Roch Kubatko

The good and the bad from Saturday

March 09, 2013, 7:40pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Kevin Gausman dazzled the Orioles and Tsuyoshi Wada encouraged them. Glass half-full. Nick Markakis will undergo an MRI on his neck, Dylan Bundy's velocity is down and Chris Tillman has been scratched from today's start with abdominal soreness. Glass half-empty. We had lots to discuss and debate yesterday. Who knew a trip to Fort Myers could bring so much information and angst? Gausman's outing against the Boston Red Sox was the highlight. He pumped upper-90s fastballs...

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Tillman scratched from Sunday start (and more from Showalter)

March 09, 2013, 4:56pm

Orioles

Tillman scratched from Sunday start (and more from Showalter)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The nagging injuries in Orioles camp have claimed another victim. Chris Tillman was scratched from Sunday's start against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Sarasota because of abdominal soreness, according to manager Buck Showalter, who met with reporters following tonight's 5-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Miguel Gonzalez, who was supposed to follow Tillman to the mound, will make the start. Tillman, who's allowed two runs and five hits in two appearances covering 4 1/3...

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Bundy and Gausman reflect on their outings (O's win 5-2)

March 09, 2013, 4:12pm

Orioles

Bundy and Gausman reflect on their outings (O's win 5-2)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Dylan Bundy returned to the ballpark tonight where he debuted in the Grapefruit League last spring. He won't leave here feeling all warm and fuzzy. Bundy wasn't pleased with his performance for the Orioles tonight. The two walks in two innings. Only 18 strikes among his 35 pitches. The drop in velocity. "Two walks. I'm never happy with that," he said. "Leave a fastball up in the zone and he (Mitch Maier) hits it down the line. But really, the two walks are about the...

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Bundy completes his start (with Gausman update)

March 09, 2013, 2:52pm

Orioles

Bundy completes his start (with Gausman update)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Dylan Bundy was tagged with an unearned run tonight in his two innings against the Boston Red Sox. Bundy allowed one hit, a two-out double by Mitch Maier in the second, walked two and struck out one. His fastball was mostly 90-92 mph, according to the NESN radar gun readings. The run scored when right fielder Conor Jackson had trouble picking up the ball on Maier's hit, allowing Will Middlebrooks to race home and tie the game at 1-1. Bundy issued a two-out walk to Jackie...

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The WBC brawl, Machado, Canzler, Wada and the intrasquad game

March 09, 2013, 1:25pm

Orioles

The WBC brawl, Machado, Canzler, Wada and the intrasquad game

FORT MYERS, Fla. - So, anything interesting happen today in the World Baseball Classic? Reporters here were glued to the press box televisions as the brawl unfolded between Canada and Mexico, and Orioles farmhand Chris Robinson was directly involved in it. Robinson bunted for a hit with Canada leading 9-3 in the ninth. I'm pretty sure that's a violation of baseball's unwritten rule. Also, Robinson slid hard into second base earlier in the game, so Mexico's players already were irritated...

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Markakis to undergo MRI on Monday

March 09, 2013, 12:49pm

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Orioles have scheduled an MRI on Monday for right fielder Nick Markakis to determine the cause of his neck stiffness. Markakis didn't show much improvement today - he wakes up each morning with the same discomfort - and the Orioles have arranged an examination. "Just to be on the safe side," said manager Buck Showalter. Markakis hasn't played since March 1, his fourth game of Grapefruit League season. He was scratched from the March 3 lineup. "Richie (Bancells)...

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A few more notes before batting practice

March 09, 2013, 12:12pm

Orioles

A few more notes before batting practice

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Orioles are in the market for a catcher to improve their depth in the minor league system. Matt Wieters is entrenched as the starter, of course, and a healthy Taylor Teagarden will serve as his backup. But there are some concerns beyond those two backstops. That's one reason why manager Buck Showalter is eager to take a look at Luis Martinez, selected off waivers from the Texas Rangers on Jan. 4. Martinez was reassigned to the minor league camp on Thursday, but he's...

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Orioles will play intrasquad game on Tuesday

March 09, 2013, 11:15am

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter has filled one of the open dates on the Grapefruit League schedule by arranging an intrasquad game Tuesday. The club hasn't announced a time or whether it will be played at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, but it will provide innings for a handful of pitchers. Jason Hammel, Steve Johnson, Mike Wright, Jair Jurrjens, Eduardo Rodriguez, Troy Patton and Daniel Schlereth will throw on Tuesday. Wright and Rodriguez were reassigned to minor league...

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Orioles and Red Sox lineups

March 09, 2013, 8:22am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Russ Canzler is getting a start at third base tonight, as the Orioles travel to Fort Myers to play the Boston Red Sox. Danny Valencia moves over to first base. Nolan Reimold is again serving as the designated hitter, batting third tonight ahead of Conor Jackson. For the Orioles: Alexi Casilla SS Lew Ford CF Nolan Reimold DH Conor Jackson RF Steve Pearce LF Russ Canzler 3B Danny Valencia 1B Yamaico Navarro 2B Luis Exposito C Dylan Bundy RHP For the Red Sox: Holt 2B Gomes...

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Bundy and Gausman on display tonight

March 08, 2013, 6:33pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will be playing under the lights again. They love the night life, they've got to boogie. It's worth the trek to Fort Myers to watch Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman pitch against the Boston Red Sox. This will be the first time they've appeared in the same game this spring. Gausman has been a day behind. Manager Buck Showalter decided to give Bundy the start. He asked reporters for their opinions before making the announcement, mostly out of curiosity. We can't...

