Tillman impresses throwing live BP (and other notes)

Tillman impresses throwing live BP (and other notes)
Chris Tillman threw 25-30 pitches this morning in live batting practice in Sarasota and the reports on him are positive. Still no discomfort in his right shoulder. Tillman used all of his pitches and the Orioles will check how he's feeling Sunday morning. The plan still calls for Tillman to go two innings/30 pitches Tuesday in an extended spring training game in Sarasota. Showalter said Tillman's first start with an affiliate will come at Double-A Bowie, but the right-hander will move around...

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
The Orioles are bringing back the same lineup today that they've fielded with a right-hander starting for the opposition. Seth Smith leads off and Hyun Soo Kim bats seventh against Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka. Chris Davis mans the cleanup spot, with Mark Trumbo batting fifth. For the Orioles Seth Smith RF Adam Jones CF Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis 1B Mark Trumbo DH Welington Castillo C Hyun Soo Kim LF Jonathan Schoop 2B J.J. Hardy SS Kevin Gausman RHP Here are the starters for the two-game...

Gausman vs. Tanaka today at Camden Yards

Gausman vs. Tanaka today at Camden Yards
The first order of business today at Camden Yards is to check on closer Zach Britton's right ankle, which he rolled while knocking down Gary Sánchez's comebacker in the top of the ninth inning. He's going to insist again that he's fine, but the disturbing sight of Britton on the ground and scrambling to pick up the ball continues to linger. It's not the same ankle that he sprained on April 30, 2016 while trying to field an Adam Eaton bunt. Britton limped to the clubhouse that night. He...

Showalter on Britton, bullpen, Smith and a 6-5 win

Showalter on Britton, bullpen, Smith and a 6-5 win
Seth Smith hit his first home run tonight as an Oriole and Donnie Hart earned his first major league win. Nice timing for a team that now sits alone in first place in the American League East. Smith reached the flag court in right field with his two-run shot in the seventh and the Orioles rallied for a 6-5 win over the Yankees before an announced crowd of 25,248 at Camden Yards. Jonathan Schoop reached on third baseman Chase Headley's second error of the night and advanced to third base on...

Jimenez fails to complete five innings (O's win 6-5)

Jimenez fails to complete five innings (O's win 6-5)
The temperature was dropping and Ubaldo Jiménez's pitch count was rising. Not a good combination by anyone's standards. Not in the first inning or any inning. Forty-five degrees felt like 25 tonight with the wind. Thirty pitches felt like 60, but Jiménez got out of the inning with only one run allowed. More would come. Five in 4 1/3 innings before manager Buck Showalter called upon reliever Oliver Drake. The final blow was Gary Sanchez's two-run shot to deep left field, the second home...

Showalter celebrating a baseball anniversary (O's down 3-1)

Showalter celebrating a baseball anniversary (O's down 3-1)
Today marks the 25th anniversary of Buck Showalter managing his first game in the majors. And by pure coincidence, he's facing the team that got him started. Showalter was in the home dugout at Yankee Stadium on April 7, 1992 for a 4-3 victory over the Red Sox. Scott Sanderson got the win, Roger Clemens the loss and Steve Farr the save. Former Oriole John Habyan struck out two batters in a scoreless eighth inning for the Yankees. The anniversary must not have been marked on Showalter's...

More notes before tonight's game

More notes before tonight's game
If you're trying to keep track at home, Edwin Jackson is at extended spring training in Sarasota, left-hander Andrew Faulkner is on Triple-A Norfolk's roster and Miguel Castro, today's acquisition from the Rockies, has been optioned to Double-A Bowie. Jackson eventually will be assigned to Norfolk, where he's expected to work out of the bullpen. He could be used as a starter later if he stays in the organization, his contract including a June 1 opt-out clause, but for now he's viewed as a...

Orioles acquire Miguel Castro from Rockies and DFA Joe Gunkel

Orioles acquire Miguel Castro from Rockies and DFA Joe Gunkel
The Orioles made another trade for a pitcher this afternoon, acquiring right-hander Miguel Castro from the Rockies for a player to be named later or cash considerations. The usual price. Pitcher Joe Gunkel was designated for assignment to create room for Castro, who's been optioned to Double-A Bowie, on the 40-man roster. Castro, 22, was a key piece in the Troy Tulowitzki deal with the Blue Jays on July 28, 2015. He's 0-3 with a 6.12 ERA in 37 relief appearances in the majors and allowed 10...

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
Seth Smith is the Orioles' leadoff hitter tonight for the series opening against the Yankees, who are starting right-hander Luis Severino. Smith also batted first on opening day. Manager Buck Showalter is repeating his left-handed lineup, which includes Hyun Soo Kim in left field and batting seventh. Starter Ubaldo Jiménez didn't pitch in a Grapefruit League game after March 21, though he threw at minor league camp. Adam Jones and Chris Davis homered in Wednesday's 3-1 win over the Blue...

Edwin Jackson passes physical and signs minor league deal

Edwin Jackson passes physical and signs minor league deal
Veteran pitcher Edwin Jackson has passed his physical with the Orioles and signed a minor league contract. Jackson will report to extended spring training in Sarasota. Jackson's deal includes a June 1 opt-out clause. In the meantime, the Orioles likely will transfer him to Triple-A Norfolk after he's deemed ready to pitch. Jackson, 33, has played for 11 teams over his 14-year major league career, most recently making 13 starts with the Padres last summer after the Marlins released him. He...

