Projecting 2026 Orioles’ Opening Day roster ahead of Grapefruit League opener
Will Colton Cowser be able to handle center field every day?
zach eflin
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Orioles addition of Bassitt and Holliday injury along with pitching strategy of Elias
It’s already been a short week of additions and subtractions as the Baltimore Orioles sign veteran starting pitcher Chris Bassitt on a $18.5 million one-year deal and lost Jackson Holliday to a broken hamate bone, which changes the Opening Day lineup. Luke Jones and Nestor reset the Birdland expectations as Mike Elias still has some work to do on the bullpen and there’s action gearing up in Sarasota as spring training baseball begins next week in Florida.
Adding Bassitt for real money and losing Holliday for real time
It’s already been a short week of additions and subtractions as the Baltimore Orioles sign veteran starting pitcher Chris Bassitt on a $18.5 million one-year deal and lost Jackson Holliday to a broken hamate bone, which changes the Opening Day lineup. Luke Jones and Nestor reset the Birdland expectations as Mike Elias still has some work to do on the bullpen and there’s action gearing up in Sarasota as spring training baseball begins next week in Florida.
Orioles agree to terms with veteran starter Chris Bassitt to complete rotation mix
Baltimore will reportedly sign the soon-to-be 37-year-old to a one-year, $18.5 million contract.
Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday to open season on injured list after breaking bone in hand
The 22-year-old will undergo surgery to remove the hamate bone in his right hand.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts at start of 2026 spring training
Luke Jones offers his latest orange musings as pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss that one more arm Orioles need before Sarasota to compete in AL East
The new ownership group reached deep into the monetary reserve to sign slugger Pete Alonso in Baltimore but what’s up with the pitching? Luke Jones and Nestor discuss that one more arm the Orioles need in the rotation – not to mention a too-thin bullpen – in preparation for pitchers and catchers to report to the refurbished facility in Sarasota.
With spring nearly upon us, time running short for Orioles to punctuate encouraging offseason
Is another notable move coming before pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota next week?
Are the Orioles really “armed” for April?
The new ownership group reached deep into the monetary reserve to sign slugger Pete Alonso in Baltimore but what’s up with the pitching? Luke Jones and Nestor discuss that one more arm the Orioles need in the rotation – not to mention a too-thin bullpen – in preparation for pitchers and catchers to report to the refurbished facility in Sarasota.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss final weeks before spring training and Orioles pitching needs
As the Baltimore Orioles move back into the local news with the Birdland Caravan ahead, Luke Jones and Nestor wonder what moves general manager Mike Elias will have left before pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota to continue to augment the never-ending need for more arms and innings.
Still up in arms for more pitching before Orioles arrive in Sarasota?
As the Baltimore Orioles move back into the local news with the Birdland Caravan ahead, Luke Jones and Nestor wonder what moves general manager Mike Elias will have left before pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota to continue to augment the never-ending need for more arms and innings.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Ryan Helsley as Orioles closer and Winter Meetings pitching needs
Ah, the risk and rewards and crazy retail price of Major League Baseball free agency begins with the Baltimore Orioles signing a closer and making noise about “being in on” more pitching. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Ryan Helsley and the price of heroes at the Winter Meetings for a last place team with a lot of prospects in question.
Let’s start with a starter at MLB Winter Meetings
Ah, the risk and rewards and crazy retail price of Major League Baseball free agency begins with the Baltimore Orioles signing a closer and making noise about “being in on” more pitching. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Ryan Helsley and the price of heroes at the Winter Meetings for a last place team with a lot of prospects in question.
Tony Mansolino provides injury updates on Bautista, Eflin, others prior to start of Orioles’ three-game set with Seattle
Tony Mansolino provides injury updates on Bautista, Eflin, others prior to start of Orioles’ three-game set with Seattle
Orioles’ Bautista out rest of 2025 with “significant” shoulder injury; Eflin also done for season
Former All-Star closer Felix Bautista hurt his shoulder in late July and will see another specialist later this week.
Real work now begins for Elias, Orioles after inevitable sell-off of disappointment
The trade deadline came and went with the Orioles dealing nine major leaguers for what resulted in 16 minor-league players over the course of July.
Pitching in the rest of the Orioles season?
With Felix Bautista and Zach Eflin now on the injured list, we wonder who will pitch once the dealing is done. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the trade day options of Mike Elias as the Baltimore Orioles dealt away Ramon Urias and Andrew Kittredge on Wednesday night with more news to come on Ryan O’Hearn and Cedric Mullins. And who knows who else?
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Orioles exit of Urias and Kittredge and deals ahead for Elias
With Felix Bautista and Zach Eflin now on the injured list, we wonder who will pitch once the dealing is done. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the trade day options of Mike Elias as the Baltimore Orioles dealt away Ramon Urias and Andrew Kittredge on Wednesday night with more news to come on Ryan O’Hearn and Cedric Mullins. And who knows who else?
