Roch Kubatko

Notes on Davis, Valencia, Wright and more (O's down 4-1)

March 17, 2018, 7:53am

Orioles

Notes on Davis, Valencia, Wright and more (O's down 4-1)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is sticking to his plan of starting Chris Davis in Sunday's game against the Mets in Sarasota. Davis campaigned for today's game, which fell on his 32nd birthday, but he gets one more day in his recovery from a strained right elbow/forearm. "He tried to talk me into playing today, but we have a plan and a process and we'll stick to it until tomorrow," Showalter said. "He's going to do everything again today." Danny Valencia has been taking...

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Trumbo on remaining patient in recovery from quad injury

March 17, 2018, 6:06am

Orioles

Trumbo on remaining patient in recovery from quad injury

SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Trumbo isn't going to rush the process in his recovery from a strained right quadriceps muscle. He won't create a specific timetable for his return, seeing no benefit in setting himself up for disappointment. Trumbo is headed to the disabled list with a Grade 2 strain, opening up the designated hitter slot while closing his chances of playing on opening day. The early estimates have him missing at least three to four weeks. "I don't think it's beneficial to try to...

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Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

March 17, 2018, 5:14am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is resting some of his regulars today who made the East Coast trip, with Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop listed as reserves for a 1:05 p.m. game against the Blue Jays at Ed Smith Stadium. First baseman Chris Davis won't play until Sunday. Trey Mancini gets another start at first base. Danny Valencia is the third baseman today and the middle infield will be handled by Engelb Vielma and Luis SardiÃ±as. Colby Rasmus is serving as the designated...

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Brach on bullpen, Britton's progress and more

March 16, 2018, 3:21pm

Orioles

Brach on bullpen, Britton's progress and more

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles return home today after two games on the East Coast to face the Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m. Mike Wright Jr. is on the mound and first baseman Chris Davis wants to be in the lineup. Manager Buck Showalter could make him wait until Sunday, also in Sarasota, but the return is coming. Reliever Brad Brach threw two innings Thursday afternoon against the Red Sox's Triple-A team at Twin Lakes Park, the first time he's gone more than one this spring. He didn't allow a run or...

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Davis ready to return to lineup

March 16, 2018, 7:04am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - If it's left to Chris Davis, he will be in the Orioles lineup for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays and celebrate his birthday with a home run and animated trip around the bases. Davis is confident that he's avoided a trip to the disabled list. The stiffness and discomfort in his right elbow/forearm has subsided and he's performing full baseball activities in anticipation of returning to first base this weekend. "I feel good, I feel really good," he said. "Midseason...

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Orioles lineup vs. Mets

March 16, 2018, 6:56am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tim Beckham is leading off today for the Orioles as they conclude their East Coast swing with a 1:10 p.m. game against the Mets in Port St. Lucie. Colby Rasmus is playing center field, Austin Hays is in right and Trey Mancini is in left. Danny Valencia is the first baseman. Pedro Ãlvarez is serving as the designated hitter, a role he could inherit with Mark Trumbo headed to the disabled list with a strained quadriceps muscle. Andrew Cashner is making his second Grapefruit...

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Wondering about the roster impact of Trumbo injury

March 15, 2018, 2:54pm

Orioles

Wondering about the roster impact of Trumbo injury

SARASOTA, Fla. - The news that Mark Trumbo is headed to the disabled list with a Grade 2 strain of his right quadriceps muscle paints a different picture of the projected opening day roster. Pedro Ãlvarez, signed last month as a "what-if" insurance policy, appears to have a better shot at breaking camp with the team, though manager Buck Showalter didn't run with the idea yesterday in Jupiter. It would have required a prolonged absence from Trumbo or first baseman Chris Davis, who's still...

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Cortes still making his pitch for rotation spot

March 15, 2018, 7:09am

Orioles

Cortes still making his pitch for rotation spot

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles clubhouse didn't have many occupants this morning with most of the team headed to Jupiter for today's game against the Cardinals. Chris Tillman and Brad Brach played table tennis, and Richard Bleier and Joely Rodriguez had the next game. Chris Davis made a brief appearance at his locker, but not long enough for two reporters to reach him. Andrew Cashner headed out to the field to play catch with Bleier. Zach Britton, Dylan Bundy, Donnie Hart, Mychal Givens, Mike...

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Orioles and Cardinals lineups

March 15, 2018, 6:53am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Trey Mancini is leading off again for the Orioles as they make the trip to the East Coast to play the Cardinals in Jupiter. Mancini also batted first yesterday and appears to be a legitimate candidate for the role. Colby Rasmus is batting second, followed by Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop. Kevin Gausman is making his third Grapefruit League start. He retired all nine Phillies he faced and struck out five in his most recent outing on March 3. The bullpen includes Tanner Scott...

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colby rasmus jonathan schoop kevin gausman manny machado orioles spring training trey mancini frontstory_orioles2

Utility competition loses player but doesn't gain much clarity

March 14, 2018, 5:13pm

Orioles

Utility competition loses player but doesn't gain much clarity

SARASOTA, Fla. - Among the most unsettled competitions in Orioles camp is the job of utility infielder, which ideally requires the player also to have outfield skills. Not a deal-breaker, but a sweet bonus. No one within the current group of candidates has seized the opportunity. There are absolutely no indications that the Orioles will head north with Luis SardiÃ±as or Engleb Vielma and they reassigned Ruben Tejada yesterday to minor league camp. It's nice to have that kind of middle...

