Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
Joey Rickard is in right field tonight and Adam Jones returns to center after last night's break during Game 2 of a doubleheader. Tim Beckham remains the leadoff hitter. Trey Mancini is playing left field and batting seventh. Caleb Joseph is behind the plate. Andrew Cashner has registered three consecutive quality starts and five in his last six outings, the exception coming after a long rain delay in D.C. after he tossed four scoreless innings. He's 0-3 with three no-decisions in that...

Beckham staying ready at shortstop, Yankees enter Machado fray

Beckham staying ready at shortstop, Yankees enter Machado fray
While craving young pitching talent in any trade involving Manny Machado, the Orioles also could use a replacement for him at shortstop, or at least a temporary plan for filling the position. They aren't going to shift the rest of the season and leave the spot empty. Cadyn Grenier, the second-round pick last month out of Oregon State, is playing at low Single-A Delmarva and must wait for his chance in the majors. His defense alone could elevate him to the Double-A level, according to some...

Game 2 Orioles lineup vs. Yankees (quotes added)

Game 2 Orioles lineup vs. Yankees (quotes added)
Chris Davis is in the Orioles lineup for Game 2 of the doubleheader, but Adam Jones heads to the bench. Joey Rickard is in center field, Jace Peterson is in left and Danny Valencia stays in right. Trey Mancini joins Jones on the bench. Chance Sisco will catch Yefry Ramírez, as the Orioles go for the sweep over the Yankees. For the Orioles Tim Beckham 3B Jonathan Schoop 2B Manny Machado SS Mark Trumbo DH Chris Davis 1B Danny Valencia RF Jace Peterson LF Joey Rickard CF Chance Sisco C Yefry...

Valencia's three-run homer powers O's past Yankees 5-4

Valencia's three-run homer powers O's past Yankees 5-4
CC Sabathia fielded a comebacker in the fifth inning today, threw to second base to start a double play and raised both arms triumphantly as it unfolded. He kept them in the air while the ball began its journey around the infield. The image of a heavyweight who had just delivered the knockout punch. The Orioles are in a much lower class in 2018, but they struck the hardest blow an inning later, sending Sabathia - arms now at his side - to the visiting clubhouse. Danny Valencia broke an 0-for-25...

Injury updates and more on Machado (O's lead 5-4)

Injury updates and more on Machado (O's lead 5-4)
Most of today's pregame media session with manager Buck Showalter centered on injury updates and pointing out again that shortstop Manny Machado is really good and hasn't let distractions ruin his game. Showalter remains confident that Alex Cobb will make his next start after leaving yesterday's game in Minnesota with a blister on his right index finger. "It's more of a deep callus underneath," Showalter said. "Once they kind of cleaned it up and everything, he was fine. Like I said...

Game 1 Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

Game 1 Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
Trey Mancini is playing first base today for Game 1 of the Orioles' doubleheader against the Yankees. Chris Davis is on the bench. He's 12-for-54 (.222) with two home runs and 22 strikeouts lifetime against left-hander CC Sabathia. Joey Rickard is in left field and Danny Valencia is in right. Jimmy Yacabonis was called up as the 26th man to make the start. Sabathia is making his 43rd career start against the Orioles, the second-most versus any opponent behind the Rays (47). He's 19-10 with a...

More challenges and Machado trade talk await Orioles this week

More challenges and Machado trade talk await Orioles this week
MINNEAPOLIS - Because the 2018 season hasn't burrowed deeply enough under the Orioles' collective skin, they are forced to play a doubleheader today against the Yankees due to a rainout on May 31, and also lose Thursday's off-day after rain washed away a May 15 game versus the Phillies. When did this club become a human dart board? Catching a break will necessitate the arrival of All-Star week, though it's pretty hard to completely detach from a loss total that grew to 65 over the...

Blister on right finger ended Cobb's day in 10-1 loss

Blister on right finger ended Cobb's day in 10-1 loss
MINNEAPOLIS - The Orioles couldn't avoid another loss today, but they dodged a serious injury involving Alex Cobb, who left the game in the sixth inning with a blister on his right index finger that shouldn't impact his next start. It wasn't a hamstring or knee after he made a move toward Logan Morrison's bunt in the sixth. Cobb said he noticed the blister near the end of the fourth inning. "It was getting hot later on in the game, so tried to cool down a lot between innings with ammonia...

Cobb leaves game with injury in latest Orioles loss

Cobb leaves game with injury in latest Orioles loss
MINNEAPOLIS - Alex Cobb needed a sensational diving catch today from Manny Machado to avoid a run from scoring in the second inning. He needed to avoid a leadoff walk in the fifth and the fastball he grooved to Mitch Garver with the count full to have any chance of winning. Falling behind by two runs can feel like a death sentence. Just imagine the impact of a 10-run deficit later in the day. Factor in a bunt single that led to Cobb coming off the field with head athletic trainer Brian Ebel,...

Manny Machado voted into All-Star Game as AL shortstop

Manny Machado voted into All-Star Game as AL shortstop
MINNEAPOLIS - His destination unknown while the center of major trade talks with several teams, Orioles shortstop Manny Machado at least can be sure that he's starting for the American League in the upcoming All-Star Game in D.C. Machado received the most votes (1,740,645) among AL shortstops, his position in 2018 following J.J. Hardy's departure from the Orioles, and will appear in his fourth All-Star Game in seven major league seasons. He was a reserve third baseman in 2013 and 2015 and...

