Lots of things to get to here before Tuesday’s first pitch.
Chris Davis getting extended rest – First baseman Chris Davis was not in Tuesday’s starting lineup against Boston left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez and won’t be in Wednesday’s against lefty Chris Sale. He also wasn’t in the starting lineup twice in the four-game series in Toronto – against one lefty and one right-hander – so Davis will start just twice in a six-game period.
Really, it’s what has to happen.
Davis isn’t hitting, we all know that. He’s batting a dismal .150 with a .454 on-base-plus-slugging percentage and has struck out 86 times in 207 at-bats this season. The two-time home run champ has four longballs in 2018.
Manager Buck Showalter has tried just about everything – different spots in the lineup, occasional rest, constant playing time – to get Davis going.
Three days off (with Thursday’s team off day) and five in seven days in the next step.
It probably won’t work, but it can’t hurt, I suppose.
Cashner to the disabled list – Orioles right-hander Andrew Cashner was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a lower back strain/spasm that cropped up during last weekend’s series in Toronto. Lefty reliever Donnie Hart was recalled to fill Cashner’s spot on the 25-man roster.
It looks like he will only miss Wednesday’s start against the Boston Red Sox because the DL stint can be backdated to June 9, the day after he started in Toronto. With two offdays coming up, Cashner could be ready to pitch again Tuesday, June 19 at Washington.
So, it doesn’t seem like a big deal.
But it does beg the question:
Who starts Wednesday versus Boston? – Miguel Castro is the easy answer, but Triple-A Norfolk right-hander Yefry Ramirez also was summoned to Baltimore in case he is needed to start Wednesday.
If the Orioles can stay away from using Castro in relief tonight, then expect him to take the mound Wednesday afternoon versus the Red Sox.
Grayson Rodriguez introduced – The Orioles held a news conference Tuesday to announce the signing of first-round pick Grayson Rodriguez, a Texas prep right-hander who was selected 11th overall.
The kid sure looks the part. He’s tall, lanky and had major success in high school. He also said all the right things Tuesday, mixing the proper amount of confidence and reverence. He said he loved his crabcake/seafood dinner in Baltimore and expects to have many more of those meals.
If there was one misstep it’s that he said he’s been compared to several major league pitchers over the years, including Ubaldo Jimenez. Before there was a collective gasp in the air, Rodriguez also said he’s heard Noah Syndergaard comparisons, too.
Veteran recovery from the kid.
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I don't think the bench is the answer for Davis, it would endear him more to the fans if he volunteered to go to Norfolk for a 3 to 4 week stay to try to get his mind back on track. Cashner's injury is bad. however at this point does it really matter?
Couldn’t agree more. He has to know he’s the focus of fan ire and whispering in the clubhouse. Be a man and volunteer for the assignment. And maybe even suggest you’ll take a cut in pay u til your performance improves. Doubt either will happen. Just shows the selfish narcissism we are dealing with.
You can't volunteer to go to Norfolk as a veteran. It doesn't work that way. They'd have to send him down and that means putting him through waivers and then he could be a free agent. Go elsewhere on the Orioles' dime.
Could elaborate about the money aspect?
What happens if someone claims him? We still pay him the $100m owed?
What if no one claims him? We still owe him but we could send him to Norfolk?
Waivers = cutting a $100m check?
Thanks Dan
I must have been misinformed, the moment someone else would sign him, he would become the Chris Davis of 2013.
That would figure, right?
I wish the problem was just davis... the fact is no one not named Manny is tearing it up. We need a collective effort from everyone to compete,
maybe we could have an article comparing the Davis and his lack of performance to the all time stinkers after they were paid aka not living up to their deal...Im sure he would make the top ten easily
That’s a good idea. And smells like a Paul Folk Special.
There is absolutely no leadership on this team. In the dugout. In the clubhouse. In the front office. Everyone is mired in misery and self pity. Someone has to take charge. Make something happen. Even if it’s to say we are better than this and we will show it. It’s a sad commentary on their individual character. Adversity shows true character. And boy what a sad show we are getting.
Do you think Cashner is faking an injury in order to avoid a start against the Red Sox’s? MRI looked good and he is confident he will make the next start. He definitely doesn’t need another Loss whether you blame run support or not. His bad ERA wouldn’t going down against Boston. Only two more months for the Orioles to make him marketable. Even with the cheap contract he needs better numbers to get a value trade.