Roch Kubatko

Looking ahead at the pitching schedule

March 15, 2013, 6:35am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Miguel Gonzalez is scheduled to throw four innings today at the minor league complex at Twin Lakes Park. Manager Buck Showalter prefers to keep his projected starters away from the Orioles' division rivals, though there's plenty of video floating around these days. Zach Britton, T.J. McFarland, Luis Ayala and Mark Hendrickson will pitch today against the Boston Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. The Red Sox brought Clayton Mortenson, Alex Wilson, Chris Hernandez and former Orioles...

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Orioles lineup against the Red Sox and Tillman update (and more)

March 15, 2013, 4:08am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nate McLouth will lead off and play center field today against the Boston Red Sox. Brian Roberts is batting second. Wilson Betemit, who started at third base yesterday, is the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth CF Brian Roberts 2B Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Wilson Betemit DH Manny Machado 3B Chris Dickerson RF Lew Ford LF Zach Britton LHP Chris Tillman's bullpen session went well yesterday and he's scheduled to throw two innings Saturday at...

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Spring training leftovers for breakfast

March 14, 2013, 7:10pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro is one of the many connections made by executive vice president Dan Duquette that may pay off for the Orioles. Niekro is working for the Orioles as a consultant of sorts, as he mentors knuckleballer Zach Staniewicz at the Twin Lakes Park complex. Long story short: The Orioles signed Staniewicz, 26, after Niekro recommended him to Duquette. Staniewicz went to Atlanta on his own to work out with Niekro, who later contacted Duquette and said that...

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More on Clayton Tanner signing

March 14, 2013, 3:05pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed that the Orioles signed Clayton Tanner to a minor league deal and will assign him to Twin Lakes Park, where he will attempt to land a job at Double-A Bowie or Triple-A Norfolk. "He should be in town soon," Duquette said. Tanner, 25, signed the deal on Sunday, after the Orioles received permission from the Australian Baseball Federation. They scouted Tanner while he pitched for Australia in the World Baseball Classic. "He...

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Showalter speaks after 4-3 loss

March 14, 2013, 1:03pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter didn't dispute the call from home plate umpire John Hirschbeck that allowed Tampa Bay's Wil Myers to score in the ninth inning and break a 3-3 tie. Catcher Luis Exposito was charged with interference, and an error, for using his mask to corral the ball. The issue for Showalter is the lack of intent. Exposito wasn't gaining an advantage only a few feet from the plate. It's a silly rule. As for the pitching, Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy combined for 5...

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Orioles sign Clayton Tanner to minor league deal, O's lose 4-3

March 14, 2013, 11:58am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have signed left-hander Clayton Tanner to a minor league deal after scouting him with Australia in the World Baseball Classic. Tanner, 25, is a former third-round pick of the San Francisco Giants in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. He was 0-2 with an 8.40 ERA and 50 hits allowed in 30 innings over 12 games, including four starts, with Triple-A Fresno last year, and 1-3 with a 4.08 ERA in 30 relief appearances with Double-A Pensacola. In seven minor league...

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Game update and Gausman on his outing (updated)

March 14, 2013, 11:19am

Orioles

Game update and Gausman on his outing (updated)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Matt Wieters hit a three-run homer off Tampa Bay's Juan Sandoval in the bottom of the fifth inning to tie the game 3-3. Nolan Reimold singled and Nate McLouth drew his second walk before Wieters launched a ball over the center field fence. Jim Johnson and Darren O'Day each tossed a scoreless inning. Johnson allowed a leadoff single and O'Day gave up a one-out double. No harm done. Dylan Bundy finally entered the game in the top of the seventh and retired the side in order...

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Gausman charged with two runs (updated)

March 14, 2013, 10:11am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Kevin Gausman couldn't build on his impressive outing in Fort Myers. Gausman was charged with two runs in 2 2/3 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays in his first start of the spring. He gave up two hits, walked three and struck out two. Manager Buck Showalter took the ball from Gausman after Evan Longoria's RBI double with two outs in the third inning broke a scoreless tie. Former Oriole Luke Scott greeted Mike Belfiore with a long two-run homer to right-center field, tagging...

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Orioles reassign Romero and Gil

March 14, 2013, 9:27am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Now I can finally say it. Goodbye, Niuman. The Orioles have reassigned infielder Niuman Romero and catcher Jose Gil to their minor league camp, two cuts that manager Buck Showalter alluded to earlier today while meeting with reporters during batting practice. The moves leave the Orioles with 51 players in major league camp, including 14 non-roster invitees. Romero was 4-for-11 this spring. Gil was 0-for-10. Kevin Gausman tossed a scoreless first inning against the Tampa...

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Wada ready to increase his baseball activity

March 14, 2013, 8:38am

Orioles

Wada ready to increase his baseball activity

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tsuyoshi Wada threw in the bullpen today and is ready to take the next significant step in his quest to join the Orioles' staff. He's no longer throwing only to prove that he's recovered from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his left elbow. The focus is shifting in a positive direction. It's about pitching now, not his recovery. "The rehab part of it is 10 months today or yesterday," said manager Buck Showalter. "Now he's going to progress to baseball...