More on Monday's doubleheader (Cobb leaves with injury)

More on Monday's doubleheader (Cobb leaves with injury)
MINNEAPOLIS - Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't ready to name his Game 1 starter for Monday's doubleheader against the Yankees at Camden Yards, though Jimmy Yacabonis was pulled from today's assignment with Triple-A Norfolk and must be regarded as the favorite. Miguel Castro pitched in relief yesterday and likely is removed from consideration. Mike Wright Jr. is a possibility if he isn't needed today, but Yacabonis seems to have the inside track. Showalter did confirm that Yefry Ramirez...

Orioles and Twins lineups

Orioles and Twins lineups
MINNEAPOLIS - Trey Mancini returns to left field today for the Orioles, who are trying to avoid the first four-game sweep in Minnesota in club history. Danny Valencia is in right field. Caleb Joseph is catching. For the Orioles Tim Beckham 3B Adam Jones CF Manny Machado SS Mark Trumbo DH Chris Davis 1B Jonathan Schoop 2B Danny Valencia RF Trey Mancini LF Caleb Joseph C Alex Cobb RHP For the Twins Jorge Polanco SS Eddie Rosario LF Brian Dozier 2B Eduardo Escobar 3B Logan Morrison 1B Robbie...

Fry forcing Orioles to keep him on roster

Fry forcing Orioles to keep him on roster
MINNEAPOLIS - Orioles manager Buck Showalter has wanted to go with an eight-man bullpen and join a growing trend in baseball. It isn't always feasible, whether due to injuries or other roster complications, but they will continue to carry an extra reliever today while closing out their road trip. They've gone with three left-handers on occasion, and with Richard Bleier out for the season following lat surgery, Paul Fry has a chance to stick around for a while. He could have a direct impact on...

More on Machado sweepstakes and today's 5-4 loss

More on Machado sweepstakes and today's 5-4 loss
MINNESOTA - The losses don't need to keep piling up for the Orioles to remain engaged in trade discussions involving their highest-profile free agents. They're motivated to strike a deal involving shortstop Manny Machado, and the Dodgers are viewed as the most serious suitor, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations. The Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Brewers, Phillies, Braves and Cubs are, in that order, the most aggressive teams in talks, according to the source. And there isn't...

Orioles implode in middle innings and lose 5-4

Orioles implode in middle innings and lose 5-4
MINNESOTA - The Orioles scored three runs in the first inning today and shut down. Kevin Gausman cruised through the fourth and spun out of control. A season that can't get any worse keeps finding ways. Light-hitting Bobby Wilson's two-out, bases-loaded double in the sixth off Miguel Castro broke a 3-3 tie and the Twins rallied past the Orioles on their way to a 5-4 win at Target Field. Castro replaced Gausman, who was done after throwing 41 pitches in the fifth to run his count to 90. The...

Showalter deciding Monday doubleheader starter (O's down 5-3)

Showalter deciding Monday doubleheader starter (O's down 5-3)
MINNESOTA - The Orioles haven't settled on the second starter for Monday's doubleheader against the Yankees at Camden Yards. The only confirmation involves Yefry Ramirez's start in the other game. Jimmy Yacabonis has been pulled from Sunday's start with Triple-A Norfolk and could join the Orioles. However, manager Buck Showalter also will consider relievers Mike Wright Jr. and Miguel Castro. "We'll see how things go the next couple of days," Showalter said. Wright has lowered his ERA...

Orioles and Twins lineups

Orioles and Twins lineups
MINNESOTA - Trey Mancini is on the bench today and Jace Peterson is in left field as the Orioles continue their series against the Twins. Peterson is batting ninth. Tim Beckham continues to lead off. Danny Valencia is in right field and Chance Sisco is behind the plate. Kevin Gausman makes his second start against the Twins this season. He allowed six runs and seven hits over four innings on April 1. Brian Dozier, Miguel Sanó and Eduardo Escobar hit home runs. In his last four starts,...

Wondering where Tillman's rehab starts eventually lead him

Wondering where Tillman's rehab starts eventually lead him
MINNESOTA - The next step in Chris Tillman's injury rehab assignment takes him down to the Carolina League, his fourth level of the minors, while the Orioles figure out exactly what to do with him. There doesn't appear, at least on the surface, to be a clear plan with Tillman beyond deciding the location of his starts. He's pitched for short-season Single-A Aberdeen, low Single-A Delmarva and Triple-A Norfolk. The Single-A Frederick Keys get a turn Tuesday night because they're home. It's...

Short start and costly error factor into 6-2 loss (with quotes)

Short start and costly error factor into 6-2 loss (with quotes)
MINNESOTA - Put the first inning of tonight's game in a time capsule for future generations to study. For them to gain a better understanding of how a season can unravel so easily like a ball of yarn. How breaks keep eluding teams that are unable to create their own good fortune and anything that can go wrong is bound to happen. Tim Beckham wallops the first pitch from Twins starter Lance Lynn and center fielder Jake Cave makes a leaping catch at the fence to rob him of a home run. Beckham...

Yacabonis could be joining Orioles on Monday (O's down 6-2)

Yacabonis could be joining Orioles on Monday (O's down 6-2)
MINNESOTA - David Hess will make his next start for Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday afternoon in Durham, the turn that belonged to Jimmy Yacabonis before today's roster maneuvering. With Yacabonis no longer scheduled to take the mound, the Orioles have made him an option to join the club for Monday's doubleheader against the Yankees at Camden Yards. He could be the 26th player. Hess was optioned today while Dylan Bundy came off the disabled list. "David's going to start Sunday, get the ball back...