Roch Kubatko

A few minutes with Cal Ripken

August 04, 2011, 3:46am

Orioles

Because they're pretty much involved in everything these days, it comes as no surprise that Cal and Billy Ripken are lending their names and a hand to the 2011 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game that's being played Aug. 13 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. This is the fourth year that Under Armour and Baseball Factory have collaborated to present the game, which showcases the country's elite high school baseball players. Baseball Factory scouts thousands of athletes worldwide before making...

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The remnants of a 6-2 loss

August 03, 2011, 7:13pm

Orioles

Jeremy Guthrie survived the non-waiver trade deadline, but not the Kansas City Royals. Guthrie had a quality start in his back pocket, but Billy Butler's three-run homer in the seventh inning completed the scoring in the Royals 6-2 victory over the Orioles. Guthrie was charged with six runs and eight hits in seven innings. Buck Showalter talks with Jim Hunter about the Orioles' 6-2 loss to the Royals Brad Bergesen loaded the bases in the eighth and left a mess for new Oriole Jo-Jo Reyes,...

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Reyes replaces Hendrickson, O's lineup

August 03, 2011, 12:52pm

Orioles

The Orioles added left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes to the 25-man roster for tonight's game in Kansas City. To make room, they have optioned veteran left-hander Mark Hendrickson to Triple-A Norfolk. Hendrickson is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in seven appearances, with 13 hits, six walks and five strikeouts in 10 innings. Left-hander Troy Patton's hearing in Texas was postponed until later this month, so he remains with the club. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir...

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More roster moves coming (Bundy and Hoes honored)

August 03, 2011, 8:47am

Orioles

More roster moves coming (Bundy and Hoes honored)

It seems like I've written that title more than once this season. And this week. What time is it? Left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes is joining the Orioles and the bullpen today in Kansas City. He'll likely take the roster spot of left-hander Troy Patton, who's leaving the team to attend a hearing in Texas related to his DWI arrest over the winter. The Orioles most likely will place Jake Arrieta on the disabled list with a sore elbow that's expected to require surgery. He wouldn't be available to...

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Rotating names in a rudderless rotation

August 02, 2011, 7:30pm

Orioles

I hustled over to the gym between games of Saturday's doubleheader and news broke of the Koji Uehara trade. I brought my laptop with me and did my writing and made my phone calls from Triangle Fitness. I went to the gym yesterday, pulled into my parking spot and received an e-mail from the Orioles detailing the Jo-Jo Reyes waiver claim, Justin Duchscherer's release, Brad Bergesen's return from paternity leave and Luke Scott's transfer to the 60-day disabled list. I didn't bring my laptop,...

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Simon taking care of business tonight (Reynolds, Davis homer)

August 02, 2011, 6:11pm

Orioles

Simon taking care of business tonight (Reynolds, Davis homer)

LJ Hoes has homered in both ends of Double-A Bowie's doubleheader tonight, giving him six in the last eight days. Hoes hit a three-run shot in Game 2, giving him 41 RBIs. Cesar Izturis had the game-winning RBI in Game 1. Maybe they'll have a bobblehead night for him at Prince George's Stadium. Mark Reynolds joins the O's Xtra crew to talk about his five-RBI night in the O's 8-2 victory Now let's go to Kansas City, where the Orioles are holding a 4-1 lead in the top of the seventh...

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Arrieta to DL? (with note)

August 02, 2011, 3:06pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Kansas City this evening that pitcher Jake Arrieta will see renowned orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum on Aug. 10 because of recurring discomfort in his right elbow. Arrieta was skipped in the rotation earlier this season because of inflammation related to a bone spur. Apparently, he's now dealing with a fibrous mass that could force him to the disabled list. Buck Showalter meets with the media to talk about Jake Arrieta's injury This partially...

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Orioles and Royals lineups

August 02, 2011, 12:52pm

Orioles

Chris Davis makes his second start for the Orioles. He's been lowered to seventh in the order against Royals left-hander Bruce Chen. 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 LF Robert Andino 2B Alfredo Simon RHP Jones is hitting .342 with five homers and 17 RBIs in his last 21 games. For the Royals: Gordon LF Cabrera CF Butler DH Hosmer 1B Francoeur RF Moustakas 3B Pena C Getz 2B...

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More on Reyes and Norfolk update

August 02, 2011, 11:58am

Orioles

Newly signed left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes will report to the Orioles tomorrow. He was scheduled to pitch against them Thursday in Toronto, but the Blue Jays designated him for assignment. Right-handers are batting .314 against Reyes in his career. Left-handers are batting .260. Reyes has a career ERA of 6.69 in April, 4.95 in May, 4.66 in June, 8.94 in July, 7.24 in August and 5.14 in September. Reyes has made two starts against the Yankees. He's allowed 12 runs and 15 hits in 8 1/3 innings,...

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Orioles add lefty Reyes on waiver claim (updated)

August 02, 2011, 10:23am

Orioles

The Orioles have claimed left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes on waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. Reyes, 26, went 5-8 with a 5.40 ERA in 20 starts for the Blue Jays this season. He spent parts of the previous four seasons with the Atlanta Braves. In 61 career major league games (57 starts), Reyes is 10-23 with a 6.04 ERA in 304 innings. To make room for Reyes on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have transferred Luke Scott to the 60-day disabled list. Reyes will be added to the 25-man...

