Roch Kubatko

Pregame notes on Hardy, Chavez, Simon and more (with quotes)

March 23, 2012, 7:20am

Orioles

Pregame notes on Hardy, Chavez, Simon and more (with quotes)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters this morning that shortstop J.J. Hardy will return to the lineup on Saturday against the Nationals in Sarasota. Hardy is taking batting practice despite receiving treatment for a sore right arm. "He wants to play, but I'm going to give him one more day." Showalter said. "Just want to get it resolved. It's taking just a tad longer than usual. Usually it's resolved by now. It's nothing he couldn't play with. There are a lot...

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Willis still waiting to pitch

March 23, 2012, 6:35am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Dontrelle Willis, signed to a minor league deal earlier this week, is still waiting to get into his first game with the Orioles. "Hopefully soon. I don't know," he said. Willis threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and has been playing catch. "I'm just trying to catch up," he said. "I feel good. I feel like my strength is getting back, so that's good." The Phillies released Willis on Friday. "It's just about getting the strength back and the timing...

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Hardy out of lineup again

March 23, 2012, 5:16am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is out of the lineup again today because of a sore right arm. Robert Andino will make his second consecutive start at shortstop. Hardy didn't throw yesterday and also will rest today. "We just want to get it under control," Hardy said, adding that he could play through the discomfort it if were the regular season. "My arm, shoulder, it's just not feeling good. It's something I deal with every year. It's a nagging thing, but it's sticking...

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Chen and Showalter speak after 11-1 victory

March 22, 2012, 12:29pm

Orioles

Chen and Showalter speak after 11-1 victory

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Trent Mummey hit a two-run homer today to complete the scoring in the Orioles' 11-1 victory over the Twins at Hammond Stadium. Dana Eveland gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless seventh inning. He tossed three perfect innings in his previous outing. Chris Tillman struck out the side in the eighth in his shortest outing this spring - manager Buck Showalter wanted him to turn it loose for one inning - and Pat Neshek retired the side in order in the ninth. Wei-Yin...

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Wada outing (Davis homers, Chen's done)

March 22, 2012, 10:17am

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - While Taiwanese left-hander Wei-Yin Chen faces the Minnesota Twins today at Hammond Stadium, Japanese lefty Tsuyoshi Wada is pitching against a collection of Boston Red Sox Double-A players at Twin Lakes Park. Wada was allowed to go three innings and throw 46 pitches, including 31 for strikes. He faced 13 batters under those flexible rules. Wada allowed one unearned run and two hits, walked none and struck out two. Slowed early in camp by a sore elbow, Wada has appeared in...

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Flaherty strengthens his case (Betemit homers)

March 22, 2012, 9:45am

Orioles

Flaherty strengthens his case (Betemit homers)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty drove in two more runs today, increasing the Orioles' lead to 3-1 over the Twins in the second inning and increasing his chances of making the club. Flaherty tripled to center field, scoring Wilson Betemit and Chris Davis. The Orioles almost hit for the cycle that inning, with Betemit reaching on a single and Davis following with a double. Flaherty is 9-for-33 this spring with one double, two triples, one homer and seven RBIs. Only Adam Jones...

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Before first pitch ...

March 22, 2012, 9:09am

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter got hung up in a huge traffic jam on I-75, so he wasn't available to the media before today's game against the Twins. He arrived about 15 minutes before the anthem. I had the same issue, but I left the complex earlier and made it with room to spare. A typical Florida accident, where the car looks like a crushed aluminum can. They're called "fender benders" down here. People barely notice, except when traffic is backed up for miles and everyone...

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Orioles lineup vs. Twins (updated)

March 22, 2012, 4:27am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I'm making another trip to Fort Myers today because I can't get enough of the Twins. Unfortunately, I'm referring to the baseball team. Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen makes another start for the Orioles. He's allowed four runs and nine hits, with two walks and eight strikeouts, in 10 Grapefruit League innings. Robert Andino makes a start at shortstop. For the Orioles: Xavier Avery CF Robert Andino SS Nick Johnson DH Nolan Reimold LF Wilson Betemit 3B Chris Davis 1B Ronny...

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Andino's happy to be reunited with Willis

March 21, 2012, 6:21pm

Orioles

Andino's happy to be reunited with Willis

SARASOTA, Fla. - When I heard that the Orioles signed pitcher Dontrelle Willis to a minor league contract, my first thought was "Florida Marlins." Actually, my first thought was, "Really?" But then I linked Willis to the Marlins, his first major league team. I joined the pack of reporters at Willis' locker this morning - and I'm proud to say that I was the first one to notice him, just as I was walking toward an Orioles' public relations official with a request to find Willis and...

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Britton could miss six weeks, Showalter speaks after 6-3 loss

March 21, 2012, 1:27pm

Orioles

Britton could miss six weeks, Showalter speaks after 6-3 loss

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitchers Oscar Villarreal and Jon Link also have been reassigned to minor league camp, reducing the roster to 43 players, including 23 pitchers. Pitcher Zach Britton received two Platelet Rich Plasma injections today in his left shoulder, and Dr. James Andrews told him it could be a six-week process before he's cleared to pitch. The hope, of course, is that Britton returns much sooner. Britton said the MRI only shows "typical wear and tear of a pitcher" and added that Dr....

