Roch Kubatko

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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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...

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Orioles and Angels lineups

July 08, 2012, 9:15am

Orioles

Mark Reynolds is back in the lineup today, and Chris Davis is staying in it. Steve Tolleson, recalled yesterday from Triple-A Norfolk, is starting at third base. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B J.J. Hardy SS Matt Wieters DH Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis RF Steve Pearce LF Steve Tolleson 3B Ronny Paulino C Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the Angels: Mike Trout LF Torii Hunter RF Albert Pujols DH Mark Trumbo 1B Howard Kendrick 2B Erick Aybar SS Peter Bourjos CF Maicer Izturis...

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Matusz looks to Anderson for advice and a target

July 07, 2012, 9:06pm

Orioles

Matusz looks to Anderson for advice and a target

Two days after being called into manager Buck Showalter's office and told that the Orioles were sending him down to Triple-A Norfolk, after having his baseball world shattered again like a fastball through a pane of glass, Brian Matusz headed for the bullpen at Camden Yards and picked up the pieces. Brady Anderson, the club's special assistant, put on full catching gear - including a left-handed mitt designed by Rawlings - and caught Matusz's side session Tuesday while the Orioles were in...

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Another error leads to another run (O's lose 3-0)

July 07, 2012, 7:27pm

Orioles

Another error leads to another run (O's lose 3-0)

Rookie left fielder Xavier Avery misplayed Mark Trumbo's single leading off the fourth inning tonight for the Orioles' 75th error this season, tops in the majors. It came back to bite them. Trumbo moved to third on Alberto Callaspo's fly ball and scored on Howie Kendrick's single through a drawn-in infield to give the Angels a 1-0 lead against starter Jason Hammel. The defense wasn't done complicating Hammel's inning. Erick Aybar, who reached on a force play, went from first to third...

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Davis back in lineup, Mahoney making debut

July 07, 2012, 3:02pm

Orioles

Davis back in lineup, Mahoney making debut

Chris Davis, who missed the last two games with a strained right trapezius muscle, has returned to the Orioles' lineup tonight and will start in right field. First baseman Joe Mahoney will make his major league debut against Angels right-hander Jered Weaver. Big challenge for Big Irish in his first big league game. For the Orioles: Xavier Avery LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Jim Thome DH Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 3B Joe Mahoney 1B Robert Andino 2B Jason Hammel...

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orioles chris davis joe mahoney nick markakis frontstory_orioles2

Orioles have expressed interest in Wandy Rodriguez (Tolleson recalled)

July 07, 2012, 9:27am

Orioles

You can add left-hander Wandy Rodriguez to the list of pitchers who are on the Orioles' radar. The Orioles have contacted the Astros about Rodriguez, according to an industry source. No word on the level of interest or which players have been discussed, but executive vice president Dan Duquette is considering Rodriguez as a possibility for his ever-changing rotation. Rodriguez is owed about $5 million for the rest of 2012 and is signed through next season, when he'll make $13 million. The...

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Ron Johnson has the Tides rolling

July 07, 2012, 3:23am

Orioles

Joe Mahoney couldn't crack the Orioles' lineup again last night. On Thursday, he couldn't crack either one of them. Chris Davis was a late scratch that night with a strained right trapezius muscle, and he remained on the bench for the second game of the Angels series. The All-Star break is coming at a good time. Only two more games before the Orioles - with the exception of Adam Jones, Jim Johnson and Matt Wieters - get to enjoy a nice four-day vacation. Look for Steve Tolleson to be...

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orioles brian matusz joe mahoney ron johnson steve johnson zach britton frontstory_orioles2

Gonzalez serves up rare home run, Pearce hits his third (O's win 3-2)

July 06, 2012, 7:38pm

Orioles

Gonzalez serves up rare home run, Pearce hits his third (O's win 3-2)

Before Mark Trumbo stepped to the plate in the fourth inning tonight, Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez had allowed exactly one home run during the 2012 season. One. It hadn't occurred in his brief major league career, which consisted of three relief appearances with the Orioles before tonight. It happened once in 44 2/3 innings at Triple-A Norfolk. Trumbo must not have studied history. He hit No. 21 to break a scoreless tie and give the Angels a 1-0 lead. It didn't last long. Steve Pearce...

