Roch Kubatko

Hyde on changes in Orioles camp, roles and more (updated)

February 14, 2019, 9:02am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - In his first spring training as a major league manager, Brandon Hyde is bringing some of his previous tactics while running camps to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. Music blared as the Orioles came onto the field for early stretching and warm-ups, the play list including two Pearl Jam songs, and the tunes switched to country later in the morning. The row of mounds on one of the back field areas has been expanded from four to six, allowing for more simultaneous...

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Kremer unable to throw due to oblique strain

February 14, 2019, 7:44am

Orioles

Kremer unable to throw due to oblique strain

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dean Kremer, the Orioles right-hander who led the minors in strikeouts last summer, is unable to work out in camp due to a strained left oblique. Kremer sustained the injury two weeks ago while working out at home and expects to be out for two more weeks. "I've got a slow recovery coming back, but I should be back in a couple of weeks," said Kremer, 23, who was obtained from the Dodgers in the Manny Machado trade. "I'm obviously not happy that it happened, but happy that...

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Karns refuses to dodge the AL East

February 14, 2019, 4:50am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitchers have a tendency to avoid the American League East as if it's a contagious disease. Especially the ones who are attempting a comeback and willing to accept a one-year deal in order to reestablish their value on the free agent market. Then there's Nathan Karns, who preferred a team like the Orioles, based on their division. As crazy as it might sound. "I think it's one of the premiere divisions in the league, and you want to beat the biggest names and they tend to be...

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Morning notes on Mancini's locker and Joseph's new deal

February 13, 2019, 2:27pm

Orioles

Morning notes on Mancini's locker and Joseph's new deal

SARASOTA, Fla. - About a month before Trey Mancini arrived at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, he received a text from Orioles catcher Chance Sisco that included a photo of his locker inside the home clubhouse. Mancini had moved down to the end of the row. In the corner where Adam Jones always resided in spring training. Sacred baseball ground. With only two full seasons in the majors, Mancini had become the chosen one. "I certainly didn't request it," Mancini said, smiling. "They had to put...

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More from Hyde following today's rain-soaked workout

February 13, 2019, 11:29am

Orioles

More from Hyde following today's rain-soaked workout

SARASOTA, Fla. - The rain and chill in the air didn't prevent the Orioles from having a productive first workout for their pitchers and catchers. It just had the beat crew scrambling to find warmth. I'll say it again: Florida cold is different than anywhere else. Same temperature in Baltimore and I'd be sleeveless. Richard Bleier broke out his cutter for his latest bullpen session. No one was electrocuted while working the video equipment. The Orioles have added catcher Cael Brockmeyer to...

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Bleier, Karns and Harvey among Orioles pitchers throwing today

February 13, 2019, 8:29am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles held their workout today for pitchers and catchers in a steady drizzle. Electronic equipment set up behind the mounds - laptops and high-speed video cameras - were covered with towels. "I think we got fortunate," said manager Brandon Hyde. "We had all kinds of Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, depending on the weather, and fortunate to get the bullpens in. Obviously, we couldn't do a whole lot because the fields were so wet, but we feel good about getting the bullpens in...

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Susac on second chance with Orioles

February 13, 2019, 4:53am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Rain has been falling all morning in Sarasota and it could impact the first workout for Orioles pitchers and catchers at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. They'll attempt to head outdoors if the proverbial window opens. Former Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph has signed a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks worth a guaranteed $1.1 million. He turned down the Orioles' offer of a minor league contract, held out for something better and got it. The Orioles brought six catchers to camp,...

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Catching up on an odd position battle

February 12, 2019, 4:54pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The report date for pitchers and catchers at Orioles camp yesterday didn't preclude a handful of position players from showing up. Mark Trumbo hit, threw and shagged fly balls on the Camden Yards replica field. Outfielder Ryan McKenna, utility candidate Chris Bostick, infielder Zach Vincej and Rule 5 infielder Richie Martin were in the clubhouse for media availability, and I heard that outfielders Trey Mancini and Mike Yastrzemski also were at the facility. What really stood...

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Meetings, roster talk, openers and more from Orioles camp

February 12, 2019, 12:07pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Much of today's activity at the Ed Smith Stadium complex happened out of the media's view. Behind closed doors. Without the sounds of batting practice or games of catch. Players met individually with executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, manager Brandon Hyde and the coaches. Assistant general manager Sig Mejdal got the analytics ball rolling. A rebuild and brand new organizational direction requires it. "We've got a large group in there," Elias said, his...

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Leadership valued and required at Orioles camp

February 12, 2019, 10:34am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Trumbo took batting practice this morning on the replica Camden Yards field, testing out his surgically repaired right knee and gaining a truer sense of the rebuild that's unfolding around him. "I was probably seven or eight years older than anybody in the cage today," he said, drawing laughter from the media at his locker. Not that the 33-year-old Trumbo has any complaints about a youth movement or senses that he doesn't belong in it. "It's really good," he said....

