Roch Kubatko

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Notes on Chen, Pearce, Reimold and O'Day

February 01, 2014, 8:01am

Orioles

Notes on Chen, Pearce, Reimold and O'Day

Wei-Yin Chen said his right knee feels fine after undergoing surgery in October to remove bone spurs. He expects to be ready when the season opens on March 31. "I was back in Taiwan and I took a rest for three months," Chen said through his new interpreter. "At this point, I feel like I'm pretty good and I will be able to get into the bullpen when spring training starts. I feel very good. Chen said the knee actually bothered him two seasons ago. "Doctors said to take some rest and...

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A few early notes from FanFest

February 01, 2014, 6:40am

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter kicked off a day-long series of fan forums by taking questions from season plan holders, a session that lasted about 30 minutes. J.J. Hardy can become a free agent after this season, and Duquette said the club will attempt to sign him to an extension before opening day, bringing a round of applause from the crowd. Duquette noted how the Orioles offered Chris Davis a long-term extension, "but it hasn't really...

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Finally time for FanFest

January 31, 2014, 8:37pm

Orioles

This will be the only blog entry I file today from outside the Baltimore Convention Center, barring late-breaking news as I'm heading back home in the evening. Don't hold your breath for the Orioles to announce a major signing at FanFest. It's doubtful that they would confirm a deal pending a physical - more fallout from the Grant Balfour debacle - and it would be extremely difficult to arrange and complete the exams, approve the results and get a signature on a contract before the crowd...

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Orioles sign Alex Gonzalez to minor league deal

January 31, 2014, 8:26am

Orioles

The Orioles have signed veteran shortstop Alex Gonzalez to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to spring training, according to a team official. This is not the big announcement for FanFest. I repeat, this is not the big announcement for FanFest. It's also not an indication that the Orioles are trying to trade shortstop J.J. Hardy. They've expressed a desire to sign him to an extension before he hits the free agent market next winter. Gonzalez, who turns 37 next month, batted...

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Tillman on his mindset, opening day, workouts, Wallace and Britton

January 30, 2014, 6:40pm

Orioles

Tillman on his mindset, opening day, workouts, Wallace and Britton

Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman flew into Baltimore yesterday afternoon, an early arrival for this weekend's FanFest activities. So much has changed since the last time he signed autographs at the Baltimore Convention Center. Tillman was out of options and trying to make the club. Now he's the favorite to take the ball on opening day. What's the mindset this spring? "First, you've got to be ready. You've got to be ready for your teammates," Tillman said last night on the "Hot Stove...

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Duquette and Ferreira on the international acquisitions

January 30, 2014, 8:41am

Orioles

Duquette and Ferreira on the international acquisitions

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette and executive director of international recruiting Fred Ferreira spent a few minutes this afternoon providing additional information on today's international acquisitions. Earlier today, the club announced that it purchased first baseman Carlos Diaz, 17, from the Mexico City Red Devils and signed third baseman Jomar Reyes, 16, a native of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Both players will report to the Gulf Coast League team. Ferreira...

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Orioles announce two international signings

January 30, 2014, 6:30am

Orioles

While Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette continues his search for a starting pitcher, the club has announced two international signings. The Orioles have purchased first baseman Carlos Diaz, 17, from the Mexico City Reds. Diaz, from Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, stands 6-foot-2 and weights 200 lbs. He bats left and throws right. The Orioles also have signed 16-year-old international free agent Jomar Reyes, a third baseman from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Reyes,...

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More on Machado's upcoming knee exam

January 29, 2014, 3:54pm

Orioles

If Manny Machado's recovery from knee surgery doesn't rate as the highlight of the Orioles' offseason, it definitely belongs in the top two. Camden Yards didn't burn down. I'm not married to this list. Dylan Bundy is playing catch and could be pitching again at Double-A Bowie within the next five months. Matt Wieters is the only arbitration-eligible player on the club who hasn't signed for 2014. Outfielder David Lough and reliever Ryan Webb appear to be solid additions. The early...

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Reminder on Machado

January 29, 2014, 8:03am

Orioles

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado remains scheduled to have his left knee re-examined Friday morning in Los Angeles, the final step toward being cleared for baseball-related activities. As it was explained to me a few weeks ago, Machado will undergo a final dynamic functional testing, at which point he should be given the green light. Dr. Neal ElAttrache examined Machado's knee on Jan. 16 and told the third baseman that he's six to eight weeks ahead of schedule, according to a team...

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Orioles sign "other" Chad Tracy to minor league deal

January 29, 2014, 5:23am

Orioles

The Orioles have signed Chad Tracy to a minor league contract. The deal does not include an invitation to spring training. Not that Chad Tracy. This one is the son of former manager Jim Tracy. He spent the 2013 season at Triple-A Omaha and with the independent York Revolution. Tracy, 28, plays first base and left field, and has caught in 56 games. He spent his first six professional seasons in the Rangers organization and has also played in the Rockies and Royals systems. Tracy is a career...

