Roch Kubatko

Schoop on WBC, PeÃ±a on return, Johnson on being an Oriole

February 16, 2017, 5:08am

Orioles

Schoop on WBC, PeÃ±a on return, Johnson on being an Oriole

SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Trumbo, Adam Jones and Jonathan Schoop reported to camp this morning, the biggest names among position players to enter the facility during the media's hour-long clubhouse access. Schoop will leave camp on Feb. 28 to join Team Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic. "The thing I'm concerned with is going to Korea. It's far to go over there. I think I'm going to go anyways to help my country a little bit," Schoop said. "To be honest, it was 50/50. It was far to...

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Leftovers for breakfast

February 15, 2017, 4:27pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Position players are due in camp today, with the first full-squad workout held on Friday. Many of them already have reported to the Ed Smith Stadium complex, but we're still waiting on Adam Jones, Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop, Mark Trumbo and new right fielder Seth Smith. Jones' truck arrived earlier this week. The Orioles still have 52 players listed on their camp roster with catcher Francisco PeÃ±a clearing waivers and reliever Nate Adcock not reporting for health...

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Francisco PeÃ±a clears waivers and outrighted (updated)

February 15, 2017, 8:55am

Orioles

Francisco PeÃ±a clears waivers and outrighted (updated)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Francisco PeÃ±a has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, according to an industry source. He's expected to be in camp on Thursday. The Orioles designated PeÃ±a for assignment last week after acquiring pitcher Gabriel Ynoa from the Mets for cash considerations. Catching depth was becoming an issue with Welington Castillo leaving camp on March 5 for the World Baseball Classic and Austin Wynns unable to report due to an ankle injury. Having been on...

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Notes, quotes and video from today's workout

February 15, 2017, 7:03am

Orioles

Notes, quotes and video from today's workout

SARASOTA, Fla. - Twelve pitchers threw bullpen sessions today before the Orioles concluded today's workout. Wade Miley, Ubaldo JimÃ©nez and Darren O'Day were in Group 1, followed by Zach Britton, Brad Brach and Logan Ondrusek in Group 2, T.J. McFarland, Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy in Group 3 and Chris Lee, JesÃºs Liranzo and Jed Bradley in Group 4. Welington Castillo caught O'Day and Britton. Manager Buck Showalter wants his new catcher to get acclimated to the top pitchers on the...

Tillman on shoulder: "It's feeling strong, it's feeling better"

February 15, 2017, 4:33am

Orioles

Tillman on shoulder: "It's feeling strong, it's feeling better"

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman said he's going to play catch again today for the fourth or fifth time since receiving his platelet-rich plasma injection. The shoulder feels "much, much better," but he's not going to rush the process. He won't jeopardize his season in order to maintain his streak of opening day starts. Tillman said he had the injection on Dec. 20 or 22 and was told to wait three-to-five weeks to let it work. He's behind schedule as pitchers and catchers convene at the Ed...

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Orioles sign Juan Francisco to minor league deal

February 14, 2017, 5:11pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are on a roll with signing players to minor league deals. The camp roster has room and they're intent on filling it. Infield depth remains a priority and the Orioles addressed it again tonight by signing Juan Francisco to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, according to multiple sources. Francisco, 29, hasn't played in the majors since appearing in 106 games with the Blue Jays in 2014, hitting 16 home runs but also striking out...

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Notes on catching need and Miley's momentum

February 14, 2017, 4:47pm

Orioles

Notes on catching need and Miley's momentum

SARASOTA, Fla. - The glorious weather wasn't destined to last through spring training, and rain has entered the forecast to threaten this morning's workout at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Pitchers and catchers are on a tighter schedule due to the seventh annual OriolesREACH Birdland Golf Classic that benefits the Miracle League of Manasota. A shotgun start is scheduled for 1 p.m. The Orioles should find out today whether catcher Francisco PeÃ±a passed through waivers or was claimed. He was...

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Showalter says Tillman "probably won't be an option" for opener

February 14, 2017, 12:11pm

Orioles

Showalter says Tillman "probably won't be an option" for opener

SARASOTA, Fla. - What was considered a mere formality has become an open competition. Chris Tillman figured to make his fourth consecutive opening day start for the Orioles, the only drama being how long it would take to get confirmation. However, a platelet-rich plasma injection in Tillman's right shoulder has pushed him back three weeks and made him a prime candidate for the disabled list. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed this afternoon that Tillman, 28, had a setback with his offseason...

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Tillman may start season on disabled list

February 14, 2017, 10:15am

Orioles

Tillman may start season on disabled list

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman isn't expected to be the Orioles' opening day starter on April 3 at Camden Yards after undergoing a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right shoulder in December. Tillman contacted head athletic trainer Richie Bancells two months ago to express his concerns over how the shoulder was responding to a throwing program. It's the same shoulder that forced him on the disabled list last season. If Tillman is placed on the new 10-day disabled list, the assignment...

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Bullpen sessions highlight first day of workouts

February 14, 2017, 9:12am

Orioles

Bullpen sessions highlight first day of workouts

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles completed their first workout for pitchers and catchers. The usual fielding drills, including one on the Camden Yards replica field where players shift to each infield position during bunts. This is how manager Buck Showalter ensures that they know where each teammate will be in game situations. New catcher Welington Castillo caught Mychal Givens' bullpen session as part of Group 1. Castillo met with Givens halfway between the mound and plate to check how many...

