Showalter speaks following 4-2 loss

Showalter speaks following 4-2 loss
The Orioles' modest two-game winning streak ended tonight due mostly to a strong outing by the opponent's starting pitcher and a nice escape act by its closer. However, there's usually a chance to dissect certain decisions on the basepaths and in the batter's box. Let's do it. Jimmy Paredes singled with two outs in the eighth inning to score Rey Navarro, but Nelson Cruz threw him out at second base after again letting the ball get past him. The Orioles challenged the call and lost after a...

Orioles playing catch-up in race for win (O's lose 4-2)

Orioles playing catch-up in race for win (O's lose 4-2)
The Orioles won for only the second time in 14 games last night after their opponent scored first. They need to do it again tonight after doubles by Justin Ruggiano and Mike Zunino in the second inning gave the Mariners a 1-0 lead at Camden Yards. Wei-Yin Chen threw 21 pitches in a scoreless first inning, striking out former Oriole Nelson Cruz after Robinson Cano's two-out single. Chen's count included 15 strikes. He's up to 32 pitches, 25 strikes, in two innings. The strikeout was the first...

Showalter on Bundy, Wilson and his Letterman appearances

Showalter on Bundy, Wilson and his Letterman appearances
Earlier today, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said the Orioles didn't need top prospect Dylan Bundy to pitch at Triple-A Norfolk before becoming a candidate to be called up later in the summer. Bundy could make the jump from Double-A Bowie to the majors. Part of the reasoning involves Bundy's contract status for 2016, when he's out of options. "We talked about that," Showalter said. "No, not mandatory. Obviously, and we all know this, contractually he has to be on our major league club...

Afternoon notes from Camden Yards

Afternoon notes from Camden Yards
Bud Norris threw today and it "went well," according to Orioles manager Buck Showalter. Norris remains scheduled to start Friday night at Triple-A Norfolk while recovering from bronchitis. Chris Tillman is still listed as Thursday afternoon's starter against the Mariners at Camden Yards. Matt Wieters had some hamstring tightness, but he's slated to catch on Thursday at extended spring training before meeting the Orioles over the weekend in Miami. Chris Davis is in the lineup tonight despite...

Orioles and Mariners lineups

Orioles and Mariners lineups
Rey Navarro is starting at second base tonight for the Orioles and Steve Pearce is in left field. Delmon Young is in right field and batting cleanup. Chris Davis remains in the lineup despite facing a left-hander, Roenis Elias, and being 1-for-20 in his last six games. He's taking early batting practice again today. The Orioles have gone 10-3 against the Mariners at Camden Yards dating back to the start of the 2011 season. Seattle has dropped 18 of its last 26 in Baltimore, and is 39-69 (.361)...

Wondering how the Orioles make room on their roster

Wondering how the Orioles make room on their roster
As the Orioles rotation is lined up, the next five starters should be Wei-Yin Chen and Chris Tillman against the Mariners and Ubaldo Jimenez, Mike Wright and Miguel Gonzalez versus the Marlins in Miami. Bud Norris is one of eight Orioles currently on the disabled list, joining Matt Wieters, Wesley Wright, Jonathan Schoop, Everth Cabrera, Kevin Gausman, Ryan Flaherty and Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia. Norris can return on May 26. Manager Buck Showalter already is bracing for some difficult roster...

Wrapping up a 9-4 win

Wrapping up a 9-4 win
Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed tonight that Chris Tillman will start Thursday afternoon's series finale against the Mariners at Camden Yards, and Ubaldo Jimenez and Mike Wright will start the first two games against the Marlins in Miami. Tillman played catch today and his back is fine. Orioles starters have gone seven or more innings in five straight games, with Miguel Gonzalez becoming the latest tonight. He rebounded nicely after Nelson Cruz's three-run homer in the third. "He...

Gonzalez gives up homer, Cruz receives ovation (O's win 9-4)

Gonzalez gives up homer, Cruz receives ovation (O's win 9-4)
Seth Smith hit his second career leadoff home run tonight to give the Mariners a quick 1-0 lead over the Orioles. Smith lined Miguel Gonzalez's fourth pitch onto the flag court in right field. Gonzalez struck out the next two batters to bring former Orioles outfielder Nelson Cruz to the plate. Fans cheered loudly for Cruz, some of them standing. A few yelled "Cruuuz." It's a sparse crowd tonight, but it made a lot of noise before Cruz lined an 0-2 pitch into center field for a...

Hearing from Tillman and Showalter before tonight's game

Hearing from Tillman and Showalter before tonight's game
Chris Tillman said his lower back feels much better and he expects to start Thursday afternoon against the Mariners. How much better is it? "Good, great, fantastic, swell," he said. Tillman played catch this afternoon to make sure the spasms didn't return. "I'll see how it feels and go from there, but as far as I'm concerned, I feel good," he said. Tillman said he could have pitched tonight or Wednesday, but manager Buck Showalter wanted to give him extra rest. "The way I feel now,...

Latest on Norris, Wieters, Cabrera, Gausman and more

Latest on Norris, Wieters, Cabrera, Gausman and more
Orioles pitcher Bud Norris is scheduled to start Friday night for Triple-A Norfolk. Norris went on the disabled list yesterday, retroactive to May 11, with bronchitis. Norris is eligible to come off the disabled list on May 26. Asked whether the right-hander will go back into the rotation, manager Buck Showalter said that's the plan "all things being equal." Catcher Matt Wieters will begin his injury rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Bowie after joining the Orioles this weekend in Miami....

