replaced Heston Kjerstad (elbow) and went deep twice, including a 432-foot blast in the seventh inning. Despite the outburst, Laureano is hitting just .190 with three home runs, four RBI and three runs scored across 22 plate appearances while serving in a part-time role for the Orioles.
Orioles' Heston Kjerstad: Leaves after getting hit on elbow
Rotowire
Kjerstad left Saturday's game against the Reds in the third inning after getting hit by a Hunter Greene fastball on the elbow in the first inning, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.
X-rays on Kjerstad's elbow came back negative after he was pulled, per Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com, so he seems to have escaped with only a bruise. Ramon Laureano replaced Kjerstad in left field and could be in for more playing time if the latter ends up needing to sit another game or two. The 26-year-old Kjerstad is off to a strong start at the plate, hitting .261/.300/.500 with three homers so far, and he's now been hit by seven pitches in 70 career major-league games.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Ryan Mountcastle: Resting Saturday
Rotowire
Mountcastle isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Cincinnati.
Mountcastle will get a day to rest Saturday after going 4-for-24 with two RBI and five runs scored across his stretch of seven consecutive starts. Ryan O'Hearn will take his place at first base, moving Jordan Westburg into the DH spot while Ramon Urias starts at third.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Brandon Young: Promoted ahead of debut
Rotowire
The Orioles recalled Young from High-A Aberdeen to start Saturday's game against the Reds.
Young has made three starts this season for Triple-A Norfolk, turning in a 2.76 ERA and 0.93 WHIP alongside a 17:2 K:BB across 16.1 innings. His start Saturday will mark his major-league debut, and a strong outing could buy him another turn through the rotation before Kyle Gibson's projected return to the majors at the start of May. Scott Blewett was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Scott Blewett: Removed from 40-man
Rotowire
The Orioles designated Blewett for assignment Saturday.
Just five days after being claimed from Minnesota, Blewett will once again be placed on waivers to make room for the addition of Brandon Young. The 29-year-old Blewett pitched 4.1 innings over his two appearances for the O's, allowing one unearned run while striking out six batters and walking one. He now owns a 1.00 ERA and 11:1 K:BB through nine frames on the season and could receive interest on the waiver wire.
Povich (0-2) took the loss Friday against the Reds, allowing seven runs on six hits and five walks while striking out four across 3.1 innings.
Povich had trouble keeping the ball in yard, as three home runs accounted for all seven runs against him, including a three-run shot by Matt McLain in the fourth inning that gave the Reds a six-run lead. Povich gave up more runs in Friday's loss than he had across his three prior outings (six), and he wasn't able to get through the fourth inning despite tossing 84 pitches (48 strikes). He'll look to bounce back in his next start, tentatively slated for next week on the road against the Nationals.
![[object Object] Logo](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/2020/04/22/e9ceb731-8b3f-4c60-98fe-090ab66a2997/screen-shot-2020-04-22-at-11-04-56-am.png)
1:06
0:43
1:10
0:55
9:57
9:26
8:42
8:27
9:32
8:49
6:54
5:29
6:50
6:27
6:51
5:57
5:38
6:42
5:48
5:27
