Roch Kubatko

Hammel going on disabled list (updated)

July 31, 2013, 12:34pm

Orioles

The news is coming in waves at Camden Yards. The Orioles acquired pitcher Bud Norris and International Signing Bonus Slot No. 91 from the Astros this afternoon for outfielder LJ Hoes and minor league left-hander Josh Hader - both local products - and the 2014 Draft Competitive Balance Pick-Round A, Selection No 2. That's not all. Jason Hammel is being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right arm. He's eligible to return on Aug. 13. Also, outfielder Steve Pearce will be taken...

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Orioles acquire pitcher Bud Norris from Astros (updated)

July 31, 2013, 11:58am

Orioles

The Orioles have acquired right-hander Bud Norris from the Astros ahead of the 4 p.m. non-waiver trading deadline. To get the veteran starter, they had to part with outfielder LJ Hoes and minor league pitcher Josh Hader, a left-hander who was a 19th-round draft pick in 2012. In the trade, consummated at about 3:30 p.m., that the Orioles also sent the Astros the second selection in Round A of the competitive balance lottery in the 2014 draft. The deal will require Hoes and Norris to switch...

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Jones the DH, McLouth in center field

July 31, 2013, 11:01am

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter is providing a little rest for Adam Jones, making him the designated hitter tonight against the Astros at Camden Yards. Jones will be serving as the DH for the fifth time this season. Nate McLouth is starting in center field tonight. LJ Hoes is back in left field. For the Astros Jonathan Villar SS Jose Altuve 2B Jason Castro C Chris Carter DH Brett Wallace 1B Marc Krauss RF Brandon Barnes CF Matt Dominguez 3B Robbie Grossman LF Brett Oberholtzer LHP For...

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Oberholtzer starting against Orioles

July 31, 2013, 10:32am

Orioles

The Orioles will face a left-hander tonight. It just won't be Erik Bedard. The Astros have scratched Bedard and will give the ball to rookie Brett Oberholtzer, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. McTaggart adds that Bedard hasn't been traded, though he's on the block. And I should emphasis that I mean the trading block. We are, after all, in Baltimore. Oberholtzer, 24, has allowed six runs and 11 hits in 7 1/3 innings over three relief appearances for a 7.36 ERA. He's walked none,...

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As the deadline approaches ...

July 31, 2013, 9:34am

Orioles

I'm getting ready to make the drive to Camden Yards, which should ensure that news breaks while I'm behind the wheel. The only question is whether it happens while I'm on Rt. 32, 70, 695 or 95. Take your pick. As far as we know, left-hander Erik Bedard remains the scheduled starter tonight for the Astros, but Bud Norris will take his place if the right-hander isn't traded. Orioles manager Buck Showalter has made out at least two lineups. He's ready for anything. An industry source...

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What should the Orioles do with Schoop?

July 30, 2013, 8:03pm

Orioles

Jonathan Schoop hit a home run last night for Triple-A Norfolk. Schoop had three hits on Monday, including a home run. This Schoop kid is pretty good. Just ask any team that's trying to work a trade with the Orioles. Up to this point, the Orioles have been reluctant to part with him, whether it's for Joe Blanton or Bud Norris or another available arm or bat. His name always comes up in discussions. The Orioles always say, "No." ESPN's Jim Bowden tweeted last night that the Orioles...

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Showalter speaks after 4-3 win

July 30, 2013, 6:32pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter never second-guessed his decision tonight to send Wei-Yin Chen back to the mound in the top of the eighth inning, and to leave the left-hander out there with the tying run on base. Chen struck out Jason Castro, and Darren O'Day retired the next two batters to preserve a one-run lead. "There were a lot of key outs. It was a close game," Showalter said after the Orioles' 4-3 win over the Astros at Camden Yards. "Just felt like he was still carrying his...

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Showalter stays with Chen (O's win 4-3)

July 30, 2013, 5:35pm

Orioles

Just as he did in Kansas City, Orioles manager Buck Showalter allowed left-hander Wei-Yin Chen to return for the eighth inning tonight at Camden Yards. Just as he did in Kansas City, Showalter allowed Chen to face a left-handed hitter with the tying run on base. The second-guessers where sharpening their knives, or at least their tongues, but Chen didn't repeat his mistake in Kansas City, when Eric Hosmer homered in the Royals' 4-3 victory. Chen struck out Astros catcher Jason Castro on...

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Orioles continuing attempts to acquire Norris or Vargas (Davis homers)

July 30, 2013, 4:20pm

Orioles

Though they could shift in many directions, the Orioles seem to be focused primarily on acquiring starters Bud Norris or Jason Vargas, according to an industry source. The Astros will have to significantly lower their asking price, according to sources. But the Orioles remain interested because Norris, 28, is making only $3 million this season and is under team control through 2015. And he's posted a 3.93 ERA this season on a bad team. One concern beyond the Astros' demands for multiple top...

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Flaherty on first (O's down 3-0)

July 30, 2013, 3:22pm

Orioles

Ryan Flaherty is making his first major league start at first base tonight. He's appeared in seven innings over four games at first since the Orioles selected him in the Rule 5 draft in the winter of 2011. Flaherty has been fielding ground balls at first, anticipating that he might be needed. He headed out to the field early today and practiced taking throws in the dirt on double plays. "I walked in today and Buck (Showalter) said a little bit ago, 'Yeah, you might be at first tonight,'so...

