CLEVELAND-What happened? In the eighth inning of Wednesday night’s game against the Cleveland Guardians, Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino called on Colin Selby with the score tied, 2-2.
Mansolino had already used Andrew Kittredge and Yennier Cano, both for the second day in a row, to pitch spotless innings after Zach Eflin’s successful five-inning return from the injured list.
Selby isn’t usually used in high-leverage situations, and though Seranthony Domínguez was warming up late in the inning, Mansolino didn’t use him.
After getting the first two outs, Selby (0-2) allowed a double to Bo Naylor and a single to Steven Kwan to give the Guardians a 3-2 lead.
Emmanuel Clase quickly polished off the Orioles in the ninth for his 23rd save.
But why was Selby in the game? Where was Félix Bautista?
“We’re trying to win the game,” Mansolino said. “In the seventh inning, as Cano was going through that inning, Bautista sent a message that he was going to be unavailable today, so something didn’t feel right.
“We shut him down. Otherwise, it would have been Domínguez in the eighth, and then with the idea of Bautista in the ninth.”
Mansolino didn’t expand on Bautista’s condition.
“We’ll have more information tomorrow,” he said.
Bautista, who had Tommy John surgery in October 2023, has had a successful comeback season but isn’t on the same level of ferocity as he was in the first five months of the 2023 season when he struck out 110 of his 237 batters.
On Sunday, Bautista threw a season-high 34 pitches when he faced seven batters for the second time this year and walked three batters for the first time in 2025. Bautista got the save, but looked rusty because he hadn’t pitched in 10 days.
Mansolino said that there were no issues coming into the game.
“No, he played catch. He looked great in the pregame work. Everything that he does, everything was normal,” he said.
Eflin pitches well: Eflin returned to the Orioles’ rotation just eight days away from the trade deadline and pitched well enough to impress contenders in need of an extra starter.
Eflin hadn’t started since June 28th when he hastily exited the Orioles’ game against Tampa Bay after allowing four runs in the first inning and went to the injured list with a back injury.
He retired the first nine batters before walking Kwan to start the fourth. José Ramírez doubled with one out, and Kyle Manzardo’s single gave Cleveland a 2-1 lead.
Eflin allowed two runs on two hits in five innings, walking one and striking out five in the Orioles’ 3-2 loss to the Guardians before 30,476 at Progressive Field on Wednesday night.
“Being on the IL isn’t fun. Nobody wants to do it,” Eflin said. “You feel like you’re separated from the team. At the same time, you’re super happy to be back and be out there competing with the guys again.”
It was the second time this season he’s returned from the injured list. After five weeks on the injured list with a strained lat, Eflin had another successful return on May 11th at the Los Angeles Angels, allowing two runs on five hits in five innings.
“I felt healthy,” Eflin said. “I followed the game plan and executed some pitches. Overall, I felt really well … I had two rehab appearances this time. Usually, it’s zero or one.’
With the July 31st trade deadline nearing, Eflin’s name will surely pop up,
“My job is to go out there and compete and give everything I have every fifth day, and that’s really the only thing I’m worried about.”
Last July 26th, Eflin was traded to the Orioles from Tampa Bay, and now it’s possible he’ll be moving along again.
“I’m not focused on it,” he said. “I’m focused on the moment I’m living in currently. That’s doing everything we can here for everybody here.”
Holiday takes home run lead: Jackson Holliday hit his 14th home run, most of any Oriole, leading off the sixth against Slade Cecconi. That tied it at 2.
“That brings a smile to my face,” Mansolino said. “To think about everything the kid went through, super proud of him, the journey that’s he’s on this year. It’s just the tip of the iceberg right now. This kid’s just getting better by the day. He’s just getting better by the day in all facets of the game.”
Jordan Westburg doubled against Cleveland starter Slade Cecconi leading off the fourth, moved to third on an infield out by Gunnar Henderson and scored on Ryan O’Hearn’s sacrifice fly.
The Orioles had an excellent chance to score in the third after Ramón Urías led of with a walk and Cedric Mullins doubled. Urías was thrown out at home on Jacob Stallings’ grounder to third, and Mullins was picked off second.
The Orioles (44-57) have lost seven of eight while Cleveland (51-50) has won 11 of 13.
What does it mean? Bautista’s condition will be the question of the day before Thursday’s game. Perhaps the Orioles will have to make another roster move.
What’s the stat of the day? Eflin allowed two or fewer runs in five innings or more for the sixth time in 13 starts.
What’s the word? “Everything he went through, he exceeded all expectations.”–Mansolino on Eflin’s return
What’s going on in the minor leagues? Adley Rutschman caught six innings and was hitless in three at-bats, walking once and striking out once in Triple-A Norfolk’s 14-6 loss to Lehigh Valley. It was Rutschman’s second rehab game for Norfolk. He was the designated hitter on Tuesday.
Keegan Akin allowed two runs, one unearned, on one hit in 1 1/3 innings in his rehab assignment. Akin is on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation.
Dylan Beavers hit two home runs and drove in four runs. Beavers has 13 homers, 41 RBIs, a .305 average and a .907 OPS.
Winston-Salem defeated High-A Aberdeen, 8-4. Nate George drove in two runs as Single-A Delmarva beat Lynchburg, 8-2.
What’s next? Charlie Morton (5-8, 5.58) will face Logan Allen (6-8, 4.06) on Thursday at 1:10 p.m.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com