Roch Kubatko

Because You Asked - Full Throttle

September 20, 2018, 4:50pm

Orioles

The last 10 games of the season can't pass without another dive into the ol' "mailbag," which requires actual quotation marks because air quotes won't work here. I tend to gravitate toward the duplicates, hoping that an answer will eliminate the repetition. But I've learned over the years that it doesn't really work. At least we're having fun, right? Right? I'm running low on movie sequel titles. Similar to how the Orioles are running out of starters. But I'm not injured and I'm not...

Leftovers for breakfast

September 19, 2018, 6:47pm

Orioles

A 44th win in the 152nd game of the season can only hold so many positives. The rest may seem forced. However, manager Buck Showalter could appreciate last night how a team with so many inexperienced and unproven components played such a crisp game in defeating the Blue Jays 2-1. The long walk down the hallway that leads to the interview room didn't seem like it stretched for miles. Jimmy Yacabonis works four scoreless innings in his fifth major league start. DJ Stewart hits his first major...

Tags:

adam jones austin wynns buck showalter cedric mullins dj stewart jonathan villar mark trumbo mychal givens orioles tanner scott featured_sidebar jimmy yaabonis frontstory_orioles2

Yacabonis goes four scoreless, Stewart homers in win (updated)

September 19, 2018, 5:42pm

Orioles

Yacabonis goes four scoreless, Stewart homers in win (updated)

The choice came down to Jimmy Yacabonis and Mike Wright Jr. for tonight's start that would close out the penultimate homestand of the 2018 season. Manager Buck Showalter weighed his options, checking rest days, and chose Yacabonis. Wright would back him up. It was a tag-team affair on a night when the Orioles were promoting World Wrestling Entertainment. How appropriate. Yacabonis shut out the Blue Jays over the first four innings and Wright blanked them in two. Miguel Castro hopped into the...

Tags:

adam jones austin wynns buck showalter cedric mullins dj stewart jimmy yacabonis miguel castro mike wright jr. mychal givens orioles tanner scott featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Davis on bench while hit with latest struggles at plate (O's up 2-1)

September 19, 2018, 2:34pm

Orioles

Davis on bench while hit with latest struggles at plate (O's up 2-1)

Chris Davis is out of the Orioles lineup tonight while mired in his latest slump. Davis has collected only one hit in 28 at-bats in his last eight games, with 13 strikeouts raising his season total to 185. His average is back down to .171. Manager Buck Showalter is playing Trey Mancini at first base again and using DJ Stewart as the designated hitter to provide more at-bats for the rookie. An expanded bench includes Davis, who again appeared to be getting on a roll and then screeched to a...

Tags:

buck showalter chris davis dj stewart orioles trey mancini featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles1

Notes on rotation, Bundy, Rogers and Sisco

September 19, 2018, 1:42pm

Orioles

Notes on rotation, Bundy, Rogers and Sisco

David Hess is getting another start for the Orioles on Saturday, completing two-thirds of the rotation for the weekend series in the Bronx. Yefry RamÃrez starts the opener. Manager Buck Showalter said he wants to push back Dylan Bundy to Monday in Boston, providing an extra day of rest. The vacancy on Sunday isn't likely to be filled by Dillon Tate or left-hander John Means, who continue to stay ready down in Sarasota. "I don't think so, but let's see how Friday goes," Showalter said....

Tags:

alex cobb andrew cashner chance sisco david hess dillon tate john means josh rogers orioles yefry ramirez featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

September 19, 2018, 11:12am

Orioles

DJ Stewart is the designated hitter tonight as the Orioles close their series against the Blue Jays, and Chris Davis is on the bench. Davis is 6-for-36 with three home runs and 12 strikeouts lifetime against right-hander Marco Estrada. Joey Rickard is in left field and Adam Jones is in right. Rookie Austin Wynns is catching. Jimmy Yacabonis makes his first start since Game 1 of an Aug. 25 doubleheader against the Yankees. He's no longer working as the 26th man. Yacabonis has made three relief...

Tags:

austin wynns cedric mullins chris davis dj stewart jimmy yacabonis joey rickard orioles tim beckham frontstory_orioles1

Adam Jones on final home games

September 18, 2018, 6:47pm

Orioles

The modest gathering of fans during the current homestand generate the most noise when Adam Jones is introduced and steps to the plate. He hears it and provides an amusing explanation. "I think they're cheering louder because they don't know anybody else," he said with a laugh while sitting at his locker before last night's 6-4 loss to the Blue Jays, the club-record 108th of the season. "They don't really know who's in the lineup. They're like, 'Oh. Huh? Who?' But to be honest with...

