More on Yacabonis' role in camp

More on Yacabonis' role in camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles held their annual Photo Day this morning at Ed Smith Stadium before taking the field for stretching and workouts. No media access until later today. The schedule doesn't show any bullpen or live batting practice sessions for the pitchers. Jimmy Yacabonis is on a starter's routine in camp, including two turns of live BP. Relievers were held to one. As I wrote yesterday, manager Brandon Hyde is open to using Yacabonis in the rotation or as a long reliever and will...

Jackson trying to stay with Orioles as other Rule 5 pick

Jackson trying to stay with Orioles as other Rule 5 pick
SARASOTA, Fla. - A leisurely stroll for minor league infielder Drew Jackson turned into a joy ride. With a couple of crazy turns along the way. Jackson was left unprotected by the Dodgers in the Rule 5 draft, held on the final day of baseball's annual Winter Meetings, and the Phillies selected him with the 11th overall pick. "My phone started blowing up," he said. Then came the one call that blew up his visions of going to spring training in Clearwater. "Very weird day," said Jackson, who...

Orioles hire Kevin Brown to handle radio play-by-play

Orioles hire Kevin Brown to handle radio play-by-play
(DRAFT) SARASOTA, Fla. - ESPN broadcaster Kevin Brown is joining the Orioles Radio Network in 2019, serving as a play-by-play announcer for about 50 games this season. Brown's hiring comes on the heels of Joe Angel's retirement after 19 seasons as the radio play-by-play voice of the Orioles. Angel spent more than four decades calling major league games, including two World Series, 44 postseason games and seven no-hitters. Brown currently serves as a play-by-play commentator on ESPN's...

Notes on Mountcastle, Cobb and more to wrap up latest workout

Notes on Mountcastle, Cobb and more to wrap up latest workout
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde continues to rotate players at different positions in camp. Heads can spin trying to track them. Ryan Mountcastle, Chris Bostick and Jace Peterson worked out at third base this morning on the Earl Weaver "Little" Field. Rio Ruiz and Steve Wilkerson moved to first base. Rule 5 picks Richie Martin and Drew Jackson were stationed at shortstop. Zach Vincej and Jack Reinheimer took ground balls at second base. Hyde is new to the organization and...

Orioles claim Osich, Escobar reports to camp

Orioles claim Osich, Escobar reports to camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made another waiver claim this afternoon, selecting Josh Osich from the Giants, while also adding a fifth left-handed reliever to their 40-man roster. Osich, 30, joins Richard Bleier, Tanner Scott, Paul Fry and Donnie Hart. Non-roster southpaws Sean Gilmartin and Chris Lee also are in camp. Infielder Hanser Alberto has been designated for assignment to make room for Osich on the 40-man roster. The Orioles claimed Alberto off waivers from the Yankees last month. The...

Today's pitching plans and Mountcastle's workouts at first base

Today's pitching plans and Mountcastle's workouts at first base
SARASOTA, Fla. - Infielder Alcides Escobar is in Orioles camp this morning and taking his physical. He's been assigned uniform No. 1. Rule 5 pick Richie Martin sits next to him in the clubhouse. He's also been assigned No. 1. My guess here is that Martin will be changing numbers. Four fields will be used again today for living batting practice. Alex Cobb, Yefry Ramírez and Mychal Givens will throw inside the stadium. John Means, Josh Rogers and Zach Pop are on Field 2. Mike Wright Jr.,...

Leftovers from the first week of Orioles spring training

Leftovers from the first week of Orioles spring training
SARASOTA, Fla. - With veteran infielder Alcides Escobar expected in the clubhouse this morning, the Orioles media will have an easy note or main story teed up on the second day of full-squad workouts. Escobar was traveling yesterday, his arrival increasing to 60 the number of players in camp. The roster holds 62, including catcher Jesús Sucre and pitcher Gregory Infante, who remain in Venezuela. Infante is a long shot to make the club, but Sucre has a legitimate chance if he can obtain his...

Karns, Harvey highlight first day of full-squad workouts

Karns, Harvey highlight first day of full-squad workouts
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles turned in their busiest day of spring training with early meetings and lingering physicals followed by stretching and the first full-squad workout of camp. Players were spread over every field at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Live batting practice was held in the stadium and on fields 2-4. "We're getting guys going, getting ready for games," said manager Brandon Hyde. "I think some days you start on the first day, sometimes you start on the second day, but the...

Relievers left to wonder whether there's room for them in 'pen

Relievers left to wonder whether there's room for them in 'pen
SARASOTA, Fla. - The first full-squad workout today will feature 14 pitchers throwing live batting practice spread over four fields. Andrew Cashner, Dylan Bundy and Sean Gilmartin will throw off the Ed Smith Stadium mound. Nathan Karns, David Hess, Hunter Harvey and Cody Carroll are grouped together. So are Luis Ortiz, Dillon Tate, Evan Phillips and Tanner Scott. Gabriel Ynoa, Branden Kline and Jimmy Yacabonis are together on another back field. Left-hander Richard Bleier will throw another...

Reviewing the first week of Orioles camp

Reviewing the first week of Orioles camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have reached another spring mile marker today with the first full-squad workout. Every player is in camp except for infielder Alcides Escobar, who's expected to report later today, catcher Jesús Sucre and pitcher Gregory Infante - the latter two stuck in Venezuela for visa and health reasons. "(Today) definitely does step it up a notch. There's no doubt," said manager Brandon Hyde. "There are going to be balls flying all over the place. We're going to have...

