More roster moves likely, more Jiménez and Davis' strikeouts

More roster moves likely, more Jiménez and Davis' strikeouts
It would be a tremendous upset if the Orioles don't make at least one change to their pitching staff today after Stefan Crichton threw 59 pitches last night and Tyler Wilson threw 31. However, they may not be ready to settle the Ubaldo Jiménez debate. As I wrote last night, the Orioles simply could skip his next turn and make him available in long relief. They're off Thursday and can tweak the rotation. Anyone who thought manager Buck Showalter was going to announce his plans for...

Struggles continue for Jiménez in 14-7 loss (with quotes)

Struggles continue for Jiménez in 14-7 loss (with quotes)
The first batter that Ubaldo Jiménez faced tonight worked the count full and singled up the middle. The next batter was ahead 3-1 and flied out. The third batter also worked the count full and walked. Jiménez got back-to-back strikeouts to escape the jam, but the tone again had been set. It wasn't going to be his night. And it wasn't going to be pretty. One run scored in the third inning and one more in the fourth on Max Kepler's leadoff home run. The threads began to show, and his...

Showalter on Castro, Ynoa and more (O's down 12-6)

Showalter on Castro, Ynoa and more (O's down 12-6)
Manny Machado took batting practice this afternoon and remained in the Orioles lineup for tonight's series opener against the Twins at Camden Yards. Machado still had to test his left hand after yesterday's X-rays came back negative. "Keep in mind there's three levels of X-rays, it seems like to me," said manager Buck Showalter. "There's the one local in the locker room and there's the scan and if you're still having some symptoms they go to the MRI. I guess it's because each one...

Flaherty receives PRP injection in shoulder (plus other notes)

Flaherty receives PRP injection in shoulder (plus other notes)
Orioles infielder Ryan Flaherty will have a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right shoulder today and head down to Sarasota to rehab. Flaherty figures to be out at least two weeks. He won't make the 10-day disabled list period. Flaherty said earlier today that doctors were determining whether the strain was in his rotator cuff or lat. "There's something going on," he said. "Hopefully, it won't take too long. They don't think it's that bad, but obviously it hasn't gotten better...

Orioles recall Wilson, Machado in tonight's lineup

Orioles recall Wilson, Machado in tonight's lineup
The Orioles have recalled right-hander Tyler Wilson from Triple-A Norfolk and he's available in the bullpen for tonight's series opener against the Twins at Camden Yards. Wilson takes the spot vacated by Miguel Castro, who was optioned following yesterday's 3-1 loss to the Blue Jays. Also, Manny Machado's hand is fine and he's in tonight's lineup. X-rays taken yesterday came back clean. Trey Mancini is in left field and J.J. Hardy is back at shortstop after sitting out yesterday's...

Brach leans on support system to straighten out problems

Brach leans on support system to straighten out problems
We see the dugout celebrations after a home run, with the complicated handshakes and sunflower seed showers. We see what transpires at the plate following a walk-off win, with coolers of water dumped over the hero's head and enough aggressive slaps delivered to the body to leave prints. There also used to be the occasional pies to the face, again in full view of anyone paying attention. But there's also the scene inside the clubhouse, away from the public eye, when a pitcher or player is...

Orioles option Miguel Castro

Orioles option Miguel Castro
The Orioles made two roster moves today sandwiched around their 3-1 loss to the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. After placing utility infielder Ryan Flaherty on the disabled list this morning and selecting Paul Janish's contract from Triple-A Norfolk, the Orioles announced late this afternoon that they optioned pitcher Miguel Castro to Double-A Bowie. A corresponding move apparently will be announced on Monday afternoon. Castro made back-to-back appearances for the Orioles in Detroit and logged...

Orioles can't complete sweep of Jays (with quotes)

Orioles can't complete sweep of Jays (with quotes)
Left-hander Wade Miley will never know what might have transpired today if he retired the side in order in the first inning. If there weren't a two-out error, a soft single and some hard luck. Miley shut out the Blue Jays over the next six innings, didn't give up an earned run all day and couldn't prevent the Orioles from losing to the Blue Jays 3-1 before an announced crowd of 36,632 at Camden Yards. Three unearned runs in the first inning were the difference, along with the Orioles'...

Showalter on Flaherty, roster move, Castillo & more (O's down 3-1)

Showalter on Flaherty, roster move, Castillo & more (O's down 3-1)
The Orioles didn't adjust their bullpen and recall right-hander Tyler Wilson after he was scratched from last night's start with Triple-A Norfolk. They're sticking with the same seven pitchers. They couldn't stand pat in the infield. Ryan Flaherty's shoulder is barking again and he's on the 10-day disabled list. My guess is it's going to take longer than 10 days to get him back on the active roster. The strain is in the area of his lat and rotator cuff, which obviously causes discomfort...

Flaherty goes on DL, Janish starting at shortstop

Flaherty goes on DL, Janish starting at shortstop
The Orioles placed Ryan Flaherty on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to Friday with a strained right shoulder, and they purchased Paul Janish's contract from Triple-A Norfolk. A decision is pending on whether Flaherty receives a platelet-rich plasma injection. He underwent an MRI yesterday. The discomfort in in the lat/rotator cuff area and it's impacting Flaherty's throws. He's been bothered by it since spring training and it keeps coming back. Janish is starting at shortstop today....

