Roch Kubatko

Orioles hoping to be defensive in 2018

March 29, 2018, 7:41pm

Orioles

Manager Buck Showalter gets another day to plot his Game 2 lineup after the second-guessers descended upon him in the opener. Chris Davis batting leadoff wasn't the only move that stirred the masses. Craig Gentry was given the start in right field over Colby Rasmus and switch-hitting spring training darling Anthony Santander. We'll never know whether Rasmus or Santander would have caught Eddie Rosario's fly ball to the track in right-center field leading off the top of the second inning, but...

Tags:

Showalter on Jones, Bundy, bullpen and 3-2 11-inning win

March 29, 2018, 3:47pm

Orioles

Showalter on Jones, Bundy, bullpen and 3-2 11-inning win

Adam Jones saw one pitch today from Twins reliever Fernando Rodney leading off the bottom of the 11th inning. That's all he needed. Jones demolished a 92 mph fastball, sending it into the left field seats to give the Orioles a 3-2 win on opening day and the center fielder his first walk-off hit since a single against the Mariners in 2012. This is the third career walk-off home run for Jones, who's batting .341 with six doubles, one triple, two home runs, eight RBIs and seven runs scored in 11...

Tags:

adam jones brad brach buck showalter caleb joseph craig gentry dylan bundy jonathan schoop mark trumbo mychal givens opening day orioles richard bleier featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

O'Day's advice to Araujo: "Don't trip" (Jones walkoff homer)

March 29, 2018, 11:33am

Orioles

O'Day's advice to Araujo: "Don't trip" (Jones walkoff homer)

Reliever Pedro Araujo, the Rule 5 pick who's making the jump from Single-A Myrtle Beach to the majors, came out of the Orioles bullpen for the first time this afternoon. It wasn't a save situation. Araujo didn't protect a slim lead and no one had to save him. Veteran Darren O'Day played the role of adviser to Araujo, with more tips to come later in the day. The first step was to make sure he didn't lose his footing upon being introduced to the crowd. "My first advice is don't trip going...

Tags:

adam jones alex cobb buck showalter craig gentry darren o'day dylan bundy jonathan schoop manny machado mark trumbo opening day orioles pedro araujo zach britton featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Showalter on roster moves, Davis leading off and more

March 29, 2018, 9:31am

Orioles

Showalter on roster moves, Davis leading off and more

The Orioles set their 25-man roster today shortly before the noon deadline and the moves included the removals of pitchers Alec Asher, Stefan Crichton, Michael Kelly and Jesus Liranzo from the 40-man roster to accommodate Colby Rasmus, Danny Valencia, Pedro Ãlvarez and Craig Gentry. Four pitchers for four position players. "Our hope is that they clear and put them back in the system," said manager Buck Showalter. "If not them, then who? I know there was a lot of discussion back and forth....

Tags:

alec asher alex cobb buck showalter chris davis colby rasmus craig gentry dan duquette danny valencia jesus liranzo manny machado michael kelly opening day orioles pedro alvarez stefan crichton trey mancini featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Orioles lineup includes Chris Davis leading off (with 40-man moves)

March 29, 2018, 6:57am

Orioles

Chris Davis is leading off today for the Orioles as they open against the Twins at Camden Yards. It wasn't just talk and speculation. Davis has never batted first during the regular season. He had a handful of chances toward the end of spring training. Craig Gentry is in right field instead of Colby Rasmus, likely a concession to Twins starter Jake Odorizzi's reverse splits. However, Pedro Ãlvarez is the designated hitter. For the Orioles Chris Davis 1B Manny Machado SS Jonathan Schoop 2B...

Tags:

buck showalter chris davis craig gentry mark trumbo orioles pedro alvarez frontstory_orioles2

More on Bundy, Davis and the catching situation

March 28, 2018, 6:21pm

Orioles

More on Bundy, Davis and the catching situation

Dylan Bundy already had expressed his opinions back in Sarasota on being the opening day starter, getting in touch with whatever feelings were circulating inside him. As a light rain fell yesterday at Camden Yards, Bundy again had to sort through his emotions after finishing a pickoff drill. Not much changed besides the weather. Asked if anything seemed different to him now that he was in Baltimore, his assignment less than 24 hours away, Bundy said, "No, it doesn't feel much different. Just...

Tags:

buck showalter caleb joseph chance sisco chris davis chris tillman dylan bundy kevin gausman opening day orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Workout day notes on Beckham, Mancini, Davis, lineup and more

March 28, 2018, 12:46pm

Orioles

Workout day notes on Beckham, Mancini, Davis, lineup and more

Today's rain forced the Orioles inside to take batting practice after the Twins were able to hit on the field. Pitchers squeezed in some defensive drills before heading for cover. "The weather is getting progressively worse," said manager Buck Showalter. "It's supposed to be good tomorrow, or better temperature-wise. I'd like for that snow to melt. That's not a good look." Showalter won't reveal his lineup for opening day until rosters are submitted, with a noon deadline on...

