Roch Kubatko

Frank Robinson visits camp

February 24, 2014, 6:48am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nelson Cruz won't work out with the Orioles today, according to executive vice president Dan Duquette. Cruz is listed on the practice sheet, but he isn't on the field. The Orioles are expected to announce Cruz's signing later today, though Duquette said the club is still "working on some things." That probably means the corresponding 40-man roster move. Outfielder Quintin Berry left the workout today with members of the athletic training staff. He may have an issue with...

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A few morning notes (and Cruz update)

February 24, 2014, 4:17am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Suk-Min Yoon is scheduled to make his spring debut for the Orioles on March 6 or 7. Yoon needs to obtain is work visa before taking the mound in a Grapefruit League game. According to Yoon's interpreter, Justin Yoo, the Orioles could find out later today whether it's done. The Orioles were able to spare Yoon a return trip to South Korea while the process played out. Yoon will throw another bullpen session on Tuesday, his last without facing hitters. Henry Urrutia has...

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This, that and the other

February 23, 2014, 1:07pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are expected to announce later today that Nelson Cruz passed his physical and signed a one-year contract. I'd expect the press conference to be held on Tuesday. In a related story, the Orioles are on the verge of shattering the record for most press conferences in one week. Did you know that Ubaldo Jimenez and Alexi Casilla were Little League teammates? Neither did I until manager Buck Showalter dropped that little nugget on reporters during one of his...

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Upcoming pitching schedule and more

February 23, 2014, 9:08am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Matusz and Kevin Gausman will each throw one inning as starters in Wednesday's first intrasquad game in Ed Smith Stadium. The game will last seven or eight innings and is closed to the public. Wei-Yin Chen and Bud Norris will each throw an inning in Thursday's intrasquad game, which will last four or five innings. The Thursday game is open to the public on one of the back fields. Still don't know the starting time. Chris Tillman will start Friday's exhibition...

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Cruz taking physical (with camp videos and pictures)

February 23, 2014, 8:09am

Orioles

Cruz taking physical (with camp videos and pictures)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nelson Cruz is taking his physical today in Sarasota, but a confirmation on his signing won't come before Monday. The Orioles are waiting to get the results before announcing Cruz's one-year, $8 million deal, which includes a possible $750,000 in incentives. Dylan Bundy increased the activity in his throwing program today. Not only did he move up from 150 to 90 feet for extra throws, he "pitched" off flat ground from 60 feet to team executive Brady Anderson. Anderson put...

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Davis: "There's something to be said about a guy who owns up to his mistake"

February 23, 2014, 5:33am

Orioles

Davis: "There's something to be said about a guy who owns up to his mistake"

SARASOTA, Fla. - If Nelson Cruz takes his physical today as scheduled, the results may not come back until Monday, which would likely push back a press conference to the following day. One of Cruz's former teammates with the Rangers is glad that the veteran outfielder is joining the Orioles after agreeing yesterday to a one-year, $8 million contract. Chris Davis has been a strong and outspoken opponent of steroid use. He resents the suspicions and outright accusations that his 53-homer...

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Notes on union meeting, Bundy, Rodriguez and Gausman (and Cruz)

February 23, 2014, 3:54am

Orioles

Notes on union meeting, Bundy, Rodriguez and Gausman (and Cruz)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The clubhouse is now closed to the media while the Orioles have their annual union meeting. Former Orioles filled the place this morning, including Jeffrey Hammonds, Phil Bradley, Bobby Bonilla and Rick Helling, who all work for the Major League Baseball Players Association. Hall of Famer Dave Winfield and former Expos pitcher Steve Rogers also were in the house, along with Mike Myers - the former left-handed reliever, not the comedic actor. At first, I thought the Orioles...

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How does Cruz fit into the lineup?

February 22, 2014, 4:01pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - During his session yesterday with the media, Orioles manager Buck Showalter challenged me to come up with a starting lineup. That's what happens when you sit in the front row. Showalter won't reference Nelson Cruz by name until the deal becomes official, but he clearly intended for a projected lineup to include the veteran outfielder/designated hitter. Cruz has hit in every spot, but it's safe to assume he won't lead off in Baltimore. My initial thought was batting him...

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Showalter on Cruz (sort of), plus video/photo gallery

February 22, 2014, 10:31am

Orioles

Showalter on Cruz (sort of), plus video/photo gallery

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will play intrasquad games on Wednesday and Thursday next week, with the innings tentatively set for eight and four, respectively. No word on whether the games are open to the public. Manager Buck Showalter had to cancel a pop-up drill today because heavy rains soaked the outfield. However, he praised the grounds crew for getting the practice fields in good shape in a short amount of time. Showalter wouldn't comment on the team's agreement with Nelson Cruz on...

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Markakis on Cruz: "He's my teammate now, so I've got to be a teammate"

February 22, 2014, 9:52am

Orioles

Markakis on Cruz: "He's my teammate now, so I've got to be a teammate"

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis has been one of the more outspoken opponents of steroid use in baseball, accusing cheaters of stealing money and pushing for harsher penalties. With news breaking today that the Orioles reached agreement with Nelson Cruz on a one-year contract, Markakis figured to draw a crowd of reporters at his locker. "It doesn't change my opinion toward anything," Markakis said. "He's my teammate now, so I've got to be a teammate. No matter if...

