Gonzalez update

Gonzalez update
Reliever Mike Gonzalez's visit to renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. didn't reveal a more serious injury to his left shoulder than diagnosed by team physicians. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail told me that Gonzalez received the "same prognosis as before." Gonzalez went on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 10, with a strained left shoulder. Gonzalez, who sought another opinion that he hoped wouldn't lead to surgery, will report to...
Continue reading
Tags:

Another new addition to the organization

Another new addition to the organization
The Orioles have claimed left-hander Pedro Viola off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk. I guess he can take Alberto Castillo's spot with the Tides. Lose a lefty, sign a lefty. Viola, 26, appeared in nine games for the Reds last season, posting a 5.14 ERA in seven innings after going 2-2 with eight saves and a 5.47 ERA in 54 games with Triple-A Louisville. So who's going to be the first person to mistakenly refer to him as "Frank?" I really hope it...
Continue reading
Tags:

Pie update

Pie update
Nothing major here, but I wanted to pass along via BlackBerry that Felix Pie is flying to Sarasota tomorrow to join the rest of the crew at extended spring training. Pie could be sidelined three months with this lat injury. It's never good when muscle pulls away from the bone. The Orioles don't believe that he'll require surgery, which would increase his recovery time. The body will just have to heal on its own. Pie has only been cleared to run. He'll eventually begin light exercises....
Continue reading

From bad to worse

From bad to worse
I'm running a little late this morning (I always blame the kid.) These West Coast games are killing me. They're not doing the Orioles much good, either. The record is abysmal, but I had plenty of concerns before the season began. The schedule is absolutely brutal, and this team has issues. It was a combustible combination, and it's blown up in their faces. I don't ask for much in this world, but I expect my players to run out ground balls and bust their tails no matter the score or...
Continue reading
Tags:

If the glove fits... (updated)

If the glove fits... (updated)
Major League Baseball will announce the AL's Gold Glove winners around 3 p.m. You can watch live on ESPNews if your boss isn't looking over your shoulder. Adam Jones will become official, and we'll learn whether Torii Hunter and Ichiro Suzuki will join him. You'll probably collect on your bet if you choose them. The assumption is that Grady Sizemore's injury-filled season, which resulted in an early shutdown and two surgeries, will prevent him from taking home the hardware. But that's...
Continue reading
Tags:

Hernandez deserves better

Hernandez deserves better
Could someone remind Julio Lugo that it's 90 feet from home plate to first base? it looked like he might have become confused and slowed up after nine. If manager Dave Trembley wanted to send a message to his players tonight, he had an opportunity right there. Run out every ground ball or keep going directly into the clubhouse. Towels are hanging in the shower. David Hernandez is headed toward one of those "he deserved better" starts. He hasn't allowed a run since the first inning, and...
Continue reading

Down on the farm (updated)

Down on the farm (updated)
Triple-A Norfolk might want to tighten up that defense. The Tides have committed three more errors tonight, including No. 7 for Scott Moore, who continues to struggle with his throws at second base. Josh Bell and Brandon Snyder also have errors tonight, giving them three on the season. Alfredo Simon allowed two runs (one earned) and six hits, with three walks and five strikeouts, in seven innings. He threw 97 pitches, 58 for strikes. Gwinnett leads Norfolk, 2-0, in the eighth. Double-A...
Continue reading
Tags:

Two quick injury updates

Two quick injury updates
MASN's Amber Theoharis reports that Koji Uehara will throw one inning Thursday in an extended spring training game. Uehara remains on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, and the Orioles can't project when he'll be ready to pitch for them. But I guess this qualifies as progress. Also, Brian Roberts has been cleared to begin light exercises and strengthening activities, and he'll be examined again on Friday by back specialist Dr. Lee Riley at Johns Hopkins. Manager Dave Trembley...
Continue reading
Tags:

Bergy's back in Baltimore

Bergy's back in Baltimore
Brad Bergesen just stepped off a plane at BWI and is getting ready to pack up his gear at Camden Yards and head to his next destination: Triple-A Norfolk. Bergesen said he was "a little bit surprised" when manager Dave Trembley and pitching coach Rick Kranitz broke the news following last night's game that he was being optioned after only three starts. "Obviously, I haven't been pitching well, so I knew I needed to turn it around or that was inevitable. But I was surprised by it coming...
Continue reading
Tags:

Tonight's lineups

Tonight's lineups
For the Orioles: Adam Jones CF Ty Wigginton 3B Nick Markakis RF Nolan Reimold DH Luke Scott LF Matt Wieters C Garrett Atkins 1B Julio Lugo 2B Cesar Izturis SS David Hernandez RHP For the Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki RF Chone Figgins 2B Franklin Gutierrez CF Jose Lopez 3B Ken Griffey Jr. DH Milton Bradley LF Casey Kotchman 1B Adam Moore C Jack Wilson SS Jason Vargas LHP
Continue reading
Tags:

Orioles reunite with Patterson

Orioles reunite with Patterson
The Orioles agreed to terms today with outfielder Corey Patterson on a minor league contract. Patterson will report to extended spring training tomorrow. You might remember that Patterson played for the Orioles in 2006 and 2007. He spent the 2008 season with the Reds and appeared in five games with the Nationals and 11 with the Brewers last year. Patterson signed a minor league contract with the Mariners on Dec. 9, but opted out of it on March 31 when told he wouldn't make the team out of...
Continue reading
Tags:

How Berken should be workin'

How Berken should be workin'
We can probably agree that Jason Berken has been invaluable coming out of the bullpen and consuming innings in long relief. The debate centers on whether he should be rewarded with a spot in the rotation or left alone to thrive in his current role. Berken has allowed two runs and nine hits in 12 innings, with two walks and eight strikeouts. He's held opponents to one run over his last three appearances spanning 9 1/3 innings. You'll recall that Berken lost 12 games as a starter last...
Continue reading

More thoughts on Bergesen (updated)

More thoughts on Bergesen (updated)
We've learned at least one thing from the Orioles' decision to option Brad Bergesen to the minors, a move that will be made official later today: They don't believe that he's injured. He's going to Triple-A Norfolk, not the disabled list. Update: The Orioles just confirmed that Bergesen is going to Triple-A. They'll announce the corresponding roster move later today. The word out of Norfolk is that left-hander Alberto Castillo is joining the team in Seattle. If you're there, please...
Continue reading
Tags:

Bergy optioned?

Bergy optioned?
It looks that way. I woke up to a flashing red light on my BlackBerry and a text message that Brad Bergesen is heading to the minors. I'm assuming that president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail would prefer that I not attempt to contact him at 3 a.m., so confirmation will have to wait until later. But I trust the person who's alerting me. Bergesen is 0-2 with a 12.19 ERA after allowing seven runs (four earned) in only 2 2/3 innings tonight. We almost forget that he still has...
Continue reading

Another bad night for Bergy (updated)

Another bad night for Bergy (updated)
The first red flag for me regarding Brad Bergesen didn't come after he got knocked out of a game early or failed to get the same sink on his ball. It happened when he suggested that his confidence might not be at the usual level. What transpired tonight in Seattle won't have Bergesen puffing out his chest. He allowed four earned runs - seven total - and six hits, with three walks, in only 2 2/3 innings. That's the earliest exit of his career, and it left quite a stain on tonight's...
Continue reading
Tags:

A few odds and ends (w/minor league notes)

A few odds and ends (w/minor league notes)
Orioles manager Dave Trembley told reporters in Seattle that Lou Montanez could get the majority of the starts in left field because of his mobility, while Nolan Reimold serves as the designated hitter to keep his bat in the lineup. Brian Roberts still hasn't been cleared to perform baseball-related activities after back specialist Dr. Lee Riley examined him today at Johns Hopkins. Roberts is a long way from being ready. MASN's Amber Theoharis also passed along that Koji Uehara threw 35...
Continue reading
Tags:

Tonight's lineups

Tonight's lineups
For the Orioles: Adam Jones CF Ty Wigginton 3B Nick Markakis RF Nolan Reimold DH Matt Wieters C Luke Scott 1B Lou Montanez LF Julio Lugo 2B Cesar Izturis SS Brad Bergesen RHP For the Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki RF Chone Figgins 2B Franklin Gutierrez CF Jose Lopez 3B Ken Griffey Jr. DH Milton Bradley LF Casey Kotchman 1B Rob Johnson C Jack Wilson SS Doug Fister RHP
Continue reading
Tags:

Pie could miss next three months

Pie could miss next three months
Orioles outfielder Felix Pie underwent an MRI this morning and learned that he could miss up to three months with an injury to his latissimus dorsi muscle. Pie went on the disabled list April 16 with an injury classified as a strained muscle in his upper back, but further examination today revealed a more serious problem. There's been no talk of surgery, and Pie is debating whether to stay here or report to Sarasota to rehab after an extended period of rest. President of baseball operations...
Continue reading

Talking about Tillman

Talking about Tillman
The only good news to report on Chris Tillman relates to his health. He's feeling fine, according to John Stockstill, the Orioles' director of player development. We'll need to find another excuse for Tillman, who lasted only one inning yesterday and allowed four runs and four hits, issued two walks, threw two wild pitches and hit a batter. Tillman was removed after throwing 42 pitches, 24 for strikes. His early exit led to some speculation that he might be hurt, but Stockstill said that...
Continue reading
Tags:

Ripken's response

Ripken's response
I just received a statement from Cal Ripken regarding the FoxSports.com story that detailed how owner Peter Angelos allegedly turned down the Hall of Famer's request to join the front office in an unspecified capacity. Ripken was traveling with his family over the weekend and unavailable to comment until today. The statement, sent in an e-mail, reads: "In my baseball experience, rumors and stories seem to break when things aren't going well. Let me address recent media reports. "First...
Continue reading