Roch Kubatko

Orioles maintain interest in Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo

July 16, 2014, 2:09pm

Orioles

The Orioles will be among the teams attending Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo's workout July 26 at the University of Miami. The session is termed a "showcase" for interested clubs. Castillo, 26, defected to the Dominican Republic in December and the Orioles scouted him two months later. They want to take another look at him. Castillo, listed at 5-foot-9 and 185 lbs., has spent the majority of his career in center field, but he also has played the corner positions on a more limited basis....

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Yastrzemski moves up again, plus other notes

July 16, 2014, 12:14pm

Orioles

Yastrzemski moves up again, plus other notes

The Orioles have promoted outfielder Mike Yastrzemski to Double-A Bowie, his third affiliate since the start of the 2014 season. Yastrzemski, chosen in the 14th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Vanderbilt University, was batting .312/.364/.462 with seven doubles, a triple, one home run and 19 RBIs in 23 games at advanced Single-A Frederick. He also was 5-of-5 in stolen base attempts. Yastrzemski began the season at low Single-A Delmarva and batted .306/.365/.554 with 14 doubles,...

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Because You Asked - Revenge of the Fallen

July 15, 2014, 6:37pm

Orioles

Because You Asked - Revenge of the Fallen

The World Cup is over. The All-Star Game is over. I no longer have a reason to live. Wait, I still have my reader mailbag, which allows me to churn out another sequel to the "Because You Asked" series. As you know, sequels rarely live up to the original, but these don't cost you anything except a few minutes of your time. And they exist because of you. You ask, I answer, you ask again, I wonder whether I'm operating inside the cone of silence, Then, I wonder whether you get the...

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Cruz, Jones hitless in first trips to plate in All-Star Game (updated)

July 15, 2014, 5:12pm

Orioles

Cruz, Jones hitless in first trips to plate in All-Star Game (updated)

It never fails. A player catches a routine fly ball and leads off the next inning. Adam Jones did it tonight in the All-Star Game at Target Field in Minnesota, squeezing Andrew McCutchen's fly ball to center field to end the top of the second and immediately coming to the plate in the bottom half. Happens all the time, folks. But seriously, Jones took a Clayton Kershaw pitch out of the strike zone and popped up to third baseman Aramis Ramirez. He's 0-for-1. Jones is hitting behind teammate...

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Roberts talks about Markakis

July 14, 2014, 8:00pm

Orioles

I've never been a huge fan of the Home Run Derby. If it has any shot at holding my attention, either the baseballs or the players need to be juiced again. But seriously ... Todd Frazier advances to the finals after hitting one home run? Somebody cork this competition. I can't endorse a home run contest that doesn't include Giancarlo Stanton in the last round. That's a fly ball in the ointment. Nice showing by Orioles center fielder Adam Jones, who advanced to the second round and would have...

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Jones advances to second round of Home Run Derby (Jones eliminated)

July 14, 2014, 6:30pm

Orioles

Jones advances to second round of Home Run Derby (Jones eliminated)

The Home Run Derby at Target Field in Minnesota has moved to the second round, and Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is going along with it. Jones is facing off against Oakland's Yoenis Cespedes, the defending champion. Toronto's Jose Bautista, the team captain who extended the invitation to Jones, received a bye after launching 10 home runs. Bautista will square off against Jones or Cespedes in the third round. Jones hit four home runs in the first round, the longest measured at 426...

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Orioles trade Wallace to Blue Jays

July 14, 2014, 12:49pm

Orioles

The Orioles are spending the All-Star break reshuffling their minor league deck. The club confirmed this afternoon that Triple-A first baseman Brett Wallace has been traded to the Blue Jays for cash considerations. I heard earlier today that it's a "nominal" fee. Also, the Orioles confirmed that left-hander Randy Wolf was released from his Triple-A contract. I wrote yesterday that Wolf opted out of his deal. Wallace, a former first-round draft pick, was batting .265/.329/.389 with 12...

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Norris on Bowie start: "Pretty excited with the work day"

July 14, 2014, 9:21am

Orioles

Norris on Bowie start: "Pretty excited with the work day"

BOWIE - Bud Norris walked into the home clubhouse at Prince George's Stadium with his sweat-soaked game jersey in one hand and a look on his face that screamed for a cool shower. Norris threw 98 pitches in 4 1/3 innings under a scorching sun for the Double-A Bowie Baysox, his first outing since the Orioles optioned him last week. He allowed three runs and four hits, walked five, struck out seven and hit a batter. Considering that Norris was here to build up his pitch count, the day was...

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Norris starting today at Bowie (Norris done after 4 1/3 innings)

July 14, 2014, 7:43am

Orioles

Norris starting today at Bowie (Norris done after 4 1/3 innings)

BOWIE - Bud Norris is wearing the home whites today with his last name stitched across the back of his jersey, but he's pitching in a minor league ballpark with a different number. Oh yes, there's also the 11:05 a.m. starting time. The Orioles did it once this season on Patriots' Day at Fenway Park, but it's still unusual. Norris has tossed two scoreless innings at Double-A Bowie, allowing an infield hit, walking two and striking out three. The Orioles want his pitch count around...

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Orioles didn't catch many breaks before the break

July 13, 2014, 9:08pm

Orioles

We've reached the All-Star break and everything has gone according to plan for the Orioles, said no one ever. Let me run this scenario past you: It's late March and the Orioles are preparing to break camp. I post a morning blog entry informing you that third baseman Manny Machado won't be ready for opening day and will miss the first month of the season while recovering from knee surgery, and another five games due to a suspension. You gasp with such force, all the air is sucked out of the...

