Showalter on Reimold, Arrieta and more

Showalter on Reimold, Arrieta and more
Orioles manager Buck Showalter considered bringing in his reserves last night as the Tampa Bay Rays built an eight-run lead, but Nolan Reimold wasn't going to leave the bench. Reimold has been unavailable because of a strained right hamstring - news that Showalter didn't want spreading to the opposing manager's office - and the Orioles were debating whether to place him on the 15-day disabled list. The move couldn't be backdated to Sunday if Reimold played last night. Showalter checked...

A few pregame notes

A few pregame notes
The Orioles will try to avoid their first four-game losing streak of the season today when they host the Tampa Bay Rays. Nolan Reimold's move to the disabled list is backdated to last Sunday. His hamstring has been bothering him since spring training, to varying degrees, and he may not be ready when he's eligible to be activated. The cold weather has been a challenge for Reimold, who's batting .188 with four homers and nine RBIs in 31 games. Reimold will remain with the club through the...

Jurrjens making O's debut, Arrieta back in Baltimore (with notes)

Jurrjens making O's debut, Arrieta back in Baltimore (with notes)
Jair Jurrjens is set to make his Orioles debut for today's 4:05 p.m. start vs. the Rays. After hitting a three-run home run in last night's game, Chris Dickerson will get another start. He'll DH, batting eighth. Yamaico Navarro will get his second consecutive start at second, batting ninth. He went 2-4 with a triple and a run yesterday. For the Rays Desmond Jennings CF Matt Joyce RF Ben Zobrist 2B Evan Longoria 3B James Loney 1B Luke Scott DH Kelly Johnson LF Jose Molina C Yunel Escobar...

Pitching woes for the O's

Pitching woes for the O's
Want to view the glass as half full? The Orioles scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning last night and brought the tying run to the plate. They had no business being in that game. Except that they truly believe that they're in every game, no matter the deficit or the inning. Want to view the glass as half empty? The rotation is a royal mess. Starters have gone five innings or fewer in five of the last six games. That's quite alarming. Jason Hammel has a 5.72 ERA, and Wei-Yin...

Showalter speaks after 12-10 loss

Showalter speaks after 12-10 loss
The Orioles are discussing whether they need to make two roster moves following tonight's 12-10 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. One player must be removed from the 25-man roster to make room for starter Jair Jurrjens, and the Orioles might need another bullpen arm after Alex Burnett threw 28 pitches and Troy Patton threw 40. "We were starting to talk about it a little bit," said manager Buck Showalter. "It's hard to talk during the game. I'm aware of what went on in Norfolk, and Bowie for...

Hammel's struggles continue in big way (O's lose 12-10)

Hammel's struggles continue in big way (O's lose 12-10)
Jason Hammel retired the side in order in the fourth, the only time tonight that he posted a clean inning. By the fifth, his start had completely unraveled. Hammel is charged with seven runs and 10 hits, both season highs, in 4 2/3 innings, with two walks, four strikeouts and a home run. He threw 99 pitches, 58 for strikes. Reliever Alex Burnett inherited a runner and promptly issued a walk and gave up a ground-rule double to No. 9 hitter Yunel Escobar that completed Hammel's line....

Early innings continue to trip up Hammel, Rays lead 5-3

Early innings continue to trip up Hammel, Rays lead 5-3
Jason Hammel has allowed 29 runs in nine starts this season, including tonight's outing against the Tampa Bay Rays. Fifteen of them have scored in the first two innings. Hammel threw 21 pitches in the opening frame tonight and fell behind 1-0 on Evan Longoria's sacrifice fly to right field. Matt Joyce singled with one out and Ben Zobrist doubled to left, with Chris Dickerson slipping on the warning track. Joyce held at third and scored easily on Longoria's fly ball. The Rays almost added...

Showalter speaks before tonight's game (two injury updates)

Showalter speaks before tonight's game (two injury updates)
Tsuyoshi Wada's next injury-rehab start at Triple-A Norfolk is Tuesday against the Durham Bulls. Wada allowed four runs (three earned) in four innings yesterday in his first start. He surrendered two home runs and left the game after 78 pitches. Asked what he was looking for from Wada, manager Buck Showalter replied, "Health." "I wasn't going to base it too much performance-wise," Showalter said. "You know Ron (Johnson) gave me his thoughts on it. Probably the third start, there's...

Updates on Gonzalez, Jurrjens, Arrieta and more (Gonzalez quotes)

Updates on Gonzalez, Jurrjens, Arrieta and more (Gonzalez quotes)
Miguel Gonzalez is expected to start for the Orioles on Tuesday night against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards. The Orioles also are considering Monday night, but they're leaning toward giving him an extra day. He's eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list on Sunday. Gonzalez threw 50-55 pitches in a simulated game today without a bandage on his right thumb. The blister appears to be healed. Asked how he felt afterward, Gonzalez said, "Good, not bad. Thought it was going to be...

Orioles lineup and notes

Orioles lineup and notes
You want lineup changes? You've got them. Yamaico Navarro is making his first start for the Orioles at second base tonight, as they begin a three-game series against the Rays at Camden Yards. Nate McLouth is the designated hitter tonight, with Chris Dickerson starting in left field. For the Orioles Nate McLouth DH Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Dickerson LF Yamaico Navarro 2B Jason Hammel RHP Miguel Gonzalez threw...