Tags:

adam jones alex cobb buck showalter chris davis chris tillman dan duquette manny machado mark trumbo orioles pedro araujo tim beckham trey mancini zach britton featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Bancells chosen to throw out ceremonial first pitch (Mesa update)

March 28, 2018, 7:52am

Orioles

Bancells chosen to throw out ceremonial first pitch (Mesa update)

Whenever Richie Bancells appeared on the field and play was halted, it usually drew concerns based on his role as Orioles head athletic trainer and the likelihood that somone had sustained an injury. Seeing him bolt out of the dugout was a bad sign. Not anymore. Bancells, who retired after the 2017 season, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch Thursday as part of the opening day festivities at Camden Yards. His appearance will bring an ovation from the crowd instead of hushed...

Tags:

featured_sidebar jose mesa jr. opening day orioles richie bancells frontstory_orioles2

Wondering about the lineup as opening day approaches

March 27, 2018, 1:31pm

Orioles

Wondering about the lineup as opening day approaches

The Orioles will work out later today at Camden Yards in their final preparation for Thursday's season opener against the Twins. Unless you count batting practice the following day, of course. But this afternoon marks the last time that the Orioles gather before the games are real. The roster appears to be set. The Orioles aren't expected to make any late moves to alter it, though no one is issuing promises. Manager Buck Showalter told the media Monday in Norfolk that he sat with executive...

More leftovers before the real games start

March 26, 2018, 1:59pm

Orioles

More leftovers before the real games start

Pedro Araujo received the news that he made the Orioles' opening day roster as a Rule 5 pick and promptly served up a home run in his next appearance. Because that's baseball. It's unwise to read too much into one appearance in spring training, and that includes how Araujo was burned by Williams Astrudillo's two-run shot in the ninth inning in a 12-4 loss to the Twins, but it probably brought a certain measure of comfort to the Orioles when the right-hander retired the side in order...

Tags:

austin hays buck showalter cedric mullins darren o'day jose mesa jr. leonardo rodriguez mark trumbo matthias dietz orioles pedro araujo zach britton featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Orioles lineup vs. Norfolk

March 26, 2018, 9:51am

Orioles

Chris Davis continues to lead off today as the Orioles close out their exhibition schedule with a game at Triple-A Norfolk. Danny Valencia remains at third base. Tim Beckham is on the travel roster, but not the lineup card, and the Orioles are supposed to arrange a simulated game for him on Tuesday. Anthony Santander is in left field and Pedro Ãlvarez is the designated hitter. Andrew Cashner gets the start and the bullpen includes Rule 5 pick Pedro Araujo, Andrew Faulkner, Luis Gonzalez and...

Tags:

andrew cashner anthony santander chris davis danny valencia orioles pedro alvarez tim beckham

Reflections on spring training as Orioles break camp

March 25, 2018, 4:37pm

Orioles

Minor league signings in November tend to be forgotten as spring training nears its conclusion. They provide copy during the offseason's dead zone. Players given generous amounts of space on websites and in newspapers are footnotes later as camp cuts are announced. There are exceptions, of course, which brings us to left-handed relievers Joely Rodriguez and Josh Edgin. I've covered past spring trainings when the decision to take guys of this caliber north would be a no-brainer. The Orioles...

Tags:

adrian marin alex cobb alex presley andrew susac andry perez anthony santander austin hays austin wynns buck showalter caleb joseph cedric mullins chance sisco craig gentry dj stewart dylan bundy engleb vielma jaycob brugman joely rodriguez joey rickard josh edgin kevin gausman manny machado mark trumbo miguel castro mike wright jr. nestor cortes jr. orioles pedro alvarez richard bleier tim beckham trey mancini zach britton featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Wrapping up a 6-5 win and Grapefruit League schedule (updated)

March 25, 2018, 12:24pm

Orioles

Wrapping up a 6-5 win and Grapefruit League schedule (updated)

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Orioles are going to make a few more cuts later tonight following a 6-5 win over the Phillies. Two of the more vulnerable players are outfielder Cedric Mullins and infielder Luis SardiÃ±as, who can be reassigned to minor league camp while the team inches closer to a set opening day roster. The camp roster will be down to 30 players and only one more cut is required with Zach Britton on the 60-day disabled list, Gabriel Ynoa and Mark Trumbo headed to the 10-day DL, and...