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anthony santander craig gentry danny valencia engelb vielma jonathan schoop luis sardinas orioles ruben tejada spring training tim beckham featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Two more camp cuts and wrapping up a 7-4 win

March 14, 2018, 1:40pm

Orioles

Two more camp cuts and wrapping up a 7-4 win

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles reduced the competition for an extra outfielder and utility infielder today by optioning Joey Rickard to Triple-A Norfolk and reassigning Ruben Tejada to minor league camp. The moves leave the Orioles with 42 players on the roster. Rickard didn't play today and was 5-for-33 (.152) with 10 strikeouts. He was trying to become part of a right field platoon with Colby Rasmus and back up at the other spots, roles that are still alive for Craig Gentry and Austin...

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Orioles reassign Aquino (O's win 7-4, Castro quotes)

March 14, 2018, 8:51am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have reassigned left-hander Jayson Aquino to minor league camp before today's game against the Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. The camp roster is down to 44 players, including 21 pitchers. Closer Zach Britton is on the list, but he's also on the 60-day disabled list. Aquino made three appearances this spring and allowed three runs (two earned) and five hits in five innings, with two walks and seven strikeouts. The Orioles tabbed him as the starter on Saturday after...

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adam jones buck showalter jayson aquino jonathan schoop manny machado orioles spring training trey mancini featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Showalter on Davis as DL candidate: "We're not there yet"

March 14, 2018, 7:48am

Orioles

Showalter on Davis as DL candidate: "We're not there yet"

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles haven't reached the point where the disabled list becomes a consideration for first baseman Chris Davis, but manager Buck Showalter didn't dismiss the possibility. Davis continues to make gradual progress after receiving a cortisone injection Saturday to alleviate the inflammation in his right elbow. "We're not there yet," Showalter said when asked about the DL. "I still have confidence that we can get this behind us and get enough at-bats to be ready. We're...

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Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

March 14, 2018, 4:19am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Trumbo returns to the Orioles lineup today as promised now that he's recovered from a sore right quadriceps muscle. And Trey Mancini is batting first in a 1:05 p.m. home game against the Yankees on MASN. Anthony Santander gets another look in left field. The bullpen behind starter Miguel Castro includes Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr., Darren O'Day and Joely Rodriguez. For the Orioles Trey Mancini 1B Jonathan Schoop 2B Manny Machado SS Adam Jones CF Colby Rasmus RF Mark...

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Bits on Brach, Britton and the bullpen

March 13, 2018, 5:53pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter will meet with his relievers shortly and map out what constitutes roles for them. He's big on just making sure guys are ready when the phone rings, but he also wants them to know what he's planning while closer Zach Britton is on the 60-day disabled list. Showalter said Brad Brach is a "potential closer," but only because he hasn't made his intentions public. I wouldn't read too much into it. "I don't think anybody has made that...

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Wrapping up a 7-5 win

March 13, 2018, 12:59pm

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - James Teague notched his fifth save today, earning his role as Grapefruit League ninth-inning specialist, and the Orioles defeated the Twins 7-5. Teague, a 37th-round pick in 2016 out of the University of Arkansas, hasn't allowed a run in 5 1/3 innings. He gave up a one-out double today and struck out the next batter on a 96 mph fastball. Chris Tillman's first Grapefruit League start produced six walks in two-plus innings and he was charged with four runs - three scoring...

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Tillman walks six of 14 batters in debut (O's win 7-5)

March 13, 2018, 10:27am

Orioles

Tillman walks six of 14 batters in debut (O's win 7-5)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Jorge Polanco had just let go of his bat after drawing the Twins' latest walk, this one with the bases loaded, and Orioles manager Buck Showalter was out of the dugout and signaling to his bullpen. Chris Tillman's first Grapefruit League start after a couple of simulated games ended with no outs in the third inning and the bases still full. Tillman never could find the plate with any consistency and was done following his sixth walk among 14 batters faced. Left-hander...

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Davis could play this weekend (and other notes)

March 13, 2018, 8:55am

Orioles

Davis could play this weekend (and other notes)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis expects to be in the lineup this weekend as he recovers from tightness in his right elbow/forearm. The cortisone injection is bringing the desired result. Davis took top-hand swings yesterday and two-handed swings today without any discomfort. He hasn't been in the lineup since leading off in a March 2 game against the Pirates. Mark Trumbo remains scheduled to serve as designated hitter on Wednesday against the Yankees in Sarasota. He...

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Orioles lineup vs. Twins

March 13, 2018, 3:57am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tim Beckham, Trey Mancini and Manny Machado are wearing the gray pants today as the Orioles travel to Fort Myers to play the Twins. Beckham is leading off. Austin Hays is back in the outfield, starting in right field. Danny Valencia is starting at first base. Relievers listed behind Chris Tillman, making his first Grapefruit League start, include Donnie Hart, Josh Edgin, Jimmy Yacabonis, JosÃ© Mesa Jr., Branden Kline and James Teague. The reserves include Alex Presley, Chance...

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Hart on his quest to make the club, O's negotiations with Lynn

March 12, 2018, 4:36pm

Orioles

Hart on his quest to make the club, O's negotiations with Lynn

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' spring training strikeout leader heading into yesterday's game was left-hander Donnie Hart, a reliever with five innings under his belt. He was scored upon in just his first outing. Surface stuff that presents an argument for his inclusion in the opening day bullpen. However, Hart still can be optioned to the minors and the Orioles continue to sort through their choices for left-handed relief beyond Richard Bleier. Rule 5 Nestor Cortes Jr. could be a bullpen...