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More on Burnett

January 28, 2014, 6:12pm

Orioles

If nothing else, yesterday's news that A.J. Burnett wanted to pitch in 2014 generated a spirited debate among Orioles fans. The club should make an aggressive play for him. The club should avoid him and his inflated ERAs during his last two seasons with the Yankees, and focus on Bronson Arroyo, Ervin Santana or Ubaldo Jimenez. Choose a side. I'll gladly take Burnett and pair him with Chris Tillman. He's an upgrade for the rotation. He's a proven 200-innings guy with little risk. The...

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Reports: A.J. Burnett will pitch in 2014 (updated)

January 28, 2014, 12:01pm

Orioles

Reports: A.J. Burnett will pitch in 2014 (updated)

One of the Orioles' primary free agent targets, A.J. Burnett, has decided to pitch this season, according to multiple reports. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Travis Sawchik was the first to report it. Burnett is willing to pitch for a team other than the Pirates, according to Sawchik, and will test the open market. The Orioles reached out to Burnett's agent at the Winter Meetings, but turned their attention elsewhere while the right-hander contemplated retirement. Burnett makes sense to...

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Manto honored by International League

January 28, 2014, 5:49am

Orioles

Two months after returning to the Orioles organization, Jeff Manto has learned that he will be inducted into the International League Hall of Fame. Manto is enjoying another hot stretch. He's a streaky guy. Manto was hired in November as the Orioles minor league hitting coordinator. He replaced Mike Boulanger, who moved into an amateur and professional scouting role. Now comes news that he's joining Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager Dave Miley and Toledo broadcaster Jim Weber as the newest...

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Matusz: "I couldn't be happier with the situation and the setup we have going"

January 27, 2014, 2:25pm

Orioles

Matusz: "I couldn't be happier with the situation and the setup we have going"

Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz has been working out in Arizona for most of the winter, but he flew to California earlier this month in order to meet new pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti. His early impressions? "It was great," Matusz said yesterday during a phone interview. "It was awesome that those guys were able to come out to the West Coast all the way from Florida. It was really good. I played catch. Zach (Britton) and I threw sides off a mound. "Dom and...

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Brian Roberts: "I never really envisioned ever playing somewhere else"

January 27, 2014, 12:08pm

Orioles

Brian Roberts: "I never really envisioned ever playing somewhere else"

Before former Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts reports to spring training with his new team, he'll continue to pull the occasional babysitting duty for his 6-month-old son, Jax, while wife Diana is able to work out or run errands. Roberts recently signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the division-rival Yankees, taking him away from the organization that selected him in the supplemental round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft. Got to feel weird, right? "I think anybody who's...

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Matusz still carrying a starter's mentality

January 27, 2014, 11:10am

Orioles

Matusz still carrying a starter's mentality

While Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette continues his search for another starting pitcher, left-hander Brian Matusz is determined to win a spot in the rotation in spring training. Matusz will work out as a starter at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, and he's gotten a head start this winter. "That's the plan," he said earlier today. "This offseason, I've been long-tossing and stretching it out a bit." He's also been working on his changeup to better defend himself against...

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Is this the week?

January 26, 2014, 6:01pm

Orioles

As the baseball industry long suspected, the free agent floodgates burst open once Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka finally chose a team. Yes, Ty Wigginson and Endy Chavez signed minor league deals. Taking a closer look, I also see that Matt Garza's four-year, $50 million deal with the Brewers finally became official after a suspicious delay in the announcement that had me wondering whether he failed his physical. Then I thought, that rarely happens anymore. Grant Balfour signed a two-year,...

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Flaherty trying to win job at second base

January 25, 2014, 2:49pm

Orioles

Flaherty trying to win job at second base

Orioles pitchers and catchers report to the spring training complex in Sarasota on Feb. 13. Maine residents arrived in the middle of January. Ryan Flaherty needed to escape the cold and proceed with his workouts before heading to Baltimore for FanFest. He's going to show up as the favorite to start at second base. Does his status change his offseason routine? "Not really," he replied last week on WBAL Radio. "I've taken a lot from what I've learned the last couple years and I've tried...

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Leftovers for breakfast

January 24, 2014, 5:11pm

Orioles

Anyone know the identity of the Orioles' representative who watched Brett Tomko throw yesterday in California? Tomko's brother, Scott, tweeted an update that said, "Great bullpen session by BT today for the #Orioles...I stood in & got a batter's perspective & his stuff was sharp." From what I've been told, the Orioles didn't send any scouts, and a couple of front-office types claim that they knew nothing about it. I just need a name. Who repped them? In case you missed it, Tim...

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Colvin remains a free agent

January 24, 2014, 11:39am

Orioles

The Orioles are no longer offering Tyler Colvin a major league deal following his physical, according to a source, and the outfielder remains on the free-agent market. Colvin took the physical on Jan. 15 in Baltimore, according to multiple industry sources, but no announcement was forthcoming. Speculation began almost immediately that the Orioles weren't satisfied with the results, which a source later confirmed. Colvin, 28, dealt with a disc injury in his back for the majority of the 2013...