Roch Kubatko

Orioles must decide where to start Gausman (O's trail 2-1)

July 13, 2012, 3:39pm

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette and scouting director Gary Rajsich joined first-round pick Kevin Gausman at today's press conference in the auxiliary clubhouse at Camden Yards. Gausman tried on his new Orioles jersey and cap, bending the brim to "break it in." He also wore a smile that lasted from the second he walked into the room until it was time to leave. "We're happy to sign Kevin, and I just want to congratulate Kevin on joining the Orioles and welcome him to the...

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Showalter on batting Markakis first and putting Davis in left

July 13, 2012, 2:00pm

Orioles

Showalter on batting Markakis first and putting Davis in left

Nick Markakis is batting leadoff tonight for the first time in his major league career. Why did manager Buck Showalter choose Markakis? "The answer is a question," Showalter replied. "As opposed to who? "I don't know if Nicky's more excited about coming back and playing or leading off," Showalter continued. "We talked about it a little bit yesterday. It was something I thought about, seeing how we were going to be constructed in the post-break. "One thing, it gives him, hopefully,...

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Nick Johnson has cortisone injection, and other stuff (Gausman signs)

July 13, 2012, 1:05pm

Orioles

Nick Johnson has cortisone injection, and other stuff (Gausman signs)

Nick Johnson had a cortisone injection in his sore right wrist. He remains in Sarasota and isn't close to coming off the 15-day disabled list. Johnson eventually could be moved to the 60-day DL to create room on the 40-man roster if the Orioles determine that he's going to be sidelined for an extended period. Asked whether Johnson and Jim Thome, a full-time designated hitter, can co-exist on this team, manager Buck Showalter replied, "Let's get Nick healthy first. We can always figure out...

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Markakis leading off, Davis in left field

July 13, 2012, 11:17am

Orioles

Markakis leading off, Davis in left field

Orioles manager Buck Showalter just answered two pressing questions regarding the lineup: Who's batting leadoff and who's playing left field. That would be Nick Markakis and Chris Davis, respectively. Markakis has never batted first in the majors before tonight. Davis has never played left field. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Jim Thome DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis LF Mark Reynolds 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Robert Andino 2B Jason Hammel RHP For the...

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orioles chris davis nick markakis ronny paulino taylor teagarden frontstory_orioles3

Hammel rested and ready

July 13, 2012, 9:31am

Orioles

Jason Hammel has lost three consecutive starts heading into tonight's game against the Tigers at Camden Yards. He hasn't won since June 22, when he held the Nationals to one unearned run in eight innings. He also won his previous start with a complete-game, one-hit shutout in Atlanta. On both victorious occasions, Hammel was working on five days rest instead of the standard four. Tonight, by my math, he'll be working on five days rest. In nine starts on four days rest, Hammel is 3-5 with a...

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While Gausman ponders whether to sign, Ripken prepares for college

July 13, 2012, 4:06am

Orioles

While Gausman ponders whether to sign, Ripken prepares for college

The Orioles have until 5 p.m. today to sign LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman, the fourth overall pick in the First-Year Player Draft. They're on the clock again. Gausman let it be known that his heart is still at LSU. The Orioles are trying to get the rest of him. I'll be convinced that they sign him until they don't. It usually comes down to the final minutes. It's a silly tug of war. The slotted amount for the fourth pick is $4.2 million. Can you imagine saying, "No thanks," and going back...

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Avery optioned to Norfolk

July 12, 2012, 7:19pm

Orioles

The Orioles just announced that they've optioned outfielder Xavier Avery to Triple-A Norfolk. No corresponding move was included in the tweet and press release, but outfielder Endy Chavez is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list before tomorrow night's game against the Tigers at Camden Yards. Chavez has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. Avery has batted .233/.317/.356 in 24 games over three stints with the Orioles. Chavez completed his injury-rehab assignment...

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orioles endy chavez frontstory_orioles2 ronny paulino taylor teagarden xavier avery

Has Britton done enough to make Tuesday's start?

July 12, 2012, 5:40pm

Orioles

Has Britton done enough to make Tuesday's start?

The Orioles need a starter for Tuesday night's game in Minnesota, and left-hander Zach Britton did nothing tonight at Triple-A Norfolk to hurt his candidacy. Britton tossed seven scoreless innings against Lehigh Valley, allowing only four hits, walking none and striking out six. He threw 93 pitches, 64 for strikes. In his last five starts, Britton has permitted 10 earned runs and 24 hits over 32 innings, with 12 walks and 23 strikeouts. It's clear that his command has improved over the...

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Ferreira expects Urrutia to move quickly through the system (with note)

July 12, 2012, 11:10am

Orioles

Ferreira expects Urrutia to move quickly through the system (with note)

One of the most important acquisitions for the Orioles last winter can't be found on the major league roster or at one of the minor league affiliates. He's currently in Costa Rica on another scouting mission. Fred Ferreira, hired in December as the executive director of international recruiting, is responsible for this week's signing of 25-year-old Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia. Urrutia, who received a $778,500 bonus, batted .397/.461/.597 with 12 homers, 32 walks and 23 strikeouts in 305...

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Who's been the most disappointing Oriole?

July 12, 2012, 4:54am

Orioles

Who's been the most disappointing Oriole?

Last night, I spotted former reliever Arthur Rhodes hanging with friends in Ocean City. He hasn't signed with the Orioles and he isn't reporting to Triple-A Norfolk so he can be stretched out as a starter. That was my first thought. As for current Orioles, since I debated who was the most valuable of the first half yesterday morning, it only seems right to shift the attention to the most disappointing. Keep in mind that I'm not declaring my candidates to be lost causes in 2012. They've...