Orioles and Mariners lineups

Orioles and Mariners lineups
Steve Pearce is batting fifth and starting at second base tonight as the Orioles open a three-game series against the Mariners at Camden Yards to conclude their homestand. Travis Snider is in left field and Alejandro De Aza is in right. Jimmy Paredes is batting second again as the designated hitter. For the Orioles Manny Machado 3B Jimmy Paredes DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Steve Pearce 2B Travis Snider LF J.J. Hardy SS Alejandro De Aza RF Caleb Joseph C Miguel Gonzalez RHP Orioles pitchers...

Gonzalez tries to keep the rotation rolling

Gonzalez tries to keep the rotation rolling
The Orioles didn't announce any changes to their rotation last night besides Bud Norris' placement on the disabled list, leaving us to assume that Miguel Gonzalez is starting tonight's series opener against the Mariners at Camden Yards. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed on Sunday that Gonzalez would get the assignment, followed by left-hander Wei-Yin Chen on Wednesday. Chris Tillman figures to start Thursday afternoon now that his back has improved. The Mariners are sending Taijuan Walker,...

Harvey update and minor league trade

Harvey update and minor league trade
Hunter Harvey received a platelet-rich plasma injection today during his visit with Dr. James Andrews, who recommended that the young pitcher be shut down for the next six weeks. Harvey has been diagnosed with a strained right flexor mass. Harvey sought a second opinion from Andrews after flying to Baltimore and being examined on Wednesday by team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs. Harvey, recovering from a slight fracture in his right shin, was removed from his last start at extended spring...

Norris placed on disabled list

Norris placed on disabled list
Rather than continue to work a man short in the bullpen, the Orioles have placed Bud Norris on the 15-day disabled list with bronchitis and recalled pitcher Tyler Wilson from Triple-A Norfolk. Norris' illness led to Mike Wright making his major league debut yesterday against the Angels. Wright had been in the bullpen as the replacement for Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia, who's on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis, but he's needed in the rotation. The Orioles were reluctant to put...

Notes on Tillman and Norris

Notes on Tillman and Norris
Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman is expected to start Thursday afternoon's game against the Mariners at Camden Yards after being pushed back in the rotation due to lower back spasms. Tillman's condition has improved to the point where he's not a candidate for the disabled list. Barring a setback, he would start the series finale and follow Miguel Gonzalez and Wei-Yin Chen in the rotation. Gonzalez opposes Taijuan Walker on Tuesday and Chen opposes Roenis Elias on Wednesday. Tillman's back...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
I've been asked whether Mike Wright gets another start with the Orioles. I'm not sure whether he gets another day in the majors. As I explained yesterday, the Orioles can go in many directions due to the uncertain status of Chris Tillman (back) and Bud Norris (bronchitis) and the presence of Tyler Wilson on the taxi squad. There must be a temptation to place Norris on the disabled list, backdated to May 11, while he slowly recovers. He was still coughing yesterday and it's obvious by looking...

Wrapping up a 3-0 win in Mike Wright's debut

Wrapping up a 3-0 win in Mike Wright's debut
Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Miguel Gonzalez will start Tuesday night against the Mariners at Camden Yards, and he's leaning toward using Wei-Yin Chen on Wednesday. What happens to Mike Wright, who won his major league debut today with 7 1/3 scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory over the Angels before 41,733 at Camden Yards? "Well, he didn't pitch a complete game, so he's out of here," said Showalter. "No, we'll look at it, we'll start talking about it. We had about three...

Wright impressive through four innings (O's win 3-0)

Wright impressive through four innings (O's win 3-0)
Mike Wright recorded his first major league out and strikeout, gave up his first hits and escaped his first jam. He's packed a lot into four innings for the Orioles. Wright retired the first nine batters before Kole Calhoun led off the fourth inning with a single. Didn't Calhoun do the same thing to Ubaldo Jimenez last night? Albert Pujols doubled with one out to put two runners in scoring position, but the game remains in a scoreless tie. Erick Aybar grounded to Manny Machado, who threw home...

Showalter on Wright: "His physical skills we know are there"

Showalter on Wright: "His physical skills we know are there"
Mike Wright sat alone behind the Orioles' dugout this morning and read a book. Empty stands, empty field, clear mind. Maybe it's a relaxation technique for Wright, who's making his major league debut today against the Angels. Maybe he just wanted to find a quiet spot and soak up the atmosphere. Wright hasn't pitched since May 6 for Triple-A Syracuse, which could cause his sinker to elevate if he's too strong. It happened last night to closer Zach Britton. But manager Buck Showalter...

A few notes before today's game

A few notes before today's game
Triple-A Norfolk pitcher Tyler Wilson walked through the Orioles clubhouse this morning with a huge smile on his face. He's in the majors for the first time - sort of. Wilson is on the taxi squad and the Orioles must decide by 8 p.m. Monday whether to put him on the 25-man roster or send him back to Norfolk. It depends whether Chris Tillman and Bud Norris are available to pitch next week and how much manager Buck Showalter needs his bullpen today with Mike Wright making his major league...