Roch Kubatko

Markakis among regulars traveling to Fort Myers

March 26, 2013, 4:06am

Orioles

Markakis among regulars traveling to Fort Myers

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are hitting the road today for the last time this spring. Or, as manager Buck Showalter called them yesterday, the Griswolds. The regulars are on this trip, including designated hitter Nick Markakis, center fielder Adam Jones, shortstop J.J. Hardy and catcher Matt Wieters, who hadn't traveled this spring until today. But it's no vacation and there's no wood paneling on the sides of the bus. Markakis is playing for the first time since March 1. For the...

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Today's game and yesterday's bunts

March 25, 2013, 8:04pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Apparently, it's not safe to turn away from the Orioles for a few minutes without players being cut from the camp roster or minor league trades being consummated. Wilson Betemit's knee injury and MRI result just added to the frenzy. My morning will include a status update on Betemit, a quick check with Miguel Gonzalez on his start yesterday against Boston Red Sox minor leaguers at Twin Lakes Park and confirmation that Nick Markakis is really traveling to Fort Myers for this...

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Orioles acquire Asencio from Brewers (updated)

March 25, 2013, 5:03pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made another minor league deal tonight, acquiring reliever Jairo Asencio from the Milwaukee Brewers for a player to be named later or cash. Asencio, 28, is 1-2 with a 5.23 ERA in 39 major league games spread over three seasons with the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs. He signed with the Brewers as a minor league free agent Nov. 5 and appeared in one spring training game, allowing two runs and one hit, with two walks, without retiring a...

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Betemit diagnosed with Grade 2/3 PCL tear

March 25, 2013, 3:02pm

Orioles

Betemit diagnosed with Grade 2/3 PCL tear

SARASOTA, Fla. - A magnetic resonance imaging on Wilson Betemit's right knee this afternoon has revealed a Grade 2/3 posterior cruciate ligament tear and "associated injuries," according to a team spokesman. Betemit collapsed in the dirt near second base in the bottom of the fifth inning as he ran to the bag on Manny Machado's fly ball to left field. He rolled from side to side in excruciating pain and was carted off the field and helped into the clubhouse with a brace that extended from...

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Strop pitches through distraction of Betemit injury

March 25, 2013, 1:11pm

Orioles

Strop pitches through distraction of Betemit injury

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pedro Strop sat in the Orioles' bullpen during today's game and tried to get an update on his teammate and close friend, Wilson Betemit, who was carted off the field with an injury to his right knee. Strop asked a reporter who was walking past him. He kept hoping for good news. Then he had to pitch. "It was hard for me, because we are always talking in the offseason, we are in contact, and I know how hard he worked this offseason to get his swing ready and everything,"...

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Showalter: "I've got a heavy heart with Wilson"

March 25, 2013, 12:56pm

Orioles

Showalter: "I've got a heavy heart with Wilson"

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter walked off the field during the late innings of today's game against the Boston Red Sox, heading straight to the trainers room to console Wilson Betemit. Betemit was carted off the field with an injury to his right knee that's been diagnosed initially as a sprained ligament. He's undergoing an MRI this afternoon and the team hopes to have the results later tonight. "I've got a heavy heart with Wilson, boy. That's tough," Showalter said...

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More thoughts on Betemit injury and McFarland quotes (O's win 12-9)

March 25, 2013, 11:53am

Orioles

More thoughts on Betemit injury and McFarland quotes (O's win 12-9)

SARASOTA, Fla. - At the risk of getting too far ahead of ourselves, today's injury to Wilson Betemit would seem to increase the chances that Ryan Flaherty makes the team. Flaherty already had placed himself in a favorable position, and his left-handed bat would be a good replacement for Betemit, who isn't nearly as productive from the right side of the plate. If Betemit is out for an extended period, the Orioles also could keep one of their right-handed hitting first basemen/outfielders....

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Betemit carted off field with injury (updated)

March 25, 2013, 11:16am

Orioles

Betemit carted off field with injury (updated)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The result of today's game between the Orioles and Red Sox no longer will matter in the home clubhouse. The big concern centers around Wilson Betemit, who left the field on a cart after appearing to injure his right knee in the fifth inning. He had a brace on his right leg while being assisted inside the clubhouse. Betemit fell between first and second base on Manny Machado's fly ball to left field. Betemit was rolling in the dirt in pain as the Red Sox doubled him off...

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Good and bad from McFarland (O's have four home runs)

March 25, 2013, 10:13am

Orioles

Good and bad from McFarland (O's have four home runs)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Making his first spring start today, left-hander T.J. McFarland struck out four of the first eight batters who stepped to the plate. That's the good. McFarland gave up three runs and four hits over the first two innings, including a long two-run homer to Boston's No. 9 hitter, Christian Vazquez. He surrendered three consecutive singles to open the third that moved the Red Sox ahead 4-3. That's the bad. McFarland has been charged with four runs and seven hits in three...

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Orioles remove Canzler and Pridie from camp roster

March 25, 2013, 9:23am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made two more roster cuts today, optioning infielder Russ Canzler to Triple-A Norfolk and reassigning outfielder Jason Pridie to minor league camp. The moves leave the Orioles with 38 players in major league camp. Canzler was 9-for-34 (.265) with two RBIs in 23 games. Pridie was 13-for-42 (.310) with four doubles, two homers and eight RBIs in 19 games. Canzler also homered twice against Team Spain, but those stats weren't official. The Orioles selected Canzler...

