Orioles lineup today includes Pedro Alvarez

Orioles lineup today includes Pedro Alvarez
SARASOTA, Fla. - Pedro Alvarez makes his Orioles debut this afternoon, batting cleanup and playing first base against the Twins in Fort Myers. Hyun Soo Kim is in left field and Jonathan Schoop is at second base. Caleb Joseph is behind the plate. Matt Wieters wasn't scheduled to make the trip, and he's out indefinitely after leaving yesterday's game with a sore right elbow. For the Orioles Joey Rickard CF Ryan Flaherty 3B Christian Walker DH Pedro Alvarez 1B Jonathan Schoop 2B Hyun Soo Kim LF...

Orioles and Twins meet up again today

Orioles and Twins meet up again today
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are playing the Twins again today. It's getting stalkerish. This is the fourth game between the teams in 13 days and they're going to meet again March 17 and 22. The back-to-back games are coming against the same team that the Orioles will face to open the season, beginning on April 4 at Camden Yards. It's a bit strange, not to mention inconvenient. "Of course it is," said manager Buck Showalter. "Are we going to end there? Playing teams back to back in the...

Showalter provides updates on Wieters and roster cuts following 8-1 win (updated)

Showalter provides updates on Wieters and roster cuts following 8-1 win (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - X-rays taken this afternoon on Matt Wieters' right elbow didn't raise any concerns among the Orioles, according to manager Buck Showalter, who met with the media following an 8-1 victory over the Twins. The Orioles no longer are winless in the Grapefruit League, but all of the attention fell upon Wieters, who left for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the first inning. "Just elbow soreness and decided not to take a chance with him," Showalter said. "Just get him out of...

Game update and Ubaldo Jimenez on today's outing (O's win 8-1)

Game update and Ubaldo Jimenez on today's outing (O's win 8-1)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 8, Twins 1 Recap: The Orioles won their first game and are 1-10-2, but Matt Wieters left after the top of the first inning with right elbow soreness. Ubaldo Jimenez allowed one run and four hits in 3 1/3 innings, with one walk and two strikeouts. Manny Machado had two doubles, an RBI and a run scored through two innings. Mark Trumbo delivered a two-run single in the first. Audry Perez, who replaced Wieters, singled and hit a two-run homer. Steve Tolleson added...

Matt Wieters leaves game with right elbow soreness

Matt Wieters leaves game with right elbow soreness
SARASOTA, Fla. - Matt Wieters came out of today's game against the Twins with right elbow soreness. The Orioles made the announcement a few minutes ago. We'll learn more about the severity of it after the final out. Henry Urrutia pinch-hit for Wieters in the bottom of the first inning. Wieters stayed in the dugout until the completion of the top of the second and walked alone to the clubhouse. Audry Perez replaced Wieters behind the plate. Eduardo Nunez singled with one out in the first and...

Matt Wieters leaves game in first inning (O's lead 4-1)

Matt Wieters leaves game in first inning (O's lead 4-1)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Matt Wieters was removed for a pinch-hitter today in the bottom of the first inning and we're waiting for the Orioles to provide an explanation. Wieters caught the top half of the inning and made a throw to second base that sailed as Eduardo Nunez slid in safely. Henry Urrutia pinch-hit for Wieters after Mark Trumbo's two-run single gave the Orioles a 3-1 lead. Twins right-hander Trevor May struck out Urrutia and J.J. Hardy. Audry Perez replaced Wieters behind the...

Hearing from Buck Showalter before today's game

Hearing from Buck Showalter before today's game
SARASOTA, Fla. - Still no word on the next round of cuts as we wait for first pitch. "We'll have some more between now and the end of the day," manager Buck Showalter said during batting practice. "Do some at lunch, maybe some after the game. Hopefully, by the end of Sunday I think we'll have a lot of those out of the way." Caleb Joseph looked fine while performing early drills and taking batting practice, the flu-like symptoms no longer holding him back. "He's OK," Showalter said....

Pedro Alvarez making Orioles debut on Sunday (and more notes)

Pedro Alvarez making Orioles debut on Sunday (and more notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Pedro Alvarez will make his Orioles debut on Sunday against the Twins in Fort Myers. His one-year deal included a pair of gray pants. Alvarez took batting practice on the main field and got in some extra swings while Jeff Beliveau threw live batting practice on a back field. Earlier in the day, Alvarez and Chris Davis shared first base and performed a variety of infield drills. Chris Tillman will make his first Grapefruit League start on Tuesday against the Blue Jays in...

Notes on Joseph, McFarland, Tillman and more

Notes on Joseph, McFarland, Tillman and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Caleb Joseph is back in the clubhouse this morning after experiencing flu-like symptoms that swept through his spring training home. Joseph wasn't on yesterday's trip to Tampa due to his illness. "They wanted me to come in today because I'm feeling more normal," he said. "Yesterday, I probably could have come in, but still kind of speculating in terms of contagiousness. It was a bad case. Me, my wife, my son and my mother-in-law all got it within hours. That entire house...

Orioles lineup vs. Twins (plus notes)

Orioles lineup vs. Twins (plus notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Hyun Soo Kim isn't in today's lineup, as the Orioles host the Twins at 1:05 p.m. Nolan Reimold is in left field and leading off. Mark Trumbo is in right field and Alfredo Marte is serving as the designated hitter. It's another workout day for Pedro Alvarez. The Orioles didn't announce any cuts, but left-handers Cesar Cabral and Andy Oliver no longer have lockers in the clubhouse. T.J. McFarland said his left elbow feels much better. The inflammation is gone and he played...