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Castillo leaning on Joseph to learn new pitching staff

February 14, 2017, 5:13am

Orioles

Castillo leaning on Joseph to learn new pitching staff

SARASOTA, Fla. - Players are trickling into the clubhouse this morning and undergoing the standard physicals, with signs pointing them to each station. Catcher Welington Castillo will have to delay the bonding process with his pitching staff until getting medical clearance. Castillo will leave camp on March 5 to join the Dominican Republic team in the World Baseball Classic. It's not an ideal arrangement, with player being separated from his new club and the Orioles left short of catchers and...

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Leftovers for breakfast

February 13, 2017, 4:41pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - While the Orioles remain focused on finding another outfielder who is more glove than bat, they also want to take an extended look at Rule 5 picks Auneury TavÃ¡rez and Anthony Santander. The at-bats and reps will be plentiful, assuming that Santander is recovered from his shoulder surgery. TavÃ¡rez is assured of staying busy. "We'd like to add to the depth of our outfield. It's a possibility," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. "There are some guys who are...

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Duquette and Showalter discuss Jones' positioning in field

February 13, 2017, 10:57am

Orioles

Duquette and Showalter discuss Jones' positioning in field

SARASOTA, Fla. - The only real piece of news to come out of the first day of spring training involved the signing of infielder Chris Johnson to a minor league contract. Nothing that's going to rock the baseball world, but an interesting depth move that also brings together father and son. Meanwhile, the hot topic of the day centered on the center fielder and he wasn't even in camp. Executive vice president Dan Duquette, sitting in the media workroom this morning, was asked whether Adam Jones...

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Notes on the WBC, catchers, Givens and more

February 13, 2017, 8:18am

Orioles

Notes on the WBC, catchers, Givens and more

SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Hyun Soo Kim also is an early arrival at spring training. He's been working out at the Ed Smith Stadium complex and the media saw him walk down the hallway this morning toward the weight room. How's that for confirmation? The Orioles added infielder Chris Johnson today on a minor league deal and they're expected to sign a few more players this week, though not necessarily with invitations to spring training. They could go directly to the minor league complex at...

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Early notes from the first day of spring training

February 13, 2017, 5:24am

Orioles

Early notes from the first day of spring training

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles reliever Brad Brach said he still expects to go to his arbitration hearing on Thursday in St. Petersburg, Fla. He isn't aware of any negotiations to strike a deal. Talks could resume, of course. The Orioles made a late effort to reach agreement with Caleb Joseph before winning their case, and they signed Kevin Gausman prior to his hearing. Brach is seeking $3.05 million and the Orioles countered at $2.525 million. Only pitchers and catchers are required to report...

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Orioles sign Chris Johnson

February 13, 2017, 3:12am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made another move to improve their infield depth, signing Chris Johnson to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. The announcement came this morning. Johnson, 32, is the son of Triple-A Norfolk manager Ron Johnson. The Tides infield is taking shape with Johnson likely to start at third base, Robert Andino at shortstop and Johnny Giavotella at second base. David Washington could play first base if Trey Mancini breaks camp with the Orioles. Johnson...

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Mancini among the early arrivals at spring training

February 12, 2017, 3:56pm

Orioles

Mancini among the early arrivals at spring training

SARASOTA, Fla. - We've reached the official day that Orioles pitchers and catchers are supposed to report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex. However, it's more of a formality. Lots of guys already have shown up, and that includes position players who aren't due until later in the week. Trey Mancini arrived on Thursday and began his workouts the following day, unsure whether he's going to head north with the team or how the Orioles will use him. The possibility of spending most nights on the...

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Plenty to ponder as pitchers and catchers set to report

February 11, 2017, 6:06pm

Orioles

Plenty to ponder as pitchers and catchers set to report

SARASOTA, Fla. - One day remains before pitchers and catchers are due to report to spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. One day and a healthy assortment of storylines and curiosities. The Orioles' roster is mostly set, but it's always subject to change while executive vice president Dan Duquette lets the market play out. We're usually good for at least one press conference in Sarasota, and that includes the intimate gathering in the media room after left-hander Johan Santana...

More Ynoa and Mancini on possibility of playing outfield

February 10, 2017, 12:09pm

Orioles

More Ynoa and Mancini on possibility of playing outfield

With the Orioles completing another cash transaction with the Mets yesterday, acquiring young right-hander Gabriel Ynoa, is it safe to assume that executive vice president Dan Duquette is focused only on finding another outfielder? Don't get too comfortable with that notion. Duquette could add a veteran starter - the preference is still on a minor league deal, though it's not the only avenue - and strengthen the rotation's insurance in case of an injury. To project Triple-A Norfolk's...

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Orioles acquire Ynoa from Mets

February 10, 2017, 7:08am

Orioles

The Orioles made a move today to improve their pitching depth while also eliminating a catcher from the 40-man roster. Depth added and subtracted. Executive vice president Dan Duquette acquired 23-year-old right-hander Gabriel Ynoa from the Mets for cash considerations. Catcher Francisco Pena was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. Ynoa (pronounced ya-know-ah) is 59-30 with a 3.36 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 136 minor league games, including 128 starts. He appeared in 10...