While waiting for the lineup ...

While waiting for the lineup ...
The Orioles are prepared to put infielder Ryan Flaherty on the 10-day disabled list. They haven't made an announcement and we're still waiting for the lineup. Infielder Paul Janish has a locker set up in the clubhouse and he met earlier with manager Buck Showalter. Showalter is scheduled to meet with the media in a few minutes. Flaherty is batting .233/.324/.267 in 13 games. He started at third base Thursday afternoon in Detroit. Welington Castillo is expected to be the designated hitter for...

Orioles deciding whether to recall Janish

Orioles deciding whether to recall Janish
The Orioles made it through yesterday without a roster move, leaving their bullpen intact despite playing 10 innings the previous night. However, they have Tyler Wilson nearby if they decide to add a fresh arm - manager Buck Showalter indicated last night that it probably won't be necessary - and infielder Paul Janish is a candidate to be recalled. Janish is on the taxi squad due to concerns about Ryan Flaherty's right shoulder. Flaherty had tendinitis in spring training, which shut him down...

Quality from Gausman, homer from Castillo in win (updated)

Quality from Gausman, homer from Castillo in win (updated)
Rather than let another start get away from him tonight, Kevin Gausman needed to fine-tune his damage-control skills. To remember how to shimmy out of a tight spot. To get back into the dugout without draping a towel around his neck, lowering his head and wondering again where it all went wrong. Gausman loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning and allowed only one run by getting a double play and strikeout. A one-out single in the second didn't hurt him because the Orioles turned...

Showalter on Kim, Gausman, Asher and Brach (O's up 7-5)

Showalter on Kim, Gausman, Asher and Brach (O's up 7-5)
The Orioles' lineup includes Hyun Soo Kim, who's starting on consecutive nights for the first time since May 4-5. It led to a humorous exchange between manager and player. Kim singled last night, smoked a ball to center field that was caught and made a couple of nice plays in left field. "I asked him the day before yesterday, 'You remember how to get out there?' He thought it was funny," said manager Buck Showalter. Kim returned the joke today, pretending to hyperventilate after Showalter...

Duquette on Katz, Jackson, Bourn, Britton and more

Duquette on Katz, Jackson, Bourn, Britton and more
The Orioles continue to use their international signing bonus slots to acquire pitchers for their system. In a move announced earlier this afternoon, the Orioles obtained left-hander Alex Katz from the White Sox in exchange for bonus slots No. 45 and No. 75. Katz was assigned to Single-A Frederick, where he'll be used as a reliever. Katz has appeared in 62 career minor league games and posted a 3.09 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 102 innings. The White Sox drafted Katz in the 27th round in 2015...

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Seth Smith is back in the Orioles' lineup tonight and Hyun Soo Kim is staying in it. Smith didn't play last night after being hit on the left cheek by a foul ball in Detroit, but he was available late in the game. Kim is in left field and Mark Trumbo is serving as the designated hitter. Welington Castillo is behind the plate after his two-homer game last night, including a walk-off in the 10th inning. According to STATS, this is the first time in Orioles history that they've had two catchers...

Joseph's offensive game got healthy while Castillo was hurt

Joseph's offensive game got healthy while Castillo was hurt
Caleb Joseph probably will have to wait until Sunday to get back into the Orioles' lineup, his regular duty interrupted by Welington Castillo's return from the disabled list. Day games after night games are his best friend. Joseph accepts his role. Embraces it, actually. Sure beats playing in the minors. If there's a silver lining to Castillo's absence from the lineup due to right shoulder tendinitis, it's how Joseph responded to it. He's now batting .268/.278/.451 with five doubles, a...

Showalter speaks after 5-3 10-inning win

Showalter speaks after 5-3 10-inning win
The Orioles and Blue Jays waited 29 minutes to begin tonight's game, with the threat of rain keeping the tarp on the field. They were interrupted for 58 minutes after the top of the 10th inning because of a heavy storm that swept through Camden Yards. Welington Castillo wasn't taking any chances on hail or another weather-related disruption. He let the game carry through four more batters and sent everyone home. Castillo launched a two-run homer off Jason Grilli with two outs in the bottom of...

Machado glad to be off the bench (O's win 5-3 in 10 innings)

Machado glad to be off the bench (O's win 5-3 in 10 innings)
Manny Machado sat on the bench yesterday while the Orioles were losing again in Detroit to close out their road trip, a strange vantage point for a player who felt like he could have played. Machado's previous absences from the lineup were caused by injuries or suspensions that kept him out of the dugout. But manager Buck Showalter excluded Machado yesterday, citing a sore right index finger. It's obvious that umpire CB Bucknor working the plate factored a least a little bit into the...

Smith out of Orioles lineup

Smith out of Orioles lineup
Seth Smith is out of the Orioles lineup tonight after being hit yesterday on his left cheek by a ball he fouled off the plate. Smith took some fly balls from first base coach Wayne Kirby earlier today while the tarp covered the infield. The swelling affected his vision yesterday. Jonathan Schoop is leading off while Smith moves to the bench. This is Schoop's second career game atop the order. He batted first on Aug. 29, 2016 versus the Blue Jays and went 0-for-4. Manny Machado is in the lineup...