Roch Kubatko

HernÃ¡ndez leaves game with elbow discomfort

March 16, 2021, 12:59pm

Orioles

HernÃ¡ndez leaves game with elbow discomfort

Veteran starter FÃ©lix HernÃ¡ndez left today's start against the Rays with discomfort in his right elbow. He's undergoing an examination and the Orioles should have more information in the morning. HernÃ¡ndez retired the side in order with two strikeouts, but manager Brandon Hyde sensed that there was an issue. "I thought the velo was the same," Hyde said following a 7-1 seven-inning loss in Port Charlotte. "He was getting outs, he had a good slider. I just thought the body language...

Franco deal official, HernÃ¡ndez leaves start early

March 16, 2021, 10:36am

Orioles

Franco deal official, HernÃ¡ndez leaves start early

Third baseman Maikel Franco entered the Orioles organization today about the same time that veteran pitcher FÃ©lix HernÃ¡ndez made a mysterious exit from his start against the Rays. Franco signed a one-year contract that pays $800,000, with a possible $200,000 in incentives, as first reported by MLB Network's Jon Heyman and confirmed by a source. Franco receives a bonus if he's traded, the same perk given to shortstop Freddy Galvis in January. Both sides agreed that Franco's option can...

Tags:

eric hanhold felix hernandez hunter harvey jorge lopez maikel franco marcos diplan orioles rio ruiz spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Hyde provides updates on Martin and Stewart (Franco signs)

March 16, 2021, 7:52am

Orioles

Hyde provides updates on Martin and Stewart (Franco signs)

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is withholding Richie Martin from his first game until after Thursday's off-day. Hyde is being cautious with Martin, who had the hamate bone removed from his left hand in January. Martin hit yesterday on a back field at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. "Wrist is feeling pretty good," Hyde said today on his Zoom call. "We're pushing him back a couple days. ... He's going to continue to take at-bats on the back field here. "It's just coming off a hamate and your...

Orioles and Rays lineups

March 16, 2021, 5:14am

Orioles

Richie Martin won't make his spring debut this afternoon against the Rays, with manager Brandon Hyde giving him a little more time following hamate bone surgery rather than sending him to Port Charlotte to play shortstop. Martin underwent the procedure in January after breaking the bone in Puerto Rico. He batted yesterday in a simulated game and was expected in the lineup today, but his first Grapefruit League activity remains on hold. The former Rule 5 pick said on his Zoom call that he'll...

Tags:

felix hernandez orioles ramon urias richie martin rio ruiz ryan mckenna ryan mountcastle rylan bannon spring training trey mancini tyler nevin yusniel diaz frontstory_orioles3

More on Maikel Franco as sides get closer to completing deal

March 15, 2021, 4:32pm

Orioles

More on Maikel Franco as sides get closer to completing deal

Learning more about future Orioles third baseman Maikel Franco requires pushing away from online statistics as if they're underneath the remains of a holiday spread. What else is out there? For me, it starts with learning how to pronounce his name. I've heard a couple of versions this week. Going back online to BaseballReference.com - never stray too far - it's "Michael Fraun-co" rather than "May-KEL Franco" or "MAY-kel Franco." You'll find him on Twitter if you search @maikelfranco7....

Tags:

brandon hyde chris davis hunter harvey mac sceroler maikel franco matt harvey orioles rio ruiz spring training tyler wells featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Ruiz's return a rousing success in 12-3 win

March 15, 2021, 1:12pm

Orioles

Ruiz's return a rousing success in 12-3 win

Rio Ruiz had something to say this afternoon before hopping on his media Zoom call. He knows about the club's pending move for free agent third baseman Maikel Franco and how it impacts him. He knows that missing more than a week with an illness and being 1-for-12 before today's game against the Pirates are sabotaging his attempts to make the club and keep his position. Ruiz isn't wearing blinders. He wore the look today of a much better version of himself. Ruiz made a diving stop and throw...

Tags:

anthony santander austin hay brandon hyde fernando abad freddy galvis gunnar henderson jordan westburg keegan akin maikel franco matt harvey orioles rio ruiz ryan mckenna shawn armstrong spring training tyler nevin featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Hyde updates Harvey, Martin and Ruiz

March 15, 2021, 7:59am

Orioles

An examination of Orioles reliever Hunter Harvey confirmed that he has a strained oblique, an injury suffered after throwing one pitch in Friday's game against the Phillies. Manager Brandon Hyde couldn't provide a timeline for Harvey's recovery, of course, but the former first-round pick is expected to go on the injured list. "He's going to miss some time," Hyde said in his Zoom call with the media. "How much time, we're not sure, just because obliques are tricky. But it's an injury....