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More from Showalter before today's game

March 25, 2013, 8:16am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter provided updates on a few injured players and heaped some serious praise on Steve Pearce as part of his pregame session with the media, which took place behind the cage while his club finished up batting practice. On Travyon Robinson: "He feels good. He feels good. We'll give him another day. He's having spasms, cramps. Richie (Bancells) feels he'll be back tomorrow. During the season, I could probably use him." On Ryan Flaherty starting...

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Markakis could DH on Tuesday

March 25, 2013, 7:13am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis took another round of batting practice today at Ed Smith Stadium and is expected to serve as the designated hitter for Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers. Markakis hasn't played since March 1 because of a herniated disc in his neck. His progression has taken him from hitting off a tee to soft toss to live batting practice the past two days. Markakis wouldn't be the only regular on the trip. Manager Buck Showalter...

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More from Tillman

March 25, 2013, 6:09am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman said his four-inning, 62-pitch outing yesterday at Twin Lakes Park was "really good" and he remains confident that he will avoid a trip to the disabled list. Tillman faced a group of Orioles minor leaguers in an 11 a.m. start, with pitching coach Rick Adair staying back to watch before joining manager Buck Showalter in Bradenton. "It went well," Tillman said. "I got the work in. Everything was there. Command was really good. I'm pretty happy with...

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Orioles and Red Sox lineups (with notes)

March 25, 2013, 4:07am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Ryan Flaherty is playing right field today and left-hander T.J. McFarland is making his first start this spring, as the Orioles host the Boston Red Sox. Rule 5 rules. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Wilson Betemit DH Manny Machado 3B Ryan Flaherty RF T.J. McFarland LHP Mark Hendrickson, Jim Johnson, Darren O'Day, Pedro Strop, Jason Gurka and Chris Petrini also are listed as available...

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Pitching in with ways to keep McFarland

March 24, 2013, 4:29pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' pitching picture begins to clear up, then it gets hazy again. It begins to clears up, then it gets hazy again. It's pretty obvious that the Orioles are trying to find a way to keep left-hander T.J. McFarland, who won 16 games between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus last season before the Cleveland Indians left him exposed in the Rule 5 draft. The Indians would take him back in a heartbeat if he passed through waivers. The Orioles aren't confident that...

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Notes and quotes following Orioles' 12-10 victory

March 24, 2013, 1:21pm

Orioles

BRADENTON, Fla. - Zech Zinicola gave up a pair of two-out singles in the bottom of the ninth inning, the last one to Felix Pie, before recording a strikeout to complete the Orioles' 12-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. The game lasted 3:37, not counting the 16-minute rain delay. The first inning dragged along as the Orioles scored eight runs in the top half and the Pirates answered with two in the bottom half. "We counted 11 breaks in the action in the first...

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Matusz: "It's disappointing having an outing like this regardless of the situation"

March 24, 2013, 11:58am

Orioles

Matusz: "It's disappointing having an outing like this regardless of the situation"

BRADENTON, Fla. - It hasn't been a good day for left-handers on the Orioles' pitching staff. Brian Matusz allowed five runs and nine hits in four innings, and he was clearly upset with his performance while talking to reporters outside the visiting clubhouse at McKechnie Field. Luis Ayala retired the side in order in the fifth, but lefty Troy Patton was charged with five runs in the sixth inning to tie the game 10-10. The last two runs scored after Patton was removed with two outs and two...

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Robinson injured and Dickerson hits grand slam (Matusz done)

March 24, 2013, 9:39am

Orioles

Robinson injured and Dickerson hits grand slam (Matusz done)

BRADENTON, Fla. - Outfielder Trayvon Robinson appeared to suffer a back injury today after lining a run-scoring single into center field in the top of the first inning, and Lew Ford pinch-ran for him. Robinson crouched down in foul territory as head athletic trainer Richie Bancells came out of the dugout. Robinson kept reaching for his lower back with his left hand as he slowly walked to the clubhouse. Robinson, a non-roster invitee who isn't expected to make the club out of spring training,...

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Orioles acquire Rodriguez from Phillies

March 24, 2013, 9:07am

Orioles

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Orioles made a minor league trade today, acquiring 22-year-old pitcher Julio Rodriguez from the Philadelphia Phillies for outfielder Ronnie Welty. Rodriguez is a 6-foot-4 right-hander from Puerto Rico and a former eighth-round pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. He spent last season with Double-A Reading, going 7-7 with a 4.23 ERA in 29 games (22 starts) and 136 strikeouts in 134 innings - placing him third in the Eastern League. Rodriguez was chosen to the World...

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Showalter remains noncommital about Arrieta

March 24, 2013, 8:47am

Orioles

Showalter remains noncommital about Arrieta

BRADENTON, Fla. - While Jake Arrieta appears to be the choice as the Orioles' fifth starter, manager Buck Showalter continues to list five candidates. Arrieta was removed from Tuesday's starting assignment against the Minnesota Twins, with Kevin Gausman taking his place. Arrieta will pitch at Twin Lakes Park. Asked if we could conclude that Arrieta is the fifth starter, Showalte replied, "No." "We just haven't gotten there yet," Showalter added. "I'm not precluding him from being in...