Roch Kubatko

Ãlvarez signing official, upcoming pitchers, Brugman's return

February 26, 2018, 5:09am

Orioles

Ãlvarez signing official, upcoming pitchers, Brugman's return

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pedro Ãlvarez has passed his physical and signed his minor league contract with the Orioles. Ãlvarez 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 Ãlvarez 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...

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Orioles lineup vs. Tigers

February 26, 2018, 4:06am

Orioles

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...

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Orioles remain open to signing a starting pitcher

February 25, 2018, 3:28pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Agreeing to terms with slugger Pedro Ãlvarez 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...

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Wrapping up a 7-1 loss

February 25, 2018, 11:35am

Orioles

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. JosÃ© Mesa Jr., one of the three Rule 5 pitchers in...

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Brugman outrighted to Norfolk (Orioles fall 7-1)

February 25, 2018, 9:18am

Orioles

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...

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Colby Rasmus in Monday's starting lineup

February 25, 2018, 8:11am

Orioles

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...

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Gausman making start Monday (and other notes)

February 25, 2018, 6:54am

Orioles

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...

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andrew susac audry perez austin wynns chance sisco chris tillman dylan bundy kevin gausman orioles spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Orioles agree to terms with Pedro Ãlvarez on minor league deal

February 25, 2018, 4:47am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are bringing back Pedro Ãlvarez. Again. Ãlvarez 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 Ãlvarez, the last two on minor league deals. However, today marks the first time that they reached an agreement before...

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alex presley colby rasmus jaycob brugman mike wright orioles pedro alvarez spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox

February 25, 2018, 2:51am

Orioles

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...

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alex presley anthony santander audry perez austin wynns cedric mullins craig gentry drew dosch erick salcedo gabriel ynoa jayson aquino joey rickard jose mesa lucas long luis gonzalez orioles spring training frontstory_orioles3

Notes on Brugman, Ynoa and Hays

February 24, 2018, 5:26pm

Orioles

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...

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alex presley austin hays buck showalter chris tillman colby rasmus gabriel ynoa jaycob brugman miguel castro orioles spring training featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Wrapping up a 1-1 tie

February 24, 2018, 4:30pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles loaded the bases three times tonight without scoring, including the eighth inning when the first three batters reached. They put two runners in scoring position with two outs in the ninth and came away empty. It served as the recipe for a 1-1 tie with the Twins. The game ended after regulation instead of the teams playing a 10th inning. No one complained. Jake Ring struck out to send everyone home and make the Orioles 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position. They...

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austin hays austin wynns buck showalter chance sisco dylan bundy jake ring nestor cortes jr. orioles spring training tim beckham featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Cortes retires six of seven batters in spring debut (O's, Twins tie)

February 24, 2018, 1:40pm

Orioles

Cortes retires six of seven batters in spring debut (O's, Twins tie)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. came as advertised tonight in his first spring start. Didn't throw hard, but worked quickly and changed speeds and his arm angle to keep the Twins off balance. Cortes duplicated Mike Wright Jr.'s outing yesterday by allowing one run and one hit over two innings. Cortes retired six of seven batters and threw 16 of 23 pitches for strikes. The Twins lead the Orioles 1-0 in the top of the third inning. Alec Asher replaced Cortes and struck out the...

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Vielma: "I still feel confident that I can go out there and compete"

February 24, 2018, 10:34am

Orioles

Vielma: "I still feel confident that I can go out there and compete"

SARASOTA, Fla. - The competition for the utility job with the Orioles increased today with Ã‰ngelb Vielma's arrival in camp. Meet the new guy. Same as the old guy - just late getting here. Vielma was detained in Venezuela while trying to get his visa. He flew into the area last night, took his physical today and waited for a chance to play. "It's definitely very frustrating because all I was thinking about was the opportunity that's been presented to me," he said via translator RamÃ³n...

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Schoop expects to play tonight (updated with lineup)

February 24, 2018, 9:16am

Orioles

Schoop expects to play tonight (updated with lineup)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles haven't posted their lineup for tonight's home intrasquad game against the Twins, but second baseman Jonathan Schoop expects to be in it. Schoop was scratched yesterday with bursitis in his left elbow, but he's feeling much better today. "I'm doing good," he said. "I don't even know the name of it, but it's nothing to worry about. I think I'm playing today. Just wanted to take it easy yesterday, but I think I'm playing today." Schoop doesn't know how he...

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Orioles and Phillies lineups

February 24, 2018, 3:31am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are playing split-squad games today against the Phillies in Clearwater and the Twins in Sarasota. I'm covering the home nightcap, with the clubhouse opening to media at 1 p.m. Chris Davis is wearing the gray pants today as the only projected starter on the trip. Anthony Santander is playing right field after serving as the designated hitter yesterday against the Rays. Ryan Mountcastle is playing third base and Chance Sisco is catching. Former Orioles infielder Ryan...

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anthony santander chance sisco chris davis orioles ryan flaherty ryan mountcastle spring training

Britton set to throw again today

February 23, 2018, 2:21pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - While Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop and pitcher Miguel Castro are sidelined indefinitely with elbow and knee conditions, respectively, closer Zach Britton is preparing for his second round of catch this morning as he slowly works his way back to the mound. Britton is following up on his first flat-ground throwing session on Thursday at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. "I think we're going to be on an every-other-day schedule, obviously depending on how I feel and things...

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Wrapping up a 6-3 loss

February 23, 2018, 12:16pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles prospects took over the ninth inning today, with Chance Sisco hitting an opposite-field, three-run homer off Rays reliever Brandon Lawson after DJ Stewart singled and Ryan Mountcastle doubled. The Orioles stranded two runners in scoring position and lost to the Rays 6-3, but it provided a nice touch to an otherwise nondescript exhibition opener. "Yeah, especially back-to-back-to-back," said manager Buck Showalter. "I think we hit four balls hard that they caught....

Wright flashes cutter in two innings against Rays (O's lose 6-3)

February 23, 2018, 9:22am

Orioles

Wright flashes cutter in two innings against Rays (O's lose 6-3)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Mike Wright Jr. worked two innings this afternoon in the Orioles' exhibition opener against the Rays and left on a high note. Wright retired the side in order in the second on 11 pitches, eight for strikes. He handled all of the outs - striking out Ryan Schimpf, retiring Johnny Field on a tapper to the mound and catching Justin Williams' pop up. Left-hander Chris Lee replaced Wright to begin the top of the third inning with the Rays leading 1-0. Lee loaded the bases with no...

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Schoop sidelined with elbow bursitis, Castro with knee tendinitis

February 23, 2018, 6:21am

Orioles

Schoop sidelined with elbow bursitis, Castro with knee tendinitis

SARASOTA, Fla. - Though the Orioles have avoided serious injuries as they approach today's exhibition opener, two scratches created unexpected changes in their lineup and rotation. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop is day-to-day with bursitis in his left elbow and Miguel Castro won't make Sunday's start against the Red Sox in Fort Myers due to patella tendinitis in both knees. Castro also may be experiencing some back soreness because he's been stretching out on the clubhouse floor in front of...

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Early notes before today's exhibition opener in Sarasota

February 23, 2018, 5:23am

Orioles

Early notes before today's exhibition opener in Sarasota

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tim Beckham didn't have a ball hit to him yesterday during the intrasquad game, leaving his work at third base on the back fields as the only way to assign an early grade. Beckham is starting at third base again today in the Orioles' exhibition opener against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. He's taking a break from his daily sessions with infield instructor Bobby Dickerson, who's overseeing the switch of Beckham from shortstop to third base while Manny Machado returns to his...