Roch Kubatko

Hammel goes two scoreless innings

March 08, 2012, 8:41am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jason Hammel provided quite a contrast to yesterday's starter, Wei-Yin Chen, and not only for the obvious reasons. Chen was a strike-thrower yesterday. Hammel had trouble finding the plate this afternoon. However, Hammel also gave the Orioles two scoreless innings, allowing two hits and walking a batter. Hammel walked Braves leadoff hitter Luis Durango on four pitches and fell behind, 2-0, to Martin Prado. But Matt Wieters threw out Durango trying to steal second, and...

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Duquette on Damon, Ohlman update

March 08, 2012, 7:13am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette may have delivered the final blow to the ongoing rumors that the club might sign free agent Johnny Damon. The following exchange took place this morning as Duquette walked past a small group of reporters outside the clubhouse. Reporter: "Are you going to sign Johnny Damon?" Duquette (laughing): "I don't think so. I already signed Johnny Damon when he was 28." Meanwhile, catcher Michael Ohlman will be examined Friday by team...

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Markakis set to make spring debut on March 14

March 08, 2012, 6:05am

Orioles

Markakis set to make spring debut on March 14

SARASOTA, Fla. - Now that Nick Markakis is running sprints, the Orioles are able to map out his schedule in an attempt to get him ready for opening day on April 6. Markakis is scheduled to serve as the designated hitter on March 14, his first game action since undergoing surgery in January to repair a torn abdominal muscle. Markakis has been taking batting practice, gradually increasing the intensity of his swings, and shagging fly balls in the outfield. The sprints yesterday gave manager...

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Orioles lineup vs. Braves

March 08, 2012, 4:31am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jason Hammel makes his first spring start today. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Wilson Betemit 1B Jai Miller RF Ryan Adams DH Robert Andino 2B Jason Hammel RHP Manager Buck Showalter told reporters that he wanted to see more of Miller, who had a three-run double yesterday, and the former Oakland Athletics outfielder is starting in right today. Also, Showalter indicated that Nick Johnson would play first...

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Showalter speaks after 6-0 victory

March 07, 2012, 11:08am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter told reporters that Nick Markakis ran sprints today for the first time and continues to feel good. He's making a nice recovery from the abdominal surgery and continues to believe that he'll be ready by opening day. As Showalter loves to say, "So far, so good." "That's a good sign," he said. Nick Johnson will play first base tomorrow. Showalter noted that Wei-Yin Chen had "a little bit better command" today. "It's part of the progression...

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Chen finds comfort and strike zones (updated twice)

March 07, 2012, 9:36am

Orioles

Chen finds comfort and strike zones (updated twice)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen seemed more relaxed today in his exhibition debut against the Minnesota Twins. It didn't matter that a crowd was watching. Pitching in front of empty seats for the intrasquad game didn't do much to soothe his nerves. "Last time, I didn't feel comfortable on the mound, but today I adjusted a lot and I felt more confident to throw the ball to Matt (Wieters)," Chen said through his interpreter after blanking the Twins on one hit and striking out three in two...

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Chen much more impressive in exhibition debut

March 07, 2012, 8:45am

Orioles

Chen much more impressive in exhibition debut

SARASOTA, Fla. - The last time we saw Wei-Yin Chen, he was throwing 31 pitches in two-thirds of an inning in an intrasquad game. He allowed one run and two hits, walked one and struck out one. Fast-forward to today's exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins. Chen was much more effective, allowing one hit in two scoreless innings and striking out the side in the second. Chen's fastball topped out at 91 mph, but he fanned Brian Dinkelman and Sean Burroughs with 89 mph heaters. The only...

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Wada and Eyre complete their bullpen sessions

March 07, 2012, 7:18am

Orioles

Wada and Eyre complete their bullpen sessions

SARASOTA, Fla. - The injury news is good concerning pitchers Tsuyoshi Wada and Willie Eyre. Wade (elbow) and Eyre (groin) looked good during their bullpen sessions this morning. "Obviously, Willie Eyre is healthy, and Wada was outstanding," said pitching coach Rick Adair. "The ball's coming out of his hand much better. I think we're always concerned to a certain degree until you know and they get in game speed, but it was good today. Encouraging." Wada mixed in his changeup and slider...

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Ohlman escapes serious harm in vehicle accident

March 07, 2012, 5:55am

Orioles

Ohlman escapes serious harm in vehicle accident

SARASOTA, Fla. - Minor league catcher Michael Ohlman was involved in an accident yesterday while leaving the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters that Ohlman appeared to be fine, but doctors were checking the catcher's right shoulder. "He's got some discomfort there," Showalter said. "We're just happy that it isn't anything life threatening." Ohlman, who played in 105 games with Single-A Delmarva last summer, was brought to camp because of a shortage of...

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Roberts remains the same

March 07, 2012, 4:46am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Second baseman Brian Roberts said he's having more good days than bad days, but he still can't provide a timetable for his exhibition debut this spring. Nothing much has changed with Roberts. He's still taking ground balls and running sprints and taking batting practice from coaches. "It's a pretty systematic approach," he said. "I don't just go and do whatever I want every day. My doctor lays out a plan each day and we kind of go by that." Asked if he sees himself...

