Roch Kubatko

Updates on Matusz, Britton and bullpen coach

August 13, 2011, 12:36pm

Orioles

Updates on Matusz, Britton and bullpen coach

The Orioles haven't made an official announcement on Tuesday's starter, but left-hander Brian Matusz has a bullpen session today in Charlotte and is scheduled to meet the club tomorrow at Camden Yards before taking the charter to Oakland. Left-hander Zach Britton threw in the bullpen here today and will start Monday or Tuesday at Single-A Frederick. The Orioles wanted to give him an extra work day, which eliminated him from making tomorrow's start at Double-A Bowie. Mike Bordick, who will...

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Matusz to make Tuesday start (with lineup)

August 13, 2011, 11:28am

Orioles

Matusz to make Tuesday start (with lineup)

As expected, the Orioles will recall Brian Matusz to make Tuesday night's start in Oakland. The decision came down to Matusz or reliever Brad Bergesen, who has been valuable coming out of the bullpen. He's allowed one run in his last two appearances covering 7 1/3 innings. Matusz is coming off a five-hit shutout of Lehigh Valley on Thursday. In his last three starts for Triple-A Norfolk, he's allowed four earned runs over 23 innings while also doing a better job of maintaining his...

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More clubhouse chatter

August 12, 2011, 7:11pm

Orioles

Adam Jones nearly tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, but center fielder Austin Jackson made a leaping catch at the fence to take away a home run. "I've done it before to people, so I know the feeling," Jones said. "A hell of a play. He's turned himself into a one of the best center fielders in the game. I'm a fan of his and I've watched him throughout the years. I've seen his progression at the major league level. He continues to excite people." Adam Jones talks about...

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Showalter speaks after 5-4 loss

August 12, 2011, 6:56pm

Orioles

Tonight's attendance: 21,465 Alfredo Simon allowed a career-high 11 hits in only 4 2/3 innings. He's given up 10 runs (eight earned) and 20 hits in his last two starts covering 9 2/3 innings. Manager Buck Showalter offered the following assessment of tonight's outing: "Just inconsistent. He didn't have much command. I think we gave up 19 or 20 baserunners. We were real lucky to even be in that ballgame. He had one inning that was pretty good crisp-wise, but it was a struggle for...

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How low should Hardy go?

August 12, 2011, 6:11pm

Orioles

The Orioles are a season-worst 26 games below .500, but who's counting? I completely forgot to pass along reliever Willie Eyre's uniform number yesterday when I first entered the clubhouse. He wore No. 50, which you probably noticed if you watched the game. Chris Davis produced three great plays at first base last night. He made a diving stop of Victor Martinez's smash along the line and got the out, saving two runs in the process. He made a lunging grab of an Alex Avila line drive to end...

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The Eyre up there (O's lose 5-4)

August 12, 2011, 6:00pm

Orioles

I've been saving that one. Willie Eyre made his Orioles debut tonight, relieving left-hander Troy Patton with two runners on base and one out in the top of the eighth. The Tigers were looking to build on their 5-4 lead. Eyre was looking to make a good first impression. He made a great one. Eyre kept pumping four-seam fastballs, and he escaped the jam by striking out Magglio Ordonez and retiring Miguel Cabrera on a fly ball to center field. Eyre's fastball hit 93 mph on three occasions. He...

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Hardy homer notes and Guerrero's RBI (updated)

August 12, 2011, 5:02pm

Orioles

Hardy homer notes and Guerrero's RBI (updated)

Shortstop J.J. Hardy has produced his third multi-homer game of the season and the seventh of his career. Bat him first. Bat him second. Just keep him in the lineup. Hardy took Tigers starter Brad Penny deep again in the bottom of the fifth inning to reduce Detroit's lead to 4-3. Adam Jones doubled with two outs and scored on a single by Vladimir Guerrero, who produced his first RBI since Aug. 3. Hardy also homered twice on July 26 and July 28 in Toronto. In between, he went 0-for-4 with...

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Good news on Arrieta (updated twice)

August 12, 2011, 4:26pm

Orioles

Orioles pitcher Jake Arrieta underwent successful surgery today to remove a bone spur from his right elbow. Orthopedic specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum handled the procedure in California. A team official said Arrieta is expected to be full-go for spring training, which is why it made sense for the pitcher to undergo surgery now instead of waiting until after the season or relying on cortisone injections and treatments. Arrieta will return to Baltimore before the season ends. Meanwhile, Tigers No....

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Stringing along the Orioles again in the first (updated twice)

August 12, 2011, 3:22pm

Orioles

Last night, the Chicago White Sox began their assault on Orioles starter Chris Tillman in the first inning by stringing together a single, home run, double, double and double. Tillman was behind, 4-0, before recording his first out. One night later, Orioles starter Alfredo Simon retired the first Detroit Tigers batter he faced before issuing a walk and allowing three consecutive singles. Fortunately for Simon, the Tigers managed only one run, on Miguel Cabrera's single into left field....

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More notes and Showalter quotes

August 12, 2011, 1:44pm

Orioles

A line drive from Robert Andino in batting practice struck Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque in the head, creating a frightening scene here at Camden Yards. Alburquerque went down hard and was kicking his legs while players from both teams and members of the Tigers training staff gathered around him. Alburquerque left the field on a cart and was taken to a nearby hospital for a CT scan. A photographer in the press box identified Alburquerque as the stricken player. I'll pass along any updates...