Tags:

alex cobb brad brach buck showalter cedric mullins lucas long luis sardinas miguel castro nestor cortes jr. orioles pedro alvarez richard bleier spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Showalter on roster moves, Beckham and more (O's win 6-5)

March 25, 2018, 9:42am

Orioles

Showalter on roster moves, Beckham and more (O's win 6-5)

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The two roster cuts that are coming following today's game involve players in the Orioles lineup and it's probably safe to assume that outfielder Cedric Mullins and infielder Luis SardiÃ±as will be reassigned to minor league camp. Outfielder Alex Presley is exploring opportunities via the opt-out clause in his contract, which explains why he isn't on today's lineup card. He could double back to the organization and begin the season at Triple-A Norfolk. Presley is...

Tags:

alex cobb alex presley brady anderson buck showalter cedric mullins joely rodriguez josh edgin luis sardinas nestor cortes jr. orioles pedro alvarez ryan flaherty tim beckham featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Rodriguez and Edgin reassigned to minor league camp

March 25, 2018, 7:45am

Orioles

Rodriguez and Edgin reassigned to minor league camp

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Orioles made two more roster cuts before today's game against the Phillies while providing clarity to their rotation and bullpen Left-handed relievers Joely Rodriguez and Josh Edgin were reassigned to minor league camp despite outstanding work in spring training, which appears to signal that Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. has made the team. Cortes is starting today, but he seems ticketed for a long relief role behind five right-handed starters. Mike Wright Jr. and Miguel...

Tags:

alex presley cedric mullins joely rodriguez josh edgin miguel castro nestor cortes jr. orioles pedro alvarez featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Orioles lineup vs. Phillies

March 25, 2018, 4:28am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The end is near. The Orioles are down to their last Grapefruit League game today, dragging their meaningless 16-12-2 record to Clearwater for one final meeting with the Phillies. Most of the starters will be rested. Late injuries are a manager's nightmare. Just take a peek at what's happening to the Giants. Craig Gentry is leading off and playing right field. Trey Mancini is at first base, Pedro Ãlvarez is the designated hitter and Danny Valencia is the third...

Tags:

brad brach chance sisco craig gentry danny valencia miguel castro nestor cortes jr. orioles pedro alvarez richard bleier spring training trey mancini frontstory_orioles1

Bullpen won't provide many options for Orioles

March 24, 2018, 6:49pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Whatever combination of relievers makes up the Orioles bullpen on opening day, it's not going to offer much flexibility for manager Buck Showalter. The desire for an optionable 'pen has to be muted. Of the pitchers assured of breaking camp with the team, only Mychal Givens and left-hander Richard Bleier can be sent down and they aren't the typical candidates to ride the Triple-A shuttle. Brad Brach is out of options. Rule 5 picks Nestor Cortes Jr. and Pedro Araujo can't be...

Wrapping up a 12-4 loss

March 24, 2018, 5:50pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will make two roster cuts Sunday morning and two more following the game against the Phillies in Clearwater. Manager Buck Showalter was satisfied with Chris Tillman's outing tonight despite the six runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. Eleven batters came to the plate in the second, but he retired 11 of the last 12. "Chris got the six ups and pitched well after the one inning," Showalter said following a 12-4 loss to the Twins. "Gave up a swinging bunt in the...

Tags:

austin hays buck showalter chris tillman joely rodriguez orioles spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Orioles option Austin Hays (O's lose 12-4)

March 24, 2018, 2:27pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles optioned outfielder Austin Hays to Double-A Bowie before tonight's game against the Twins, leaving their camp roster at 34 players. Craig Gentry appears to have made the club as a non-roster invitee. Hays, 22, was stalled in camp due to a sore lat that required a cortisone injection and kept him out of the outfield for an extended stretch. He went 9-for-37 (.243) with two doubles, four RBIs and 12 strikeouts in 15 games. One of the top prospects in the system, Hays...

Tags:

alex cobb anthony santander austin hays buck showalter chris davis chris tillman colby rasmus craig gentry danny valencia gabriel ynoa manny machado mark trumbo orioles trey mancini zach britton featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Beckham update, roster talk, Davis leading off and more

March 24, 2018, 12:39pm

Orioles

Beckham update, roster talk, Davis leading off and more

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tim Beckham's groin injury is improving, but he won't play Sunday in Clearwater and most likely will be held out of Monday's game in Norfolk, where the forecast is forcing the Orioles into taking a more cautious approach. Beckham left Thursday's game after two innings, tweaking the groin while stretching in the weight room and again while fielding a ground ball. Manager Buck Showalter thinks Beckham can avoid the disabled list, but he isn't dismissing the...