Luke Jones and Nestor make final preparations for Orioles and MLB trade deadline additions by subtraction
While the Orioles battle the first-place Toronto Blue Jays at Camden Yards, the real action will be in The Warehouse where Mike Elias will be fielding calls all over baseball to move veterans for organizational depth. Luke Jones and Nestor make final preparations for the Orioles and MLB trade deadline additions by subtraction and wonder who will be left to pitch next week – or next season?
Orioles bats explode to pick up Eflin in 11-4 win over Toronto
Baltimore clubbed four home runs to take the first contest of a four-game set with the Blue Jays.
Zach Eflin struggles in final start before trade deadline
Zach Eflin struggles in final start before trade deadline
Addition by subtraction is Orioles trade theme this week
While the Orioles battle the first-place Toronto Blue Jays at Camden Yards, the real action will be in The Warehouse where Mike Elias will be fielding calls all over baseball to move veterans for organizational depth. Luke Jones and Nestor make final preparations for the Orioles and MLB trade deadline additions by subtraction and wonder who will be left to pitch next week – or next season?
Twelve Orioles Thoughts at 2025 All-Star break
Though improved since Tony Mansolino took over for Brandon Hyde, Baltimore hasn’t been nearly good enough to save its season.
Starting pitching continues hurting Orioles in different ways
Zach Eflin’s recent struggles and second trip to the injured list come just a month before the trade deadline.
Tony Mansolino expects Orioles starter Zach Eflin to go on injured list after Saturday’s early exit
Tony Mansolino expects Orioles starter Zach Eflin to go on injured list after Saturday’s early exit
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Tampa baseball situation after Rays beat Orioles and shell Eflin
What began as another conversation after another Orioles loss where the pitching wasn’t good enough and the hitting stank, Luke Jones and Nestor touch on Zach Eflin but wind up discussing the future of the Tampa Rays, another series in a minor league stadium and why the Savannah Bananas create more value for fans than Major League Baseball does in the modern world.
Will latest rotation tweak keep Orioles’ momentum going?
All signs point to Trevor Rogers making Wednesday’s start in Tampa after Cade Povich was placed on the injured list.
The modern Babe Ruth, Bananas and the future of baseball in Tampa
What began as another conversation after another Orioles loss where the pitching wasn’t good enough and the hitting stank, Luke Jones and Nestor touch on Zach Eflin but wind up discussing the future of the Tampa Rays, another series in a minor league stadium and why the Savannah Bananas create more value for fans than Major League Baseball does in the modern world.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Sugano impact on Orioles rotation after big effort in Seattle
After another strong seven-inning start in Seattle late on Tuesday night in another Orioles victory, Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the keyrole Tomoyuki Sugano has taken in the Birds’ rotation as so much disappointment has descended on this 2025 squad with the poor start and last-place standing.
Sugano making a real impact on Orioles pitching
After another strong seven-inning start in Seattle late on Tuesday night in another Orioles victory, Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the key role Tomoyuki Sugano has taken in the Birds’ rotation as so much disappointment has descended on this 2025 squad with the poor start and last-place standing.
Eflin tosses seven shutout innings as Orioles edge White Sox in 2-1 final
Zach Eflin bounced back from back-to-back rough starts with his best outing of the season.
Zach Eflin tosses season-high seven innings of shutout ball in Friday’s victory
Zach Eflin tosses season-high seven innings of shutout ball in Friday’s victory
Zach Eflin turns in one of worst starts of career in Sunday’s 10-4 loss to Washington
Zach Eflin turns in one of worst starts of career in Sunday’s 10-4 loss to Washington
Luke Jones and Nestor recap Orioles revival in Anaheim as Birds return home in last place
The Baltimore Orioles took two of three in Anaheim and return home to Camden Yards looking for signs of life in a disappointing season. Luke Jones and Nestor talk about the bats and arms and realities for a team mired in last place in the American League East.
The struggling Birds return home in last place for Preakness week
The Baltimore Orioles took two of three in Anaheim and return home to Camden Yards looking for signs of life in a disappointing season. Luke Jones and Nestor talk about the bats and arms and realities for a team mired in last place in the American League East.
Orioles hope positives from series win in Anaheim will lead to more prosperity
The return of Zach Eflin and the rise of Gunnar Henderson highlighted the weekend for Baltimore.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts following 13-23 start
Baltimore dropped to 10 games below .500 for the first time since June 15, 2022.
Help on way, but Orioles digging hole that could prove too deep to escape
Baltimore has a few players on the verge of returning from injuries, but an awful start has eliminated most of its margin for error.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts entering month of May
The rotation was always going to be the big weakness, but relative to expectations, Baltimore’s offense has been even more disappointing.
Luke Jones and Nestor talk about Orioles losing too many April baseball games
The Orioles finally won a 2-1 game in Washington to avoid a sweep on Thursday night but Luke Jones and Nestor continue to talk about the fundamental roster problems of a scuffling Birds’ squad that has stacked too many losses early to feel good about the pitching and defense.
