More notes from Camden Yards

More notes from Camden Yards
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he didn't hear directly from the Nationals about their pitching change for tonight, but learned of the switch around 10:30 a.m. A.J. Cole is replacing Stephen Strasburg, who went on the disabled list with a sore right elbow. "I found out from another source that heard it through the grapevine," Showalter said. "I had to kind of figure it out myself. No big deal. "I, like most people, go home and fall asleep for 20 minutes and watched the Nationals...

Showalter talks about decision to option Joseph

Showalter talks about decision to option Joseph
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said catcher Caleb Joseph will rejoin the club in 10 days after being optioned today to Triple-A Norfolk. Joseph probably would have played only once or twice before rosters expand on Sept. 1 and he needs the at-bats, a season-long offensive funk leaving his average at .193 (22-for-114) with two doubles and no RBIs. Matt Wieters came off the paternity list today and Francisco Pena will remain with the club. Joseph was in the clubhouse this afternoon. "John...

Orioles option Caleb Joseph

Orioles option Caleb Joseph
The Orioles have reinstated Matt Wieters from the paternity list after he and his wife Maria welcomed the birth of their second son, Micah, on Saturday night. To make room for Wieters, the Orioles have optioned Caleb Joseph to Triple-A Norfolk, meaning Francisco Pena stays with the big league club. Joseph doesn't have an RBI this year with the Orioles, while hitting .193 with two doubles and six runs scored over 40 games. But he will return when the September rosters expand at the...

Wieters in tonight's lineup

Wieters in tonight's lineup
Matt Wieters is off the paternity list and catching tonight for the Orioles in the series opener against the Nationals at Camden Yards. Wieters missed the past two games for the birth of his son. It's a standard lineup against a right-hander, including Hyun Soo Kim in left field, Pedro Alvarez serving as the designated hitter and Chris Davis batting cleanup. For the Orioles Adam Jones CF Hyun Soo Kim LF Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis 1B Mark Trumbo RF Pedro Alvarez DH Matt Wieters C Jonathan...

Orioles facing new starter tonight

Orioles facing new starter tonight
The Orioles won't be facing Stephen Strasburg tonight. The right-hander won't be making his first career start at Camden Yards. Just when you think that you've got it figured out. The Nationals unexpectedly have placed Strasburg on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right elbow. They recalled right-hander A.J. Cole, who will start tonight in his 2016 debut in Strasburg's place. Cole will be making his second major league start and fourth appearance. He didn't earn a decision last year...

The Britton debate and tonight's game

The Britton debate and tonight's game
As the division races continue to heat up, so do the debates over the postseason awards. The latter seems a bit premature, but I guess there's no time like the present. Should a reliever win the Cy Young Award? More to the point, should closer Zach Britton be considered for it, let alone be the recipient in the American League? You probably can guess where manager Buck Showalter stands on the topic. "That's a short conversation. Of course he should be," Showalter said during his latest...

Orioles lose comforts of home and another game to Astros (with quotes)

Orioles lose comforts of home and another game to Astros (with quotes)
The Orioles could have moved within 1 ½ games of first place in the American League East. They could have gained ground on the two teams ahead of them, salvaged a split of their four-game series with the Astros and reestablished some semblance of home dominance. Except they didn't and the concerns are mounting. The defense buckled in the top of the fifth inning, contributing to three Astros runs, and the Orioles couldn't properly counter in a 5-3 loss at Camden Yards. Both teams endured a...

Donnie Hart on Parker Bridwell: "He's a bulldog" (O's down 4-2)

Donnie Hart on Parker Bridwell: "He's a bulldog" (O's down 4-2)
When a pitcher or position player receives his first major league call up, the natural inclination is to scan the clubhouse for anyone who served as a former teammate in the farm system. The media's perfect baseball world includes a catcher giving his own scouting report on the new pitcher, having set the target for him at some juncture. Earlier today, I gladly settled for left-hander Donnie Hart offering his impressions of Parker Bridwell, who is in the Orioles' bullpen as we wait through a...

Notes on Tillman, the bullpen, Bridwell and more

Notes on Tillman, the bullpen, Bridwell and more
Chris Tillman told Orioles manager Buck Showalter this morning that his right shoulder felt good following last night's start, which lasted two-plus innings in a 12-2 loss to the Astros. "Said he actually felt better today than he normally does after a start, which verifies last night. That's good news today," Showalter said. Reliever Darren O'Day is "actually doing better the last couple days," Showalter said. "That's good." The Orioles continue to scramble for fresh arms. T.J....

Orioles lineup vs. Astros

Orioles lineup vs. Astros
Chris Davis is in right field and Steve Pearce is playing first base and batting second for the Orioles in today's series finale against the Astros at Camden Yards. Nolan Reimold is in left field and batting ninth against Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel. Francisco Pena is behind the plate. For those of you looking ahead to the series against the Nationals, Dylan Bundy is starting Monday and Kevin Gausman on Tuesday. For the Orioles Adam Jones CF Steve Pearce 1B Manny Machado 3B Mark Trumbo...