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It's a boy!

August 02, 2011, 7:16am

Orioles

Pitcher Brad Bergesen and his wife, Shea, are the proud parents of a boy named Parker Steven, who was born yesterday at 12:57 p.m. Parker weighs in at 8 pounds, 7 ounces and is 21.5 inches long. Everyone is doing well, according to a team official. No word on whether Parker throws right-handed or left-handed, or whether he can hold runners. And no, pitching coach Rick Adair didn't tweak Shea's delivery. Bergesen is rejoining the Orioles today in Kansas City. He's the one kicking and...

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Talking starters, Hoes and Jones

August 01, 2011, 9:18pm

Orioles

So Derrek Lee is traded to Pittsburgh and he hits two home runs in his debut. Of course he does. Trade Felix Pie and watch him win the Triple Crown. Deal Kevin Gregg and watch him have a 1-2-3 inning. The Orioles are back on the field tonight, and that means more roster moves are coming. New pitcher Tommy Hunter will be added to the 25-man roster, and Brad Bergesen will return after being placed on paternity leave. The Orioles have two openings after they optioned left-handers Pedro Viola...

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More on Matusz's start last night

August 01, 2011, 11:51am

Orioles

Left-hander Brian Matusz allowed three runs over seven innings last night for Triple-A Norfolk, with six hits, two walks, one strikeout and two home runs in the Tides' 6-5, 13-inning loss to Columbus. He threw 92 pitches, 59 for strikes. Those are the raw numbers, which I passed along last night. Here's more: Matusz's fastball was mostly 88-89 mph and topped out at 91, which is an improvement over past starts. He was usually in the 85-89 mph range before last night. "His velocity was up...

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Things we need to find out

July 31, 2011, 8:51pm

Orioles

What's the best way to approach a new month? If you're the Orioles, you don't play. Take a day off. Regroup. Try to find five capable starters for your rotation. Try to read the name "Davis" on the back of the first baseman's jersey without thinking of Glenn. Now that the non-waiver deadline smoke has cleared, we can look forward to the August trade speculation. Deals are still consummated after July 31. Jeff Conine was dealt to the Marlins on Aug. 31, 2003 for Don Levinski and Denny...

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Quick Matusz update

July 31, 2011, 7:02pm

Orioles

Brian Matusz made another start tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, and he went seven innings in the Tides' 6-5, 13-inning loss to Columbus. Matusz allowed three runs and six hits, walked two, struck out one and surrendered two home runs. He threw 92 pitches, 59 for strikes. I don't have radar gun readings, so I can't help you there. Matusz faced Toledo in his last two starts and allowed 12 runs (10 earned) and 15 hits in 8 2/3 innings. Josh Rupe took the loss tonight, allowing the winning run...

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Viola, Ballard optioned to Bowie (updated with MacPhail quotes)

July 31, 2011, 12:50pm

Orioles

Viola, Ballard optioned to Bowie (updated with MacPhail quotes)

The Orioles optioned left-handers Pedro Viola and

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Day One without Uehara (no more trades, O's lose)

July 31, 2011, 11:56am

Orioles

Day One without Uehara (no more trades, O's lose)

Jake Arrieta faced two batters in the sixth inning, walked them both and was removed from the game. And so it begins. Manager Buck Showalter took his new bullpen for a test drive at Yankee Stadium. It won't always look this way, unless you expect Pedro Viola and Mike Ballard to stick around for a while, but it never will be the same without Koji Uehara. Jim Johnson, normally seen in the seventh or eighth inning, took the ball with no outs in the sixth and escaped the jam on nine pitches. He...

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Arrieta flirted with disaster and got slapped (updated twice)

July 31, 2011, 10:43am

Orioles

Arrieta flirted with disaster and got slapped (updated twice)

If Jake Arrieta is going to keep loading the bases, bad things are going to happen. A three-run triple by Brett Gardner qualifies as a bad thing. A walk, error and single filled the bases with no outs in the fourth inning, and Gardner emptied them with a shot down the right field line. Gardner scored with one out on Curtis Granderson's grounder to first. Yankees 4, Orioles 1. J.J. Hardy's miscue on a potential double play ball was critical. Now Hardy's in a fielding slump. What's...

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Davis whiffs in debut at-bat (F-7 in next one)

July 31, 2011, 9:38am

Orioles

Davis whiffs in debut at-bat (F-7 in next one)

New Orioles first baseman Chris Davis led off the top of the second inning today by chasing a 2-2 changeup from Yankees starter Freddy Garcia and swinging through it. Get used to it. Davis strikes out a lot. He also hits tape-measure home runs. You could say he's a left-handed version of Mark Reynolds, who followed Davis to the plate and also struck out. Davis has struck out 303 times in 954 plate appearances over parts of four major league seasons. He also will bounce a few baseballs on...

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Berken optioned to Norfolk

July 31, 2011, 7:58am

Orioles

The Orioles optioned reliever Jason Berken to Triple-A Norfolk, recalled left-hander Pedro Viola from Double-A Bowie and purchased left-hander Mike Ballard's contract from the Baysox. Berken gave up seven runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings in Game 2 last night. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in New York that there were two reasons for Berken's demotion. "We have a need for pitchers," Showalter said, "and he hasn't pitched well." Berken was optioned earlier this season. He's...