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A few pregame notes (and Tigers lineup)

August 12, 2011, 12:45pm

Orioles

The Orioles made their roster move official about an hour ago. Reliever Willie Eyre's contract was purchased from Triple-A Norfolk, and pitcher Jake Arrieta was placed on the 60-day disabled list to create room on the 40-man roster. The club still hasn't received any information on Arrieta's surgery today to remove a bone spur from his elbow. Second baseman Brian Roberts worked out in Sarasota, playing long toss and taking ground balls, among other things. He hasn't experienced any...

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Reimold leading off tonight

August 12, 2011, 11:52am

Orioles

The Orioles have a new leadoff hitter tonight: left fielder Nolan Reimold. Shortstop J.J. Hardy is batting second, and Vladimir Guerrero moves down to fifth. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Alfredo Simon RHP

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Showalter talks about Tillman

August 11, 2011, 6:20pm

Orioles

Manager Buck Showalter began his postgame session with the media by talking about Chris Tillman's poor performance in a 6-3 loss to the White Sox. It wasn't until about halfway through that he mentioned a roster move. Tillman was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, and Showalter said a reliever would fill the roster spot. He didn't mention anyone by name, but it's Willie Eyre. Tillman allowed six runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings. He threw 77 pitches, 47 for strikes. "It's frustrating,"...

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Tillman optioned to Norfolk

August 11, 2011, 5:59pm

Orioles

The Orioles optioned starter Chris Tillman to Triple-A Norfolk after tonight's 6-3 loss to the White Sox at Camden Yards. Chris Tillman talks with reporters after picking up the loss and being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk Tillman allowed six runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings, raising his ERA to 5.52. It was a disappointing follow-up to his last start, when he held the Blue Jays to two runs over seven innings. The corresponding move for Tillman hasn't been announced, but reliever...

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Second to none (Brian's Bash canceled)

August 11, 2011, 5:35pm

Orioles

I'll pass along new reliever Willie Eyre's uniform number as soon as I get it. That will be my first order of business today. With Chris Tillman optioned last night, the Orioles will need a starter for Tuesday's game in Oakland after Tommy Hunter takes the mound for the series-opener on Monday. Brian Matusz would be working on normal rest and he's coming off his finest outing of the year. He would be the obvious replacement unless team officials want him to stay down a little longer....

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Bergesen restores order (O's lose 6-3)

August 11, 2011, 5:13pm

Orioles

Brad Bergesen replaced ineffective starter Chris Tillman in the third inning and gave the Orioles a fighting chance. Bergesen shut out the White Sox on two hits over 4 1/3 innings, with one walk and no strikeouts. He threw 48 pitches, 33 for strikes. In his previous outing, Bergesen held the Blue Jays to one run and three hits over three innings, with no walks and four strikeouts. Add it up, and he's allowed one run and five hits over his last 7 1/3 innings, with one walk and four...

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Markakis hits home run and century mark

August 11, 2011, 4:17pm

Orioles

The Orioles are trying to get back into this game. J.J. Hardy singled with two outs in the third inning to score Nolan Reimold, who reached on a ground-rule double, and Nick Markakis followed with his 100th career home run. The ball landed on the flag court in right field. Estimated distance: 368 feet. White Sox 6, Orioles 3 Markakis' last home run came July 24 against the Angels. Left-hander Mark Buehrle retired the first seven batters before Reimold's double. That's two straight hits...

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Tillman's terrible first inning (updated)

August 11, 2011, 3:25pm

Orioles

Tillman's terrible first inning (updated)

In his last start, Chris Tillman held the Blue Jays to two runs and four hits over seven innings in a 6-2 victory at Camden Yards. In tonight's start, the first five White Sox's batters strung together a single, home run, double, double and double. So much for building momentum. Tillman was down 4-0 before recording his first out on his 20th pitch of the inning, getting a ground ball from Alex Rios that was met with a sarcastic ovation from fans. Adam Dunn walked, but Tillman struck out...

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Eyre next man up? (updated)

August 11, 2011, 1:48pm

Orioles

The Orioles apparently are on the verge of purchasing reliever Willie Eyre's contract from Triple-A Norfolk. Eyre isn't heading to Baltimore at this moment, but I'm anticipating another roster move within the next day or two. Update: The Orioles could announce Eyre's promotion after tonight's game or before tomorrow's series-opener against the Tigers. The club could choose to send down a reliever or a position player. Third baseman Josh Bell, whose playing time is limited again with...

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Showalter talks about Matusz

August 11, 2011, 12:49pm

Orioles

No matter how hard the media tries, manager Buck Showalter is not going to provide a timetable for left-hander Brian Matusz's return to the Orioles. Showalter said it wouldn't be "shocking" if Matusz was recalled before rosters expand on Sept. 1, but he's not looking to heighten expectations and place additional pressure on the young southpaw. "If everybody feels like he's ready to come back, he will," Showalter said. Matusz tossed a five-hit shutout today at Triple-A Norfolk, and...