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Updates on Roberts and Matusz (Matusz with complete-game shutout)

July 06, 2012, 5:03pm

Orioles

Updates on Roberts and Matusz (Matusz with complete-game shutout)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Anaheim tonight that second baseman Brian Roberts has been diagnosed with a right hip labral tear. Roberts, currently on the disabled list, underwent an MRA yesterday. The procedure is similar to an MRI, except dye is injected into the injured area. Roberts will seek a second opinion, according to Showalter. More details are coming on "O's Xtra" on MASN2 HD, beginning at 9:30 p.m. Also, left-hander Brian Matusz, making his first start...

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Davis out of lineup again, Reynolds starting at first (with Angels lineup)

July 06, 2012, 1:42pm

Orioles

Davis out of lineup again, Reynolds starting at first (with Angels lineup)

One of the injured Orioles is in tonight's lineup. Mark Reynolds, who was hit on the left hand last night, is starting at first base and batting sixth against Angels southpaw C.J. Wilson. However, Chris Davis is on the bench again after being a late scratch last night because of a strained right trapezius muscle. Only three games remain before the All-Star break, and the Orioles currently have a 24-man roster after optioning pitcher Jake Arrieta following last night's 9-7 loss. No...

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A few minor matters

July 06, 2012, 12:15pm

Orioles

Right fielder Nick Markakis isn't in Double-A Bowie's lineup tonight. He's expected to begin his injury-rehab assignment tomorrow at Prince George's County Stadium. Catcher Taylor Teagarden, who hasn't played for the Orioles this year, is behind the plate and batting third tonight for the Baysox after moving up from the Gulf Coast League. The Orioles could activate Teagarden from the disabled list after the All-Star break, which would remove backup Ronny Paulino from the 25-man...

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Getting away from the Oriole Way (updated)

July 06, 2012, 10:24am

Orioles

Getting away from the Oriole Way (updated)

The Orioles need to upgrade their pitching. They need to tighten up their defense. It's not the same set of issues I remember them having when I was a kid. They can still hit the longball, which Earl Weaver would appreciate. Their 105 home runs rank third in the majors behind the Yankees (126) and Blue Jays (122). They clubbed three last night in the first four innings against the Angels, who were begging to be beaten. A 7-3 lead disappeared before the Orioles stepped to the plate again...

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With Arrieta optioned, what's next move?

July 06, 2012, 2:18am

Orioles

With Arrieta optioned, what's next move?

Remember when the Orioles' rotation on opening day included Tommy Hunter, Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta? Not anymore. Arrieta became the latest starter to be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles made the announcement following last night's game in Anaheim - which became this morning's game as it played out. I checked Twitter and my e-mails for the final time about five minutes before they sent out the press release. Around here, it's never safe to close your eyes. You might miss...

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Arrieta again fails to clear the fourth (O's lose 9-7)

July 05, 2012, 8:04pm

Orioles

Arrieta again fails to clear the fourth (O's lose 9-7)

Jake Arrieta got plenty of run support tonight. Manager Buck Showalter didn't think it was going to be enough. Showalter yanked Arrieta with two outs in the fourth inning, a runner on base and the Orioles leading, 7-5. Luis Ayala gave up an RBI single to Torii Hunter to complete Arrieta's line, and he surrendered two runs of his own, as the Angels took an 8-7 lead. Arrieta has gone 3 2/3 innings in his last two starts and allowed a combined 11 runs and 13 hits. And he almost sent his...

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Davis scratched, Flaherty in right field (Reynolds and Flaherty homer)

July 05, 2012, 5:10pm

Orioles

Davis scratched, Flaherty in right field (Reynolds and Flaherty homer)

We have a lineup change for the Orioles. Chris Davis has been scratched and Ryan Flaherty is starting in right field. Matt Wieters moves up to third. Reporters in Anaheim were told Davis has a right trapezius strain. For the Orioles: Xavier Avery LF J.J. Hardy SS Matt Wieters C Adam Jones CF Jim Thome DH Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Flaherty RF Robert Andino 2B Jake Arrieta RHP Manager Buck Showalter told reporters that Miguel Gonzalez will start tomorrow night. Left-hander...