Harvey and his 95 mph fastball go two innings (O's win 2-1)

Harvey and his 95 mph fastball go two innings (O's win 2-1)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The first career Grapefruit League start today for Hunter Harvey lasted two innings and featured a 95 mph fastball and glimpses of how he became the top pitching prospect in the organization. Harvey became the club's fourth starter this spring to allow one run over two innings, joining Mike Wright Jr., Nestor Cortes Jr. and Gabriel Ynoa. Harvey gave up three hits, walked one and struck out three - all of them with a heater that topped out at 95. Getting ahead of hitters...

Notes on Gausman, Hays, Tillman, Castro and more (O's down 1-0)

Notes on Gausman, Hays, Tillman, Castro and more (O's down 1-0)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said today that Kevin Gausman remains on schedule to start Saturday afternoon's game against the Phillies in Clearwater. Gausman's work day on Wednesday or Thursday will provide confirmation. "If he continues to have the indications he had today, he'd stay in turn," Showalter said. Gausman avoided a serious injury after yesterday's collision with the Tigers' Jeimer Candelario that left him with a cut above his left eyelid and some...

Updating Gausman, Castro and Gentry (lineup change)

Updating Gausman, Castro and Gentry (lineup change)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Kevin Gausman played a game of table tennis inside the Orioles clubhouse this morning and joked with teammates, nothing to indicate that he was bothered by the after effects of yesterday's collision with the Tigers' Jeimer Candelario that forced him out of the game and left him bloodied. Gausman has a cut above his left eyelid and there appears to be a little more swelling today, but it doesn't require stitches. He also managed to avoid a concussion after the training...

Orioles lineup vs. Rays

Orioles lineup vs. Rays
SARASOTA, Fla. - Austin Hays in starting in right field today for the Orioles' game against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Hays had been used only as the designated hitter in Grapefruit League competition due to a sore lat muscle. Chance Sisco is catching again and batting fifth. Ryan Mountcastle is starting at third base. The Orioles continue to use Garabez Rosa at first base. For the Orioles Alex Presley CF Joey Rickard LF Anthony Santander DH Austin Hays RF Chance Sisco C Ryan Mountcastle 3B...

Harvey finally gets the chance to make exhibition start

Harvey finally gets the chance to make exhibition start
SARASOTA, Fla. - As a regular presence in major league camp whether healthy, injured or recovering, Hunter Harvey would figure to own at least a couple of Grapefruit League starts. He's always been thrust into a rotation, the bullpen only serving as a place to warm up. Three relief appearances in 2015 and 2016. That's the extent of his spring training experience. The streak ends today with Harvey, no longer slow-played or stalled due to physical issues, including Tommy John surgery in July...

Wrapping up an 8-6 loss

Wrapping up an 8-6 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he didn't see the collision earlier today involving Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman and Tigers infielder Jeimer Candelario. He heard it. Gausman avoided a trip to the hospital after passing a series of concussion tests, but the Orioles will check him closely on Tuesday after he reports to the complex. "I was watching the ball, the play," Showalter said. "It's one of your players that has a collision. Concerned about it. It's not a...

Gausman on his "battle scar" and start (Orioles lose 8-6)

Gausman on his "battle scar" and start (Orioles lose 8-6)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Kevin Gausman never made it to a local hospital today, passing the concussion tests at the Ed Smith Stadium complex while sporting a cut above his left eyelid. He lost some blood but kept his sense of humor. Gausman expects to be back on the field in a few days after colliding with the Tigers' Jeimer Candelario while backing up home plate in the top of the second inning. Gausman stayed on the ground for several minutes and left the stadium on the back of a cart after head...

Gausman leaves game in second after collision (O's down 6-4)

Gausman leaves game in second after collision (O's down 6-4)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Kevin Gausman's first start of the spring today ended with him sitting behind home plate with a towel pressed against his face. Gausman appeared to collide with the Tigers' Jeimer Candelario while backing up the plate on Leonys Martin's RBI single with one out in the top of the second inning. Candelario returned to the on-deck circle, flexing his leg, while head athletic trainer Brian Ebel and manager Buck Showalter checked on Gausman. As the Orioles prepared to bat in the...

Álvarez on return: "Anything is possible, right?"

Álvarez on return: "Anything is possible, right?"
SARASOTA, Fla. - Pedro Álvarez spent the morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex fielding ground balls at first base - alternating with Chris Davis - hitting in the cage and engaging in a four-minute interview with media near the home dugout. The scene was familiar except Álvarez arrived a month earlier than usual and he didn't take fly balls in right field. The Orioles extended their streak of signing Álvarez to three years in a row, the last two on minor league deals. He's reached...

Gentry sidelined with hamstring injury (and other notes)

Gentry sidelined with hamstring injury (and other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Veteran outfielder Craig Gentry injured his hamstring yesterday in Fort Myers and his return isn't imminent. "Could be a little issue for us for a little while, I think," said manager Buck Showalter. "We took him out yesterday. He told the trainer he kind of felt it tighten a little bit on the ball he dove for in center field, and the last time he ran the bases, same thing, so we got him out there an inning earlier. He's got some soreness today, so it might be a little...

