Question: Who leaves once shortstop Gunnar Henderson is ready to go? From: Rob Jefferson
Answer: Rob, I also got a similar question from Michael Chefalo. Things could change by Thursday when Henderson, who’s on the injured list because of a strained right intercostal muscle, is eligible to return.
If there’s an injury to a player on the active roster, that could answer the question. If nothing changes, it seems like the choice would be between outfielders Heston Kjerstad and Ramón Laureano. The Orioles vowed to give Kjerstad more of a chance to play this season, and they spent $4 million on Laureano. They made infielder Jorge Mateo’s on-time return from Tommy John surgery a priority, so I don’t think it will be him.
It’s a difficult choice with no easy answer.
Question: Last year I purchased the MLB Orioles-only package to watch on my TV and learned that some games were blacked out because MLB had ‘sold’ them to Apple, Roku, etc., which I viewed as being unfair. After the season I thought I saw where MLB was going to do away with that where subscribers like me were concerned, so I re-upped for this year. Nope. Same old! I didn’t get the O’s-Jays game on Friday night and some others in the future. To me this is akin to purchasing season seat-tickets, showing up at Camden Yards and not being allowed in. Your thoughts please. From: Paul Rodgers, Alachua, Florida
Answer: My thoughts, Paul, are that it’s not like having season tickets because the league has the right to sell the rights for games to whomever they choose. It’s not the Orioles who put games on Apple or Roku, it’s the providers in consultation with MLB.
For the past few years, ever since streaming packages were sold, I’ve received many messages complaining, and none from fans who were happy to see the games on streaming platforms. The bad news is that streaming is here to stay for all sports and it’s likely there be more games in the second half of the season moved to Apple or Roku, provided that the Orioles are an attractive team.
Next year, it’s also possible that without the Nationals in the MASN picture, the Orioles will have a direct-to-consumer product.
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.