Roch Kubatko

Updating where Orioles rank in All-Star voting

June 14, 2016, 9:27am

Orioles

BOSTON - As Manny Machado prepares to make another start at shortstop in J.J. Hardy's absence, he also continues to lead all American League third basemen in All-Star voting. Machado would be the only Orioles starter if voting ended today, but it runs through June 30. The 87th Midsummer Classic will be played July 12 in San Diego. Mark Trumbo remains in fourth place among AL outfielders, but it's a tight race. Catcher Matt Wieters is second and first baseman Chris Davis is third at their...

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Can Tillman be the stopper in Boston?

June 13, 2016, 7:06pm

Orioles

The battle for first place in the American League East shifts to Boston. The Orioles took two of three games from the Red Sox on April 11-13 at Fenway Park. The teams split a four-game series on May 30-June 2 at Camden Yards, with the Orioles winning the last two. They're at it again for the next three nights. The Orioles lost three straight in Toronto. The pitching let them down and now is confronted with a bigger challenge. The Red Sox began last night leading the majors with a .291 average,...

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Yovani Gallardo impressive in final rehab start

June 13, 2016, 4:47pm

Orioles

Yovani Gallardo impressive in final rehab start

Yovani Gallardo's next stop should be in Baltimore. Gallardo made his third and final injury rehab start tonight, allowing only a leadoff home run over five innings with Triple-A Norfolk. He held Charlotte to one hit, walked two and struck out five. Carlos Sanchez homered on the seventh pitch from Gallardo after falling behind 0-2 on called strikes, according to the MiLB.com boxscore. Gallardo was removed after 90 pitches, including 52 strikes. Left-hander Zach Phillips replaced him with the...

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J.J. Hardy to begin rehab assignment Tuesday at Bowie

June 13, 2016, 1:09pm

Orioles

J.J. Hardy to begin rehab assignment Tuesday at Bowie

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is ready to take the most significant step in his recovery from a fractured left foot. A pain-free step toward an injury rehab assignment. Hardy will report to Double-A Bowie and play Tuesday night against Portland. He's scheduled to remain with the Baysox for three games before the team hits the road and Hardy moves to another affiliate. Triple-A Norfolk is home June 17-23. Single-A Frederick is home June 16-19. Hardy has been hitting and taking ground balls at...

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Chris Davis named AL Player of the Week

June 13, 2016, 11:30am

Orioles

Chris Davis' home run binge has gained notice throughout baseball and landed him another award. Davis has been named the American League's Player of the Week for the period ending June 12. Major League Baseball made the announcement this afternoon. The Orioles' first baseman batted .368 (7-for-19) with a double, five home runs, 10 RBIs and five runs scored over six games. He's homered in five consecutive games, the last four coming at Rogers Centre in Toronto. This is the fourth AL Player...

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Cubs sign Brian Matusz to minor league deal

June 13, 2016, 10:19am

Orioles

Cubs sign Brian Matusz to minor league deal

BOSTON - Another former Orioles pitcher is headed to the Cubs organization. Left-hander Brian Matusz has signed a minor league deal with the Cubs, according to a source. He agreed to terms over the weekend and took his physical yesterday. Matusz is expected to be used as a starter at Triple-A Iowa, his original role before the Orioles converted him to a lefty specialist out of the bullpen. Multiple teams were interested in Matusz as a starter. He chose an organization that includes former...

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Has Ubaldo Jimenez run out of chances?

June 12, 2016, 7:55pm

Orioles

The Orioles are most fortunate to have an open date on their schedule today. Manager Buck Showalter was forced to use five more relievers yesterday in Toronto, including left-handers T.J. McFarland and Brian Duensing in back-to-back games. Vance Worley worked 4 1/3 innings. The situation screams for at least one roster move, but perhaps the Orioles will freshen up before opening their series Tuesday night in Boston. Duensing allowed a hit and walked a batter in one-third of an inning and his...

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Looking ahead at the Orioles rotation (updated)

June 12, 2016, 9:26am

Orioles

The Orioles aren't listing a starter for Thursday night's game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The off day on Monday enables manager Buck Showalter to adjust his rotation and withhold making a decision. Chris Tillman will start Tuesday night's opener on an extra day's rest. Kevin Gausman is listed for Wednesday night, which puts him on regular rest. Gausman has been moved ahead of Tyler Wilson, whose last start came Thursday night in Toronto. Showalter could pitch Wilson on Thursday on...

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Orioles and Blue Jays lineups

June 12, 2016, 6:53am

Orioles

Chris Davis will attempt to homer in five straight games today and the Orioles will try to gain a split of their four-game series with the Blue Jays before heading to Boston. Davis has homered in four consecutive games for the fourth time in his career. Before his current stretch, it most recently happened on July 11-13, 2013. Mark Trumbo is in right field today and Pedro Alvarez is serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles Adam Jones CF Hyun Soo Kim LF Manny Machado SS Chris Davis 1B...

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Can Jimenez reverse the rotation's slide?

June 11, 2016, 6:15pm

Orioles

Can Jimenez reverse the rotation's slide?

The Orioles must figure out a way to fix their rotation. There may not be an easy answer beyond activating Yovani Gallardo and crossing fingers and toes, but the deck needs shuffling or they may not even capture a wild card. (You totally see what I did there) Tyler Wilson gave up five runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings Thursday night. He's allowed 10 runs and 14 hits over 9 2/3 innings in two starts this month, and his ERA has risen from 2.93 on May 11 to 4.73. Mike Wright was charged with...

