Roch Kubatko

Hudson claimed by Rangers

January 28, 2012, 4:29pm

Orioles

I just returned from the Shorebirds' Hot Stove Banquet at the Delmar VFW, where I was introduced to slippery dumplings. Where have they been all my life? Many thanks to the Shorebirds for making me feel right at home. They also overfed me. And they couldn't have been more gracious hosts. In case you missed my tweet earlier today, the Texas Rangers announced that they signed outfielder Kyle Hudson to a minor league deal with a spring training invite. The Orioles designated Hudson for...

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Robinson breaks clavicle in fall

January 28, 2012, 10:07am

Orioles

Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson broke his clavicle last night after falling off a stage during a charity event at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. I received two e-mails earlier today informing me of the injury, and Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post confirmed it here. Capozzi had just returned from Fort Lauderdale Stadium, where Robinson was supposed to attend a charity game to benefit Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood. Witnesses told Capozzi...

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Random thoughts

January 27, 2012, 6:40pm

Orioles

You probably know that new special assistant Brady Anderson has been training left-hander Brian Matusz in California. What you might not know is he's got Matusz doing handstands to strengthen the pitcher's shoulder muscles. Anderson, calling into "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report" yesterday on MASN, explained that the exercise stabilizes the shoulder. It's a common method among Olympic athletes, including the ones that Anderson visited during a recent trip to Japan. I've never been able...

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Brooks Robinson apparently fine after falling at event

January 27, 2012, 5:45pm

Orioles

Brooks Robinson apparently fine after falling at event

Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson fell off a stage tonight at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood Fla., where he was attending the Joe D Legends Classic. I'm told that he was coherent as paramedics transported him to a local hospital as a precaution. The fall was unrelated to Robinson's previous health issues. Robinson, 74, tumbled as he stood up to leave the stage, which sat a few feet above the floor. Earlier in the night, former Senators and Braves catcher Paul...

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Orioles sign 18-year-old outfielder from Guatemala

January 27, 2012, 8:22am

Orioles

Forget the free-agent market. The Orioles clearly want to do most of their shopping in the international market. The Orioles have signed Andres Aguilar, an 18-year-old outfielder from Guatemala. He'll be assigned to the Gulf Coast League team unless the roster is full. If there's no room, he'll be placed on the Dominican Summer League team. Here's Aguilar taking a round of batting practice: Fred Ferreira, the Orioles' executive director of international recruiting, returned home from...

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Prospects and other notes

January 26, 2012, 5:52pm

Orioles

I'm still recovering this morning from the news that Robert Hegyes, who played Juan Epstein on the 1970s hit "Welcome Back, Kotter," died yesterday of a heart attack. He was 60. I've already made a "note from his mother" reference to friends, so you won't be the first. (If you're too young to know what I'm talking about, there's nothing I can do for you. We'll just move on.) Baseball America released its prospect handbook, Here's the top 31 for the Orioles (Yes, 31. The book...

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Orioles announce minor league staffs

January 26, 2012, 12:15pm

Orioles

The Orioles finally released the names of their minor league managers and coaches for 2012. There are no surprises among the managers. As you probably have read, former Red Sox first base coach Ron Johnson will be in charge of Triple-A Norfolk. Gary Kendall returns to Double-A Bowie, Orlando Gomez returns to Single-A Frederick and Ryan Minor returns to Single-A Delmarva. Gary Allenson moves down from Norfolk to short-season Single-A Aberdeen. Ramon Sambo returns as manager of the Gulf Coast...

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More on Cespedes

January 26, 2012, 11:24am

Orioles

The Orioles aren't ready to drop out of the Yoenis Cespedes sweepstakes. They may not be the favorites to sign the Cuban outfielder, but they're still in play. I was told this afternoon that they're still interested in Cespedes despite his struggles in the Dominican Winter League, where he collected only five hits and struck out 10 times in 35 at-bats. They'd rather focus on the .333 average, 33 homers and 99 RBIs he totaled with the Cuban National Team in 2010-11. They're also referring...

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Hoiles, Cespedes and more

January 25, 2012, 5:36pm

Orioles

As I told you yesterday, former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles will serve as an instructor in spring training. He leaves for Sarasota on Feb. 16, two days before pitchers and catchers report. Hoiles' duties will be more clearly defined next month. He's expected to serve as a roving instructor, moving between the major league and minor league camps. He'll work with the catchers, of course, but he also could offer instruction on hitting. "I'll go back and forth if that's what the team...

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Betemit: "I just want to go out there and play" (with note)

January 25, 2012, 7:50am

Orioles

Betemit: "I just want to go out there and play" (with note)

I just got off the phone with newest Oriole Wilson Betemit, who's back home in the Dominican Republic after signing a two-year deal worth $3.25 million that includes a $3.2 million vesting option for 2014. Betemit explained why he chose the Orioles. While the money offered is an obvious reason, he added, "My agent told me I'd get an opportunity to play over there. I just want to go out there and play. It's an opportunity to play and try to help the team win and play whatever position they...

