Roch Kubatko

Is Hays outrunning the outfield competition?

March 08, 2019, 2:33pm

Orioles

Is Hays outrunning the outfield competition?

SARASOTA, Fla. - As Austin Hays broke toward a fly ball in right-center field Thursday afternoon, he fought the elements but already had conquered his fears. The potential damage to a surgically repaired left ankle never crossed Hays' mind as he made a sprawling catch against the Pirates. A sprint and landing on the rock-hard warning track produced a highlight play and a broadest of smiles across his face. No pain or repercussions. "Off the bat it was pretty high, so I was running thinking...

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Orioles acquire Dwight Smith Jr. from Blue Jays

March 08, 2019, 1:02pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles turned more international signing bonus slots into a trade acquisition, landing outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. from the Blue Jays. The announcement came this afternoon. Smith has slashed .293/.365/.467 in 47 games with the Blue Jays over the past two seasons. He was selected in the first round (53rd overall) of the 2011 draft out of McIntosh (Ga.) High School. "Dwight Smith is a young outfielder with a strong track record of performance and a plus-hit tool from the...

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Wrapping up a 4-2 win

March 08, 2019, 11:32am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Gabriel Ynoa became the first Orioles pitcher this spring to work four innings. Did anyone pick him in the pool? How many people remembered that he was still in camp? Ynoa was the fourth pitcher used by manager Brandon Hyde in today's 4-2 win and he blanked the Red Sox on one hit. He walked none and struck out three. "I was not really expecting to go four innings today," Ynoa said through interpreter RamÃ³n AlarcÃ³n, "but they gave me the opportunity and I went ahead...

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Davis has MRI on hip (plus other pregame notes, O's win 4-2)

March 08, 2019, 7:42am

Orioles

Davis has MRI on hip (plus other pregame notes, O's win 4-2)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis underwent an MRI on his left hip this morning, marked absent at the complex as teammates arrived and readied for pregame stretch and drills. Davis hasn't played since Sunday because of a strained hip flexor, which occurred after he reached for a throw up the line. He's been labeled as day-to-day with slight improvements. "He is feeling better today, but we're doing a precautionary MRI this morning," said manager Brandon Hyde. "We just...

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Kline says he can learn from yesterday's walk-off home run

March 08, 2019, 4:49am

Orioles

Kline says he can learn from yesterday's walk-off home run

SARASOTA, Fla. - The walk back to the clubhouse stings, no matter the date or relative insignificance of the game. Branden Kline is a competitor. He's a proud young man. And he really wishes that he could undo the pitch he threw yesterday to the Pirates' Cole Tucker leading off the bottom of the ninth inning at LECOM Park. A fastball in a 2-0 count with the score tied. Tucker clearing the right field fence and circling the bases. Players leaving the field as fans head toward the exits. "I...

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Sucre debuts today for Orioles

March 08, 2019, 3:00am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla.- Catcher JesÃºs Sucre makes his Orioles debut this afternoon, batting sixth against the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. Sucre is jumping into the catching competition after reporting late due to visa issues in Venezuela. Trey Mancini is in left field, his left pinky finger healed. But still no Chris Davis, who's day-to-day with a sore left hip. Renato NÃºÃ±ez is at first base today and Hanser Alberto is playing third base. Jace Peterson is starting at second base. Andrew...

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Many points to consider when trying to project 25-man roster

March 07, 2019, 4:06pm

Orioles

Many points to consider when trying to project 25-man roster

SARASOTA, Fla. - Before I can get a stronger grip on the 25-man roster that will be unveiled on opening day in the Bronx, I still need to know how many pitchers are heading north. Is it a 12- or 13-man pitching staff? Does manager Brandon Hyde envision carrying four starters until a fifth is needed on April 10? The mocks are murky without this information. The position battles continue in the outfield, at third base and behind the plate. I'm giving Rule 5 pick Richie Martin the starting job at...

Hart claimed by Dodgers, wrapping up 5-4 loss

March 07, 2019, 11:18am

Orioles

Hart claimed by Dodgers, wrapping up 5-4 loss

BRADENTON, Fla. - Left-hander Donnie Hart, designated for assignment by the Orioles on March 1, has been claimed off waivers by the Dodgers. The Orioles designated Hart to make room for infielder Hanser Alberto. He posted a 5.59 ERA and 2.224 WHIP in 20 appearances with the Orioles last summer. In his only spring inning, Hart retired the side in order with two strikeouts. The former 27th round pick has a 3.43 ERA and 1.500 WHIP in 93 major league games. Branden Kline fell behind 2-0 to the...

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Wright stays on roll while unsure of role (O's lose 5-4)

March 07, 2019, 10:01am

Orioles

Wright stays on roll while unsure of role (O's lose 5-4)

BRADENTON, Fla. - No matter what role fits Mike Wright in the eyes of manager Brandon Hyde, the most important point is how the right-hander has done everything needed to stay with the club. Leaving nothing to chance. Wright is out of options but he hasn't run out of time. Three more scoreless innings today against the Pirates raised his total to 10. If there's no room in the rotation, especially with early off-days eliminating the need for a fifth starter until April 10, the Orioles can...

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Notes on Sucre debut, injuries, starters and more (O's up 3-2)

March 07, 2019, 7:38am

Orioles

Notes on Sucre debut, injuries, starters and more (O's up 3-2)

BRADENTON, Fla. - JesÃºs Sucre will make his Orioles debut by catching the first three innings of Friday afternoon's game against the Red Sox in Sarasota. Sucre, a late arrival due in camp to issues obtaining his work visa, also will catch Sunday against the Phillies in Sarasota. "I'll progress him as we go along, for sure," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He'll be in there." Austin Wynns was encouraged this morning by his MRI results after experiencing discomfort in his left oblique while...

