Roch Kubatko

Hendrickson: "This is me taking my career by the horns" (Hunter note)

January 12, 2015, 2:02pm

Orioles

Hendrickson: "This is me taking my career by the horns" (Hunter note)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Hendrickson isn't ready to retire. He isn't ready to move into the next phase of his professional life. He's throwing better than he has in years, a lower arm slot raising his confidence that he can make it back to the majors for the first time in four years. This isn't a repeat, though the story is familiar. Hendrickson is receiving his second tryout in three years with the Orioles, who also invited him to the 2013 minicamp at Camden Yards. He received a minor...

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Updating Wieters and more notes from minicamp

January 12, 2015, 11:18am

Orioles

Updating Wieters and more notes from minicamp

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles catcher Matt Wieters increased his throwing to 120 feet today, the fourth distance he's covered since starting his program in late November. "In the whole progression of step things, it's not a big day, but this is a step day," said manager Buck Showalter. Wieters started a light throwing program immediately after Thanksgiving, heading outdoors every other day to play catch with physical therapist Lloyd Van Pamelen in Atlanta. The distance started at 45 feet and...

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Orioles return to 105.7 The Fan

January 12, 2015, 9:37am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have announced a new multi-year deal naming CBS Radio's 105.7 The Fan (WJZ-FM) the flagship station of the Orioles Radio Network. Starting with the 2015 season, fans will be able to hear all 162 regular season games, select spring training games and other Orioles programming on 105.7 The Fan and across the seven-state, 34-station Orioles Radio Network. Joe Angel and Fred Manfra, returning for their 12th season together, will continue to call the games. 105.7...

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Notes from first day of Orioles minicamp (with photos)

January 12, 2015, 6:21am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Rain began to fall about an hour into today's Orioles workout at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Pitchers have moved inside the batting cage to continue throwing. Here are some early notes from Day One: * Reliever Ryan Webb reported to minicamp as an unexpected visitor. * Tommy Hunter said he won't throw while he's here. He's at the facility because he bought a condo in Sarasota. There's no need to rush back to a mound after pitching in Japan in November. * Chris Tillman,...

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Notes on catchers, Santana, Zobrist, Rasmus and more

January 11, 2015, 11:03am

Orioles

Notes on catchers, Santana, Zobrist, Rasmus and more

SARASOTA, Fla. - As the Orioles' minicamp begins today, it seems like an appropriate time to also talk about spring training. It's only a month away and the fields at the Ed Smith Stadium complex are in superb condition. The Orioles will bring at least six catchers to spring training. They would like to keep Ryan Lavarnway as a non-roster invitee if he clears waivers. Inviting Brian Ward also is a possibility. Ward is a defensive specialist who intrigues the Orioles despite his offensive...

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Gamboa included on minicamp roster

January 11, 2015, 8:05am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa has been added to the list of Orioles attending this week's minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The Orioles extended the invitation and were waiting to hear back from him. Gamboa signed a major league deal on Dec. 3, putting him back on the 40-man roster. The Orioles removed him last year at the non-tender deadline and re-signed him to a minor league deal, and he drew interest from other teams this winter due to his success pitching in...

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This and that

January 10, 2015, 5:25pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Ravens are done playing and more attention now falls upon the Orioles. No more distractions unless you're really into college hoops. The Orioles won't announce their minor league staffs until they hire a field coach at Single-A Frederick. If it's keeping you awake nights, we need to talk. Nothing new to report on Colby Rasmus. If he wants to sign with the Orioles so badly and use a one-year deal as a platform, what exactly is preventing the sides from reaching an...

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Some thoughts on Tillman, Hunter and Young

January 09, 2015, 6:06pm

Orioles

Some thoughts on Tillman, Hunter and Young

SARASOTA, Fla. - My rental car is a maroon Camaro. My "suite" is so small, there's no floor or closet space for my suitcase and I need to step out of the room to change my mind. You take the good with the bad at Orioles minicamp. My interest level has increased with the news that Chris Tillman and Tommy Hunter are in Sarasota. Tillman was expected to meet with pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti later this week in California. What does it say about Tillman and Hunter,...

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Looking ahead to the minicamp

January 08, 2015, 4:40pm

Orioles

The Orioles should make at least one announcement today. There figures to be some activity. Find a comfortable seat. The minicamp will provide a nice distraction from all the rumors and speculation that define the hot stove season. And it's sort of like watching baseball. Pitchers will throw on the side and players will take batting practice. Factor in the clubhouse interviews and daily sessions with manager Buck Showalter, and it's going to have a spring feel to it. Or maybe that's just the...

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Quick updates on Young and Rasmus

January 08, 2015, 3:43pm

Orioles

Outfielder Delmon Young reached agreement on his one-year deal on Dec. 24. He completed most of his physical yesterday and just needed his bloodwork done today. However, we still don't have an announcement from the Orioles and it may not come until Friday. The last time that I checked, the Orioles still were waiting to hear back from the doctors. They also were working to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. It's possible that the deal will be made official later tonight, but you reach a point...

