Roch Kubatko

Digging deeper into some remaining business in camp

March 05, 2021, 11:27am

Orioles

Digging deeper into some remaining business in camp

The business beyond evaluating players in exhibition games, organizing workouts and keeping everyone safe includes daily checks of the free agent market and discussing how to set up the alternate camp site and how to fill it. The Orioles haven't dismissed the idea of adding to their spring training roster, with pitching always a priority, but they are shifting their focus to the waiver wire as cuts are made in the coming weeks and tracking which minor leaguers have opt-out clauses in their...

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Reviewing Harvey's start, Mountcastle's homer and a 13-4 loss

March 05, 2021, 11:20am

Orioles

Reviewing Harvey's start, Mountcastle's homer and a 13-4 loss

The contract was signed and workouts monitored. The ball was handed to him today in Dunedin, Fla. But Matt Harvey wouldn't really fit in with the Orioles until he faced Blue Jays outfielder Randal Grichuk. Now he's truly a member of the club. Making his debut appearance, Harvey loaded the bases in the first inning and Grichuk drove in two runs with a double in Toronto's 13-4 win in Dunedin. Pat Valaika and Ryan Mountcastle homered for the Orioles, who are 2-3-1. Catcher Nick Ciuffo drove in...

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Lowther soaking in camp experience

March 05, 2021, 7:36am

Orioles

Confidence isn't running in short supply for Zac Lowther. He didn't pitch in 2019 because COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the minor league season. He hasn't faced hitters above the Double-A level. Every projection for this summer places him at Triple-A Norfolk, where he'll be playing the waiting game between starts. But ask Lowther how close he is to being a major league pitcher and the answer comes firmly and without hesitation. But also not cocky in nature. "I feel like I'm there....

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Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

March 05, 2021, 3:25am

Orioles

Tyler Nevin gets the start at first base and Brett Cumberland is the designated hitter for today's game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla. RamÃ³n Urias is making back-to-back starts, being a late replacement for Freddy Galvis at shortstop yesterday and starting at second base today. Galvis remains day-to-day with a sore hip. Pat Valaika is the shortstop today. Ryan Mountcastle is in left field and Austin Hays is in center. First baseman Chris Davis remains out of the lineup with a...

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Zimmermann and UrÃas making early impressions in camp

March 04, 2021, 1:26pm

Orioles

Zimmermann and UrÃas making early impressions in camp

Brandon Hyde won't overreact to individual production in early exhibition games. Like any manager, he'll place his judgments on hold until later. In the meantime, there are players assured of roster spots on opening day who just want to get ready. Players on the fringes who can get bumped in either direction. Important that they know the difference. The latter group can't be sluggish coming out of the gate, no matter how patient the manager is and how measured his reactions. Left-hander...

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UrÃas homers as late substitute in 6-3 win

March 04, 2021, 10:56am

Orioles

UrÃas homers as late substitute in 6-3 win

Freddy Galvis was going to play shortstop today. Ramon UrÃas was supposed to wait his next turn. Manager Brandon Hyde scratched Galvis from the lineup with a sore hip and inserted UrÃas, who belted a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning to give the Orioles a 6-3 win over the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. The Orioles improved their record to 2-2-1. UrÃas didn't hurt his chances of making the team, though a decision is pending on the length of the bench. UrÃas is...

Wells and Martin getting healthier in camp (Galvis scratched)

March 04, 2021, 6:17am

Orioles

Wells and Martin getting healthier in camp (Galvis scratched)

The injury news in Orioles camp seems to be improving, with one notable exception. Pitcher Alexander Wells reported to the complex with a sore oblique, similar to his ailment last spring, but he's able to play catch as he inches closer to his first game. Wells was placed on the 40-man roster to protect him in the Rule 5 draft. He was throwing and facing hitters in Australia before traveling to the United States. The Orioles are intrigued by Wells' control - he's averaged only 1.4 walks per...

