Roch Kubatko

Nick Markakis offers apology and explanation for comments

February 26, 2015, 12:17pm

Orioles

Nick Markakis offers apology and explanation for comments

SARASOTA, Fla. - Former Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis said today he regrets comments that appeared in a USA TODAY article and holds no animosity toward the organization. Markakis said he was responding to a specific comment from a reporter, which was passed along following an interview with a member of the Orioles' front office, regarding the team's failure to offer him a fourth guaranteed year during negotiations over the winter. The Braves signed Markakis to a four-year, $44 million...

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Jimenez and Showalter speak following today's workout

February 26, 2015, 9:48am

Orioles

Jimenez and Showalter speak following today's workout

SARASOTA, Fla. - Ubaldo Jimenez says he's looking to get a fresh start. It begins on March 3 when he gets the start in the first exhibition game against the Tigers. "Last year was really tough," said Jimenez, who was 6-9 with a 4.81 ERA in his first season with the Orioles after signing a four-year, $50 million contract. "This is the beginning of 2015 and I'm excited to be part of the first game." This won't be Jimenez's last road game of the spring. "It puts him on the gray pants...

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Notes, photos and video from the latest workout

February 26, 2015, 8:31am

Orioles

Notes, photos and video from the latest workout

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Ubaldo Jimenez will start the March 3 exhibition opener against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. The Orioles are playing only one intrasquad game, on March 1 on the Ed Smith Stadium field. The following day will be a normal workout. Matt Wieters will catch in the intrasquad game, as previously reported, but he won't throw. Showalter repeated that Wieters, Manny Machado and Chris Davis will get extra at-bats this spring, which means more road...

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More from Adam Jones

February 26, 2015, 5:02am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitchers will warm up on the side mounds again today and head to the indoor batting cage for their bullpen sessions. Hitters will track the pitches. Dane De La Rosa, Wesley Wright, Steve Johnson, Chris Jones, Mike Wright, Eddie Gamboa, Hunter Harvey, Brian Matusz, Oliver Drake, Chaz Roe, Tyler Wilson, Tim Berry, Jason Garcia and Logan Verrett are scheduled to throw. Here are some leftover quotes from center fielder Adam Jones, who spoke to reporters at his locker this...

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Adam Jones offers opinion on Nick Markakis' comments

February 26, 2015, 4:06am

Orioles

Adam Jones offers opinion on Nick Markakis' comments

SARASOTA, Fla. - Center fielder Adam Jones was surrounded by media at his locker this morning, everyone wanting his reaction to former teammate Nick Markakis' comments about the Orioles yesterday that appeared in a USA TODAY article. Markakis vented about how the Orioles handled his negotiations this winter, accusing them of withholding the truth about their concerns over the MRI on his neck, which later required surgery to remove a herniated disc and fuse vertebrae. "Don't believe a word...

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More from Buck Showalter on Everth Cabrera

February 25, 2015, 4:23pm

Orioles

More from Buck Showalter on Everth Cabrera

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles went 2-for-3 last spring in signing players with baggage, striking it big with Nelson Cruz and Delmon Young and striking out on Alfredo Aceves. They'll gladly take that average. Cruz led the majors in home runs. Young batted .302, emerged as baseball's best pinch-hitter and delivered perhaps the most electrifying moment in Camden Yards history with his three-run double in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. Aceves creeped out everyone, gave up five runs...

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Cabrera: "Now I'm a good guy"

February 25, 2015, 10:41am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said today that Everth Cabrera's legal issues are resolved and the infielder can concentrate on playing baseball and trying to make the team in spring training. A trial was scheduled for April after Cabrera's arrest in San Diego for suspicion of driving under the influence of marijuana that led to a charge in November of resisting arrest. Cabrera has been placed on three years of probation and will perform 80 hours of community...

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Recapping the first full-squad workout with photos and video

February 25, 2015, 8:35am

Orioles

Recapping the first full-squad workout with photos and video

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles held their first full-squad workout today and it included outfield and infield drills, as well as batting practice on multiple fields. New infielder Everth Cabrera hit from both sides of the plate and fielded balls hit to him at shortstop. He impressed manager Buck Showalter with his arm. Third baseman Manny Machado was full-go in bunt and pickoff drills. Chris Davis and Steve Pearce worked out together at first base. Pitchers warmed up on the mounds next to the...

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Cabrera reports and Davis speaks

February 25, 2015, 5:34am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Everth Cabrera arrived in the Orioles clubhouse today around 9:50 a.m. with his Padres bat bag in one hand and a smile on his face. He was directed to his locker on the opposite side from where he stood. Cabrera was placed between Jonathan Schoop and Rey Navarro in a row that also includes J.J. Hardy, Manny Machado and Adam Jones. Jayson Nix inherited Alex Hassan's No. 57. Hassan was designated for assignment to make room for Cabrera on the 40-man roster. Steve Johnson said...

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Orioles announce Cabrera signing, Hassan designated for assignment

February 25, 2015, 4:10am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles announced today that they've signed infielder Everth Cabrera to a one-year contract. He's going to work out at the Ed Smith Stadium complex this afternoon and be made available to the media when he's done. Cabrera will wear No. 1. To make room for Cabrera on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated outfielder Alex Hassan for assignment. Cabrera, 28, became the first Nicaraguan position player to be named to an All-Star team in 2013 with the Padres. He batted...