Orioles and Pirates lineups

March 15, 2021, 5:11am

Orioles

Rio Ruiz has returned to the Orioles' lineup today, playing third base and batting seventh against the Pirates in Sarasota. Richie Martin isn't in the lineup, but could enter the game later. He's recovered from surgery in January to remove a broken left hamate bone and got some at-bats yesterday. Austin Hays is in left field again, with Cedric Mullins in center. Trey Mancini is the first baseman. Pat Valaika is the second baseman. Matt Harvey is making his second start after his three-inning...

Tags:

austin hays brandon hyde cedric mullins cesar valdez keegan akin matt harvey orioles pat valaika richie martin rio ruiz shawn armstrong spring training trey mancini lineups frontstory_orioles1

This, that and the other

March 14, 2021, 3:39pm

Orioles

With the Orioles working out the final details on a deal with free agent third baseman Maikel Franco, their pursuit intensifying late last night, according to an industry source, there are dominos set up to fall upon his arrival. The 40-man roster is full and a major league deal, pending a physical, would require a corresponding move. Rio Ruiz's future in the organization is in question. He could share the position with Franco, which limits the number of super-utility players able to travel...

Tags:

brandon hyde bruce zimmermann chris davis conner greene eric hanhold freddy galvis hunter harvey maikel franco orioles pat valiaka ramon urias rio ruiz spring training stevie wilkerson tanner scott featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

O's made offer to Franco, Kremer and Zimmermann shine

March 14, 2021, 11:54am

Orioles

O's made offer to Franco, Kremer and Zimmermann shine

Though the Orioles seemed more inclined to pass on the remaining free agents and wait for camp cuts or opt-outs, they're trying to work out a deal with third baseman Maikel Franco. A source confirmed today that the Orioles have an offer on the table. MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported that the sides are getting close. The Orioles definitely are trying to get Franco, which blows up roster predictions for opening day. Third base is the one unsettled position in camp. Rio Ruiz entered it as the...

Tags:

austin wynns brandon hyde bruce zimmermann dean kremer maikel franco orioles ramon urias ryan mckenna ryan mountcastle spring training travis lakins sr. featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Martin and Ruiz returning to lineup

March 14, 2021, 8:50am

Orioles

Richie Martin is advancing to an important stage in his recovery from hamate bone surgery. He's expected in Monday's lineup against the Pirates. Manager Brandon Hyde said today that Martin is getting at-bats in Sarasota and should play the following day. Martin underwent surgery in January to remove the bone, cutting into his bid to make the club in a utility-type role. He missed the truncated 2020 season due to a broken bone in his right wrist. "If he's good to go, he'll be in there...

Tags:

anthony santander brandon hyde maverick handley orioles richie martin rio ruiz spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Orioles and Tigers lineups (and more)

March 14, 2021, 4:57am

Orioles

Adley Rutschman is rewarded for yesterday's double, the Orioles' only hit in Dunedin, with a start today as the designated hitter against the Tigers in Lakeland. Rutschman is batting seventh, one spot ahead of Ryan McKenna, who gets the start in center field. Austin Wynns is behind the plate. Yolmer SÃ¡nchez is leading off. Ryan Mountcastle is in left field. Dean Kremer is making his third start after allowing three runs and walking three batters in 4 2/3 innings. He tossed three scoreless...

Leftovers for breakfast

March 13, 2021, 12:52pm

Orioles

In 12 exhibition games in 2019 after his trade to the Orioles, outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. collected 12 hits in 28 at-bats, hit five home runs and posted a 1.448 OPS. He slashed .241/.297/.412 in 392 plate appearances during the regular season. Catcher Chance Sisco went 13-for-34 (.382) with four home runs and 11 RBIs in the Grapefruit League, his 1.298 OPS ranking third on the club, but he batted .210 with a .729 OPS and played in only 58 games after the Orioles broke camp. Joey Rickard...