Pedro Alvarez and the "brotherhood" on the Orioles

Pedro Alvarez and the "brotherhood" on the Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will load up on the roster cuts today after putting it off again last night. They need to whittle down the pitching to a more manageable number. Meanwhile, I'm trying to learn more about Pedro Alvarez as he shows up each morning at the complex. He wasn't sitting at his locker yesterday morning during the one hour that the doors were open to the media. He actually walked past our workroom on his way to the half-field, an equipment bag strapped over his...

Caleb Joseph out sick again today (and other postgame notes)

Caleb Joseph out sick again today (and other postgame notes)
TAMPA - The first round of cuts for the Orioles are coming later today. They'll probably arrive while the beat crew is back on the road after the Orioles' 7-1 loss to the Yankees. The cuts will continue through Sunday. "It's a pretty good number," said manager Buck Showalter. "Same (list) I've been carrying around for three or four days. "The innings are going away for the pitchers. You see a guy get stretched out three or four innings now. The relief innings for guys aren't...

Mike Wright: "As far as I'm concerned, I felt pretty positive" (O's lose 7-1)

Mike Wright: "As far as I'm concerned, I felt pretty positive" (O's lose 7-1)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Yankees 7, Orioles 1 Recap: Mike Wright was charged with five runs in 2 2/3 innings, the last two scoring after he left the game. Mitch Horacek allowed two inherited runners to score and two of his own without retiring a batter. Odrisamer Despaigne threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing only one hit. Mychal Givens threw two scoreless innings. Christian Walker's sacrifice fly in the seventh scored Nolan Reimold, who led off with a single. Hyun Soo Kim reached on...

Orioles sign Julio Borbon to minor league deal (Wright update)

Orioles sign Julio Borbon to minor league deal (Wright update)
TAMPA - The Orioles have re-signed outfielder Julio Borbon to a minor league deal. He's expected to report tonight to Twin Lakes Park. The contract doesn't include an invitation to spring training. Borbon, 30, has spent the past two seasons at Triple-A Norfolk. He batted .269/.299/.321 in 114 games last season and occasionally was praised by Orioles manager Buck Showalter for his defensive excellence, though the club didn't purchase his contract. Borbon hit .288/.342/.356 in 124 games at...

A few morning notes

A few morning notes
TAMPA - Pedro Alvarez was working out early today at the Ed Smith Stadium complex while his new teammates filed into the clubhouse. Alvarez was on the half-field, named after Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver, at 7:42 a.m. He carried an equipment bag and one of his bats. Third base coach Bobby Dickerson met up with Alvarez, who later was joined by infield instructor and MASN analyst Mike Bordick. "We're very hands-on, we're already working," Alvarez said last night on the "Hot Stove Show"...

Orioles and Yankees lineups

Orioles and Yankees lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - Hyun Soo Kim, fresh off his first hit and RBI yesterday, is in left field today for the Orioles' game against the Yankees in Tampa. Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard is leading off and playing center field. Nolan Reimold is in right field and Christian Walker is playing first base. For the Orioles Joey Rickard CF Ryan Flaherty 2B Nolan Reimold RF Hyun Soo Kim LF Christian Walker 1B Henry Urrutia DH Francisco Pena C Steve Tolleson 3B Paul Janish SS Mike Wright RHP For the Yankees Jacoby...

Francisco Pena trying to get it right

Francisco Pena trying to get it right
SARASOTA, Fla. - The first round of cuts are coming today unless there's an unexpected change in plans. Barring an injury, the Orioles will go north with catchers Matt Wieters and Caleb Joseph. They currently have six catchers in camp, including Francisco Pena, Audry Perez, Chance Sisco and Jonah Heim. Pena will take an interesting story with him whenever the Orioles decide to option him and he reports to Twin Lakes Park. He's the son of former major league catcher and current Yankees coach...

Wrapping up a 4-4 tie

Wrapping up a 4-4 tie
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are expected to make their first round of cuts on Friday. Manager Buck Showalter has a list prepared. "It's coming shortly," he said. "Not today. We've got too many people going in different directions. So that leaves tomorrow, right? "I'm ready. Been ready." Today's game ended in a 4-4 tie after nine innings. The Yankees ran out of pitchers, preventing the usual spring training 10th. The Orioles also played a B game earlier in the morning that lasted six...

Showalter on Alvarez: "He's a good fit for us" (O's, Yankees tie 4-4)

Showalter on Alvarez: "He's a good fit for us" (O's, Yankees tie 4-4)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 4, Yankees 4 Recap: Adam Jones hit his first spring home run, an opposite-field shot in the first inning. Hyun Soo Kim was hit by a Kyle Haynes pitch in the fourth, the first time he reached base in 23 plate appearances. He reached on an RBI infield single with the bases loaded in the seventh, making him 1-for-24. Steve Tolleson tied the game in the seventh with a two-run single. Tyler Wilson allowed two runs and five hits in three innings, with no walks and...

Notes on Tillman's start, Alvarez's press conference and more

Notes on Tillman's start, Alvarez's press conference and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman felt good physically today after his B game start, his right hip no longer sore. Brian Matusz should start throwing Sunday or Monday, his back no longer hurting. T.J. McFarland could start throwing before Matusz, his elbow no longer swollen. Ozzie Martinez could start playing soon, his neck no longer aching. Pedro Alvarez could make his Orioles debut on Sunday in Fort Myers. He doesn't care whether he's used as the designated hitter. Manager Buck Showalter said...