Roch Kubatko

Checking on Guthrie (and updating Tillman)

March 27, 2011, 10:23am

Orioles

Checking on Guthrie (and updating Tillman)

SARASOTA, Fla. - While the Orioles are playing the Red Sox today at Ed Smith Stadium, Jeremy Guthrie is making his final exhibition start against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. According to the box score, Guthrie has allowed four runs and eight hits in three innings, with one walk, one strikeout, one wild pitch and one hit batter. The Sun's Dan Connolly tweets that Guthrie has thrown 65 pitches, 42 for strikes. Yunel Escobar homered off Guthrie in the third. Guthrie's spring ERA has jumped to...

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Tillman through the third (updated)

March 27, 2011, 9:55am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman isn't making the boldest statement that he should be included in the opening night rotation. Tillman has allowed two runs, on J.D. Drew's wind-aided homer to left, and four hits. He's also walked three batters and struck out two. Tillman has thrown 51 pitches, 31 for strikes. It looks like his fastball is topping out at 90 mph. Matt Wieters threw out Marco Scutaro trying to steal in the first inning. Drew followed with a walk. David Ortiz singled to left...

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Bergesen throws, Francona vents

March 27, 2011, 8:04am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brad Bergesen threw from 60 and 120 feet on flat ground today. He's scheduled to throw a bullpen session tomorrow if the discomfort doesn't return, and he could start Tuesday's exhibition finale against the Blue Jays in Sarasota. "Everything felt OK," he said. "A little tight, a little tender, but it's nothing I can't throw through. I think right now the plan is hopefully a bullpen tomorrow. That's just where we are right now." Bergesen could be instructed to throw...

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Bergesen ready to play catch (with Red Sox lineup)

March 27, 2011, 5:15am

Orioles

Bergesen ready to play catch (with Red Sox lineup)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brad Bergesen isn't sure when he'll get back on a mound or pitch in a game. He's just taking it one day at a time, clichÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â© and all. That's the only approach when dealing with a bruised forearm. "It's feeling better," he said this morning. "It's still obviously there. It's tender and sore, but it's getting better by the day. Today's plan is I'm going to go out and stretch, throw, and really go from there. That's all I know. There's no plan. I...

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Orioles lineups (updated)

March 27, 2011, 4:14am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are playing split-squad games against the Red Sox at home and the Blue Jays in Dunedin. I'm staying here to watch Chris Tillman pitch. You can watch him on MASN. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Tillman RHP And for the Orioles (in Dunedin): Robert Andino LF Randy Winn DH Nolan Reimold RF Jake Fox 1B Brendan Harris 3B Felix Pie...

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Final thoughts on 7-2 victory

March 26, 2011, 12:27pm

Orioles

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - David Riske covered the last two innings for the Orioles, retiring all six batters he faced and striking out three to seal a 7-2 victory over the Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. The bullpen brought it strong today with six scoreless innings, including two each from Jason Berken and Josh Rupe. The unit allowed three hits, didn't issue a walk and struck out seven. "Boy, Riske has been impressive," manager Buck Showalter said. "Rupe continues to throw the ball well. I...

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Hardy hardly a disappointment

March 26, 2011, 11:44am

Orioles

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Orioles wanted an offensive upgrade at shortstop. They got it. I know it's only spring training, but J.J. Hardy is batting .388 after going 3-for-4 today. He singled twice, doubled and knocked in two runs, and the Orioles are taking a 7-2 lead over the Rays into the bottom of the eighth inning. Hardy has two homers and 10 RBIs to go with that impressive average. Brian Roberts went 2-for-3 with a home run, walk and sacrifice fly. His average has climbed to...

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Drese on Drese (updated)

March 26, 2011, 11:05am

Orioles

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Jason Berken threw two scoreless innings, retiring the last five batters he faced. He allowed two hits and struck out three. Josh Rupe followed with a 1-2-3 sixth inning. He's allowed two unearned runs and seven hits in 12 2/3 innings. J.J. Hardy is 2-for-3 with an RBI double. Brian Roberts is 2-for-3 with a home run and a walk. Update: Vladimir Guerrero broke a 2-2 tie in the eighth inning with a two-run homer to left field off Cesar Ramos. It was a screaming line...

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Drese done for day (updated)

March 26, 2011, 10:17am

Orioles

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Jason Berken is pitching the fourth inning with Tampa Bay leading the Orioles, 2-1. Ryan Drese allowed two runs and five hits in three innings, with no walks, two strikeouts and one visit from head athletic trainer Richie Bancells. Drese threw 43 pitches, including 27 for strikes. Drese allowed one run and four hits in his first three appearances covering seven innings. In his last three outings, he allowed 13 runs and 18 hits in 7 2/3 innings. Drese probably isn't...

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No interest in Davis, early Showalter (updated)

March 26, 2011, 9:32am

Orioles

No interest in Davis, early Showalter (updated)

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Orioles sent a scout to watch left-hander Doug Davis audition for teams Thursday in Arizona, but they have no interest in signing him. Team officials are encouraged by Justin Duchscherer's progress and currently believe they have enough internal pitching options. Brad Bergesen's bruised right forearm isn't a major concern. The Orioles must set their opening night roster by 4 p.m. Thursday. Ryan Drese served up a leadoff home run to Ben Zobrist in the first...

