Rich Dubroff

Davis again unavailable for Orioles; Means back to start, Carroll back to Bowie

BALTIMORE—For the second straight day, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is not in the lineup, and manager Brandon Hyde said again that he was “unavailable.”

Hyde said that Davis worked out with the team on Tuesday, but declined to elaborate on his absence.

“I’m going to leave it at that,” Hyde said in a pregame video conference call on Thursday.

Davis is batting .091 (1-for-11) in his first three games.

Davis, who is the Orioles’ player representative, had said on Tuesday that he’s going to wear a mask when playing first base after the Covid-19 outbreak on the Marlins. The Orioles had their games postponed against Miami this week — two were scheduled for Miami and two at Camden Yards.

It was reported on Thursday that as many as 17 Marlins players had tested positive. The Phillies, the team the Marlins played last weekend, also had two positive tests and their series against the Blue Jays has been postponed.

Major League Baseball scheduled the Yankees to replace the Marlins for Wednesday’s home opener for the Orioles and Thursday’s game. On Wednesday, the Yankees defeated the Orioles, 9-3, for their 17 consecutive win over the Orioles.

Shortstop José Iglesias, who was removed from Wednesday’s game after six innings, is out with a left quad injury. He’s day-to-day, Hyde said.

Pat Valaika will start at shortstop.

Means back, Carroll gone: To make room for John Means on the roster, the Orioles optioned right-handed pitcher Cody Carroll to the Bowie alternate site. Hyde said he expected Means to pitch three or four innings. Tommy Milone and Kohl Stewart are both in the bullpen, and one of them could start on Sunday against Tampa Bay.

In two games, Carroll retired just one of the nine batters he faced, allowing six runs on three hits, four walks and a hit batter. Carroll’s ERA is 162.00.

Rich Dubroff

Rich Dubroff grew up in Brooklyn as a fan of New York teams, but after he moved to Baltimore, quickly adopted the Orioles and Colts. After nearly two decades as a freelancer assisting on Orioles coverage for several outlets, principally The Capital in Annapolis and The Carroll County Times, Dubroff began covering the team fulltime in 2011. He spent five years at Comcast SportsNet’s website and for the last two seasons, wrote for PressBoxonline.com, Dubroff lives in Baltimore with his wife of more than 30 years, Susan.

View Comments

  • I had sworn (to myself) not to get involved in this “fake” season and not to watch any games. Last night my wife thought she was doing me a favor and after watching her favorite shows (Jeopardy & Wheel of Fortune) turned to the game. I was in my office working on a project and when she called me into the living room there it was... the O’s down 2 to 1 and before I could blink my eyes it was 5 to 1. Even though I appreciated the thought I just couldn’t stay. Now my wife’s mad at me. So, I’ll read a bit about baseball but that 2 minutes last night was it for me watching... and I can truthfully say that it was not my idea. For you masochists, try to enjoy the misery... just sayin...

    • Jeopardy is one of the few television shows I watch. I watched it nearly every night during the pause and hope they'll have some new episodes eventually, Ekim

  • 162 ERA. ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY TWO? This is getting to be funny. 162 ..... Wasn't that Crush's average last year?

    Obviously Crush & Hyde are having their issues again. Cut him. Cut him now.

  • Nice trade Dan Duquette - Cody Carroll (162 era), Dillon Tate and Josh (Tommy John) Rogers for All-Star closer Zach Britton! Just Brilliant!!! And then call Mike Elias the "Tanker"!!!

    • Don’t forget trading for all of that excess international signing money. That was well used to sign none of the top prospects.

    • I believe we were told that being in his 70's, that he's simply avoiding the Covid while taking the year off. I understand that Jim Palmer is doing the same. Hope to see them both next year along with a new pitching staff!

  • Means, 5 runs in the first, ouch, Alberto two run homer, Severino K’s looking to end the inning, swing the bat...go O’s...

  • Glad I don’t have to watch Carroll anymore. It is awful when you stick out as bad on a team this devoid of arms.

  • Ruiz, 3rd HR, two run dinger, 5-4 Yanks, Ruiz only has 3 hits all yr...Means looked much better...go O’s...

  • Unfortunately if Means couldn’t pitch more than 2.1 innings they probably should’ve started someone else, I don’t temper him throwing 96 mph last yr...go O’s...

  • OK ... it's raining. That's probably it for tonite. Question for everyone regarding the lineup? OK ... why does Hyde put Sahntahndaire at DH and Smith Jr. in left? Is it because of Smith's awesome defensive capabilities? Does Sahntahndaire need a rest after playing in all of 4 whole games?

    So now Happ, a lefty is out of the game and a right handed reliever is brought in. The original lineup makes it dang near impossible to bring in Sisco's left handed bat. The only way to get him in is to pull your catcher halfway through the game, OR take out who I consider to be your best hitter in Santander.

    Hyde...what are you thinking? If someone can explain it to me, please do. My Strat-o-matic senses are tingling.

    • They played Ruiz at 3rd & he hit a two run homer, maybe Hyde doesn’t know that he’s left handed...good lord...go O’s...

      • That I understand. They want him to be an every day player as he's been Eilas's boy from his time in Houston. But Smith Jr.?

        Speaking of Ruiz .. he's certainly making me look stupid this 1st week as I never tooted his horn. I may have to re-evaluate him someday.

    • Oh, I agree with you, was just giving another example of a lefty bat starting against the lefty pitcher...go O’s...

    • Boog, Although I disagree with you on Mountcastle (I’d rather retain an extra year of team control down the road), at least I understand your argument concerning him. But Sisco?? Don’t get your intense enthusiasm for the guy – 346 MLB at bats, and he’s produced a .202 batting average, with a very high strikeout percentage.

      • Ummmmm.....there's an old baseball axiom saying that it takes 1000 at bats in get it. 346 is a small number, especially considering he's had a max of only 167 in one of his two seasons.

        This boy will hit if given the chance .... no pun intended. If the O's don't give it to him, somebody will and we'll be sorry.

        That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

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