Roch Kubatko

Orioles sign Andy Oliver, Dana Eveland to Triple-A deals

July 17, 2015, 9:15am

Orioles

The Orioles signed a pair of veteran left-handers to minor league contracts this week. Andy Oliver and former Oriole Dana Eveland agreed to deals and were assigned to Triple-A Norfolk, according to a club official. Oliver exercised his opt-out clause after going 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 25 relief appearances with Triple-A Durham, the Rays' top affiliate. He walked 24 and struck out 32 in 28 innings. Oliver, 27, is 0-5 with a 7.11 ERA and 1.832 WHIP in seven career starts with the Tigers in...

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Starting the second half

July 16, 2015, 5:04pm

Orioles

The break is finally over. The Home Run Derby, the All-Star Game, the workout in Detroit - it's all in the Orioles' rear view mirror. How much longer do we reflect on the first half? The Orioles are taking their 44-44 record to Comerica Park for tonight's series opener against the Tigers. They've lost 10 of their last 13 games to fall four back in the American League East. The Orioles are 17-26 on the road and 15-16 in the first game of a series. They're 12-14 in one-run games, 7-13 in...

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Information on "Birdland Social" and other notes (updated)

July 16, 2015, 2:23pm

Orioles

Information on "Birdland Social" and other notes (updated)

The Orioles will host "Birdland Social," a Social Media Night event at Camden Yards on July 28 prior to the 7:05 p.m. game against the Braves. The exclusive pregame party on the center field Roof Deck will host 250 of the Orioles' most engaged social media followers. I'll join former pitcher and current MASN analyst Jim Palmer for a Q&A session with fans, continuing my Hall of Fame tour. Cal Ripken Jr. yesterday, Palmer on July 28. Someone get Brooksie on the phone. Tickets for the...

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More on Chris Davis playing right field and the "Franchise Four"

July 15, 2015, 8:23pm

Orioles

More on Chris Davis playing right field and the "Franchise Four"

While sorting through my mailbag last week, I omitted one of the more popular questions posed by fans. Why is Chris Davis playing right field? Manager Buck Showalter hasn't said much about it, except that Davis is capable of playing first base and right field, that he's just as good at one position as the other. When I relayed this explanation to Davis, hoping that he'd provide more insight, he feigned anger and replied, "What the heck is that supposed to mean?" But seriously ... Davis has...

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Cal Ripken Jr. on All-Star Game, 2131 anniversary and more

July 15, 2015, 6:57pm

Orioles

Cal Ripken Jr. on All-Star Game, 2131 anniversary and more

ABERDEEN, Md. - Before tonight's IronBirds game, I was invited to Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium to facilitate a Q&A with Cal Ripken Jr. in front of fans. After the on-field interview, Ripken took the time to talk with MASNsports.com about the All-Star Game, the 20th anniversary of 2,131 and MLB's Franchise Four. He also weighed in on this season's Orioles team. Ripken thinks they may peak at the right time. "The key to any successful season is to get better as the year goes on, and...

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Some first-half numbers and a Britton note

July 14, 2015, 7:57pm

Orioles

Some first-half numbers and a Britton note

The All-Star Game is history, bringing the Orioles a step closer to Major League Baseball's version of a second half. The Orioles are 44-44, which puts them beyond the halfway point in a 162-game regular season. I'm able to figure it out and I'm pretty weak at math. Manager Buck Showalter is hoping for more consistency after play resumes on Friday. The Orioles won 18 of 23 games before losing 10 of their last 13. "I'd agree with that," Showalter said. "There have been some good things....

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Wesley Wright designated for assignment (Machado update)

July 14, 2015, 6:14pm

Orioles

Wesley Wright designated for assignment (Machado update)

The Orioles have designated left-hander reliever Wesley Wright for assignment, according to an industry source. Executive vice president Dan Duquette has 10 days to trade or release Wright, who signed a $1.7 million free-agent contract in December. Wright made only two appearances for the Orioles in April before going on the disabled list with a strained left trapezius muscle. He allowed one run and two hits in 1 2/3 innings. Wright lost velocity and was ineffective during his injury rehab...

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Duquette on Orioles' All-Stars: "They all earned the opportunity to be there"

July 13, 2015, 6:41pm

Orioles

During the most recent airing of "Wall to Wall Baseball" on MASN, the panel was asked to choose the most probable Oriole to win Most Valuable Player honors in tonight's All-Star Game. The two relievers, Zach Britton and Darren O'Day, were unanimously eliminated for the obvious reason. It's hard to win MVP after pitching one inning or less. They could strike out the side and they're still not bringing home the hardware. Or the truck. Whatever the prize. So we're down to Adam Jones and...

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Manny Machado eliminated in Home Run Derby

July 13, 2015, 5:18pm

Orioles

Manny Machado eliminated in Home Run Derby

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was eliminated in the first round of tonight's Home Run Derby at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Machado hit 12 home runs with Orioles coach Einar Diaz pitching to him, the last two coming in the bonus round under the new format. But the Dodgers' Joc Pederson belted 13 home runs within the four-minute round and advanced against the Angels' Albert Pujols. Pederson still had a minute left when No. 13 cleared the fence. Toronto's Josh Donaldson hit...

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Adam Jones in left field for All-Star Game

July 13, 2015, 10:05am

Orioles

Adam Jones in left field for All-Star Game

The All-Star Game may be an exhibition, but the basic rules apply, including how there's room for only one center fielder in each lineup. Adam Jones, the only starter for the Orioles, will play left field and bat sixth for the American League. Jones is replacing the Royals' Alex Gordon, who sustained a groin injury. AL manager Ned Yost is putting the Angels' Mike Trout in center field and the Royals' Lorenzo Cain in right field. All three players normally patrol center during the regular...