Orioles call up Parker Bridwell

Orioles call up Parker Bridwell
The Orioles have recalled right-hander Parker Bridwell from Triple-A Norfolk to replace Odrisamer Despaigne in the bullpen, the latest move designed to provide long relief behind the starting pitcher. Bridwell will be making his major league debut with his first appearance. The Orioles selected Bridwell, now 25, in the ninth round of the 2010 draft out of Hereford (Tx.) High School. He was 1-1 with a 4.53 ERA in 18 appearances (seven starts) with Double-A Bowie this season, and he allowed one...

More relief help and today's game

More relief help and today's game
The Orioles are going through long relievers like Halloween candy. And if that isn't the perfect setup for a joke, I don't know what else to do here. They used Ubaldo Jimenez, Tyler Wilson and Vance Worley on Friday night. They optioned Wilson, called up Odrisamer Despaigne, used him for three-plus innings last night and optioned him. Parker Bridwell has emerged as a legitimate bullpen candidate and he may have gotten the call yesterday if the Orioles decided to bring up two relievers....

Orioles option Despaigne (plus Showalter quotes)

Orioles option Despaigne (plus Showalter quotes)
The Orioles optioned right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne to Triple-A Norfolk tonight after he worked three innings in relief in a 12-2 loss to the Astros at Camden Yards. Despaigne was set to stay for only one game if he needed to work multiple innings, and it became necessary after starter Chris Tillman failed to get an out in the third. A corresponding move will be announced Sunday morning. Manager Buck Showalter noted the challenge of getting a pitcher to Camden Yards with Triple-A Norfolk...

Tillman leaves early, Flaherty pitches, Orioles lose 12-2

Tillman leaves early, Flaherty pitches, Orioles lose 12-2
Chris Tillman couldn't locate his pitches tonight and his velocity was down, the fastball sitting in the upper 80s. These are disturbing signs for a pitcher who had to be pushed back due to a sore right shoulder. Also disturbing is the latest loss to the Astros, which included Ryan Flaherty's pitching debut in the ninth inning, and the threat of losing another home series. Tillman couldn't get an out in the third inning and was done after 67 pitches, only 33 of them strikes. He allowed six...

Bundy has minimal concerns over lower velocity (O's down 8-1)

Bundy has minimal concerns over lower velocity (O's down 8-1)
Though the Orioles haven't confirmed their rotation for the two-game series against the Nationals at Camden Yards, Dylan Bundy is expected to stay in turn and pitch in Monday's opener. Manager Buck Showalter didn't hint at any adjustments. Bundy held the Giants to one run over 5 1/3 innings on Aug. 12 and allowed five runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings against the Red Sox on Wednesday after taking Chris Tillman's turn. Tillman was pushed back to tonight because of discomfort in his right...

Notes on Wieters, Despaigne and more

Notes on Wieters, Despaigne and more
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he expects catcher Matt Wieters to remain on paternity leave at least through Sunday's game at Camden Yards. Wieters and wife Maria are at the hospital and doctors induced labor this morning. Wieters can stay away from the team for a maximum of three days. Showalter said reports on Odrisamer Despaigne, recalled today from Triple-A Norfolk, show that the right-hander is "throwing the ball well." Despaigne is the long reliever tonight if starter Chris...

Orioles roster moves and lineup

Orioles roster moves and lineup
The Orioles have placed catcher Matt Wieters on paternity leave and recalled pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne and catcher Francisco Pena from Triple-A Norfolk. Wieters is joining his wife for the birth of their second son. He can be away from the team for a maximum of three days. Despaigne, 29, registered a 3.48 ERA in 15 starts with Norfolk this season and allowed one earned run in his last two starts over nine innings. He's 0-2 with a 4.81 ERA in 15 relief appearances with the Orioles, who...

Orioles turning to Tillman tonight

Orioles turning to Tillman tonight
The Orioles are making one roster move for sure today, with a bullpen spot open after they optioned Tyler Wilson late last night. They're also waiting for catcher Matt Wieters to go on paternity leave, figuring it could happen anytime starting this afternoon. Pedro Alvarez's shot to right field last night assured the Orioles of hitting five or more home runs in a game for the seventh time this season, tops in the majors. But they also needed to stop the other team from joining the party. If...

Wilson optioned to Norfolk

Wilson optioned to Norfolk
The Orioles optioned right-hander Tyler Wilson to Triple-A Norfolk following tonight's 15-8 loss to the Astros at Camden Yards. They need a long reliever after using three tonight, including Wilson, who was charged with four runs and five hits in two innings. He also let an inherited runner score and surrendered two home runs. Wilson's ERA has risen to 5.38 in 20 games (13 starts) spanning 90 1/3 innings. Repeating what I posted earlier, Wilson retired all 12 Rockies he faced on July 26, but...

Orioles' early power display wasted in 15-8 loss (with quotes)

Orioles' early power display wasted in 15-8 loss (with quotes)
Wade Miley's reputation for working fast unfortunately expanded tonight to include being done after only 44 pitches. The Orioles became the first team to hit four home runs before making an out, according the STATS. Their first inning was epic. The collapse that ensued wasn't far off. Miley allowed five runs in the second as the Astros also batted around and manager Buck Showalter removed him after 1 2/3 innings with his team behind 6-5. The Orioles lost 15-8 before 34,422 at Camden Yards,...