Showalter on Matusz: "I think he'll rejoin us here before long"

Showalter on Matusz: "I think he'll rejoin us here before long"
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are waiting for the results of X-rays taken on reliever T.J. McFarland's left elbow. They're hopeful that he's dealing with a minor muscle issue instead of anything related to a ligament. Reliever Brian Matusz played catch yesterday and didn't report any discomfort in his lower back. "He's coming along," said manager Buck Showalter. "I think he's going to be sooner than later. I think he'll rejoin us here before long. They were talking today about how good...

Hearing from T.J. McFarland and Dylan Bundy before today's game

Hearing from T.J. McFarland and Dylan Bundy before today's game
SARASOTA, Fla. - T.J. McFarland sounded confident this morning that X-rays taken later today on his left elbow won't reveal a serious injury. The Orioles reliever came out of yesterday's game against the Red Sox after 1 1/3 innings due to discomfort in the elbow. He was charged with two runs and four hits, and he walked two batters. "Until I really know anything, I can't really comment on what's going on. So, I'm leaving today and getting an X-ray. We'll see," he said. "I haven't felt...

Orioles lineup vs. Twins (with McFarland update)

Orioles lineup vs. Twins (with McFarland update)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Trumbo is playing first base today and Chris Davis is serving as the designated hitter for todays' game against the Twins. Henry Urrutia is in right field. For the Orioles Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis DH Mark Trumbo 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Hyun Soo Kim LF Jonathan Schoop 2B Henry Urrutia RF Ubaldo Jimenez RHP Reliever T.J. McFarland will have his left elbow X-rayed this morning after experiencing discomfort in yesterday's game against the Red...

Today's health checklist and notes on Bundy, Flaherty and the outfield

Today's health checklist and notes on Bundy, Flaherty and the outfield
SARASOTA, Fla. - While planning my day leading up to a 1:05 p.m. home game against the Twins, I've made notations about checking on T.J. McFarland's left elbow and Ozzie Martinez's head. The Orioles aren't expected to know more about Jimmy Paredes' left wrist until Wednesday, but I can't ignore it. It's doubtful that anything has changed with Brian Matusz's strained serratus muscle in his lower back, but I can't ignore it. Chris Tillman will throw live batting practice today. He's no...

McFarland also an injury concern today in 8-7 loss

McFarland also an injury concern today in 8-7 loss
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Reliever T.J. McFarland exited today's game with tenderness in his left elbow, manager Buck Showalter revealed after the Orioles' 8-7 loss to the Red Sox at JetBlue Park. McFarland came out a few pitches earlier than planned after allowing two runs and five hits in 1 1/3 innings. He also walked two batters. "Mac had a little tender elbow there at the end," Showalter said. "I took him out a little early of his pitch count. We've got to check into that and see what's...

Ozzie Martinez leaves game with injury

Ozzie Martinez leaves game with injury
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Orioles are losing again today and another player came off the field with an injury. Double-A shortstop Ozzie Martinez collided with second baseman Garabez Rosa while trying to field a bouncer from the Red Sox's Travis Shaw in the bottom of the sixth inning. Martinez ranged beyond the bag and appeared to get hit in the head by Rosa's elbow. Martinez stayed face-down in the dirt as athletic trainer Patrick Wesley rushed onto the field. Rosa stood nearby. Martinez...

Mike Wright talks about his second exhibition start (O's lose 8-7)

Mike Wright talks about his second exhibition start (O's lose 8-7)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Red Sox 8, Orioles 7 Recap: Mike Wright allowed two runs and four hits in two innings. Christian Walker had a two-run double in the first off Clay Buchholz and L.J. Hoes followed with an RBI single. Reimold walked with the bases loaded in the second after Jorge Marban replaced Buchholz. Oliver Drake pitched a scoreless third, but T.J. McFarland gave up two runs and five hits in 1 1/3 innings. Chaz Roe allowed two runs in the sixth that broke a 4-4 tie, and shortstop...

Game update and notes on Tillman, Wilson, Beliveau, Paredes and Rickard

Game update and notes on Tillman, Wilson, Beliveau, Paredes and Rickard
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Christian Walker delivered a two-out, two-run double today in the top of the first inning and L.J. Hoes followed with an RBI single. The Orioles are jumping on Clay Buchholz early, tagging him with three unearned runs. Ryan Flaherty walked with one out, Nolan Reimold reached on an error and they executed a double steal. Hyun Soo Kim struck out on a pitch in the dirt, making him 0-for-14 with two strikeouts, but Walker and Hoes delivered in the clutch. Walker is 4-for-10 with...

A few pitching notes before today's game

A few pitching notes before today's game
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Orioles are taking batting practice back in Sarasota this morning after playing a night game. The bus is far behind the beat writers who drove to JetBlue Park. Mike Wright is starting today, and other pitchers on the trip include Dylan Bundy, Brad Brach, T.J. McFarland, Chaz Roe, Oliver Drake, Chris Jones, Andy Oliver, Joe Gunkel and David Hess. Reserves include infielders Trey Mancini, Ozzie Martinez, Adrian Marin, Garabez Rosa and Drew Dosch, outfielders Dariel Alvarez,...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - Hyun Soo Kim makes another start in left field today, searching for his first hit as the Orioles play the Red Sox in Fort Myers. Kim is 0-for-13 in Grapefruit League games. Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard is starting in center field. Nolan Reimold, in his first road game, will serve as the designated hitter. For the Orioles Joey Rickard CF Ryan Flaherty 2B Nolan Reimold DH Hyun Soo Kim LF Christian Walker 1B L.J. Hoes RF Francisco Pena C Paul Janish SS Steve Tolleson 3B Mike Wright...

