Roch Kubatko

Orioles notes on minicamp and free agent possibilities

January 07, 2021, 3:27pm

Orioles

The Orioles are proceeding as though their pitchers and catchers will report to spring training on Feb. 16. As though there will be a full slate of workouts and exhibition games, followed by opening day on April 1 in Boston. They can't let the unpredictability of a pandemic influence their plans. Adjustments will be made if necessary. In the meantime, it's been deemed safe to hold a minicamp from Monday-Wednesday at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, with players and coaches following in-season...

Sulser on working with Holmes and Holt

January 06, 2021, 3:59pm

Orioles

The change in titles for Darren Holmes from Orioles bullpen coach to assistant pitching coach won't distance him from the relievers. He's going to have the same vantage point for games, with the same influence. That's good news to Cole Sulser, who said he benefited from his work with Holmes in 2020. "It was great. It was a fantastic experience," Sulser said this week. "I think his wealth of knowledge with how many years he played in major bullpen roles was a great resource for all of us...

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Holt tasked with setting innings restrictions and freedoms

January 06, 2021, 3:52pm

Orioles

Holt tasked with setting innings restrictions and freedoms

In his second year as a major league manager, Brandon Hyde had to guide the Orioles through an unprecedented season in the midst of a pandemic. In his first season as a major league pitching coach, Chris Holt will assume responsibility of a staff that's never before had to ramp back up following a 60-game schedule and now faces the uncertainty of 2021. How, exactly, is that going to work? Holt didn't seem the least bit worried about it during yesterday's Zoom conference call with the media....

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Holt: "My primary job is the major league pitching staff"

January 06, 2021, 10:54am

Orioles

Holt: "My primary job is the major league pitching staff"

Giving Chris Holt two titles and sets of responsibilities raised one very interesting question. How would he blend his roles as Orioles pitching coach and director of pitching? Holt made it clear this afternoon in a Zoom conference call with the media that his new assignment as Doug Brocail's replacement is the top priority. "My primary job is the major league pitching staff," he said. "The goal of remaining the director of pitching is to have a top-down approach, make sure there's...

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Sulser on trying to pitch through injury (updated)

January 05, 2021, 1:18pm

Orioles

Sulser on trying to pitch through injury (updated)

To reduce the number of free passes he issued last summer, Orioles reliever Cole Sulser thinks he just needs to be more careful walking around his apartment. Sulser injured his right foot in a freakish accident that he believes led to inconsistencies in his delivery and mechanics, and the eventual loss of his job as closer. He averaged 6.8 walks per nine innings, compared to 2.7 over six minor league seasons. So what happened to Sulser, who made his first opening day roster and topped the...

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Orioles announce 2021 coaching staff

January 05, 2021, 10:27am

Orioles

The Orioles announced their 2021 coaching staff this afternoon, which provided further confirmation that Tony Mansolino is handling third base duties and infield instruction. Mansolino, 38, replaces JosÃ© Flores, who isn't returning after two seasons in the organization. News of Mansolino's hiring broke last month. He was the Indians' infield instructor and filled in at third base after Mike Sarbaugh moved into the dugout to serve as acting manager Sandy Alomar's bench coach. Mansolino...

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Cueing some curiosities in 2021

January 04, 2021, 12:31pm

Orioles

The Baltimore baseball media often was promised during manager Buck Showalter's tenure that its curiosity soon would be satisfied. Mostly, yes. Sometimes, no. I'm curious whether spring training is going to start on the dates set for each club. Of course, every team is being told to get ready for it. The same message was sent in October. What's the alternative? Better to keep that mindset and adjust later if necessary, rather than assume a delay and then be surprised when camp opens on time....

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Focusing on Orioles who can expect extra attention

January 02, 2021, 11:22am

Orioles

Anyone can perform under the lights, but what about a microscope? A few Orioles are destined to attract more attention than others in camp and during the season, whether due to prospect status, health, recent hiring or set of responsibilities. There's no escaping it. Rather than wait, let's get it started now and avoid the rush. Third base coach Tony Mansolino The coaching staff has undergone more changes, with Mansolino the outside hire as the replacement for JosÃ© Flores. Being a third...

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Five things that won't happen in 2021

January 01, 2021, 9:33am

Orioles

I don't know much, but I've got a pretty firm grasp on what won't happen with the Orioles. Predictions can work that way, too. I'll avoid the painfully obvious stuff like, "The Orioles won't carry one catcher on their opening day roster." Or, "The Orioles won't replace the warehouse with LEGO blocks." Or, "The Orioles won't move to Nashville at the All-Star break." My insults won't be aimed at your intelligence. Since every sportswriter list apparently has to contain five items...

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This, that and the other

January 01, 2021, 9:00am

Orioles

The hiring of Quincy Boyd last month as an area scout was prompted by Rich Morales' departure from the Orioles. Morales accepted a West Coast position with the Mets. Why did Morales, who signed outfielder Cedric Mullins and catcher Austin Wynns and won the Jim Russo Scout of the Year Award in 2018, make the move across the country? "It was not an easy decision to leave the Orioles, but an opportunity was presented to me to get me back home on the West Coast," he said. "My father is 77 now...

