AL EAST NEWS AND NOTES

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

The Orioles are hitting the reset button in more ways than one as they begin the process of trading veteran players, starting with the deal during the All-Star break that sent Manny Machado to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

As they entered the second half with the second-worst record in the major leagues, they ushered in an era of rebuilding that will include enhancing technology, scouting, drafting and analytics; adding front office staff; and improving nutrition and wellness for players throughout the organization.

How long Duquette will be around to implement that plan is uncertain. His contract, as well as that of manager Buck Showalter, is up at the end of the season.

❚ Adam Jones had at least 80 hits by the All-Star break for the 11th season in a row. That’s tied for the fourth-longest streak in league history.

BOSTON RED SOX

The Red Sox had won lefthander Brian Johnson’s last nine starts, dating to last season, before he lost on July 21 at Detroit.

But it wasn’t as if he didn’t pitch well. Johnson allowed just two runs, both unearned, in five innings in his fourth start since returning to the rotation. His streak of victorious starts is tied with David Price for the longest by a Red Sox pitcher in the past 10 seasons.

Johnson, who had to fight for a roster spot in spring training, began the season in the rotation but has gone back and forth between starting and relieving, mostly filling in when a starter is unavailable.

❚ The Red Sox became the first team in the league to reach 10 shutout wins this season. They had 11 in all of 2017.

NEW YORK YANKEES

Going into his July 21 start against the New York Mets, right-hander Sonny Gray was 4-6 with a 7.10 ERA in 13 home starts since the Yankees acquired him at the trade deadline last year. He had never won back-to-back starts, home or away, during that span.

But Gray could breathe a sigh of relief after allowing three runs, two earned, in 5 1 / 3innings to improve to 7-7 with a 5.34 ERA this season.

One negative streak did continue, however: He again allowed a home run, the 17th he has given up at Yankee Stadium since putting on the pinstripes. Only once in that span has he not given up a homer during a home start.

❚ Aaron Judge’s home run July 21 gave him 82 in his career and came in his 277th game. Only Ryan Howard (257 games) has gotten to 82 faster.

TAMPA BAY RAYS

Outfielder Justin Williams, one of Tampa Bay’s top prospects, made his major league debut July 21, as a pinch hitter. He is the 17th rookie to play for the Rays this season, tying Miami for most in the majors and one shy of Tampa’s club record for an entire season.

Williams, who turns 23 on Aug. 20, is the fourth position player to play for the Rays this season before his 23rd birthday. In the previous nine seasons, the only position player that young was Wil Myers in 2013.

Director of minor league operations Mitch Vucevic’s told MLB.com last spring that Williams can hit “like not too many in our entire organization. He has power to all fields.”

Williams was sent back to Class AAA Durham (N.C.) the next day.

❚ with catcher Wilson Ramos on the disabled list because of a left hamstring strain, catcher Adam Moore was called up from Durham and outfielder Johnny Field was designated for assignment to make room on the roster. Ace lefthander Blake Snell (shoulder fatigue) also went on the DL.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

It has been nearly three years since the Blue Jays acquired

Troy Tulowitzki from the Colorado Rockies, but in that time he has played in fewer than half their games.

Tulowitzki, who will turn 34 in October, has yet to play this season after having surgery in the spring to remove bone spurs in both feet. There is no timetable for his return.

The news on third baseman Josh Donaldson ’s strained left calf was equally murky. The Jays still don’t know when (or if) he’ll be back, either.

❚ Catcher Russell Martin’s home run July 20 was his first extra-base hit since a home run on June 8, also against Baltimore. The 20-game stretch without an extra-base hit was the second longest of his career behind a 21-gamer in 2016.

THIS WEEKS PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

DAVID PRICE, RED SOX: The left-hander opened the second half for Boston by pitching 6 1 / scoreless 3 innings and giving up only four hits in a 1-0victory over the Tigers, one of his former teams. Price needed an outing like that after posting a 9.20 ERA in his three previous starts, but it was consistent with past performance: He has a career 3.05 ERA in the second half compared with 3.46 in the first half.