Roch Kubatko

Updating Norris in Bradenton (Norris goes five innings)

March 20, 2014, 4:16pm

Orioles

Updating Norris in Bradenton (Norris goes five innings)

BRADENTON, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Bud Norris has produced much better results tonight in his fourth start of the spring than in his previous outing in Tampa. Norris has held the Pirates to one run and two hits over four innings, with one walk and five strikeouts. He's thrown 60 pitches, 37 for strikes. Andrew McCutchen hit a two-out, opposite field home run off Norris in the first. Norris proceeded to strike out three of the next four batters. Jose Tabata led off the third inning with a...

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A few notes before tonight's game (updated)

March 20, 2014, 2:53pm

Orioles

A few notes before tonight's game (updated)

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Orioles haven't received an update on third baseman Manny Machado's knee exam today in Los Angeles. Manager Buck Showalter has stated that it's up to the team to determine when Machado can start playing in games. Official word won't come from Dr. Neal ElAttrache's office. Showalter said the Orioles could wait until the March 29 exhibition game in Norfolk to decide whether Machado is on the opening day roster or goes on the disabled list. They would likely use him...

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Orioles and Pirates lineups (with Ayala update)

March 20, 2014, 8:52am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Adam Jones is making another road trip tonight, a short drive to Bradenton to face the Pirates. Jones played in Dunedin Sunday after returning from Baltimore following the birth of his son. Alexi Casilla, in more need of at-bats, is batting leadoff and playing shortstop. For the Orioles Alexi Casilla SS Nolan Reimold DH Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz RF Steve Pearce 1B Delmon Young LF Jonathan Schoop 2B Caleb Joseph C Michael Almanzar 3B Bud Norris RHP Steve Johnson, Alfredo...

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Orioles nearing agreement with Ayala (agreement in place)

March 20, 2014, 6:54am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette continues to keep close watch on the waiver wire, and he's on the verge of signing a reliever discarded yesterday by the Nationals. The Orioles are nearing an agreement with veteran right-hander Luis Ayala, according to sources. An announcement could come later today, after final details are worked out. I'm just confirming multiple reports here. Was worth a check. FOXSports.com first reported that the Orioles made an offer to...

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Orioles practicing their night moves

March 19, 2014, 6:57pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are playing under the lights at McKechnie Field tonight, which is basically like playing in candlelight, except without the dripping wax and the romance. And honestly, you can't have romance without dripping wax. OK, I've said too much. Manager Buck Showalter would prefer playing day games against the Pirates in Bradenton, but we always end up with at least one nighttime affair. Perhaps his fielders could wear miners helmets with the lights on the front. Glow...

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Showalter on moves and more

March 19, 2014, 1:16pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't ready to declare a winner in the battle for the backup catching job. He did, however, point out the obvious. Steve Clevenger is the current leader inside the clubhouse after the Orioles optioned Johnny Monell to Triple-A Norfolk. "Stevie's presented himself well," Showalter said. "We'll see what happens between now and the end of spring, what other options present themselves. Caleb (Joseph) has had a good spring, but I'd categorize...

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Orioles option Monell and reassign Paul (Yoon optioned)

March 19, 2014, 12:39pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - There's no longer any doubt that Steve Clevenger is the leading in-house candidate to back up catcher Matt Wieters. The Orioles optioned catcher Johnny Monell following today's 7-4 loss to the Rays. They also reassigned outfielder Xavier Paul to minor league camp and will make one more roster move. Clevenger hasn't won the job at this point in camp. The Orioles continue to check outside the organization. Left fielder David Lough passed his impact test and manager Buck...

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Chen removed in fourth (O's lose 7-4, plus pictures)

March 19, 2014, 11:07am

Orioles

Chen removed in fourth (O's lose 7-4, plus pictures)

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Rays 7, Orioles 4 Recap: Wei-Yin Chen didn't make it out of the fourth inning today, allowing six runs and 10 hits in 3 2/3 frames. The Rays collected five doubles and homered twice off him. On the plus side, Chen didn't walk anybody. Suk-min Yoon served up a home run to Jayson Nix, but retired six of seven batters in his second appearance with the Orioles. Chris Davis singled in the first inning for his team-leading ninth RBI. Need to know: Adam Jones was...

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Pregame quotes from Showalter (with game update)

March 19, 2014, 9:01am

Orioles

Pregame quotes from Showalter (with game update)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Darren O'Day is throwing two innings today at Twin Lakes Park. Grant Balfour is facing the Orioles today - in a minor league game. Do they have brushback pitches at the Charlotte Sports complex? Bud Norris starts Thursday night's game against the Pirates in Bradenton. Steve Johnson, T.J. McFarland and Alfredo Aceves also are scheduled to pitch. Chris Tillman faces the Braves on Friday in Sarasota, and Ubaldo Jimenez faces the Rays on Saturday in Port...

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Hearing from Lough, Bundy and Santana

March 19, 2014, 8:06am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder David Lough is taking an impact test now as the final step in being cleared to play Thursday in a Triple-A game. Lough had been experiencing dizziness and eye floaters that may have been related to neck stiffness. He said the symptoms occurred after he was thrown out at the plate trying to stretch a triple into an inside-the-park home run March 8 in Fort Myers. "They cleared me to go for activity and stuff, so I feel pretty good about it, getting back on the right...

