Roch Kubatko

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...

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Andy MacPhail

Guthrie on Guthrie (and game update)

March 31, 2010, 9:52am

Tonight's attendance: 8,208. That's an Ed Smith Stadium record for baseball. Mark Hendrickson only gave the Orioles two-thirds of an inning, and it included David Winfree's three-run homer. Yankees 8, Orioles 4. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz instructed Jeremy Guthrie to "ramp it up" tonight in preparation for the regular season. That might explain Guthrie's wildness. It's a theory. "I wasn't able to get in a zone like I needed to get in a zone, and the result was a lot of walks, hit...

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J.J. Hardy

Guthrie's done for the night

March 31, 2010, 9:52am

Jeremy Guthrie has been replaced by Mark Hendrickson after allowing five runs (four earned) in five innings. I posted the rest of his line in my previous entry. I have Guthrie throwing 93 pitches, 53 for strikes. Guthrie has surrendered 19 runs (17 earned) and 28 hits in 20 2/3 innings this spring, with 13 walks and 16 strikeouts. His ERA actually dropped from 7.47 to 7.40, but he'll be 0-4 unless the Orioles rally to take the lead. He's projected to be the No. 2 starter coming out of...

Teixeira update (and game update)

March 31, 2010, 9:51am

Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is day-to-day with a bruised right elbow. A Yankees spokesman said X-rays weren't taken on Teixeira's arm, which surprises me. I figured it was automatically done. Orioles team orthopedist Dr. Tim Johnson and a Yankees physician examined Teixeira. Meanwhile, Jeremy Guthrie struck out the side in the fifth. He's allowed five runs (four earned) and three hits, walked four, struck out seven and hit two batters. He's thrown 93 pitches, 53 for strikes, by...

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Dave Trembley

Guthrie update

March 31, 2010, 9:51am

The Yankees loaded the bases against Jeremy Guthrie with no outs in the fourth inning. They must want him to pitch from the stretch, like Rick Kranitz did with Brian Matusz in the intrasquad game. Nick Johnson struck out looking before David Winfree, who replaced Mark Teixeira and shouldn't be confused with David Winfield, grounded to first. Yankees 5, Orioles 1. Guthrie began the inning by hitting Francisco Cervelli, and shortstop Cesar Izturis complicated it by committing an error....

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Bryce Harper

B-Rob's first hit

March 31, 2010, 9:50am

After striking out in the first inning, Brian Roberts doubled off the fence in right field with one out in the third. Bring on Opening Day. Roberts had struck out in all four plate appearances before pulling a 1-1 pitch from Yankees starter Javier Vazquez. Meanwhile, Jeremy Guthrie retired the side in order in the third, including a strikeout of Robinson Cano, who hit a three-run homer off him in the first. Guthrie threw eight pitches, seven for strikes.

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Kevin Gregg

Long blast against Guthrie (updated)

March 31, 2010, 9:43am

Robinson Cano hit a three-run homer off Jeremy Guthrie with two outs in the first inning. Yankees 3, Orioles 0. Nick Johnson walked and Mark Teixeira singled with one out. Alex Rodriguez struck out with the count full, but Cano launched a pitch over the left-center field fence. We have a 24-mph wind blowing out. Not sure it mattered. Guthrie threw 19 pitches, nine for strikes. Update: The struggle continues. Guthrie hit Mark Teixeira on the right elbow with two outs in the second inning...

More pre-game Trembley

March 31, 2010, 9:42am

Orioles manager Dave Trembley has told players where they'll bat on Opening Day, but he'll continue to move guys around during the final week of spring training. "You always have to have other plans and other backups," he said. "You've got to keep playing with it and use spring training for your benefit. Spring training is to have options, experiment, move guys around. I'm not trying to decoy anybody. I'm not trying to keep you guys (reporters) guessing. It's a long season. You're...

