Roch Kubatko

It's finally here

April 01, 2011, 5:17am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - All the talk, all the debating, all the words plastered on this blog. We tracked every rumor at the winter meetings - didn't Nolan Reimold almost get traded? - and waiting for the Orioles to find a first baseman and veteran starting pitcher. We wondered if they would finally hire enough coaches to start the season. We argued the merits of signing Vladimir Guerrero and whether it would actually happen. It seems so long ago. Now here we are, ready to kick off the 2011...

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Brooks Robinson hospitalized, releases statement

March 31, 2011, 1:55pm

Orioles

Brooks Robinson hospitalized, releases statement

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson was hospitalized earlier today, which always brings a wave of concern - and maybe panic - over all of us, but he released a statement saying he's doing fine and it's not related to his cancer surgery. Here's the statement: "Thank you for your outpouring of concern. I was originally scheduled for a routine outpatient procedure at Greater Baltimore Medical Center on Thursday, March 31, 2011. The evening before surgery, I developed a fever...

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Opening night lineup (and note)

March 31, 2011, 12:24pm

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles' lineup for tomorrow night's regular-season opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field should look pretty familiar to you, with one exception. Adam Jones moves up ahead of Luke Scott against left-hander David Price. Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Adam Jones CF Luke Scott LF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP NOTE: Forgot to mention it earlier. Manager Buck Showalter says former...

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Pre-workout Showalter - Part II

March 31, 2011, 11:31am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - We can still hear thunder rumbling outside the dome. I'm just relieved the roof hasn't collapsed. Speaking of thunderous echos, the Orioles are taking batting practice while I file this blog entry. Nick Markakis is knocking the paint off a few of the seats in right field. Luke Scott just bounced a ball off the back of the restaurant roof directly below the scoreboard in center field. Manager Buck Showalter said he won't rest any of his regulars during this...

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Pre-workout Showalter - Part I

March 31, 2011, 11:06am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter won't post his opening night lineup until after today's workout, but he told reporters not to expect any surprises. I'd assume that means he's using the same lineup that we saw at the end of the exhibition schedule: Roberts, Markakis, Lee, Guerrero, Scott, Jones, Reynolds, Wieters and Hardy. I'll pass along the official one later. Showalter explained why he chose Chris Tillman over Brad Bergesen for Sunday's start against the Rays. "I...

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Bergesen talks about role

March 31, 2011, 10:39am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Brad Bergesen is "a candidate" to start the April 10 game against the Rangers at Camden Yards, according to manager Buck Showalter. Not necessarily the leading candidate. Just a candidate. Showalter is hesitant to name Bergesen the starter until making sure the Orioles aren't rained out Monday for their home-opener against the Tigers. Bergesen talked about being in the bullpen to begin the season. "I had the meeting with Buck and Goose (Mark Connor) yesterday and...

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Talking Tillman and Rays lineup

March 31, 2011, 9:44am

Orioles

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - I drove through the worst rainstorm of my life to get here. Those tornado warnings are no joke. I was gripping the steering wheel so tightly, it's almost bent in half. Good luck with that one, Avis. I was pretty sure a traffic light turned green, but I couldn't move. Visibility was at an all-time low. But at least the water on the streets covered my tires. My GPS told me to turn right, and I yelled, "Where's the right?" I didn't need a GPS. I needed a...

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Duchscherer shut down again

March 31, 2011, 6:24am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - One last report from Sarasota. Pitcher Justin Duchscherer was sent to a chiropractor yesterday after complaining of back soreness. Apparently, his left hip is fine, but he's dealing with another setback. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said the club will wait 24 hours "and see how it is." "I'm not sure where we are right now," MacPhail said. "I think we're 24 hours from knowing the severity." Duchscherer threw two innings Tuesday in a simulated game...

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Sarasota in the rear view mirror (updated)

March 31, 2011, 4:55am

Orioles

Sarasota in the rear view mirror (updated)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Counted among the yearly traditions of spring training is the sudden realization that I can't consume all of the food that I bought during my seven-week stay. How many packets of oatmeal can I possibly eat before check-out this morning? And honesty, the bags of frozen broccoli and Brussels sprouts seemed like a good idea at the time. No way they're coming with me to St. Petersburg. I'm down to three bottled waters. I think I timed that one just about right. Anyway, the...

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Tillman named No. 3 starter

March 30, 2011, 12:55pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Right-hander Chris Tillman will start Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, following Jeremy Guthrie and Brian Matusz in the rotation. Tillman went 2-0 with a 3.93 ERA in five games this spring. He allowed 20 hits, walked nine and struck out 10 in 18 1/3 innings. He also gave up one run over six innings in a minor league game, which doesn't count in the official Grapefruit League statistics. Brad Bergesen, who threw two innings in today's minor...

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Showalter not ready to name No. 3 starter or closer (updated)

March 30, 2011, 10:35am

Orioles

Showalter not ready to name No. 3 starter or closer (updated)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter ventured into the press box to meet with reporters while the minor league game continued on the Ed Smith Stadium field. Showalter still hasn't named his No. 3 starter. He wants to wait until head athletic trainer Richie Bancells checks on Brad Bergesen. Showalter said he didn't expect the Orioles to add anyone from outside the organization, but he didn't completely dismiss the idea. "I've got a pretty good feel for where we're going, but...

