Roch Kubatko

Updating Britton and a few other things

April 14, 2012, 11:39am

Orioles

Zach Britton has played catch for three consecutive days and noted that his left arm is regaining the strength that it lost after undergoing a procedure to eliminate the inflammation in his shoulder. "I'm just getting my arm used to throwing again," said Britton, who received two Platelet Rich Plasma injections March 21. "I'm getting my arm going and it feels pretty good." Britton said he's increased the distance each day to around 90 feet. He'll take Sunday off before meeting with...

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Reynolds the DH again (Wada update)

April 14, 2012, 8:42am

Orioles

Mark Reynolds is serving as the designated hitter again today in Toronto. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds DH Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Jason Hammel RHP For the Jays: Escobar SS Johnson 2B Bautista RF Lind 1B Encarnacion DH Thames LF Lawrie 3B Rasmus CF Arencibia C Alvarez RHP Tommy Hunter allowed four home runs last night, marking the 33rd time in franchise history an...

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About last night ...

April 14, 2012, 4:48am

Orioles

I had a strange dream that the Orioles actually beat the Blue Jays in Toronto. But that couldn't possibly happen. The Orioles haven't won there since Garth Iorg was playing. Or maybe it was Dane. I always get those two confused. Actually, the Orioles fought back for a 7-5 victory. Very impressive. Darren Oliver took the loss for the Blue Jays, but in fairness, he's 100 years old. The game included three hits, a home run, three runs scored and an error from Nolan Reimold. Sort of a mixed...

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Andino hits first homer, Jones ties game (O's beat Jays 7-5)

April 13, 2012, 4:34pm

Orioles

Andino hits first homer, Jones ties game (O's beat Jays 7-5)

I dug my laptop out of my trunk to file a quick blog entry on Robert Andino giving the Orioles a 3-2 lead, and it already was lost by the time I jacked the wireless password from this particular establishment. Colby Rasmus and Yunel Escobar have homered for the Jays in the bottom of the fifth, immediately after Andino's first home run of the season broke a 2-2 tie. However, Adam Jones just homered in the sixth to wipe out Toronto's 4-3 lead. Update: Edwin Encarnacion just homered in the...

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Reynolds serving as DH tonight (Roberts with team)

April 13, 2012, 11:57am

Orioles

Reynolds serving as DH tonight (Roberts with team)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter has made an interesting adjustment to his lineup tonight, inserting Mark Reynolds as the designated hitter and starting Wilson Betemit at third base against Blue Jays right-hander Brandon Morrow. This is Reynolds' first career start as the DH. Reynolds committed two errors in five games on the homestand. He started at third base in Wednesday's 10-inning loss to the Yankees. Reynolds sat out one game after fouling a ball off his left calf. For the...

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This, that and the other

April 12, 2012, 5:29pm

Orioles

The Orioles have been on both sides of a three-game sweep. They've already got two firsts out of the way in the 2012 season. Now it's time for their first road trip. Tommy Hunter gets the start in tonight's series opener in Toronto, where the Orioles have lost 26 of their last 31 games. They haven't won a season series against the Blue Jays since 2004. Jays starter Brandon Morrow is 2-2 with a 4.46 ERA in 12 career appearances against the Orioles, including five starts. In his first...

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Remember Alfredo Simon?

April 12, 2012, 12:50pm

Orioles

Of course you do. He was at spring training with the Orioles until they put him on waivers four days before breaking camp. The Reds signed Alfredo Simon, and he pitched the 10th inning in today's game against the Nationals. He later lost today's game by throwing a wild pitch that allowed Ryan Zimmerman to score. Simon hit Zimmerman with his first pitch and gave up a single to Jayson Werth. He was one out away from escaping the jam when he skipped a pitch past catcher Devin Mesoraco. Simon...

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Jones is running off at the month (Willis to DL)

April 11, 2012, 9:43pm

Orioles

Jones is running off at the month (Willis to DL)

Yes, that was a reach, but stay with me here. Adam Jones stole second base in the fifth inning of last night's game against the Yankees, which probably seems meaningless after a 6-4, 10-inning loss that completed a sweep at Camden Yards. More people will remember Jones for striking out with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth, but I'm going to focus on the steal in this entry. Jones took off for second after reaching on an infield hit. J.J. Hardy stood at third base, and Jones...

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Adam Jones: "I just didn't come through for my team"

April 11, 2012, 8:08pm

Orioles

Adam Jones: "I just didn't come through for my team"

Adam Jones had a chance to win tonight's game in the bottom of the ninth inning when the Yankees walked Nick Markakis intentionally with two outs to load the bases for him, but he struck out after chasing a pitch near his head to even the count, 1-1. He was swinging from the heels, and he knew it was the wrong approach. "Oh my God, I'm still thinking about that now," he said. "I'm texting my brother about it. Just over-swinging. I need to stay shorter. Somebody told me, 'Stop trying...

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Showalter speaks after 6-4, 10-inning loss

April 11, 2012, 7:54pm

Orioles

Showalter speaks after 6-4, 10-inning loss

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was proud of starter Jake Arrieta. He was proud of the way his undermanned bullpen battled. He was proud of the at-bats Robert Andino and Mark Reynolds gave the club. If only he could reverse the final score. Mark Teixeira blooped a two-out double down the left field line against Kevin Gregg in the top of the 10th inning, and Nick Swisher followed with a long home run to right field. "He made a really good pitch (to Teixeira)," Showalter said. "Kevin threw...

