Roch Kubatko

Richie Martin on being a Rule 5 pick and competing for a job

January 31, 2019, 10:10am

Orioles

Richie Martin on being a Rule 5 pick and competing for a job

In a spring training that's going to spew its share of storylines and curiosities for the media, one of the major ones involves the Rule 5 picks and how many the Orioles are willing to stash on the 25-man roster. They kept two for the bullpen last year in Pedro Araujo and Nestor Cortes Jr., the latter designated for assignment in April and returned to the Yankees organization after clearing waivers. Outfielder Anthony Santander's status carried over from 2017, forcing the Orioles to keep him...

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Castro would find relief in throwing more strikes

January 29, 2019, 12:33pm

Orioles

Castro would find relief in throwing more strikes

The two scoreless innings that reliever Miguel Castro worked on Sept. 22 in New York might seem insignificant when cast in the overall picture. The Orioles were barreling toward another loss and destined to finish with the worst record in the majors and in franchise history. Seven batters faced after replacing starter David Hess in the sixth and just one hit allowed on a Gleyber Torres double that was followed by a passed ball and out at the plate on a fielder's choice. But Castro lowered his...

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Stewart and Hays working to get into outfield competition

January 29, 2019, 10:03am

Orioles

Stewart and Hays working to get into outfield competition

While revealing at FanFest that finding more pitching is the top offseason roster priority for the Orioles, executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias didn't deny that the outfield, infield and catching position also could be addressed before opening day. The Orioles remain in an infield frenzy as they increase the competition for starting and utility jobs. They selected Richie Martin with the first pick in the Rule 5 draft and traded for Drew Jackson, who also must remain on the...

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Hyde: "I know our players are unbelievably energized"

January 29, 2019, 6:08am

Orioles

Hyde: "I know our players are unbelievably energized"

The curiosity over manager Brandon Hyde's first spring training with the Orioles is building as the days melt away in the winter cold. How much will it resemble or differ from past years under former manager Buck Showalter? The instruction, hours spent on the field, player availability to the media. All of the important stuff. Hyde explained at FanFest why Orioles camp won't duplicate how the Cubs operated in Mesa, Ariz., while he served as bench coach. He also pinpointed certain areas that...

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Orioles claim Jack Reinheimer off waivers

January 28, 2019, 10:01am

Orioles

The Orioles keep building infield depth and increasing their options as they move through the offseason. The latest utility candidate arrived today in Jack Reinheimer, claimed off waivers from the Rangers. Pitcher Austin Brice was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Reinheimer, 26, was a fifth-round pick of the Mariners in 2013 out of East Carolina University who appeared in 21 games with the Mets last summer and went 5-for-30 with five walks and nine strikeouts. He was...

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Bonding process continues to unfold in Orioles organization

January 28, 2019, 9:19am

Orioles

New Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is seeking ways to familiarize himself with his players, the minicamp earlier this month in Sarasota and Saturday's FanFest event at the Baltimore Convention Center providing two convenient and effective methods. The coaches are learning about the players, Hyde as a manager and each other. Much of it happens behind the scenes, but the enthusiasm was put on display over the weekend. From the first floor to the third. Hyde has delivered a message to his staff...

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Getting to know the new coaching staff

January 27, 2019, 11:05am

Orioles

DJ Stewart cut through the media room Saturday at FanFest, spotted Richie Martin and yelled "Noles!" The Rule 5 pick stopped the interview, smiled and replied "Gators!" The trash talk should be fun at spring training. Meanwhile, six of the eight coaches on manager Brandon Hyde's staff participated in FanFest and were introduced to the media. John Wasdin and Howie Clark recognized some of the faces because they already were part of the organization, the former switching from minor league...

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Health news is good for Orioles at FanFest

January 26, 2019, 4:35pm

Orioles

The hours that ticked away after the last remnants of the crowd at FanFest had spilled onto the sidewalks outside the Baltimore Convention Center could be spent reviewing and dissecting some of the bullet points from the annual event. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias stressed again that his primary goal is to improve the level of talent throughout the organization. Don't obsess so much over the record, though avoiding another 115-loss season would be celebrated,...

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Chris Davis on willingness to "exhaust all options" and more

January 26, 2019, 11:39am

Orioles

Chris Davis on willingness to "exhaust all options" and more

The interview portion of FanFest is wrapping up, with only a few more players being led into the media room on the third level of the Baltimore Convention Center. Chris Davis' session lasted the longest, at more than 14 minutes, as he revisited a nightmarish 2018 season, the changes in his workouts and nutrition, his enthusiasm over being a leader in the clubhouse and how the shift continues to be a thorn in his side the length and width of an oak tree. That could explain the oblique injuries...

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FanFest notes on Harvey, Mancini, Trumbo and more

January 26, 2019, 9:24am

Orioles

FanFest notes on Harvey, Mancini, Trumbo and more

Six of the eight coaches on manager Brandon Hyde's staff are present today at FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center. Third base coach JosÃ© Flores and major league coach JosÃ© HernÃ¡ndez were unable to attend. Vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson is here, but pretty much out of view as he attends meetings. The Orioles announced the FanFest attendance at 8,000, though it's possible that more people trickle into the facility later in the day. Hunter Harvey said his...

