Orioles and Angels lineups

Orioles and Angels lineups
Steve Pearce is starting at second base and batting fifth tonight for the Orioles, who are trying to even their series against the Angels following last night's loss at Camden Yards. Pearce is 3-for-23 this month. He's making only his fifth start since May 3. David Lough is in left field and Alejandro De Aza is in right. Ubaldo Jimenez gets the start while Bud Norris is out with bronchitis. According to STATS Inc., the Orioles have won seven straight home starts by Jimenez and the Angels have...

Orioles trade Nix to Phillies

Orioles trade Nix to Phillies
The Orioles have traded veteran infielder Jayson Nix to the Phillies for cash considerations. Nix was batting .167/.388/.198 with three doubles and eight RBIs in 25 games at Triple-A Norfolk. The Phillies are assigning him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. It's believed that Nix had reached the opt-out date on his contract. He must see a better opportunity in the Phillies system. The Orioles have Paul Janish playing shortstop at Norfolk and Michael Almanzar is the starter at third base. Rey Navarro...

Jimenez for Norris tonight against Angels

Jimenez for Norris tonight against Angels
The Orioles scratched Bud Norris from tonight's game due to an illness. He's 1-4 with a 9.88 ERA in six starts. He's also 4-0 with a 0.43 ERA in six career starts against the Angels. Norris can't catch a break. Norris, who's taking medication for bronchitis, has allowed two earned runs (four total) in 41 2/3 innings against the Angels. They've hit only one home run off him. The Angels might be the ideal tonic for Norris, who's 30 earned runs this season in 27 1/3 innings led the American...

Norris won't start Saturday and wrapping up a 3-1 loss

Norris won't start Saturday and wrapping up a 3-1 loss
Bud Norris has been scratched from Saturday's game due to an illness, and Ubaldo Jimenez will start in his place. The Orioles believe that Norris has bronchitis. He's currently on medication and remains an option for Sunday's series finale against the Angels. Norris is 1-4 with a 9.88 ERA in six starts. However, he's 4-0 with a 0.43 ERA in six career starts against the Angels. "Bud came in after everyone was on the field and found out whether he was contagious. We'll see where he fits on...

Game update and Paredes as DH (Hardy homers, O's lose 3-1)

Game update and Paredes as DH (Hardy homers, O's lose 3-1)
Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen struck out Mike Trout on a slider in the first inning tonight, then served up a home run to Albert Pujols on a 92 mph fastball. The game wasn't scoreless for long. Chen threw 14 of his 18 pitches for strikes. He got too much of the plate with Pujols, who's now 2-for-6 with two home runs against him. Jimmy Paredes walked in the bottom of the first, continuing his knack for getting on base. Paredes is making his 19th start tonight as the designated hitter, a...

Hearing from Showalter and Flaherty before tonight's game

Hearing from Showalter and Flaherty before tonight's game
If it isn't an injury, it's an illness. Ladies and gentlemen, your 2015 Baltimore Orioles. Bud Norris could miss Saturday's start against the Angels after becoming sick again last night. "Bud, I think he was out to dinner last night and he had a recurrence of the sickness," said manager Buck Showalter. "He's going to come in here after everybody goes on the field. Pretty good chance it's contagious, so just to see the doctor. His start tomorrow might be in jeopardy." Open dates on the...

Norris start in jeopardy, and other notes

Norris start in jeopardy, and other notes
Orioles right-hander Bud Norris is sick again and may not be able to make Saturday night's start against the Angels. Norris turned in back-to-back quality starts before becoming ill on Saturday and lasting only 3 1/3 innings the following day at Yankee Stadium. Ubaldo Jimenez would take Norris' turn while working on regular rest following yesterday's off day, and Chris Tillman would be bumped up to Sunday. Norris played golf yesterday in "The Battle of the Birds" - the Orioles improved...

Orioles and Angels lineups

Orioles and Angels lineups
Manny Machado is leading off and Alejandro De Aza is batting second tonight for the Orioles in their series opener against the Angels at Camden Yards. Jimmy Paredes remains in the third slot and Delmon Young is getting another start in right field. Rey Navarro, who hit his first major league home run on Wednesday, returns to second base. Since April 29, the Orioles' bullpen ranks second in the majors behind the Tigers with a 1.41 ERA - five earned runs allowed in 32 innings - and first in...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
If the recent past is any indication, the Orioles' three-game series against the Angels that begins tonight at Camden Yards will be hotly contested. The margin for error will be paper thin. The Orioles won the series last year, 4-2, and every game was decided by two runs or fewer. Wei-Yin Chen has allowed six runs and 10 hits in 10 1/3 innings over two starts against the Angels. He's walked six, struck out 10 and served up three home runs. Angels starter Jered Weaver is 1-4 with a 4.98 ERA in...

Hunter Harvey to visit Dr. James Andrews for second opinion

Hunter Harvey to visit Dr. James Andrews for second opinion
The Orioles are in the process of setting up an appointment for pitcher Hunter Harvey to receive a second opinion on his right elbow. Harvey underwent an MRI yesterday in Baltimore after being examined by team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs. The Orioles have determined that Harvey has a strained flexor mass and shut him down indefinitely. Executive vice president Dan Duquette said the club will arrange an appointment next week with Dr. James Andrews in his Pensacola, Fla. office. The Orioles...