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Showalter reveals rotation beyond All-Star break

July 13, 2014, 8:57pm

Orioles

Showalter reveals rotation beyond All-Star break

The Orioles will go into the All-Star break 10 games above .500 and four ahead of the Blue Jays in the American League East. Of course, they had to endure a 2 hour, 22 minute rain delay tonight before being awarded a 3-1 victory over the Yankees in a game halted in the bottom of the fifth inning due to rain. Kevin Gausman is credited with a complete-game victory after allowing one run and four hits in five innings. Chris Tillman, Wei-Yin Chen and Gausman will start the three games in Oakland...

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Home run puts Gausman in early hole (game called, O's win 3-1)

July 13, 2014, 4:32pm

Orioles

Home run puts Gausman in early hole (game called, O's win 3-1)

Entering tonight's game, Kevin Gausman had allowed one home run in his first six starts with the Orioles this season. Make it two. Brett Gardner took Gausman deep on the fourth pitch to give the Yankees a quick 1-0 lead at Camden Yards. Gausman threw four consecutive fastballs clocked at 92, 95, 93 and 94 mph. The last one ended up on the flag court in right field. Oakland's Coco Crisp hit the other home run off Gausman this season back on June 7 at Camden Yards. Mark Teixeira singled with...

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Pregame notes from Camden Yards

July 13, 2014, 2:23pm

Orioles

It's been a fairly slow news day at Camden Yards, which is a nice change of pace. Ubaldo Jimenez played catch in center field before batting practice to test his sprained right ankle. The Orioles placed him on the 15-day disabled list to make room for Kevin Gausman, who's starting tonight against the Yankees. Suk-min Yoon, on the minor league disabled list with an impingement in his right shoulder, pitched in a simulated game and is close to rejoining Triple-A Norfolk. Veteran left-hander...

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Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

July 13, 2014, 12:04pm

Orioles

The Orioles are sending Kevin Gausman to the mound tonight for their final game before the All-Star break. Nothing new about the lineup other than Jonathan Schoop is at second base and Caleb Joseph is behind the plate. Those positions change on occasion. Chris Davis, whose average is down to .197, continues to bat fifth. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce LF Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Manny Machado 3B Caleb Joseph C Jonathan Schoop 2B Kevin Gausman...

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Rotating the starters

July 13, 2014, 2:16am

Orioles

Kevin Gausman is back with the Orioles, and he's expected to stick around this time as long as his performance warrants it. That's an important caveat. The Orioles aren't limiting his innings now, but he's got to pitch effectively to remain in the rotation. It's going to be a six-man rotation after Ubaldo Jimenez comes off the disabled list, and the Orioles continue to scout Rockies left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, among others. I'm still under the impression that they're more determined to...

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Hearing from Showalter after 3-0 loss

July 12, 2014, 3:54pm

Orioles

Chris Tillman was a late addition to the American League All-Star team last season after going 11-3 with a 3.95 ERA in 19 starts. He's staying home this summer after going 7-5 with a 4.11 ERA in 20 starts. As you may have noticed, there's not a significant difference in runs allowed. And Tillman has registered six quality starts in his last seven outings. "I think the one area that's been more of a challenge for him is the walks," said manager Buck Showalter after today's 3-0 loss to the...

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Tillman facing loss despite quality start (O's lose 3-0)

July 12, 2014, 2:31pm

Orioles

Tillman facing loss despite quality start (O's lose 3-0)

The day ended for Chris Tillman this afternoon on a two-out single by Derek Jeter in the top of the seventh inning, the ball squirting into left field, the Yankees fans in attendance erupting again. Tillman was charged with a third run when left-hander T.J. McFarland surrendered a looping double to right field by Jacoby Ellsbury. Three runs in 6 2/3 innings can get you a win, but it's not happening today for Tillman. That's because the Orioles are being shut out through seven innings by Shane...

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More pregame notes and quotes (Machado with O's first hit)

July 12, 2014, 10:45am

Orioles

More pregame notes and quotes (Machado with O's first hit)

The Yankees still haven't informed the Orioles of their choice to start Sunday's series finale at Camden Yards. Masahiro Tanaka was scratched and placed on the disabled list. In six career relief appearances against the Yankees, left-hander T.J. McFarland is 1-0 with a 0.77 ERA in 11 2/3 innings. He's held their batters to a .132/.195/.132 line in 41 plate appearances. Manny Machado has reached base safely in 14 straight games since June 22 (.404/.443/.737), the third longest stretch of his...

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More on Orioles' roster move

July 12, 2014, 9:45am

Orioles

The Orioles optioned pitcher Miguel Gonzalez to Triple-A Norfolk today and announced that he will start Thursday against Rochester at Harbor Park. Gonzalez's next start with the Orioles is scheduled for July 22 in Anaheim. This is the same plan as the one implemented for Bud Norris, who was optioned to Double-A Bowie. Norris will start Monday morning at Prince George's Stadium before rejoining the Orioles and starting against the Angels on July 21. Manager Buck Showalter is trying to keep his...

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Orioles lineup vs. Yankees (Gonzalez optioned)

July 12, 2014, 7:59am

Orioles

Steve Clevenger is inside the Orioles clubhouse today and he's listed among the reserves for their game against the Yankees at Camden Yards. Caleb Joseph also will be on the bench. He says he's fine physically. No injury. The Orioles haven't announced any roster moves, but Clevenger will be recalled. Chris Tillman, bumped up a day to replace injured starter Ubaldo Jimenez, is 5-4 with a 5.83 ERA in 11 career games against the Yankees. He tossed seven scoreless innings on June 22 in the...