Roch Kubatko

Wilkerson "thrilled" to be back in utility mix

October 25, 2020, 5:04pm

Orioles

Wilkerson "thrilled" to be back in utility mix

What a week for Stevie Wilkerson. Get discharged from physical therapy on Thursday, drive from Chicago to Sarasota on Friday - accompanied by his wife and dog - and sign a minor league deal with the Orioles on Saturday. The guy was due for some good fortune. He earned it after missing the 2020 season with a fractured finger on his left hand and later being released. The sides reached agreement over the weekend on a split contract. Wilkerson will report to spring training in February and try to...

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Looking forward to a return to normal

October 25, 2020, 1:20pm

Orioles

I look forward to the day when the world gets closer to being normal again, however we define the term. When a baseball season lasts longer than a dental appointment and hearing "corona" makes you want to squeeze a lime wedge into a bottle of beer. I look forward to the day when I can conduct a MASN interview from the press box without looking like I just came out of surgery. When I can prepare for a group interview without checking my Zoom background or calculating my consecutive mornings...

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Orioles sign Wilkerson to minor league contract

October 25, 2020, 12:03pm

Orioles

The news that the Orioles released Stevie Wilkerson on Sept. 14 came with an important attachment. The move was procedural, with Wilkerson unable to return from a fractured ring finger on his left hand and the team needing an open spot in its 60-man player pool. The Orioles would continue to monitor his recovery. They would retain interest in him. Re-signing Wilkerson before he hit the free agent market was presented as a strong possibility. It became a reality yesterday, according to an...

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Do you remember where some former Orioles ended careers?

October 24, 2020, 6:30pm

Orioles

As a young Orioles fan it took many years for me to understand the Davey Johnson trade to the Braves following the 1972 season. Dealing a three-time All-Star and winner of three Gold Gloves at second base. An integral part of four World Series teams. The disappointment of a third-place finish in '72 after three straight American League pennants still ran deep. Now this? The Orioles were clearing a path for Bobby Grich, who won four Gold Gloves and made three All-Star teams before signing with...

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MLB disputes report Elias and Holt linked to potential pension fraud

October 24, 2020, 2:11pm

Orioles

MLB disputes report Elias and Holt linked to potential pension fraud

A spokesman for Major League Baseball issued a statement tonight disputing a New York Daily News report that Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias and director of pitching Chris Holt are being investigated for potential pension fraud. "Major League Baseball is completely comfortable with the Orioles' coaching designations for the 2020 season, which are not only consistent with the terms of the pension plan but were approved in advance by MLB and shared prior to the start...

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Remembering the other catchers on the '83 championship team

October 23, 2020, 6:36am

Orioles

Remembering the other catchers on the '83 championship team

In the world of improbable World Series Most Valuable Players, there's always going to be a seat at the table for former Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey. And you can be certain that he's going to block the plate. You know what they say about old habits. Dempsey went 5-for-13 with four doubles and a home run in 1983 and did his usual outstanding work defensively and handling the pitching staff. And the Orioles disposed of the Phillies in five games, with Dempsey embracing Scott McGregor after the...

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dave huppert eddie murray jim palmer joe nolan john stefero orioles rick dempsey scott mcgregor tippy martinez featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Because You Asked - Friday After Next

October 22, 2020, 3:04pm

Orioles

The end of the regular season and the Orioles' exclusion from the playoffs doesn't lighten the mailbag. There are questions galore, which I'm pretty sure is also the name of a James Bond villain. I've never claimed to have all the answers. I'm still learning how to turn on the stove in my house. And as former Orioles infielder Robert Andino famously stated one day at his locker, "I ain't no future teller." I am, however, a fan of Penn & Teller. With the latest batch of furloughs...

Santander chosen as Gold Glove finalist

October 22, 2020, 11:54am

Orioles

The marked improvement of Anthony Santander as a major league outfielder is illustrated further by his selection today as a finalist for a Rawlings Gold Glove. Santander is joined by the Yankees' Clint Frazier and the Rangers' Joey Gallo as finalists in right field. The winners will be announced on Nov. 3. None of the Orioles were chosen as finalists last year. Manny Machado is the last Orioles recipient of a Gold Glove, finishing first among third basemen in 2015. He was chosen as a finalist...

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International players getting noticed in fall instructional camp

October 21, 2020, 11:35am

Orioles

International players getting noticed in fall instructional camp

The fall instructional camp allows the Orioles to give more work to prospects who also joined the alternate camp site in Bowie or were excluded. And it provides a way to become more familiar with some of the international signings. If JosÃ© Cosma doesn't sound familiar to you, the Orioles announced his signing on Jan. 24. SN Nation's tracker listed him as joining the organization in 2019. Whatever. Cosma was in the wave of Dominican players that also included third baseman Albert...

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Rogers facing hitters in fall instructional camp

October 19, 2020, 10:57am

Orioles

Rogers facing hitters in fall instructional camp

Among the important differences between the alternate camp site in Bowie and the fall instructional camp in Sarasota, Fla., is the ability of the Orioles to free their rehabbing players from home confinement. Injured Orioles couldn't report to Prince George's Stadium unless they were included in the 60-man pool, which had been reserved for players who might earn a call-up to the majors or healthy prospects. Left-hander Josh Rogers was working out at a friend's indoor sports training facility...

