Roch Kubatko

More this, that and the other

April 22, 2019, 7:37pm

Orioles

The decision to select Stevie Wilkerson's contract yesterday from Triple-A Norfolk was primarily tied to the Orioles' needs through 23 games of the season. Credit goes to Wilkerson for presenting himself as an attractive option. He's become a super-utility player. He's embraced the role. No one had to do a hard sell on him. Cedric Mullins was mired in a lengthy slump and organizational concerns grew over the potential impact on his confidence and development. He needed to start over with...

Tags:

Three four-run innings lead to 12-2 Orioles loss (updated)

April 22, 2019, 6:33pm

Orioles

David Hess seemed to be dropping hints early tonight that he'd more closely resemble the version of himself that stymied the Blue Jays in Toronto than the one who turned in his shortest start last week at Tropicana Field. It happened in the first inning with back-to-back called third strikes on YoÃ¡n Moncada and JosÃ© Abreu, a changeup and 95 mph fastball getting Hess back in the dugout on 10 pitches. Or it could have been the five-pitch fourth inning - popup, fly ball and grounder. Blink...

Tags:

david hess gabriel ynoa hanser alberto jesus sucre jimmy yacabonis jonathan villar miguel castro orioles pedro severino renato nunez richie martin stevie wilkerson tanner scott trey mancini featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Hyde on Smith, Mullins, Wilkerson and more (O's down 12-1)

April 22, 2019, 1:23pm

Orioles

Hyde on Smith, Mullins, Wilkerson and more (O's down 12-1)

Orioles outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. said he could have played tonight, the discomfort in his right quadriceps muscle vanishing since he came out of yesterday's game. Manager Brandon Hyde wants to avoid using him in the series opener against the White Sox and likely will return him to the lineup on Tuesday. "Leg's feeling fine, feeling better than it did yesterday," Smith said. "I was walking around fine this morning. I'm available tonight." Smith is on the bench with the White Sox...

Tags:

alex cobb brandon hyde dwight smith jr. joey rickard john means jonathan villar nate karns orioles rio ruiz stevie wilkerson trey mancini featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Orioles lineup vs. White Sox

April 22, 2019, 11:06am

Orioles

Left fielder Dwight Smith Jr. is out of the Orioles lineup for tonight's series opener against the White Sox after leaving yesterday's game with cramping in his right quadriceps muscle. Stevie Wilkerson is in left field after the Orioles selected his contract today from Triple-A Norfolk. Joey Rickard is in center and Trey Mancini is in right. Hanser Alberto is starting at third base and Rio Ruiz is playing first, with Chris Davis on the bench. David Hess has allowed 13 runs in 19 hits in his...

Tags:

alex cobb chris davis david hess doug brocail dwighit smith jr. joey rickard orioles rio ruiz ryan mountcastle stevie wilkerson trey mancini frontstory_orioles1

Orioles option Mullins and bring back Wilkerson

April 22, 2019, 10:50am

Orioles

The slump that has enveloped center fielder Cedric Mullins for the first four weeks of the season finally pulled him off the Orioles' roster and down to the minors. Mullins was optioned today to Triple-A Norfolk and the Orioles selected the contract of utility player Stevie Wilkerson. Pitcher Josh Lucas was designated for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster. The range and speed that Mullins provides in center couldn't save him from a demotion. Mullins has collected only six hits in...

Tags:

alex cobb cedric mullins josh lucas orioles stevie wilkerson featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

This, that and the other

April 21, 2019, 5:45pm

Orioles

Though he went hitless yesterday with a pair of strikeouts and a walk, Renato NÃºÃ±ez continues to lead the Orioles in RBIs with 16 and is one ahead of Dwight Smith Jr. Two players who weren't assured of making the club out of spring training, though NÃºÃ±ez being out of options improved his chances. Smith wasn't in the organization until a March 8 trade between the Orioles and Blue Jays. Former executive Dan Duquette claimed NÃºÃ±ez off waivers from the Rangers on May 13, 2018,...

Tags:

alex cobb andrew cashner austin wynns brandon hyde chance sisco dan straily david hess dwight smith jr. gabriel ynoa jesus sucre john means mike elias orioles renato nunez sean gilmartin tanner chleborad trey mancini featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Twins complete sweep with 4-3 win over Orioles (updated)

April 21, 2019, 12:15pm

Orioles

Dylan Bundy was saddled with two unearned runs today in the top of the first inning, a unique spin on the Orioles' 2019 story. Home runs weren't included in the opening chapter. Baseballs that kept flying into the seats were more inclined to elude a glove. Bundy turned in a quality start by definition to close out the series against the Twins, with two earned runs allowed in six innings, but he never got a lead and the Orioles lost 4-3 to complete the sweep at Camden Yards before an announced...

