Roch Kubatko

One year ago today (and Worrell clears waivers)

July 29, 2011, 10:52am

Orioles

One year ago today (and Worrell clears waivers)

On this date in 2010, the Orioles traded third baseman Miguel Tejada to the San Diego Padres and hired Buck Showalter as their third manager of the season. They could make a trade this weekend, but they won't be changing managers. The Orioles acquired right-hander Wynn Pelzer from the Padres. I don't believe you could view that deal as a Wynn-win. Tejada batted .268 with eight homers, 32 RBIs and a .730 OPS in 59 games with the Padres. He signed with the Giants over the winter and is...

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Still pitching a fit

July 28, 2011, 7:35pm

Orioles

Brad Bergesen mentioned after last night's 8-5 loss to the Blue Jays that he failed to slow down the game in the third inning. He was gripping and ripping. As I've written in the past, a lot of young starters tend to slow the pace too much and compound their problems. The defense falls asleep. But in Bergesen's case, he can't find the brakes when he needs to pump them. The defense should have been on its toes, with Bergesen pitching like his hair was on fire, but it was dismal. The...

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Take a lead, give up a lead (and lose by three)

July 28, 2011, 3:42pm

Orioles

Take a lead, give up a lead (and lose by three)

J.J. Hardy and Vladimir Guerrero homered in the top of the first inning to provide an early cushion for starter Brad Bergesen. It deflated in a hurry. The Blue Jays scored twice in the bottom half of the inning, a bases-loaded walk producing the first run. So much for early momentum. I won't search for excuses for Bergesen. I don't know what's in his head tonight. But if my wife were due to give birth this weekend, I'd be seriously challenged to focus on the task at hand. More power to...

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Reimold returns to lineup (more on DH and Izturis)

July 28, 2011, 12:14pm

Orioles

Reimold returns to lineup (more on DH and Izturis)

Nolan Reimold is starting in left field tonight for the series finale against the Blue Jays. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Derrek Lee 1B Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 2B Brad Bergesen RHP For the Blue Jays: Escobar SS Rasmus CF Bautista 3B Lind 1B Encarnacion DH Thames RF Hill 2B Snider LF Arencibia C Villanueva RHP Hardy is 4-for-6 lifetime against Villanueva. Reynolds is 3-for-7 with a...

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More roster moves coming

July 28, 2011, 10:36am

Orioles

Left-hander Zach Britton and infielder Cesar Izturis will join the Orioles in New York, which means the 25-man roster will undergo another transformation. Britton is slated to pitch the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Yankees, so he'll be recalled over the weekend. He was 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in three games with Double-A Bowie, with 14 hits, two walks, 15 strikeouts and three home runs allowed in 11 2/3 innings. Izturis has been on an injury rehab assignment at Bowie...

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Filling out the rotation

July 27, 2011, 8:46pm

Orioles

I'm always entertained by the trade speculation that builds during the last week of July. B.J. Upton isn't included in the Rays' lineup last night, a few Nationals regulars take a seat on the bench, and it's assumed that the two clubs are on the verge of finalizing a deal. Maybe it will happen, but Upton was spotted in the trainers room and manager Joe Maddon told reporters that the center fielder was a little "beat up." I'm starting to get punchy. I hear it's Edwin Jackson's...

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It never fails

July 27, 2011, 7:06pm

Orioles

The Orioles scored 12 runs last night and reached double digits in hits during the anthem. You knew what was coming next. A shutout. Four hits ... and a shutout. The Orioles offered little resistance tonight against Blue Jays left-hander Ricky Romero. And their modest two-game winning streak at Rogers Centre came to a screeching halt. Well, a two-game streak doesn't really screech. The air bags won't deploy. But it's definitely come to a stop. Buck Showalter tells Gary Thorne how hard...

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Stats eliminate start for Reimold

July 27, 2011, 2:19pm

Orioles

Just a quick note before I start ordering off the menu (yes, dinner plans tonight): Nolan Reimold is fine physically. His exclusion from tonight's lineup, after he homered last night, is based on statistics. Reimold is 1-for-13 lifetime against Toronto left-hander Ricky Romero. Also, left-handers are hitting .285 lifetime against Romero. Right-handers are batting .242. Felix Pie gets the start. Reimold gets a seat on the bench. Don't shoot the messenger.

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Pie in left field tonight (and Jays lineup)

July 27, 2011, 12:26pm

Orioles

Pie in left field tonight (and Jays lineup)

Maybe the Blue Jays will be too distracted by today's trade activity to concentrate on the Orioles. The Blue Jays acquired outfielder Colby Rasmus from the Cardinals as part of a three-team trade that also involved the White Sox. The Cardinals acquired starter Edwin Jackson, which likely ends their interest in Jeremy Guthrie. They also obtained relievers Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski, which likely ends their interest in Koji Uehara. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam...

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Scott says surgery "went well"

July 27, 2011, 8:24am

Orioles

Orioles outfielder Luke Scott says via a text message that yesterday's surgery on his right labrum "went well" and provided a clearer explanation why his swing was hindered before the club shut him down for the season. Renowned orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery in Pensacola, Fla. Scott wrote that he's feeling "so-so, more disappointment than anything, but they fixed the problem." "It was more posterior than SLAP, which was not revealed as much on the...