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Wrapping up a 6-3 victory

March 08, 2013, 6:28pm

Orioles

BRADENTON, Fla. - Troy Patton threw two scoreless innings to pick up the save tonight in the Orioles' 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Patton hadn't gone more than 1 1/3 innings in his first three outings. "He feels good physically," said manager Buck Showalter. "Tonight was a good opportunity." Brian Matusz also tossed two scoreless innings against the Pirates and did more throwing in the bullpen to increase his workload to three innings. "Brian threw the ball well. We...

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Chen leaves with lead after 2 1/3 innings (O's win 6-3)

March 08, 2013, 3:23pm

Orioles

Chen leaves with lead after 2 1/3 innings (O's win 6-3)

BRADENTON, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen was charged with his first earned run this spring while he sat on the bench. Tommy Hunter let an inherited runner score on Pedro Alvarez's single with two outs in the third, cutting the Orioles' lead to 4-2. Chen also permitted an unearned run in his 2 1/3 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. He allowed one hit, walked two and struck out four. Chen appeared to be done after the second, but he faced two batters in the third, issuing a...

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Markakis won't play Sunday

March 08, 2013, 1:07pm

Orioles

BRADENTON, Fla. - Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis won't be in Sunday's lineup against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium because of continuing stiffness in his neck. Markakis' neck tightened up again yesterday while he played with his kids, according to manager Buck Showalter. He's better today - basically back to where he was two days ago - but the Orioles aren't taking any chances. "He's still close, but I wouldn't say Sunday. I'll probably wait a little bit on that...

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Updates on Wada, Machado, Teagarden (pitching and contract notes)

March 08, 2013, 9:44am

Orioles

Updates on Wada, Machado, Teagarden (pitching and contract notes)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tsuyoshi Wada threw on one of the back fields today. Manny Machado is getting dressed for the workout, no evidence of swelling in his face after yesterday's root canal. Taylor Teagarden is preparing to take batting practice and catch bullpen sessions, the discomfort in his lower back fading. Never hurts to check. "I was pretty much a full participant in yesterday's workout and I'm going to do it again today," Teagarden said. "Make sure that the back feels good. It's...

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Orioles lineup against Pirates and injury notes (updated)

March 08, 2013, 8:57am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Xavier Avery gets the start in center field tonight, as the Orioles travel to Bradenton to play the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wilson Betemit will start at third base, with Manny Machado skipping the trip. For the Orioles: Alexi Casilla SS Ryan Flaherty 2B Wilson Betemit 3B Jason Pridie DH Travis Ishikawa 1B Trayvon Robinson LF Chris Dickerson RF Jose Gil C Xavier Avery CF Wei-Yin Chen LHP Brian Matusz, Tommy Hunter, Troy Patton and Daniel Schlereth also are scheduled to...

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Tonight's game, McFarland and Ripken

March 07, 2013, 7:24pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are heading back to Bradenton tonight, where their first attempt to play the Pirates was washed away by rain. I drove there, set up in the press box, met with manager Buck Showalter in his office, watched him examine the outfield with the umpires, and drove back to my hotel. I still tingle over the memory. We have a night game, which means the media isn't allowed inside the Orioles' clubhouse in Sarasota before 1:30 p.m. It's almost like a day off. More...

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Orioles make four cuts with one more pending (de San Miguel also cut)

March 07, 2013, 11:50am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have reassigned pitchers Mike Wright, Eduardo Rodriguez and Zach Braddock, and catcher Luis Martinez to minor league camp. One more player will be cut today, but manager Buck Showalter hadn't informed him. Wright allowed one run and three hits today. Braddock still hasn't pitched after undergoing surgery last summer to repair a torn labrum, but he's finally been cleared to throw off a mound. Martinez didn't get any at-bats because of a strained oblique, but...

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Hammel and more from Ripken (Flaherty with walk-off homer)

March 07, 2013, 10:11am

Orioles

Hammel and more from Ripken (Flaherty with walk-off homer)

SARASOTA, Fla. - There's a strong wind blowing out to left field, which makes it a typical day here at Ed Smith Stadium. And pretty much every ballpark in the state of Florida. I'm not sure exactly how that works, but I've witnessed the same thing in Dunedin, Bradenton, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers ... you name it. Mike Wright surrendered a run in the fifth inning and Toronto catcher Henry Blanco homered on the first pitch thrown by Daniel McCutchen in the sixth - a routine fly ball carrying...

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Game update and (more) Ripken quotes

March 07, 2013, 9:29am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jason Hammel didn't complete the third inning today, leaving after 2 1/3 with the score tied 1-1. He allowed five hits, walked one and struck out four. Mark Hendrickson replaced Hammel with two runners on base, issued a two-out walk and escaped the jam. The Orioles scored five runs in the bottom of the third to take a 6-1 lead. Toronto committed two errors that accounted for four of those runs. Steve Pearce contributed a run-scoring double that raised his spring RBI total to...

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Orioles continue to scout Dodgers pitchers (Reimold homers)

March 07, 2013, 7:24am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have been scouting Los Angels Dodgers pitchers Aaron Harang, Ted Lilly and Chris Capuano, figuring that at least one of them will become available in a trade. The Dodgers' rotation is overflowing and the Orioles haven't closed the door on acquiring another veteran starter, though there's no shortage of arms in their camp. Harang, 34, went 10-10 with a 3.61 ERA in 31 starts last season. He's due to make $7 million this season, and his contract includes a $7...