Roch Kubatko

Where there's another Will (w/Hendrickson news)

April 02, 2010, 10:22am

It's official: The Orioles have re-signed Mark Hendrickson and designated reliever Armando Gabino for assignment. Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail just confirmed that the club has signed pitcher Will Ohman to a minor league deal. Ohman receives an invitation to spring training, with the chance to win a spot in the bullpen as a situational lefty. That should put a little more heat on Alberto Castillo, who appeared in 48 games with the Orioles over the past two...

Washburn & Wang

April 02, 2010, 10:22am

Separate reports on FoxSports.com linking the Orioles to Jarrod Washburn and Chien-Ming Wang have got a few readers stirred up here, which is understandable to a degree. I didn't sense that a lot of fans were brushing the snow off their cars and racing out to purchase Ohman and Startup jerseys - though there's nothing wrong with updating your Wills. See what I did there? Anyway, I've been asked about Washburn and Wang quite a bit over the last few days, mostly because they remain on the...

Catching up with Devo

April 02, 2010, 10:20am

Did it really snow overnight? I'm afraid to look out the window. Actually, I've shoveled the sidewalk and dug out my car three times since the first flakes fell yesterday afternoon. Just trying to keep up with it. Apparently, more snow is in the forecast for Sunday and Monday. I have this strange feeling that I'll be reporting to the Sarasota complex after pitchers and catchers unpack their bags and take their physicals. Maybe I can make the first exhibition game. Will Ohman should keep...

My turn to vent

April 02, 2010, 10:14am

Looks like I'm back to babysitting a few fans who think it's cute or entertaining to post the same criticisms and complaints multiple times a day, hoping that I'll react and then becoming upset and confrontational when I do. You figure it out. I've given up. Make your same, tired point and find another topic. Repetition won't be tolerated around here when the sole purpose is to hijack this blog and ruin it for everyone else. Sorry if that seems unfair or heavy-handed. I shouldn't wake...

Sad news regarding Phil Itzoe (updated)

April 02, 2010, 10:13am

Longtime Orioles traveling secretary Phil Itzoe passed away earlier today after a long illness. He was 72. Itzoe spent 45 seasons with the Orioles, including 41 coordinating the team's travel plans, the longest tenure of any traveling secretary in any of the four major sports. During his final season in 2008, Itzoe received the Herb Armstrong Award and a spot in the Orioles' Hall of Fame for non-uniformed personnel who made a significant contribution to the organization. Itzoe was born...

Rumor East

April 02, 2010, 10:12am

With pitchers and catchers reporting in six days, perhaps it's time to post our favorite Orioles rumors from the off-season. It's my way of getting nostalgic for the hot stove season. You could choose anything related to Matt Holliday. There must have been a dozen of them. My personal favorite is how the Orioles were arranging a meeting in Texas with the free-agent outfielder, president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and majority owner Peter Angelos. I never did get the name of the...

Gabino gamble pays off

April 02, 2010, 10:12am

Reliever Armando Gabino cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles designated Gabino for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster for left-hander Mark Hendrickson. That's not all. Gabino also received an invitation to spring training. That's not all. Gabino will wear No. 61. That's all.

Bergesen's injury

April 02, 2010, 10:10am

Orioles pitcher Brad Bergesen confirmed tonight that he injured his right shoulder in December and will be "a little behind" the other pitchers in spring training, though he fully expects to be ready for Opening Day. The injury occurred during a commercial shoot inside a batting cage at Camden Yards. Bergesen said he tweaked the shoulder as he was finishing up, and he contacted the team's trainers when the discomfort wouldn't subside. Bergesen said he strained the capsule in his shoulder...

More on Bergy

April 02, 2010, 10:09am

I placed a call to pitcher Brad Bergesen shortly before 9 p.m. last night, which he returned about 20 minutes later. We had a nice chat, though I kept it brief. The poor kid will be dealing with the media on a daily basis beginning next week, so I try not to intrude much during the winter months. I wanted to check on his health, and whether the rumors were true that he sustained an injury while shooting a commercial two months ago. I heard some whispers, and they grew loud enough yesterday...

Good news on Guthrie; info on Itzoe public viewing

April 02, 2010, 10:08am

The Orioles announced that they've reached agreement with Jeremy Guthrie on a one-year contract, thus avoiding an arbitration hearing next week and any potential hard feelings. Guthrie filed for $3.625 million and the Orioles countered with $2.3 million. They agreed to $3 million, the projected figure based on past settlements. Guthrie earned $650,000 last season while going 10-17 with a 5.04 ERA and a league-high 35 homers allowed in 33 starts covering 200 innings. Also, a public viewing...

