Roch Kubatko

Moeller in a holding pattern

March 31, 2010, 10:08am

Chad Moeller was standing at his locker this morning in a black t-shirt and a pair of jeans. No uniform jersey and pants. Nothing that would suggest he'll be working out with the team. Moeller is in a holding pattern of sorts (hence, the title of this entry). He's hoping to find out within the hour whether he'll be moving to another organization or reassigned to the minor league camp. And he wouldn't speculate on his next move if the latter occurs. It's also possible that the wait will...

Orioles lineup

March 31, 2010, 10:07am

Brian Roberts 2B Nolan Reimold LF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Adam Jones CF Luke Scott DH Matt Wieters C Garrett Atkins 1B Cesar Izturis SS Jason Berken RHP Jon Lester is starting for the Red Sox.

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Matt Wieters

A few quick answers

March 31, 2010, 10:06am

I had to approve the last batch of comments without addressing individual questions. I'll try to knock off a few of them here. * What happens to Jason Berken? He begins the season in long relief for the Orioles. They need a pitcher who's been stretched out, and Berken earned a spot with a strong spring. * Will Nolan Reimold sit for the entire Tampa Bay series? Manager Dave Trembley hasn't given us his lineups. Perhaps Reimold serves as the DH if Trembley wants to keep him off the turf....

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Alfredo Simon

Trembley unplugged - Part 3

March 31, 2010, 10:05am

As I wrote earlier, the Orioles want Chad Moeller to stay at Triple-A Norfolk and continue working with young pitchers such as Chris Tillman, Jake Arrieta, Troy Patton and Brandon Erbe. But they understand his desire to play in the majors and will attempt to work out a deal for him. "We want to see how this unfolds with (Craig) Tatum," manager Dave Trembley said. "This doesn't mean it's etched in stone, but we want to give Tatum a shot. We like the way he throws. We're confident that he...

Trembley unplugged - Part 2

March 31, 2010, 10:05am

How difficult has it been for manager Dave Trembley to make these roster cuts? Let him explain. "That's why I didn't want to meet with you (reporters) at 11 today. I couldn't," he said. "I walked around those back fields all morning, kind of like, 'How am I going to talk to some of these guys?' It was tough for me to tell Brandon Snyder he was going out of camp. I had the kid in instructional league. And (Alberto) Castillo. Do you know his story? A refugee from Cuba played independent...

Trembley unplugged

March 31, 2010, 10:04am

Manager Dave Trembley met with reporters for about 17 minutes after today's game. That's an unusually long session, and it became emotional as he recounted how he broke the roster news to several disappointed players. Chris Tillman will throw in a minor league game on Thursday to raise his pitch count in the 90-100 range. Then he'll go to Triple- A and try to get back to the majors. "What we're doing is the best thing for the team and for his development," Trembley said. "He was put in...

Getting confirmation

March 31, 2010, 10:03am

Manager Dave Trembley listed his starting rotation as follows: Kevin Millwood, Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Matusz, Brad Bergesen and David Hernandez. Trembley also confirmed the following: * Craig Tatum beat out Chad Moeller for the reserve spot behind Matt Wieters. * Felix Pie will start in left field on Opening Day. * Chris Tillman, Jake Arrieta, Troy Patton, Brandon Erbe and Alfredo Simon will be the starters at Triple-A Norfolk. * Thursday's game against Tampa Bay in Port Charlotte will be...

Bergy on Bergy (updated twice)

March 31, 2010, 10:03am

Mike Gonzalez walked the first batter he faced on four pitches, and Don Kelly smacked a two-run homer to give Detroit the lead. But Robert Andino hit a two-run shot off the batters eye in center in the bottom of the seventh. Orioles 9, Tigers 8. Andino connected off Ryan Perry for his second homer (three if you count the first intrasquad game.) Brad Bergesen said he was "out of whack" today. "That was very evident," he said. "I never really felt like I got in a groove. Just started...

Bergy's done for the day (updated)

March 31, 2010, 10:02am

Brad Bergesen is expected to pitch the opener at Camden Yards on April 9. It would be nice if a different Brad Bergesen showed up. Bergesen was charged with six runs in five innings to raise his ERA to 5.59. He allowed five hits, walked four, struck out three and surrendered three home runs. Bergesen threw 93 pitches, 52 for strikes. I'll go downstairs and talk to Bergesen after he's done running. Maybe he can explain what happened. Bergesen got in a groove for a while, retiring 10 of...

Make that two for Cabrera (updated)

March 31, 2010, 10:01am

Miguel Cabrera has just destroyed another pitch from Brad Bergesen, this time homering over the batters eye in center field. We're assuming that the ball landed on the other side, but it still might be in the air. Detroit 6, Orioles 4. Cabrera stood at home plate and admired his work in the first inning, but center fielder Adam Jones struck the pose on the second home run. Jones just turned around and watched the flight of the ball. He remained in the same position, with his back to the...

