The Orioles continued their winning ways last night in the first game of four against the Philadelphia Phillies. After a huge six-game stretch last week and another big series lurking this weekend against the Toronto Blue Jays, it would be very easy for the O’s to overlook a team like Philadelphia. However, in the opener Wei-Yin Chen threw a gem, and the Orioles now find themselves three games out of first place in the American League East.
MACHADO WINS A.L. PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Manny Machado had a huge week batting .458 with a double, two home runs, nine runs scored, and five RBIs to earn the honor of best player in the American League. For the season, Machado is batting .282, 11 HR, 30 RBIs, 39 runs, and a team-leading nine stolen bases. It’s been fun to watch Machado evolve into the player we all thought he would be when he was one of the top prospects in baseball. It was only a matter of time before the doubles machine would start to hit home runs and now that he is completely healthy, the stolen bases are coming as well. Machado is also playing his usual elite defense. Machado is 22-years-old so he will only continue to get better as a player which is pretty scary when you stop to think about it.
PARMELEE GETTING PROMOTED TODAY
Facing the deadline to opt-out of his minor league contract, the Orioles have decided they want to take a look at Chris Parmelee starting tonight. Parmelee has definitely earned a promotion as he batted .312 with six home runs and 32 RBIs for Triple-A Norfolk. The O’s may decide to send Mike Wright back down to create a roster spot, but they will eventually have to decide which player between David Lough and Travis Snider will be sent packing. Parmelee can provide pop and his versatility on defense is something Buck Showalter loves. The Orioles face a string of right-handers the next couple of nights so Parmelee should get his chance to provide an immediate spark.
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SCHOOP TO BEGIN REHAB ASSIGNMENT FRIDAY
This is huge news for the team as Jonathan Schoop should return by July. The O’s have slowly started to get healthy over the last few weeks, which has allowed Showalter to put his players in a better position to succeed. Adding Schoop will be another boost for a team that has finally started to play at the level everyone expected in spring training.
GAUSMAN RETURNING TO ROTATION THIS WEEKEND?
Kevin Gausman will make his last rehab assignment tonight by pitching only two innings for Single-A Frederick. This final tune up should allow Gausman to return to the Orioles as soon as Friday to start in Toronto against the Blue Jays, though the question remains of whether he will be stretched out enough to start. Depending on who they decide to send out for Parmelee, Wright and Tyler Wilson are also in the discussion. However, if Gausman is completely healthy, the team needs to go that route and allow him to start every five days until they have to make a decision when Miguel Gonzalez returns from the groin injury that has him on the 15-day DL.