Millwood finally official (updated twice)

March 31, 2010, 9:41am

Orioles manager Dave Trembley announced that Kevin Millwood will start the opener at Tropicana Field.. Continue to breathe normally. Trembley also said he'll probably reveal the rest of his rotation after tomorrow's game. The decision won't hinge on the upcoming starts by Chris Tillman and David Hernandez. Both pitchers will know their roles before taking the mound. Sure sounds like Hernandez is going to be the fifth starter. Trembley dropped a strong hint that Felix Pie will be in the...

Yankees lineup (and upcoming pitchers)

March 31, 2010, 9:34am

Derek Jeter SS Nick Johnson DH Mark Teixeira 1B Alex Rodriguez 3B Robinson Cano 2B Marcus Thames LF Randy Winn RF Francisco Cervelli C Greg Golson CF Javier Vazquez RHP Brad Bergesen will oppose Detroit's Dontrelle Willis tomorrow afternoon. Chris Tillman faces Boston's Jon Lester on Wednesday. The Orioles travel to Port Charlotte on Thursday, where David Hernandez will face Tampa Bay's Mike Ekstrom.

MASN rotation tonight

March 31, 2010, 9:33am

The Miami Herald's Clark Spencer tweets that the Pirates claimed former Orioles pitcher Hayden Penn off waivers. The Marlins tried to sneak him through. Let's keep talking about former Orioles. Eddie Murray is scheduled to join the MASN booth tonight in the third inning. Mike Boddicker will stop by in the sixth. MASN sideline reporter Amber Theoharis will interview Ben McDonald in the fourth and Brady Anderson in the seventh. Murray, Boddicker and McDonald are inside the Orioles...

Mickolio update

March 31, 2010, 9:32am

Kam Mickolio is hoping to pitch tomorrow after being shut down for a few days with a sore groin. Mickolio hasn't pitched since Thursday. He said the discomfort started while he was running spints as part of his conditioning drills. "I think I'm back to almost full strength," he said. "It's just a little soreness."

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Mark Reynolds

Matusz on Matusz

March 31, 2010, 9:32am

Brian Matusz felt like he went eight innings today, though it was closer to nine. The official count says seven. That's what happens when you keep tacking on more outs. The Orioles wanted to raise his innings and pitches, and give him the feel for staying on the mound while a little fatigued. "It was good. I was getting ahead of guys, throwing strikes," he said. The Orioles also wanted Matusz to work on his slide step, which is one reason they put runners on base. Somebody had to do...

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Adrian Beltre

Orioles lineup

March 31, 2010, 9:30am

Brian Roberts 2B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott 1B Matt Wieters C Garrett Atkins DH Nolan Reimold LF Cesar Izturis SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP Javier Vazquez is starting for the Yankees.

More Matusz (updated)

March 31, 2010, 8:56am

Brian Matusz has completed five innings in the intrasquad game, and he hasn't allowed a runner to reach since my last entry. Pitching coach Rick Kranitz wanted Matusz to work from the stretch, so he put a runner on second base in the fifth. Yes, you know it's spring training when... The Orioles want Matusz to throw around 100 pitches. Alfredo Simon gave up a run in the fourth. This game is comprised mostly of minor leaguers. Craig Tatum is catching Matusz. Update: Kranitz put a runner...

Matusz pitching today

March 31, 2010, 8:56am

Brian Matusz has allowed one baserunner through three innings in an intrasquad game. Matusz walked the leadoff batter and got a double play. Josh Bell made a diving stop and throw along the third base line to rob Pedro Florimon in the third inning. Rain forced cancellation of the minor league game, so the Orioles are improvising.

Evening shade

March 31, 2010, 8:55am

The last game under the lights will be played tonight at Ed Smith Stadium, and you can catch it on MASN and 105.7 The Fan. You also can stick close to the blog. I'll be cranking out the copy again. The Yankees are in town, but that's not all. New MASN analysts Eddie Murray, Brady Anderson, Ben McDonald and Mike Boddicker also are here. We should know soon whether Koji Uehara is beginning the season in the bullpen or on the disabled list. He's got to have a side session this week and pitch...