Hyde: "I'm excited about the mix of middle infielders we have"

Hyde: "I'm excited about the mix of middle infielders we have"
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles aren't suffering from a shortage of infielders in camp. Major league and minor league deals. Guys come off the 40-man roster, clear waivers and receive invites. Bringing in Alcides Escobar raises the infield total to 14 and most of them can man the middle. No one has been anointed as the starter at third base, shortstop or second base. "I think it keeps the competition going in camp," said manager Brandon Hyde. "I'm excited about the mix of middle infielders we...

Eric Young Jr. on his opportunity and leadership role

Eric Young Jr. on his opportunity and leadership role
SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Eric Young Jr. and infielders Hanser Alberto and Steve Wilkerson reported to Orioles camp this morning, leaving infielders Jonathan Villar and Alcides Escobar as the only position players who haven't arrived. Escobar signed a minor league deal yesterday and might not get here until Monday's first full-squad workout. Young, who's been assigned No. 28, also received a minor league contract with a spring invite. He's a career .245/.312/.332 hitter in 10 major league...

More on the Escobar signing

More on the Escobar signing
SARASOTA, Fla. - The arrival of veteran infielder Alcides Escobar in Orioles camp, whether today or by Monday's first full-squad workout, will require him to field questions along with ground balls. Why the Orioles, who are in a full rebuild that's been made public and can turn off a player whose career is winding down? Is it because of the late date, or maybe an opportunity that can't be found in other organizations? Is he competing for a starting job in the middle infield or third base, or...

Orioles sign Alcides Escobar to minor league deal

Orioles sign Alcides Escobar to minor league deal
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made a move this afternoon that intensified the shortstop and utility competition. Alcides Escobar agreed to terms on a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training as the first full-squad workout unfolds on Monday. He can earn $700,000 if playing for the Orioles. The rebuild doesn't preclude executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias from bringing a 32-year-old infielder into the fold. "Alcides Escobar will add a great veteran option to...

Hearing from Hyde and Díaz following the latest Orioles workout

Hearing from Hyde and Díaz following the latest Orioles workout
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he anticipates having everyone in camp Sunday besides catcher Jesús Sucre and pitcher Gregory Infante, who remain in Venezuela. The first full-squad workout will be held Monday. Jonathan Villar, Steve Wilkerson, Eric Young Jr. and Hanser Alberto haven't reported. An illness is preventing Infante from boarding a flight to the United States. "What I just heard this morning is all signs are getting positive, he's feeling better," Hyde said....

Hays making run for roster spot on healthy ankle

Hays making run for roster spot on healthy ankle
SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielders Yusniel Díaz and DJ Stewart, third baseman Ryan Mountcastle and infielder Jack Reinheimer have reported early to camp. Among position players still marked absent are infielders Jonathan Villar, Steve Wilkerson and Hanser Alberto and outfielder Eric Young Jr. They aren't required to be at the ballpark until Monday's full-squad workout. Outfielder Austin Hays arrived yesterday and took batting practice on the stadium field. His surgically repaired left ankle...

Bundy gives his early approval to new techniques

Bundy gives his early approval to new techniques
SARASOTA, Fla. - Among the early observations from Orioles spring training are how the workouts are packed with activity but also moving at a brisk pace, not a single minute wasted, and laptop screens are hard to see in bright sunlight. On the latter subject, the increase in technology and data collection is playing out before our eyes while pitchers complete their bullpen sessions on the row of mounds on a back field. High-speed video cameras capture slow-motion images while various team...

Orioles hire ESPN's Kevin Brown to handle radio play-by-play

Orioles hire ESPN's Kevin Brown to handle radio play-by-play
(DRAFT) SARASOTA, Fla. - ESPN broadcaster Kevin Brown is joining the Orioles Radio Network in 2019, serving as a play-by-play announcer for about 50 games this season. Brown's hiring comes on the heels of Joe Angel's retirement after 19 seasons as the radio play-by-play voice of the Orioles. Angel spent more than four decades calling major league games, including two World Series, 44 postseason games and seven no-hitters. Brown currently serves as a play-by-play commentator on ESPN's...

Davis on his health, workouts and hushing the skeptics

Davis on his health, workouts and hushing the skeptics
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Davis knew it was coming. He hadn't reported to Orioles camp, at least according to the media's unofficial count, after vowing to arrive early. The most critical of fans had more ammunition. Talk radio came after him, too. Davis said he's been in Sarasota since Saturday afternoon, but an illness kept him away from his teammates. He didn't want to be at the complex while contagious. His equipment arrived ahead of him. "We got in around 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon...

Davis in camp and other notes from Orioles spring training

Davis in camp and other notes from Orioles spring training
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Davis is in camp and he'll speak with the media in a few minutes. There seems to be an obsession over his report date. Position players aren't due until Sunday. "We've talked on the phone a few times, got to see him in person at FanFest, talked to him this morning. So it's been all positive," said manager Brandon Hyde. "I think he looks great and he sounds great and I'm ready to watch him work out." Outfielder Austin Hays has reported early and he took batting...