Roch Kubatko

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...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles

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...

Tags:

orioles jonathan schoop orioles farm report frontstory_orioles2

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...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter chris davis jj hardy wei-yin chen frontstory_orioles2

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...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles wei-yin chen

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...

Tags:

orioles bud norris jason vargas jj hardy frontstory_orioles3

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...

Tags:

orioles ryan flaherty wei-yin chen frontstory_orioles3

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,...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter chris davis dan duquette manny machado frontstory_orioles3

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...

Tags:

orioles manny machado frontstory_orioles2

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...

Tags:

orioles chris davis ryan flaherty frontstory_orioles2

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...

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles2

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...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar frontfeatured_orioles kevin gausman orioles farm report

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...

Tags:

orioles dan duquette dylan bundy featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

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...

Tags:

orioles chris dickerson

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...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

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...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar jason hammel nick markakis frontstory_orioles2

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...

Tags:

orioles chris davis jason hammel manny machado frontstory_orioles2

Game update and more notes (O's down 3-0)

July 28, 2013, 10:11am

Orioles

Game update and more notes (O's down 3-0)

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz heard lots of boos as he stepped to the plate in the top of the first inning today, defenders of phones everywhere still taking umbrage with the damage he inflicted in the visiting dugout last night. They must have been disconnected, or he completely ignored them. Ortiz singled up the middle with two outs to keep a rally alive, and Mike Napoli followed with an RBI double to give Boston a 1-0 lead. Jason Hammel has allowed 14 runs in the first this...

Tags:

orioles jason hammel frontstory_orioles3

Showalter on the Hoes/Asencio roster move

July 28, 2013, 8:38am

Orioles

Showalter on the Hoes/Asencio roster move

LJ Hoes was chosen as the Orioles' extra position player over other candidates at Triple-a Norfolk this weekend because, as manager Buck Showalter put it, "Like always, he was our best option as a right-handed hitting outfielder. Or really, period." In other words, the position really didn't matter. Hoes, 23, was most deserving of the call-up. Hoes, a third-round pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of St. John's High School in D.C., was batting .304/.406/.403 with 25 doubles, a...

Tags:

orioles jairo asencio lj hoes frontstory_orioles2

LJ Hoes starting in left field (Asencio designated for assignment)

July 28, 2013, 6:50am

Orioles

LJ Hoes starting in left field (Asencio designated for assignment)

Not only is LJ Hoes in the Orioles clubhouse today, he's starting left field against the Red Sox in the series finale at Camden Yards. This will be Hoes' first major league start. He had one at-bat with the Orioles last season. It's an unusual lineup today, with Chris Davis batting third, Matt Wieters fifth as the DH and Brian Roberts seventh. And, of course, Hoes batting eighth. Hoes will wear No. 25. The Orioles still haven't announced a corresponding roster move. For the...

Tags:

orioles lj hoes frontstory_orioles3

Hammel continues search for elusive win

July 27, 2013, 8:34pm

Orioles

Jason Hammel will attempt today to capture his first win since May 27, a span of nine starts. Hammel has five losses and four no-decisions since his last victory. He's allowed 20 hits combined in his last two outings, though he was credited with a quality start Tuesday after surrendering three runs in six innings in Kansas City. That's "quality" by definition. Hammel gave up 10 hits and walked four batters. The Orioles are keeping an eye on the pitching market despite their earlier...