Roch Kubatko

The first workout

February 12, 2013, 4:21pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - So far, the two most interesting stories in Orioles camp involve players who aren't here - literally or technically. Jair Jurrjens can't report until the Orioles decide whether he passed a physical. Trayvon Robinson apparently is here, but his dateline reads "LIMBO" until it's determined whether he passed through waivers. Otherwise, the biggest buzz yesterday may have come from Nolan Reimold, who hit live pitching for the first time since his surgery. After some...

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Duquette on Jurrjens, the roster, the division and more

February 12, 2013, 10:47am

Orioles

Duquette on Jurrjens, the roster, the division and more

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette stopped by the media workroom earlier today and touched on a variety of topics. Immediately, he was asked about former Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens, who's agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Orioles. Jurrjens completed his physical last week, and we're still waiting for an official announcement. "We're still working on that issue," Duquette said. "We don't have that resolved yet. We hope to get it resolved...

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Hearing from Buck Showalter

February 12, 2013, 9:56am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter spent about 25 minutes with the media earlier today after conducting a meeting with coaches, instructors and the athletic training staff. He was in a good mood, joking with reporters and telling stories in between nuggets of information. Here's a sampling: "We spent the first 45 minutes, 50 minutes of the meeting updating everybody in camp physically. Working with a whole different timeframe here with the WBC. It's changed at least how we're...

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Quick hits from camp

February 12, 2013, 8:43am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette didn't have an update on pitcher Jair Jurrjens, saying only that he hoped the matter would be resolved in the next few days. He didn't provide any specifics, including whether the Orioles could tweak the original agreement. Also, the Orioles hope to know by Thursday whether Trayvon Robinson cleared waivers. Tsuyoshi Wada has progressed to a long toss program in his recovery from Tommy John surgery on his left elbow. He's still...

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It's report day for pitchers and catchers (updated)

February 11, 2013, 4:04pm

Orioles

It's report day for pitchers and catchers (updated)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nothing much to report after yesterday's arrival. The Lifestyle gym that I join every year was taken over by LA Fitness. The Sweetbay Supermarket, also located on North Beneva Road, closed last week. The Publix in the next shopping center remains open, and I can stock up on Kangaroo brand multi-grain garden herb pita chips. No need to worry about me. Oh, yeah, and it's supposed to be 81 degrees today, dipping into the 60s at night. Again, stop worrying. I know it's...

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Springing ahead to Sarasota

February 10, 2013, 5:12pm

Orioles

And so it begins. I'm heading to the airport for my flight to Tampa and the hour-long drive into Sarasota. The Ed Smith Stadium complex is closed to the media today, which I discovered after booking an 8:20 a.m. flight. Upon further review, I probably could have stayed in bed a little longer. Pitchers and catchers report Tuesday, with their first workout the following day. Position players are due Friday. I've been asked many times, by fans and hosts of various radio/television shows, for...

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Duquette on Jurrjens, Saunders, Redmond and Robinson

February 09, 2013, 8:39pm

Orioles

Duquette on Jurrjens, Saunders, Redmond and Robinson

We should find out within the next couple of days whether pitcher Jair Jurrjens will officially become an Oriole. Executive vice president Dan Duquette, calling into yesterday's "Hot Stove Baseball" show on WBAL Radio, said he hoped that the matter would be resolved "by the start of camp." Pitchers and catchers report to spring training Tuesday, and the first workout takes place the following day. Jurrjens has completed his physical, but the Orioles clearly aren't satisfied with the...

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Orioles reach agreement with O'Day on two-year deal

February 09, 2013, 11:23am

Orioles

And now, all of the Orioles' arbitration-eligible players are under contract for 2013. In the case of Darren O'Day, he's also locked up through 2014. O'Day's agency, the Beverly Hills Sports Council, tweeted confirmation this afternoon that the reliever agreed to a two-year deal with an $4.25 million option for 2015. He is guaranteed $5.8 million. The deal becomes official once O'Day passes his physical. O'Day, 30, made $1.35 million last season while winning a career-high seven...

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The Orioles' camp roster

February 08, 2013, 6:34pm

Orioles

The days continue to melt away before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. I'm actually counting down the hours now as I try to get my life in order before turning it upside down. The first workout for pitchers and catchers takes place Feb. 13. The first full-squad workout is three days later. Here's the list of non-roster invitees: Pitchers 68 Zach Braddock LHP 75 Kevin Gausman RHP 27 Mark Hendrickson LHP 54 Daniel McCutchen RHP 84 Eduardo Rodriguez LHP 61 Adam Russell RHP 55...

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Orioles near multi-year extension with O'Day

February 08, 2013, 4:57pm

Orioles

The Orioles reached agreements with pitchers Jim Johnson and Jason Hammel on one-year contracts earlier tonight, and they're close to a multi-year extension with reliever Darren O'Day, according to industry sources. The deal is "all but done," according to one source. The Orioles are on the verge of giving O'Day, 30, a two-year contract that also includes an option for 2015. O'Day made $1.350 million last season while winning a career-high seven games in eight decisions and posting a...