Tags:

adam jones buck showalter orioles steve wilkerson featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Four unearned runs lead to club-record 108th loss (updated)

September 18, 2018, 5:55pm

Orioles

Four unearned runs lead to club-record 108th loss (updated)

Cedric Mullins clubbed his first home run in Baltimore tonight and DJ Stewart picked up his first major league hit and later stole his first base. Two of the potential rebuilding blocks contributing to a lead that carried into the seventh inning. It was squandered in stunning fashion, with the Jays scoring four unearned runs for a 6-4 win before an announced crowd of 9,096 that handed the Orioles a club-record 108th loss. The milestone was achieved in appropriate fashion. Defense has been...

Tags:

cedric mullins chris davis dj stewart dylan bundy orioles paul fry steve wilkerson trey mancini featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Showalter on leadership inside clubhouse (O's down 6-4)

September 18, 2018, 2:57pm

Orioles

Showalter on leadership inside clubhouse (O's down 6-4)

Given the chance to remain in his current role, Orioles manager Buck Showalter would make defense one of his points of emphasis in spring training. Defending at a level that they need get back to or the losses will continue to mount. "There are some things offensively," he added, "without delving into it too deeply." Establishing leadership within the clubhouse also could aid the process, but who's a logical candidate with Adam Jones expected to leave as a free agent? The large roster...

Tags:

adam jones buck showalter cedric mullins jonathan villar orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Notes on Harvey setback, rotation, Cobb, Cashner and Ortiz

September 18, 2018, 1:29pm

Orioles

Notes on Harvey setback, rotation, Cobb, Cashner and Ortiz

Hunter Harvey had another setback today in the fall instructional league. He felt some discomfort in his right elbow while throwing on flat ground and has been shut down again. Harvey underwent an MRI on Aug. 22 that didn't reveal any structural damage in the elbow and he was allowed to resume throwing a week later. He initially had been cleared on Aug. 6 to get back on his program after experiencing some stiffness in his right forearm that removed him from the mound, but the Orioles shut him...

Tags:

buck showalter dillon tate gabriel ynoa hunter harvey john means luis ortiz orioles pedro araujo featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

September 18, 2018, 11:32am

Orioles

Steve Wilkerson is getting the start at third base tonight for the Orioles, who will try to avoid a club-record 108th loss. Adam Jones is in right field. Breyvic Valera is the second baseman. DJ Stewart is in left field. Jonathan Villar is 28-for-32 in stolen base attempts and 14-for-16 since joining the Orioles. His 14 steals since Aug. 1 are the third-most in the American League. Luis Ortiz's hamstring is feeling much better today and it appears that he's ready to pitch again if the Orioles...

Tags:

dj stewart luis ortiz orioles steve wilkerson frontstory_orioles3

Notes on rotation, Cervenka, tonight's game and more

September 17, 2018, 6:33pm

Orioles

Notes on rotation, Cervenka, tonight's game and more

While the Orioles were deciding to start Evan Phillips last night and monitoring the weather in case their rotation plans had to be altered again, they had John Means and Dillon Tate throwing side sessions down in Sarasota to remain options for Wednesday night. Lots of balls in the air, lots of moving parts. "We've got that well underway," said manager Buck Showalter. "Trying to make sure that we're covered there." Means and Tate must be protected in the Rule 5 draft and eventually will...

Tags:

austin hays austin wynns buck showalter caleb joseph chance sisco chris davis dillon tate dylan bundy engelb vielma john means martin cervenka orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

O's shut out for 15th time and tie club record for losses (updated)

September 17, 2018, 5:50pm

Orioles

O's shut out for 15th time and tie club record for losses (updated)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't decide to become trendy and go with an "opener" instead of a traditional starter against the Blue Jays. It was done out of necessity with injuries and innings limits forcing his hand. And he avoided the term as if it were contagious. A reliever stood on the mound tonight after the playing of both anthems. Call it what you want. Evan Phillips made his first major league start and second as a professional in front of an intimate gathering that waited out a...

Tags:

austin wynns buck showalter chris davis cody carroll evan phillips john andreoli jonathan villar orioles renato nunez sean gilmartin featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Notes on lineup shuffling, Sisco, Phillips and Fry (O's down 4-0)

September 17, 2018, 2:12pm

Orioles

Notes on lineup shuffling, Sisco, Phillips and Fry (O's down 4-0)

The Orioles are expected to stick with their latest lineup, the third posted today, if the weather allows them to play. It's pouring at Camden Yards. Breyvic Valera was removed from the original one due to some shuffling that began with Adam Jones going from right field to the designated hitter role. Joey Rickard was inserted into right field, but he's been removed while Chris Davis gets the start at first base. Baseball's version of the trickle-down theory. "Just satisfying all the things...

