Roch Kubatko

Notes on call-ups, Hardy, Pearce, lineup and more

September 02, 2014, 12:49pm

Orioles

Notes on call-ups, Hardy, Pearce, lineup and more

The Orioles are done with their September call-ups unless an injury necessitates another roster move. Infielder Garabez Rosa, who batted .282 with 27 doubles, 11 home runs and 69 RBIs in 124 games at Double-A Bowie, will join the taxi squad in Sarasota. Manager Buck Showalter said he expects shortstop J.J. Hardy to start Wednesday night against the Reds. Hardy is available tonight. Showalter added that first baseman Steve Pearce is "real close." I wrote earlier today that Pearce is...

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Hardy on back: "I'd say it's as close to 100 percent as possible"

September 02, 2014, 11:37am

Orioles

Hardy on back: "I'd say it's as close to 100 percent as possible"

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy said his back feels much better and he expects to return to the lineup Wednesday night at Camden Yards. Hardy left yesterday's game after the seventh inning with a spasm in his lower back. Asked how the back feels today, Hardy replied, "Normal." "I'd say it's as close to 100 percent as possible," he added. "I think it's just kind of avoid what happened in April, take another day and be safe and be good to go tomorrow." Hardy missed five games in April with...

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Orioles and Reds lineups

September 02, 2014, 10:55am

Orioles

J.J. Hardy isn't in the Orioles lineup for tonight's series opener against the Reds at Camden Yards. Hardy is day-to-day after leaving yesterday's game with a lower back spasm. Ryan Flaherty is starting at shortstop tonight. Alejandro De Aza is in left field. Nick Markakis is serving as the designated hitter tonight, with Nelson Cruz in right field. The Orioles made their roster moves official, recalling relievers Ryan Webb and T.J. McFarland and catcher Steve Clevenger, and selecting the...

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Observations on the expanded roster, a missing person and team chemistry

September 01, 2014, 5:43pm

Orioles

Observations on the expanded roster, a missing person and team chemistry

The clubhouse is getting more crowded today with the arrivals of reliever Ryan Webb, outfielder Quintin Berry and catcher Steve Clevenger. Left-hander T.J. McFarland returned yesterday, but he won't be recalled until this afternoon. Berry is the only real newcomer. The trade for Alejandro De Aza, another left-handed hitting, plus defensive outfielder with speed didn't impact Berry as the Orioles expanded their roster. You've seen the list of call-ups and players on the taxi squad in...

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Hardy expects to play on Tuesday

September 01, 2014, 1:02pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed that outfielder Quintin Berry will have his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday. Relievers Ryan Webb and T.J. McFarland and catcher Steve Clevenger will be recalled. Infielder Alexi Casilla is expected to join the taxi squad in Sarasota. The Orioles were checking on reliever Andrew Miller, who had a slight limp walking off the mound following the top of the eighth inning. "Richie (Bancells) was talking to him up the runway there,"...

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Hardy leaves game after Hundley ties it (O's lose 6-4)

September 01, 2014, 11:44am

Orioles

Hardy leaves game after Hundley ties it (O's lose 6-4)

Another Oriole has gone to the trainers room with a physical ailment. Shortstop J.J. Hardy left today's game after the seventh inning with a spasm in his lower back. An update will be made available after the final out. Hardy reached in the bottom of the seventh on Minnesota third baseman Trevor Plouffe's throwing error and scored on Nick Hundley's two-out, game-tying home run to left field. Hardy missed five games in April with lower-back spasms and also has been treated for hamstring...

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Paredes continues roll and Showalter talks about Jimenez (O's down 3-0)

September 01, 2014, 10:26am

Orioles

Paredes continues roll and Showalter talks about Jimenez (O's down 3-0)

Jimmy Paredes grounded a single into left field in the second inning, his sixth hit in 12 at-bats with the Orioles. I scrambled to research the guy after the Orioles claimed him from the Marlins on Feb. 15, laughed two days later when they lost him to the Royals, shrugged when the purchased him from the Royals on July 24, and envision him as a possible utility guy in 2015. It's been a wild ride. Kevin Gausman has thrown 35 pitches in three scoreless innings, twice retiring the Twins in...

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Berry joining Orioles

September 01, 2014, 9:43am

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters earlier today that the club would add another position player to the expanded roster on Tuesday. As expected, it's outfielder Quintin Berry. I've received confirmation that Berry is headed to Baltimore and will be placed on the 40-man roster. Berry was hitting .285/.382/.367 in 112 games with Norfolk. He had 19 doubles, one triple, three homers, 35 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. Berry, another left-handed bat for the bench, is 24-for-24 in stolen...

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More on the call-ups, Pearce and the taxi squad

September 01, 2014, 8:30am

Orioles

More on the call-ups, Pearce and the taxi squad

The Orioles added to their roster today by recalling reliever Evan Meek and purchasing left-hander Joe Saunders' contract from Triple-A Norfolk. They're not finished. The Orioles will recall reliever Ryan Webb on Tuesday if his right shoulder passes today's test at Norfolk. Webb hasn't pitched since Aug. 27 due to tenderness in the shoulder and the Orioles want him to work an inning this afternoon. If Webb isn't completely healthy, the Orioles will put him on the taxi squad in...

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Orioles adding Saunders and Meek

September 01, 2014, 6:42am

Orioles

The Orioles have lockers set up today for left-hander Joe Saunders and right-hander Evan Meek. The bullpen will have two new additions. Saunders, converted to a reliever, will wear No. 51. Meek will wear No. 47. Alejandro De Aza and Kelly Johnson are on the bench for today's series finale against the Twins. De Aza is 4-for-13 (.308) with a double and home run against Twins starter Phil Hughes, but he's not starting. Delmon Young is in left field, Jimmy Paredes is at third base, Chris Davis...

