Roch Kubatko

What should the Orioles do with McLouth? (with Jurrjens note)

July 17, 2013, 9:42pm

Orioles

The Orioles didn't re-sign outfielder Nate McLouth until the winter meetings, reaching agreement on a one-year, $2 million contract. What approach should they take with him following the 2013 season? Should they wait that long? I spoke with someone in the organization recently who thinks the front office should begin extension talks with McLouth's representative. Don't let him test the market again. Does that idea appeal to McLouth? "Of course I'd be open to it, but it hasn't really...

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More from Ripken and Showalter on Hardy (and 2014 draft note)

July 17, 2013, 11:39am

Orioles

More from Ripken and Showalter on Hardy (and 2014 draft note)

As I sifted through my notes and old quotes from the season's first half, I found manager Buck Showalter's recent comments on shortstop J.J. Hardy. I've been talking about Hardy a lot lately because I'm frequently asked whether the Orioles should move Manny Machado to shortstop. I tend to agree with Cal Ripken Jr., who sees no reason to mess with the left side of the infield. "I want to see (Machado) apply his overall skill set, his aptitude for playing baseball from the shortstop...

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Another this, that and the other

July 16, 2013, 8:15pm

Orioles

Did Yankees closer Mariano Rivera receive the Most Valuable Player or Lifetime Achievement Award at last night's All-Star Game? Either way, I'm fine with it. There wasn't a clear-cut choice for MVP, though you could argue for Chris Sale or, yes, Adam Jones. Jones doubled and scored a run, which was plenty in a 3-0 win. Then again, he also struck out twice. Rivera was a sentimental choice and I'm a sentimental guy. Did you know that former Orioles shortstop and current MASN analyst Mike...

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World, meet Manny Machado (AL wins 3-0)

July 16, 2013, 6:48pm

Orioles

No matter what else happens in the All-Star Game, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado will be a prime topic of conversation after turning in the most outstanding defensive play of the night. An absolute dazzler. Machado backed up to the edge of the outfield grass to backhand a two-hopper from Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt along the line, the ball almost hitting him in the chest, and fired a perfect strike to first base for the out. Again, Machado displayed keen instincts and soft hands. Again,...

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First time through the All-Star order (Davis out, Machado in)

July 16, 2013, 5:05pm

Orioles

First time through the All-Star order (Davis out, Machado in)

The Orioles are 0-for-3 so far tonight in the 84th All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York. First baseman Chris Davis flew to center field on an 0-2 pitch from National League starter Matt Harvey with two on and one out in the first inning. Harvey threw Davis 98 and 99 mph four-seamers before retiring him on an 89 mph fastball. Adam Jones struck out on a 98 mph fastball from Harvey in the second inning on the 10th pitch of the at-bat. The ball tailed up and in. Jones, who laid off a 2-2...

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A few first-half awards (Hobgood moves up)

July 15, 2013, 7:20pm

Orioles

A few first-half awards (Hobgood moves up)

With the All-Star Game being played tonight at Citi Field in New York, it seems like the right time to hand out some first-half awards for the Orioles. We're actually more than halfway through the season, but we're at the break. That's close enough. Most Valuable Oriole Only in 2013 could Manny Machado finish as the runner-up for this honor. Chris Davis is hitting .315/.392/.717 in 95 games. He leads the majors with 37 home runs and trails only Miguel Cabrera with 93 RBIs. What he's...

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Davis hits eight home runs in first round (Davis tears callous on hand)

July 15, 2013, 5:12pm

Orioles

Davis hits eight home runs in first round (Davis tears callous on hand)

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis hit eight home runs in the first round of the Home Run Derby tonight at Citi Field, putting him in second place behind Oakland's Yoenis Cespedes, who belted 17 and mixed in plenty of tape-measure shots. The top four advance. There are three more hitters coming up. Michael Cuddyer hit seven, Pedro Alvarez six and Prince Fielder five. The Nationals' Bryce Harper is up next. Orioles coach Einar Diaz pitched to Davis and received a hug from the majors' home...

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Davis batting cleanup in All-Star Game

July 15, 2013, 10:00am

Orioles

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis, baseball's leader in home runs with 37, will bat cleanup for the American League in Tuesday night's All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York. Davis, who's also second in RBIs with 93, is wedged between Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera and Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista. Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is batting seventh and shortstop J.J. Hardy is batting ninth. Hardy has batted ninth in 67 games during his career. He hasn't done it since...

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Ripken on Machado: "He's carving out how to play 3B and playing it unbelievably well"

July 15, 2013, 8:35am

Orioles

Ripken on Machado: "He's carving out how to play 3B and playing it unbelievably well"

So how good is Manny Machado at third base? I decided to ask a 19-time All-Star and two-time Most Valuable Player who moved from shortstop to third base in the minors, and from the hot corner to shortstop and back again in the majors. "He's carving out how to play third base," said Cal Ripken Jr., "and he's playing it unbelievably well." If that's how baseball's Iron Man feels, that's good enough for me. "It's fun to watch him over at third base because it's a new position for...

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Brooks Robinson on Manny Machado: "He's as good as anybody playing over there"

July 14, 2013, 7:20pm

Orioles

Brooks Robinson on Manny Machado: "He's as good as anybody playing over there"

So how good is Manny Machado at third base? I decided to ask someone who owns 16 Gold Gloves at the position. "He's as good as anybody playing over there," said Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson. If that's how No. 5 feels, that's good enough for me. "I see some of the games and read the papers and have watched the plays that he's made on TV," Robinson said yesterday during our phone conversation. "He has great hands, great instincts. The Orioles have been winning and he's a big part...