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Observations from Orioles spring training and updating Ortiz

February 12, 2019, 8:26am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The first official day of Orioles camp is Wednesday morning, but players took batting practice, shagged fly balls and did some running earlier today on the back fields. A nice turnout before noon. Position players already here include Mark Trumbo, Trey Mancini and Mike Yastrzemski. Mancini has been assigned Adam Jones' old locker in the far corner of the clubhouse. Jones' absence while remaining on the free agent market was noted by multiple players. One of them said he...

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Report day for Orioles pitchers and catchers

February 11, 2019, 4:36pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitchers and catchers report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex today, an official date that doesn't preclude anyone from showing up early. The place isn't surrounded by a moat - unless there's heavy rain, because it's Florida and a little flooding is required by state law. Security guards will allow entrance to employees. The days of players waiting until the final hours or just phoning their manager with confirmation that they're "in town" began to wane after the...

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Orioles sign Eric Young Jr.

February 11, 2019, 8:52am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Seeking a veteran outfielder to compete for a job in spring training, the Orioles have signed Eric Young Jr. to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to major league camp, according to an industry source. Young, who turns 34 in May, is a career .245/.312/.332 hitter in 10 major league seasons. He appeared in 41 games with the Angels last year, slashing .202/.248/.303 in 117 plate appearances, and also has played for the Rockies, Mets, Braves and Yankees. Though...

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Springing ahead to the start of camp

February 10, 2019, 11:38am

Orioles

The demise of baseball's offseason began with two cancelled flights today to Tampa, leading to the great race last night to the airport. Still plenty of time to compile a list of spring training story ideas and top candidates to be stalked at their lockers and on the back fields at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Chris Davis is going to be asked again and again about his offseason workouts and changes from previous winters, though he's already detailed them in multiple interviews. His batting...

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Leftovers for breakfast

February 09, 2019, 11:08am

Orioles

I'm drawing closer to again making it through an offseason without running out of material. There were some narrow escapes along the way, especially with no media access to minicamp, but here we are, days away from the steady flow of spring training reports. I'm sitting on some leftovers, which can get messy. A comfortable chair would make more sense. For example, here's Trey Mancini on Cedric Mullins, who's expected to start in center field on opening day: "He's a really impressive...

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Taking the rotation for another spin

February 08, 2019, 11:44am

Orioles

The week began with me still convinced that the Orioles would sign or trade for a veteran starter before opening day to occupy a spot in the middle or back end of the rotation. And because of this, I've been hesitant to go all-in while discussing camp competitions and ranking the favorites. News broke on Thursday that the Orioles signed right-hander Nate Karns to a one-year deal guaranteeing $800,000. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias stated at FanFest that pitching was...

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Orioles reveal minor league and player development staffs

February 08, 2019, 6:54am

Orioles

The Orioles announced their 2019 minor league staffs this morning and the composition of their player development department, with many of the changes and returns already reported. Gary Kendall moves up from Double-A Bowie to manage Triple-A Norfolk, with Mike Griffin returning as pitching coach and Butch Davis as hitting coach. Ramon Sambo is serving as field coach after holding the same title with short-season Single-A Aberdeen for the past two summers. Buck Britton moves up from Single-A...

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More memories of Frank Robinson

February 07, 2019, 4:44pm

Orioles

On a normal day in an offseason that's been light on significant Orioles roster news, the signing of pitcher Nate Karns to a one-year deal would have lit up the social media switchboard. The conversations would have touched on his chances of filling a spot in the rotation, his injury history, the pros and cons of a low-risk move that eliminated infielder Jack Reinheimer from the 40-man roster, and maybe the assignment of uniform No. 36, which had belonged to catcher Caleb Joseph. The passing...

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Mourning the loss of Frank Robinson

February 07, 2019, 10:44am

Orioles

The man who is credited with teaching the Orioles how to win is being mourned today throughout the baseball industry. The words hit especially close to home in Baltimore. The pain digs especially deep. Hall of Famer Frank Robinson has passed away after a lengthy battle with bone cancer. He was 83. Updates on the severity of Robinson's condition began to circulate at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, including how he was in hospice care in Southern California, and the news remained dire at...

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Orioles sign Karns to major league deal (updated)

February 07, 2019, 8:48am

Orioles

Vowing back in December to proceed slowly through the free agent market while seeking to upgrade the roster, Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias has acquired his first player on a major league deal. Veteran right-hander Nate Karns has agreed to a one-year contract guaranteeing $800,000 with a possible $200,000 in incentives based on innings pitched, according to an industry source. Karns, 31, can max out at 100 innings, a total he's reached once in parts of five...