Workout day provides updates on rotation, Davis, Hardy and more

Workout day provides updates on rotation, Davis, Hardy and more
Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed his rotation today for the next five games, including the previously unidentified starter for Sunday. Kevin Gausman, Wade Miley and Ubaldo Jiménez will work the three-game series against the Cubs that begins Friday night at Camden Yards. Chris Tillman and Dylan Bundy will face the Rangers on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, as the homestand continues. Bundy was shoved to the back of the rotation to provide more rest and the Orioles will try to find...

More on Davis' pending return and Mancini's impressive first half

More on Davis' pending return and Mancini's impressive first half
SALISBURY, Md. - Chris Davis wished that he could have hit a home run last night to reward the fans at Perdue Stadium who greeted each of his at-bats with a rousing ovation. He settled for no longer having pain in his right oblique and being ready to come off the disabled list. Going 0-for-4 with Single-A Delmarva, including a strikeout and double play, didn't matter in the grand scheme. "I've felt really good physically for about a week and a half," he said. "Obviously, the medical staff...

Chris Davis finishes rehab assignment and is ready to rejoin O's

Chris Davis finishes rehab assignment and is ready to rejoin O's
SALISBURY, Md. - Chris Davis completed his brief injury rehab assignment tonight with four at-bats with the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds of the South Atlantic League. Serving as the designated hitter and batting second, Davis struck out swinging in the first inning, grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the third inning, bounced to second base leading off the sixth and bounced to first base in the eighth. Davis played first base Monday afternoon at high Single-A Frederick and went 1-for-4...

Schoop doubles and scores in first All-Star Game

Schoop doubles and scores in first All-Star Game
Jonathan Schoop proved tonight that he also can double in games that don't count. Schoop entered tonight's All-Star Game at second base in the bottom of the fourth inning and batted in the top of the fifth against Dodgers left-hander Alex Wood. Schoop grounded a double down the left field line with two outs and two strikes, and he scored on a bloop single inside the right field line by Twins third baseman Miguel Sanó. Schoop fell behind 0-2 by taking a strike and swinging through a...

Paul Janish and David Washington outrighted to Norfolk

Paul Janish and David Washington outrighted to Norfolk
The Orioles announced today that infielder Paul Janish and first baseman David Washington are staying in the organization. Janish and Washington cleared waivers and were assigned to Triple-A Norfolk, leading to more roster moves for the Tides after play resumes. The International League All-Star Game is scheduled for Wednesday in Tacoma. Janish has been outrighted multiple times again this season and could have refused the assignment and elected free agency. But he's back at Norfolk and likely...

Orioles still in buyers mode ... for now

Orioles still in buyers mode ... for now
The Orioles remain in buyers mode as they wait for the season to resume on Friday, when they begin a 10-game homestand. However, it's subject to change depending on what happens over the next three weeks. Here's what won't change: The Orioles continue to hold onto hope that the pitchers and position players currently on the 25-man roster and in the organization will provide the biggest lifts as they attempt to make the playoffs again. "I keep waiting for our team to perform at the level...

Bullpen set up nicely for Orioles

Bullpen set up nicely for Orioles
While the majority of the pitching focus rightly falls upon the Orioles rotation and an ERA that's approaching 6.00, the bullpen is rounding into shape. Manager Buck Showalter finally may have the unit in place that he's desired, beginning with closer Zach Britton, twice removed from the active roster with a strained left forearm. Britton's third appearance Sunday since his return easily was his most dominant with ground balls to first baseman Trey Mancini and third baseman Manny Machado and...

Quick update on Chris Davis

Quick update on Chris Davis
Orioles first baseman Chris Davis completed his first injury rehab game today after eight innings at Single-A Frederick. Davis batted second and had five plate appearances against Myrtle Beach. He went 1-for-4 with a walk and run scored. Keys manager Keith Bodie removed Davis for a pinch-runner after a double in the eighth inning. Davis walked in the first inning against Pelicans starter Scott Effross and scored on Ryan Mountcastle's two-run double. He struck out looking in the second and...

A few thoughts on the first half

A few thoughts on the first half
MINNEAPOLIS - When does four games below .500 at the All-Star break feel like a positive development? When the Orioles were six below with two left. Too bad there's really no such thing as momentum in baseball based on games won. The next day's starting pitcher dictates it. And four days will pass before the Orioles resume play. They need Kevin Gausman to come out strong on Friday against the Cubs. They need the entire rotation to step up or they have no shot at contending. The starters are...

Wrapping up an 11-5 win

Wrapping up an 11-5 win
MINNEAPOLIS - The fire alarm didn't sound at Target Field today. It only looked like a drill as the Orioles rushed to get out of the ballpark and catch their flights home for the All-Star break. Stragglers were in danger of being left behind. The Orioles ended the first half with two consecutive wins, including today's 11-5 romp over the Twins to leave them 42-46 and in fourth place in the American League East, 7 1/2 games behind the first-place Red Sox and four out of the wild card. "It's...