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Showalter speaks after 7-4 win

July 14, 2013, 1:03pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter found out on Friday that pitcher Chris Tillman might be named as a replacement for Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander in the All-Star Game. It depended whether Verlander made his start today. "Proud of Chris Tillman today," Showalter said after the Orioles' 7-4 win over the Blue Jays that completed the first half. "Got to give him the golf clap in the locker room today. I was watching TV at 1:08 when Verlander threw his first pitch. Then he could call his mom...

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Jones also homers today (Feldman update, O's win 7-4)

July 14, 2013, 11:33am

Orioles

Jones also homers today (Feldman update, O's win 7-4)

Adam Jones has homered in three consecutive games, which is almost enough to impress Chris Davis, who has done it in four straight. Jones is just trying to keep up. Jones drove a pitch from Blue Jays starter Josh Johnson over the fence in center field in the fifth inning to increase the Orioles' lead to 7-2. He has 19 homers and 67 RBIs this season. Jones has driven in six runs in this series. He's also walked three times, and drawn four in his last five games. Davis and Jones became just...

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Tillman chosen to All-Star team (Davis homers again, Feldman update)

July 14, 2013, 9:57am

Orioles

Tillman chosen to All-Star team (Davis homers again, Feldman update)

The Orioles now have five representatives for Tuesday night's All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York. Chris Tillman has been named as a replacement for Justin Verlander, who's starting today for the Tigers. Tillman, who hasn't pitched since Friday night, will join center fielder Adam Jones, first baseman Chris Davis, shortstop J.J. Hardy and third baseman Manny Machado. This is the first All-Star selection for Tillman, 25, who's 11-3 with a 3.95 ERA in 19 starts this season, with 89...

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Updating the rotation

July 14, 2013, 8:19am

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't ready to confirm the order of his rotation for the start of the second half. However, he indicated that it may not undergo any changes. Showalter is waiting to find out how the bullpen is used today. He's got a few starters available to pitch in relief if needed. Wei-Yin Chen, Miguel Gonzalez and Chris Tillman would start the three games in Texas to open the second half. Jason Hammel, Scott Feldman, Chen and Gonzalez would start the four games in Kansas...

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Dickerson's the DH

July 14, 2013, 6:39am

Orioles

Chris Dickerson will serve as the Orioles' designated hitter today, his first start since July 7 in New York. He's been sidelined with a strained left shoulder. Dickerson is 6-for-10 lifetime against Blue Jays right-hander Josh Johnson. Matt Wieters is behind the plate again today. He can rest during the break. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Dickerson DH Brian Roberts 2B Scott...

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Reimold slow to heat up after return from disabled list

July 13, 2013, 8:17pm

Orioles

Reimold slow to heat up after return from disabled list

Chris Dickerson continues to take batting practice, and he did some throwing yesterday as the final test on his left shoulder. Assuming that he passed, it might be a good idea to put him in today's lineup for the series finale against the Blue Jays that wraps up the season's first half. Dickerson is 6-for-10 lifetime against Toronto right-hander Josh Johnson, which is one reason. And Nolan Reimold is 6-for-27 with a home run and 11 strikeouts since coming off the disabled list, which is...

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Showalter on Hammel: "I think his best games are ahead of him"

July 13, 2013, 3:37pm

Orioles

Showalter on Hammel: "I think his best games are ahead of him"

Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel called his start today "unacceptable" and challenged himself to get better. His manager was much kinder. Hammel was charged with six runs and 10 hits in six-plus innings in the Orioles' 7-3 loss to the Blue Jays at sold-out Camden Yards. "I thought there were some hard-hit balls," Showalter said. "You've got that one inning - a couple infield hits, a broken bat. He gave us a chance for the most part. We just didn't do a whole lot offensively. "We knew...

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Hammel can't snap winless streak (O's lose 7-3)

July 13, 2013, 2:08pm

Orioles

Hammel can't snap winless streak (O's lose 7-3)

Jason Hammel will head into the All-Star break still searching for his first win since May 27. He's also got to be searching for some answers. Hammel's record remains above .500 - currently 7-5 as we head to the bottom of the seventh - and he's gone at least six innings in six of his last seven starts. However, he can't get that elusive victory and he can't lower his ERA, which is up to 5.24. Hammel left today's game with no outs in the seventh after hitting No. 9 batter Emilio...

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Hammel can't solve Encarnacion (O's lead 3-2)

July 13, 2013, 12:26pm

Orioles

Hammel can't solve Encarnacion (O's lead 3-2)

The Orioles may want to walk Edwin Encarnacion. Or trade for him. Encarnacion hit his seventh home run in 12 games against the Orioles this season, and his 14th over the past two years. That's the most by any player against a single team in that span, according to ESPN Stats and Info. The Blue Jays almost hit for the cycle against Jason Hammel in the first inning. Jose Reyes doubled, Encarnacion homered and Adam Lind singled. Hammel was only four batters into his start. Encarnacion's...

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Notes before today's game

July 13, 2013, 11:48am

Orioles

Today's game is a sellout. Tickets remain for Sunday's series finale, which also closes the first half. Yes, it's considered the first half despite the fact that Orioles are playing their 95th game today. The Orioles are only the third team in major league history to have four players with at least 105 hits at the All-Star break: Manny Machado (127), Adam Jones (114), Nick Markakis (107) and Chris Davis (105). The 1954 Cardinals had Red Schoendienst (119), Wally Moon (114), Ray Jablonski...