Updating some injured Orioles

Updating some injured Orioles
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are holding an injury reunion prior to tonight's series opener against the Rays. Pitchers Richard Bleier and Nate Karns and designated hitter Mark Trumbo have joined the team from the spring training facility in Sarasota to provide updates on their health and allow the athletic training staff to check their progress. Bleier received an injection that reduced the inflammation in his left shoulder and is on a throwing program that will lead to a bullpen session...

Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles will try to build on their 6-4 road record tonight while beginning at three-game series against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Trey Mancini remains in right field while Chris Davis plays first base. Mancini is 16-for-40 (.400) in 10 road games and he's 7-for-12 (.583) with two home runs in the first inning this season. Dwight Smith Jr., in left field again tonight, has homered in three of his last five games. He has eight RBIs in that span. Renato Núñez,...

Straily: "We're just one day at a time"

Straily: "We're just one day at a time"
The latest road trip for the Orioles removes them from the cold and dampness in Boston and transports them to climate-controlled Tropicana Field, where it's always 72 degrees and usually an adventure. The Rays are the darlings of the American League East, a low-budget team holding the highest spot in the standings. They're the only division club above .500. But right behind them are the 7-10 Orioles, winners of two road series this year to leave them one short of the 2018 total. It's nice to...

Orioles split series with 8-1 win over Red Sox (updated)

Orioles split series with 8-1 win over Red Sox (updated)
BOSTON - The Red Sox put a catcher at second base today. Their starting pitcher worked an inning in relief two days ago. Their Gold Glove center fielder has the flu. Their left fielder fouled a ball off his foot yesterday and couldn't play. If the Orioles had a game screaming for them to win, this was it. They still had to go out and earn it. And without their manager for the last four innings. Dan Straily allowed only one run over five innings, Dwight Smith Jr. had a two-run homer and two-run...

Updates on Cobb, Karns, rotation and more (O's lead 8-1)

Updates on Cobb, Karns, rotation and more (O's lead 8-1)
BOSTON - Alex Cobb is scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday afternoon at Tropicana Field and could come off the injured list to make Friday night's start against the Twins at Camden Yards. Cobb played catch over the weekend without any issues related to his lumbar strain. He's eligible to return from the IL on Tuesday but the Orioles are pushing him back to reduce the chances of a setback. They aren't going to rush Cobb or anyone else, and especially in the middle of April. Nate...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups (updated)

Orioles and Red Sox lineups (updated)
BOSTON - The Orioles conclude their four-game series in rainy Boston this morning with Dwight Smith Jr. back in the lineup in left field after being a late scratch yesterday due to a sore right leg. Chris Davis is playing first base and Cedric Mullins is batting ninth as the center fielder. Jonathan Villar leads off again today. Jesús Sucre is catching Dan Straily. For the Orioles Jonathan Villar 2B Trey Mancini RF Dwight Smith Jr. LF Rio Ruiz 3B Renato Núñez DH Chris Davis 1B ...

The next start for Straily

The next start for Straily
BOSTON - The Orioles conclude their four-game series against the Red Sox this morning, reminded again that a baseball season isn't the only marathon. Dan Straily will try to build off his first Orioles start, a cumbersome process given his unexpected release by the Marlins in late March and an idle stretch that broke his rhythm. Straily is learning that Alex Cobb can be a handy resource. Cobb missed most of the 2018 spring training because he stayed on the free agent market until signing his...

Orioles waste Means start and rallies in 4-0 loss (updated)

Orioles waste Means start and rallies in 4-0 loss (updated)
BOSTON - John Means gave the Orioles five innings today. Gave them a gritty effort with easy stretches, one jam escaped and minimal damage in another. Gave them reasons to consider him for a longer stay in the rotation. Alex Cobb is expected back next weekend, leaving Means to wonder how he's going to be handled. He'll let the people above his pay grade make the decision. Means complicated it by holding the Red Sox to one run in his second major league start, the deficit too much for the...

Smith scratched from Orioles lineup (O's down 4-0)

Smith scratched from Orioles lineup (O's down 4-0)
BOSTON - Dwight Smith Jr. has been scratched from the Orioles lineup today with a sore right leg. Manager Brandon Hyde passed along the news that Smith is available to play if needed. Trey Mancini moves from right field to left, Joey Rickard goes to right and Cedric Mullins gets the start in center. Smith was supposed to make his 15th start in left field. "He's been playing great defense in left field," Hyde said. "I knew he was going to be a good outfielder. I didn't know he was going to...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
BOSTON - Chris Davis stays in the Orioles lineup today against Red Sox left-hander David Price, with Trey Mancini in right field again and Renato Núñez continuing to serve as designated hitter. Jonathan Villar is leading off and playing second base. Joey Rickard is in center field, with Cedric Mullins going to the bench. Hanser Alberto replaces Rio Ruiz at third base against a southpaw. Jesús Sucre is catching left-hander John Means, who's making his second major league start. For the...