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Orioles and Twins lineups

March 07, 2012, 4:12am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen makes his first exhibition start for the Orioles today after lasting two-thirds of an inning in last week's intrasquad game. Hopefully, he'll be more comfortable on the Ed Smith Stadium mound this afternoon. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez RF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Wilson Betemit DH Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP Armando Galarraga, Matt Lindstrom, Luis Ayala and Steve Johnson also are...

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Matusz and a special guest

March 06, 2012, 5:24pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Before retiring for the night, I wanted to pass along a note regarding a tour that Brian Matusz will be giving Thursday at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, thanks to the Casey Cares Foundation. The foundation is sending Carly Shulman - a 15-year-old Hodgkins Lymphoma patient from Hampstead - her parents, brother, and care-taker to the Orioles' spring training camp tomorrow morning. The group will attend the Orioles' 1:05 p.m. game against the Twins, but that's not all....

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Showalter speaks after 5-4 loss

March 06, 2012, 12:15pm

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Orioles rallied from a four-run deficit to tie today's game, but the Red Sox reclaimed the lead in the seventh inning against Oliver Drake and held on for a 5-4 victory at JetBlue Park. Most of the postgame chatter centered on Dylan Bundy, who settled down after a four-pitch walk to blank the Red Sox in the fifth inning in his first exhibition appearance. "I thought T (Taylor Teagarden) did a good job with him," manager Buck Showalter said. "That's why I wanted him...

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Hearing from Bundy, Teagarden, Eveland and Tillman

March 06, 2012, 11:12am

Orioles

Hearing from Bundy, Teagarden, Eveland and Tillman

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The four Baltimore-based reporters who made the trip to JetBlue Park today also made the rounds inside the cramped visitors clubhouse in the middle of the game. (Hard to believe this place is new. It's got some nice features and it holds almost 10,000 fans, but Ed Smith Stadium kicks its butt.) Here's Dylan Bundy, who walked one batter in a scoreless fifth inning and settled down after catcher Taylor Teagarden visited the mound following a four-pitch walk to Dustin...

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Orioles rally in fifth (Bundy update)

March 06, 2012, 10:06am

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Orioles waited until the fifth inning to collect their first hit of the day. Two more followed, including a two-run single to center field by Double-A outfielder Xavier Avery that cut Boston's lead to 4-2. Avery was picked off first base by Red Sox reliever Alex Wilson. Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty grounded a single into right field with one out in the fifth after Taylor Teagarden walked, and Josh Bell followed with a looping single into right to load the bases. Avery...

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Notes on Johnson and Lindstrom (and Reyes)

March 06, 2012, 8:42am

Orioles

Notes on Johnson and Lindstrom (and Reyes)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - I finally made it to the JetBlue Park after being stuck in one of the worst traffic jams in history. It's a nice facility, but you need to arrive a few hours before first pitch. I'm thinking 12 hours to be safe. Anyway, here are a few quotes from Jim Johnson regarding today's simulated game: "It feels good. It feels a lot better today mechanically. I felt like I was repeating my delivery pretty good. There's still a lot left in the tank as far as velocity, but it was...

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Simulated game, Wada and international signing (with quotes)

March 06, 2012, 5:34am

Orioles

Simulated game, Wada and international signing (with quotes)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles just completed their simulated game on the Camden Yards field. It technically lasted two innings, with Tommy Hunter working the two top halves and Zach Britton and Jim Johnson each working a bottom half. Hunter threw 37 pitches. I counted 20 pitches for Johnson, though the official total is 17. Britton threw 16. Nick Markakis took two cuts against Johnson and lined a ball into center field. "I'm ready," he said, walking away from home plate. John Hester, Jai...

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Orioles and Red Sox lineups

March 06, 2012, 3:43am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have a 1:35 p.m. game against the Red Sox today in Fort Myers. Once again, most of the regulars will stay back at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez RF Ryan Adams 2B Nick Johnson DH Wilson Betemit LF Joe Mahoney 1B Taylor Teagarden C Ryan Flaherty SS Josh Bell 3B Xavier Avery CF Dana Eveland LHP Chris Tillman, Pat Neshek, Jon Link and Oliver Drake also will pitch today. For the Red Sox: Ellsbury CF Pedroia 2B Gonzalez 1B Lavarnway C Ross...

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Hearing from Matusz, Gregg and Lindstrom (and Showalter)

March 05, 2012, 4:26pm

Orioles

Hearing from Matusz, Gregg and Lindstrom (and Showalter)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Let's start with left-hander Brian Matusz, who allowed three runs on six hits and struck out three over two innings. "I felt really good," he said. "It felt nice to be back out there on the mound and let it fly a little bit. I felt strong. Threw a lot of strikes, attacked the zone. It felt really good to be back out there. "The Pirates executed really well and took advantage of the mistakes I made and put the ball in play. But overall I felt like I attacked the zone...

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Gregg not great tonight (updated)

March 05, 2012, 3:14pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Kevin Gregg gave up a single to the first batter he faced. Then he gave up a fly ball that put two more runs on the board for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Matt Hague followed Yamaico Navarro's single with a bomb to left field, increasing the Pirates' lead to 5-1. Gregg bounced back to strike out the next three batters - Pedro Alvarez, Gorkys Hernandez and Garrett Jones - but he probably didn't do much to win back the fans who lost patience with him last season. At least Gregg...