Roch Kubatko

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

July 15, 2018, 8:41am

Orioles

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...

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Orioles lineup vs. Rangers

July 15, 2018, 7:44am

Orioles

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...

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More trade talk

July 14, 2018, 8:53pm

Orioles

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....

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Wrapping up a 1-0 win

July 14, 2018, 7:08pm

Orioles

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...

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

July 14, 2018, 6:02pm

Orioles

The Orioles didn't plan on sending down Yefry RamÃrez 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 RamÃrez wasn't going to be the corresponding move. Filling out the rotation after the All-Star break includes keeping RamÃrez 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...

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

July 14, 2018, 5:03pm

Orioles

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...

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Yacabonis won't start Sunday (and other notes)

July 14, 2018, 1:33pm

Orioles

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 RamÃrez. 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...

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Orioles lineup vs. Rangers

July 14, 2018, 11:20am

Orioles

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 PÃ©rez is making his sixth start of the season. His most recent came on April 29, before PÃ©rez went on the...

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Jones remains unsure of destination or his decision

July 13, 2018, 7:26pm

Orioles

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...

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Orioles option Sisco, Yacabonis illness jeopardizes Sunday start

July 13, 2018, 7:13pm

Orioles

The Orioles are swapping out catchers again tonight by returning rookie Chance Sisco to Triple-A Norfolk. They made the announcement following a 5-4 loss to the Rangers at Camden Yards. The corresponding move will become official on Saturday with rookie Austin Wynns recalled from Norfolk. Sisco also was sent down on June 17, and returned 11 days later. He's batting .195/.306./.289 with eight doubles, two home runs and 16 RBIs in 58 games. Since rejoining the Orioles, Sisco has collected only...

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Orioles rally but again fall short in 5-4 loss

July 13, 2018, 6:18pm

Orioles

Alex Cobb never imagined that he'd have 12 losses before the All-Star break. Not while he waited to sign with a club after spring training camps opened, not after agreeing to a four-year, $57 million deal with the Orioles, not after getting off to a sluggish start based on his limited work prior to opening day. Though a pitcher's record shouldn't define him - considering how much of it is out of his hands - Cobb also carried a 6.67 ERA into tonight's series opener against the Rangers at...

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Notes on rotation, RamÃrez's next chance, Gilmartin (O's down 5-4)

July 13, 2018, 2:25pm

Orioles

Notes on rotation, RamÃrez's next chance, Gilmartin (O's down 5-4)

Jimmy Yacabonis appears to be the choice to start Sunday afternoon's game against the Rangers, which closes out the first half. The Orioles are keeping him available and intend to recall him before the game. Meanwhile, Chris Tillman remains the starter at Triple-A Norfolk. The assignment will mark Yacabonis' third major league start. He's allowed a combined five runs and 12 hits over nine innings, with two walks and 10 strikeouts. Yefry RamÃrez gets the start Saturday night and is...

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Orioles and Rangers lineups

July 13, 2018, 11:09am

Orioles

Danny Valencia is in right field tonight and Trey Mancini is in left for the Orioles' series opener against the Rangers. Chris Davis is batting seventh against left-hander Cole Hamels. Alex Cobb returns to the mound after leaving Sunday's start in Minnesota with a blister on his right index finger. He's made five career starts against the Rangers and gone 1-0 with a 2.91 ERA and 0.971 WHIP in 34 innings. Shin-Soo Choo is 5-for-12 with two doubles and a home run against him. Elvis Andrus is...

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About last night ...

July 12, 2018, 8:08pm

Orioles

Zach Britton began to warm in the Orioles' bullpen last night as they tried to rally in the bottom of the eighth inning. Manny Machado singled with one out and his club down by a run, and a save situation loomed. And then it was gone. Adam Jones flied to center field, the Phillies brought in left-hander Adam Morgan and Chris Davis struck out for the third time. (It might have seemed like a bold move to pinch-hit Danny Valencia, but if the club was willing to ignore the contract and sit Davis...

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Rally falls short, O's are 42 games below .500 (with quotes)

July 12, 2018, 5:11pm

Orioles

Rally falls short, O's are 42 games below .500 (with quotes)

As Manny Machado walked to the plate tonight with two outs and no one on base in the bottom of the first inning, a couple of visiting fans yelled, "Come to Philly!" Their club is doing just fine without him, completing a delayed sweep of the Orioles with a 5-4 victory before an announced crowd of 20,100 at Camden Yards. Kevin Gausman allowed five runs and a career-high 12 hits, weak contact still hurting him, and the Orioles had their 16th loss in 19 games. With a 26-68 record, they're 42...

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Orioles lament defensive shortcomings (O's down 5-4)

July 12, 2018, 2:58pm

Orioles

Whatever the return for shortstop Manny Machado in the coming hours, days or weeks, the Orioles will be focused in part on improving a defense that has been in steady decline for the past three seasons. It's become a familiar refrain, but executing the plan has proven to be as challenging as stringing together wins. Team officials vowed again to make defense a priority over the winter, but the Orioles moved Platinum Glove winner Machado to shortstop and put Tim Beckham at third base, where his...

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Injury updates on O'Day, Hays and Cashner

July 12, 2018, 12:45pm

Orioles

Injury updates on O'Day, Hays and Cashner

Orioles reliever Darren O'Day underwent his hamstring surgery today in Baltimore and manager Buck Showalter said the procedure "went great." "There were no surprises," Showalter said, adding that he's looking forward to O'Day "returning to form." Head athletic trainer Brian Ebel spoke with O'Day earlier today. Double-A Bowie outfielder Austin Hays had an injection in his ankle on Monday and will be shut down for a week before resuming baseball activities. Showalter remains confident...

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Orioles lineup vs. Phillies

July 12, 2018, 10:28am

Orioles

Trey Mancini's absence from the Orioles lineup lasted one game. He's starting at first base for tonight's makeup game against the Phillies. Chris Davis is the designated hitter and Mark Trumbo is in right field. Jace Peterson's knee must be feeling better because he's in left field. Adam Jones is batting cleanup, with Jonathan Schoop moving up to second in the order. Kevin Gausman is making his first career start against the Phillies. Trevor Plouffe is 4-for-12 with two doubles and a home...

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Joseph on Britton: "He's getting really, really close"

July 11, 2018, 7:12pm

Orioles

Joseph on Britton: "He's getting really, really close"

To gain a more complete understanding of the improvement in reliever Zach Britton's sinker, count the bruises on catcher Caleb Joseph. I didn't do it - we're friendly, but the relationship has its limits - but he wore a few more Tuesday night after knocking down multiple pitches in the dirt in the ninth inning to keep the game tied and set up Jonathan Schoop for the walk-off single. Britton at his best, like during the 2016 season, is a tremendous challenge for the guy squatting behind the...

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Bundy lasts four innings and O's shut out for ninth time (with quotes)

July 11, 2018, 6:30pm

Orioles

Bundy lasts four innings and O's shut out for ninth time (with quotes)

Dylan Bundy can't seem to regain his footing after a hamstring injury. Bundy served up Greg Bird's grand slam tonight in a five-run third inning, his pitch count soaring to 78, and the Orioles settled for a split of their four-game series with a 9-0 loss to the Yankees before an announced crowd of 17,808 at Camden Yards. The Orioles were shut out for the ninth time while falling to 26-67 overall 14-31 at home. They've been held to one run or fewer in 25 games. In two starts since coming off...