Roch Kubatko

Pregame Showalter

March 22, 2011, 9:05am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter wrote out two lineups for today's game - one with Derrek Lee and one without him. He decided to list Vladimir Guerrero as the designated hitter and bring Lee off the bench. Lee continues to receive treatment on his left foot after fouling a ball off it during Sunday's game against the Phillies. "I didn't want to put him on the field with that today," Showalter said. "It feels good. He'd play during the season if he had to, but I didn't...

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Updating Duchscherer and Harris

March 22, 2011, 8:16am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's a scorcher here today at Ed Smith Stadium. I'm looking for the sunscreen vendor. The Orioles don't need a fifth starter until April 10, which has become a target date for Justin Duchscherer. Duchscherer has pitched in only one game this spring, totaling two innings in Clearwater, because of stiffness in his left hip. He threw from 120 feet again today and is scheduled for a bullpen session tomorrow. "Everything's good," he said. "It's more flexibility than...

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Lee will come off bench today (updated)

March 22, 2011, 6:58am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Derrek Lee isn't in today's lineup, but we're told that he'll replace Vladimir Guerrero as the designated hitter later in the game For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Matt Wieters C Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B J.J Hardy SS Jake Fox 1B Zach Britton LHP Update: Justin Duchscherer threw off flat ground again today and is scheduled for a bullpen session tomorrow. He's aiming to pitch on April 10, when the Orioles need...

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Lee unsure about today (with Yankees lineup)

March 22, 2011, 5:00am

Orioles

Lee unsure about today (with Yankees lineup)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter will wait to determine first baseman Derrek Lee's status before posting today's lineup. Lee is hoping to play against the Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium, but he'll do some running first to test his left foot. He'll aim for tomorrow if he's still experiencing some discomfort. Lee fouled a ball off his foot Sunday on the first pitch he saw from Cole Hamels in his first exhibition game. "It's feeling good," he said. "I'll test it out today and...

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Guthrie talks about his day

March 21, 2011, 8:57am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jeremy Guthrie wanted to increase his pitch count, work on his stuff and maintain it through six innings. He had a productive day. Guthrie, expected to take the ball for the April 1 opener, allowed one run and recorded 20 outs over six innings against a Twins Triple-A team. "I enjoyed building up again and trying to get six innings, which we did. I was working on the execution of pitches, working on a couple of sequences," he said. "I felt a lot better today. I felt...

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Guthrie goes six

March 21, 2011, 8:21am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jeremy Guthrie threw six innings in today's game against the Twins' Triple-A team at Ed Smith Stadium. He recorded 20 outs after facing an extra batter in the second and third innings to increase his pitch count. The rules are relaxed on these days. Guthrie allowed one run and four hits, walked none and struck out four. He threw 82 pitches, 56 for strikes. The run scored in the second inning on a one-out double by Erik Lis and a two-out single by Dustin Martin. Ryan Adams...

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Off-day? What off-day?

March 21, 2011, 4:49am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Ignore the spring training schedule. Specifically, the word "off" next to today's date. Camp is still open for business. Manager Buck Showalter arranged to have Triple-A and Double-A games played at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, so minor leaguers are heading over from Twin Lakes Park. Jeremy Guthrie will pitch in one of the 11 a.m. games to remain on his regular schedule. That's why the media, which normally finds something else to do on this day, will be charting his...

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Green delivers in clutch, Orioles win 9-8

March 20, 2011, 12:26pm

Orioles

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Have yourself a day, Nick Green. Green, who was 3-for-27 with two RBIs and 13 strikeouts before today, lined a two-out, two-run single into center field in the ninth inning to give the Orioles a 9-8 victory over the Rays. Mike Ballard threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings to pick up the win. Brendan Harris and Xavier Avery singled, and Josh Bell walked to load the bases for Green. Manager Buck Showalter did the usual drill after the game, meeting with reporters on the field...

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Bergesen on Bergesen

March 20, 2011, 11:38am

Orioles

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Brad Bergesen spoke to reporters in the visiting clubhouse after allowing two runs and eight hits, with one walk, over five innings. "I was much more pleased with how I worked my fastball," he said. "More down in the zone. When I was missing, I was missing down rather than up, right over the plate. That was positive. The slider wasn't there for me. Need to work on it. I talked to Goose (Mark Connor) afterward and there are a couple adjustments we want to make with...

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Roberts' next game on Tuesday

March 20, 2011, 11:21am

Orioles

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts confirmed that his next start will come Tuesday against the New York Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. Roberts won't play in tomorrow's minor league games after going 0-for-2 with a walk and strikeout this afternoon. Roberts hadn't been in the lineup since March 7, also against the Yankees. "Better than sitting on the sidelines," he said. "It was a beautiful day, good atmosphere. It was fun to get out there and play." Roberts...