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Leftovers for breakfast

February 24, 2015, 1:13pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Anyone complaining about college kids storming the court after a big win should be punched in the throat. No exceptions. They're not overturning cars near the visitor's bench. They're jumping up and down after their team's upset victory. If that upsets you, give me your address so I can stand on your lawn. The Orioles may finally announce the signing of infielder Everth Cabrera today to a one-year, $2.4 million contract. And manager Buck Showalter may finally be able to...

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Wrapping up the fifth day of camp (plus pictures and video)

February 24, 2015, 9:12am

Orioles

Wrapping up the fifth day of camp (plus pictures and video)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Infielder Everth Cabrera is still en route to Sarasota and won't report to camp until Wednesday. Manager Buck Showalter won't refer to Cabrera by name until the deal is official, but he talked about the possible impact of having a player like him. "That kind of player would have to make the club if he had an option, first of all," Showalter said. "That's another attractive thing about a player like that if they have an option. It makes them more attractive. "There's...

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Morning notes on new arrivals, Urrutia, Johnson, Machado and Pearce

February 24, 2015, 4:49am

Orioles

Morning notes on new arrivals, Urrutia, Johnson, Machado and Pearce

SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Delmon Young and infielder Michael Almanzar have reported to camp this morning, giving the Orioles their full camp squad. No sign of infielder Everth Cabrera, but he was headed to Sarasota last night and his one-year, $2.4 million deal could be announced later today or early Wednesday. None of the pitchers will throw bullpen sessions today. They can focus on fielding drills and the media can pay closer attention to batting practice. Outfielder Henry Urrutia told...

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Everth Cabrera, the 40-man roster and Ramon Martinez

February 23, 2015, 6:14pm

Orioles

Everth Cabrera, the 40-man roster and Ramon Martinez

SARASOTA, Fla. - The last few Orioles position players are due to report today, and they should be joined by infielder Everth Cabrera, who was headed to Sarasota last night. We may never run out of players to interview. Cabrera might not be made available to the media before the deal becomes official, but we're getting real close. The Orioles already know that Cabrera can play shortstop and they assume that he can make a smooth transition to second base. They also will put him in the outfield...

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Everth Cabrera headed to Sarasota as deal nears completion (updated)

February 23, 2015, 4:09pm

Orioles

Everth Cabrera headed to Sarasota as deal nears completion (updated)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Everth Cabrera has moved another step closer to completing his deal with the Orioles, as he's on his way to Sarasota, according to an industry source. He should arrive in camp on Tuesday when position players are due to report. The Orioles and Cabrera reached agreement on a one-year, $2.4 million contract on Wednesday, and the free agent shortstop also took his physical last week. CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reported the deal includes $600,000 in incentives. Cabrera made...

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Cal Ripken Jr.: "There was no abuse, there was no hazing"

February 23, 2015, 1:37pm

Orioles

Cal Ripken Jr.: "There was no abuse, there was no hazing"

SARASOTA, Fla. - Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. and others today have disputed recent remarks made by former catcher Gregg Zaun that detailed alleged rookie hazing in the Orioles clubhouse. And Zaun is backing off those claims, which upset some of his ex-teammates who insist that the stories were greatly exaggerated or fabricated. Zaun said today that accusations he made on a Toronto radio station last week of harsh treatment supposedly led by Ripken actually was nothing more than "a little...

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Steve Johnson X-rays negative, and other notes

February 23, 2015, 9:02am

Orioles

Steve Johnson X-rays negative, and other notes

SARASOTA, Fla. - The X-rays on pitcher Steve Johnson's right middle finger today came back clean. It's just a bruise and he's day-to-day like the rest of us. Johnson can resume throwing once the discomfort subsides. Today's workout was cut short, ending at 11 a.m., so the Orioles could play in the annual charity golf tournament. Bullpen sessions were thrown by Dane De La Rosa, Brian Matusz and Wesley Wright in Group 1, Oliver Drake and Chaz Roe in Group 2, Tim Berry, Eddie Gamboa and...

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Steve Johnson sidelined with bruised finger (with videos and photos)

February 23, 2015, 6:30am

Orioles

Steve Johnson sidelined with bruised finger (with videos and photos)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Steve Johnson didn't throw his bullpen session this morning after jamming his right middle finger yesterday during a fielding drill. Johnson said the finger is feeling better after two days of icing it, though it's noticeably bruised and swollen. He's headed to a local hospital for X-rays later today. Johnson, signed to a minor league deal, was hit on the tip of his finger while trying to grab a high chopper to the mound. Manager Buck Showalter is listing him...

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Nix on his new opportunity, Lough on his fresh start

February 23, 2015, 4:51am

Orioles

Nix on his new opportunity, Lough on his fresh start

SARASOTA, Fla. - Infielders Jayson Nix and Rey Navarro have reported to camp, leaving outfielder Delmon Young and infielder Michael Almanzar as the only Orioles still marked absent. Position players aren't due in camp until Tuesday. If memory serves, Almanzar was the last Oriole to report in 2014. Catcher Caleb Joseph returned to camp this morning after leaving yesterday to be with his wife, Brooke, who's expecting their first child. She's fine and the couple is still waiting for their...

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Webb hoping changes lead to more gems in 2015

February 22, 2015, 3:51pm

Orioles

Webb hoping changes lead to more gems in 2015

SARASOTA, Fla. - When I rule the world, the Oscar statue is going to look like Jack Klugman. Orioles reliever Ryan Webb looks like a slimmed down version of himself. He reported to camp at 228 pounds, compared to 245 last spring. The right-hander says he ended the 2014 season at 236 pounds. How did he do it? "I ate better," he said, instantly losing me. (I kid.) "I started eating healthy foods and trying to just cut down on breads and fats," he continued while I felt even worse about...