Question: What do the Orioles do when Adley Rutschman, Jordan Westburg, Tyler O’Neill and Gary Sánchez return? Who would be vulnerable? From: Dan Klein
Answer: Dan, I’m always reluctant to answer these types of hypothetical questions because we don’t know for certain when any of these players might return.
Westburg would seem like the safest bet to return, and I would think Emmanuel Rivera would be the most vulnerable.
I think the Orioles would like to keep Alex Jackson along with Rutschman and Samuel Basallo if Rutschman is able to return for the last week or so of the season.
If O’Neill comes back, an outfielder would go, and I’m not sure at all that Sánchez will be ready.
This is all assuming that there aren’t any other injuries that require placements on he injured list in the final 22 games, which considering this team’s 2025 is a bold assumption.
Question: So Roansy Contreras pitches well and we keep Yennier Cano, who has been a disaster. With Cano’s recent outings he has shown no command, walks too many batters and can’t find the strike zone. Why are they protecting him? From: Jim Meckley, Berlin, Maryland
Answer: Jim, I was puzzled by the Orioles’ designating Contreras for assignment after he pitched well. I thought he could have been an asset, but Albert Suárez, who fills a similar role, was returning.
Jim sent this question in before Cano saved Wednesday’s game.
The entire bullpen has been in flux since the trade deadline, and I’ll be intrigued to see how many of the pitchers out there they’ll keep. I think Suárez and Keegan Akin are the most likely, and others are auditioning for spots for 2026.
As for Cano, I think they remember how good he was in 2023 when he made the All-Star team, and think he’ll have to have a strong final three weeks to make a case for himself on next season’s staff.
Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.