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Young passes physical and signs contract (with Duquette quote)

January 08, 2015, 8:42am

Orioles

Young passes physical and signs contract (with Duquette quote)

The Orioles' one-year deal with outfielder Delmon Young finally became official today. Young passed his physical and signed his contract, which guarantees $2.25 million and could reach $3 million with incentives. Young agreed to terms on Dec. 24 and took most of his physical on Wednesday, with his bloodwork done the following day. It's been a process due to the holidays and a prolonged wait for the Orioles to hear from the doctors and get the paperwork completed. The Orioles signed Young to a...

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Orioles reach agreement with Arencibia on minor league deal (updated)

January 08, 2015, 8:28am

Orioles

Perhaps concluding their search for catching depth, the Orioles have reached agreement with J.P. Arencibia on a minor league deal that includes an invitation to spring training, according to a source. Arencibia, who turned 29 earlier this week, also can play first base. He's made 21 starts at the position. Arencibia is a career .207/.255/.403 hitter over five major league seasons, the first four with the Blue Jays, and batted .177/.239/.369 last year in 63 games with the Rangers. He's hit 74...

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Young signing expected today

January 07, 2015, 3:58pm

Orioles

The Orioles are expected later today to announce the signing of outfielder Delmon Young to a one-year contract. Young agreed to terms Dec. 24 on a deal that guarantees him $2.25 million and includes a possible $750,000 in incentives. Who comes off the 40-man roster to make room? Stay tuned. Here's the roster again. Give me your prediction: Pitchers Tim Berry Brad Brach Zach Britton Dylan Bundy Wei-Yin Chen Oliver Drake Eddie Gamboa Jason Garcia Kevin Gausman Miguel Gonzalez Tommy...

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More on Hall of Fame voting and Delmon Young

January 06, 2015, 4:14pm

Orioles

More on Hall of Fame voting and Delmon Young

Yesterday's Hall of Fame announcement was followed by the usual kicking and screaming over how the voters got it wrong again by denying players accused of cheating. Or they got it right by excluding those players. Either way, lots and lots of kicking and screaming. Always a good time. What's worse, deserving players failing to receive the required number of votes, or Darin Erstad receiving one? I'm going with the latter. That's what makes a mockery of the process. Next time, just sell your...

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Biggio, Johnson, P. Martinez and Smoltz elected to Hall of Fame

January 06, 2015, 9:24am

Orioles

Biggio, Johnson, P. Martinez and Smoltz elected to Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., will open its doors to four inductees this summer, the largest class in 55 years. The Baseball Writers' Association of America has voted in second baseman Craig Biggio and pitchers Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz. Biggio fell short by two votes last year. Candidates must be named on 75 percent of ballots cast by BBWAA members with 10 or more consecutive years of Major League Baseball coverage to gain election. Johnson received 97.3...

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FanFest tickets on sale today

January 06, 2015, 6:26am

Orioles

The Orioles announced that tickets for their annual FanFest go on sale today. The event will be held Jan. 31 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Baltimore Convention Center, with early entry for Orioles season plan members to begin at 10 a.m. as part of the Orange Carpet Program. Tickets are available online at www.orioles.com/fanfest, via phone at 1-888-848-BIRD, at the Camden Yards box office and at the official team store at the York Galleria in York, Pa. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for...

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This, that and the other

January 05, 2015, 2:56pm

Orioles

Two years ago, the Orioles signed veteran left-hander Mark Hendrickson to a minor league deal after he threw at Camden Yards during their minicamp. He spent the entire season at Triple-A Norfolk. Hendrickson will take another shot at it next week. He's been invited to attend the minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, where he will throw for manager Buck Showalter, pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti. Hendrickson, 40, hasn't pitched in the majors since making...

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More on Orioles' minicamp (note on Stu Miller)

January 05, 2015, 11:35am

Orioles

Third baseman Manny Machado, recovering from surgery on his right knee, will be in Sarasota on the final day of the Orioles' minicamp on Jan. 14 to allow manager Buck Showalter and various staff and medical personnel to check his health and watch him work out. Machado had surgery on Aug. 27 to repair a partially torn ligament. He underwent a similar procedure on his left knee in 2013. The Orioles expect Machado to be ready for opening day. He's been working out in Sarasota, but he took time...

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Who's up first?

January 04, 2015, 7:13pm

Orioles

The Orioles still want to add a left-handed hitting outfielder, reliever and catcher before opening day on April 6. Their shopping list is written out clearly. No smudges. What remains unclear to me is who's going to bat first in the lineup. Nick Markakis is gone, having signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Braves. He was the Orioles' leadoff hitter in 148 games last season. Now what? I never received a clear answer when I asked executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager...

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Rasmus, Aoki and Ethier still among Orioles' outfield options

January 03, 2015, 5:18pm

Orioles

While the Orioles apparently still rate Colby Rasmus as their likeliest choice among available left-handed hitting outfielders, they haven't eliminated two others from the discussion. They maintain a lower level of interest in free agent Nori Aoki and have engaged in trade talks with the Dodgers regarding Andre Ethier, according to an industry source. Earlier this winter, the Orioles checked on Matt Kemp but decided against pursuing him due to his contract and health issues, and the Dodgers'...