Roch Kubatko

Teagarden confident back issue is minor

March 01, 2013, 7:34am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - There isn't much competition for the backup catching job in Baltimore. If Taylor Teagarden is healthy, he figures to break camp with the team. Teagarden woke up this morning with lower-back spasms, again bringing his health into question. He didn't debut for the Orioles last season until July 14, when he hit a walk-off home run against the Detroit Tigers at Camden Yards, because of discomfort in his lower back that shut him down for most of spring training. Teagarden's...

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Notes on Teagarden, Urrutia and more

March 01, 2013, 6:21am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Taylor Teagarden woke up this morning with spasms in his lower back and will take off the next few days, according to manager Buck Showalter. Teagarden was sidelined last spring with lower-back discomfort. We're not certain if it's a similar condition. The clubhouse is closed to the media during batting practice, but we hope to meet with Teagarden later and get a full report. "We've got plenty of time. We're not going to rush him," Showalter said. "I think...

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Jones preparing to leave camp for the WBC (Pirates lineup and notes)

March 01, 2013, 4:28am

Orioles

Jones preparing to leave camp for the WBC (Pirates lineup and notes)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles center fielder Adam Jones stood at his locker this morning wearing a bright yellow T-shirt with "Hulkamania" in red letters across his chest, a nod to former pro wrestling champion Hulk Hogan. Yes, Jones is a real American. Need more proof? He's leaving camp Saturday to join Team USA in Phoenix for the World Baseball Classic. "Get to play for your country," he said, describing his excitement at the chance to represent. "I'm going to miss these guys here, but...

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Roberts leading off today

March 01, 2013, 3:06am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Roberts is leading off for the Orioles today against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium. Nick Markakis is batting second and playing right field. Nolan Reimold is in left field and Nate McLouth is serving as the designated hitter. Manny Machado isn't in the lineup after making yesterday's trip to Fort Myers. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth DH Nolan Reimold LF Wilson...

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Hammel on the hump

February 28, 2013, 5:12pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Finally. Jason Hammel will make his first Grapefruit League start of 2013 today when the Pittsburgh Pirates visit Ed Smith Stadium. Call off the search. The last time we checked, he was throwing in the indoor batting cage Tuesday while high winds swirled around the complex, with "hitters" tracking pitches. It was like batting practice, except without any real batting. Today, opposing hitters will be swinging for the fences. Hammel's right knee is fine. It's not like he...

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Showalter speaks after 7-1 loss

February 28, 2013, 11:23am

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Xavier Avery's sacrifice fly in the ninth inning scored Chris Dickerson, who walked and moved up on Ryan Flaherty's single. No win today, but no shutout. The Orioles lost to the Minnesota Twins 7-1 to ruin their bid for a perfect Grapefruit League season. Jair Jurrjens told reporters that he's still having issues with his timing and mechanics. Does manager Buck Showalter agree with that assessment? "He knows himself and his body," Showalter said. "We're still...

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Jurrjens struggles through one inning (O's down 7-0)

February 28, 2013, 8:56am

Orioles

Jurrjens struggles through one inning (O's down 7-0)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Jair Jurrjens had an abbreviated outing today at Hammond Stadium. Jurrjens lasted only one inning, walking three batters and throwing 34 pitches before recording the final out. He gave up three runs and two hits - both doubles - and only 13 of his pitches were strikes. Jurrjens, who allowed one run in two innings against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, fell behind six of the eight batters he faced. His fastball topped out at 92 mph, but he mostly sat at 89-90 mph,...

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Hunter pushed back to Saturday, and other notes

February 28, 2013, 7:44am

Orioles

Hunter pushed back to Saturday, and other notes

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Tommy Hunter's pitching schedule has been adjusted following Tuesday's rainout in Bradenton. Hunter threw a light side session today and will pitch Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte. Hunter will follow starter Wei-Yin Chen and left-hander Brian Matusz to the mound. No health issues. Manager Buck Showalter said he expects Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia to take his physical today or Friday and report to the minor league complex in Twin Lakes Park "by...

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Orioles lineup against the Twins (updated)

February 28, 2013, 3:31am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jair Jurrjens makes his second spring training start today when the Orioles travel to Fort Myers to play the Minnesota Twins. Most of the regulars will work out at the Ed Smith Stadium complex and call it a day. Manny Machado is making the trip and batting second. Danny Valencia is back at first base. For the Orioles: Alexi Casilla SS Manny Machado 3B Lew Ford DH Conor Jackson RF Danny Valencia 1B Trayvon Robinson LF Yamaico Navarro 2B LJ Hoes CF Chris Robinson C Jair...

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Hunter gets a longer look today

February 27, 2013, 6:45pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are hitting the road again today, making their first trip to Fort Myers for a 1:05 p.m. game against the Minnesota Twins. Jair Jurrjens will make his second start of the spring. He went two innings Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, allowing one run and two hits and walking one batter. Jurrjens retired the first five batters and threw 19 of his 31 pitches for strikes before exiting the game. He was thrilled with his velocity, which dipped last...