Taking another look at the pending free agents

Taking another look at the pending free agents
Having lost an off-day later this month to a doubleheader against the White Sox, the Orioles will savor today's break in the schedule before focusing on a weekend series against the Angels at Camden Yards. I'm not sure how long it will take for the shock to wear off that they're playing a team outside the American League East. One against the White Sox and two against the Mets. That's the complete list. Asked last night if he's glad to be venturing away from the division, manager Buck...

Showalter says Hunter Harvey should avoid surgery (more quotes)

Showalter says Hunter Harvey should avoid surgery (more quotes)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't offer much detail on Hunter Harvey's MRI today, but he said the young pitching prospect should be able to avoid elbow surgery. Team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs examined Harvey, and the results of his MRI, after the right-hander flew into Baltimore. Harvey lasted only two innings in Sunday's extended spring training start before leaving the game with elbow stiffness. Harvey will be shut down for what appears to be an extended period. "How do you put...

Orioles race out to early lead (O's win 6-1)

Orioles race out to early lead (O's win 6-1)
The game time temperature at Camden Yards tonight was 66 degrees, 20 fewer than last night. The Orioles came out hot, anyway. Caleb Joseph had a two-run double in the second inning and scored on Manny Machado's double. Machado scored on Alejandro De Aza's double. If Blue Jays starter Aaron Sanchez is forced to leave the game, it may be due to a case of double vision. De Aza moved to third base on a wild pitch and scored on Jimmy Paredes' infield hit to complete a five-run inning. Paredes...

Showalter on Garcia, Flaherty, Wright and more

Showalter on Garcia, Flaherty, Wright and more
Orioles manager Buck Showalter is eager to evaluate pitcher Jason Garcia once the Rule 5 pick comes off the disabled list with a fully healed right shoulder. Garcia has tendinitis in the shoulder, which likely explains his drop in velocity. "I think we're going to be pleasantly surprised when he gets through this period," Showalter said. "I think he needs this physically as much as anything." Catcher Matt Wieters is scheduled to catch nine innings again on Thursday at extended spring...

Pregame notes on Cabrera, Flaherty, Garcia and more

Pregame notes on Cabrera, Flaherty, Garcia and more
Infielder Everth Cabrera will join Triple-A Norfolk on Friday in Indianapolis to begin his injury rehab assignment. Cabrera, on the disabled list with a bruised left foot, ran the bases earlier today. Infielder Ryan Flaherty, on the disabled list with a strained right groin, received a platelet-rich plasma injection today. Flaherty will report to Sarasota in a few days to rehab his injury. Wesley Wright threw off a mound today in Sarasota and the reports on him were positive. Wright is on the...

Jason Garcia goes on DL (and Orioles lineup)

Jason Garcia goes on DL (and Orioles lineup)
The Orioles placed Rule 5 pitcher Jason Garcia on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis and recalled pitcher Mike Wright from Triple-A Norfolk. The DL move is retroactive to May 11. Wright would make his major league debut if he gets into a game. Garcia, 22, allowed nine earned runs in 13 2/3 innings over eight games. Wright, 25, went 3-0 with a 2.64 ERA and 30 strikeouts in six starts over 30 2/3 innings with the Tides. In 91 career minor league games, Wright is 32-21 with a...

The defense can't rest

The defense can't rest
Please allow me to quote myself from yesterday morning's blog entry. "Makes you wonder what tomorrow will bring? Since it's the Orioles, there's always the possibility of an injury." As if on cue, the Orioles are prepared to place Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia on the disabled list and recall pitcher Mike Wright from Triple-A Norfolk. Garcia will be examind by a team doctor. Wright will hang out in Baltimore and wait for the Orioles to make their decision. Wright has earned a shot. And these...

Showalter on possible roster move and tonight's 10-2 loss

Showalter on possible roster move and tonight's 10-2 loss
Orioles manager Buck Showalter stated tonight that a roster move could be made on Wednesday related to a medical situation with one of his pitchers, and I've gotten confirmation that it's Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia. "We're going to check some things out, get some tests on some things tomorrow," Showalter said following the Orioles' 10-2 loss to the Blue Jays before 17,319 at Camden Yards. "We're prepared to make that adjustment if we get a diagnosis that we need to be concerned about....

More roster speculation and game update (O's lose 10-2)

More roster speculation and game update (O's lose 10-2)
Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia is in the Orioles bullpen for tonight's game. However, I'm hearing that he would be involved in a pending roster move. Mike Wright remains at Harbor Park in Norfolk after being scratched from his start, so the Orioles aren't rushing him here. That's all I've got and I'm worn out from speculating. Maybe manager Buck Showalter will enlighten us later. Garcia has allowed nine earned runs (10 total) and 11 hits in 13 2/3 innings, with 11 walks, eight strikeouts and...

Is Mike Wright part of another roster move for Orioles? (updated)

Is Mike Wright part of another roster move for Orioles? (updated)
Mike Wright has been scratched from tonight's start at Triple-A Norfolk and replaced by Steve Johnson. I'm told that Wright isn't hurt, leading to speculation that he's headed to Baltimore. We're waiting to find out. Wright, who's on the 40-man roster, is 3-0 with a 2.64 ERA, nine walks and 30 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings. The Orioles think he could be effective in the back end of the bullpen with an upper-90s sinking fastball. Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia's velocity is down and manager Buck...