Roch Kubatko

Reviewing the first half of spring training

March 05, 2018, 4:19pm

Orioles

Reviewing the first half of spring training

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have inched past the halfway point of spring training. More players will be removed from the camp roster, the competition for various jobs will be narrowed. Manager Buck Showalter said it's too early for a noticeable increase in "tempo." But it's coming. "After the off-day, I don't think we're quite that far into it yet," he said. "We've got 20-something days after the break." With Erick Salcedo reassigned to minor league camp, the in-house choices for...

Random thoughts and quotes as the Orioles enjoy a day off

March 04, 2018, 4:17pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The one off-day of spring training is here, with the Orioles closing the Ed Smith Stadium complex and being reintroduced to the concept of sleep. No games, no workouts, no media access. Some guys golf or fish. Others race to the airport to spend a day at home with their families or make plans for Disney World. The beach may beckon. A couple of players may need treatment for injuries, but it won't take up much of their morning. Chris Davis is shut down with a tender right...

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More camp cuts and wrapping up a 10-8 win

March 04, 2018, 12:33pm

Orioles

More camp cuts and wrapping up a 10-8 win

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have cut their camp roster to 60 players by reassigning pitchers Jason Gurka and Eddie Gamboa and catcher Audry Perez to the minor league complex. None of them were projected to head north with the team. Gabriel Ynoa struck out the first two Red Sox batters today before his start went downhill. He threw 26 pitches in the first inning, gave up back-to-back home runs in the second and was charged with six runs in the Orioles' 10-8 win - their fourth victory in a...

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Mountcastle making impression at plate (O's win 10-8)

March 04, 2018, 8:48am

Orioles

Mountcastle making impression at plate (O's win 10-8)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made three roster cuts yesterday and infielder Ryan Mountcastle remained in camp, his locker set up across the hall in the auxiliary clubhouse and his swing still producing loud noises. One of the top position prospects in the organization is 5-for-16 with three doubles and a home run this spring. The ball makes a certain sound when it leaves the bat, the kind that turns heads and the wind. "I think it's kind of affirmation of what everybody has told me and...

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Latest roster cuts and updating Gentry, Davis and Hays

March 04, 2018, 6:45am

Orioles

Latest roster cuts and updating Gentry, Davis and Hays

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles reassigned infielders Erick Salcedo and Garabez Rosa to minor league camp following yesterday's game in Clearwater. Salcedo was competing for a spot as the utility infielder. He impressed at second base and shortstop and also went 4-for-8 with a double. Rosa, who was 3-for-16 with a double and home run, played first base and is expected to remain at the position in the minors. "Salcedo can catch the ball," said manager Buck Showalter. "Very intelligent, a smart...

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Teammates talk up Tillman's simulated game

March 04, 2018, 4:48am

Orioles

Teammates talk up Tillman's simulated game

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman wanted feedback from his teammates following yesterday's simulated game at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Give him the good and the bad and don't hold back. Mincing words serves no purpose as he eases back into competition. Tillman threw 42 pitches in two innings and drew positive reviews. Most important, they were honest reviews. "I thought he had a nice mix to his pitches," said Mark Trumbo. "Thought his changeup looked real nice. He dropped some really...

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Orioles and Red Sox lineups

March 04, 2018, 3:50am

SARASOTA, Fla. - Danny Valencia is serving as the designated hitter for the Orioles' 1:05 p.m. game today against the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. He's wearing No. 47. Tim Beckham is leading off. Mark Trumbo is the first baseman with Chris Davis unavailable due to soreness in his right elbow/forearm. Davis just arrived at the complex. His MRI yesterday came back clean, according to manager Buck Showalter. Other pitchers listed behind starter Gabriel Ynoa include Darren O'Day, Brad Brach,...

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Who's next after Valencia?

March 03, 2018, 3:40pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Don't expect Danny Valencia to be the last player plucked by the Orioles from the free agent market. Their enthusiasm is gaining momentum as they sort through the bin. They're up to their armpits in it. Players who weren't a consideration or didn't fill an identified need early in camp have become more appealing. Pedro Ãlvarez isn't a plus defender and the Orioles already have Mark Trumbo as their designated hitter, but he fell to them at a modest price. Valencia isn't...

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Good news on Davis MRI and wrapping up a 4-2 win

March 03, 2018, 11:55am

Orioles

Good news on Davis MRI and wrapping up a 4-2 win

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The MRI on Chris Davis' right elbow/forearm today didn't reveal any structural damage, according to manager Buck Showalter, and the first baseman is projected to be out only three to five days. Concerns about Davis were raised throughout the organization when the discomfort increased and it appeared that the issue may not have been muscular. "Anytime you've got something that's not healing and what they think, you worry about if there's something structurally in there,...

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Nine up, nine down for Kevin Gausman (O's win 4-2)

March 03, 2018, 9:17am

Orioles

Nine up, nine down for Kevin Gausman (O's win 4-2)

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Kevin Gausman made it through today's start without suffering any cuts. He simply tore through the Phillies lineup for three innings. Gausman retired all nine batters with five strikeouts. His fastball was clocked at 94-97 mph on the stadium radar gun, peaking twice to the final batter he faced, J.P. Crawford, who struck out. He was downright nasty while becoming the first Orioles starter to complete three innings. Dylan Bundy worked 2 1/3 yesterday against the Pirates in...