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Roberts and Bergesen updates (updated twice)

March 20, 2011, 10:29am

Orioles

Roberts and Bergesen updates (updated twice)

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Brian Roberts is 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout. He's seen 10 pitches and swung at one, resulting in a ground ball to first base that ended the top of the fifth inning. Brendan Harris was ready to replace him in the field in the bottom of the fifth, but Roberts motioned that he wanted to stay in the game. And he did. Brad Bergesen allowed two runs and eight hits in five innings, throwing 50 of his 74 pitches for strikes. He walked one batter, Evan Longoria with...

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So far so good for Bergesen (updated)

March 20, 2011, 9:36am

Orioles

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Going into today's game against the Rays, Brad Bergesen had allowed nine earned runs (10 total) and 16 hits, with five walks, in his last three starts covering 9 2/3 innings. He isn't assured of a spot in the rotation, so this outing is important. Evan Longoria singled with two outs in the first inning, but Adam Jones cut him down at second base. Bergesen threw eight pitches, five for strikes. Bergesen ran the count full to Manny Ramirez leading off the second before...

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Rays lineup and more

March 20, 2011, 7:46am

Orioles

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Now I remember this place. We were in the press box here last spring when news broke about the Orioles trading for utility infielder Julio Lugo. Later that morning, catcher Chad Moeller refused his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and became a free agent. Just another boring day at spring training. Brian Roberts is taking batting practice as I type this blog entry. No sign of Derrek Lee, however. Evan Longoria is looking for his cap. For the Rays: Ben Zobrist...

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Lee has MRI on foot (updated)

March 20, 2011, 5:31am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's always something. First baseman Derrek Lee fouled a ball off his left foot on the first pitch he saw yesterday from Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels. It didn't start bothering him until he left the ballpark, and he underwent X-rays last night and an MRI at 8 a.m. today that came back clean. Lee was sent for the MRI after one area of the X-ray concerned the doctor, according to manager Buck Showalter. "We dodged a bullet there, it looks like," Showalter said. Lee...

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Roberts in, Lee out

March 20, 2011, 4:21am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Roberts is starting today for the first time since March 7, but Derrek Lee isn't in the lineup. We'll find out why later. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Luke Scott DH Mark Reynolds 3B Felix Pie LF Jake Fox 1B J.J. Hardy SS Craig Tatum C Brad Bergesen RHP

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Uehara will pitch Tuesday, Pelzer reassigned (with quotes)

March 19, 2011, 12:04pm

Orioles

Uehara will pitch Tuesday, Pelzer reassigned (with quotes)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Koji Uehara will pitch Tuesday in a minor league game after having another successful bullpen session earlier today. Uehara has made one appearance this spring, allowing one run and two hits in one inning against the Pirates in the Feb. 28 exhibition opener in Bradenton. The Orioles reassigned pitcher Wynn Pelzer following today's game, reducing their camp roster to 40. The Phillies scored twice off left-hander Michael Gonzalez in the seventh, including Erik Kratz's...

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Quick Lee update (with quotes)

March 19, 2011, 11:29am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I'll pass along Derrek Lee quotes in a few minutes, but I wanted to let you know that his right wrist felt great during his two plate appearances today. Lee said the plan all along called for him to get two at-bats. He'll get three tomorrow in Port Charlotte and take off Monday. Lee sounds encouraged and figures to get enough at-bats to be ready for the April 1 opener. "It feels great. I was happy. It wasn't an issue. I didn't feel it swinging. I kind of landed on it...

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Rapada gives up another homer

March 19, 2011, 10:52am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jake Arrieta came out of today's game after walking two batters to open the fifth inning and striking out Jimmy Rollins. His line wasn't complete until Shane Victorino greeted Clay Rapada with a three-run homer to left field. Orioles 5, Phillies 5. Arrieta is charged with four runs and four hits, with two walks and two strikeouts. He threw 79 pitches, including 48 for strikes. Raul Ibanez flied to the fence in right field for the second out, and Ross Gload struck out to...

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Lee's second plate appearance (updated)

March 19, 2011, 9:55am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Derrek Lee is falling into a pattern of sorts in his first game with the Orioles. For the second time in two trips to the plate, Lee has gotten behind, 0-2, and worked the count full against Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels. He walked in his first at-bat, but struck out to end the second inning. The Orioles continue to lead the Phillies, 3-2, but not for long unless they start pitching around John Mayberry Jr. Let's give Craig Tatum some attention. He grounded to second...

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Lee's first plate appearance (updated twice)

March 19, 2011, 9:24am

Orioles

Lee's first plate appearance (updated twice)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles didn't waste any time putting Derek Lee in an RBI situation. Lee got his first spring plate appearance in the first inning against Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels after Robert Andino reached on a bunt single and Adam Jones walked. Lee fouled off a pitch and swung through another to fall behind, 0-2. He took a ball while the Orioles executed a double steal, and three more to draw a walk and load the bases with no outs. Vladimir Guerrero followed with a single...