Roch Kubatko

Time for another quiz

April 22, 2010, 3:38am

Orioles

The first off-day of the 2010 season has arrived. No baseball after 16 straight games. The Orioles can chill out in Boston, drown their sorrows in chowder, retell stories of Brian Matusz's two victories, resist the urge to take a header off the Green Monster. Or they can gather with manager Dave Trembley and brush up on their baseball skills by taking the following quiz: A runner is in scoring position with two outs and you're the next batter. You should: A: Get a hit to drive in the...

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Well, it's a concern...

April 21, 2010, 7:05pm

Orioles

Adam Jones appears to have injured his right arm after stumbling out of the batters box. Jones reached down to break his fall. Let's hope that's all he broke. MASN's cameras have caught Jones flexing his right hand and massaging his bicep and elbow. He grimaced at one point and bent slightly at the waist. Of course, the first batter in the fourth inning hit a fly ball to Jones, who made the catch and gingerly threw the ball back to the infield. The Orioles have enough players on the...

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Orioles

Well, it's a start...

April 21, 2010, 6:23pm

Orioles

The Orioles got a leadoff single from their new leadoff hitter. They got a two-out single from Nick Markakis after Lou Montanez was erased on a double play, and Markakis hustled to second base when Seattle left fielder Matt Tuiasosopo overran the ball. Markakis stumbled as he reached the bag, but his ankle didn't snap. Possible injury averted. Matt Wieters delivered a clutch two-out hit with a runner in scoring position, accounting for the only first-inning run off Mariners pitcher Felix...

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Orioles

Orioles and Mariners lineups

April 21, 2010, 2:52pm

Orioles

For the Orioles: Lou Montanez LF Ty Wigginton 3B Nick Markakis RF Matt Wieters C Luke Scott DH Adam Jones CF Garrett Atkins 1B Justin Turner 2B Cesar Izturis SS Kevin Millwood RHP For the Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki RF Chone Figgins 2B Franklin Gutierrez CF Jose Lopez 3B Casey Kotchman 1B Mike Sweeney DH Matt Tuiasosopo LF Rob Johnson C Jack Wilson SS Felix Hernandez RHP

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Orioles

Gonzalez update

April 21, 2010, 12:41pm

Orioles

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...

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Orioles

Another new addition to the organization

April 21, 2010, 10:57am

Orioles

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...

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Orioles

Pie update

April 21, 2010, 9:25am

Orioles

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....

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From bad to worse

April 21, 2010, 5:26am

Orioles

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...

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Orioles

If the glove fits... (updated)

April 20, 2010, 8:05pm

Orioles

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...

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Hernandez deserves better

April 20, 2010, 7:58pm

Orioles

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...

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Down on the farm (updated)

April 20, 2010, 5:29pm

Orioles

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...

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Orioles

Two quick injury updates

April 20, 2010, 4:31pm

Orioles

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...

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Orioles

Bergy's back in Baltimore

April 20, 2010, 3:08pm

Orioles

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...

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Orioles

Tonight's lineups

April 20, 2010, 2:48pm

Orioles

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

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Orioles

Orioles reunite with Patterson

April 20, 2010, 1:07pm

Orioles

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...

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Orioles

How Berken should be workin'

April 20, 2010, 9:40am

Orioles

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...

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More thoughts on Bergesen (updated)

April 20, 2010, 3:44am

Orioles

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...

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Orioles

Bergy optioned?

April 19, 2010, 11:14pm

Orioles

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...

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Another bad night for Bergy (updated)

April 19, 2010, 7:40pm

Orioles

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...

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Orioles

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

April 19, 2010, 4:27pm

Orioles

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...