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Davis to undergo MRI, Lee optioned and other notes (O's up 1-0)

March 03, 2018, 8:18am

Orioles

Davis to undergo MRI, Lee optioned and other notes (O's up 1-0)

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said first baseman Chris Davis will undergo an MRI this afternoon on his right elbow/forearm area due to soreness that's increased in severity over the past few days. Davis has been restricted to the designated hitter role to avoid throwing. He's 2-for-13 with one home run, three RBIs, three walks and seven strikeouts. "That elbow is not managing quite like he had hoped," Showalter said. "It was sore again, so it's not moving forward like...

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Brach's debut and Presley's uniform digit

March 03, 2018, 6:47am

Orioles

Brach's debut and Presley's uniform digit

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Reliever Brad Brach threw a bullpen session yesterday and confirmed that his first exhibition appearance comes Sunday afternoon against the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. Brach is fine physically. He's just on a more deliberate pace, which isn't uncommon in Orioles camp. Darren O'Day didn't make his debut until Feb. 28. Closer Zach Britton also is held back each spring, though his Achilles surgery forced him on the 60-day disabled list. "Just taking it a little slower,"...

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Valencia signs minor league deal, prepares for competition

March 03, 2018, 4:18am

Orioles

Valencia signs minor league deal, prepares for competition

SARASOTA, Fla. - Danny Valencia has arrived at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, hugging teammates from his past who are here and dismissing the idea that his minor league deal will lead him to Triple-A Norfolk. He has every intention of playing in Baltimore this summer. The Orioles announced Valencia's signing this morning, which includes an invitation to major league camp. Valencia indicated that he'd exercise the opt-out clause in his contract, the date most likely near the end of March. Asked...

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Orioles lineup vs. Phillies

March 03, 2018, 2:41am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla.- Pedro Ãlvarez and Tim Beckham are headed to Clearwater today for a 1:05 p.m. game against the Phillies. Alvarez is batting third and playing first base. Beckham is hitting cleanup - don't read anything into it - and playing third base. Joey Rickard is in right field. The utility competition continues with Ruben Tejada at second base and Luis SardiÃ±as at shortstop. Pitchers listed behind starter Kevin Gausman include Alec Asher, Stefan Crichton, Jimmy Yacabonis, Lucas...

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Today's Orioles agenda and more on Valencia

March 02, 2018, 4:31pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are making the second of their three trips to Clearwater today to play the Phillies. No split-squad action, however, so I'll be on the road. I didn't pack gray pants, but I'm still leaving the home facility. Chris Tillman will throw his two-inning simulated game on one of the back fields at the Ed Smith Stadium complex and manager Buck Showalter will watch before heading to Spectrum Field, where he'll update the media. My guess, and it comes with a spoiler...

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Pitching updates and wrapping up a 10-8 win

March 02, 2018, 11:58am

Orioles

Pitching updates and wrapping up a 10-8 win

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right-hander Hunter Harvey will make his next start on Tuesday against the Twins in Fort Myers. Dylan Bundy starts Wednesday, though he probably will be hidden from the Rays in Port Charlotte. I wrote earlier today that Gabriel Ynoa starts Sunday against the Red Sox in Sarasota. Chris Tillman is still scheduled to throw a two-inning simulated game on Saturday and Andrew Cashner will throw a three-inning simulated game on Tuesday, if you're scoring at home. The Orioles...

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Machado: "I'm just going out there and enjoying myself" (O's win 10-8)

March 02, 2018, 10:52am

Orioles

Machado: "I'm just going out there and enjoying myself" (O's win 10-8)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Usually a slow starter in camp, Manny Machado has been on such a tear at the plate this spring that he's joking about having to tap the brakes and save a little for later. Machado had a single, run-scoring double and three-run homer today in three plate appearances before heading to the clubhouse. A guy on fire to this degree could set off the sprinkler system. With eight hits in 13 at-bats, Machado will carry a .615 average into his next game, most likely on Sunday at home...

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Bundy allows five runs in two innings (with quotes, O's up 10-7)

March 02, 2018, 9:04am

Orioles

Bundy allows five runs in two innings (with quotes, O's up 10-7)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dylan Bundy filled the strike zone in the first inning and the bases in the second. The result was another outing that produced an ugly pitching line. The Pirates scored four runs off Bundy in the second inning to take a 4-1 lead, a powerful counterpunch following Manny Machado's RBI double in the bottom of the first. Colin Moran had an RBI double in the third and Bundy was charged with five runs and seven hits in 2 1/3 innings. Colby Rasmus homered to center field leading off...

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Orioles agree to minor league deal with Valencia (and notes)

March 02, 2018, 6:47am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are bringing back Danny Valencia on a minor league deal pending a medical review, according to a source. Valencia will take his physical on Saturday. By reaching the majors, Valencia will be guaranteed $1.2 million with a chance to earn $3 million in incentives, per USA Today. Valencia, 33, appeared in 130 games with the Mariners last summer and batted .256/.314/.411 with 19 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs and 66 RBIs in 500 plate appearances. He's also played...

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Orioles Grapefruit League lineup vs. Pirates

March 02, 2018, 4:09am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Davis is leading off today and serving as the designated hitter for the Orioles' Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. Don't read too much into it. He won't bat first on opening day. Davis has some tightness in his right forearm that's limiting him to DH duty. Colby Rasmus moves down to sixth in the order. Mark Trumbo is playing first base and batting seventh. For the Orioles Chris Davis DH Trey Mancini LF Manny Machado SS Adam Jones CF Jonathan Schoop 2B Colby...