Álvarez signing official, upcoming pitchers, Brugman's return

Álvarez signing official, upcoming pitchers, Brugman's return
SARASOTA, Fla. - Pedro Álvarez has passed his physical and signed his minor league contract with the Orioles. Álvarez is guaranteed $1 million if he returns to the majors and can make an additional $3 million based on incentives for plate appearances. Today's signing marks the third year in a row that the Orioles have brought Álvarez to camp - the last two on minor league contracts. He batted .313/.353/.438 with one home run in 14 games after a September call-up. Hunter Harvey makes...

Orioles lineup vs. Tigers

Orioles lineup vs. Tigers
SARASOTA, Fla. - Colby Rasmus makes his Orioles debut this afternoon, starting in right field and leading off for a 1:05 p.m. game against the Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium. Tim Beckham has moved down to eighth in the order. Chance Sisco is catching. Kevin Gausman makes his first appearance today and he's hoping to solve the slow-start issue that's hounded him the past. He owns a career 4.94 ERA and 1.473 WHIP in the first half and a 3.58 ERA and 1.243 WHIP after the break. Gausman began an...

Orioles remain open to signing a starting pitcher

Orioles remain open to signing a starting pitcher
SARASOTA, Fla. - Agreeing to terms with slugger Pedro Álvarez on a minor league deal is the latest move made by the Orioles since they arrived at spring training. Toss him into the same sack as pitchers Andrew Cashner and Chris Tillman and outfielders Alex Presley and Colby Rasmus. Corban Joseph and Sharlon Schoop get their own container over at Twin Lakes Park. The Orioles aren't done attempting to upgrade their roster, with a source confirming yesterday that they remain in contact with...

Wrapping up a 7-1 loss

Wrapping up a 7-1 loss
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Kevin Gausman will have to play spring training stopper on Monday. The Orioles are winless in four exhibition games following today's 7-1 loss to the Red Sox at JetBlue Park. They stranded two runners in the top of the ninth and fell to 0-3-1. Remain calm. Erick Salcedo singled off the pseudo Green Monster in left field before Aderlin Rodriguez struck out to send everyone into Sunday afternoon traffic on Interstate 75. José Mesa Jr., one of the three Rule 5 pitchers in...

Brugman outrighted to Norfolk (Orioles fall 7-1)

Brugman outrighted to Norfolk (Orioles fall 7-1)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Outfielder Jaycob Brugman has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, keeping him in the organization. He'll return to major league camp on Monday. The Orioles designated Brugman for assignment on Wednesday while re-signing starter Chris Tillman. Brugman gives the Orioles another left-handed hitting outfielder to join Colby Rasmus and Alex Presley, who were signed to minor league deals. Brugman has options and can be sent down if he fails to break camp with...

Colby Rasmus in Monday's starting lineup

Colby Rasmus in Monday's starting lineup
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Outfielder Colby Rasmus will make his Orioles debut Monday afternoon against the Tigers in Sarasota. Rasmus will play right field. "I had a good talk with him a couple days ago," said manager Buck Showalter. "I told him if he doesn't think so, I could wait until Wednesday, but that's what he wanted to do." Showalter views Rasmus as a platoon player at this point in camp. Rasmus is a career .211/.290/.366 hitter against left-handed pitching. "I think, looking at the...

Gausman making start Monday (and other notes)

Gausman making start Monday (and other notes)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Kevin Gausman is making his Grapefruit League debut on Monday afternoon against the Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium. Gausman will oppose right-hander Michael Fulmer, the American League's Rookie of the Year in 2016. Chris Tillman hasn't been notified of his first start since signing a one-year deal last week. Tillman will throw batting practice on Tuesday and should be ready, considering that he's been working out and completing bullpen sessions at the complex. Dylan Bundy said...

Orioles agree to terms with Pedro Álvarez on minor league deal

Orioles agree to terms with Pedro Álvarez on minor league deal
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are bringing back Pedro Álvarez. Again. Álvarez has agreed to terms on a minor league contract with an invitation to major league camp, according to a source. No word on whether he's reporting today, but the club is setting up a locker for him in the main clubhouse. This is the third year in a row that the Orioles have signed Álvarez, the last two on minor league deals. However, today marks the first time that they reached an agreement before...

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox
SARASOTA, Fla. - Austin Hays is serving as the designated hitter today and Craig Gentry is leading off and playing center field, as the Orioles make the trip to Fort Myers to play the Red Sox. The lineup is missing a projected starter for the 2018 season. Joey Rickard is in right field - he could work into a platoon - and Anthony Santander is batting cleanup and playing left field. Austin Wynns is catching after hitting a home run last night to give the Orioles a 1-1 tie with the Twins. For the...

Notes on Brugman, Ynoa and Hays

Notes on Brugman, Ynoa and Hays
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles continue to hold a locker for outfielder Jaycob Brugman inside their clubhouse at the Ed Smith Stadium complex and a team official said they should know his status "in the next day or so." Brugman was designated for assignment on Wednesday to create a spot for starter Chris Tillman on the 40-man roster, a surprising move considering the need for left-handed hitting outfielders and the presence of 37 pitchers in camp. Colby Rasmus and Alex Presley have signed minor...