Jones day-to-day, Norris pitching at Norfolk, plus wrapping up 3-0 loss

Jones day-to-day, Norris pitching at Norfolk, plus wrapping up 3-0 loss
Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is day-to-day with a mild sprain of his left ankle. Jones had an X-ray taken at Camden Yards and was sent out for an MRI which didn't reveal any structural damage. "We'll see what tomorrow brings," said manager Buck Showalter. Showalter said Bud Norris will start Tuesday at Triple-A Norfolk before rejoining the Orioles. It will be Norris' third start on his injury rehab assignment. "Hopefully, that will be his last start," Showalter said. "It's the...

Orioles fall behind early and more notes (O's lose 3-0)

Orioles fall behind early and more notes (O's lose 3-0)
Wei-Yin Chen needed only 10 pitches today to get through the top of the first inning, which is half the story. The other half put the Orioles behind 1-0. Brandon Guyer led off with a double, took third on Joey Butler's infield hit and scored on Evan Longoria's sacrifice fly. Logan Forsythe grounded into a 5-4-3 double play. Steven Souza Jr. led off the second inning with his ninth home run of the season and his second in two games. Rays 2, Orioles 0. Chen threw 12 pitches in the second,...

More Showalter on Jones and other notes

More Showalter on Jones and other notes
Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't taking any chances with center fielder Adam Jones, who's out of today's lineup with a sore left ankle. "The play at the plate (Thursday), it was very fortunate his spike gave on him," Showalter said. "Woke up this morning sore, a little swelling, so I take it out of his hands. I'm not saying he couldn't Kirk Gibson some time today. "I've been looking for a spot to give him a day anyway and he's one of those guys you don't ask, you just do it....

Jones bothered by soreness and swelling in ankle

Jones bothered by soreness and swelling in ankle
Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is out of today's lineup due to soreness and swelling in his left ankle. Jones rolled the ankle during an awkward slide at home plate in the third inning of Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the White Sox. He played last night. Manager Buck Showalter doesn't know whether Jones will return to the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Rays. "I took it out of his hands," Showalter said. "I'm not saying he couldn't Kirk Gibson it. We'll...

Jones out of Orioles lineup

Jones out of Orioles lineup
The Orioles and Rays are one game behind the Yankees in the American League East as their series continues today at Camden Yards. The Orioles have one fewer win and loss than the Rays. David Lough is starting in center field today, with Adam Jones listed among the reserves. We'll find out later why Jones isn't starting. Travis Snider stays in the lineup in left field and he continues to bat second. Steve Clevenger is behind the plate. For the Orioles Manny Machado 3B Travis Snider LF Jimmy...

Today's game and Parmelee note

Today's game and Parmelee note
Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, questionable earlier this week to make his next start, will be on the mound today against the Rays. Chen made it through Thursday's side session, watched closely by pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti. I heard earlier this week that Chen complained of some soreness in his side. As manager Buck Showalter stressed, it had nothing to do with his arm or shoulder. Chen went on the disabled list in May 2013 with a strained right oblique. The Orioles were...

Hearing from Showalter after 2-1 win

Hearing from Showalter after 2-1 win
Manager Buck Showalter said the Orioles won't need to make a roster move for a fresh bullpen arm Saturday after Miguel Gonzalez worked eight innings in a 2-1 victory over the Rays. Darren O'Day was the only reliever used, and he escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the top of the ninth. It still may be a few more days before the bullpen can be viewed as properly rested, but the Orioles made it through tonight. Gonzalez allowed one run and three hits in eight innings, but he didn't get the...

Lavarnway elects free agency and other notes (O's win 2-1)

Lavarnway elects free agency and other notes (O's win 2-1)
Catcher Ryan Lavarnway, designated for assignment on Tuesday, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. However, Lavarnway elected to become a free agent and will attempt to sign with another team. Lavarnway went 3-for-28 in 10 games with the Orioles. He was removed from the roster when the Orioles recalled catcher Steve Clevenger. Miguel Gonzalez retired the Rays in order tonight in the top of the first inning, striking out Kevin Kiermaier and Joey Butler. He threw 13...

Hearing from Gausman and Showalter before tonight's game

Hearing from Gausman and Showalter before tonight's game
Though it basically counted as live batting practice to three hitters, Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman was thrilled to get back on a mound today. Gausman continued his progression by facing Matt Wieters, Steve Clevenger and Everth Cabrera before the rest of the Orioles took the field in preparation for tonight's series opener against the Rays at Camden Yards. "I think I threw 30-32 pitches," said Gausman, on the disabled list since May 7 with right shoulder tendinitis. "I mixed in all my...

Matt Wieters set to debut next Friday

Matt Wieters set to debut next Friday
Matt Wieters is scheduled to play his first game for the Orioles next Friday night in Cleveland. Wieters will catch again on Saturday at Double-A Bowie, Monday at Single-A Frederick and Wednesday at Triple-A Norfolk before meeting the Orioles. Today is the six-year anniversary of Wieters' debut with the Orioles. He hasn't played for them since May 10, 2014 and hasn't caught since May 4. Wieters underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow on June 17. Manager Buck Showalter...

Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
The Orioles haven't announced a roster move today, but they sent out their lineup for the series opener against the Rays at Camden Yards. Travis Snider is batting second again and starting in right field. David Lough is in left field and Ryan Flaherty is starting at second base. Adam Jones rolled his left ankle yesterday in the third inning of Game 2, but he remains in the lineup. For the Orioles Manny Machado 3B Travis Snider RF Jimmy Paredes DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS...

Another day brings another roster move

Another day brings another roster move
The Orioles are poised to make another roster move after using seven relievers in yesterday's doubleheader against the White Sox. Are they really poised to face their third opponent in three days? The Orioles beat the Astros on Wednesday to take the series and split with the White Sox yesterday. The Rays are in town for a three-game series because the Orioles simply don't play them enough. As for the roster, the Orioles had a pitcher nearby in case Tyler Wilson made a hasty exit in his first...

Showalter on 6-3 win in Game 2 and possible roster move

Showalter on 6-3 win in Game 2 and possible roster move
The Orioles intend to bring up a pitcher from Triple-A Norfolk for Friday night's series opener against the Rays at Camden Yards. They used seven relievers today while splitting a doubleheader with the White Sox before 18,441 at Camden Yards. "We're going to probably have to make some adjustments with our bullpen now because everybody pitched today, but we spread it around," said manager Buck Showalter after a 6-3 win in Game 2. "We'll see. We've got some work to do tonight before we...

Davis' bat keeps sizzling in Game 2 (O's win 6-3)

Davis' bat keeps sizzling in Game 2 (O's win 6-3)
Mike Wright's scoreless streak came to an end only one batter into Game 2 of today's doubleheader against the White Sox. Chris Davis' hot streak continued. More on that later. Adam Eaton hit his first career leadoff home run to give the White Sox a quick 1-0 lead. Wright threw him five consecutive fastballs, the last clocked at 92 mph. Left fielder David Lough almost made a leaping catch, but Eaton circled the bases. Wright hadn't surrendered a run in 14 1/3 innings over his first two major...

Hearing from Showalter after Game 1 loss

Hearing from Showalter after Game 1 loss
Orioles manager Buck Showalter was impressed with Tyler Wilson, who made his first major league start today in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the White Sox. Showalter won't need to make a roster move prior to Game 2 because the right-hander lasted six innings. "Good, good," Showalter said following a 3-2 loss. "Another young guy who presented himself real well. Gave us a chance to win. Just matched up against one of the best pitchers in baseball. "(Chris) Sale had everything going today....

Orioles Game 2 lineup vs. White Sox

Orioles Game 2 lineup vs. White Sox
Steve Clevenger makes his first start behind the plate this season for the Orioles as they try to avoid being swept by the White Sox. Manny Machado, who received his third career ejection in Game 1, is leading off again. For the Orioles Manny Machado 3B Travis Snider RF Jimmy Paredes DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Steve Clevenger C J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty 2B David Lough LF Mike Wright RHP Manager Buck Showalter said Wei-Yin Chen will start Saturday against the Rays. Showalter didn't...

Game update and Showalter on Norris (O's lose 3-2)

Game update and Showalter on Norris (O's lose 3-2)
The Orioles will attempt today to improve on their 167-141-287 record in doubleheaders since the franchise moved to Baltimore in 1954. They're 100-65-166 at home. The Orioles' last doubleheader sweep came on Sept. 12, 2014 vs. the Yankees at Camden Yards. Did anything happen to Chris Davis earlier in the day? Per STATS Inc., the Orioles are 18-20-29 against the White Sox. Tyler Wilson, making his first major league start, retired the White Sox in order on 12 pitches in the first inning. Adam...

Notes on Matusz, Chen, Gausman, Norris and more

Notes on Matusz, Chen, Gausman, Norris and more
Left-hander Brian Matusz's hearing on his appeal of an eight-game suspension will be held on June 3 while the Orioles are in Houston. Matusz was ejected on Saturday night in Miami and later suspended for having a foreign substance on his right forearm. The Orioles can't replace Matusz on the roster if he serves a suspension. The Orioles are listing two of their three starters for the weekend series against the Rays at Camden Yards. Miguel Gonzalez will oppose Nathan Karns on Friday and Chris...

Orioles and White Sox Game 1 lineups

Orioles and White Sox Game 1 lineups
Tyler Wilson makes his second major league appearance and his first start today in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the White Sox at Camden Yards. White Sox left-hander Chris Sale is 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA in nine career games, including three starts, against the Orioles. He's 0-1 with a 4.38 ERA in five games (two starts) at Camden Yards. Adam Jones and J.J. Hardy are 3-for-8 with a home run vs. Sale. Delmon Young is 5-for-15 with two doubles and a home run. Caleb Joseph will catch Wilson, which...

Coolbaugh on Davis ... before the home runs

Coolbaugh on Davis ... before the home runs
Timing is everything, as they say, and I chose yesterday afternoon to ask hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh about first baseman Chris Davis' struggles at the plate. The shrinking average, the growing strikeout total, the perception that he's lost at the plate. We covered all of it. Of course, Davis hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning last night, his first since May 11, and broke a 4-4 tie with a solo homer in the eighth. I'm not sure whether that qualifies as a reverse jinx, pure...