Roch Kubatko

Speculating on Tuesday's starter (tarp's off field)

August 06, 2011, 12:53pm

Orioles

Speculating on Tuesday's starter (tarp's off field)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter hasn't made a final decision on Tuesday night's starter against the White Sox at Camden Yards, but the prime candidates are relievers Jo-Jo Reyes and Brad Bergesen. There are several factors to consider, including how much Showalter uses them out of the bullpen over the weekend. Showalter is hoping to get Reyes into tonight's game to give the left-hander some work, but it would amount to a bullpen session if Reyes is given Tuesday night's assignment. He...

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Bad night to be missing Hardy and Davis (O's lineup)

August 06, 2011, 11:12am

Orioles

Bad night to be missing Hardy and Davis (O's lineup)

The Orioles really need J.J. Hardy's CT scan on his left ankle to come back clean, and Chris Davis' MRI on his right shoulder to bring the same positive result. It wouldn't matter who was pitching for the opposition, but consider that Hardy is 2-for-3 with two homers and three RBIs lifetime against Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow, and Davis is 2-for-4 with a double, home run and two RBIs. Small sample sizes, but you should want them facing Morrow tonight. Nick Markakis is 4-for-10 with...

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Let's hear from Davis and Hunter

August 05, 2011, 7:13pm

Orioles

That's Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter, not Blake Davis and Jim Hunter. And not Geena Davis and Luke Scott, who's an avid hunter. Chris Davis discussed his shoulder injury that will require an MRI tomorrow. Apparently, it happened in the bedroom. Don't let your imaginations run wild. "It was just a few nights ago," he said. "I slept funny with my arm above my head, kind of just laying at a weird angle. I've done it before and it's been a little stiff for the next couple of days, but...

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Showalter expands on injuries

August 05, 2011, 7:00pm

Orioles

The "manager's decision" to scratch Chris Davis was made because of the first baseman's sore right shoulder, not for disciplinary reasons. "Right shoulder," manager Buck Showalter said. "He came in today and Richie (Bancells) has been playing with his shoulder. He's getting an MRI on it tomorrow, around 1:45. J.J. (Hardy) is going to get, I think, a CT scan on his ankle. "Chris tried to take batting practice and was still feeling some discomfort with it throwing. We'll see where we...

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Rally falls short in 5-4 loss (injury updates)

August 05, 2011, 6:06pm

Orioles

Rally falls short in 5-4 loss (injury updates)

The Orioles grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning on Adam Jones' two-run homer, but new starter Tommy Hunter gave up two runs in the second and two more in the third. The Blue Jays never trailed from that point, winning the first game of this series, 5-4, before 18,770 on Fireworks Night at Camden Yards. Robert Andino singled off Jon Rauch with two outs in the ninth and scored on Nick Markakis' double to right, but Jones popped up an 0-1 pitch to end the game. Troy Patton was charged...

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Griffin on Matusz

August 05, 2011, 5:35pm

Orioles

We'll find out later today whether shortstop J.J. Hardy and first baseman Chris Davis can avoid the disabled list and get back into the lineup. Hardy will have a CT scan on his left ankle. Davis will have an MRI on his right shoulder. Manager Buck Showalter will have more challenges filling out his lineup card. Will he need another shortstop and leadoff hitter tonight? He used Robert Andino for both roles last night, and he could do the same thing tonight. He also put Felix Pie atop the...

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Talking about Hunter, Bundy and Rupe (and Patton)

August 05, 2011, 4:41pm

Orioles

Talking about Hunter, Bundy and Rupe (and Patton)

Tommy Hunter's first start of the 2011 season ended after four innings. Hunter allowed four runs and eight hits, with no walks and one strikeout. He threw 78 pitches, 40 for strikes. The defense behind Hunter wasn't particularly sharp, but neither was Hunter. Bobby Bundy lasted two innings tonight at Double-A Bowie. He allowed five runs (two earned) and six hits, with two walks, one strikeout and one home run. His unofficial pitch count was 62. The defense behind Bundy wasn't...

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Talking about Jones, Davis and Connor (and 4-2 deficit)

August 05, 2011, 3:33pm

Orioles

Talking about Jones, Davis and Connor (and 4-2 deficit)

Adam Jones just tied his career high in home runs with his 19th tonight, a two-run shot that gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Jones also hit 19 homers the past two seasons. Blue Jays left-hander Brad Mills didn't locate a changeup, and Jones drove the ball an estimated 384 feet into the left field seats after Nick Markakis reached on an infield hit with one out. As I wrote earlier, manager Buck Showalter will explain his decision to remove first baseman Chris...

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Britton to DL, Erbe DFA

August 05, 2011, 3:02pm

Orioles

The Orioles placed pitcher Zach Britton on the 15-day disabled list tonight with a strained left shoulder. Infielder Cesar Izturis will take Britton's spot on the 25-man roster. Britton allowed six runs (four earned) and 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings last night in the Orioles' 9-4 loss to the Royals. The rookie is 6-9 with a 4.66 ERA in 20 starts, with 122 hits, 40 walks and 68 strikeouts in 110 innings. The Orioles made room on the 40-man roster for Izturis by designating pitcher Brandon Erbe...

