Machado trade to L.A. in final stages without medical concerns

Machado trade to L.A. in final stages without medical concerns
The Orioles are in the final stages of completing a trade that will send shortstop Manny Machado to the Dodgers in exchange for five players, according to an industry source. They're in the home stretch. The Dodgers have agreed on the players and there are only some "final points to review," per the source. Reports surfaced earlier today, including a tweet from MLB Network Radio's Steve Phillips, that the deal hit a snag due to concerns over the medicals on at least one of the players....

Waiting for the Machado trade to become official

Waiting for the Machado trade to become official
The interleague portion of the Orioles schedule after the break doesn't include the Dodgers. If you want to see Manny Machado, you'll need to head out West. Or make the drive to Philadelphia for the three-game series that begins on Monday. There's no "Hug Watch" today because Machado isn't with his Orioles teammates, but everyone is braced for the trade with the Dodgers to be finalized. I was told late last night that the deal wasn't "done," but it's obviously close enough that there...

Machado plays five innings in All-Star Game

Machado plays five innings in All-Star Game
WASHINGTON - The introduction was more meaningful tonight than in past All-Star Games. Manny Machado stood on the top step of the dugout and waited to hear his name. Batting seventh and playing shortstop ... from the Baltimore Orioles ... It won't happen again. And not just because he hits higher in the order. Machado will be traded later this week, perhaps as early as Wednesday, and won't be with the Orioles when they resume their season Friday night in Toronto. He's expected to go to the...

Machado unaware of pending trade

Machado unaware of pending trade
WASHINGTON - Manny Machado had to squeeze past a crowd of reporters this afternoon to reach his locker and address his status for the final time. The session lasted close to three minutes and he was gone. Still representing the Orioles at the All-Star Game, still waiting to find out where he's playing later this week. Asked what he's heard from the Orioles or his agent, a weary Machado replied, "Nothing, nothing." "I haven't heard anything and I'm just worried about the game today and...

Latest on Machado, Hader makes it hard for O's to forget (updated)

Latest on Machado, Hader makes it hard for O's to forget (updated)
The Orioles haven't changed their stance that Manny Machado will represent them tonight at the All-Star Game. There's no way he's going to be traded before first pitch. However, it still seems likely that he's wearing another uniform by Friday's start to the season's second half. A source confirmed again today that Machado probably will be moved by the end of the week. I wrote yesterday that it was "very close," and now comes word via ESPN's Buster Olney that the Orioles have the...

More Machado before tonight's All-Star Game

More Machado before tonight's All-Star Game
Manny Machado will be introduced at tonight's All-Star Game in D.C., maybe tip his cap to the crowd, and try not to think about the possibility that he's playing shortstop for the last time while representing the Orioles. They aren't moving him back to third base. They could be moving him to another team later this week, with the Phillies, Dodgers and Brewers deemed again yesterday to be the three finalists, according to a source. Machado may not make it to Friday. It's that close. Rumors...

Machado fields questions before All-Star ground balls

Machado fields questions before All-Star ground balls
WASHINGTON - The starting shortstop for the American League in Tuesday night's All-Star Game spent about 45 minutes this afternoon covering the same ground. Manny Machado sat at a table during the AL media session on the second level of Nationals Park and repeated how he'd prefer to play shortstop, but has no control over it if traded. Only in free agency does he wield such power. Machado wishes that he could stay with the Orioles, but if he's destined to be dealt he'd rather it happen soon...

Machado hitting seventh for AL in All-Star Game

Machado hitting seventh for AL in All-Star Game
WASHINGTON - We don't know where Manny Machado will be playing this weekend. But we do know he'll be in an Orioles uniform on Tuesday night when the American League battles the National League in the All-Star Game at Nationals Park. Machado will hit seventh and play shortstop, having been elected by the fans. Machado is hitting .315/.387/.575 with 24 home runs, 64 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 96 games. He's the Orioles' lone representative in the Midsummer Classic Chris Sale of the Red...

All-Star break brings more at-bats and questions for Machado

All-Star break brings more at-bats and questions for Machado
The All-Star break officially begins today. Players can relax at home or, for a few, in Toronto before opening the second half at Rogers Centre. Eliminates the travel day. It's a veteran move. Manny Machado is on a different schedule, of course. He's the one with the obligations, including today's media session at Nationals Park, where at least he's assured of finding a parking spot. It's going to be a circus-like atmosphere at Machado's table. My sole responsibility is counting how many...

Wrapping up Machado's day and a 6-5 win

Wrapping up Machado's day and a 6-5 win
The mock crying from one of Manny Machado's teammates on the other side of the clubhouse following today's game was meant to lighten the mood, though the shortstop already was smiling and ready to represent the Orioles in Tuesday's All-Star Game. That part was real. Did Machado play his final game as an Oriole at Camden Yards? Let everyone else speculate and stress over it. At no point in the day did Machado, who homered in the first inning and later walked, step back and allow himself to...