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Hess on Rutschman: "He's the real deal"

December 31, 2020, 6:38am

Orioles

Before pitcher David Hess took his first dive into free agency and came up with a minor league deal from the Rays, he spent the majority of his summer at the Orioles' alternate camp site in Bowie. The Orioles put Hess on their opening day roster and gave him one relief appearance in July and two in August - all of them on the road and in blowouts. There were the occasional taxi squad assignments, including the duration of the final trip of 2020. Otherwise, Hess worked out at Prince George's...

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What's coming in 2021?

December 30, 2020, 12:00pm

Orioles

A new year always conjures up old memories of poor judgement while waiting for the ball to drop in Times Square. A second countdown pertaining to how long a stomach is going to cooperate before beginning to reject everything inside it. The ball is lowered and your dinner comes up. Here's hoping that none of you are experiencing such misery. Like the time decades ago when I thought tequila was the perfect nightcap. And the morning of Jan. 1, 2012, when my friend stood at his front door as I...

Seeking a fresh start in 2021

December 30, 2020, 7:11am

Orioles

It's just another New Year's Eve, another night like all the rest. It's just another New Year's Eve, let's make it the best. (If I can reference Garrett Cleavinger twice within a week, I can sing along with Barry Manilow to close out 2020. There are no rules.) I feel bad for the people who keep acting as though the world is returning to normal after tonight. The "I can't wait for 2020 to be over" crowd. I've got bad news for you. It won't feel any different in the morning or the next...

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More on Martin in shortstop competition

December 29, 2020, 9:28am

Orioles

Shortstop Richie Martin remains in the Puerto Rican Winter League with Criollos de Caguas, where he's appeared in 14 games and gone 13-for-51 (.255) with six doubles, two home runs, six walks and a .345 on-base percentage. More at-bats and reps in the field after a wasted 2020 season. The Orioles are expected to bring in a shortstop to replace JosÃ© Iglesias, who was traded to the Angels for minor league pitchers Garrett Stallings and Jean Pinto. It won't be Adeiny HechavarrÃa, who...

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Flaherty on Mansolino: "He'll be good, really good"

December 28, 2020, 11:04am

Orioles

Flaherty on Mansolino: "He'll be good, really good"

Former Orioles utility player Ryan Flaherty believes that the club made a smart hire in Tony Mansolino, who is replacing JosÃ© Flores as third base coach and infield instructor. Flaherty has known Mansolino for a long time. They were drafted three years apart from Vanderbilt University and Mansolino managed Flaherty at Triple-A Columbus in the Indians organization in 2019. The Orioles haven't announced the composition of their coaching staff, but a source last week confirmed Mansolino's...

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Big non-baseball news for Hays and Means

December 23, 2020, 11:35am

Orioles

Big non-baseball news for Hays and Means

Austin Hays would be the heavy favorite to win a footrace against John Means. However, Means beat him to the father finish line. McCoy Alan Means was born on Dec. 17. Levi Austin Jerald Hays was born on Dec. 22. Tremendous gifts to close out a very difficult year. Means and Hays will have lots to talk about in spring training besides baseball, but they're two hugely important components of the roster and rebuild. The Orioles have been envisioning Hays as their center fielder and leadoff hitter...

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Orioles facts and what we learned from them

December 23, 2020, 11:29am

Orioles

It's what you learn after you know it all that counts. Hall of Famers John Wooden and Earl Weaver preached it. The phrase serves as the title of Weaver's autobiography. I'm using it this morning to lead everyone into my latest offseason collection of random facts. And most important, what we learned from them. No need to dig too deeply. Sometimes the answers are lying on the surface. Also, don't overlook an orchid while searching for a rose. Or something like that. * The Orioles were 18-11...

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A no-return policy on Orioles

December 23, 2020, 11:24am

Orioles

The day after Christmas exists in many households to eat leftovers, vacuum pine needles and return unwanted gifts. There's also time spent rehashing some of the most uncomfortable moments at the dinner table. The Orioles haven't been shy about keeping receipts and making returns, no matter whose feelings get hurt. Just ask Grant Balfour's agent. Sometimes they can be talked into returning home with the same item, but feeling much better about it. Just ask Yovani Gallardo's agent. (If you...

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Christmas list of reasons to be happy

December 23, 2020, 11:17am

Orioles

'Tis the season to be jolly. If you pretend that 2020 didn't happen. My only advice is to dig deep and unearth the joyous moments in your lives. Hopefully, you'll find many more than you expected. Hopefully, you can use a trowel instead of a bulldozer. For me, it's getting engaged at spring training, less than a week before the shutdown. My plan to propose at the spot where we met outside the Ed Smith Stadium press box would have been ruined if she chose to fly down later. (I'll never know...

Roster work doesn't take a holiday break (updated)

December 23, 2020, 11:09am

Orioles

Roster work doesn't take a holiday break (updated)

The Orioles are approaching the Christmas holiday with a shopping list that won't be satisfied by a late trip to the mall. Their search for a veteran starting pitcher and replacement for shortstop JosÃ© Iglesias, to name two of the items, could stretch into January or February. The market is evolving. A drop in prices can expand it. Their last transaction on this date occurred in 2014 with the signing of left-hander CÃ©sar Cabral to a minor league deal. Catcher Ryan Lavarnway was claimed...