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Orioles avoid arbitration with Jim Johnson (and Hammel)

February 08, 2013, 3:14pm

Orioles

Orioles closer Jim Johnson will have a new contract when he reports to spring training next week. Johnson has agreed to a $6.5 million deal, according to an industry source, that leaves the Orioles with two unsigned arbitration-eligible players - pitchers Jason Hammel and Darren O'Day. Johnson made $2.625 million last season while leading the majors with 51 saves in 54 opportunities. He filed for $7.1 million and the Orioles countered at $5.7 million. A hearing date would have been set...

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Orioles sign Kyle Hudson to minor league deal

February 08, 2013, 10:00am

Orioles

If the Orioles lose Trayvon Robinson on a waiver claim, they may have another outfielder to take his place in the minors. The Orioles signed Kyle Hudson to a minor league deal yesterday. His contract doesn't include a spring training invite, so he'll report to the Twin Lakes Park complex. Kent Qualls, the Orioles' new director of minor league operations, confirmed the signing today when reached by phone. "Some of our people in the organization like him a lot, "Qualls said. "He's...

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Orioles claim Todd Redmond off waivers (Robinson designated for assignment)

February 08, 2013, 8:46am

Orioles

The Orioles have claimed pitcher Todd Redmond off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds, a team source confirmed. Redmond, 27, made his only major league appearance last season in a start for the Reds, allowing four runs and seven hits, and walking five batters, in 3 1/3 innings. He was 8-11 with a 3.63 ERA in 26 games with Triple-A Gwinnett and Louisville. Redmond is 71-61 with a 3.58 ERA in eight minor league seasons and 207 games, including 200 starts. The Pirates selected Redmond in the 39th...

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Are the Orioles done making moves?

February 07, 2013, 6:25pm

Orioles

Never say never. Apparently, the Orioles won't be re-signing left-hander Joe Saunders, who reached agreement last night on a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners, according to FoxSports.com. It's believed that the Orioles also had a one-year offer on the table, and their ballpark is much closer to Virginia, where Saunders was born and played in high school and college. So what gives? Money, perhaps? A preference for the moose mascot? The assumption that Felix Hernandez will pick up...

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Orioles holding tryouts for ballgirls and ballboys

February 07, 2013, 12:14pm

Orioles

Here's a quick glove story for you: The Orioles will conduct an open tryout to find ballgirls and ballboys for the 2013 season on Saturday, March 9 at Camden Yards. The judges will include members of the Orioles' front office, MASN broadcaster Jim Hunter and former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles, as well as Reagan Warfield of MIX 106.5 and Greg Carpenter of LITE 101.9. My biggest fear in life has always been allowing a ground ball to scoot through my legs while Warfield and Carpenter are...

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Orioles already camping out in Sarasota

February 06, 2013, 5:42pm

Orioles

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in five days, but the Orioles continue to get a jump on the official start of camp. They held a three-day mini-camp at Camden Yards last month that was reserved mostly for pitchers on the 40-man roster - with a few exceptions - but the real action is taking place right now in Sarasota. Double-A Bowie manager Gary Kendall estimated that 20-25 players are working out daily at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. It started out as four or five back on...

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The scheduling conflict

February 06, 2013, 11:25am

Orioles

Since the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII (that's 47 to you and me), they're expected to host the first Thursday night game of 2013 on Sept. 5. The Orioles are supposed to play the Chicago White Sox on that same night at Camden Yards. Yes, we have a conflict, and fans already are asking whether the Orioles will move their game to another time or date. No decision has been made, but there are a few options. None of them include playing the two games at the same time. It just won't work....

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Statement from Valencia

February 05, 2013, 6:10pm

Orioles

Orioles infielder Danny Valencia has issued a statement regarding the Yahoo! Sports report linking him to the Biogenesis clinic. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick passed it along a few minutes ago: "As any innocent person would be, I am shocked and troubled that my name is in any way connected to this story. I have never met or spoken to anyone connected with Biogenesis, in fact I had never even heard of this company prior to the New Times' story. I take tremendous pride in the hard work and dedication...

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Doing the splits

February 05, 2013, 5:51pm

Orioles

If the Orioles produce a video of the 2013 season, I suggest that they call it "Platoon." I'm aware that there's a film of the same name, but this one won't include Charlie Sheen. Yesterday's waiver claim of Russ Canzler provides manager Buck Showalter with more platoon possibilities in left field, at first base and at designated hitter. Of course, Canzler has to make the team out of spring training. He has to make it down to Sarasota. He has to make it through today without being taken...

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Orioles claim Canzler off waivers, DFA Martinez (with Valencia note)

February 05, 2013, 11:38am

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette has added a hitter one week before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, claiming first baseman/outfielder Russ Canzler off waivers from the New York Yankees. The Orioles also designated catcher Luis Martinez for assignment to make room for Canzler on the 40-man roster. Canzler, 26, is a career .278/.347/.472 hitter in nine minor league seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians. He's hit .271/.304/.396 in 29...