Tags:

adam jones breyvic valera buck showalter chance sisco chris davis dillion tate dylan bundy john means jonathan villar mychal givens orioles paul fry featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Early notes from Camden Yards (another lineup change)

September 17, 2018, 12:55pm

Orioles

Early notes from Camden Yards (another lineup change)

The Orioles may post a third lineup today, with manager Buck Showalter hinting at another change. Adam Jones moved to designated hitter because of the wet field. The switch forced Breyvic Valera out of the lineup. He's a healthy scratch. Chance Sisco isn't available tonight after suffering a deep gash on his chin yesterday on a foul tip. He's also under concussion protocol. Sisco underwent an examination earlier today and he wasn't in the clubhouse while the media was allowed inside. The...

Tags:

adam jones andrew cashner breyvic valera buck showalter cody carroll dillon tate dylan bundy evan phillips john means orioles sean gilmartin steve wilkerson featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

New Orioles lineup

September 17, 2018, 12:21pm

Orioles

The Orioles have changed their lineup tonight, subtracting second baseman Breyvic Valera and adding Joey Rickard. Rickard is playing right field and Adam Jones has moved to the designated hitter role. Tim Beckham goes to shortstop and Jonathan Villar switches to second base. For the Orioles Cedric Mullins CF Jonathan Villar 2B Adam Jones DH Trey Mancini 1B Tim Beckham SS Renato NÃºÃ±ez 3B Joey Rickard RF John Andreoli LF Austin Wynns C Evan Phillips RHP

Tags:

adam jones joey rickard jonathan villar orioles tim beckham frontfeatured_orioles

Phillips starting tonight for Orioles

September 17, 2018, 11:47am

Orioles

The Orioles have chosen right-hander Evan Phillips as tonight's starter against the Blue Jays in the series opener at Camden Yards. Phillips has made one career start and it came last year with Triple-A Gwinnett. Chris Davis is out of the lineup again. Tim Beckham is the designated hitter and Jonathan Villar gets another start at shortstop. John Andreoli is in left field. Austin Wynns is catching. Rookie left-hander Ryan Borucki, a 15th-round pick in 2012, is 3-4 with a 4.26 ERA and 1.421 WHIP...

Tags:

austin wynns chris davis evan phillips john andreoli jonathan villar orioles tim beckham frontfeatured_orioles

Notes on tonight's starter, Meisinger's roll and Stewart's DH duty

September 16, 2018, 3:59pm

Orioles

Notes on tonight's starter, Meisinger's roll and Stewart's DH duty

The Orioles will reveal their starter for tonight's game before the anthem. Hopefully, before the media gains access to the clubhouse at 3:10 p.m. It's an unwritten rule that pitchers don't talk on the day that they're starting. I'd hate to approach the wrong guy. The choice would seem to come down to left-handers Sean Gilmartin (my guess) and Donnie Hart and right-hander Evan Phillips. No matter who gets the ball, the bullpen figures to be busy. Gilmartin has made two starts in the majors...

Tags:

adam jones alex cobb andrew cashner buck showalter dj stewart donnie hart evan phillips john andreoli josh rogers luis ortiz mychal givens orioles paul fry ryan meisinger sean gilmartin featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Orioles avoid sweep and record-tying loss with 8-4 win (updated)

September 16, 2018, 12:35pm

Orioles

On the four-year anniversary of the Orioles clinching their first division title since 1997, they managed to avoid tying the club record for most losses in a season. No champagne on ice, no plastic covering the lockers. An Orioles flag wasn't trotted around the warning track, fans didn't stick around to share in a celebration and Adam Jones didn't pie anyone. It was just a nice win on a gorgeous afternoon at Camden Yards following a loss last night that gnawed at Buck Showalter. Embrace the...

Early notes on Ortiz, rotation, Jones and more (O's lead 7-4)

September 16, 2018, 8:52am

Orioles

Early notes on Ortiz, rotation, Jones and more (O's lead 7-4)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter indicated today that rookie Luis Ortiz isn't close to being available to pitch and likely will undergo an MRI on his left hamstring early this week "On anybody that there's some possible questions on, they do exit MRIs on to make sure they've got a baseline to compare anything with and not be surprised during the offseason," Showalter said. "And there's some talk about pushing that forward to, say, Monday or Tuesday, making sure what we're dealing with...