Roch Kubatko

Can Orioles sustain a six-man bullpen?

May 13, 2017, 1:21pm

Orioles

The Orioles head into tonight's game in Kansas City maintaining their six-man bullpen, which isn't always going to be fully stocked. There have been empty spaces of late, which is impacting games and bringing into question how much longer the Orioles can go with their expanded five-man bench. Manager Buck Showalter indicated to reporters last night that he didn't want to use two relievers and was holding back a third for a save situation. Showalter mentioned in D.C. that he wanted to rest...

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Orioles lineup vs. Royals

May 13, 2017, 11:42am

Orioles

First baseman Chris Davis returns to the Orioles lineup tonight after sitting out last night's 3-2 loss in Kansas City. Trey Mancini is in left field against Royals right-hander Nate Karns. Francisco PeÃ±a is catching Chris Tillman again. The Orioles are trying to avoid their first three-game losing streak. They've dropped back-to-back games for the fourth time. Reliever Mychal Givens is celebrating his 27th birthday today. For the Orioles Seth Smith RF Adam Jones CF Manny Machado 3B Chris...

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Hart warming to idea of broader role

May 12, 2017, 3:31pm

Orioles

Losing Zach Britton to another left forearm strain has given the Orioles an altered bullpen look in multiple ways. It's not just about having someone else close. Going with six relievers also factors into it, of course. There are times when someone is warming in a certain situation, like Alec Asher in the eighth inning or Vidal NuÃ±o in the ninth, and a second peek through the binoculars is needed for confirmation. But anything goes at the moment. Donnie Hart doesn't want to be cast as a...

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Orioles and Royals lineups

May 12, 2017, 1:18pm

Orioles

Craig Gentry is in the Orioles' lineup tonight for the first time since April 30, as the Royals send left-hander Danny Duffy to the mound. Gentry is in right field and batting ninth. Trey Mancini is starting at first base and Chris Davis is on the bench. Mark Trumbo is the designated hitter. The Orioles lead the American League and rank third in the majors with a .303 average with runners in scoring position. They trail the Mets (.320) and Nationals (.319). Dylan Bundy is 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA...

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Orioles left with another opposing southpaw

May 11, 2017, 4:10pm

Orioles

The Orioles ranked last in the American League and 29th in the majors last season with a .234 average against left-handed starters. They've bumped it up to .247 this year, seventh in the league and 14th in the majors. The opportunities keep coming. It's like the baseball gods keep testing them. When the Royals' Danny Duffy toes the rubber tonight, the Orioles will be facing their 15th lefty in the first 34 games. They've gone 8-6, most recently winning Monday night against the Nationals'...

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O's-Nats finale rescheduled for June 8 (updated)

May 11, 2017, 3:51pm

Orioles

O's-Nats finale rescheduled for June 8 (updated)

WASHINGTON - The Orioles and Nationals will lose their June 8 off-days in order to make up tonight's postponed game. The clubs will play at 7:05 p.m. at Nationals Park, and tonight's tickets will be honored. This is the Orioles' first postponement of the season. They experienced four of them in 2016. The rain has let up considerably tonight, but the tarp never came off the field. No word on whether Dylan Bundy is being pushed back to Friday night's opener in Kansas City. Chris Tillman was...

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Joseph's expanded role, Jones' smaller strike zone (game postponed)

May 11, 2017, 2:45pm

Orioles

Joseph's expanded role, Jones' smaller strike zone (game postponed)

WASHINGTON - Tonight's game won't start on time due to continuing rain, which picked up in intensity around 6 p.m. Caleb Joseph is using Welington Castillo's stint on the disabled list to work his way back into the lineup and raise his average. It climbed to .240 on Monday after his 4-for-4 night, a significant gain after going 0-for-12 in his first three starts. Joseph is batting .270 in 10 games this month while Castillo has been recovering from right shoulder tendinitis. He's produced...

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The weather, Castillo's adjusted rehab schedule and more

May 11, 2017, 1:25pm

Orioles

The weather, Castillo's adjusted rehab schedule and more

WASHINGTON - The forecast is improving to the point where the Orioles are more optimistic about playing the series finale against the Nationals. Orioles manager Buck Showalter met with Washington manager Dusty Baker earlier this afternoon and said "it looks like we might have a shot tonight." Two mutual off-days that were discussed in the event of a postponement don't work for both sides. "One's not bad for us and it's terrible for them, and one's not bad for them and terrible for us,"...

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Orioles lineup vs. Nationals

May 11, 2017, 11:35am

Orioles

WASHINGTON - The Orioles are trotting out the same lineup tonight as the one they featured last night, with the exception of the pitcher batting ninth. Seth Smith is in left field and Mark Trumbo is in right. Caleb Joseph is behind the plate for Dylan Bundy. Jonathan Schoop has reached base in 25 consecutive games, a career high and tied for the longest active streak in the majors. For the Orioles Seth Smith LF Adam Jones CF Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis 1B Mark Trumbo RF Jonathan Schoop 2B J.J....

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Britton, the bullpen and Bundy's start

May 10, 2017, 9:50pm

Orioles

Zach Britton received treatment on his left forearm yesterday in Sarasota and took a nap. Manager Buck Showalter offered confirmation, his phone call around 4 p.m. waking the closer. The voice on the other end always gives it away. Showalter pointed out that Britton never would have slept in the afternoon back in Baltimore. Another good reason to send him to the spring training complex. The Orioles continue to carry a six-man bullpen with a revolving door. It's going to be more of a challenge...