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adley rutschman anthony servideo chris holt dave walker doug brocail josh rogers kyle corrick orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Bevy of shortstops won't bump Henderson from position

October 15, 2020, 6:59am

Orioles

Bevy of shortstops won't bump Henderson from position

While the Orioles wait to make official their decision to pick up the option on JosÃ© Iglesias' contract, the only potential glitch tied to finances, they're in the developmental stages with a handful of shortstop prospects who could vie for the position. Don't bother checking out the fall instructional camp in Sarasota, Fla. because it's closed to the public, but the group of 55 includes Baseball America No. 8 organizational prospect Gunnar Henderson, No. 10 Jordan Westburg, No. 15 Adam...

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adam hall anthony servideo cadyn grenier darell hernaiz gunnar henderson joey ortiz jordan westburg matt blood orioles terrin vavra orioles farm report frontstory_orioles2

Draft selections impressing in fall instructional camp

October 14, 2020, 4:30pm

Orioles

Draft selections impressing in fall instructional camp

The inability to put this year's draft selections in the 60-man player pool motivated the Orioles to get them work in the fall instructional league. At least five of the six, with outfielder Heston Kjerstad unavailable due to a non-sports medical issue. Director of player development Matt Blood is down in Sarasota, Fla., to observe, among many things, the raw skills and the progress made by shortstops Jordan Westburg and Anthony Servideo, outfielder Hudson Haskin, third baseman Coby Mayo and...

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More on instructional league, bullpen and a Hall of Famer's birthday

October 14, 2020, 12:10pm

Orioles

More on instructional league, bullpen and a Hall of Famer's birthday

The Orioles are going to take the competitive side of their fall instructional league to the next level. Games will be played with teams from other camps beginning on Monday. Thus far, the Orioles have been arranging intrasquad matchups, which started this week, similar to the activity this summer at the alternate site in Bowie. The Pirates and Rays will provide the opposition as two of the three closest teams to the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The Pirates are based in Bradenton and the Rays in...

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An Alberto anecdote after painful pitch

October 14, 2020, 6:55am

Orioles

With such unusual circumstances altering how the media covered baseball this summer, it was necessary to find the humor in just about any situation rather than spend two months pouting over it. A survival tactic of sorts. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde made it a lot easier to lighten the mood, aided by his hearty laugh and tolerance for just about anything thrown at him. I kept my arm loose. We had some fun exchanges while taping the pregame manager's show for 105.7 The Fan, which was done via...

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Important Orioles events on this date

October 14, 2020, 6:42am

Orioles

On this date in 1970, the Orioles were a day removed from clinching their second World Series title. The champagne had barely dried. But a year later, they faced a must-win situation against the Pirates at Memorial Stadium. Down 3-2 in games, the Orioles won 3-2 in 10 innings on Brooks Robinson's sacrifice fly off Bob Miller that scored Frank Robinson, who drew a one-out walk and hustled to third base on Merv Rettenmund's single. Brooks always will be remembered for his defensive wizardry in...

Looking at three less-heralded pitchers in fall instructional league

October 13, 2020, 10:41am

Orioles

Looking at three less-heralded pitchers in fall instructional league

An initial scan of the Orioles' fall instructional league roster, which confirmed the absence of second overall draft pick Heston Kjerstad, highlighted the prospects invited to the Ed Smith Stadium complex and challenged the mind to remember a few of the names. Included among the 24 pitchers were former first-round selections Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall, and top 30 prospects Zac Lowther, Drew Rom and Blaine Knight. The easy ones to identify. I had to do a little research to become acquainted...

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Wondering whether Orioles stay in-house during coaching search

October 12, 2020, 12:51pm

Orioles

Past searches for coaching replacements on the Orioles' major league staff involved the casting of a wide net. Most recently, they found first base coach Anthony Sanders in the Rockies system, bullpen coach Darren Holmes after his stint in Colorado and major league coach Fredi GonzÃ¡lez after his tenure in Miami. Third base coach JosÃ© Flores came from Philadelphia prior to the 2019 season. Tim Cossins, the major league field coordinator and catching instructor, worked for the Cubs....

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anthony sanders chris holt darren holmes don long doug brocail fredi gonzalez jose flores jose hernandez orioles sean berry tim cossins featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Light free agent winter workload for Orioles

October 11, 2020, 12:20pm

Orioles

Part of a team's offseason agenda is attempting to retain its own free agents. Hold onto the players who are deemed irreplaceable and affordable. The Orioles won't be bogged down by this type of business. The current list of Orioles free agents is a brief read. Left-hander Wade LeBlanc and third catcher Bryan Holaday are the only ones assured of hitting the market. The $3.5 million option on shortstop JosÃ© Iglesias' contract is going to be picked up unless there's a monumental,...

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Another quizzical look at the Orioles

October 10, 2020, 7:09am

Orioles

Schools are open with remote classrooms, which should make it easier for you to take today's quiz. Except it's much harder to cheat off the person next to you. I can't fix that part. Also, I waited again until the weekend to pass out a quiz because I'm a real jerk. Please share your answers with the moderator. The opening day starter will be: A. Alex Cobb B. John Means C. A pitcher who signs over the winter D. None of the above The 2021 Most Valuable Oriole will be: A. Ryan Mountcastle B....

Looking back at some non-roster invites

October 08, 2020, 11:04am

Orioles

The Orioles won't know whether they'll be able to open their spring training camp in February until the world gives its approval. Or Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association if they choose to ignore the world. First comes the fall instructional league, which so far has gone uninterrupted for two weeks. If we're lucky, the Orioles will reach the point where they can extend spring training invites and avoid another shutdown of the Ed Smith Stadium complex. It's interesting to...