Andrew Triggs waiting for his next chance to impress

Andrew Triggs waiting for his next chance to impress
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles hit the road again today, returning to Fort Myers to face the Red Sox, before playing back-to-back home games. They can't seem to get enough of I-75. Mike Wright will make his second spring start after holding the Braves to one hit over two scoreless innings in Lake Buena Vista. Andrew Triggs will return to the mound in a few days, confident that he'll produce better results after Friday's rough outing in Dunedin. The Blue Jays hit three home runs in the fourth...

Wrapping up a 10-6 loss

Wrapping up a 10-6 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles were outscored 23-8 today while losing both split-squad games to the Twins in Fort Myers and the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Now comes the glass that's half full. "The guys that look like they've got a chance to be on our club are pitching well. That's good to see," said manager Buck Showalter. "Zach (Britton) threw the ball well again. What did he give up, five or six groundballs? Darren (O'Day) made his first appearances. (Pedro) Beato's thrown the ball...

Game update and comments from Kevin Gausman (O's lose 10-6)

Game update and comments from Kevin Gausman (O's lose 10-6)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Rays 10, Orioles 6 Recap: Kevin Gausman allowed one hit and struck out three batters in two scoreless innings. He threw 20 of 31 pitches for strikes. Todd Redmond was charged with four runs and Jon Keller with three. Zach Britton, pitching the seventh, allowed one run and three hits. Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard had two doubles, an RBI and an outfield assist. Manny Machado reached on an error and had an RBI single. Need to know: Gausman's fastball topped out at 96 mph,...

Notes on Nolan Reimold and Parker Bridwell before tonight's game

Notes on Nolan Reimold and Parker Bridwell before tonight's game
SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold sat at his locker this afternoon, a cup of coffee in his hand and a few members of the Orioles beat crew gauging his excitement over starting in right field for the split-squad game against the Rays. It barely registered. The low-key personality didn't change, even with his first spring appearance in the outfield. Manager Buck Showalter has chosen to bring Reimold along slowly, using him as the designated hitter Wednesday in Sarasota, when he singled, walked and...

Brian Matusz on lower-back injury (updated)

Brian Matusz on lower-back injury (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - If the doctors are correct in their estimations, Orioles reliever Brian Matusz should be able to resume full activities within one to two weeks following an MRI on his lower back. Matusz has been diagnosed with a strained serratus muscle, an area located on the lower right side of his back. Full activity is defined as "being able to get back on the mound and pitch," Matusz said today. "Obviously, we're going to be cautions, and obviously the goal is to be ready for the...

Orioles and Rays lineups for tonight's split-squad game in Sarasota (updated)

Orioles and Rays lineups for tonight's split-squad game in Sarasota (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold makes his outfield debut tonight in a split-squad game against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Reimold is starting in right field and Mark Trumbo is serving as the designated hitter. Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard is playing left field while Hyun Soo Kim starts against the Twins in Fort Myers. Kevin Gausman is on the mound for the Orioles, who also are listing pitchers Zach Britton, Darren O'Day, Mychal Givens, Todd Redmond, Dale Thayer, Jon Keller and Rich...

Orioles and Twins lineups

Orioles and Twins lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - Hyun Soo Kim is on the road again today, starting in left field in a split-squad game against the Twins in Fort Myers. Byung Ho Park, also from South Korea, is serving as the Twins designated hitter this afternoon. They haven't faced each other since the KBO playoffs in October. Kim is hitless in nine at-bats this spring. He's starting for the fourth time in five games. The Orioles lineup also includes catcher Caleb Joseph and first baseman Christian Walker. Dariel Alvarez is...

Despaigne gets second chance to make an impression

Despaigne gets second chance to make an impression
SARASOTA, Fla. - There's no doubt that Ubaldo Jimenez would like a do-over after his first exhibition start on Wednesday, but what about Odrisamer Despaigne? Almost forgotten is how Despaigne followed Jimenez to the mound and allowed three inherited runners to score and two of his own in a 11-4 loss to the Braves at Ed Smith Stadium. Despaigne was charged with two runs and three hits, with three walks, in 1 2/3 innings. No one is overreacting to a single spring training appearance, and that...

Wrapping up a 4-3 loss (updated)

Wrapping up a 4-3 loss (updated)
DUNEDIN, Fla. - My rental SUV got a flat tire in Clearwater, causing me to arrive here less than an hour before first pitch, I'm headed to the airport to exchange vehicles and express my disappointment with the agency. Before I pack up, I'll pass along some comments from manager Buck Showalter following the Orioles' 4-3 loss to the Blue Jays, which lowered their exhibition record to 0-3-1. The outcome became official after Steve Tolleson struck out on three pitches from Chad Jenkins to...

Game update and Vance Worley on today's outing (Orioles lose 4-3)

Game update and Vance Worley on today's outing (Orioles lose 4-3)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Blue Jays 4, Orioles 3 Recap: Mark Trumbo singled and homered in his first two at-bats as the designated hitter. Vance Worley tossed two scoreless innings, with one walk and one strikeout. Andrew Triggs allowed four runs in 1 2/3 innings, including solo homers by Russell Martin, Justin Smoak and Dalton Pompey in the fourth. Oliver Drake retired all three batters he faced and Chris Jones struck out two in 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Christian Walker had a triple, walk and...