Roch Kubatko

Pineiro headed to Norfolk, and other notes

April 26, 2012, 2:03pm

Orioles

Pineiro headed to Norfolk, and other notes

Joel Pineiro threw a five-inning simulated game today at the minor league complex and is headed to Triple-A Norfolk. Pineiro will be available to start for the Tides in five days, so a roster move is pending. The Orioles have a little more time to figure out how to make room for him. I told you earlier that Jim Johnson could be released from the hospital tomorrow morning. Here's a comment from manager Buck Showalter. The last line amuses me. "Talked to Jimmy today," Showalter said. "Not...

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Updates on Johnson, Wada, Andino, Teagarden and more

April 26, 2012, 12:43pm

Orioles

Updates on Johnson, Wada, Andino, Teagarden and more

Jim Johnson's condition has improved, and he could be released from the hospital later tonight or, more likely, tomorrow morning. Johnson will attempt to eat today. If he can hold down his food, his chances increase of being sent home. Manager Buck Showalter doesn't know whether Johnson would be available to pitch tomorrow night if he returns to Camden Yards. Tsuyoshi Wada will fly into Los Angeles on Sunday and have his left elbow examined the following day by renowned orthopedist Dr....

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Reimold returns to lineup

April 26, 2012, 11:35am

Orioles

After missing the last four games, Nolan Reimold is back in left field tonight for the Orioles. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 3B Nick Johnson 1B Ryan Flaherty 2B Brian Matusz LHP For the Jays: Escobar SS Lawrie 3B Bautista RF Encarnacion 1B Thames LF Francisco DH Davis CF Arencibia C Vizquel 2B Hutchison RHP

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Off to a Rockies start

April 26, 2012, 9:39am

Orioles

How many Orioles fans were outraged by the February trade that sent No. 1 starter Jeremy Guthrie to the Colorado Rockies for pitchers Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom? How many national publications ripped it to shreds - one of them calling it the worst deal of the offseason? It's too early to evaluate any trade made over the winter. We're 18 games into the 2012 season. But Hammel improved to 3-0 with a 1.73 ERA last night after tossing seven shutout innings, and Lindstrom struck out two in...

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What does Berken's arrival really mean?

April 25, 2012, 8:28pm

Orioles

Here's what we know about Jason Berken: The Orioles called him up from Triple-A Norfolk yesterday to take second baseman Robert Andino's spot on the 25-man roster. Andino will miss at least two games after going on paternity leave. Here's what we don't know about Jason Berken: How long he's going to stay with the Orioles. Berken has no idea. He's just been told to be ready if he's needed. He'll be the long man if left-hander Brian Matusz makes an early exit tonight. Manager Buck...

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Hearing from Hammel

April 25, 2012, 6:34pm

Orioles

Each start from Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel brings the same questions about the differences between then and now, what's made him better, what he's doing differently, how much confidence he's gained. He's going to have to start mixing his answers like he does his pitches. "I continue to work hard, pay attention to the league," he said after tonight's 3-0 victory over Toronto. "I'm still learning a new league and see what everybody else is doing. Apply my game where it applies....

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Showalter speaks after 3-0 win

April 25, 2012, 6:19pm

Orioles

The Orioles have claimed consecutive series wins over the Blue Jays for the first time since May 25-27 and July 10-12, 2009. Jason Hammel is 4-0 in seven career starts against the Jays, and his teams have won all seven games. The Orioles have won all four games that Hammel has started this season. He blanked the Jays on four hits over seven innings tonight, with one walk and seven strikeouts. "Hammel was good," manager Buck Showalter said. "The two-seamer and the four-seamer. He's got a...

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Hammel with another gem (O's win 3-0)

April 25, 2012, 5:07pm

Orioles

Jason Hammel gave up a leadoff single to Edwin Encarnacion in the top of the seventh inning, which constituted trouble on this night. Then he retired the next three batters, which made this a typical night for Hammel. Hammel blanked the Blue Jays over seven innings, allowing four hits, walking one and striking out seven. He threw 105 pitches, 65 for strikes, before Matt Lindstrom replaced him in the eighth. Hammel's ERA is down to 1.73. He hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of his...

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Jones hustles, Davis homers, Hammel deals

April 25, 2012, 4:30pm

Orioles

Jones hustles, Davis homers, Hammel deals

The Orioles are leading, 2-0, in the bottom of the fifth, and there's a lot to like about this game. Adam Jones made another hard slide into second base, this time in the fourth inning while trying to break up a double play on Matt Wieters grounder after his leadoff walk. Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar took exception to the slide, gesturing to second base umpire Todd Tichenor and barking at Jones. Jones appeared to return the volley. He wasn't backing down. Both runs have scored on...

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The error of their ways (updated twice)

April 25, 2012, 3:35pm

Orioles

Orioles third baseman Wilson Betemit had plenty of time to throw out Toronto's Jose Bautista and end the top of the first inning tonight, but he skipped the ball past first baseman Chris Davis for an error. Betemit took a few steps to his left to field Brett Lawrie's bouncer with two outs in the second, but he misplayed the ball and threw late for another error. The Orioles are now tied with the San Diego Padres for the most errors in the majors with 21. They broke a tie with the San...