Guthrie on his agreement

April 02, 2010, 10:08am

Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie and his representatives were prepared for an arbitration hearing, and confident in their chances of winning it, but they elected to avoid the process and reached an agreement with the Orioles earlier today on a one-year deal. "It's exciting to come to an agreement that both sides agree is fair," Guthrie said during our phone conversation a few minutes ago. "We've been working on this for about a year, anticipating this part of my career - with my agents and with...

Hurt so good

April 02, 2010, 10:07am

Calling into last night's Hot Stove Show on 105.7 The Fan, Orioles pitcher David Hernandez conceded that he needs to command his fastball down in the strike zone. He can't always live dangerously with the high heater. "You keep repeating the upper strike," he said, "and hitters start looking at that one area." The kid is learning. Hernandez notices that he's constantly mentioned in the same sentence as Jason Berken (see, it happened again), though they're totally different pitchers....

Hurt so good - Part II

April 02, 2010, 10:06am

Calling into Friday night's Hot Stove Show on 105.7 The Fan, right fielder Nick Markakis said he doesn't care whether he bats second or third this season. He pointed out that it really doesn't matter after the first inning. Markakis will mostly hit third, as he did last season, but the Orioles aren't settled at the second and cleanup spots. He'll move around on occasion. Markakis hit second in 14 games last season, batting .317 with seven doubles, two homers, eight RBIs and a .925 OPS....

Getting ready to report

April 02, 2010, 10:05am

By this time tomorrow, I'll probably be standing in line to check my bag at the AirTran counter. Or I'll be sitting in the back of a cab on my way to the airport to stand in line to check my bag at the AirTran counter. Or I'll be trying to calm my nerves while standing in line to book another flight at the AirTran counter after mine is cancelled because of the snow. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow. I've packed a carry-on bag, but I still have to load up my suitcase. I've gathered...

Running the option

April 02, 2010, 10:05am

Orioles

One of the more commonly asked questions in spring training involves players who are out of minor league options. You wants names. I want to pass them along to you. It's the perfect storm. It also won't require that you put on a heavy coat and grab a shovel. You can check out this list from mlbtraderumors that contains players who are out of options and have less than five years of service time. They have to clear waivers before being sent down. The Orioles' representatives are Matt...

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orioles spring training

The keys to Koji

April 02, 2010, 10:03am

Orioles

Any reference to the Orioles' bullpen has to include Koji Uehara. And any reference to Koji Uehara has to include a mention of his health. Uehara missed two weeks in spring training with a strained hamstring and went on the disabled list with the same injury in late May. He returned to the disabled list on June 24 with a sore right elbow, later diagnosed as a partial tear of the flexor tendon. The Orioles finally sent him home in September. The last time we checked, Uehara was playing catch...

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Orioles Spring Training

Because You Asked - The Final Insult

April 02, 2010, 10:02am

Orioles

Spring training starts, but the questions won't end. You know them, you need them, you want them, you can't live without them. And you'll keep reheating them and pretending they're fresh. Sort of like the side dishes in the press dining room. No matter how many times I shovel the snow off my sidewalk, the questions are piled much higher. And while no two snowflakes are alike - at least in my personal collection that I keep in a safe deposit box - your inquiries look strangely...

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Orioles Spring Training

Postcard from the edge

April 02, 2010, 10:00am

Orioles

I have seven weeks to fall in love with Sarasota. Right now, I want to take it out for a nice seafood dinner and never call it again. Let's just say my first impression of the city hasn't been a good one. There's not a lot to see and do on Fruitville Rd., at least the stretch that I've traveled since leaving the airport. I can't imagine that this particular area is a hot tourist attraction unless you're into medical buildings and auto repair shops. In that case, you'll want to keep...

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Orioles Spring Training

First sign of spring

April 02, 2010, 9:55am

Orioles

It wasn't much of a challenge to find Ed Smith Stadium today. Just hang a left at the huge sign, complete with the cartoon Oriole bird, which welcomes you to the team's new spring training home. I'm seeing a lot of orange and black around here. That Cincinnati red has been covered up nicely. Jim Johnson just threw off flat ground, with Chad Moeller providing the target. "I'm back home," said Moeller, who trained here with the Reds in 2007. Koji Uehara is jogging in the outfield. And a...

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orioles spring training

Koji update

April 02, 2010, 9:54am

Koji Uehara threw off a mound for the first time yesterday at the club's minor league complex, which is located about 15 minutes from Ed Smith Stadium. "I'm feeling good," Uehara said through his interpreter, Jiwon Bang. When I asked about Uehara's hamstring, he replied, "So far, so good." A smile creased his face. He knows it won't be the last time we're checking on his health. Uehara said he hasn't talked to manager Dave Trembley or anyone in the front office about moving to the...