Roch Kubatko

Showalter on Machado, Beckham, the roster and more

January 08, 2018, 9:29am

Orioles

Showalter on Machado, Beckham, the roster and more

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter continues to proceed as if Manny Machado will be part of his opening day lineup, though trade discussions haven't closed. There's no other way to handle the matter. Showalter has talked to Machado and Tim Beckham about the left side of the infield and how it might unfold. Machado could move over to shortstop, the spot where Beckham prefers to play. It's a delicate situation. "It's further along than it was," Showalter said. Any...

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Quick hits from Showalter following Day One of minicamp

January 08, 2018, 8:14am

Orioles

Quick hits from Showalter following Day One of minicamp

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitcher Chris Tillman, who has a home here, is working out at the Ed Smith Stadium complex after receiving permission from the Orioles. Tillman is a free agent and manager Buck Showalter expressed interest today in bringing back the veteran right-hander. Showalter also said he'd like to hold onto free agent outfielder Craig Gentry, whose defense and speed are valuable assets. Showalter didn't dismiss the idea of bringing back Pedro Ãlvarez, but conceded it would be...

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Hunter Harvey: "I feel like I'm ready to go"

January 08, 2018, 6:46am

Orioles

Hunter Harvey: "I feel like I'm ready to go"

SARASOTA, Fla. - The first day of Orioles minicamp wrapped up this morning with Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. completing a bullpen session, pitchers running sprints and Dariel Ãlvarez playing catch on flat ground as he recovers from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. Ãlvarez is converting from outfielder to reliever. Manager Buck Showalter is joined by pitching coach Roger McDowell, bullpen coach Alan Mills, bench coach John Russell, special assignment pitching instructor...

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Brian Ebel promoted to head athletic trainer

January 08, 2018, 5:23am

Orioles

Brian Ebel promoted to head athletic trainer

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles announced this morning that assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel has been promoted to the head position as Richie Bancells' replacement. Bancells retired in October after 41 seasons in the organization. Ebel, 51, has spent the last 21 seasons as the assistant and is entering his 34th year with the Orioles. He's only the fourth head athletic trainer in club history. A graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Ebel began his career in 1985 at 19 when he served as...

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Day One of Orioles minicamp

January 07, 2018, 12:23pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The first day of Orioles minicamp begins this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, with pitchers scheduled to head outdoors at 10 a.m. A small group of beat writers will have clubhouse access for an hour. Temperatures climb into the 70s this week, but rain is in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, which could move some of the bullpen sessions to the covered cages. Or, because it's Florida, the sun could come out two minutes after a downpour. In case you need a...

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alan mills buck showalter chris lee dariel alvarez hunter harvey joely rodriguez manny machado miguel castro minicamp orioles perci garner roger mcdowell ryan o'rourke tanner scott featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Brach seeking to be better in second half

January 06, 2018, 11:54am

Orioles

Brach seeking to be better in second half

As Brad Brach prepares for a likely role as the primary closer for the Orioles while Zach Britton recovers from Achilles surgery, he's making an adjustment to his offseason routine in order to put together two robust halves. More cardio to correct the discrepancy. Brach has been the reverse of Kevin Gausman. Better before the break. He made the American League All-Star team in 2016 while going 6-1 with a 0.91 ERA and 0.831 WHIP in the first half, but he had a 3.94 ERA and 1.382 WHIP in the...

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Chris Davis on hitting approach, contract pressure and more

January 05, 2018, 10:22am

Orioles

Chris Davis on hitting approach, contract pressure and more

It won't be long before Chris Davis' family, which already includes wife Jill and daughter Ella, will expand with the arrival of twin girls. "We're going to go from man-to-man coverage to a zone real quick in our house, but we're fired up about it," Davis said this week while interviewed on the "Orioles Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 The Fan. "I couldn't be happier. We always said that we wanted at least three. I'm still pushing for maybe four, but it's probably not the best time to be...

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Chris Davis on his "great offseason" and fighting the shift

January 04, 2018, 5:12pm

Orioles

Chris Davis on his "great offseason" and fighting the shift

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis arranged an interview session with some of the beat writers before the final game at Tropicana Field and vowed to dedicate his offseason to working with hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh in Texas while attempting to improve his average and get back to being a threat in the middle of the order. It wasn't just lip service. Davis had just finished another session with Coolbaugh last night and was driving home as he called into the "Orioles Hot Stove Show" on 105.7...

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This, that and the other

January 03, 2018, 1:42pm

Orioles

Spring training wouldn't feel right unless the media had camp competitions to chronicle on a daily basis. Fifth starter, last bullpen and bench spots, backup catcher. It allows us to obsess over guys like Chad Moeller, Luis Exposito, Zack Phillips, Ryan Drese, Alex Gonzalez, Jimmy Paredes, Travis Ishikawa, Jason Pridie, Russ Canzler, Jai Miller and Trayvon Robinson. It makes us feel foolish later when so many of them disappear and are never heard from again. Oh heck, let's keep going. Hayden...

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Previewing next week's minicamp in Sarasota (updated twice)

January 02, 2018, 11:20am

Orioles

Previewing next week's minicamp in Sarasota (updated twice)

While the extended forecast calls for snow possible later this week and temperatures so low that they can turn your thoughts to ice, the highs in Sarasota are stuck in the 50s until Sunday. Until the Orioles begin trickling into the Ed Smith Stadium complex for their annual three-day minicamp. Temperatures are supposed to climb back into the 70s by Monday's first workout with only a 10 percent chance of rain before everyone returns home. The guys living up north may leave kicking and...