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More on the first half

July 12, 2015, 7:04pm

Orioles

The Orioles won't strand any runners in scoring position tonight. They won't lose more ground in the American League East. They won't break your hearts or cause you to smash your fine china on the floor. You should get a reprieve unless you have serious coin riding on the Home Run Derby. The Orioles lost 10 of their last 13 games and are a .500 team for the first time since June 14. The Yankees won yesterday, leaving the Orioles four games back in the American League East. This is now a...

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Buck Showalter on first half and today's 3-2 loss

July 12, 2015, 12:53pm

Orioles

Buck Showalter on first half and today's 3-2 loss

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked in a joking manner whether he had any roster moves to announce following today's game. He replied that the club already made one or two. Nice return of serve. There are no roster moves and there's no more baseball until Friday night in Detroit. The Orioles enter the All-Star break on the decline, losing again today 3-2 to the Nationals before 46,247 at Camden Yards. They've lost 10 of their last 13 games and will be four back in the division if the...

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Adam Jones ties Frank Robinson on home run list (O's lose 3-2)

July 12, 2015, 10:17am

Orioles

Adam Jones ties Frank Robinson on home run list (O's lose 3-2)

Adam Jones did more today than give the Orioles an early lead. He also moved into a tie with a Hall of Famer. Jones hit his 179th home run as an Oriole, a solo shot off Nationals starter Max Scherzer in the first inning that allowed him to join Frank Robinson in eighth place on the club's all-time list. Jones has played in 1,109 games with the Orioles. Robinson played in 827 before - and this is still too soon for me - being traded to the Dodgers on Dec. 2, 1971. Scherzer struck out Manny...

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Early notes on Wright, roster, Johnson, Garcia and Davis

July 12, 2015, 8:30am

Orioles

Early notes on Wright, roster, Johnson, Garcia and Davis

Not much news coming out of today's pregame media session with Orioles manager Buck Showalter. If you've been following along, you know that left-hander Wesley Wright's injury rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk ends later today. He could re-join the Orioles or extend the assignment for a second time. Wright followed up his most impressive outing with a dud last night, allowing four runs and five hits, walking two and hitting a Charlotte batter in 1 2/3 innings. He's 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA in...

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Chris Davis returns to Orioles lineup

July 12, 2015, 6:56am

Orioles

Chris Davis stopped inside manager Buck Showalter's office this morning, said he felt fine and is included in today's final lineup before the All-Star break. Davis was a late scratch yesterday with the stomach flu, but he's batting cleanup today and starting in right field. The Orioles' average with runners in scoring position is down to .290, though they still rank third in the majors. The Orioles are 19-13 in day games this season and 17-12 in the last game of a series. For the Orioles...

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Orioles closing out first half today

July 11, 2015, 9:29pm

Orioles

If the Orioles want to avoid being a .500 team at the All-Star break, all they need to do this afternoon is win a game that's started by the Nationals' Max Scherzer. What's the big deal? The Orioles couldn't avoid Scherzer, who's posted a 2.12 ERA and 0.803 WHIP in 17 starts and 123 1/3 innings. He's thrown a no-hitter, he's thrown a one-hitter, he's been covered in enough chocolate syrup to be mistaken for a 215 pound sundae. Scherzer has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 13 of his...

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Buck Showalter speaks after Orioles' 7-4 loss

July 11, 2015, 7:05pm

Orioles

The Orioles are only one game above .500 again and still unable to solve the riddle of why they can't get a big hit with runners in scoring position. They'd settle for a small one. The Orioles went 0-for-8 with RISP tonight in a 7-4 loss to the Nationals before 44,495 at Camden Yards. They had runners on first and second with one out in the ninth, but Chris Parmelee flied out and Adam Jones popped up. The most recent failings made the Orioles 0-for-15 with RISP in this series, 1-for-35 in the...

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Buck Showalter focusing on his own players (O's lose 7-4)

July 11, 2015, 3:15pm

Orioles

Buck Showalter focusing on his own players (O's lose 7-4)

The Nationals are sending Max Scherzer to the mound on Sunday as expected for the series finale at Camden Yards. His start became official earlier today, eliminating him from pitching in Tuesday night's All-Star Game. Scherzer threw a bullpen session yesterday in preparation for the start. Cora Purcell, a 104-year-old Orioles fan from Frederick, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. She received a loud ovation, the ball and a spring training invite. Manager Buck Showalter walked out of the...

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Chris Davis scratched from Orioles lineup

July 11, 2015, 2:36pm

Orioles

Chris Davis has been scratched from tonight's lineup due to gastroenteritis, or the stomach flu, and replaced in right field by Steve Pearce. Davis had played every game since his suspension ended after opening day. He's batting .238/.322/.475 with 15 doubles, 19 home runs and 52 RBIs in 85 games, with 108 strikeouts in 303 at-bats. Davis is 3-for-6 with a home run against Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann. Pearce is 3-for-7 with a home run. Here's the new Orioles lineup: Manny Machado 3B...

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Buck Showalter reveals part of his second-half rotation

July 11, 2015, 1:06pm

Orioles

Buck Showalter reveals part of his second-half rotation

Orioles manager Buck Showalter announced his starters for the first four games following the All-Star break. Ubaldo Jimenez, Chris Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez will start against the Tigers at Comerica Park. The Orioles are off on July 20, and left-hander Wei-Yin Chen will start the following night against the Yankees in The Bronx. Showalter didn't reveal his starter for July 22, but Kevin Gausman would be working on normal rest if recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. He's expected to face the...