Roch Kubatko

Injury updates (updated)

March 24, 2010, 7:15am

Matt Wieters hit a monstrous home run to center field in the sixth inning after the Blue Jays' Aaron Hill unleashed a two-run shot off Alberto Castillo in the bottom of the fifth. I guess it's a good thing I listed his spring stats before the game. Toronto 11, Orioles 3. Koji Uehara exited the game with a strained left hamstring. Craig Tatum has a bruised left hand. That's one banged-up battery. Tatum and Uehara were hurt in a span of eight pitches. We'll check on them after the...

More on Koji

March 24, 2010, 7:11am

Matt Albers served up a two-run homer to Chris Lubanski in the bottom of the eighth inning. Toronto 13, Orioles 3. Koji Uehara also had a left hamstring issue last year, but he said the discomfort is in a different spot this time. "When I made the last pitch, I felt something in my hamstring," he said. Asked if he's concerned, Uehara said, "I'm always concerned."

Post-game Trembley

March 24, 2010, 7:09am

Manager Dave Trembley clarified Craig Tatum's injury as a bruised left index finger. Tatum was injured on his 27th birthday. It just doesn't seem fair. Asked about his concern over Koji Uehara's hamstring, Trembley replied, "I won't know until tomorrow." Trembley noted that Jeremy Guthrie "pitched up" and "pitched behind." "I will be interested to see how he pitches the next time," Trembley added. Trembley praised Luke Scott for the way he's hitting against both right-handers...

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Justin Turner

The bullpen blues

March 24, 2010, 7:08am

We have a night game in Clearwater, so my morning is free. And what better way to spend it than approving comments that have been sitting for 12 hours? Sorry about that. I raced back from Dunedin yesterday, went to the gym and met up with friends at Evie's on Bee Ridge Rd, where I watched more of my NCAA bracket crumble like the Orioles' pitching yesterday. Way to step up, Georgetown. Since I mentioned the Orioles' pitching, it's worth noting that Mark Hendrickson is the only one who...

Still waiting on Gonzo (updated)

March 24, 2010, 7:07am

We're in the third inning of the Triple-A game, and still no sign of Mike Gonzalez. He's slated to pitch one inning. We thought it would be the third, but Armando Gabino is on the mound. Troy Patton allowed a run over two innings against Boston's Triple-A team. Meanwhile, president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail says Koji Uehara is day-to-day with a sore left hamstring. X-rays on Craig Tatum's left index finger were negative. Also day-to-day. UPDATE: Gonzalez is now warming up...

Gonzo gets going

March 24, 2010, 7:06am

Mike Gonzalez tossed a scoreless sixth inning in today's Triple-A game in Sarasota. Most important, Gonzalez completed the inning. He didn't leave after facing two batters, which happened in his last appearance because of lower-back stiffness. Gonzalez threw eight pitches, five for strikes. He gave up a leadoff triple, but the runner was erased on a 5-2 fielder's choice. Gonzalez's fastball topped out at 89 mph.

Orioles lineup and Gonzo

March 24, 2010, 7:05am

Robert Andino SS Ty Wigginton 2B Nolan Reimold DH Luke Scott LF Garrett Atkins 1B Lou Montanez RF Josh Bell 3B Chad Moeller C Jeff Salazar CF Brian Matusz LHP Here's what Mike Gonzalez said about his eight-pitch relief stint today: "It felt good. Every day it's getting a little better. Obviously it was a great idea for me to come out here and throw. I was able to get treatment right before the game and after the game, instead of going to Clearwater. It's coming along. It's just...

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Brian Roberts

Roberts update (with Koji update)

March 24, 2010, 7:05am

Brian Roberts has been cleared by Dr. Lewis Riley, the back specialist at Johns Hopkins, to begin performing baseball-related activities today. Roberts, who received an epidural from Riley on Monday, was preparing to take the field and run, throw, field some grounders and hit off a tee. Roberts said he can't really notice much of a difference in his back without attempting these activites. "Not too much. Maybe a little bit," he said. "My main test is going to be baseball...

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Felix Pie

Pre-game notes

March 24, 2010, 7:03am

It seemed like a curious move when the Orioles optioned Double-A reliever Wilfrido Perez to Double-A Bowie while also adding 17 players for tomorrow's two split-squad games. Manager Dave Trembley offered the following explanation: "The situation with him is, the minor league games have started. Let's get him pitching in the games. He's right on track to start pitching. A guy coming off arm surgery, he's done very well. Left-handed, has a lot of value and is important to us. Needs to go...

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Mike Gonzalez

More Koji (and minor leaguers added)

March 24, 2010, 7:01am

Please allow me to introduce myself...and to pass along some quotes from Koji Uehara. I've got the complete transcript for you. Enjoy. His timeline: "I am thinking to play catch tomorrow. That's what I am thinking." When he'll return to the mound: "At this moment, I don't know." How he's feeling now: "Similar to yesterday." If he's in pain: "When I am walking around, I feel fine. If I could not walk, I wouldn't be able to come here." When he'll be able to run: "We...

