Roch Kubatko

Britton still targeting May return, looking back on big O's trades

February 08, 2018, 6:17pm

Orioles

Britton still targeting May return, looking back on big O's trades

Orioles closer Zach Britton reaches another important date today in his recovery from right Achilles surgery. He's hoping that it's the latest step, so to speak, in the right direction. Britton will undergo his third checkup from Dr. Kenneth Jung of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles before he flies to Sarasota and reports early to spring training. He expects to receive more encouraging news - that he's still a bit ahead of schedule. Calling into the "Orioles Hot Stove Show"...

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Flaherty signs minor league deal with Phillies

February 07, 2018, 1:50pm

Orioles

Flaherty signs minor league deal with Phillies

The Ryan Flaherty era in Baltimore really has come to an end. Or maybe it's just been put on hold. The Phillies have signed Flaherty to a minor league deal, as first reported by ESPN.com. He'll go to spring training in Clearwater, Fla., and attempt to win a utility job. Selected from the Cubs organization in the December 2011 Rule 5 draft, Flaherty spent six seasons with the Orioles and batted .215/.284/.355 in 1,270 plate appearances. It wasn't about the bat. Flaherty gained manager Buck...

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Taking the Orioles rotation for another spin

February 07, 2018, 1:13pm

Orioles

While the Orioles wait for starting pitchers to drop into their laps like acorns, the majority of fans think the team would be nuts to bring back anyone from last year's rotation who remains on the free agent market. This is an unscientific poll. I'm basing my observations on comments attached to the blog and appearing on my Twitter feed, and impromptu conversations in restaurants, grocery stores and gyms. Fans don't want to be reminded how the starters posted a 5.70 ERA, the worst in...

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Orioles re-sign Craig Gentry to minor league deal (updated)

February 07, 2018, 9:00am

Orioles

The Orioles are bringing back outfielder Craig Gentry and increasing the number of invites to major league camp. Gentry has agreed to a minor league deal, according to a source, and will report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex. He can earn $900,000 if he makes the club, as first reported by USA Today. Manager Buck Showalter expressed his interest in Gentry, 34, during last month's minicamp in Sarasota. Though the veteran doesn't solve the need for a left-handed hitting outfielder, he offers...

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Choosing this year's spring training dark horse candidate

February 06, 2018, 5:44pm

Orioles

Choosing this year's spring training dark horse candidate

We're down to six days before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex for spring training, though it's expected that the place will be filled with early arrivals. Not a lot of feet drag into Sarasota. The time has come to offer my dark horse candidate to make the team. The challenge, of course, is doing it with so much uncertainty surrounding the roster. I could pick a left-handed hitting corner outfielder and he might be ousted by a future signing or...

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Orioles and Schoop agree to contract terms for 2018 (updated)

February 06, 2018, 8:50am

Orioles

The Orioles have avoided an arbitration hearing with second baseman Jonathan Schoop, with the sides agreeing to terms on an $8.5 million contract for 2018, according to an industry source. Schoop filed at $9 million and the Orioles countered at $7.5 million. He made $3.475 million last season. A hearing was scheduled for Thursday in Phoenix, Ariz. Despite the usual reports that the Orioles were file and trial, they maintained a dialogue with Schoop's representative, Steve Veltman from The...

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Forecasting Orioles' 25-man roster remains a source of frustration

February 05, 2018, 3:29pm

Orioles

With exactly one week remaining before pitchers and catchers must report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, the task of submitting a mock 25-man roster hasn't grown much easier since my attempts two months ago. The rotation still has openings behind Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy, with only in-house candidates in the mix. The bullpen includes only one left-hander, Richard Bleier, who seems assured of breaking camp with the team if he stays healthy. There's supposed to be another...

Leftovers for breakfast

February 04, 2018, 10:01am

Orioles

Included among the memorable nuggets to spill out of FanFest, along with the boulder-sized announcement that Manny Machado would play shortstop, was executive vice president Dan Duquette's confirmation that the Orioles have been in contact with utility infielder Ryan Flaherty. A season ticket holder brought up Flaherty's name during the Q&A session and Duquette noted the applause and the popularity of "Flash." Someone has to cover the four infield positions and, ideally, have the...

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Hutchison a consideration as Orioles seek starting pitchers

February 03, 2018, 5:21pm

Orioles

The Orioles have four catchers on their 40-man roster after Friday's trade with the Brewers that gave them Andrew Susac, a former top prospect for the Giants who hasn't hit in the majors, but is the depth move that executive vice president Dan Duquette sought before spring training. The roster is full and the Orioles still have three openings in their rotation. They can create room, of course, but it's been easier to find catchers and utility infielders than starting pitchers. This isn't...

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Mancini approaching spring training in usual competitive manner

February 02, 2018, 7:05am

Orioles

Mancini approaching spring training in usual competitive manner

One year ago, Trey Mancini was a prospect at first base and uncertain whether the 25-man roster could hold him on opening day. Chris Davis blocked him at his natural position, Mark Trumbo was ticketed for designated hitter duties and organizational debate centered on the wisdom of his part-time role in the majors versus regular at-bats in Triple-A. There's been a dramatic shift as the Orioles near another spring training. Mancini is one of the certainties on a roster that still requires...