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Tillman reaches pitch limit in second inning (O's win 5-3)

February 27, 2013, 3:11pm

Orioles

Tillman reaches pitch limit in second inning (O's win 5-3)

SARASOTA, Fla. - In his first spring training start of 2013, Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman threw 43 pitches in 1 2/3 innings tonight and was replaced by Daniel Schlereth with a runner on first base. Tillman threw 22 of those pitches for strikes. His fastball topped out at 94 mph and hit 93 mph on multiple occasions. Jacoby Ellsbury took a called third strike to begin the game, but Dustin Pedroia singled with one out and Jarrod Saltalamacchia walked with two outs. Tillman threw 25 pitches...

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Urrutia obtains work visa and arrives in Florida

February 27, 2013, 1:38pm

Orioles

Urrutia obtains work visa and arrives in Florida

SARASOTA, Fla. - The search for Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia has come to an end. Urrutia obtained his work visa and made it out of Haiti. I'm told that he's in Miami and will take his physical before reporting to the Orioles' minor league complex at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota. Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed tonight that Urrutia had arrived in Florida. "He needs to get in shape and we need to see how far along he is," Duquette said. "He needs to get the rust off....

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A quick visit with Koji Uehara

February 27, 2013, 12:02pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Former Orioles reliever Koji Uehara is in the house. Uehara made the trip to Ed Smith Stadium for tonight's game, joining 10 other pitchers on the Boston Red Sox's travel roster. Uehara smiled broadly when he spotted two Baltimore reporters walking toward him as he sat on the top step of the visiting dugout. He called for his interpreter to join him for a short interview. "I think we have a really good mix of guys and I'm having a lot of fun," said Uehara, who signed a...

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Reimold leading off again tonight (Wada quotes, Ripken note, Tampa final)

February 27, 2013, 9:20am

Orioles

Reimold leading off again tonight (Wada quotes, Ripken note, Tampa final)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold is batting first again tonight, as the Orioles host the Boston Red Sox in a split-squad game. Brian Roberts is batting second, and Nick Markakis is starting in right field after serving as the designated hitter in two games. Nate McLouth drops to eighth against Red Sox left-hander Franklin Morales. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold DH Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Wilson Betemit...

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Valencia on playing first base, and other notes (Pearce update)

February 27, 2013, 8:21am

Orioles

Valencia on playing first base, and other notes (Pearce update)

SARASOTA, Fla. - While still recovering from the news that Stone Temple Pilots has fired Scott Weiland. Again... Danny Valencia is making another start at first base today in Tampa, his second one in four spring training games. He was supposed to play third base yesterday in Bradenton before the cancellation due to rain. As I wrote a few days ago, Valencia has never played first base in the majors. He appeared in 18 games with rookie-league Elizabethton in 2006, two with Single-A Beloit in...

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Orioles split-squad lineup against the Yankees (updated)

February 27, 2013, 3:53am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jake Arrieta makes his second Grapefruit League start of 2013 today when the Orioles travel to Tampa for a split-squad game against the New York Yankees. In his debut, Arrieta walked one batter in a scoreless inning Saturday against the Minnesota Twins. Most of the regulars are staying back for the 7:05 p.m. game against the Boston Red Sox. Danny Valencia is making his second start at first base after being scheduled to play third base yesterday before rain washed away the...

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Orioles keep making left turn

February 26, 2013, 4:59pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles were denied the chance to face a left-handed starter yesterday when their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates was rained out, but there's always another one right around the corner. They stepped into the box on Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays' Mark Buerhle in Dunedin and on Monday against the New York Yankees' Vidal Nuno in Sarasota. They never saw the Pirates' Wandy Rodriguez yesterday, but they get the Yankees' Nik Turley and the Boston Red Sox's...

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Britton will pitch in relief Wednesday night

February 26, 2013, 12:48pm

Orioles

Britton will pitch in relief Wednesday night

SARASOTA, Fla. - Rather than start Wednesday night's split-squad game against the Boston Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium, left-hander Zach Britton will follow Chris Tillman to the mound and work in relief. Tillman was supposed to start today against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton before heavy rains caused a cancellation and a bit of a rotation shuffle. Dylan Bundy, also slated to pitch today, is currently scheduled to follow Jake Arrieta Wednesday afternoon against the New York Yankees in...

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Looking ahead at the pitching schedule (game cancelled, one more update)

February 26, 2013, 7:54am

Orioles

Looking ahead at the pitching schedule (game cancelled, one more update)

BRADENTON, Fla. - It's still raining at McKechnie Field and umpires will check back with the managers at 1 p.m. to decide whether to wait or cancel the game. The Orioles' pitching schedule will be affected if we have a cancellation. Otherwise, Jake Arrieta and Zach Britton will start the split-squad games on Wednesday and Jair Jurrjens will start Thursday against the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers. Tommy Hunter is slated to go two or three innings on Thursday. Kevin Gausman will pitch two...

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Rainy days and Tuesdays

February 26, 2013, 6:13am

Orioles

BRADENTON, Fla. - We have a tornado watch in Bradenton, rain is falling and the tarp is on the field at McKechnie Stadium. I can never remember which is worse, a watch or a warning. I posed the question on Twitter, and the best explanation came from @highaoa: "Watch" = CC Sabathia is pitching versus your team later today. "Warning" = he's in the 8th inning of a perfect game. Thanks for putting it in terms I can understand. No word on whether the game will be played, though people I've...