Tillman reports improvement in hip injury

Tillman reports improvement in hip injury
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman described his injury this morning as a "hip flexor," but added that it feels much better today and he doesn't anticipate it building into anything serious. Tillman didn't pitch yesterday because of the discomfort that first surfaced on Thursday. "Felt much better today," he said. "Just want to be careful with it. We want to stay ahead of it and they'll check it out today. "It's more of a hip, like a hip flexor. The reason it's confusing is because I...

Hyun Soo Kim easing into his new surroundings

Hyun Soo Kim easing into his new surroundings
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman will begin his morning by explaining the nature of an injury that prevented him from starting yesterday's intrasquad game. Judging by manager Buck Showalter's description, it appears that Tillman is bothered by a sore groin muscle. The Orioles naturally are being careful with him and will set up an MRI later this week if there's no improvement. It's way too early to lament how the Orioles signed a starter and lost a starter, but there was disappointment...

Wrapping up the 10th day of workouts

Wrapping up the 10th day of workouts
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter tried to provide some clarity to the Chris Tillman injury that kept the right-hander out of today's intrasquad game at Ed Smith Stadium. We know it's a core muscle injury and it's serious enough that he didn't pitch today and won't work out on Monday. However, Showalter also noted that the team is being cautious and no MRI is scheduled at this point. "He said it doesn't bother him running or throwing," Showalter said. "Right now, it's...

Chris Tillman unavailable due to core muscle injury (plus other notes)

Chris Tillman unavailable due to core muscle injury (plus other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman didn't start today's intrasquad game due to a "core muscle injury" that's bothered him for the past several days. Tillman remained sore this morning and the Orioles held him out of the game as a precaution. He won't undergo an MRI unless there's no improvement later this week. Manager Buck Showalter said the club is still evaluating the injury, which doesn't bother Tillman when he runs or throws. Efren Navarro cleared waivers, refused an outright...

Orioles intrasquad lineups

Orioles intrasquad lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles posted their lineups for today's intrasquad game. Don't read too much into them. Chris Davis is leading off for the home team. Matt Wieters is batting ninth. This isn't a preview of opening day, but it should be fun. At least we're spared the monotony of pitchers fielding practice and bullpen sessions. Mark Trumbo is playing right field for the home team. Jimmy Paredes is playing right field for the visiting team. Paul Janish is batting cleanup for the visitors....

Another intrasquad game, Tony Clark leftover and missing Monica

Another intrasquad game, Tony Clark leftover and missing Monica
SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's intrasquad game on the main stadium field will run seven innings. Six pitchers are listed for each side. Doing the math, two guys would have to throw multiple innings, which I don't anticipate. The alternatives, of course, are to add two more pitchers or slice off an inning. Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman, Jason Garcia, Brad Brach, Todd Redmond and Cesar Cabral will pitch for one side. Miguel Gonzalez, T.J. McFarland, Dylan Bundy, Vance Worley, Hunter Harvey and Ashur...

Wrapping up the ninth day of workouts

Wrapping up the ninth day of workouts
SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter still is deciding between Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson as Tuesday's starter in the first exhibition game against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista. They're both going to pitch. Yovani Gallardo threw his fastball, breaking ball and changeup in today's bullpen session. "He felt good," Showalter said. "He's going to take two days off and do it again." The Orioles will keep Gallardo on a schedule for now where he takes two days off between...

Instrasquad game ends in scoreless tie

Instrasquad game ends in scoreless tie
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles played five scoreless innings today in their intrasquad game, the only hit an infield single by Ryan Flaherty. Flaherty sent a sharp ground ball up the middle that slammed off reliever Chaz Roe's foot. He also walked in two plate appearances. Henry Urrutia walked twice for the home team. Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard struck out twice, reached on an error by shortstop Ozzie Martinez and stole second base. Chance Sisco was hit on the shoulder by an Andy Oliver pitch, but...

Union head Tony Clark visits camp

Union head Tony Clark visits camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - Players Association leader Tony Clark is making the rounds again this spring, his latest stop coming this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. He's headed to Bradenton later today to address the Pirates. The collective bargaining agreement ends on Dec. 1, which places greater importance on Clark's visits. Hot topics this morning included the qualifying offer, which players want to see eliminated. The Dexter Fowler fiasco, which Clark blamed on the "race to be...

What's going on today

What's going on today
SARASOTA, Fla. - Let's sort of play ball. We've reached the point in spring training when the Orioles will hold intrasquad games over the next two days. It's a controlled environment, with strict pitch counts and rules that are looser than my pants on Thanksgiving. Manager Buck Showalter can order the stoppage of innings, no matter the number of outs, or he can instruct his pitcher to stay on the mound after the third one. He may create situations for his players, taking workout drills to a...

Wrapping up the eighth day of workouts

Wrapping up the eighth day of workouts
SARASOTA, Fla. - Yovani Gallardo will throw his first bullpen session with the Orioles on Saturday. The intrasquad game on Saturday has been moved to 12:30 p.m. on the Camden Yards replica field. It's open to the public. Same as the workouts. The pitchers listed for the game include Zach Britton, Brian Matusz, Parker Bridwell, Mychal Givens and Andy Oliver for one team, and Ubaldo Jimenez, Odrisamer Despaigne, Chaz Roe, Dale Thayer and Andrew Triggs for the other team. The Sunday intrasquad...