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McCutchen giving hitters a new look

March 14, 2013, 6:41am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Daniel McCutchen was startled when he turned around at his locker this morning and found three reporters waiting to interview him. He probably wondered whether he had been cut. McCutchen has flown under the media radar this spring as a non-roster pitcher invited to camp, but he's gaining attention after the Orioles convinced him to lower his arm slot. Factor in Mark Hendrickson and Adam Russell, and it's definitely become one of the story angles this spring. (See...

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Orioles lineup against Rays

March 14, 2013, 5:35am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manny Machado is out of the lineup today after making the trip to Fort Myers for last night's 9-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins. Wilson Betemit is starting at third base today against Jeff Niemann and the Tampa Bay Rays. Nolan Reimold is batting second and serving as the designated hitter. Conor Jackson is in right field while Nick Markakis continues to receive treatment and take a medicine pack for the herniated disk in his neck. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nolan...

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While waiting for the lineup...

March 14, 2013, 5:00am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles haven't posted their lineup and the players who made the trip to Fort Myers yesterday aren't required to report until 11 a.m. Nick Markakis has an ice pack on the back of his neck with his T-shirt over it, giving him a hunchback look. It's menacing. Tsuyoshi Wada will throw off a regular mound again today. His left arm continues to feel good - news that he replayed through his interpreter. Daniel McCutchen will throw in the bullpen again today as he continues...

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Orioles are up in arms

March 13, 2013, 9:04pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's a shame that cell phone cameras aren't permitted inside the clubhouse, because Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman provided a great photo opportunity for the media before yesterday's workout at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The two top pitching prospects in the organization, back-to-back fourth overall picks in the First-Year Player Draft, stood at opposite ends of the bumper billiards table, bent at the waist, cue sticks in hand. Opposite personalities, too, which only...

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Recapping the Orioles' 9-4 victory

March 13, 2013, 6:35pm

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Well, that was an interesting ninth inning. The Orioles scored six runs in the top half, and Chris Petrini survived two walks in the bottom half to finally put this game to bed. Orioles 9, Twins 4. Niuman Romero's single tied the game 4-4, and Kyle Hudson's single put the Orioles in front. Steve Pearce had a sacrifice fly, Yamaico Navarro a two-run double and LJ Hoes an RBI single. Brian Matusz allowed one baserunner in four innings and struck out seven. Manager Buck...

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Matusz almost perfect in four innings (O's win 9-4)

March 13, 2013, 4:26pm

Orioles

Matusz almost perfect in four innings (O's win 9-4)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter stretched out Brian Matusz to four innings tonight, and the left-hander responded by allowing only one baserunner and causing the Minnesota Twins to mostly swing at air. Matusz struck out seven of the 13 batters that he faced. He walked one - Josh Willingham with two outs in the fourth - and didn't allow a ball out of the infield. The other five outs came on grounders or bouncers to an infielder, including three to second baseman Alexi...

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Gausman starts Thursday, Matusz a strikeout machine, Robinson on WBC (updated)

March 13, 2013, 3:31pm

Orioles

Gausman starts Thursday, Matusz a strikeout machine, Robinson on WBC (updated)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Kevin Gausman will start Thursday afternoon's game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium, with Dylan Bundy pitching in relief. It's the reverse of how they were used against the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers. Chris Tillman will throw a bullpen session on Thursday and batting practice on Saturday. Miguel Gonzalez will make his next start on Friday at Twin Lakes Park. Wei-Yin Chen's next start is Monday at the same location. Manager Buck Showalter is limiting their...

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Pregame quotes from Showalter

March 13, 2013, 2:14pm

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter still hasn't revealed whether Dylan Bundy or Kevin Gausman will start Thursday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays in Sarasota. Showalter will check with pitching coach Rick Adair and let us know following tonight's game against the Minnesota Twins. Showalter noticed that Nick Markakis was feeling much better today, easily turning his head from side to side and proclaiming that he could play on Thursday. It wasn't a temptation for...

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Pitching notes and Twins lineup (updated)

March 13, 2013, 12:39pm

Orioles

Pitching notes and Twins lineup (updated)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Minnesota Twins are taking batting practice now while the Orioles gather in the visiting clubhouse at Hammond Stadium for their last road night game of the spring. The Orioles still haven't named a starter for Thursday afternoon's game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Sarasota. It's Dylan Bundy or Kevin Gausman. I bet we can pry the answer out of manager Buck Showalter later this afternoon. Bundy and Gausman were playing bumper billiards earlier today in the Orioles'...

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Markakis "optimistic" about opening day

March 13, 2013, 10:31am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis is back in camp today and pain-free after being examined yesterday by spine specialist Dr. Lee Riley at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Markakis is taking a medicine pack for another six days to alleviate the discomfort in his neck caused by a small herniated disc, and is hopeful that he'll be on the field in a week or two. "He basically told me what was going on and what to expect and that was pretty much it," Markakis said. "It's a slight...