Bergy through three (updated twice)

March 31, 2010, 10:00am

Brad Bergesen has retired nine of the last 10 batters he faced. Bergesen allowed a one-out double to Austin Jackson in the second ining, but he struck out Johnny Damon and retired Magglio Ordonez on a sharp grounder to the mound. He threw 16 pitches, 10 for strikes. Miguel Cabrera, who launched a pitch into the parking lot beyond the left field fence in his first at-bat, grounded an 0-2 pitch to short in the third inning. Carlos Guillen struck out and Brandon Inge grounded to...

If you blinked... (updated)

March 31, 2010, 10:00am

...you missed Brad Bergesen giving up four runs without recording an out. Bergesen walked the first two batters. Maggio Ordonez followed with a two-run double to deep center field, and Miguel Cabrera launched a monstrous two-run homer to left. Cabrera posed at home plate before finally breaking into his trot. File that one away for his next at-bat. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz has gone to the mound with the count 2-0 on Carlos Guillen and still nobody out. Bergesen has thrown 21...

Tillman talks about his demotion

March 31, 2010, 9:59am

The Orioles will announce the full round of roster cuts later today, but Chris Tillman holds the biggest name in a bunch that also includes infielders Justin Turner and Scott Moore. So there's no confusion, some players will remain in the major league camp despite being assigned to the minor league side. Simon, for example, is scheduled to start on Friday against the Yankees. Tillman was expected to be the No. 5 starter, but that assignment goes to David Hernandez. "I could kind of see it...

Cuts coming (updated again)

March 31, 2010, 9:58am

The Orioles will make more roster cuts after batting practice. Manager Dave Trembley won't be available to the media before the game because he has important business to conduct. The current roster stands at 38 with Joey Gathright's addition. Update: Chris Tillman, Alfredo Simon, Alberto Castillo, Ross Wolf, Jeff Salazar, and Adam Donachie will be included in the cuts. I'll have quotes from Tillman in my next entry.

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Cesar Izturis

Catching on

March 31, 2010, 9:57am

We expect to find out about the starting rotation later today, but we're not sure whether manager Dave Trembley will unveil his 25-man roster. He'll probably make us wait a little longer, but it's pretty clear that Craig Tatum has beaten out Chad Moeller for the backup catching job. That was one of the few competitions in camp, and Moeller was the clear favorite when he arrived. So what happened? The Orioles apparently fell in love with Tatum's arm. They already loved Moeller's head -...

Hernandez leaving camp for a few days

March 31, 2010, 9:57am

David Hernandez was supposed to pitch on Friday, but he's flying to California after tomorrow's workout to attend his grandmother's funeral. He'll follow Brian Matusz to the mound on Saturday. We're expecting to be told later today that Hernandez is the No. 5 starter. And Craig Tatum is looking like the choice as the backup catcher. Make that two surprises this spring. Nolan Reimold met with manager Dave Trembley this morning and was told not to read too much into the Opening Day...

Gathright returns (with pitching updates)

March 31, 2010, 9:56am

The Orioles have signed outfielder Joey Gathright toa minor league contract and invited him to spring training. He's expected to report later today. Seems a little late, doesn't it? The Blue Jays released Gathright over the weekend. He'll provide depth for the Orioles at Triple-A Norfolk, where Lou Montanez and Jeff Salazar also are expected to play the outfield. Maybe we can talk him into jumping over cars in the players parking lot. Jason Berken will start tomorrow's game against the...

Orioles lineup

March 31, 2010, 9:56am

Brian Roberts 2B Felix Pie LF Adam Jones CF Miguel Tejada 3B Garrett Atkins 1B Luke Scott DH Lou Montanez RF Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS Brad Bergesen RHP Tatum caught Brian Matusz in yesterday's intrasquad game, and he's catching Bergesen today. Should we read anything into it?

Yankees 11, Orioles 7

March 31, 2010, 9:55am

Luke Scott hit a two-run homer to left field in the ninth inning to complete the game's scoring. He connected off left-hander Royce Ring. He bats from the left side. There's really nothing left for me to say. Here's manager Dave Trembley on pitcher Jeremy Guthrie: "The two pitches that he threw to (Alex) Rodriguez to strike him out in the first inning were probably two of the better pitches he's thrown all spring." Is Trembley worried about Guthrie? "No." Why? "He makes real...

Quick game update

March 31, 2010, 9:53am

Patrick Egan, who pitched at Single-A Delmarva, Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie last year, moved over from the minor league camp to work the ninth inning tonight. He struck out the first two batters he faced and served up a home run to catcher P.J. Pilittere. Egan regrouped and recorded another strikeout. You know it's spring training when... Yankees 11, Orioles 5. Nolan Reimold has three more hits tonight, including two doubles. He came within an inch of hitting a home run in the...