A numbers game for Dylan Bundy and Brian Matusz

A numbers game for Dylan Bundy and Brian Matusz
SARASOTA, Fla. - Time to lighten the mood around here at Orioles camp. Dylan Bundy surrendered his No. 49 to new pitcher Yovani Gallardo, a nine-year major league veteran who's grown attached to it. Bundy is wearing No. 37, which has been passed around like a bottle of Jack Daniel's at a tailgate. No. 49 came at a cost. Bundy will be compensated, a baseball tradition dating back many years. The trade nets him a gift to be named later. "I don't know yet," he said this morning, amused that...

Adam Jones on Dexter Fowler's decision to re-sign with Cubs

Adam Jones on Dexter Fowler's decision to re-sign with Cubs
SARASOTA, Fla. - Adam Jones sat at his locker this morning and waited for the wave of reporters to roll in, the Dexter Fowler controversy still fresh and relevant. Fowler indicated to Jones on Wednesday that he was headed to Sarasota. He ended up in Arizona yesterday, back with the Cubs and insisting that he never had an agreement with the Orioles. "I know him personally, so it's good," Jones said. "We're moving on. We've moved on, he's moved on. "We've got a big day ahead of us today....

Orioles sifting through right field possibilities

Orioles sifting through right field possibilities
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dexter Fowler won't be playing right field for the Orioles. Agent Casey Close won't be attending their next cookout. Tough day yesterday. The lingering question, besides trying to figure out why Close waited two days to deny the agreement and torch the Orioles and media, is who's joining Adam Jones and Hyun Soo Kim in the outfield on opening day? The Orioles are kicking around ideas, including just letting the in-house candidates fight for the job. Manager Buck Showalter...

Dan Duquette responds to Casey Close's statement

Dan Duquette responds to Casey Close's statement
SARASOTA, Fla. - Not only did the Orioles receive the news earlier today that outfielder Dexter Fowler decided to re-sign with his old team, they later absorbed thunderous blows from his agent via a statement. Casey Close didn't pull any punches. And Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, in a much calmer but firm tone, didn't take them lying down. Fowler shocked the industry, at least outside Cubs camp, but showing up today and signing a one-year, $8 million contract that includes a...

Gallardo's press conference and Duquette's comments on Fowler

Gallardo's press conference and Duquette's comments on Fowler
SARASOTA, Fla. - Today was supposed to be about Yovani Gallardo's first workout with the Orioles and the press conference introducing him to the local media. We'll start there before returning to the Dexter Fowler circus. Stay with me. "It's a great group from what I learned today," Gallardo said while sitting between manager Buck Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette. "They did a great job. They made me feel comfortable and welcome here in the clubhouse. I'm excited. I'm...

More on Dexter Fowler and the deal that wasn't

More on Dexter Fowler and the deal that wasn't
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dexter Fowler is telling reporters at the Cubs spring training complex that he never had an agreement with the Orioles. Meanwhile, multiple sources confirmed on Tuesday that the deal was completed. One person in the organization told me, "It's done." It's become evident that Fowler wanted a shorter deal - he agreed to one year and a mutual option with the Cubs - or an opt-out clause. The Orioles weren't going to surrender their compensatory draft pick under those...

Dexter Fowler throws Orioles curveball by signing with Cubs (updated)

Dexter Fowler throws Orioles curveball by signing with Cubs (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - With an hour remaining before the Orioles hold their press conference for new pitcher Yovani Gallardo, news broke that outfielder Dexter Fowler re-signed with the Cubs. This has been anything but a normal spring training. The Orioles had an agreement with Fowler on a three-year deal worth $33 million, according to multiple sources. It was done Tuesday. Now comes word that he signed a one-year deal with the Cubs that includes a mutual option. Fowler reportedly will receive $8...

Nolan Reimold: "I'm just going to play and looking forward to a good year"

Nolan Reimold: "I'm just going to play and looking forward to a good year"
SARASOTA, Fla. - Yovani Gallardo went through a series of fielding drills this morning, moving from station to station during the Orioles' second day of full-squad workouts. Pretty much every move was documented by the local beat crew. The line between reporter and stalker is a thin one. Gallardo is wearing No. 49 and Dylan Bundy has switched to No. 37. I'll assume that Bundy was properly compensated for surrendering his digits. Jimmy Paredes is tracking fly balls this morning with the...

Chris Davis on the latest additions

Chris Davis on the latest additions
SARASOTA, Fla. - When Chris Davis agreed to terms on a new seven-year contract with the Orioles last month, the roster didn't include pitcher Yovani Gallardo and outfielder Dexter Fowler. It was a work in progress, and the club gets much busier after players report to spring training. Gallardo agreed to a restructured two-year deal with an option that guarantees $22 million and could max out at $33 million. His press conference is being held this afternoon and will air live on MASN at 1:30...