Tags:

andrew cashner cedric mullins dwight smith jr. dylan bundy evan phillips hanser alberto joey rickard jonathan villar mychal givens orioles renato nunez rio ruiz trey mancini featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Hyde on Wright, Ynoa, Karns and more (O's down 4-2)

April 21, 2019, 8:08am

Orioles

Hyde on Wright, Ynoa, Karns and more (O's down 4-2)

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde this morning handled the painful task of calling Mike Wright into his office with news that the right-hander had been designated for assignment. The club selected reliever Gabriel Ynoa's contract from Triple-A Norfolk. "It's been a tough morning," Hyde said. "We needed innings and we needed a fresh arm in here, and that was the decision we came up with. But it was hard to give Mike the news this morning. We're hoping that he clears, we're hoping that he stays...

Tags:

alex cobb brandon hyde gabriel ynoa mike wright nate karns orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Orioles DFA Mike Wright

April 21, 2019, 6:43am

Orioles

The Orioles made a roster move today to bring up a fresh bullpen arm, and it included the decision to cut ties with Mike Wright. Wright has been designated for assignment prior to this afternoon's series finale against the Twins at Camden Yards. The Orioles selected Gabriel Ynoa's contract from Triple-A Norfolk and he'll be in uniform today. Wright worked 3 1/3 innings last night, surrendering three-run homers to C.J. Cron and former Oriole Jonathan Schoop. Wright was charged with four runs...

Tags:

gabriel ynoa mike wright orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Orioles and Twins lineups

April 21, 2019, 5:54am

Orioles

Joey Rickard is starting in center field today as the Orioles close out their series against the Twins at Camden Yards. Cedric Mullins and Rule 5 shortstop Richie Martin are on the bench. Jonathan Villar is playing shortstop and Hanser Alberto is at second base. JesÃºs Sucre is catching Dylan Bundy. Chris Davis is playing first base and Trey Mancini is in right field. The Orioles have slipped into last place in the American League East at 8-14. They're 1-8 at home. For the Orioles Jonathan...

Tags:

cedric mullins chris davis dylan bundy joey rickard jonathan villar orioles richie martin lineups frontstory_orioles2

Ruiz, NÃºÃ±ez and today's series finale

April 20, 2019, 7:55pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde admits that he knew very little about Rio Ruiz before spring training. Watched him play a few times for the Braves. Noticed a nice swing. That's pretty much the extent of his early scouting report on a player who's become the Orioles regular third baseman. Ruiz went 2-for-3 with his team-leading 11th walk yesterday in Game 1 of a doubleheader, the 16th time in 17 starts that he reached base. His on-base percentage increased to .356. Executive vice president and...

Tags:

brandon hyde chris davis don long dylan bundy howie clark jonathan villar mike elias nate karns renato nunez rio ruiz featured_sidebar orioles frontstory_orioles2

Twins' hit eight home runs and complete sweep of O's (updated)

April 20, 2019, 6:53pm

Orioles

Twins' hit eight home runs and complete sweep of O's (updated)

The patience that Alex Cobb required to get him through his two stints on the disabled list, the groin injury late in spring training and the back spasms that cropped up after his first start, will be needed to guide him through another difficult period in his professional life. Cobb's return to the active roster and rotation couldn't have gone much worse tonight. He allowed three home runs as the Orioles blew past the major league record. The nine runs charged to him tied his career...

Tags:

alex cobb branden kline brandon hyde chris davis hanser alberto jesus sucre jonathan villar mike wright orioles pedro severino renato nunez featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Lucas optioned to Norfolk (and Game 1 quotes, O's down 15-7)

April 20, 2019, 4:01pm

Orioles

Lucas optioned to Norfolk (and Game 1 quotes, O's down 15-7)

The Orioles created a roster spot for starter Alex Cobb tonight by optioning reliever Josh Lucas to Triple-A Norfolk. Cobb comes off the injured list to start Game 2 against the Twins, as the Orioles try to avoid a sweep. Tonight marks his second outing with the Orioles. He's been on the IL with groin and back injuries. Lucas allowed two earned runs (three total) in 4 1/3 innings. Branden Kline is officially the 26th man for the nightcap. He's part of the roster shuffling today. Joey Rickard...