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Quick hits

March 26, 2011, 8:19am

Orioles

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter was relieved to discover only minimal swelling in Brad Bergesen's right arm this morning. Showalter is hopeful that Bergesen can pitch Tuesday on three days' rest. It's feasible if Bergesen's arm allows it because he threw only four pitches yesterday. Justin Duchscherer will stay back at extended spring training after the Orioles break camp. He's scheduled to pitch in a minor league game on April 6. The Orioles are still targeting April 21 for...

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Orioles lineup (with travel roster note)

March 26, 2011, 6:20am

Orioles

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Orioles apparently brought their opening night lineup to Charlotte Sports Park, with the exception of Felix Pie starting in center field over Adam Jones, who didn't make the trip after playing yesterday in Fort Myers. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Felix Pie CF J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Drese RHP The Orioles brought the following players from minor league camp:...

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Bergesen won't throw today (with Rays lineup)

March 26, 2011, 4:36am

Orioles

Bergesen won't throw today (with Rays lineup)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Brad Bergesen said his right forearm feels "a little stiff this morning" after being hit by a Denard Span line drive yesterday afternoon. "I'll keep icing it today to keep the swelling down," he said. Treatment will be the only activity for Bergesen today. "I will not throw today," he said, "but I'll hopefully play catch tomorrow and we'll just go from there." Bergesen, competing for a spot in the rotation, threw only four pitches before leaving...

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Postgame Showalter

March 25, 2011, 12:06pm

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter touched on a variety of topics, including Brad Bergesen, Chris George and Jake Fox, following today's 6-5 loss to the Twins. Take note of how Showalter refers to George, who threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings today and still hasn't allowed a run, as being a starter or reliever "down there," which should answer any questions about the left-hander's chances of making the club out of spring training. And how Showalter subtly references Fox's defense...

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Bergesen: "It was a no-hitter"

March 25, 2011, 11:14am

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Brad Bergesen pretty much lost a start today. At least he's retained a sense of humor. Bergesen was able to joke with reporters a few minutes ago after returning from a local hospital, where X-rays taken on his right arm were negative. Denard Span's line drive nailed Bergesen on top of his right forearm, exactly halfway between his wrist and elbow. "It's obviously sore right now, but the good news is it's not broken," he said while standing inside the visiting...

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Bergesen has bruised arm (with game and X-ray update)

March 25, 2011, 10:02am

Orioles

Bergesen has bruised arm (with game and X-ray update)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Brad Bergesen suffered a right forearm contusion after being struck by Denard Span's line drive in the bottom of the first inning. Bergesen was taken to a local hospital for X-rays, but the initial report is encouraging. The ball appeared to hit Bergesen on the top of his forearm near the elbow. The bad news for Bergesen, of course, is he can't turn in the quality start that he needed this afternoon. And it's not known when he'll be ready to throw again, even if the...

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Bergesen hit on arm, leaves game (with game update)

March 25, 2011, 9:20am

Orioles

Bergesen hit on arm, leaves game (with game update)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Brad Bergesen had to leave today's game after four pitches when Denard Span's line drive crashed into his right arm. Bergesen jumped off the mound in obvious pain. The ball popped straight up in the air, and second baseman Robert Andino made the catch for the first out. Double-A trainer Pat Wesley raced out of the dugout, and Bergesen kept bending at the waist before walking off the mound. He appeared to have a welt on his forearm, just below his elbow. It was bad enough...

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Quick hits

March 25, 2011, 9:07am

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - We're almost ready for the anthem and the first pitch here at Hammond Stadium in sunny Fort Myers. Actually, it's starting so I have to stop typing. OK, I'm back. Justin Duchscherer had another successful bullpen session today and is slated to throw two innings Monday in a minor league game. "That's the best I've seen him throw," manager Buck Showalter said. "He had a good face when he was throwing. You could tell he felt good physically, so that's encouraging....

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Bergesen needs to be brilliant

March 25, 2011, 7:21am

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Is this a big start for Brad Bergesen? Is Florida full of palm trees, geckos and strip malls? Bergesen hasn't been named to the starting rotation. We're only sure that Jeremy Guthrie is pitching in the April 1 opener and Brian Matusz will take the ball on the following night. Manager Buck Showalter hasn't officially named Jake Arrieta as the No. 4 starter, but he's come close enough that we know it's going to happen. We can read him like a book, which isn't nearly...

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Today's lineup (and Twins)

March 25, 2011, 5:41am

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - I'm back at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers for today's game against the Twins. This is my last trip here in 2011. I'm wiping away the tears and passing along today's lineup. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B Felix Pie LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters DH Jake Fox C Nolan Reimold RF Brendan Harris 1B Nick Green 3B Cesar Izturis SS Brad Bergesen RHP Jim Johnson and Clay Rapada also are scheduled to pitch. You've probably noticed that most of the regulars are back at...