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Pregame updates from Showalter

April 25, 2012, 1:19pm

Orioles

You've got the news. Now read the quotes. Doctors are still running tests on closer Jim Johnson, and they "eliminated some things," manager Buck Showalter said. That's the good news. The bad news is they're still trying to pinpoint the cause of Johnson's illness. It's a bacterial issue. "They haven't completely identified it," Showalter said. "He's getting a little frustrated. Texted back and forth a little with him today." Nolan Reimold is trying to avoid the disabled list....

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Wada getting second opinion on elbow

April 25, 2012, 12:39pm

Orioles

More news nuggets to hold you until dinner. Choose your own dipping sauce. Tsuyoshi Wada will get a second opinion on his left elbow from Dr. Lewis Yocum in Calfornia. Yocum removed bone chips from Wada's elbow in 2007 and also did the Japanese pitcher's physical in December before he signed with the Orioles. An MRA revealed a damaged ligament in Wada's elbow, which didn't appear during the physical. The pain apparently is in a different location from what Wada experienced in spring...

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Flaherty gets another start, Reimold still out

April 25, 2012, 11:37am

Orioles

Flaherty gets another start, Reimold still out

One night after Ryan Flaherty started at third base for the Orioles, the Rule 5 pick moves over to second base as Robert Andino's replacement. Andino is in Miami for the birth of his daughter. He's also celebrating a birthday. Nolan Reimold remains out of the lineup. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds DH Ryan Flaherty 2B Jason Hammel RHP Also, Jason Berken is in the clubhouse...

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Jim Johnson's flawed perfection a thing of beauty for Orioles

April 24, 2012, 8:56pm

Orioles

If the Orioles shock the world and actually make the playoffs this season, I wonder whether they'll have to forfeit because they've run out of healthy bodies. It's getting ridiculous. Robert Andino's new baby might need to start taking batting practice next week. And grab a glove, kid. Tsuyoshi Wada has a damaged ligament in his elbow, quite possibly a tear, and he may not pitch this year. And yes, the joke has already been made that "Wada" is Japanese for "Duchscherer." You're too...

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Orioles will recall Berken

April 24, 2012, 8:38pm

Orioles

The Orioles have decided to recall pitcher Jason Berken from Triple-A Norfolk to replace second baseman Robert Andino on the 25-man roster. Andino has left the team to be with his wife, Renee, who will give birth to their third child at noon in Miami. He's expected to miss at least two games. Berken has allowed one earned run (two total) and 15 hits, with four walks and 10 strikeouts, in 15 innings at Norfolk. He's made three starts, as the Orioles attempt to stretch him out. He could be...

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Hearing from Hunter and Strop

April 24, 2012, 6:45pm

Orioles

The Orioles are 8-1 when their starter goes six innings or more. Tommy Hunter lasted six innings tonight and got the win. "We got a win" he said. "I'm happy about that. You move on and you go back to the bullpen and go to work." Hunter was fast to credit the bullpen, saying, "Those were solid, those were solid at the end of the game. Those guys came in and it was quick and it was effective and they got the job done. Tip your cap to those guys. They've been good all year and hopefully...

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Showalter speaks after 2-1 win

April 24, 2012, 6:37pm

Orioles

Most of the postgame focus tonight shifted to Japanese left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada, who has a damaged ligament in his elbow - it's fair to speculate that it's a tear - and could be facing surgery. We'll know more later. However, there were other topics for manager Buck Showalter to cover, including starter Tommy Hunter, who was a heck of a lot better tonight than he previous outing in Chicago. What was the difference? "Probably the curveball a little bit, somewhat. I little bit different...

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Wada has "problem" with elbow ligament (with quotes)

April 24, 2012, 6:01pm

Orioles

Wada has "problem" with elbow ligament (with quotes)

The MRA on Tsuyoshi Wada's left elbow today revealed "a problem" with the ligament, according to manager Buck Showalter. Showalter didn't offer a specific diagnosis, but he said the test revealed damage that didn't show up during Wada's physical before the Japanese left-hander signed a two-year, $8.14 million contract. "We were hoping for a little bit better news," Showalter said. Showalter said Wada and the Orioles are contemplating the next direction to take. Wada was held back in...

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So who's closing? (Strop gets save in 2-1 victory)

April 24, 2012, 5:13pm

Orioles

So who's closing? (Strop gets save in 2-1 victory)

We're in the bottom of the eighth inning and the Orioles are clinging to a 2-1 lead. Unless they break out here, we'll have a save situation. Jim Johnson probably isn't available because of flu-like symptoms that kept him in the hospital today. The Orioles keep passing the baton, going from starter Tommy Hunter to Troy Patton to Darren O'Day to Luis Ayala. O'Day needed four pitches to retire the only batter he faced, catcher Jeff Mathis, who struck out looking, but manager Buck...

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Homers continue to hurt Hunter, but O's lead 2-1 (updated)

April 24, 2012, 4:13pm

Orioles

Homers continue to hurt Hunter, but O's lead 2-1 (updated)

The Orioles gave Tommy Hunter a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning tonight after loading the bases with no outs. It should have been a much more productive frame, but Adam Jones grounded into a double play and Matt Wieters grounded to first. The Blue Jays tied the score in the top of the third on Eric Thames' first home run this season, the ball traveling an estimated 410 feet and hitting the warehouse on one bounce. However, Matt Wieters broke the tie in the fourth inning with his...