Leftovers from Davis' big day and a win

Leftovers from Davis' big day and a win
BOSTON - The Orioles are continuing their series against the Red Sox this afternoon with clouds in the forecast but minus the huge one that hung over the clubhouse while Chris Davis struggled to get a hit. Players had Davis' back. They grew more protective of him as stories of the hitless streaks appeared daily. If anyone doubted the closeness of this group of players, it should be put to rest. Check the reaction in the dugout after his two-run single in the first inning. And how players...

Wrapping up the end of Davis' streaks and a 9-5 victory

Wrapping up the end of Davis' streaks and a 9-5 victory
BOSTON - Chris Davis went through the victory line on the field today, handled a walk-off television interview, returned to the clubhouse and was swarmed by his teammates. Streaks were broken. Friendships were strengthened. Players pounded their fists on lockers as Davis raised his hands in the air. A few of them spoke. He wasn't drenched in beer and water, but the showering of affection meant more to him. Davis ended his hitless streaks with a two-run single off Rick Porcello in the top of...

Chris Davis ends hitless streaks with two-run single (O's win 9-5)

Chris Davis ends hitless streaks with two-run single (O's win 9-5)
BOSTON - Chris Davis rounded first base today and slapped his hands together. Solid contact made twice in one at-bat. Davis lined a two-run single into right field with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the first inning. The Orioles, slow starters at the plate this season, grabbed an early lead off Red Sox right-hander Rick Porcello. Davis, off to the slowest start in major league history, finally had his first hit. Porcello missed with a changeup on his first pitch and Davis lined a...

Notes on Núñez, Cobb, Wynns, bullpen and more

Notes on Núñez, Cobb, Wynns, bullpen and more
BOSTON - Renato Núñez is in the Orioles lineup again today as the designated hitter, the 13th time in 15 games that he's served in the role. However, his right biceps has improved to the point where he could get some starts at third base. Soreness in the arm kept Núñez off the field late in spring training and Rio Ruiz has received most of the starts at third. "I think you're going to see Noonie over there a little bit," said manager Brandon Hyde. "I think the arm recovery,...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
BOSTON - Hanser Alberto continues to move around the infield, starting today at second base while the Orioles resume their series against the Red Sox and try to snap a four-game losing streak. Pedro Severino passed his concussion tests and he's back in the lineup today to catch Andrew Cashner. Trey Mancini is in right field and Chris Davis is playing first base and batting sixth. Mancini is hitting second. Jonathan Villar is playing shortstop and leading off. Mancini is 3-for-7 with a double...

Mancini getting it right away from left field

Mancini getting it right away from left field
BOSTON - An Orioles lineup without Chris Davis last night provided another opportunity for Trey Mancini to play first base. However, he could go back to the outfield this afternoon with the Red Sox starting right-hander Rick Porcello. Mancini hasn't touched left field this season and Hyde continues to dole out starts to Dwight Smith Jr., who's homered in back-to-back games. A decision must be made whether to give Mancini the Green Monster today or spacious right. The other alternative is to...

Orioles offense starts slow in 6-4 loss (updated)

Orioles offense starts slow in 6-4 loss (updated)
BOSTON - Hanser Alberto lined a single into right field tonight with two outs in the top of the fifth inning and the Orioles could exhale. They had their first baserunner. Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, the former Orioles farmhand, wasn't going to make history against them. Just a mild flirtation on a cold and rainy night in Boston. Fourteen straight Orioles were retired before Alberto's hit and the Orioles already trailed by three runs. They rallied for two in the seventh on Dwight...

Notes on Severino, Cobb, Davis, Mullins and more (O's down 4-2)

Notes on Severino, Cobb, Davis, Mullins and more (O's down 4-2)
BOSTON - Orioles catcher Pedro Severino has avoided the injured list after being hit by a J.B. Wendelken curveball yesterday on top of his batting helmet and sprawling to the dirt. Severino passed the concussion tests, accompanied the team to Boston and is available to play in the series. "He's a lot better today," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He caught a break there. It's always scary when somebody gets hit in the head. Had a little bit of a headache, but they cleared him of all concussion...

Cobb provides update on back injury

Cobb provides update on back injury
BOSTON - Alex Cobb said his sore back is improving daily, but he doesn't know whether he'll be ready to come off the injured list Tuesday when he's eligible. He wasn't aware of the exact date of his eligibility until told this afternoon by a member of the media. Nothing is circled on his calendar. "Every day is better," said Cobb, who was placed on the IL Tuesday with a lumbar strain, the move backdated to Saturday. "The progress from my everyday life, just getting around and stuff like...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
BOSTON - Trey Mancini is playing first base tonight for the Orioles at a ballpark that tends to bring out the best in him. Mancini is a career .364/.397/.621 hitter with four doubles, two triples, three home runs, 15 RBIs and 11 runs scored in 17 games at Fenway Park. His average ranks third and his 1.018 OPS fifth among active players with a minimum of 70 plate appearances. Joey Rickard is in right field and Chris Davis is on the bench against left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. Hanser Alberto is...