Roch Kubatko

Hobgood throws off mound and other scenes from minor league camp (and note)

March 04, 2013, 9:43am

Orioles

Hobgood throws off mound and other scenes from minor league camp (and note)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Ed Smith Stadium complex is closed today, but there's plenty of action at Twin Lakes Park, where minor league pitchers and catchers are working out. Position players who reported to the early camp also took the field today - guys that manager Buck Showalter wanted to be ready in case they were needed in Grapefruit League games. Matt Hobgood, the fifth overall selection in the 2009 First-Year Player draft, threw off a mound today for the first time since instructional...

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Conor Jackson's trying to add another chapter to his comeback story

March 03, 2013, 2:23pm

Orioles

Conor Jackson's trying to add another chapter to his comeback story

SARASOTA, Fla. - It seems like only yesterday that Conor Jackson was stressing over the amount of days he remained idle in camp because of a sore lower back. He's signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Guys like him can't afford to spend the bulk of their time on the injury report instead of in the lineup. "You can't impress anybody when you're in the training room," he said. "You've got to be on the field, you've got to play and you've got to show...

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Postgame notes and quotes following 12-3 victory

March 03, 2013, 11:55am

Orioles

Postgame notes and quotes following 12-3 victory

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dylan Bundy was scheduled to pitch today, but he was held out of the game because of "groin spasms," according to manager Buck Showalter. It's nothing serious. Showalter said it wasn't anything that Bundy couldn't have pitched with if the club needed him on the mound, but again, it's spring training and there's no reason to push anyone. Bundy probably won't pitch again before Wednesday, and he could be held back until Thursday. The Orioles are off Monday and Bundy...

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Gonzalez on his outing, game update and leftover notes (O's win 12-3)

March 03, 2013, 10:27am

Orioles

Gonzalez on his outing, game update and leftover notes (O's win 12-3)

SARASOTA, Fla. - No wonder today had a special feel for Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez. He reminded reporters that he hadn't thrown in a major league exhibition game since 2007, when the Angels summoned him from minor league camp. Gonzalez didn't make it to the Ed Smith Stadium complex last spring, and he didn't join an affiliate when the minor league season began in April. He was in limbo long before he joined the Orioles' rotation. Gonzalez struck out two batters in two scoreless...

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Gonzalez with successful debut, Tillman talks about outing (updated)

March 03, 2013, 9:43am

Orioles

Gonzalez with successful debut, Tillman talks about outing (updated)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Making his first appearance of the spring today, Miguel Gonzalez tossed two scoreless innings while facing only six batters. Gonzalez struck out the first two batters on a total of six pitches. Cesar Hernandez walked with two outs, but he was thrown out trying to steal. Gonzalez made short work of the Phillies in the fifth inning, getting a bouncer in front of the mound, a ground ball to first and a fly ball to right. Pretty routine. Chris Tillman told reporters that he felt...

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Roberts stays hot, Orioles hit back-to-back home runs (Tillman update)

March 03, 2013, 8:38am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts followed his 3-for-3 game on Friday with a single today in the bottom of the first inning. That's four straight hits for Roberts, the latest being a line drive into right field off Philadelphia's Kyle Kendrick. Chris Davis also singled, and Matt Wieters launched an opposite-field three-run homer to left, the wind definitely providing an assist as the ball continued to carry. The Orioles weren't done. Conor Jackson followed with a long...

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Markakis out of lineup because of neck spasms

March 03, 2013, 8:08am

Orioles

Markakis out of lineup because of neck spasms

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis woke up this morning with spasms in his neck, causing manager Buck Showalter to adjust his lineup for today's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Markakis apparently "slept wrong," according to Showalter, and had difficulty turning his head. The Orioles examined Markakis this morning to make sure there was nothing structurally wrong. "We checked him out and it's just a spasm type of thing," Showalter said, adding that Markakis...

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Reimold expected back in lineup Tuesday (with quotes)

March 03, 2013, 7:14am

Orioles

Reimold expected back in lineup Tuesday (with quotes)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Nolan Reimiold, who left Friday's game in the second inning with a sore right shoulder after hitting a home run, is scheduled to serve as the Orioles' designated hitter Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin. Reimold said the soreness only surfaces when he attempts to throw - mostly on his follow-through - and he hasn't been doing any upper-body exercises. He's taking a cautious approach, which is encouraged by the club. Catcher Taylor Teagarden has...

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Orioles and Phillies lineups (and note on today's meeting)

March 03, 2013, 4:58am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nate McLouth is leading off and playing center field in Adam Jones' absence, and Brian Roberts is batting second for today's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Conor Jackson is serving as the designated hitter. He's getting extended playing time and manager Buck Showalter has been impressed by him. Nolan Reimold remains out of the lineup while dealing with a sore right shoulder. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth CF Brian Roberts 2B Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C Conor...

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Today's game and Tuesday's intrigue

March 02, 2013, 5:06pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Michael Weiner, the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, is making the rounds again this spring, and he's scheduled to stop by the Ed Smith Stadium complex this morning. This is an annual visit, which closes the clubhouse to the media. Players won't be available until after today's 1:05 p.m. game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Chris Tillman will make his second start. He allowed one hit, walked two batters and struck out one in 1 2/3...