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Updates on Bleier, Wynns and Fry

March 07, 2019, 5:04am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Richard Bleier is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut on Saturday when the Orioles play split-squad games against the Rays in Port Charlotte and the Yankees in Sarasota. Bleier threw a simulated game yesterday on one of the back fields at the Ed Smith Stadium complex - he said it counted as more than live batting practice because an umpire was used - and worked two "innings" against Mark Trumbo and Joey Rickard. "It went fine. It was good," he...

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Orioles and Pirates lineups

March 07, 2019, 3:48am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Davis and Austin Wynns remain out of the Orioles' lineup for today's game against the Pirates in Bradenton. Davis is nursing a sore left hip and Wynns underwent tests on his sore oblique. Stevie Wilkerson is playing first base today and Carlos PÃ©rez is catching. JesÃºs Sucre's debut is put off for at least one more day. Jonathan Villar is leading off and playing second base. Austin Hays is in center field. Mike Wright hasn't allowed a run in seven innings and...

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Leftovers for breakfast

March 06, 2019, 4:33pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The lessons that are distributed in Orioles camp don't skip past the manager's office. Brandon Hyde is finding out a lot about his team, the layers of mystery peeled away as the days pass. "I'll tell you what, I just like our guys," Hyde said yesterday while standing in the visiting dugout at Charlotte Sports Park. "I like the way our guys work. I didn't know what kind of work ethic our guys had. I didn't know how guys prepared. I didn't know the makeup of our players...

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Wrapping up a 9-6 win

March 06, 2019, 12:02pm

Orioles

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - What else must Richie Martin do in order to make the Orioles roster on opening day besides stay healthy? Plenty of games remain on the docket before they break camp, but Martin seems to be doing everything right. The slick fielding. The speed and hustle on the basepaths. The hits that keep coming following his breakout offensive year at the Double-A level that didn't motivate the Athletics to protect him in the Rule 5 draft. Given another start at shortstop today, Martin...

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Means unimpressed with today's outing (O's win 9-6)

March 06, 2019, 10:02am

Orioles

Means unimpressed with today's outing (O's win 9-6)

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - John Means will take the box score today with his final line and admire it for the three scoreless innings and five strikeouts. The surface beauty of it. But he won't be fooled by it. Means was a harsh critic while standing outside the visiting clubhouse, though the results did nothing to hurt his chances of making the club. He allowed only one hit, a bloop single for Kean Wong in the third that eluded retreating shortstop Richie Martin, and walked two batters. The...

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Failure to stretch out Karns could cost rotation spot (tied 3-3)

March 06, 2019, 7:32am

Orioles

Failure to stretch out Karns could cost rotation spot (tied 3-3)

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The need to slow-play Nate Karns through the first half of camp has jeopardized his chances of entering the rotation and potentially opens a second spot for a field of candidates. Karns lasted 1 2/3 innings in his spring debut on Feb. 25 and didn't pitch again until yesterday, retiring the side in order in the fourth. He was shut down briefly with some arm soreness. Manager Brandon Hyde noted yesterday that Karns didn't have his best fastball and indicated this morning...

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Mancini with the latest pinky update (plus notes)

March 06, 2019, 5:44am

Orioles

Mancini with the latest pinky update (plus notes)

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Trey Mancini still has wrapping on his left pinky finger, a reminder of an injury that amuses more than frustrates. The rare stolen base on Feb. 24, the head-first slide and an unfortunate collision between hand and Blue Jays shortstop Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Removed early from Saturday's game against the Red Sox in Fort Myers, Mancini has returned to the lineup today as the designated hitter. He's batting second against Rays starter Charlie Morton in chilly Port...

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Davis out of Orioles lineup, Mancini returns as designated hitter

March 06, 2019, 3:01am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Davis remains out of the Orioles lineup this afternoon with a left hip flexor strain. Rio Ruiz is starting at first base. Cedric Mullins is leading off and playing center field against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Trey Mancini is the designated hitter, getting back in the lineup after jamming his left pinky finger over the weekend. Anthony Santander is in left field and Yusniel Diaz is in right. Hanser Alberto is the second baseman and Rule 5 pick Richie Martin is the...

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Notes on Mountcastle, Young, Yacabonis, catching and coaches

March 05, 2019, 1:07pm

Orioles

Notes on Mountcastle, Young, Yacabonis, catching and coaches

SARASOTA, Fla. - With so much attention given to Ryan Mountcastle's repetitions and game experience at first base, his slow start at the plate barely drew notice. One hit in 13 at-bats from an upper-tier prospect who usually can roll out of bed and square up a fastball. But what about the glove? How does he look at first? Is he really changing positions again? Talent wins out again. Mountcastle entered yesterday's game with four hits in his last six at-bats. Driving the ball into the gap and...

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Wrapping up a 10-4 loss

March 05, 2019, 11:27am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The level of concern emanating from manager Brandon Hyde today following reliever Mychal Givens' second spring appearance didn't register. Nothing above a zero. The needle didn't move. Givens again lasted only two-thirds of an inning and was charged with five runs and four hits. He surrendered a leadoff home run to J.B. Shuck in the fourth and a three-run shot to Josh Bell with two outs in the Orioles' 10-4 loss to the Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium. A spring ERA of 40.50 was...