Rutschman provides lone offensive highlight in 5-0 loss

March 13, 2021, 11:22am

Orioles

Rutschman provides lone offensive highlight in 5-0 loss

Offensive support from the Orioles wasn't in vogue again today. Manager Brandon Hyde is trying to remain patient while wondering when it might come back in style. The Orioles were no-hit today in Dunedin, four walks their only noise, until Adley Rutschman's two-out double in the seventh that completed a 10-pitch at-bat against Blue Jays reliever Jordan Romano. Rutschman fouled off five in a row, per the Gameday pitch tracker, and drove a slider to center field in a 5-0 loss. He's 3-for-9...

Tags:

adley rutschman ashton goudeau brandon hyde conner greene eric hanhold felix hernandez mason mccoy matt harvey orioles spring training tanner scott wade leblanc featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Harvey injury leaves Hyde with bullpen choices

March 13, 2021, 7:56am

Orioles

Harvey injury leaves Hyde with bullpen choices

The likelihood of Hunter Harvey going on the injured list prior to opening day creates the latest curiosity in Orioles spring training. Exactly how the Orioles choose to replace him in the bullpen. Hyde could pivot and carry an extra bulk-type reliever rather than concentrate on a back end, one-inning type. The latter scenario would appear to make more sense with the team prioritizing length and having an abundance of candidates to fit the description. Folding another closer candidate into the...

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

March 13, 2021, 3:57am

Orioles

Wade LeBlanc has resurfaced to start today's game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, his first Grapefruit League appearance since tossing two scoreless innings on March 3. LeBlanc has been building innings on the back fields. The Orioles are putting Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays in the same outfield again today - Mullins in center and Hays in left. They're batting first and second in the order. Yusniel Diaz is in right field. Chance Sisco is the designated hitter and Jahmai Jones is the...

Tags:

austin hays cedric mullins chance sisco orioles rio ruiz rylan bannon spring training tyler nevin wade leblanc yusniel diaz frontstory_orioles1

This, that and the other

March 12, 2021, 2:56pm

Orioles

The growing possibility that Chris Davis begins the season in the injured list, whatever its length, removes the misguided argument that he's blocking a prospect. Davis hasn't done it. Prospects aren't kept at Triple-A or the alternate camp because he's in the organization. Ryan Mountcastle wasn't making the club on opening day 2020. Yusniel Diaz isn't making it next month. (Mountcastle is 2-for-19 with a double, home run, five RBIs, no walks and four strikeouts. Don't panic.) A four-man...

Hunter Harvey exits 6-2 loss with oblique injury (Fenter returned)

March 12, 2021, 11:29am

Orioles

Hunter Harvey exits 6-2 loss with oblique injury (Fenter returned)

Orioles reliever Hunter Harvey threw one pitch today and left the mound. The same questions about injuries and durability followed him. At least it wasn't Harvey's arm, the only good news attached to the scene. The Orioles announced that Harvey injured his left oblique, which should keep him off the opening day roster and adjust the team's bullpen plans. An oblique doesn't heal quickly. The Orioles have plenty of references at their disposal. Today was supposed to mark the third appearance...

Tags:

alexander wells anthony santander brandon hyde cesar valdez evan phillips hunter harvey isaac mattson john means michael baumann mickey jannis orioles pat valaika paul fry spring training trey mancini yolmer sanchez zac lowther featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Orioles allowing fans inside Camden Yards at 25 percent capacity

March 12, 2021, 6:50am

Orioles

In the latest sign that Major League Baseball is moving in carefully measured increments toward the normalcy that didn't exist last summer, the Orioles are allowing fans back into Camden Yards at 25 percent capacity to begin the 2021 season. In observation of social distancing guidelines and approved capacity limits, the club will begin the season by hosting approximately 11,000 fans per game, according to a press release issued this morning. As the public health situation improves, the...

Tags:

brandon hyde cesar valdez hunter harvey isaac mattson john means orioles paul fry richie martin rio ruiz spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Orioles lineup vs. Phillies

March 12, 2021, 3:54am

Orioles

Trey Mancini is making his third start today in the last four days, going back to first base for a 1:05 p.m. game versus the Phillies in Sarasota. Mancini is 4-for-14 with an RBI and is searching for his first extra-base hit. He underwent surgery exactly one year ago to remove a malignant tumor from his colon, but has made a full recovery and is expected to be in the opening day lineup. Austin Hays gets his turn in center field and Ryan McKenna is in right. Rio Ruiz, who's 1-for-12 this...