Roch Kubatko

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...

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Pre-game Showalter

March 19, 2011, 9:01am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - We're still waiting for the Orioles to announce their fifth roster cut. Hint: It's a pitcher. Ryan Adams was reassigned earlier today to the minor league camp. A reminder that you're optioned if you're on the 40-man roster, and reassigned if you're not included. "You can tell why people think well of him offensively," manager Buck Showalter said. "He's got a chance to be able to do this up here. And he's made some strides defensively. He's in a good place. You can...

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Adams among roster cuts (updated)

March 19, 2011, 6:40am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made four more roster cuts this morning, and the list includes second baseman Ryan Adams. This official ends any debate over the possibility that Adams will replace Brian Roberts at second base if the Orioles' leadoff hitter is injured. The Orioles sent Adams, who batted .500 this spring, and pitcher Armando Gabino to minor league camp. They optioned outfielder Matt Angle and infielder Brandon Snyder (.343) to Triple-A Norfolk. The roster is down to 41...

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Bordick going into Orioles Hall of Fame

March 19, 2011, 6:09am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Former shortstop Mike Bordick, who set the major league record for most errorless games and chances at his position, will be inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame before the Aug. 13 game against the Detroit Tigers at Camden Yards. Bordick played for the Orioles from 1997 to 2000, and again from 2001 to 2002 after being traded to the Mets for a package of players that included Melvin Mora. Bordick, who currently serves as the Orioles' coordinator of offensive fundamentals,...

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Lee ready to play

March 19, 2011, 5:42am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's become a running joke with first baseman Derrek Lee. Reporters approach him for another health or workout update, his eyes grow wide and he gets a look on his face that says "Really? Again?" Lee has been a good sport about it. He also looks forward to the day when the line of questioning centers on a key hit late in a game. That hit could come today, but it won't prevent the media from asking about his wrist. Lee is making his spring debut today, batting third again...

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Today's lineup

March 19, 2011, 4:44am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Are you ready for Derrek Lee's debut with the Orioles? He's in the lineup for today's MASN game against the Phillies. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B Adam Jones CF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Nolan Reimold LF Randy Winn RF Brendan Harris SS Craig Tatum C Jake Arrieta RHP Michael Gonzalez, Jim Johnson and David Riske also are scheduled to pitch.

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Postgame Showalter

March 18, 2011, 6:06pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter is in mid-season form. Showalter thought a 3-2 loss to the Twins should have been a 3-2 victory. He pointed to two mistakes, though he didn't mention anyone by name. "The two things that cost us the ballgame is we had the throw to third base (Luke Scott) cost us a run, and the bad at-bat (Jake Fox) with a man on second and nobody out," Showalter said. "We can't have that. We should win that game, 3-2, and we lost it, 3-2. We can't have that during...

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Lee scheduled to start tomorrow

March 18, 2011, 5:45pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee could make his long-awaited debut tomorrow afternoon. Lee is scheduled to start at first base against the Phillies at Ed Smith Stadium. He'll get two or three at-bats. The only way that the plan doesn't unfold is if Lee shows up tomorrow with more soreness in his right wrist. Lee took live batting practice on the field today after being restricted to soft toss and hitting off a tee.

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Matusz talks about outing

March 18, 2011, 5:16pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Twins took a 3-1 lead against the Orioles in the top of the seventh on Jeff Bailey's two-out, two-run single off Jason Berken. They had two runners in scoring position because Luke Scott fielded Matt Tolbert's single to left and tried to cut down Trevor Plouffe at third base. Tolbert raced to second and scored on Bailey's hit. Scott tried to atone for his mistake by lining an RBI double into left-center field in the bottom of the seventh. Scott was 2-for-32 with one RBI...

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Matusz through the third (updated)

March 18, 2011, 3:53pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Time to take a closer look at Brian Matusz after three innings. The young left-hander has allowed one run to the Twins, on shortstop Matt Tolbert's first spring homer, and four hits. Luke Hughes led off the second with a bunt single and Steve Holm doubled with two outs, but the Twins didn't break through until one out in the third. Matusz has struck out six batters, raising his spring total to 11 in 10 2/3 innings. His changeup has been especially impressive. He's thrown...

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Pregame Showalter (and Lee update)

March 18, 2011, 12:57pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - First baseman Derrek Lee took batting practice outdoors and said his right wrist felt fine. He isn't sure about tomorrow's schedule, however. He'll see how the wrist responds overnight. He could take live BP again or possibly make his Orioles debut. Also, the Orioles aren't currently interested in second baseman Luis Castillo, released earlier today by the Mets. Here are a few comments from manager Buck Showalter, which were delivered while the Orioles took batting...

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Roster cuts tomorrow

March 18, 2011, 12:31pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will make another round of roster cuts tomorrow morning. Manager Buck Showalter said the total will be "more than three, less than 10." Justin Duchscherer threw off flat ground from 120-130 feet. Yesterday, he threw from 100 feet. I'm not good at math, but it sounds like he threw from a greater distance today. Derrek Lee and Brian Roberts are taking live batting practice. They haven't been ruled out for tomorrow's game against the Phillies in Sarasota....