Roch Kubatko

Fox on the run

February 15, 2011, 4:58am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Infielder Brendan Harris and minor league outfielder Matt Angle are here today. Add them to the list of early arrivals, which also includes first baseman Joe Mahoney. Mahoney, the Orioles' minor league player of the year, had a long chat with Harris this morning. I assumed that they knew each other, though I couldn't figure out how, but they just met. Chris Tillman and Jake Arrieta will throw their first bullpen sessions today. Players will take the field around 10 a.m....

Tags:

Leftovers from today's first workout

February 14, 2011, 2:28pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I wanted to dump out the rest of my spring training bag for today. I'll also let you know that tomorrow's workout is slated to begin around 10 a.m., two hours earlier than today. The crowd was pretty small. I'd say it was a modest gathering. But word on the street is that parking was limited because of the construction vehicles. Try again tomorrow. As I mentioned earlier, Koji Uehara threw his fourth bullpen session this afternoon. Unlike the others, he did so under close...

Tags:

orioles

The first workout has ended

February 14, 2011, 10:51am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter is pleased with how smoothly today's workout ran. No injuries that he's aware of, no reason to be alarmed in any way. "We got through it," he said. "I haven't talked to the trainers and coaches yet, but so far, so good. We got most everybody here with the exception of (Alfredo) Simon, obviously. No red flags yet health-wise. "The physicals were pretty good. Just some of the normal precautions that we already knew about." Pitchers Brandon Erbe...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles

A few workout notes

February 14, 2011, 8:51am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I tore myself away from the back fields to pass along a few notes from the workout, which began at noon and is expected to run until 3 p.m.. Minor league catcher Caleb Joseph beat the other players onto the field for the pre-workout stretch, but Matt Wieters was close behind him. Twenty-nine of the 30 pitchers are in camp today, the obvious exception being Alfredo Simon. All six catchers are here. Brian Roberts passed his physical and walked onto Field 4 to greet manager...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles

MASN to broadcast five Orioles exhibition games

February 14, 2011, 6:48am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - As I wait for the pitchers and catchers to complete their physicals and head to the backfields for the first workout, I'll pass along the five exhibition games that will air on MASN: Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m., New York Yankees vs. Orioles Monday, March 14 at 1 p.m., Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Orioles Tuesday, March 15 at 1 p.m., Houston Astros vs. Orioles Saturday, March 19 at 1 p.m., Philadelphia Phillies vs. Orioles Sunday, March 27 at 1 p.m., Boston Red Sox vs. Orioles I'll...

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles1

Waiting for the first workout (with radio schedule)

February 14, 2011, 3:53am

Orioles

Waiting for the first workout (with radio schedule)

SARASOTA, Fla. - I woke up to a bunch of spam comments on the blog, most of them from senders claiming to have squirrels in their pants. Is that really how my day is starting? Anyway, pitchers and catchers are taking their physicals this morning and the clubhouse is closed to the media. They'll immediately head to the back fields for workouts, so access will be delayed. I won't be arriving at Ed Smith Stadium before 11 a.m., unless I want to sit in a room and stare at the walls. A team...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles

Gonzalez ready to get going

February 13, 2011, 11:25am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Michael Gonzalez was a health riddle last spring, insisting that his left shoulder felt fine while everyone noticed his diminished velocity and spotty location. He blew two of his first three save chances and went on the disabled list April 14 with a strained shoulder. He wasn't reinstated until July 21. Gonzalez posted a 1.76 ERA in his first 18 appearances after being activated. He looked like a different pitcher, and not simply because he no longer was closing. Orioles...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles1

Talking renovations and Tillman

February 13, 2011, 10:27am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I took an extensive walk through Ed Smith Stadium, where the construction will continue right up to the home opener on March 1. Most of the work should be completed by Feb. 21. Construction beyond the left field fence, including an elevated picnic perch that fans are going to love, will take a little longer. The lawsuit delayed construction, but it also allowed for some late changes to the original plans, including raising the picnic area from ground level. I walked through...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles3

Notes on Patton, Accardo and Drese

February 13, 2011, 7:37am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman just arrived together at 12:16 p.m. Troy Patton isn't allowed to speak with the media regarding his DWI arrest in Houston last month. He politely declined to comment before leaving the clubhouse, but he's clearly embarrassed by the incident. Patton may not have to leave the team for a court hearing later this month. There's a chance that he'll be able to work around it. Brad Bergesen was playing catch on one of the back fields with Jeremy...

Tags:

orioles

More scenes from Sarasota

February 13, 2011, 5:18am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Koji Uehara just played catch outdoors. So far, so good. Third baseman Mark Reynolds has reported with the pitchers and catchers. Looks like he's eager to get started. Reynolds is working out today and will take his 2-year-old daughter to Disney the next two days. I told him to enjoy these precious moments while he can, since my little angel turns 18 tomorrow. I swear she was 2 when I left the house yesterday. I took another spin through the clubhouse. It's a little...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles

The start of spring training (updated)

February 13, 2011, 3:51am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I can say that spring training has officially started because my rental car is parked at Ed Smith Stadium and I've already walked through the clubhouse once this morning. I saw a bunch of empty lockers. I also saw a huge crane outside the stadium as the renovations continue at the complex. The finishing touches are being applied to the back fields, which should be ready for tomorrow's first workout for pitchers and catchers. Some of the stadium work could continue until the...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles

More on Vladimir Guerrero's physical

February 12, 2011, 11:51am

Orioles

It's become more apparent that Vladimir Guerrero isn't in a hurry to do anything this winter. Sign with a new team. Take his physical. The man works at his own deliberate pace. Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail was on my AirTran flight to Sarasota today, and he informed me that Guerrero's physical is now scheduled for Wednesday. Guerrero's been dealing with some scheduling conflicts. He's not trying to back out of the deal. Though Guerrero hasn't signed a...