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More from Elias at FanFest

January 26, 2019, 8:03am

Orioles

Mike Elias headed to the third level of the Baltimore Convention Center following the Q&A session with season plan holders. It was the media's turn to ask the questions. On no former manager in the dugout as part of coaching staff: "Definitely, that was a consideration and attractive, but we were working with the people available and the scenarios and the people we wanted to get in. It just didn't happen this year. But it was definitely something that was discussed." On broader...

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Early notes and quotes from Elias and Hyde

January 26, 2019, 6:49am

Orioles

Early notes and quotes from Elias and Hyde

Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde spent about 30 minutes this morning fielding questions on the main stage from season plan holders to kick off the latest FanFest event at the Baltimore Convention Center. Elias repeated that his primary goal in 2019 is to increase the level of talent up and down the organization. The overall record seems like a secondary concern, though improvement would be a welcomed development. And he said the club is...

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Prepping for today's FanFest

January 25, 2019, 11:16am

Orioles

The annual FanFest event at the Baltimore Convention Center is being held today, giving fans an opportunity to grill executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, manager Brandon Hyde and his coaching staff, assistant general manager Sig Mejdal and senior director of international scouting Koby Perez in various forums for Birdland Membership holders and the general public. They won't offer timelines for contention or to have their departments fully staffed. But Elias will be asked...

Eighteen non-roster players invited to Orioles spring training

January 25, 2019, 9:55am

Orioles

The Orioles are inviting 18 non-roster players to spring training, with the possibility of further additions depending on other moves that could be made before pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 12. The group of invites includes eight pitchers - right-handers Dean Kremer, Gregory Infante, Gabriel Ynoa, Zach Pop, Josh Lucas and Bo Schultz, and left-handers Chris Lee and Sean Gilmartin. Also receiving lockers at the Ed Smith Stadium complex are catchers Martin Cervenka, Carlos PÃ©rez and...

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Latest on Mills and major league coaches

January 24, 2019, 3:57pm

Orioles

Latest on Mills and major league coaches

The shuffling in the Orioles' minor league system is expected to reach down to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. While the club hasn't made an announcement regarding its affiliates, I've heard that Alan Mills will serve as manager for the GCL team. And this is a new level and role for the former reliever. Mills is replacing Carlos Tosca, who spent the past two summers as manager. Tosca is expected to work as an outfield and baserunning instructor, though again, nothing has been made...

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Orioles announce coaching staff for 2019 season

January 23, 2019, 11:36am

Orioles

The Orioles have unveiled their coaching staff for the 2019 season under new manager Brandon Hyde and it includes one holdover from last summer. Howie Clark returns as assistant hitting coach after the Orioles offered him a minor league contract following the expiration of his previous deal on Oct. 31. He'll work with new hitting coach Don Long, who spent the past five seasons with the Reds and replaces Scott Coolbaugh. Tim Cossins has been named major league field coordinator and catching...

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Wondering how Mullins and Villar stack up in lineup

January 23, 2019, 10:17am

Orioles

Wondering how Mullins and Villar stack up in lineup

The closer we get to the start of spring training, with the first Orioles workout set for Feb. 13, the fewer chances exist for manager Brandon Hyde to escape the inevitable lineup questions. Hyde has been studying and learning about the personnel in the organization, taking private courses in December during his flights to and from Maui and extending them through the following month. He's watching video, sifting through reports and placing phone calls. Anything to get up to speed after his...

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This, that and the other

January 22, 2019, 3:16pm

Orioles

As the Orioles continue making their final preparations for this weekend's FanFest event at the Baltimore Convention Center, they're also nearing the announcements on their major league and minor league coaching staffs and their non-roster invitees to spring training. One domino falls and others will tumble. The list of invitees could include infielders Ryan Mountcastle, Jace Peterson, Engelb Vielma, Sean Miller and Zach Vincej, outfielders Ryan McKenna, Yusniel DÃaz and Christopher...

Time to find out whether Mussina is headed to Hall of Fame

January 21, 2019, 1:45pm

Orioles

Time to find out whether Mussina is headed to Hall of Fame

We'll find out later today whether former Orioles pitcher Mike Mussina is going into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown or stuck again outside of its doors while the debate continues to rage over his worthiness. I keep voting for Mussina as a nod to his amazing consistency during the "steroid era," as it's become to be known, and while pitching in the grueling American League East. The 270 career wins, 3.68 ERA and 1.192 WHIP. The 82.9 WAR accumulated over 18 seasons, the first 10 with the...

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Losing a father and a hero

January 20, 2019, 6:38pm

Orioles

I thought that I had more time. More time to be with my dad even after the August diagnosis of esophagus cancer and the later news that it was Stage 4. Even after the stroke he suffered last Monday that put him in a hospital in Salisbury. Even after his oncologist decided last week to stop the treatments, my dad's body no longer able to handle the poison, and aim for quality of life at home. More time to say the things that, while he probably already knew, needed to be said again. My parents...