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Quick Cruz update

February 22, 2014, 7:08am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Nelson Cruz is flying from the Dominican Republic to Miami this afternoon and is expected to drive to Sarasota tonight. Cruz and the Orioles reached agreement today to a one-year, $8 million contract with another $750,000 possible in incentives based on time spent on the major league roster. In keeping with their policy, the Orioles won't comment on the deal until Cruz passes his physical. However, multiple industry sources confirmed it this morning. Because...

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O's reach agreement with Cruz

February 22, 2014, 5:12am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles were supposed to take the field at 10 a.m. for their pre-workout stretch, but it's been pushed back another hour. Players are still busy with photo day. Executive vice president Dan Duquette walked through the media workroom earlier this morning. I asked whether he had anything to say, my fingers on the home row of my keyboard. "Still working on it," he replied with a grin. The Orioles are working to finalize a deal with outfielder Nelson Cruz, according to...

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Leftovers for breakfast (updated)

February 21, 2014, 3:29pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - If the Orioles don't sign another free agent, it could rival Super Bowl III or Mike Tyson-Buster Douglas for biggest upset in sports. It just seems inevitable. With all that smoke, there's got to be fire. It also could mean that a new pope has been elected, but I'm going with fire. The Orioles are in on any combination of Kendrys Morales, Nelson Cruz and Ervin Santana, depending on who's doing the reporting. The only certainty is that the club has held discussions with...

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Notes on Aceves, Gonzalez, Bundy, Lough, more (Hendriks claimed, plus gallery)

February 21, 2014, 8:36am

Orioles

Notes on Aceves, Gonzalez, Bundy, Lough, more (Hendriks claimed, plus gallery)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitcher Alfredo Aceves left camp today and is flying home to Mexico to obtain his work visa. The Orioles think Aceves could return in less than a week. Manager Buck Showalter estimated five or six days. "The problem is, he has a meeting in Mexico tomorrow and they can't see him again until Monday. And then there's a period where they have to approve it," Showalter said. "In my mind, I'm thinking a week, but they're telling me four or five days. I think it will...

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orioles spring training alfredo aceves buck showalter david lough dylan bundy liam hendriks miguel gonzalez frontstory_orioles3

A few notes following today's workout

February 21, 2014, 7:31am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manny Machado took more ground balls at third base during today's workout on the Camden Yards replica field. At one point, he was allowed to move one step to his left, as the Orioles ease him into side-to-side drills. Dylan Bundy threw on flat ground from 150 feet again today, and one person in the organization said the right-hander looked "great." The club remains encouraged by his progress. Miguel Gonzalez completed his 35-pitch bullpen session without incident. His back...

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Hardy on Jimenez (and another update on Santana)

February 21, 2014, 5:20am

Orioles

Hardy on Jimenez (and another update on Santana)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is 4-for-10 with a home run lifetime against Ubaldo Jimenez. Sounds like he's got a pretty good read on the veteran right-hander, but that's not necessarily the case. Listen to Hardy talk about Jimenez, his new teammate, and it's apparent that numbers don't tell the entire story. "I don't remember what years it was that I was facing him when he was with Colorado and I was with Milwaukee, but he was 98, 99, sometimes 100 (mph). Sink, nasty,"...

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Notes before today's workout

February 21, 2014, 4:18am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will find out later today whether pitcher Liam Hendriks has cleared waivers. Hendriks was designated for assignment on Wednesday to make room for starter Ubaldo Jimenez on the 40-man roster. He walked through the clubhouse this morning, but his locker remains empty. His uniform could return to it later today. Miguel Gonzalez will throw 35 pitches in today's bullpen session after totaling 25 on Wednesday. If his back responds favorably, he will throw to hitters...

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The lowdown on Lough's low body fat percentage

February 20, 2014, 5:13pm

Orioles

The lowdown on Lough's low body fat percentage

SARASOTA, Fla. - Don't be fooled by the ping pong table, the bumper pool table and the cornhole boards inside the Orioles clubhouse at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The players are here to work. The games just provide another avenue to bond, to blow off a little steam, to pass the time before taking the field or attending meetings. Outfielder David Lough, acquired from the Royals on Dec. 18 for Danny Valencia, said this camp is "a lot more intense from the get-go" compared to what he's...

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Showalter quotes after today's workout (plus pics and vids)

February 20, 2014, 8:54am

Orioles

Showalter quotes after today's workout (plus pics and vids)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles held a pitchers meeting at 1:15 p.m. today in the same room used for manager Buck Showalter's post-workout sessions with the media. Alfredo Aceves walked through the door at 1:01 p.m. and made a U-turn back into the hallway. "Alfredo's early to the meeting," Showalter said. "Nice going." Aceves is determined to make a favorable impression in camp, and not just with his arm. Suk-min Yoon and Ubaldo Jimenez threw bullpen sessions this morning while reporters...

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Jimenez meets the press

February 20, 2014, 6:02am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles introduced pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez at a 9:30 a.m. press conference today, the right-hander flanked by manager Buck Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette. Agent Fernando Cuza also was in attendance. Here's a sampling: Duquette on Jimenez: "Overall, if you take a look at his body of work, he's one of the top 10 pitchers in the league over the course of his career. We're happy to have his leadership on our pitching staff. He's at the point of his...