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Where do we go now? (Andino signs)

January 24, 2012, 6:07pm

Orioles

Prince Fielder is off the board, and we're left to ponder how much the Orioles were really in on him. Or we can just move on and never again speak his name. I felt a sense of relief yesterday after news broke that Fielder had agreed to a nine-year, $214 million contract with the Tigers, who get to wear the 2012 label of "Scott Boras' Mystery Team." Not because, as a few readers suggested, I didn't want the Orioles to sign him. Preposterous. Why would I root against a feared left-handed...

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Fielder agrees to terms with Tigers and life goes on

January 24, 2012, 10:18am

Orioles

Fielder agrees to terms with Tigers and life goes on

The Orioles aren't "in on" Prince Fielder anymore, no matter your definition. According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Tigers have reached agreement with Fielder on a nine-year deal worth $214 million. There's your mystery team. Agent Scott Boras never fails to find one. The Tigers lost Victor Martinez to a knee injury that most likely will require season-ending surgery, but they figured to search for a temporary replacement. Early speculation had them interested in Johnny Damon,...

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MASN releases its O's spring training schedule

January 24, 2012, 7:38am

Orioles

MASN releases its O's spring training schedule

If you can't make it down to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota for spring training this year, you'll be able to watch six exhibition games from the comfort of your favorite chair or bar stool. You can sweat the details. MASN kicks off its Grapefruit League schedule with a March 5 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m., so we'll be under the lights. You might be under the influence, depending on where you decide to watch it. Drink and root responsibly. MASN will...

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Duquette on Betemit and Fielder

January 24, 2012, 7:03am

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette keeps placing emphasis on improving the Orioles' on-base capabilities, and he feels that he took another step in that direction by signing infielder Wilson Betemit to a two-year deal with a vesting option for 2014. Betemit has posted on-base percentages of .378 and .343 the past two seasons. And he's been better hitting from the left side, which also appeals to Duquette. "We like his bat, and if you take a look at what he's done the last two...

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Orioles remove VandenHurk from 40-man roster

January 24, 2012, 5:52am

Orioles

The Orioles made the signing of Wilson Betemit official this morning, and they cleared room for him on the 40-man roster by designating pitcher Rick VandenHurk for assignment. VandenHurk, 26, allowed eight earned runs in nine innings over four games with the Orioles last season. He was 9-13 with a 4.43 ERA in 26 starts for Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles acquired VandenHurk from the Marlins on July 31, 2010 for left-hander Will Ohman. He's 8-10 with a 5.97 ERA in 46 major league games,...

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This, that and the other

January 23, 2012, 5:27pm

Orioles

I had an interesting conversation with pitcher Jake Arrieta during Saturday's FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center. (Is it necessary to say "Baltimore?" I once jumped in the back of a Manhattan cab and told the driver to take me to New York-Penn Station. I'm pretty sure "New York" was implied.) Arrieta repeated that his elbow is 100 percent and he'll be full-go in spring training, the same thing he told reporters last month at Dave and Buster's. He's made an impressive and...

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Orioles reach agreement with Betemit

January 23, 2012, 5:18pm

Orioles

The Orioles may have found their designated hitter, or at least someone who can rotate into that spot. Two industry sources confirmed tonight that the Orioles have reached agreement with Wilson Betemit on a one-year contract, which will become official if he passes his physical. Betemit, 30, is a switch-hitter who's played every infield position, including 383 games at third base, and four games in the outfield in parts of nine major league seasons. He offers versatility, but is more likely...

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Orioles reach agreement with Betemit

January 23, 2012, 5:14pm

Orioles

The Orioles may have found their designated hitter, or at least someone who can rotate into that spot. An industry source confirmed tonight that the Orioles have reached agreement with Wilson Betemit on a one-year contract, which will become official if he passes his physical. Betemit, 30, is a switch-hitter who's played every infield position, including 383 games at third base, and four games in the outfield in parts of nine major league seasons. He offers versatility, but is more likely to...

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orioles

Quickly visiting the latest Fielder rumor

January 23, 2012, 10:33am

Orioles

Quickly visiting the latest Fielder rumor

I'm scrambling to prep for "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report," but I wanted to respond to the latest round of Prince Fielder rumors. Well, I didn't want to, but I figured it's better than being asked for updates as if I'm keeping secrets here. That's beyond annoying. Are the Orioles in on Fielder? They're not officially out, so it depends on your definition. There is interest in the free agent slugger, but I'm told that the Orioles haven't met with agent Scott Boras and they don't...

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Orioles release Hudson

January 23, 2012, 8:56am

Orioles

I won't file this one under "breaking news," but the Orioles have released outfielder Kyle Hudson. Hudson, 25, was designated for assignment to make room for left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. He couldn't be placed on waivers and outrighted to the minors before March because he was "draft excluded" due to the date that the Orioles purchased his contract from Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles had to trade or release Hudson. They can attempt to re-sign him, but he won't be able to play for them...