Roch Kubatko

Orioles option Pomeranz and DFA Antonelli

May 13, 2012, 8:59am

Orioles

The Orioles created room on the 25-man roster for outfielder Xavier Avery by optioning reliever Stu Pomeranz. They made room on the 40-man by designating infielder Matt Antonelli for assignment. Pomeranz hasn't allowed a run in two appearances covering four innings since the Orioles purchased his contract May 7. He gave up four hits, walked one and struck out three. The writing was on the wall for Antonelli when the Orioles bypassed him twice for non-roster players Steve Tolleson and Bill...

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A few pregame notes

May 13, 2012, 8:21am

Orioles

We're still waiting on the corresponding roster moves to create room for Xavier Avery on the 25- and 40-man rosters. Left-hander Dana Eveland remains a strong possibility, though I said the same thing yesterday before finding out that Mark Reynolds had a strained oblique. Avery is being thrown into the fire, starting in left field and batting leadoff against James "Big Game" Shields. "We'll play him some, today. We'll see what tomorrow brings," manager Buck Showalter said. "He's...

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Avery leading off

May 13, 2012, 7:16am

Orioles

Xavier Avery will make his major league debut today as the Orioles' leadoff hitter and left fielder. He's wearing No. 13. For the Orioles: Xavier Avery LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Nick Johnson DH Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Ryan Flaherty 3B Jake Arrieta RHP With a win today, the Orioles would sweep the Rays in a three-game series in Baltimore for the first time since July 24-26, 2007. The Orioles are 1-6 in their last seven Mother's Day games and...

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Pink bats don't clash with Bill Hall

May 13, 2012, 5:16am

Orioles

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, and to the dads who serve both roles. Yes, I include you, as well. Bill Hall made his Orioles debut a special one last night with a home run in the eighth inning, which was followed by a shaving cream pie to the face that still had his eyes burning hours later. Hall may not be in the lineup today against Rays right-hander James Shields if manager Buck Showalter is playing matchups, but this day tends to bring out the best in him. OK, I'm going...

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Closing remarks from the set-up man

May 12, 2012, 8:27pm

Orioles

It took a long time for manager Buck Showalter to publicly admit that Jim Johnson was his closer. Is it safe to call Pedro Strop the set-up man? Strop retired the Rays in order in the eighth inning tonight, and he struck out B.J. Upton and Jose Molina. He spun on the mound, tapped his chest and pointed to the heavens. It's quite a show. As I mentioned earlier, Strop has strung together 10 scoreless innings in his last eight appearances, allowing five hits, walking four and striking out...

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Hall gets pie treatment; Matusz gets second win

May 12, 2012, 7:12pm

Orioles

Hall gets pie treatment; Matusz gets second win

Adam Jones welcomed Bill Hall to the team with a shaving cream pie to the face following tonight's 5-3 victory over Tampa Bay. Hall hadn't homered since May 14, 2011, so the occasion called for the traditional baseball celebration. "It's the first-ever pie in the face," Hall said. "He got me good. I wasn't expecting it at all. Got me good. It was a lot in my eyes, burned a little bit, but it's always good when you're doing something good for when stuff like that happens." Hall's...

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Showalter speaks after 5-3 win

May 12, 2012, 6:54pm

Orioles

The Orioles improved to 22-10 against the American League East since Sept. 7, 2011. They're 8-2 against Boston, 4-1 against Tampa Bay, 6-3 against Toronto and 4-4 against New York. They've won a series against each division rival this season. "Proud? Sure. I'm proud we're winning baseball games. But it doesn't necessarily mean something's going to happen for the next 100 and some odd games," manager Buck Showalter said after tonight's 5-3 win over the Rays. "Our guys know. It's a...

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Bullpen is best again (O's win 5-3)

May 12, 2012, 6:00pm

Orioles

Left-hander Brian Matusz came within one out of registering a quality start, exiting after 5 2/3 innings with the Orioles clinging to a 4-3 lead over the Rays. The bullpen would have to protect a slim margin, and that's exactly what's happened through the eighth inning. Luis Ayala stranded two inherited runners in the sixth by striking out pinch hitter Matt Joyce, and he retired the side in order in the seventh. Pedro Strop struck out two batters while retiring the side in order in the...

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Hall: "I'm not going to embarrass myself" (Orioles lead 4-3)

May 12, 2012, 3:37pm

Orioles

Bill Hall didn't see his name in Triple-A Norfolk's lineup yesterday, so he grabbed an outfielder's glove and shagged fly balls during batting practice. He did it on a whim, having no idea that he'd be starting in left field tonight for the Orioles. Worked out pretty well for him. Hall is known primarily as a third baseman, but he's played in the outfield in 240 major league games - including 78 in left. He's played third base in 271 games over his 1o-year major league career. "I'm...

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Bergesen DFA; Avery heading to Baltimore

May 12, 2012, 2:45pm

Orioles

Bergesen DFA; Avery heading to Baltimore

The Orioles have designated pitcher Brad Bergesen for assignment to make room for Bill Hall on the 40-man roster. Bergesen is 1-2 with a 5.13 ERA in eight games, including six starts, at Triple-A Norfolk. He's allowed 45 hits, walked 13 and struck out 17 in 33 1/3 innings. Bergesen tossed five scoreless innings in Thursday's start after rejoining the Tides' rotation. Bergesen, who lost his arbitration hearing this winter and is making $800,000 instead of the $1.2 million he sought, is...