Orioles close first half with 11-5 win and series split

Orioles close first half with 11-5 win and series split
MINNEAPOLIS - Whose idea was it to stop the season? The Orioles have closed the first half with back-to-back victories, jumping out to an early lead today and defeating the Twins 11-5 to gain a series split before an announced crowd of 25,848 at Target Field. Adam Jones homered twice and drove in five runs, Caleb Joseph had three RBIs and Ubaldo Jiménez was scored upon in only one of his five innings. Jiménez had allowed only nine earned runs in 44 2/3 innings at Target Field before today...

Updating Davis, the rotation and Santander (O's lead 11-5)

Updating Davis, the rotation and Santander (O's lead 11-5)
MINNEAPOLIS - Chris Davis took batting practice again this morning and he remains scheduled to begin a short injury rehab assignment Monday afternoon at Single-A Frederick. Davis will get three or four at-bats with the Keys in his first game since going on the disabled list retroactive to June 13 with a strained right oblique. "It went fine," said manager Buck Showalter. "Ready to go tomorrow at Frederick. He's had his All-Star break." Showalter said Davis just needs to get "back in the...

Orioles and Twins lineups

Orioles and Twins lineups
MINNEAPOLIS - Jonathan Schoop is back at second base today as the Orioles conclude their road trip and the first half. Rubén Tejada is starting at shortstop. Hyun Soo Kim is in left field and Caleb Joseph is behind the plate. For the Orioles Seth Smith RF Manny Machado 3B Jonathan Schoop 2B Adam Jones CF Mark Trumbo DH Trey Mancini 1B Hyun Soo Kim LF Caleb Joseph C Rubén Tejada SS Ubaldo Jiménez RHP For the Twins Brian Dozier 2B Robbie Grossman DH Max Kepler RF Miguel Sanó 3B Jason...

Last game before the break

Last game before the break
MINNEAPOLIS - The Orioles understand that they can't make up all of this lost ground in one or two games. With one or two swings. With a few quality starts. You spend that much time digging a hole, you don't climb out of it in a couple of seconds. "One game at time, don't think about yesterday," said Jonathan Schoop, who enabled the Orioles to improve to 1-0 yesterday with him as the starting shortstop. "Today we have to win. Now don't think about today. Come back tomorrow trying to win...

Orioles end losing streak at five games with 5-1 win (with quotes)

Orioles end losing streak at five games with 5-1 win (with quotes)
MINNESOTA - Wade Miley wanted the starting assignment today. He didn't beg for it. He didn't stand on top of manager Buck Showalter's desk and pound his chest. But he didn't want to give the appearance that he was hiding from his slump. Give him the ball and another chance. Why stagger into the break when you can strut? Miley came within an out of a defined quality start, holding the Twins to one run, and the Orioles ended their five-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory before an announced...

Tillman on his view from the bullpen (O's ahead 5-1)

Tillman on his view from the bullpen (O's ahead 5-1)
MINNESOTA - Chris Tillman is sitting in a major league bullpen today, and not at an All-Star Game or to visit friends and teammates. He's listed with the relievers after returning from paternity leave. Tillman hasn't pitched in relief in a major league game and can't remember the last time it happened in the minors. It was one game at Triple-A Norfolk in 2012 after five at a rookie-level affiliate of the Mariners in 2006. "That's why I'm here," he said. "I threw my bullpen and it went...

Orioles DFA Paul Janish

Orioles DFA Paul Janish
MINNESOTA - Infielder Paul Janish is back in limbo. But at least it's close to home. The Orioles designated Janish for assignment this afternoon to create room for pitcher Chris Tillman on the 25-man roster. Tillman came off the paternity list and is available in the bullpen. Janish has multiple outrights and can refuse the assignment if he clears waivers. However, he's likely to stay, as he's done previously. The Orioles want to keep Janish in the organization and start him again at...

Orioles and Twins lineups

Orioles and Twins lineups
MINNESOTA - Jonathan Schoop will make his first major league start at shortstop in this afternoon's game against the Twins. The Orioles have not announced a corresponding roster move for Chris Tillman's return from the paternity list. As I wrote this morning, with Johnny Giavotella starting at second base and Schoop moving to short, the Orioles can remove one of their shortstops. For the OriolesJoey Rickard LFManny Machado 3BJonathan Schoop SSAdam Jones CFMark Trumbo DHTrey Mancini...

Miley gets another chance before the break

Miley gets another chance before the break
MINNESOTA - Orioles manager Buck Showalter had a decision to make. Keep Wade Miley in the rotation and in turn, or reinsert Chris Tillman following his separation from the team for the birth of his daughter. Go with the cold hand or a guy who hadn't been around in almost a week and would be flying into Minnesota late the night before his assignment. Showalter debated whether to put Miley in the bullpen for the weekend and give him a fresh start, instead of today's start, coming out of the...

Orioles acquire Aaron Myers from Brewers

Orioles acquire Aaron Myers from Brewers
MINNESOTA - The Orioles continue to move their international signing bonus slots in exchange for young players. The latest trade came late tonight when they acquired right-hander Aaron Myers, 23, from the Brewers and assigned him to Single-A Delmarva. The Brewers signed Myers as an undrafted free agent in 2015 out of Longwood University in Farmville, Va. He's 6-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 41 minor league games, with 28 walks and 106 strikeouts in 89 innings. Opponents are batting .202 against...