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Orioles and Red Sox lineups

March 04, 2021, 4:31am

Orioles

Ryan McKenna is starting in left field today as the Orioles host the Red Sox. Cedric Mullins is back in center field and atop the order, alternating with Austin Hays. Yusniel Diaz gets his first start in right field after twice playing left field. Trey Mancini is the first baseman. Rylan Bannon is at third base instead of Rio Ruiz. For the Orioles Cedric Mullins CF Trey Mancini 1B Anthony Santander DH Pedro Severino C Freddy Galvis SS Yusniel Diaz RF Yolmer SÃ¡nchez 2B Rylan Bannon 3B Ryan...

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austin hays bruce zimmermann cedric mullins eric hanhold orioles rio ruiz rylan bannon shawn armstrong travis lakins sr. trey mancini yusniel diaz lineups frontstory_orioles3

What comes next with Triple-A season pushed back?

March 03, 2021, 3:29pm

Orioles

What comes next with Triple-A season pushed back?

The Orioles knew that the Triple-A season could be pushed back at least a month, along with the other affiliates in baseball. The ESPN.com report Wednesday night didn't really blindside anyone in the organization. Only the timing enabled it to sneak up on some people. They were told that it could be announced by mid-March, but the news came a little bit earlier than that. How the Orioles deal with the latest changes due to COVID-19 and the need for more vaccinations is a work in progress....

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Orioles outfielders keep shining in 8-1 win

March 03, 2021, 10:53am

Orioles

The Orioles are flashing their outfield depth in spring training. Reports of its impressive nature weren't exaggerated. Same with the level of intensity in the competition. Austin Hays, trying to win the center field job, had a single, two-run homer and stolen base today in an 8-1, seven-inning victory over the Braves in North Port, Fla. DJ Stewart is at his best, he insists, when he's spraying line drives and concentrating on base hits instead of home runs. The power just seems to come...

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Tyler Nevin on joining Orioles and relationship with father

March 03, 2021, 7:06am

Orioles

Tyler Nevin finished a round of batting practice last month in Orioles camp and caught the eye of executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias, who offered a hint at how the organization viewed him in the field. "I got here and I was hitting and Elias was behind the cage watching," Nevin recounted this morning in his Zoom conference call. "I got out and rolled around the cage and he goes, 'Hey, did you bring all your gloves?' I said, 'Yep,' and he goes, 'OK, you're going to need...

Orioles lineup vs. Braves

March 03, 2021, 3:15am

Orioles

After catching knuckleballer Mickey Jannis yesterday, Orioles top prospect Adley Rutschman is serving as the designated hitter this afternoon against the Braves in North Port. The Orioles (0-2-1) also have Jahmai Jones in their lineup as the second baseman. Ryan Mountcastle is in left field. Austin Hays is leading off and playing center field. DJ Stewart is the right fielder and cleanup hitter. Chance Sisco is catching today, getting at least one at-bat against Braves left-hander Drew Smyly....

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adley rutschman austin hays chance sisco chris davis chris shaw jahmai jones mickey jannis orioles ryan mountcastle spring training trey mancini frontstory_orioles2

This, that and the other

March 02, 2021, 1:21pm

Orioles

The reduction in rosters to 26 players and the possibility of manager Brandon Hyde carrying 14 pitchers really has tightened the utility competition at spring training. A three-man bench with a backup catcher and extra outfielder probably would leave room only for Pat Valaika, who must be designated as the favorite after batting .277/.315/.475 with four doubles and eight home runs in 2020, playing six positions and signing for $875,000 in January to avoid arbitration. A fourth reserve would...

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Hyde on Means, Mullins, Rutschman and more

March 02, 2021, 11:11am

Orioles

Hyde on Means, Mullins, Rutschman and more

Orioles left-hander John Means was told that he'd pitch two innings today. He had no idea that he would come out of the first early and re-enter the game later. Manager Brandon Hyde had a plan with Means' pitch count rising against the Yankees. He pulled his ace and returned him to the mound in the second. "That's a new rule this year that we have a couple backup pitchers for every game in case a situation like that occurs," Hyde said on his Zoom call after a 4-2, seven-inning loss at Ed...