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Matusz: "I feel like I'm 100 percent ready for the season"

March 30, 2011, 9:54am

Orioles

Matusz: "I feel like I'm 100 percent ready for the season"

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Matusz threw 35-40 pitches in the bullpen this morning and didn't feel any discomfort in his left biceps. He remains scheduled to take the ball Saturday night against the Rays at Tropicana Field, making him the No. 2 starter in the rotation. Chris Tillman said he hasn't been told whether he's starting the third game, but he's headed to manager Buck Showalter's office to find out. Jake Arrieta is pitching in the minor league game and will start the April 4 home...

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VandenHurk clears waivers, Matusz starting Saturday

March 30, 2011, 9:15am

Orioles

VandenHurk clears waivers, Matusz starting Saturday

SARASOTA, Fla. - Rick VandenHurk cleared waivers and remains in the organization. He's in uniform for today's minor league game. VandenHurk had control issues that knocked him out of the running for a rotation or bullpen slot. He'll be outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk and join a rotation that includes Zach Britton and Ryan Drese. VandenHurk allowed 12 runs (nine earned) and 10 hits, with eight walks and four strikeouts, in six innings. Also, Jake Arrieta and Brad Bergesen are starting the...

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Weaver and Showalter a first-pitch battery

March 30, 2011, 7:11am

Orioles

Weaver and Showalter a first-pitch battery

SARASOTA, Fla. - Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the April 4 home opener at Camden Yards. Current manager Buck Showalter will catch it. I love the idea. And it seems appropriate, given the excitement that greeted Showalter's arrival in Baltimore last August and the frequent comparisons to Weaver. Showalter invited Weaver to speak to his coaches this spring. It also allowed Weaver to autograph the circular No. 4 sign that hangs in his honor...

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One more game in Sarasota

March 30, 2011, 4:54am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Enjoy that dateline while you can, because it changes starting tomorrow. The Orioles will break camp later today. Naturally, manager Buck Showalter scheduled a simulated game first. I almost expect Craig Tatum to hit off a tee tomorrow in between his wife's contractions. A group of minor leaguers will take a bus to Ed Smith Stadium, then take their swings against Brad Bergesen and Jake Arrieta. I normally wouldn't care much, but I need to find out whether Bergesen is...

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Only a few decisions remain

March 29, 2011, 12:19pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Senior citizens were invited to run the bases after today's 7-4 loss to the Blue Jays. Brady Anderson walked past me on the field and asked whether I was going to run. Ouch. Manager Buck Showalter basically has two decisions remaining before the Orioles break camp and head to St. Petersburg for Thursday's workout. Showalter must decide whether Chris Tillman or Brad Bergesen makes Sunday's start at Tropicana Field. But he'll also need to know whether Bergesen or...

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Britton talks about being optioned

March 29, 2011, 11:45am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Zach Britton said he wasn't surprised when he was called into manager Buck Showalter's office and told that he had been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. "Right when they called me in, I figured, 'Hey you were either making the team or not making the team.' I was leaning toward not making the team, so I expected it," he said. What will he take away from camp? "Just the experience and getting to know the guys," Britton said. "Whenever I get up there, it will be nice to...

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Lee: "I'm ready to go for opening day"

March 29, 2011, 11:29am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Josh Rupe gave up his first two earned runs of the spring in the seventh inning, and the Blue Jays took a 5-4 lead. Former Orioles farmhand Mike McCoy drove in the go-ahead run. Robert Andino made a dazzling play at second base, backhanding a ball in front of the bag and making an off-balance throw as his momentum carried him toward shortstop. First baseman Tyler Townsend dug the ball out of the dirt for the out. Former Oriole Adam Loewen pinch-ran in the eighth and scored...

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Another game update, Showalter on health (and note)

March 29, 2011, 10:37am

Orioles

Another game update, Showalter on health (and note)

SARASOTA, Fla. - My eyes weren't deceiving me. Blue Jays manager John Farrell ordered an intentional walk to Vladimir Guerrero in the fourth inning with runners on second and third and two outs. In a spring training game. Luke Scott was robbed of a hit on a diving stop by second baseman Aaron Hill. Michael Gonzalez struck out two in a scoreless fourth inning, throwing six of 11 pitches for strikes. Kevin Gregg walked a batter and struck out one in the fifth, throwing seven of 15 for...

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Game update, Showalter on Sarasota

March 29, 2011, 10:02am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Derrek Lee picked up his first RBI of the spring, in the final exhibition game. He lined a single into center field off Blue Jays left-hander Brett Cecil (Maryland) with two outs in the second inning to score Brian Roberts and give the Orioles a 4-3 lead. Matt Wieters doubled to score Adam Jones, who reached on a bunt single, and he came home on Brian Roberts' double. Nick Markakis walked before Lee stepped to the plate. Koji Uehara struck out two batters in a perfect...