Tags:

alex cobb branden kline brandon hyde dan straily jimmy yacabonis josh lucas orioes featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Orioles allow three more home runs in 6-5 Game 1 loss

April 20, 2019, 3:22pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde stated before Game 1 of today's doubleheader that his club needs to play good defense because it's not going to set any home run records. He meant at the plate. Dan Straily surrendered three homers today over five innings, including two by Eddie Rosario. The Orioles have allowed 49, one short of the 1996 Tigers for the major league mark through April. Opponents have homered in 20 of 21 games. The Orioles hit three of their own this afternoon, but the Twins scored...

Tags:

brandon hyde cedric mullins chris davis dan straily dwight smith jr. evan phillips jimmy yacabonis mychal givens orioles paul fry pedro severino renato nunez rio ruiz tanner scott trey mancini featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Orioles not letting defense rest (O's down 6-5)

April 20, 2019, 11:53am

Orioles

The Orioles go into today's doubleheader ranked fifth in the American League in defense with a .986 fielding percentage. Their 10 errors are tied for the fifth-fewest after they committed 104 last season for the seventh-highest total in the majors. The defense was in a steady decline over the past few summers, and anyone in charge was going to prioritize it. "I think you've seen it so far this year. I think it's kept us in a lot of games and we've had a lot of close games," said manager...

Tags:

brandon hyde cedric mullins orioles richie martin rio ruiz featured_sidebar

Kline in Baltimore as 26th man for doubleheader

April 20, 2019, 10:27am

Orioles

Kline in Baltimore as 26th man for doubleheader

The Orioles have chosen reliever Branden Kline to be their 26th man in Game 2 of today's doubleheader, the first of multiple roster moves that are pending. Kline is at the ballpark and will be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk after Game 1. Alex Cobb will be activated from the injured list and start Game 2, and the Orioles must create a spot for him by optioning a pitcher. They also need to get back down to 25 players following the nightcap, which could mean a brief stay for Kline or involve...

Tags:

alex wells austin hays branden kline brandon hyde nate karns orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. Twins (updated)

April 20, 2019, 8:07am

Orioles

Chris Davis is back in the Orioles' lineup for Game 1 of today's doubleheader against the Twins. Davis was excluded for the three-game series against the Rays due to illness. He would have played last night except for the postponement. Cedric Mullins wasn't in the posted lineup last night, but he's now starting in center field and likely will sit for Game 2 with left-hander MartÃn PÃ©rez on the mound. Jonathan Villar is starting at shortstop and Hanser Alberto at second base. Trey...

Tags:

brandon hyde cedric mullins chris davis hanser alberto orioles pedro severino trey mancini lineup frontstory_orioles3

Cobb's return delayed again

April 19, 2019, 2:04pm

Orioles

The decision to postpone last night's game between the Orioles and Twins at Camden Yards was an easy one based on the heavy rains that fell, a forecast that included a tornado warning and proverbial windows busted as if treated by a demolition crew. Setting up the Orioles pitching also was a fairly easy call, the only question being whether Alex Cobb pitched in the first or second game of today's scheduled doubleheader. He's going in the nightcap, with Dan Straily leapfrogging him for the...

Tags:

alex cobb brandon hyde cedric mullins dan straily orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Orioles and Twins lineups (game postponed due to rain)

April 19, 2019, 11:07am

Orioles

Alex Cobb is coming off the injured list to make tonight's start against the Twins, if the weather allows it. He's listed as the starter, but a corresponding roster move hasn't been announced. Cedric Mullins is out of the lineup, but Chris Davis returns. Trey Mancini is in right field, with Joey Rickard in center. Hanser Alberto is playing second base and Jonathan Villar moves to shortstop. Cobb is making his second start tonight. He's 2-1 with a 3.80 ERA and 1.359 WHIP in four career...

Tags:

alex cobb brandon hyde cedric mullins chris davis hanser alberto jesus sucre joey rickard orioles pedro severino trey mancini featured_sidebar frontfeatured_orioles

More on Orioles' thrilling 11-inning win

April 19, 2019, 12:56am

Orioles

TAMPA - A trip that showed so much promise and offered the chance to inflict further damage within the division following a four-game split in Boston threatened to crumble beneath the dome at Tropicana Field. The Orioles were 2-0-1 in road series before losing two of three to the Rays, but avoiding a sweep last night and winning in such thrilling fashion - 11 innings after fumbling a three-run lead - put them in a celebratory mood. Music blared in the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field as...