Rehashing questions and revisiting Bundy

January 01, 2018, 1:24pm

Orioles

Rehashing questions and revisiting Bundy

We're in the midst of a new week in a new year with the same old questions hovering around the Orioles. Dogging them like a pack of Dobermans. How will executive vice president Dan Duquette fill out the rotation with three spots open and the club showing no inclination to spend the necessary amount to land an ace-like arm? Which left-handed hitters will be obtained, whether via trade or free agency, in an attempt to provide a little more balance to the lineup? Which left-handed reliever will...

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Coming up with a few New Year's resolutions for the Orioles

December 31, 2017, 5:50am

Orioles

While wondering how many fans woke up this morning with their faces pressed against the cold bathroom floor tiles ... I've never been one to compose a list of New Year's resolutions, mainly because there's little chance that I'd see them through. And they're terribly clichÃ©d as sports-related stories on Jan. 1. But who am I to judge? Or Aaron Judge? If the Orioles are going to create team-wide resolutions, they should make certain to include the following: Avoid breaking the club record...

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chris lee dan duquette dylan bundy jonathan schoop kevin gausman manny machado orioles ryan mountcastle buck showalter featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Dickerson on Machado as shortstop

December 30, 2017, 4:44am

Orioles

With New Year's Eve upon us and recycled news all the rage during the hot stove season, I'm tempted to dust off my annual quip about assuring that the ball drops at midnight. You know, by putting (insert name of poor defender) underneath it. We all have our own holiday traditions. Manny Machado never will make it as the punchline. Platinum Glove winners are ineligible. (Hey, in case you hadn't heard in the last hour, the Orioles remain in touch with teams interested in trading for Machado...

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Dickerson on making Beckham better and getting his degree

December 29, 2017, 5:06am

Orioles

Dickerson on making Beckham better and getting his degree

Orioles third base coach Bobby Dickerson, regarded as one of baseball's finest infield instructors, has no idea whether Tim Beckham will open the 2018 season at shortstop, move to another position or take a seat on the bench and handle a utility role. He isn't privy to any inside information regarding the club's plans, which remain in the developmental stages as executive vice president Dan Duquette continues to hear from teams interested in trading for Manny Machado. The best that Dickerson...

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What's left for Orioles as they try to balance lineup?

December 28, 2017, 5:29am

Orioles

The rotation was the Orioles' primary concern before and during the 2017 season and it remains long after Rays reliever Chaz Roe struck out rookie Trey Mancini for the final out at Tropicana Field. It dominates, but it doesn't distract. There's other serious business that needs to get done before opening day. Try creating a mock lineup and count the number of left-handed hitters in it. Let's put a right-hander on the mound for the opposition. Let's try to stay in step with manager Buck...

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Thoughts on Liranzo, RamÃrez and Ynoa

December 27, 2017, 7:35am

Orioles

Another day has passed for the Orioles with Manny Machado at third base, three openings in the rotation and the same need for a left-handed bat or two. A veteran catcher and utility player also haven't been crossed off the list. This is going to be a process. Here are three more pitchers worthy of a blog discussion while waiting for the hot stove to no longer feel cool to the touch: Orioles manager Buck Showalter predicted early in 2017 that pitcher Jesus Liranzo could have an impact on the...

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buck showalter gabriel ynoa jesus liranzo manny machado orioles roger mcdowell yefry ramirez featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Thoughts on Asher, Hart, Crichton and Yacabonis

December 26, 2017, 11:13am

Orioles

Thoughts on Asher, Hart, Crichton and Yacabonis

There are no holiday updates on the Orioles' search for starting pitching and a left-handed reliever with plus velocity and the splits to present the option as a specialist. The 40-man roster includes 24 pitchers, and the Orioles have announced 14 more on minor league deals since Nov. 28. Maybe there's strength in numbers. I've spent part of the offseason choosing Orioles who need to step up or have various questions circling over their heads. Let's toss out another handful. * Alec Asher is...

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alec asher brad brach buck showalter donnie hart jimmy yacabonis orioles stefan crichton zach britton featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Leftovers for breakfast

December 25, 2017, 4:47pm

Orioles

The Orioles will hold their annual three-day minicamp in Sarasota beginning on Jan. 8 and manager Buck Showalter has been compiling his list of invitees and awaiting the responses. Former outfielder Dariel Ãlvarez could be summoned to the Ed Smith Stadium complex while rehabbing from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow back in April. The minicamp serves multiple purposes, including the opportunity for the Orioles to check on injured players or the ones who underwent a medical...

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Christmas Because You Asked

December 24, 2017, 9:18am

Orioles

If visions of sugarplums are dancing in your heads on this Christmas morning, you may want to dilute the eggnog. You also might want to skip the malls in the future and do your one-stop shopping on this blog with all of your Orioles questions. But they tend to repeat like garlic shrimp. Chestnuts are roasting on the hot stove as we stay in a festive mood. Santa has his bag of toys and I have my mailbag. I'm not much of a dancer, but I've gotten Blitzen on eggnog. And so much for a silent...

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Could Zach Britton get an extension and become a starter again?

December 23, 2017, 4:24pm

Orioles

Could Zach Britton get an extension and become a starter again?

Whatever happens to Zach Britton moving forward from his Achilles surgery, gentle steps on the road to recovery, he's expected to remain in the organization that drafted him and eventually found the ideal role. Talk of releasing him should be muted, from what I've been told. It's complicated, but Britton would receive his full salary despite no resolution for 2018 after the Orioles tendered him a contract. They remain encouraged by the possibility of his return before the All-Star break. The...