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Another 40-man move coming (and notes)

July 11, 2012, 11:34am

Orioles

If the Orioles stick to their current plan and activate catcher Taylor Teagarden from the 60-day disabled list before Friday night's game at Camden Yards, they will have to create room for him on the 40-man roster. One solution would be to designate catcher Ronny Paulino for assignment. Luis Exposito, who underwent surgery to remove part of a broken hamate bone in his right wrist - it's all the craze in this organization - has been playing for the Gulf Coast League Orioles and seems to be...

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orioles ronny paulino steve tolleson taylor teagarden xavier avery frontstory_orioles2

Choosing a first-half Most Valuable Oriole

July 11, 2012, 2:38am

Orioles

Choosing a first-half Most Valuable Oriole

I can't make up my mind on the first-half Most Valuable Oriole. Two months ago, I would have selected center fielder Adam Jones and assumed that he was the unanimous choice, and he's still a worthy candidate with a .289 average, 19 doubles, two triples, 20 home runs and 44 RBIs. But he didn't bust through the tape at the first-half finish line. Let's break down his production month-by-month: April: 23 games, .333/.368/.611, six homers, 12 RBIs May: 28 games, .298/.362/.623, 10 home runs,...

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Jones, Wieters, Johnson get into the All-Star action (NL wins 8-0)

July 10, 2012, 6:20pm

Orioles

Jones, Wieters, Johnson get into the All-Star action (NL wins 8-0)

The Orioles finally have a presence in the 2012 All-Star Game, and it only took until the top of the sixth inning. Adam Jones took over in center field. Matt Wieters moved behind the plate. Jim Johnson continued to sit in the bullpen. Two out of three ain't bad. Jones ran down Rafael Furcal's fly ball on the first pitch thrown by White Sox left-hander Chris Sale, and he also caught Jay Bruce's fly ball for the second out. Talk about making a late push for MVP! OK, seriously, the...

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Romero granted release

July 10, 2012, 1:01pm

Orioles

One order of business for the Orioles during the All-Star break involved left-handed reliever J.C. Romero, who could have opted out of his contract with Triple-A Norfolk if he wasn't promoted to the majors. Romero requested and was granted his release earlier today after the Orioles decided not to purchase his contract. He's now a free agent and can sign with any team. Romero allowed four runs and 10 hits in 14 1/3 innings, with five walks and 13 strikeouts in 17 appearances. He was forced...

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As the rotations turn (and Chavez update)

July 10, 2012, 10:43am

Orioles

As the rotations turn (and Chavez update)

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides tweeted their rotation following the All-Star break, and it begins with left-hander Zach Britton on Thursday. Tommy Hunter is scheduled to pitch Friday, followed by Jason Berken on Saturday, Brian Matusz on Sunday and Jake Arrieta on Monday. Arrieta is getting an extended rest after making his final start for the Orioles on July 5 in Anaheim. He's 3-9 with a 6.13 ERA in 18 games. Britton is 3-1 with a 4.87 ERA in seven games with the Tides. He's allowed five...

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orioles brian matusz jake arrieta zach britton

What to do with Davis (updated)

July 09, 2012, 6:49pm

Orioles

Before I proceed with this morning's blog topic, I want to talk a few people off the ledge. My blog and Twitter account were besieged last night with fans who were in a total panic over a report out of Louisiana that pitcher Kevin Gausman was definitely returning to LSU instead of signing with the Orioles, who made him the fourth-overall pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft. I checked the story, which you can read here, and it now says he's "strongly considering" staying in...

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Markakis activated from disabled list

July 09, 2012, 3:36pm

Orioles

The Orioles are off for the next four days, but that didn't stop them from making another roster move. Right fielder Nick Markakis has been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list after completing his injury-rehab assignment at Double-A Bowie. The Orioles optioned first baseman Joe Mahoney to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for Markakis on the 25-man roster. Markakis hasn't played since May 29 in Toronto. He underwent a 20-minute procedure on June 1 to remove a piece of broken hamate bone...

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Updating Tillman, Markakis and Chavez

July 09, 2012, 11:59am

Orioles

Chris Tillman made his first start today since the Orioles optioned him to Double-A Bowie. It also will be his last start before he rejoins them in Baltimore. Facing Akron today at Prince George's Stadium, Tillman allowed three runs and four hits in 3 1/3 innings before coming out with his pitch count at 72. He walked two and struck out two in the Baysox's 4-2 loss. Tillman is scheduled to start Sunday against the Tigers at Camden Yards. Nick Markakis, batting second and serving as the...

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How far should the Orioles go to make a deal? (Teagarden update)

July 09, 2012, 5:50am

Orioles

Triple-A Norfolk outfielder Nate McLouth has been named the International League's Player of the Week. Left-hander Brian Matusz has been named Pitcher of the Week. And you thought the Orioles didn't have enough depth in their farm system. Shame on you. McLouth must have edged out Tides outfielder LJ Hoes, who extended his hitting streak to 19 games yesterday. The kid's been raking. Hoes, the youngest player in the league at 22, moved into a tie for fourth place on Norfolk's list of...

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Bad finish to first half

July 08, 2012, 2:47pm

Orioles

Remind me again whether Orioles fans are supposed to be more concerned about the rotation, offense or defense. The Orioles didn't stagger into the All-Star break; they crawled to it on their hands and knees. They've lost 13 of their last 19 games and haven't scored in their last 22 innings. They served up four home runs to the Angels today in a 6-0 loss, and starter Wei-Yin Chen didn't record an out in the fifth before manager Buck Showalter gave him the hook. Otherwise, things are...