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Darren O'Day: "Last year was encouraging in a lot of aspects"

February 01, 2018, 7:09pm

Orioles

Darren O'Day: "Last year was encouraging in a lot of aspects"

The Orioles went into the offseason showing more of a willingness to part with a bullpen piece in order to satisfy other roster needs, dealing from a strength while running the risk of weakening a unit that's needed to prop up a shaky rotation. They listened to offers for closer Zach Britton and setup man Brad Brach. They turned a clogged ear to overtures for Mychal Givens, but otherwise were open to making a move that impacted the back end. Britton ruptured his Achilles tendon while running...

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Mountcastle, Stewart and Mullins among 19 O's non-roster invites

February 01, 2018, 6:48am

Orioles

Mountcastle, Stewart and Mullins among 19 O's non-roster invites

The Orioles are inviting 19 non-roster players to their major league camp later this month, increasing to 35 the number of pitchers filtering into the Ed Smith Stadium complex. More starters are expected to show up later with Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman the only confirmed members of the rotation. The club also might want to add a couple of mounds. The list of non-roster invitees includes outfield prospects DJ Stewart and Cedric Mullins and third baseman Ryan Mountcastle. The complete list is...

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Gausman and Bundy on being the only confirmed starters

January 31, 2018, 4:14pm

Orioles

Gausman and Bundy on being the only confirmed starters

The lack of confirmed starters for the Orioles rotation is both a concern and a source of comedic material. "It's definitely a little weird, but I'm sure in the next couple weeks we'll probably sign some other guys," Kevin Gausman said at FanFest. "But yeah, it's definitely a little weird right now for sure. I think I've had probably 50 people in the last, I haven't even been here a day, but say something about me pitching every two days. That's the running joke around town I guess...

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Thirteen spring training games to air on 105.7 The Fan

January 31, 2018, 8:45am

Orioles

Thirteen spring training games to air on 105.7 The Fan

Orioles pitchers and catchers report to spring training in fewer than two weeks and the radio broadcast schedule is available to whet the appetite of fans who already are starving for baseball. Thirteen exhibition games will air on Entercom's 105.7 The Fan, beginning with the home opener on Feb. 23 against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. Eleven of the 13 games will be played at the Orioles home facility. The road broadcasts are March 21 against the Yankees in Tampa and March 25 - the...

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More on Machado, Beckham and Mountcastle

January 30, 2018, 11:46am

Orioles

More on Machado, Beckham and Mountcastle

Manny Machado pulled off the neat trick of being a central figure in three FanFest storylines despite remaining home in Miami. Why wasn't he there? What position is he playing? Why hasn't he been traded or signed to a lucrative extension? We only know that he had an unexcused absence that manager Buck Showalter supported as a private matter. We know that he's entering camp as the starting shortstop, with Tim Beckham moving to third base. And executive vice president Dan Duquette explained...

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O'Day with differing opinions on netting and pitch clock

January 29, 2018, 9:32am

Orioles

O'Day with differing opinions on netting and pitch clock

The expansion of the protective netting at Camden Yards and most ballparks meets the approval of Orioles reliever Darren O'Day, who's been an advocate of it for many years. However, the possibility of Major League Baseball instituting a 20-second pitch clock brings the opposite reaction. One out of two might have to suffice. The Orioles are extending the netting from section 16 to section 58, though the exact dimensions will become official after further work with the design and engineering...

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Zach Britton on being "maybe a little ahead of schedule"

January 28, 2018, 9:37am

Orioles

Zach Britton on being "maybe a little ahead of schedule"

Zach Britton couldn't attend Saturday's FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center, an excused absence based on his Achilles surgery and rehab in California. But the Orioles closer was a presence at the annual event, spreading positive updates about his recovery in an online Q&A and conference call with the media. He also maintained a humorous dialogue through his Twitter account while referenced in the season ticket holders' session with executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager...

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Trumbo talks about the value of less as more

January 27, 2018, 4:55pm

Orioles

Trumbo talks about the value of less as more

Mark Trumbo led the majors with 47 home runs in 2016, drove in 108 runs and parlayed his career highs into a three-year, $37.5 million contract to remain with the Orioles. A virtual bargain given today's salaries. Trumbo followed it up with 23 home runs, 65 RBIs, an OPS that dipped from .850 to .686 and a vow to clear his head and get a fresh start. His offseason routine is, in his words, "a little bit different this year." No sense repeating anything that led to such a...

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Adam Jones on lack of contract talks and free agency

January 27, 2018, 1:02pm

Orioles

Adam Jones on lack of contract talks and free agency

With free agency on the horizon and the bulk of fan and media attention on others who could leave Baltimore, center fielder Adam Jones confirmed this afternoon at FanFest that he hasn't been involved in any contract negotiations with the Orioles. Jones is set to earn $17 million in the final season of the six-year, $85.5 million extension he signed in May 2012. Rumors surfaced at the Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., that the Orioles had approached him about a three-year offer, which...

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Beckham on third base: "I'm looking forward to it"

January 27, 2018, 11:24am

Orioles

Beckham on third base: "I'm looking forward to it"

Tim Beckham said he found out last night, through a conversation with Orioles manager Buck Showalter, that he would move from shortstop to third base and he's ready for it. No nerves, no reservations. He'll do what's needed without complaint. "It's exciting, man. It's a new position for me, so I'm ready to go over and have some fun for sure," he said during his media sesson at FanFest. "Last night, Buck mentioned it and I'm open to it, especially if it helps the team and it's a...