Roch Kubatko

Hammel will miss next start (Andino breaks tie)

July 14, 2012, 12:39pm

Orioles

Hammel will miss next start (Andino breaks tie)

Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel will miss his next start, according to a team spokesman. Manager Buck Showalter will provide more details following today's game. Hammel underwent an MRI on his right knee at 1 p.m. At this point, there's been no indication that he's facing surgery. We're told that Showalter will discuss Hammel's treatment. Hammel limped off the field in the top of the fourth inning last night after throwing a pitch to Tigers outfielder Brennan Boesch. He said the pain was...

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Tillman pushed back to Monday, more on roster moves (updated)

July 14, 2012, 9:49am

Orioles

Tillman pushed back to Monday, more on roster moves (updated)

Lots and lots of activity today at Camden Yards, and the game isn't scheduled to start for more than two hours. Chris Tillman's next start has been pushed back to Monday in Minnesota after he experienced back spasms a few days ago. Miguel Gonzalez will move up a day and pitch tomorrow against the Tigers at Camden Yards. The Orioles still don't have an update on Jason Hammel, whose MRI took place at 1 p.m. The good news is his right knee didn't swell up during the night. Reviewing the...

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Markakis leading off again today (plus roster moves)

July 14, 2012, 8:44am

Orioles

Markakis leading off again today (plus roster moves)

Nick Markakis remains atop the order for today's game against the Tigers. 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 Wei-Yin Chen LHP Ronny Paulino is listed among the reserves. No sign of Taylor Teagarden. Update: Teagarden is at Camden Yards, so a roster move could be coming. Update II: The Orioles have activated Teagarden from the 60-day disabled list and selected the...

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Rotation would take another hit without Hammel

July 13, 2012, 8:18pm

Orioles

Rotation would take another hit without Hammel

A reminder that the Orioles will honor Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer today with the unveiling of his statue at 2:15 p.m. All gates open at 2 p.m. Is he available to pitch? Executive vice president Dan Duquette is trying to acquire a starting pitcher. To which I say, "Why only one?" The only good news is that Brian Matusz and Zach Britton were exceptional in their most recent starts, and Tommy Hunter had one bad inning last night out of 7 1/3. I don't need to be reminded that they're...

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MRI scheduled for Hammel (with more quotes)

July 13, 2012, 6:57pm

Orioles

MRI scheduled for Hammel (with more quotes)

Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel will undergo an MRI on his right knee tomorrow at 1 p.m. Hammel exited tonight's game in the fourth inning after throwing his sixth pitch to Tigers right fielder Brennan Boesch. He limped off the field with manager Buck Showalter and assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel after attempting a few warmup tosses. Hammel wasn't available to reporters while receiving treatment on his knee in the trainers room following a 7-2 loss to the Tigers, but he sent along a...

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Hammel leaves game with injury (another update on injury)

July 13, 2012, 4:18pm

Orioles

Hammel leaves game with injury (another update on injury)

Did the Orioles just lose another member of their opening day rotation? Jason Hammel's night is over after three innings and six pitches in the fourth, the shortest outing of his Orioles career. Hammel appeared to land awkwardly on his left leg while delivering a pitch to Brennan Boesch leading off the fourth. Assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel and manager Buck Showalter came to the mound, and Hammel limped off the field after a few warmup tosses. Luis Ayala replaced Hammel, who's...

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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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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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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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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...