Matusz on the mound (part 2)

March 24, 2010, 7:00am

Brian Matusz didn't allow a ball out of the infield in the top of the first inning, getting two bouncers to short and one to second. Matusz threw eight pitches, five for strikes. Didn't the Phillies learn their lesson the last time? I'll tack on his second inning in this entry. Stay tuned. The second inning: You thought I was joking? Matusz issued his first walk in 10 spring innings when Ryan Howard reached to open the second. Raul Ibanez struck out on three pitches, but Jayson Werth...

Matusz still on the mound (part 2)

March 24, 2010, 6:58am

The Phillies didn't get the ball out of the infield in the third inning, which began with Brian Matusz striking out pitcher Kyle Kendrick and shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Shane Victorino popped to first base to keep the Phillies hitless and the game scoreless. Matusz threw 13 pitches, nine for strikes. That makes 40 pitches and 23 strikes in three innings. The Orioles have one hit, a leadoff double from Robert Andino in the first. Andino walked in the third inning, stole second and took third...

Finally, we have runs

March 24, 2010, 6:57am

The Orioles loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth inning on singles by Lou Montanez and Josh Bell, and a walk to Chad Moeller. They scored twice to take a 2-0 lead over the Phillies. Jeff Salazar's fielder's choice grounder brought home Montanez, and Bell scored on Robert Andino's fly ball to center. Andino is 1-for-1 with a double, RBI, walk and stolen base. Nice hustle by Bell on his single. He took second on left fielder Raul Ibanez's throw back to the infield, leaving first base...

Nothing else Matusz (updated)

March 24, 2010, 6:55am

That's five hitless innings for left-hander Brian Matusz, and another nice escape. Josh Bell's throwing error allowed Jayson Werth to reach second base with no outs. Greg Dobbs grounded to first, Brian Schneider lined to second and pinch-hitter John Mayberry Jr. struck out. Not a problem. Matusz threw 12 pitches, nine for strikes. He's thrown 42 of his 68 pitches for strikes tonight. He also has 18 strikeouts in 14 innings this spring. Bell booted Werth's grounder, but he kept the ball...

Quick game update (updated)

March 24, 2010, 6:54am

Will Ohman retired both batters he faced, with one strikeout, after replacing Brian Matusz. He still hasn't allowed a run in six appearances. Jim Johnson, who allowed three runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings before tonight, walked a batter and struck out two in a scoreless seventh. The Phillies still don't have a hit as we enter the top of the eighth with the Orioles leading, 2-0. Update: John Mayberry Jr. singled off Dennis Sarfate with one out in the eighth inning to end the Orioles'...

As a Matusz of fact

March 24, 2010, 6:52am

Manager Dave Trembley had nothing but good things to say about Brian Matusz after tonight's 2-0 victory over the Phillies. "Doesn't matter who he faces, doesn't matter what lineup he's facing, he doesn't get out of his lane," Trembley said. "That's Brian Matusz, the way he pitches. He just has a feel for pitching. And he knows what he's doing. "He's going to be real special. We saw it last year. He's picked up right where he left off in his last start of the year. He's got great...

Orioles lineups

March 24, 2010, 6:51am

vs. Pirates in Sarasota: Felix Pie LF Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott 1B Matt Wieters C Nolan Reimold DH Ty Wigginton 2B Cesar Izturis SS Brad Bergesen RHP vs. Red Sox in Fort Myers: Robert Andino 3B Justin Turner 2B Lou Montanez LF Garrett Atkins 1B Jeff Salazar CF Josh Bell DH Craig Tatum C Miguel Abreu RF Blake Davis SS Chris Tillman RHP Jake Arrieta also will pitch against the Red Sox. The Orioles get their second look at knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

Nolan needs to get rollin'

March 24, 2010, 6:50am

Unless something changes in the next 24 hours, manager Dave Trembley said closer Mike Gonzalez will pitch against the Phillies tomorrow in Clearwater, rather than appear in another Triple-A game in Sarasota. As I approached Nolan Reimold's locker this morning, he grew sentimental for the days when I would check on his sore Achilles. Anything beats talk of his 0-for-19. I figured that I was doing him a favor. He was tired of updating reporters on his health and having his gait analyzed....

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where in the yard

A few nuggets (with Pirates lineup)

March 24, 2010, 6:49am

As always, choose your favorite dipping sauce. Outfielder Kyle Hudson was supposed to travel to Fort Myers as part of the minor league contingent for today's game against the Red Sox, but Ronnie Welty is taking his place. The Orioles will wear their black batting practice jerseys for that game, in case you were wondering. Here are the pitchers for some upcoming games: Tomorrow's minor league game: David Hernandez, Mark Hendrickson, Jason Berken. Tuesday in Jupiter (Marlins): Jeremy...

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Jhonatan Solano Stephen Strasburg

Quick Koji update

March 24, 2010, 6:48am

Orioles pitcher Koji Uehara decided not to play catch today to test his sore left hamstring. "Maybe tomorrow," he said through interpreter Jiwon Bang. Uehara said there's "no particular reason" why he's delaying the flat-ground session for at least one more day. "I could have done it today," he said, "but I wanted to do some weight lifting on my upper body." I'll pass along some pre-game quotes from manager Dave Trembley in a few minutes.