Jurrjens at Camden Yards, set for Saturday's start

Jurrjens at Camden Yards, set for Saturday's start
Jair Jurrjens is sitting at his locker at Camden Yards, further confirmation that he's starting Saturday afternoon against the Rays. The Orioles will need to clear a spot on the 25- and 40-man rosters. They could option infielder Yamaico Navarro and transfer second baseman Brian Roberts to the 60-day disabled list. Also, Alex Burnett is here as an extra bullpen arm, and will eventually be optioned. In eight starts at Triple-A Norfolk this season, Jurrjens is 4-1 with a 3.14 ERA. In 51 2/3...

Griffin on Britton

Griffin on Britton
During my phone conversation yesterday with Triple-A Norfolk pitching coach Mike Griffin, I asked him about left-hander Zach Britton and the physical issues that have contributed to his struggles with the Tides. Britton's first start on April 7 ended after two innings because of a blister on the side of his left thumbnail. It first developed while he threw at Twin Lakes Park on the day that the Orioles broke camp. Jake Arrieta and Kevin Gausman also developed blisters on their pitching...

Griffin on Wada

Griffin on Wada
Triple-A Norfolk pitching coach Mike Griffin found a few reasons to be encouraged today by Tsuyoshi Wada's four-inning start against Lehigh Valley. Wada allowed four runs (three earned) and three hits, with two walks and five strikeouts. He served up two home runs in the fourth and came out of the game after 78 pitches. Wada was making his first injury rehab start. "I know he's been throwing in a couple games at extended spring training, but this was his first outing in front of people...

Wada update (with his final line and Schoop DL note)

Wada update (with his final line and Schoop DL note)
Tsuyoshi Wada has allowed an unearned run and one hit in three innings today in his initial injury-rehab start at Triple-A Norfolk. He's walked one, struck out four and thrown a wild pitch. Wada threw 27 pitches in the first inning, 17 in the second and 14 in the third to leave his count at 58, including 33 strikes. The run is unearned because of an error on shortstop Zelous Wheeler, who was promoted from Double-A Bowie earlier in the day. The Orioles most likely will keep Wada on his...

McLouth trying to end his slump

McLouth trying to end his slump
Nate McLouth smoked a ball in the first inning yesterday that dissolved into another out, with Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera soaring to his right to make a sensational diving catch. Nick Markakis smoked a ball in the fifth inning that turned into an infield hit when the ball clanked off Cabrera's glove as he attempted to make another diving catch. McLouth sat in the dugout as Markakis reached first base and laughed at the fickle nature of baseball. McLouth really needed Cabrera to miss...

Machado on Machado

Machado on Machado
Orioles third baseman Manny Machado registered his 18th multi-hit game today, tying Kansas City's Alex Gordon and Detroit's Miguel Cabrera for the major league lead. He's notched at least three hits in four of his last five games. Machado has 13 multi-hit games in his last 21 and is batting .419 (39-for-93) with 12 doubles, a triple, three home runs and 13 RBIs. He's hit safely in 19 of those 21 games. Machado improved his average to .368 against right-handed pitching. I'm pretty sure...

Wieters and Showalter speak after 8-4 loss

Wieters and Showalter speak after 8-4 loss
Miguel Gonzalez will pitch in a simulated game Friday, throwing about 25 pitches in the bullpen and 25-30 in the game. The Orioles want to control his environment - pitch count, pitch selection - and make sure he's available next week. Gonzalez is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday. He could start any of the next three nights after returning to the 25-man roster. As for today's 8-4 loss to the Padres, starter Freddy Garcia lasted only 3 2/3 innings and was charged with four...

Hunter's scoreless streak ends (O's lose 8-4)

Hunter's scoreless streak ends (O's  lose 8-4)
The Orioles are on the verge of being swept at home in a two-game series against the San Diego Padres. Marinate in that one for a while. Tommy Hunter served up a two-run homer to Alexi Amarista in the top of the seventh inning to leave the Orioles in a 7-2 hole. They got one run back in the bottom half on Adam Jones' RBI single. They still have six outs left. Let's see what they do with them. Hunter committed a throwing error with one out in the seventh, fielding Kyle Blanks bouncer to...

Garcia struggling early, Hardy extends hitting streak (O's down 5-2)

Garcia struggling early, Hardy extends hitting streak (O's down 5-2)
Freddy Garcia isn't making the Padres regret their decision to release him in spring training. Garcia has faced 11 batters in two innings and allowed two runs and five hits, with one walk and one strikeout. He's thrown 40 pitches, 24 for strikes. The Orioles turned a 5-4-3 double play on Carlos Quentin's ground ball to bail out Garcia in the first inning, but No. 9 hitter John Baker collected his first two RBIs of the season with a two-out single in the second. Garcia took a perfect game...

Notes on Gonzalez, Reimold, Arrieta and more (updated)

Notes on Gonzalez, Reimold, Arrieta and more (updated)
Miguel Gonzalez played catch in the outfield today, gradually increasing the distance until it turned into a long-toss session, and threw 35 pitches off the bullpen mound. He removed the bandage from around the blister on his right thumb for his last five or six throws and didn't experience any problems. Gonzalez expects to start Friday night for Double-A Bowie. He's still a candidate to start Tuesday night for the Orioles if his pitch count with the Baysox is low enough to make him...