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That's why Reynolds is in the lineup (NY leads 6-4 in 10th)

April 11, 2012, 5:20pm

Orioles

That's why Reynolds is in the lineup (NY leads 6-4 in 10th)

Manager Buck Showalter must have known that third baseman Mark Reynolds would respond tonight with a big game. Reynolds walked in his first two plate appearances and doubled into left-center field with two outs in the fifth to score two runs and give the Orioles a 4-3 lead. That's pretty big. It's not three-homer big, but it's sizable. Reynolds didn't have an RBI before tonight. Unless my scorecard is wrong - and that happens - Reynolds didn't have a ball hit to him until catching...

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Bundy unhittable, and other stuff (O's down 3-2)

April 11, 2012, 3:51pm

Orioles

Bundy unhittable, and other stuff (O's down 3-2)

Single-A Delmarva's Dylan Bundy retired all nine batters he faced again tonight, this time dominating the Kannapolis lineup over three innings. He struck out six, including five in a row, and has fanned 12 of the 18 batters he's faced for the Shorebirds. In spring training, we call these simulated games. It sure isn't batting practice. The Orioles are off Thursday, but manager Buck Showalter has arranged a field trip of sorts for at least nine of his players. Showalter has made...

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Orioles down early

April 11, 2012, 3:31pm

Orioles

The rain delay lasted 20 minutes. Jake Arrieta has warmed up and allowed a leadoff double to Derek Jeter and a two-run homer to Curtis Granderson. Six pitches into the game, the Orioles are losing, 2-0. The temperature here is 53 degrees, and it's not expected to go up. I checked. Arrieta is scheduled to pitch the series-opener in Chicago on Monday, going on normal rest, with Wei-Yin Chen being held back until Tuesday. That's what manager Buck Showalter meant by using the off-day on...

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Showalter on Reynolds (First-pitch 7:25 p.m., Willis update)

April 11, 2012, 2:11pm

Orioles

Showalter on Reynolds (First-pitch 7:25 p.m., Willis update)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter spoke briefly to third baseman Mark Reynolds this afternoon and wrote his name in the lineup. Showalter has noted that Reynolds, struggling in the field with two errors and at the plate with a .143 average, no homers and no RBIs, worked hard over the winter and deserves more of an opportunity. He also doesn't want to move Reynolds to first base or use any player as the primary designated hitter and lose the flexibility at that spot. Asked if he considered...

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Strange day at Triple-A Norfolk (O's sign Pineiro)

April 11, 2012, 12:58pm

Orioles

Strange day at Triple-A Norfolk (O's sign Pineiro)

Triple-A Norfolk blew a seven-run lead in the ninth inning today and lost to Gwinnett, 14-12, in 11 innings. Things are tough all over. The Tides committed three errors, and four of the 14 runs were unearned. Infielder Steve Tolleson replaced Dontrelle Willis after the veteran left-hander walked the first batter he faced and went to a 3-0 count on the next hitter. Tolleson pitched an inning and allowed an unearned run and one hit. Brad Bergesen started the game and allowed four runs (three...

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Paulino serving as DH tonight

April 11, 2012, 11:04am

Orioles

Ronny Paulino will get another chance tonight to collect four hits as the Orioles' designated hitter. If he can do it once ... No major changes to the lineup, unless you consider Wilson Betemit at first base a major change. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Ronny Paulino DH Wilson Betemit 1B Robert Andino 2B Jake Arrieta RHP You'd already know the lineup if you followed me on Twitter:...

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Morning musings

April 11, 2012, 4:42am

Orioles

It's been approximately seven hours since I left Camden Yards, and I've just regained the feeling in my hands. Yes, the temperature dipped a little after the first pitch. The Frozen Four is the college hockey semifinals, but it's also the toes I have remaining on my left foot. Anyway, I'm going to assume that Mark Reynolds remains at third base tonight because manager Buck Showalter believes that he'll start hitting and fielding, and Reynolds already sat out one of the first five games....

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Hearing from Chen and Reynolds

April 10, 2012, 8:33pm

Orioles

Wei-Yin Chen had a confession to make after tonight's 5-4, 12-inning loss to the Yankees. He was nervous. Chen calmed himself after a rough beginning and held the Yankees to one run going into the sixth inning. He was charged with two earned runs (four total) and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings, with one walk and six strikeouts. "To be honest with you guys, this is my first major league outing. I was so nervous. But after the first inning everything was fine for me," Chen said through his...

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Showalter speaks after 5-4, 12-inning loss

April 10, 2012, 8:18pm

Orioles

Showalter speaks after 5-4, 12-inning loss

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was impressed tonight with Taiwanese left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, who retired 12 in a row heading into the fifth inning and took a 4-1 lead into the sixth before the Yankees tied the game. "Pitched well, pitched well, especially after the way things started," Showalter said. "Hopefully, it bodes well for him. You can tell one thing, he's got some toughness about him. I thought he got better as the game went on against obviously a very potent lineup. I thought he...

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Free baseball (O's lose 5-4 in 12 innings)

April 10, 2012, 6:41pm

Orioles

Free baseball (O's lose 5-4 in 12 innings)

The Orioles didn't have a hit since Robert Andino's leadoff double in the fifth inning when pinch-hitter Nolan Reimold came to the plate in the ninth. Seemed like a good time to end the drought and start a rally. Reimold rolled a single into right field off Yankees reliever Boone Logan, and Yankees manager Joe Girardi summoned Cory Wade into the game. Wade retired Mark Reynolds on a pop up, bringing Chris Davis to the plate and Andino to the on-deck circle, where he had trouble picking up...