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Britton shut down 7-10 days, Socolovich and Eyre reassigned

March 21, 2012, 12:22pm

Orioles

Britton shut down 7-10 days, Socolovich and Eyre reassigned

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitcher Zach Britton will be shut down seven to 10 days after receiving an injection in his left shoulder to reduce the inflammation. The good news is Dr. James Andrews didn't find any structural damage in Britton's shoulder, so his diagnosis matches the one coming from the Orioles. But as expected, Britton won't be ready for opening day and figures to begin the season on the disabled list. Britton received a Platelet Rich Plasma injection, which contains several different...

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Hunter on Hunter (O's lose 6-3)

March 21, 2012, 11:24am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitcher Tommy Hunter says he still has a few things to work on before the Orioles break camp. "Maybe throwing strikes, starting off hitters with strikes," he said. "That's probably the first goal." The guy has a great sense of humor. Hunter was making his first appearance in a Grapefruit League game after throwing four innings in a minor league game. He allowed two runs and five hits over five innings. "Back to the big leagues," he said. "I was joking around about...

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Hunter solid in Grapefruit League debut (Jones homers)

March 21, 2012, 10:43am

Orioles

Hunter solid in Grapefruit League debut (Jones homers)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Making his first appearance in a major league exhibition game, right-hander Tommy Hunter allowed two runs and five hits in five innings, with two walks and two strikeouts. The Orioles and Blue Jays are tied, 2-2, going to the top of the sixth. Hunter threw 74 pitches, 44 for strikes. His fastball was mainly 89-91 mph. It isn't always pretty with Hunter, but manager Buck Showalter likes how he grinds through a start and gives his team a chance to win. The Blue Jays put at...

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Roberts more encouraged with each passing day

March 21, 2012, 8:35am

Orioles

Roberts more encouraged with each passing day

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's been a busy day here in camp, and it doesn't figure to quiet down. The Orioles might make cuts before or after today's game. Stay tuned. Also, we're assuming that Dontrelle Willis threw a bullpen session, but he was doing stretching exercises by the time reporters reached the back fields. Manager Buck Showalter hopped in a golf cart and attempted to get over there in time, but he might have been too late. Pitching coach Rick Adair was on the scene. "He's had some...

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Duquette on Dontrelle Willis and the catching situation

March 21, 2012, 8:17am

Orioles

Duquette on Dontrelle Willis and the catching situation

SARASOTA, Fla. - Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed today new pitcher Dontrelle Willis will make the transition to left-handed specialist, and will likely have to begin the season in the minors. Willis held left-handers to a .127 average with the Reds last season. "The idea is to see if he can be a lockdown left-handed reliever against left-handed hitters," Duquette said. "Our interest in that project is lefties hit .127 off him last year, and three of the last four years...

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Teagarden knows he's "running out of days" to make opening day roster

March 21, 2012, 5:47am

Orioles

Teagarden knows he's "running out of days" to make opening day roster

SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Taylor Teagarden still hasn't been cleared to start baseball-related activities after receiving an epidural on March 14 to alleviate the pain in his lower back. Teagarden said he hasn't been given a timetable. "Everything depends on how I respond," he said. "The doctor told me it could be two weeks longer or it could be two weeks shorter. It all depends on how I'm responding. "There's no need to rush anything when you're dealing with a back injury. We're...

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Dontrelle Willis is in the house

March 21, 2012, 4:58am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - There's a new pitcher sitting in catchers row, and he's trying to adapt to a new team and a new role. Dontrelle Willis said he arrived here about three hours ago, already passed his physical and is ready to start working out. The Orioles signed him to a minor league contract five days after the Phillies released him and will continue his conversion to relief pitcher. "The opportunity was definitely good and I've played with a bunch of these guys and against these guys, so...

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Orioles lineup vs. Jays (Willis is here)

March 21, 2012, 4:18am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tommy Hunter is making his first start today in a Grapefruit League game. Also, Adam Jones is batting fourth again today. Should we read anything into it? For the Orioles: Endy Chavez RF J.J. Hardy SS Wilson Betemit 1B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Nolan Reimold LF Chris Davis DH Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP Dontrelle Willis arrived here three hours ago and already took his physical. He'll wear No. 25. Willis confirmed that he'll be used as a...

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Orioles to sign Dontrelle Willis to minor league deal (updated twice)

March 20, 2012, 3:12pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - In their never-ending search for more starting pitching, the Orioles apparently are on the verge of signing left-hander Dontrelle Willis to a minor league contract. The Phillies released Willis last week after he allowed five runs and five hits, and walked four batters, in 2 2/3 innings. Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed that the Orioles are working on a minor league deal, but he didn't offer any specifics. Asked if the deal would include a late spring...

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Showalter speaks after 4-1 loss

March 20, 2012, 1:50pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter addressed two of the most important postgame topics today: Pitcher Brian Matusz and right fielder Nick Markakis. Showalter noted that Matusz wasn't "as crisp as he was in the two previous outings." "Obviously, the wind helped him a little bit on the one ball, so there's two sides of that," Showalter said. Showalter was impressed with the way Matusz handled adversity today, including the seven hits he allowed in five innings and a ball that hit...