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Orioles complete 2016 draft

June 11, 2016, 5:50pm

Orioles

The Major League Baseball draft is done and the Orioles selected 41 players, including 27 pitchers. Thirty-one of the selections are college athletes. The Orioles picked 15 right-handed pitchers, 12 southpaws, nine infielders and five outfielders. Today's haul included local product Tyler Blohm, a left-hander from Archbishop Spalding in Millersville. The Orioles chose him in the 17th round. The Orioles also took left-hander Brandon Bonilla in the 13th round out of Hawaii Pacific. If the name...

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Wright vs. Happ today in Toronto

June 11, 2016, 7:51am

Orioles

Though Brad Brach served up a walk-off home run last night to Edwin Encarnacion, the Orioles bullpen continues to lead the majors with a 2.62 ERA and has registered 183 strikeouts in 199 1/3 innings. The club's relievers rank only 14th in the majors in innings pitched. Mike Wright gave the Orioles seven innings in his last start against Kansas City, allowing an unearned run and lowering his ERA from 5.88 to 5.14. He's facing a tremendous challenge this afternoon. Wright is 0-3 with a 7.11 ERA...

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Orioles lineup vs. Jays

June 11, 2016, 6:54am

Orioles

Orioles Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard is batting second and starting in right field today and Nolan Reimold is in left field. Francisco Pena is catching Mike Wright. Paul Janish is starting at third base. Manny Machado remains at shortstop while waiting for the appeal to be heard on his four-game suspension. For the Orioles Adam Jones CF Joey Rickard RF Manny Machado SS Chris Davis 1B Mark Trumbo DH Jonathan Schoop 2B Nolan Reimold LF Francisco Pena C Paul Janish 3B Mike Wright RHP

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Southpaw opponent could give Rickard chance to soften slump

June 10, 2016, 7:12pm

Orioles

Southpaw opponent could give Rickard chance to soften slump

The Orioles are facing a left-hander this afternoon in Toronto, giving Joey Rickard another chance to leave the bench and most likely play right field. Rickard is almost assured of facing J.A. Happ at Rogers Centre. The lineups have become easier to predict. Nolan Reimold should be in left field today and Mark Trumbo should be the designated hitter. Hyun Soo Kim and Pedro Alvarez sit. Rickard is transitioning into roles anticipated for him after the Orioles chose him in the Rule 5 draft. He's...

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Orioles draft Preston Palmeiro in seventh round

June 10, 2016, 1:09pm

Orioles

The Orioles are bringing another Palmeiro into the organization. In the seventh round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft, the Orioles used the 211th overall pick on first baseman Preston Palmeiro of North Carolina State. He's the youngest son of former Oriole Rafael Palmeiro. We're not talking just another player's son. Preston batted .337 with 20 doubles, nine home runs and 55 RBIs in 59 games as a junior. Some scouts question his power potential, but they like his ability to hit. The...

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Orioles lineup vs. Jays (with sixth-round pick)

June 10, 2016, 11:35am

Orioles

Nolan Reimold is in right field tonight for the Orioles as they continue their series against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mark Trumbo is the designated hitter. Pedro Alvarez is 3-for-21 with nine strikeouts against Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada. Chris Davis has hit 14 home runs in 146 at-bats at Rogers Centre, or one every 10.4 at-bats. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Davis owns the best home run ratio for any of the 345 players with at least 100 at-bats at the ballpark. Zach...

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Orioles select outfielder Austin Hays in 3rd round (4th, 5th round)

June 10, 2016, 10:03am

Orioles

With three college pitchers already in the fold, the Orioles began Day 2 of the First-Year Player Draft by selecting Jacksonville University outfielder Austin Hays in the third round. Hays is the 91st overall pick. Baseball America rated him No. 46 on its draft prospect list and wrote the following: "Power potential with bat and power arm make him prototype right field prospect." Hays, 20, batted .350/.406/.655 with 16 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs and 42 RBIs in 54 games as a junior. He...

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Gausman vs. Estrada tonight in Toronto

June 10, 2016, 8:42am

Orioles

The Orioles have won five games in a row, eight of their last nine and are 13 above .500 for the first time since the conclusion of the 2014 season. They lead the Red Sox by two games in the American League East. Who needs Yovani Gallardo, J.J. Hardy, Darren O'Day and Caleb Joseph? But seriously, the Orioles would love to make room for all four of them on the 25-man roster. In the meantime, they're sending Kevin Gausman to the mound tonight in an attempt to keep the good times rolling. Taking...

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Thoughts on the bullpen and Machado's suspension

June 09, 2016, 9:32pm

Orioles

Thoughts on the bullpen and Machado's suspension

It's often been stated that handling a bullpen ranks among the most important tasks for a manager. Some people in the industry would place it atop the list. It certainly can be used as a separator. I've covered managers who were terrible at it, with relievers griping to me about overuse or constantly warming up without pitching. It's easy to burn out a 'pen before the All-Star break. Manager Buck Showalter is widely regarded as the best at it, though his insistence on making certain moves...

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Hearing from Rajsich and Sedlock after Day 1 of draft

June 09, 2016, 9:24pm

Orioles

Hearing from Rajsich and Sedlock after Day 1 of draft

Orioles director of scouting Gary Rajsich set out to get three college pitchers last night in the 2016 amateur draft and achieved his goal with Illinois right-hander Cody Sedlock at No. 27, Western Michigan left-hander Keegan Akin at No. 54 and John A. Logan Community College right-hander Matthias Dietz at No. 69. Rajsich speculated that all three pitchers will begin their professional careers at Single-A short-season Aberdeen. Of course, the Orioles must sign them. Rajsich, made available to...