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles1 vladimir guerrero

Keeping a close watch on Koji Uehara

February 12, 2011, 4:39am

Orioles

My bags are packed and I'm ready for the airport. But is the airport ready for me? I'm trying to tear myself away from my 800th viewing of "Cobra" on Spike TV, easily one of the worst movies ever made. Sylvester Stallone and Brigitte Nielsen. I know, I know ... how could they possibly mess up that one? Stallone utters one of my all-time favorite cringe-worthy lines while confronting a shooter in a grocery store about two minutes into the flick: "You're a disease, and I'm the...

Tags:

orioles koji uehara frontfeatured_orioles

Funeral arrangements for Ernie Tyler

February 11, 2011, 1:00pm

Orioles

The Orioles just released details of the funeral arrangements for longtime umpires attendant Ernie Tyler, who passed away last night. A viewing will be held Sunday and Monday from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at Evan's Funeral Chapel, 3 Newport Dr., Forest Hill, Md. 21050. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Saints Ignatius Roman Catholic Church, 533 East Jarrettsville Rd., Jarrettsville, Md. 21050. Interment will follow at Bel Air Memorial Gardens, 809 Rock...

Tags:

orioles

Ripken statement on Ernie Tyler's passing

February 11, 2011, 11:16am

Orioles

Ripken statement on Ernie Tyler's passing

Baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr. was deeply saddened by the news that longtime umpires attendant Ernie Tyler passed away last night at age 86. Ripken released a statement today that read: "Today, Baltimore lost a very special man in Ernie Tyler. The Tyler family is synonymous with Orioles baseball, and O's games won't be the same without Ernie. His commitment and dedication to the Orioles and to the game was something my family and I have always admired. He was Baltimore's true Iron Man and...

Tags:

orioles cal ripken jr. ernie tyler

Orioles reach agreement with Guthrie (quotes added)

February 11, 2011, 6:23am

Orioles

The Orioles have reached agreement with Jeremy Guthrie on a contract for the 2011 season, assuring that they won't go to arbitration with any of their eligible players. Guthrie will receive $5.75 million this season. He was seeking $6.5 million, while the Orioles countered at $5 million. His hearing was scheduled for Wednesday in Phoenix, but it's no longer necessary. Guthrie, who made $3 million last year, will likely be the Opening Day starter. He went 11-14 with a 3.83 ERA in 32 starts...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles3

Ernie Tyler, O's Hall of Famer, passes away (with statement)

February 11, 2011, 4:42am

Orioles

Ernie Tyler, O's Hall of Famer, passes away (with statement)

Sadly, the rumor is true. Ernie Tyler, the longtime and beloved umpires attendant at Camden Yards, passed away last night at age 86. An Orioles official confirmed the news. Tyler had undergone surgery Oct. 6 at University of Maryland Medical Center to remove a benign brain tumor after experiencing dizziness four days earlier at Camden Yards. He was transferred to a rehabilitation facility in early December. Tyler, a member of the Orioles Hall of Fame, worked 3,819 consecutive home games at...

Tags:

orioles frontfeatured_orioles featured_sidebar

This and that

February 11, 2011, 3:30am

Orioles

One more day in Maryland and I'm heading south for part of the winter. If another person asks when I leave for "spring break," I'm going to launch myself and deliver a helmet-to-helmet hit. I won't be shotgunning beers poolside on MTV and judging wet T-shirt contests (at least not during the week.) It actually qualifies as work. I looked it up. On the positive side, I won't be packing my ice scraper. And if I suddenly change my mind, I could always race back home after missing my...

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles2

Scott talks about his contract agreement

February 10, 2011, 1:55pm

Orioles

Scott talks about his contract agreement

I just spoke to Luke Scott over the phone from the parking lot of an Eldersburg grocery store. As always, timing is everything. It's really not safe for me to leave the house. I do appreciate that Scott took the time to call me back. He was at a gym in California when I texted him earlier today about agreeing to terms on a contract for the 2011 season and avoiding arbitration. "I'm very happy with the deal. Its a fair deal, it's a good deal for both sides and I'm glad we got it done,"...

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles1 luke scott frontstory_orioles3

Orioles avoid arbitration with Scott (updated)

February 10, 2011, 11:45am

Orioles

Once again, the Orioles have managed to reach agreement on a contract with an arbitration-eligible player and avoid the potentially messy process. Luke Scott, expected to be the regular left fielder, has agreed to terms on a 2011 deal, according to a team official. The Sun is reporting that Scott will be paid $6.4 million. He asked for $6.85 million and the Orioles countered at $5.7 million. A hearing was scheduled for Monday in Phoenix, which is no way to spend Valentine's Day. It's been...