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Lindstrom talks about injury (with Rays lineup)

May 12, 2012, 1:22pm

Orioles

Lindstrom talks about injury (with Rays lineup)

Matt Lindstrom is waiting to hear the results of the MRI taken on his right middle finger. And he's crossing his fingers that the news will be good. Lindstrom injured the finger during Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Rangers, when he allowed his first two earned runs of the season. Lindstrom hadn't given up an earned run in his first 12 appearances spanning 13 innings, walking three batters and striking out 14. "I still don't know right now," he said. "I'm sure there...

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Another roster move is coming

May 12, 2012, 12:58pm

Orioles

The Orioles haven't announced how they'll make room for Bill Hall on the 40-man roster, but pitcher Brad Bergesen appears to be safe. Hall is wearing No. 35 tonight, which used to belong to Bergesen. However, the corresponding move apparently does not involve him. The Orioles could transfer second baseman Brian Roberts to the 60-day disabled list, but they really want to avoid it. Another 25-man roster move is forthcoming. The Orioles will add a position player, probably by tomorrow, and...

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Reynolds going on DL with oblique injury

May 12, 2012, 11:41am

Orioles

Reynolds going on DL with oblique injury

Keep those roster moves coming. Third baseman Mark Reynolds is headed to the disabled list with an oblique injury that he sustained while throwing yesterday in batting practice. The Orioles have purchased Bill Hall's contract from Triple-A Norfolk, and he'll take Reynolds' spot on the 25-man roster. However, the Orioles must clear room for Hall on the 40-man. Reynolds has never been on the disabled list before today. "I hurt my oblique yesterday, and it's not too bad, but it's one of...

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Hall in left field tonight, Tolleson at third, Reynolds out of lineup

May 12, 2012, 11:15am

Orioles

Hall in left field tonight, Tolleson at third, Reynolds out of lineup

Interesting lineup for the Orioles tonight. Bill Hall is starting in left field and Steve Tolleson is starting at third base. Mark Reynolds is out of the lineup again despite the Rays sending left-hander Matt Moore to the mound. Could Reynolds be headed to the disabled list? For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters DH Wilson Betemit 1B Bill Hall LF Steve Tolleson 3B Luis Exposito C Brian Matusz LHP

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Orioles acquire lefty Belfiore from Arizona (updated)

May 12, 2012, 8:45am

Orioles

The Josh Bell trade has been completed. The Orioles announced today that they acquired minor league left-hander Mike Belfiore from the Arizona Diamondbacks as the player to be named later in the Bell trade. Belfiore has been assigned to Double-A Bowie. Belfiore, 23, was a sandwich pick, the 45th overall, in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. He allowed five earned runs in 19 innings (2.37 ERA) for Single-A Visalia this season, with one save, five walks and 28 strikeouts. Update: Now that I'm...

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Breaking up Tejada, Hall and Flaherty into thirds

May 12, 2012, 6:06am

Orioles

Breaking up Tejada, Hall and Flaherty into thirds

I wrote yesterday that Miguel Tejada collected his first hit since reporting to extended spring training. He started at third base after serving as the designated hitter in his first game and starting at shortstop in another game. I received the following text scouting report on Tejada yesterday: "He's rusty with the bat/timing. Needs to get in baseball shape (at-bats, balls off bat at short/third). Only had one play at short yesterday. One at third today. Time will tell." So there you...

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Bill Hall joining Orioles

May 11, 2012, 9:59pm

Orioles

It pays to stay up late. Infielder Bill Hall just sent the following tweet: "Got the word a lil while ago. Just got called up to #Orioles. See u guys at #CamdenYards 2morrow night." At this hour, I can't possibly confirm the corresponding roster move, but the Orioles apparently will add a fourth player to their bench. One possibility is the Orioles designate left-hander Dana Eveland for assignment, since he's out of minor league options. They must believe that Jason Hammel will avoid...

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Eveland now

May 11, 2012, 6:49pm

Orioles

Any Barry Manilow fans out there? OK, anyway... Left-hander Dana Eveland said he didn't think much of his performance tonight. "I was very fortunate to have awesome defense behind me today," he said. "It was one of the worst games I have had all year. I've been throwing the ball pretty well down there. I haven't been walking people. Just did not have command today. Could not find my off-speed pitches. Fastball wasn't really there. I had to grind through it. Fortunately for me, those...

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Wieters talks about the collision at home plate

May 11, 2012, 6:40pm

Orioles

Wieters talks about the collision at home plate

Considering how hard Tampa Bay's Sean Rodriguez hit Matt Wieters while trying to score in the fourth inning tonight, it's amazing that the Orioles' catcher escaped with nothing more serious than cuts in his mouth and on his ear. Rodriguez was trying to score on a single to right field after Matt Joyce already had crossed the plate. Nick Markakis threw to Robert Andino, who fired the ball home for the out. "You take a look, and you saw that they're both tagging," Wieters said. "With...

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Showalter speaks after 4-3 win

May 11, 2012, 6:32pm

Orioles

Manager Buck Showalter enjoyed talking about Nick Johnson for a change without having to dissect a hitless streak or explain why he kept putting the veteran in his lineup. It was all good tonight, with Johnson singling, walking, stealing a base and hitting a decisive two-run homer in the Orioles' 4-3 victory over Tampa Bay. "Nick had a lot of good at-bats tonight, the type he's capable of putting together that we saw in the spring," Showalter said. "I think you can tell what everybody in...