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Wrapping up a 7-6 loss

May 10, 2017, 7:31pm

Orioles

WASHINGTON - The challenge was immense and hardly discreet. To beat the Nationals, the Orioles would have to go through Gio Gonzalez, Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg in the first three games. This is baseball's equivalent of swimming through the shark cage with a salami hanging from your neck. With three outs to go tonight, the Orioles appeared to have made it to the other side without a scratch. Strasburg was positioned for the loss. Brad Brach just needed to hold a two-run lead with...

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Castillo set for rehab assignment at Bowie (O's lose 7-6)

May 10, 2017, 2:10pm

Orioles

Castillo set for rehab assignment at Bowie (O's lose 7-6)

WASHINGTON - Orioles catcher Welington Castillo won't get his wish to skip a minor league rehab assignment. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed today that Castillo will throw to bases on Saturday and report to Double-A Bowie the following day. Castillo is likely to play in one game before the Orioles activate him from the 10-day disabled list. The Baysox have a 2 p.m. game Sunday versus Richmond at Prince George's Stadium. "We're not going to take him all the way to Kansas City and fly him...

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Castillo: "I think this weekend would be good"

May 10, 2017, 12:50pm

Orioles

Castillo: "I think this weekend would be good"

WASHINGTON - Catcher Welington Castillo anticipates that the Orioles will activate him from the disabled list over the weekend, only a few days past the date that he became eligible. Castillo technically could come off the DL for Thursday's series finale against the Nationals, but the Orioles want him to continue with his throwing progression and make certain that the discomfort doesn't return to his right shoulder. Castillo threw yesterday for the first time since the Orioles put him on the...

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Orioles and Nationals lineups; NuÃ±o recalled, Verrett optioned

May 10, 2017, 11:27am

Orioles

WASHINGTON - The Orioles lose their designated hitter tonight in D.C., which puts Mark Trumbo in right field and Seth Smith in left. Manny Machado and Chris Davis are a combined 2-for-17 with six strikeouts in the last two games, but the Orioles swept the short series against the Nationals at Camden Yards. The Orioles have won six games in a row, the longest active streak in the majors. It's their longest streak since they won seven straight June 22-29, 2016. For the Orioles Seth Smith LF Adam...

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Miley on the mound, more from Britton, roster rumblings

May 09, 2017, 8:48pm

Orioles

Miley on the mound, more from Britton, roster rumblings

Left-hander Wade Miley gave up three hits in his last start and was hit twice, which explains the 12 total pitches and the inability to complete one inning. Miley is taking his regular turn tonight in D.C. after the White Sox used him for target practice. His bruised left wrist has healed. So has his pride after the second line drive knocked him on his butt. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Miley took his normal workday and stayed in his routine despite the abbreviated start. There was some...

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Showalter on a 5-4 12-inning win

May 09, 2017, 7:45pm

Orioles

The Orioles' streak of scoring in the first inning ended tonight at four games, but they had much bigger issues. They couldn't buy a hit off Nationals ace Max Scherzer, the two-time Cy Young Award winner. Walks were cause for celebration, the only way that the Orioles could get on base. Seth Smith walked to lead off the bottom of the first and Scherzer retired 14 in a row before Jonathan Schoop walked with two outs in the fifth. J.J. Hardy ran the count full and struck out on a nasty...

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Britton on exam and expectations for return (O's win 5-4 in 12th)

May 09, 2017, 3:02pm

Orioles

Britton on exam and expectations for return (O's win 5-4 in 12th)

Orioles closer Zach Britton said he expects to be back on the active roster no later than 45 days following yesterday's examination in Los Angeles. Britton flew down to Sarasota and will begin his throwing progress in about 10 days, the only timeline that's been presented to him. "Go from there and feel my way through it," said Brittton, who returned to the disabled list with a strained left forearm and underwent another MRI yesterday during his exam with Dr. Neal ElAttrache. "He had...

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Britton could miss two months with forearm injury

May 09, 2017, 1:46pm

Orioles closer Zach Britton is reporting to the Sarasota complex to begin rehabbing his strained left forearm. However, he will be shut down for an extended period and may not return before the All-Star break, according to a source. Britton underwent an MRI yesterday in Los Angeles as part of an examination performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The elbow is fine, with no structural damage detected, but the Orioles are putting Britton on a program that's going to significantly delay his...

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Santander shut down six weeks (and other injury updates)

May 09, 2017, 1:13pm

Orioles

Santander shut down six weeks (and other injury updates)

Orioles Rule 5 outfielder Anthony Santander underwent an MRI arthrogram on his right elbow today and has been diagnosed with a mild strain of his ulner collateral ligament. He's going to receive a platelet-rich plasma injection and will be shut down from throwing for six weeks. Santander has been on the 15-day disabled list with a sore elbow. The Orioles could choose to move him to the 60-day if they need a spot on their 40-man roster. Santander would retain his Rule 5 status next spring if he...

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Orioles lineup vs. Nationals

May 09, 2017, 11:29am

Orioles

Trey Mancini remains in the Orioles lineup tonight with Hyun Soo Kim relegated to the bench. Mancini is in left field as the Orioles face Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer. Seth Smith is in right field. The Orioles have scored in the first inning in their last four games and have held the lead for 42 straight innings dating to the fourth Thursday in Boston. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last team to hold a lead for at least 42 consecutive innings was the Angels (43), June 2-7,...