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Today's new arrivals, and Norris offers his scouting report on Paredes

August 31, 2014, 7:32pm

Orioles

Today's new arrivals, and Norris offers his scouting report on Paredes

Welcome to Sept. 1 and the always popular, always unforgettable roster expansion. I liken it to wearing your stretchy pants on Thanksgiving. Two pitchers are joining the Orioles today from Triple-A Norfolk, according to manager Buck Showalter. He hinted that one may not be on the 40-man roster. I'll repeat that Ryan Webb and Joe Saunders are pretty strong candidates to find a locker inside the home clubhouse this morning. Infielder Kelly Johnson will show up and immediately check to make...

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Showalter on Flaherty, Hardy and a 12-8 win

August 31, 2014, 1:57pm

Orioles

Showalter on Flaherty, Hardy and a 12-8 win

The Orioles hold a nine-game lead in the American League East, tying their season high, following today's 12-8 win over the Twins before 40,905 at Camden Yards. A season-high 23 games above .500 is nose-bleed territory. The Orioles are 37-17 since June 30, the best record in the majors. They're 21-6 at home since June 30 and have outscored opponents 139-82. Is that good? Manager Buck Showalter talked yesterday about how different players have stepped up, how it can't always be the same...

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Orioles break open game with Hardy grand slam (O's win 12-8)

August 31, 2014, 11:54am

Orioles

Now, it's a party. The Orioles scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, their largest output of the season, to build an 11-2 lead. They sent 11 batters to the plate, including J.J. Hardy, who hit his fourth career grand slam and first since May 15, 2011 at Tropicana Field. Oh yeah, and the Blue Jays beat the Yankees 4-3. The Orioles can extend their lead to nine games in the American League East. Highlights were shown on the video board before the bottom of the sixth and fans...

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Cruz homers, Showalter talks about trades & team chemistry (O's lead 4-2)

August 31, 2014, 10:24am

Orioles

Cruz homers, Showalter talks about trades & team chemistry (O's lead 4-2)

Nelson Cruz wasn't satisfied with a career-high 34 home runs this season. No. 35 came today with one out in the bottom of the third. He crushed a slider from Ricky Nolasco to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead. Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen has thrown 23 of his 30 pitches for strikes in three innings today against the Twins. Chen has allowed two hits, including Eduardo Nunez's double leading off the third, but no runs. He struck out the first two batters he faced. For the second time in this...

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Orioles option McFarland

August 31, 2014, 9:24am

Orioles

Apparently, the Orioles found a flight for outfielder Alejandro De Aza that will get him into Baltimore later today. The club announced that De Aza will report this afternoon, which necessitated a corresponding roster move. Left-hander T.J. McFarland was optioned to short-season Single-A Aberden, where he can join catcher Steve Clevenger. They can share a ride back to Baltimore on Tuesday. De Aza missed his flight early this morning, but he should be available during the game. Orioles...

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Clevenger optioned to Aberdeen

August 31, 2014, 8:11am

Orioles

The Orioles optioned catcher Steve Clevenger to short-season Single-A Aberdeen today to create a roster spot for left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, who's starting against the Twins at Camden Yards. Clevenger will return on Tuesday. In the meantime, the Orioles want him to start at least one game for the IronBirds to stay sharp. Newly acquired outfielder Alejandro De Aza didn't make his flight to Baltimore this morning, which explains why he's not in the lineup. The Orioles will wait until Monday to...

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Orioles lineup vs. Twins (with Twins lineup)

August 31, 2014, 6:25am

Orioles

Outfielder Alejandro De Aza was acquired from the White Sox last night, but he won't start this afternoon for the Orioles. Instead, David Lough will get a rare start in left field, batting second. Ryan Flaherty will also get a start, playing second base and batting eighth. After going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, an RBI and two runs scored last night, Jimmy Paredes will get another start at third base. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF David Lough LF Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz...

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Looking back at the trades, the impact on the roster and today's game

August 30, 2014, 8:25pm

Orioles

Looking back at the trades, the impact on the roster and today's game

Got anyone you want to trade? Give the Orioles a call before it's too late. Husband, wife, kids, that weird uncle who makes you uncomfortable during the holidays? I'll repeat that you can't judge a trade that involves minor leaguers for a few years. We have no idea how pitchers Miguel Chalas and Mark Blackmar are going to pan out, but the Orioles deemed them expendable. In the meantime, they get outfielder Alejandro De Aza, who provides immediate help with his left-handed bat and his...

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The aftermath of another trade and a 3-2 win

August 30, 2014, 7:44pm

Orioles

The aftermath of another trade and a 3-2 win

Executive vice president Dan Duquette promised that the Orioles are done making trades tonight. The next day is another matter, but it's safe to go home. As reporters filed into the interview room following the Orioles' 3-2 win over the Twins, the team announced a second deal within an hour. Infielder Kelly Johnson is headed to Baltimore in exchange for minor league infielders Jemile Weeks and Ivan DeJesus Jr. The Orioles also got infielder Michael Almanzar, who returns to the organization...

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Orioles acquire Johnson, Almanzar from Red Sox for Weeks, De Jesus

August 30, 2014, 6:48pm

Orioles

We won't have to wait for tomorrow to see if the Orioles pull off another deal before the Aug. 31 deadline for adding players eligible for playoff rosters. The Orioles have announced their second trade of the evening. They've acquired infielders Kelly Johnson and Michael Almanzar from the Red Sox for infielders Jemile Weeks and Ivan DeJesus Jr. When Johnson makes his Orioles debut, he will have played for every team in the American League East since 2012. Before being traded from the Yankees...