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Davis scratched from lineup

August 05, 2011, 2:25pm

Orioles

First baseman Chris Davis has been scratched from tonight's lineup. Mark Reynolds moves to first base and Josh Bell goes to third. Davis had an ice pack on his right shoulder earlier today. Bell won't be the corresponding roster move for Cesar Izturis. It looks like Blake Davis also is staying. Could J.J. Hardy be headed to the disabled list? More to come. For the Orioles: Robert Andino SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 1B Matt Wieters C Nolan Reimold...

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Bordick talks about going to bullpen (Bundy takes physical)

August 05, 2011, 1:24pm

Orioles

Bordick talks about going to bullpen (Bundy takes physical)

Former shortstop Mike Bordick begins his stint as interim bullpen coach tonight. "I'm looking at this as an opportunity to learn more about the game, that side of the game," he said. "It'll help when I go back down to the minor leagues. Maybe I can interject something to some pitchers, some stuff that I've learned from these guys. That's the way I'm looking at it. And obviously, being able to help throw BP and hitting ground balls and stuff. Maybe build some more relationship here at...

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Bell expected to be optioned

August 05, 2011, 12:39pm

Orioles

The Orioles are expected to option third baseman Josh Bell to Triple-A Norfolk later today if infielder Cesar Izturis gets through pregame workouts without any issues. Izturis took the field with infield coach Willie Randolph while manager Buck Showalter met with the media. The Orioles will have to make room on the 40-man roster for Izturis, who will come off the 60-day disabled list. Team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens will examine shortstop J.J. Hardy's left ankle later today, but the club...

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Hardy out of lineup, Izturis in it

August 05, 2011, 11:55am

Orioles

Robert Andino is starting at shortstop and batting first tonight against the Blue Jays. We can assume that Cesar Izturis has been activated, because he's starting at second base. For the Orioles: Robert Andino SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Nolan Reimold LF Cesar Izturis 2B Tommy Hunter RHP

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While waiting for the lineup ...

August 05, 2011, 10:58am

Orioles

It may be a while before manager Buck Showalter posts his lineup for tonight's series-opener against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Showalter will need to check the availability of shortstop J.J. Hardy, who's having his sore left ankle examined by team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens. We're also waiting for the Orioles to announce Cesar Izturis' activation from the disabled list and the corresponding roster move. Tommy Hunter makes his first start for the Orioles tonight, and his first...

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Game gets out of hand in sixth (O's lose 9-4)

August 04, 2011, 6:37pm

Orioles

Game gets out of hand in sixth (O's lose 9-4)

The hits just kept coming against Zach Britton tonight. Twelve, to be exact. Britton left the game in the sixth inning with the score tied, 4-4, and two runners on base. Billy Butler grounded a single into left field off reliever Jim Johnson, and Alex Gordon raced home with the go-ahead run. It got worse. Buck Showalter speaks with Jim Hunter about Britton's second outing back from the minors Another run scored that was charged to Britton, completing his line, and Johnson surrendered three...

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Griffin on Tillman

August 04, 2011, 6:20pm

Orioles

The Orioles will recall Chris Tillman from Triple-A Norfolk to make tomorrow night's start against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. A shortage of candidates for the rotation requires the Orioles to have short memories. Tillman was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after Game 1 of last Saturday's doubleheader in New York, part of the weekend craziness that included two trades and the Yankees' 12-run first inning in Game 2. He'll be replacing an injured player, right-hander Jake Arrieta, so he...

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Hardy hits century mark

August 04, 2011, 5:46pm

Orioles

J.J. Hardy hit the 100th home run of his career tonight, and it enabled the Orioles to tie the Royals, 3-3, in the fifth inning. Hardy led off the inning with his 19th homer of the season, a drive to left field off Kansas City southpaw Jeff Francis. Francis had retired Hardy twice before that at-bat, leaving the Orioles' shortstop in a 2-for-26 slump. The Orioles have battled all the way back after falling behind, 3-0, in the first. Left-hander Zach Britton has allowed one earned run and...

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Bordick to the bullpen (Britton to the 2nd inning)

August 04, 2011, 4:03pm

Orioles

Bordick to the bullpen (Britton to the 2nd inning)

Former shortstop Mike Bordick will take over as interim bullpen coach during the upcoming homestand that begins tomorrow night against the Blue Jays. Bordick currently serves as the Orioles' coordinator of offensive fundamentals, though he's also known to work with the infielders. Don Werner, who took over for Rick Adair, will resume his duties as minor league catching instructor. Maybe you'll get a turn before the season ends. Also, Chris Tillman is expected to start Saturday night...

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Orioles lineup against Royals

August 04, 2011, 12:47pm

Orioles

Left-hander Zach Britton will try to complete the first inning tonight for the first time in his last three major league starts. Britton has allowed 17 runs (13 earned) and 13 hits, with three walks, in one inning over his two previous starts with the Orioles. He was optioned to Double-A Bowie in between those outings in Boston and New York. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Nolan Reimold...

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A few more minutes with Cal Ripken

August 04, 2011, 8:48am

Orioles

I'm pretty sure you'll find Nolan Reimold in the lineup tonight against Kansas City's Jeff Francis. Reimold is 3-for-3 with two home runs against him. Count on it. Mark Reynolds is 10-for-25 with two doubles against Francis. Adam Jones is 3-for-5. J.J. Hardy is 3-for-12 with two doubles. He could use a few hits tonight. Hardy is in a 2-for-24 slump. It's also a 5-for-33 slump and a 7-for-42 slump. Depends how far back you choose to go. I asked Cal Ripken yesterday whether Hardy reminds...