The scoop on Chris Davis

The scoop on Chris Davis
The play drew more attention to third baseman Manny Machado, which tends to happen with any ball hit in his general direction. The magician with leather on his left hand and a cannon for a right arm leaped to knock down a line drive Wednesday night, reached back with the casual manner of someone picking up a quarter off the floor and fired to first baseman Chris Davis. Or in his general direction. Machado trusted that Davis would come off the bag, play the hop and record the out. Davis obliged,...

Orioles acquire Andrew Faulkner from Rangers, release Dariel Álvarez

Orioles acquire Andrew Faulkner from Rangers, release Dariel Álvarez
The Orioles have removed injured pitcher Dariel Álvarez from the organization while also acquiring another arm for their system Left-hander Andrew Faulkner was obtained from the Rangers today for a player to be named later or cash. The Orioles also announced that they released Álvarez to create room on the 40-man roster. Faulkner, 24, will be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. "Andrew Faulkner is young and strong and has two good major league pitches," executive vice president Dan Duquette...

Gentry remains grateful for the chance to play again

Gentry remains grateful for the chance to play again
Two games into the 2017 season and Craig Gentry's contributions so far are serving as a pinch-runner and a defensive replacement. He's waiting to make his first plate appearance. Gentry isn't complaining. He isn't growing impatient. After what he's endured physically and mentally, he's just thrilled to be in a major league uniform again and feeling like himself. The Orioles selected Gentry's contract after he was the last non-roster invitee in camp. It seemed like an easy call, but...

Showalter on Bundy, Britton and a 3-1 win

Showalter on Bundy, Britton and a 3-1 win
The Orioles held the Blue Jays to three runs in 20 innings, the result a sweep of the two-game series before their second off-day this week. Dylan Bundy was magnificent with one run allowed, no walks and eight strikeouts in seven innings. The seven innings and 99 pitches tied his career highs. This was only the second time as a starter that Bundy didn't walk a batter. It also happened on July 22, 2016 in five innings against the Indians. Brad Brach struck out two batters in a scoreless eighth...

Dylan Bundy dazzles for seven innings (O's win 3-1)

Dylan Bundy dazzles for seven innings (O's win 3-1)
Dylan Bundy's start tonight didn't come with a pregame ceremony and the unrolling of an orange carpet. No flyovers, no glitter, no sellout crowd. Just a dominant performance against a formidable lineup that couldn't figure him out. Bundy held the Blue Jays to one run over seven innings, tying his career high with 99 pitches, and the Orioles carried a 3-1 lead into the eighth inning at Camden Yards. Bundy allowed four hits, walked none and struck out eight, as the Orioles attempt to sweep the...

Mancini gets first start in the outfield (O's lead 3-1)

Mancini gets first start in the outfield (O's lead 3-1)
Trey Mancini's education as a major league outfielder continues tonight under the new LED lights at Camden Yards, with Orioles manager Buck Showalter choosing the rookie to play right instead of veteran Craig Gentry. There are multiple methods to the madness. Showalter said the only way to find out whether Mancini can handle the position is to play him, which is happening tonight against Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ. "It's just another part of the process," Showalter said. "There's...

Dariel Álvarez may undergo surgery on elbow

Dariel Álvarez may undergo surgery on elbow
Dariel Álvarez, who was in the process of converting from outfielder to pitcher, underwent an MRI on his right elbow and may be headed to surgery, according to sources. Álvarez had the MRI today in Sarasota after visiting Dr. Brian Schofield. He was back at extended spring training, having been shut down due to lingering soreness that cropped up about 10 days ago. The expectation is that Álvarez will undergo ligament-reconstructive surgery, at least temporarily halting the transition...

Health updates on Tillman, Miley and O'Day

Health updates on Tillman, Miley and O'Day
Chris Tillman completed his third bullpen session today without a hitch, the right shoulder responding favorably to the extended activity. Tillman had two "ups," throwing 15 pitches and sitting down to simulate a start. "It's another step for him. He should be just about done now," said manager Buck Showalter. Assuming that the shoulder continues to feel good, Tillman will fly to Sarasota and throw live batting practice on Saturday. He's scheduled to pitch in an extended spring training...

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Trey Mancini gets the start in right field tonight against Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ, with Joey Rickard in left field and leading off. Craig Gentry is on the bench. Manny Machado's left wrist is fine and he's in the lineup. Chris Tillman is throwing his third bullpen session this afternoon before heading to Sarasota to throw live batting practice and pitch in extended spring training. Reliever Darren O'Day (flu) has avoided the disabled list. For the Orioles Joey Rickard LF Adam Jones...

Orioles will lean toward the right with tonight's lineup

Orioles will lean toward the right with tonight's lineup
The Orioles will find out today whether reliever Darren O'Day really is available to pitch or just "physically active," which might push him onto the disabled list. O'Day is feeling better, but he's been dealing with the flu only since Thursday and it took Wade Miley a lot longer to get back to 100 percent. Yesterday's off-day provided more rest for O'Day. A couch and a remote control can keep the doctor away. Manager Buck Showalter will check on Miley following yesterday's six-inning...