Notes on Davis, upcoming starters, Valdez and more

March 02, 2021, 6:26am

Orioles

Notes on Davis, upcoming starters, Valdez and more

Chris Davis is day-to-day with a lower back strain, explaining his absence in today's lineup against the Yankees. Apparently, it's health-related rather than the Orioles facing left-hander Jordan Montgomery. Manager Brandon Hyde said Davis sustained the injury during his last at-bat in Sunday's exhibition opener against the Pirates. Davis struck out earlier and left the game after two plate appearances. "He felt it tug on him a little bit on the fly ball to right," Hyde said during his...

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Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

March 02, 2021, 3:15am

Orioles

Trey Mancini is the Orioles designated hitter for today's game against the Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. Mancini is going to alternate between first base and DH, with day off in between. Cedric Mullins is back in center field and atop the order. Yusniel Diaz is back in left field after homering in Sunday's opener against the Pirates. Stevie Wilkerson gets the start at first base and RamÃ³n UrÃas is the third baseman. Chris Davis is on the bench today after serving as the designated hitter...

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Divvying up the players in camp

March 01, 2021, 3:15pm

Orioles

The Orioles' spring training camp is divided into categories, and the lines between them aren't blurred. Outfielder DJ Stewart, who launched a two-run homer yesterday in Clearwater, Fla., is in the group of players likely to make the club and simply trying to avoid giving it reasons to resist. Starter Jorge LÃ³pez allowed two runs and five hits in two innings. The best part of his day was being able to come back out for the second. LÃ³pez is vying for a spot in the rotation, but he's out...

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brandon hyde dj stewart felix hernandez jorge lopez keegan akin mac sceroler matt harvey orioles rio ruiz ryan mountcastle tyler wells wade leblanc yusniel diaz zac lowther featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Stewart stands out in 4-4 tie with Phillies

March 01, 2021, 11:21am

Orioles

Stewart stands out in 4-4 tie with Phillies

Yesterday's exhibition opener felt more like an orange carpet event marking the latest inspiring achievement in Trey Mancini's comeback from colon cancer surgery. Today's game against the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., which ended in a 4-4 tie after seven innings, placed the spotlight on a former first-round draft pick and a couple of Rule 5 selections. Less emotion, for sure, but an important day for evaluating talent. DJ Stewart said he's more of a "line drive, base hit guy," but he...

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austin hays brandon hyde dj stewart evan phillips john means jorge lopez mac sceroler orioles ryan mountcastle tyler wells wade leblanc zac lowther featured_sidebar katie krause frontstory_orioles1

Akin seeking consistency in 2021

March 01, 2021, 5:19am

Orioles

Eight games into his major league career, Keegan Akin has become a go-to guy inside the Orioles clubhouse and on the back fields at their spring training complex. Eight games make him appear worldly in this environment. The camp is loaded with players waiting to make their debuts and seeking advice. They gravitate toward experience. Akin is willing to offer his assistance with just 25 2/3 innings of his own. Akin is paying it forward after John Means mentored him last year. "It's pretty cool...

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alexander wells brandon hyde john means keegan akin michael baumann orioles spring training tyler nevin zac lowther featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Orioles and Phillies lineups

March 01, 2021, 3:23am

Orioles

Austin Hays is leading off today as the Orioles make their first spring road trip, traveling to Clearwater, Fla., to play the Phillies. Hays is in center field, Ryan Mountcastle is in left and DJ Stewart is in right. Rio Ruiz is the third baseman and cleanup hitter. Manager Brandon Hyde's lineup includes Tyler Nevin at first base and Brett Cumberland as the designated hitter. Chance Sisco is behind the plate. For the Orioles Austin Hays CF DJ Stewart RF Ryan Mountcastle LF Rio Ruiz 3B Chance...