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More notes before tonight's Orioles-Astros game

July 30, 2013, 2:03pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter met in his office with executive vice president Dan Duquette before his pregame session with the media. Duquette briefed him on the latest trade talks, which haven't yielded another addition since the Orioles acquired reliever Francisco Rodriguez from the Brewers for minor league infielder Nicky Delmonico. It's still not a topic of conversation in the Orioles' clubhouse. "I think guys know, one, there's not a whole lot they can do about it, and two,...

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Machado hit during BP (will stay in lineup)

July 30, 2013, 12:59pm

Orioles

Machado hit during BP (will stay in lineup)

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was hit by a ground ball today that took a bad hop during batting practice. He walked off the field and is being checked by the club's training staff. Reporters had just finished talking to former Orioles manager Dave Trembley, now the Astros third base coach, in front of the visiting dugout when Machado was struck. Adam Jones was in the cage. The ball may have hit Machado in the arm as he tried to spin away from it. More to come. Not much to report on...

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Flaherty starting at first base (Astros lineup added)

July 30, 2013, 11:02am

Orioles

Flaherty starting at first base (Astros lineup added)

Ryan Flaherty is making a rare start for the Orioles tonight, replacing Chris Davis at first base in the series opener against the Astros at Camden Yards. Davis will serve as the designated hitter instead of Henry Urrutia. Flaherty hasn't started since July 5. He's had three at-bats since that date, the last coming on July 13. His last appearance came nine days later. Flaherty has appeared in one game at first base this season, going 0-for-1. Davis hasn't homered since the All-Star break...

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Astros scratch Norris from tonight's start at Camden Yards

July 30, 2013, 8:49am

Orioles

Astros scratch Norris from tonight's start at Camden Yards

The Orioles no longer will be facing Astros right-hander Bud Norris tonight in the opener of a three-game series at Camden Yards. The Astros just announced that Lucas Harrell will replace Norris tonight. No explanation was provided, but Norris has been the subject of intense trade speculation as the non-waiver deadline approaches Wednesday afternoon. The Orioles have inquired about Norris, but the Astros reportedly are asking for more than the club is willing to deliver. Former Oriole Erik...

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Gausman: "I'm still learning how to pitch" (Pineiro released)

July 29, 2013, 9:29pm

Orioles

Gausman: "I'm still learning how to pitch" (Pineiro released)

In desperate need of a break from all the non-waiver trade deadline chatter, speculation and conflicting reports, I set up a phone interview with pitcher Kevin Gausman, who is scheduled to make his next start Friday for Triple-A Norfolk. Gausman has made two starts for the Tides since being optioned, allowing six runs and 11 hits in 7 2/3 innings. He had been working in relief for the Orioles, so the first order of business upon his return to Norfolk was getting him stretched out. For...

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Duquette on the trade deadline (updated)

July 29, 2013, 12:58pm

Orioles

Duquette on the trade deadline (updated)

With less than 48 hours remaining before the non-waiver trade deadline, executive vice president Dan Duquette said the Orioles are "still looking around to see if we can add a piece here or there to help the team." The Orioles are still looking at "hitting and pitching options," Duquette said. "We're looking at both." Not much has changed since last year's non-waiver deadline. Duquette still feels good about the minor league depth, whether it enables him to make another deal or can...

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Dickerson outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk

July 29, 2013, 6:19am

Orioles

Dickerson outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk

So much for trading Chris Dickerson. The Orioles were unable to swing a deal involving the outfielder, and he will stay in the organization after clearing waivers and being outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Dickerson, 31, batted .245/.274/.412 with five doubles, four home runs and 13 RBIs in 46 games. The Orioles designated him for assignment to make room for Henry Urrutia on the 25- and 40-man rosters. Dickerson could have refused the assignment and become a free agent. However, he knows that...

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Showalter on the trade talk

July 28, 2013, 7:37pm

Orioles

I jokingly asked a team official yesterday whether it was safe for me to go out after the game, or if I should be prepared to write a trade story. He texted back, "Enjoy your night." I made the bold assumption that Jake Peavy wasn't being traded to the Orioles. Or Bud Norris. Or Michael Young. Or Raul Ibanez. Or Carlos Quentin. Or Justin Morneau. Or Justin Bieber. Or... Executive vice president Dan Duquette is talking to a bunch of teams. Orioles scouts are spread all over the place. And...

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Showalter speaks after 5-0 loss

July 28, 2013, 1:17pm

Orioles

The Orioles suffered their fourth shutout loss of the season today and their first since June 8 at Tropicana Field. The Red Sox hadn't blanked the Orioles at Camden Yards since winning 4-0 on July 20, 2011. Manager Buck Showalter focused more on the offense today than starting pitcher Jason Hammel, who allowed three runs and walked a season-high five batters in 5 1/3 innings while remaining winless since May 27. "I see the things everybody looks at, the ERA and what have you, and I've seen...

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Machado and Davis in dueling slumps (O's lose 5-0)

July 28, 2013, 11:23am

Orioles

Machado and Davis in dueling slumps (O's lose 5-0)

Manny Machado's average has dipped below .300 for the first time since April 27 after going hitless in his first three at-bats today. It's down to .298 after he lined to Boston shortstop Stephen Drew to strand two runners in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Orioles' third baseman is 3-for-27 in his last seven games, though he's homered twice, and 9-for-57 in his last 14. And he's still looking for his first double since July 6. Machado slammed his bat to the ground after lining to...