Machado homers in last game before break in 6-5 win

Machado homers in last game before break in 6-5 win
The applause for Manny Machado today as he walked up to the plate in the first inning had a familiar sound to it. But also a slightly different feel. Maybe it's just imaginations at work with Machado likely to be traded later this month, but there seemed to be an air of farewell. If Machado played his last game at Camden Yards as an Oriole, he punctuated it with a solo home run in the first in a 6-5 victory over the Rangers before an announced crowd of 18,754. Zach Britton allowed a two-out...

The rotation, health updates and the break (O's up 6-5)

The rotation, health updates and the break (O's up 6-5)
As manager Buck Showalter and pitching coach Roger McDowell line up the post-break rotation, they're cognizant of the need to give right-hander Kevin Gausman an extended break before his next outing. Gausman won't pitch again until July 23 against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. His most recent start came in Thursday night's makeup game against the Phillies, when he allowed five runs and a career-high 12 hits over five innings to leave his ERA at 4.33 in 112 1/3 innings. "Trying to give...

Orioles lineup vs. Rangers

Orioles lineup vs. Rangers
Miguel Castro gets the start today for the Orioles as they close out the first half against the Rangers. Mike Wright Jr. also is expected to pitch behind Castro. Trey Mancini is on the bench, but he's fine. Manager Buck Showalter said he wanted to get Joey Rickard in the lineup. Danny Valencia is the designated hitter. Mark Trumbo is in right field. Showalter is deciding whether Andrew Cashner starts Saturday in Toronto, followed by Alex Cobb on Sunday, or whether he reverses the order. Kevin...

More trade talk

More trade talk
The teams jockeying for position in the Manny Machado sweepstakes aren't hanging in one spot. The Braves, for example, seem less inclined to make a serious run at him as the days pass. They were Top 5 a few weeks ago, but the list didn't include the Yankees. And the Phillies, who were fourth, have moved past the Diamondbacks due to an increase in recent talks and depth of farm system. The Dodgers haven't gone away. Far from it. Of course, these rankings aren't based on a solid formula....

Wrapping up a 1-0 win

Wrapping up a 1-0 win
Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't ready to announce his starter for Sunday's series finale against the Rangers, which also closes out the season's first half. He's going to let everyone know in the morning, with the likely choices Miguel Castro and Mike Wright Jr. Showalter seems intent on taking someone out of the bullpen and leaving Chris Tillman at Triple-A Norfolk. Wright logged 1 1/3 innings and threw 39 pitches on Wednesday. Castro worked a scoreless inning the following night...

Ramirez throws five scoreless innings in Orioles' 1-0 win

Ramirez throws five scoreless innings in Orioles' 1-0 win
The Orioles didn't plan on sending down Yefry Ramírez after tonight's game, no matter how he pitched. They need a starter for Sunday and were ready to recall Jimmy Yacabonis before an illness nixed those plans, but Ramírez wasn't going to be the corresponding move. Filling out the rotation after the All-Star break includes keeping Ramírez in it, a byproduct of the team falling out of contention early and a spot remaining open after Chris Tillman was placed on the disabled list. They...

Brooks Robinson hired by Orioles as special advisor (O's up 1-0)

Brooks Robinson hired by Orioles as special advisor (O's up 1-0)
Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson never lost his love for the Orioles. He's now been given more avenues to show it. The Orioles have hired Robinson, 81, as a special advisor to the team, bringing him back to Camden Yards and in the community. Robinson walked into the press box and announced that he won't be playing or managing. He won't be offering baseball advice, the game becoming too complicated with its analytics and new rules. But he's prepared to do whatever is asked to...

Yacabonis won't start Sunday (and other notes)

Yacabonis won't start Sunday (and other notes)
The Orioles need a starter for Sunday's series finale. Jimmy Yacabonis is unavailable due to an illness - he was tested yesterday for strep throat - and manager Buck Showalter might resort to a bullpen game against the Rangers. His options depend on which relievers are needed tonight to back up rookie starter Yefry Ramírez. Showalter mentioned Chris Tillman again as a "possibility," but the club prefers to keep him at Triple-A Norfolk for Sunday's game against Gwinnett at Harbor...

Orioles lineup vs. Rangers

Orioles lineup vs. Rangers
Catcher Austin Wynns has his locker set up in the clubhouse, and his return will be made official later today. Wynns is replacing Chance Sisco on the roster, as I mentioned last night. Instant update: The Orioles just announced the move. Tim Beckham remains the leadoff hitter tonight against the Rangers. Caleb Joseph is catching. Nothing much to talk about. Rangers left-hander Martin Pérez is making his sixth start of the season. His most recent came on April 29, before Pérez went on the...

Jones remains unsure of destination or his decision

Jones remains unsure of destination or his decision
While reports have surfaced that the Indians are expressing interest in Orioles center fielder Adam Jones, the first real buzz attached to the five-time All-Star and pending free agent, he still hasn't been approached by the club regarding his 10-5 status. Jones has earned the right to refuse a trade based on his 10 years in the majors and five with the Orioles. Could they be waiting until they have an actual offer in hand before taking it to Jones, rather than just seeking blanket approval...