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News and notes following a 4-1 loss to the Rays (and quotes)

March 02, 2013, 10:47am

Orioles

News and notes following a 4-1 loss to the Rays (and quotes)

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Orioles lost their second exhibition game of 2013, falling to the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 at Charlotte Sports Park. The Orioles brought only one projected starter, third baseman Manny Machado. Don't judge them too harshly. Tommy Hunter recovered from the Sean Rodriguez home run and Ben Zobrist single to retire the last six batters he faced. Left-hander Troy Patton retired the side in order in the seventh, striking out two batters. He had allowed three runs and six...

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Chen on Chen (updated)

March 02, 2013, 9:29am

Orioles

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Tommy Hunter entered the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, and the first batter he faced, Sean Rodriguez, lined a home run to right field. Tampa Bay 4, Orioles 0. Rodriguez was 0-for-12 this spring before the homer. Alexi Casilla reached on an infield hit in the top of the sixth, but he was thrown out trying to steal second base. Manny Machado tripled to center field with two outs. Update: Machado scored on Jason Pridie's single into right field. Machado is...

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Chen impressive in debut (Matusz gives up back-to-back home runs)

March 02, 2013, 8:47am

Orioles

Chen impressive in debut (Matusz gives up back-to-back home runs)

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen worked two scoreless innings today in his Grapefruit League debut, allowing two singles on ground balls up the middle. Chen threw 23 pitches, 17 for strikes. Left-hander Brian Matusz began to warm in the Orioles' bullpen as Chen took the mound for the second inning. Tampa Bay's Ben Zobrist singled to center field leading off the bottom of the first, and Yunel Escobar did the same with two outs. In between, Kelly Johnson and Evan Longoria flew out to deep...

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Orioles and Rays lineups (Reimold and Schoop updates)

March 02, 2013, 3:13am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manny Machado is making another road trip today, batting third against Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Alex Cobb. Jason Pridie is playing right field and batting cleanup. Xavier Avery is starting in left field and batting ninth. Yes, most of the regulars are staying in Sarasota. For the Orioles: Alexi Casilla 2B Ryan Flaherty SS Manny Machado 3B Jason Pridie RF Chris Dickerson CF Trayvon Robinson DH Travis Ishikawa 1B Luis Exposito C Xavier Avery LF Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the...

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Quick hits on Reimold, Wada and McFarland

March 02, 2013, 2:13am

Orioles

Quick hits on Reimold, Wada and McFarland

SARASOTA, Fla. - Who's up for another road trip? The Orioles are heading to Port Charlotte this morning to play the Tampa Bay Rays. It's a nice facility with a press box that seats about three reporters from the visiting media - with two obstructed views. But everything else about the place is fairly impressive. Wei-Yin Chen makes his 2013 Grapefruit League debut today, followed by Brian Matusz, Tommy Hunter, Troy Patton and Daniel McCutchen. Hunter was supposed to go two or three innings...

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Reimold will take a few days off from throwing

March 01, 2013, 12:02pm

Orioles

Reimold will take a few days off from throwing

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold made the decision to remove himself from today's game before he batted in the bottom of the second inning. As it turned out, he was allowed to hit and responded with a long home run. The at-bat easily was the best part of his brief day. Reimold said he's going to take a "day or two off from throwing" because of soreness in his right shoulder that, obviously, doesn't impact the way he swings a bat. "I just had a little bit of shoulder soreness and this is...

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Roberts talks about his 3-for-3 day

March 01, 2013, 11:35am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Did Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts have fun today? "Every day's a fun day on the field," Roberts replied with a smile. Roberts is just happy to be playing again, and going 3-for-3 with a home run today simply added to his joy. "It's been too many days in the training room. Baseball's fun when you can get out there and play. It's definitely been good so far." Roberts homered to right field leading off the bottom of the first inning. He singled to left in the...

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Reimold has sore right shoulder

March 01, 2013, 11:19am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's game ended with Orioles first baseman Steve Pearce throwing out the Pirates' Jordy Mercer at the plate on an infield hit. Orioles 6, Pirates 5. The news on Nolan Reimold is fairly encouraging. Reimold was removed from today's game after hitting a home run in the second inning because of a sore right shoulder, according to manager Buck Showalter. Reimold apparently notified Showalter of his condition before stepping to the plate. Showalter doesn't believe that...

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Hammel: "Nice to be out there with two good knees" (O's win 6-5)

March 01, 2013, 9:38am

Orioles

Hammel: "Nice to be out there with two good knees" (O's win 6-5)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Pirates scored a run in the third, fourth and fifth innings off right-hander Mike Wright, reducing the Orioles' lead to 4-3. Matt Wieters delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth, but Gaby Sanchez hit his second home run of the day leading off the top of the sixth, this one off left-hander Mark Hendrickson. Wright is the first pitcher to work three innings for the Orioles this spring. Brian Roberts' home run was his first since April 13, 2011. Tip of the cap...

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Hammel goes two, Orioles going deep (updated)

March 01, 2013, 8:49am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jason Hammel's first spring start of 2013 resulted in two scoreless innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hammel gave up one hit, a double to Chase d'Arnaud in the first inning. The ball cleared Adam Jones' head in center field and hopped the fence. He struck out two batters, and his fastball was mostly 91-92 mph. Hammel threw 39 pitches, 27 for strikes. He got ahead 0-2 on five of the seven batters he faced. Brian Roberts led off the bottom of the first inning with a...