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Updates on Machado and Lough (with videos and pictures)

March 19, 2014, 7:16am

Orioles

Updates on Machado and Lough (with videos and pictures)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has a 12:30 p.m. appointment on Thursday with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, and he will take a red-eye flight back to Sarasota that evening. Machado is scheduled to depart at 6 a.m. Manager Buck Showalter said Machado still hasn't run the bases due to scar tissue breaking up in his left knee, but he's doing infield drills. He could run during his examination by ElAttrache, which would seem to be a requirement before clearing him to...

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A few morning notes (updated)

March 19, 2014, 5:29am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Francisco Peguero, who remains shut down with a strained right wrist, must wear a brace for two weeks due to inflammation and most likely will begin the season on the disabled list. Peguero is out of minor league options and the Orioles wanted to take a long look at him this spring. He's appeared in only six games, going 4-for-15 with a triple and three RBIs. "It's frustrating," he said. "I can't do anything right now. I'm here to make the team and I can't...

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Orioles and Rays lineups

March 19, 2014, 4:24am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - David Lough is at the Ed Smith Stadium complex today, but he remains out of the lineup while dealing with neck stiffness. Alexi Casilla is starting at second base and batting ninth. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Nelson Cruz LF Matt Wieters C Delmon Young DH Ryan Flaherty 3B Alexi Casilla 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP Other Orioles pitchers on the lineup card include Tommy Hunter, Brad Brach, Evan Meek, Suk-min Yoon and Kelvin De La...

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Let the games continue

March 18, 2014, 6:59pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - And down the stretch we come. The Orioles have 10 games remaining on their Grapefruit League schedule, including split-squad games March 26 against the Red Sox in Fort Myers and the Rays in Port Charlotte. They also play their Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides, on March 29 at Harbor Park. They're home today against the Rays at 1:05 p.m., with Wei-Yin Chen making his fourth start. He's allowed three runs and struck out six over nine innings. Manager Buck Showalter...

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Offering a few thoughts on the off day

March 17, 2014, 4:37pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are supposed to be off today. It says so on their spring training schedule. However, manager Buck Showalter arranged for the Triple-A and Double-A games against Minnesota to be moved from Twin Lakes Park to two fields at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. It's being done to provide work for pitchers Brian Matusz, Kevin Gausman and Steve Johnson, whose games yesterday were canceled due to heavy rain and the threat of ark construction. Matusz really wanted to bat...

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Showalter and Tillman on the opening day assignment

March 17, 2014, 12:40pm

Orioles

Showalter and Tillman on the opening day assignment

SARASOTA, Fla. - On the day that the Orioles traded for pitcher Chris Tillman, the thought never crossed his mind that he would start for them in an opener. He didn't ponder the idea of being anointed as the staff ace. "I had no idea," he said today. "My first thought when it happened was, 'Crap, I've got to get to learn everyone again and start from ground zero.' I just got comfortable there and had to start all over again." Six years later, Tillman has been confirmed as the opening...

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Orioles-Twins game canceled

March 17, 2014, 12:24pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles were supposed to play twice today. They got shut out without taking the field. Scheduled games against the Phillies this afternoon in Clearwater and the Twins tonight in Sarasota have been canceled due to inclement weather. There are no makeup dates. Steve Johnson will join Brian Matusz and Kevin Gausman Tuesday at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, where they will pitch against Twins Triple-A and Double-A players. One game will be held in the stadium, the other on the...

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Orioles lineups vs. Twins

March 17, 2014, 11:04am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's raining hard here in Sarasota and a cancellation of tonight's game is likely, but here is the Orioles' lineup for the game against the Twins. For the Orioles: Jemile Weeks 2B J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Nelson Cruz LF Matt Wieters C Delmon Young RF Ryan Flaherty 3B Nolan Reimold DH Steve Johnson RHP Brian Matusz and Kevin Gausman were supposed to pitch in this afternoon's game in Clearwater, but were rained out. Both Matusz and Gausman will pitch...

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Tillman named opening day starter (updated)

March 17, 2014, 9:21am

Orioles

Tillman named opening day starter (updated)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman will break camp on the Orioles' 25-man roster for the second time in his career. He also will take the mound on opening day for the first time. It just keeps getting better for Tillman. Orioles manager Buck Showalter made the announcement this afternoon, confirming what everyone had anticipated all along. Tillman, 25, will get the call on March 31 against the Red Sox at Camden Yards, his reward for a breakout 2013 season. Tillman started the fifth game last...

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Casilla starting, Yoon in bullpen (game vs. Phillies canceled)

March 17, 2014, 5:21am

Orioles

Casilla starting, Yoon in bullpen (game vs. Phillies canceled)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Alexi Casilla is starting at shortstop today in the Orioles' split-squad game against the Phillies in Clearwater. Casilla was scratched from yesterday's lineup due to swelling in his left knee, same as Friday's game against the Twins in Fort Myers. Suk-min Yoon is on the travel roster after making his debut Saturday against the Yankees. Yoon threw 11 pitches in one inning. He's fresh. The Orioles don't have a designated hitter listed, but that could chance after the...