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Simon under the dome - if it's closed

July 26, 2011, 7:34pm

Orioles

The Orioles couldn't win at Rogers Centre. Now they can't lose. They've won two straight games in Toronto after losing 16 in a row, proving that baseball really does go in cycles. I'm just used to the Orioles blowing out a tire. They'll have Alfredo Simon on the mound tonight, trying to register his third consecutive quality start. Do you remember Simon's last visit to Rogers Centre on Sept. 26, 2010? He was ejected after drilling Jose Bautista, who left last night's game after being...

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Quick Matusz update (O's win 12-4)

July 26, 2011, 5:14pm

Orioles

Brian Matusz lasted five innings tonight in his fifth start with Triple-A Norfolk since being optioned. He allowed four runs (three earned) and seven hits, with three walks and no strikeouts. He threw 97 pitches, 56 for strikes. I don't have any radar readings. He's mostly been 87-88 mph in his last few starts, though he's touched 90. I'm not sure how he avoided giving up a run in the fourth. Brandon Inge doubled and apparently stopped at third base on Clete Thomas' one-out...

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Orioles stay homer happy (updated twice)

July 26, 2011, 4:34pm

Orioles

Nolan Reimold led off the top of the fourth inning with his sixth home run, increasing the Orioles' lead to 5-3. Robert Andino singled, and J.J. Hardy belted his second homer of the night, a two-run shot that upped his season total to 16. Brandon Morrow had surrendered only five homers in his first 17 starts before tonight. The Orioles have hit three against him. Reimold reached the second deck in left-center field. Nobody questions his power. Keep running him out there and let him stake a...

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Arrieta escapes trouble in first, Matusz does not (updated twice)

July 26, 2011, 3:42pm

Orioles

Arrieta escapes trouble in first, Matusz does not (updated twice)

The first two Blue Jays reached base against Orioles starter Jake Arrieta in the bottom of the first inning. Yunel Escobar singled and Eric Thames walked. Instant trouble for Arrieta, but it was a hollow threat. Arrieta retired the next three batters, and the Orioles rewarded him with Derrek Lee's two-run double in the top of the second. Vladimir Guerrero singled in his first at-bat since coming off the disabled list. Matt Wieters also singled, and Lee followed with a double to left...

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Worrell optioned to Norfolk, Britton will start Saturday

July 26, 2011, 2:36pm

Orioles

Worrell optioned to Norfolk, Britton will start Saturday

The Orioles finally made it official. Vladimir Guerrero has been activated from the disabled list after completing batting practice today at Rogers Centre. To make room for him on the 25-man roster, the Orioles optioned right-hander Mark Worrell to Triple-A Norfolk. Guerrero is batting cleanup as the designated hitter. He had been on the disabled list since suffering a fractured bone in his right hand on July 10 in Boston. Guerrero is hitting .279 with seven homers and 31 RBIs in 83...

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Orioles and Blue Jays lineups

July 26, 2011, 11:53am

Orioles

Vladimir Guerrero is batting cleanup tonight in Toronto. Still waiting for the Orioles to reveal the corresponding roster move. They have to make sure Guerrero gets through batting practice without any setbacks. Also, left-hander Michael Gonzalez will start serving his suspension tonight, but he can't be replaced on the roster, so the Orioles must eliminate a player while adding Guerrero. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C...

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This, that and the other

July 25, 2011, 6:18pm

Orioles

Another day brings another roster move for the Orioles. I've lost count. Vladimir Guerrero will be activated from the disabled list, and the Orioles are expected to remove a pitcher from their 25-man roster. They've got nine relievers in their bullpen. I don't like to speculate, but Mark Worrell is a candidate to be designated for assignment. That's my guess. Luke Scott will undergo surgery this morning to repair a torn labrum. Dr. James Andrews is handling the procedure from his...

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Britton cruised, then bashed at Bowie

July 25, 2011, 4:37pm

Orioles

If left-hander Zach Britton is leaving Double-A Bowie, it won't be on a high note. Britton faced the minimum number of Harrisburg batters through four innings - catcher Derek Norris singled in the fourth, but he was thrown out trying to steal second - before the Senators scored eight runs in the fifth and knocked him out of the game. Four of the runs were unearned after shortstop Pedro Florimon's two-out error. Bill Rhinehart followed with a three-run homer, and Tyler Moore hit a solo shot....

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Scott to undergo surgery tomorrow (Vlad and Izzy updates)

July 25, 2011, 2:27pm

Orioles

Scott to undergo surgery tomorrow (Vlad and Izzy updates)

Outfielder Luke Scott will undergo surgery tomorrow to repair a tear in his right labrum. Dr. James Andrews will perform the procedure in Florida. Scott played in one game after completing his injury rehab assignment last week. The Orioles shut him down again and returned him to the disabled list. Scott confirmed the next day that he was done for the season. He had to decide whether to undergo surgery, which could entail a four-to-six month rest and rehab process. By having the procedure...

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Construction begins on Brooks Robinson statue

July 25, 2011, 11:26am

Orioles

Construction begins on Brooks Robinson statue

Construction has started on a bronze statue of Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson that will be positioned on the plaza between Washington Boulevard and Russell Street, directly across from the northwest side of Camden Yards. Henry A. Rosenberg Jr., a friend of Robinson's for more than 30 years, is spearheading the project. The Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation is providing administrative support and expertise. In other words, Robinson's glove won't be on his right hand. The statue...