Quick hits from Camden Yards

Quick hits from Camden Yards
The Orioles will announce their corresponding roster move for shortstop J.J. Hardy closer to first pitch. The team currently is taking batting practice. An extra reliever wasn't needed today. Mike Wright will make his next start Wednesday for Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles want to keep him on turn and they want him to stay in the rotation. "He can't think that level is beneath him, and he doesn't," said manager Buck Showalter. "He has a grip on the reality of what's going on." The...

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Shortstop J.J. Hardy has returned to the Orioles lineup for today's game against the Blue Jays. The Orioles haven't announced a corresponding roster move. Jonathan Schoop is batting second today, followed by Manny Machado, who's back at third base. Machado is 13-for-36 (.361) in his last eight games. Adam Jones is 9-for-27 (.333) in his last six games, with a double, four home runs, eight RBIs and five runs scored. Hyun Soo Kim was in an 0-for-12 slump, his longest hitless streak of the...

Pending roster moves and today's game

Pending roster moves and today's game
With Mike Wright optioned to Triple-A Norfolk last night, the Orioles found a way to create room for Yovani Gallardo on the 25-man roster and hand him the ball for today's game against the Blue Jays. That's one move. The Orioles can figure out later who makes Wednesday night's start against the Padres. They need Wright to figure out how to regain his command and position himself for another promotion later in the summer, whether he's in the rotation or the bullpen. Shortstop J.J. Hardy also...

Showalter speaks after 13-3 loss (Wright optioned)

Showalter speaks after 13-3 loss (Wright optioned)
The Orioles will activate shortstop J.J. Hardy from the disabled list before Saturday afternoon's game against the Blue Jays, forcing them into at least two roster moves. They already intended to activate right-hander Yovani Gallardo to make the start, his first since April 22. Executive vice president Dan Duquette was headed to manager Buck Showalter's office to discuss whether a fresh bullpen arm also was needed after tonight's 13-3 loss to the Blue Jays before 38,306 at Camden...

Jays still wrong team for Wright (O's lose 13-3)

Jays still wrong team for Wright (O's lose 13-3)
The combination of Mike Wright and Ubaldo Jimenez didn't work tonight at Camden Yards. It did, however, stir up the home crowd, which offered up a selection of boos and sarcastic applause after the top of the fourth inning came to a merciful halt. Wright was charged with eight runs and six hits over 3 2/3 innings, his second-shortest outing of the season. The last two runs scored after Jimenez replaced him. More on Jimenez later. This was Wright's start and he goes first. Wright walked a...

Pending moves and Machado's suspension (O's down 4-1)

Pending moves and Machado's suspension (O's down 4-1)
The Orioles will activate pitcher Yovani Gallardo from the disabled list before Saturday afternoon's game against the Blue Jays. That's the one certain move for the weekend. How they make room for him on the 25-man roster is another story. There's also the chapter on shortstop J.J. Hardy, who could join Gallardo or continue his injury rehab assignment at Single-A Frederick. He's already played three games at Double-A Bowie, but he may want to test the foot again before returning. "He did...

Quick hits from Camden Yards

Quick hits from Camden Yards
Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy could be activated from the disabled list on Saturday after working out for about an hour today at Camden Yards. The alternative is to send Hardy to Single-A Frederick this weekend and continue his rehab assignment. He played in three games at Double-A Bowie and stayed on the field for nine innings last night. Hardy went 4-for-11 with a walk and strikeout at Bowie. The Orioles are letting him decide whether he's ready to come off the disabled list after fracturing...

Orioles lineup (plus deal with first-round pick Cody Sedlock)

Orioles lineup (plus deal with first-round pick Cody Sedlock)
The Orioles have reached agreement with their first-round draft pick, University of Illinois right-hander Cody Sedlock, who will be introduced to the media later today at Camden Yards. The lineup for tonight doesn't include shortstop J.J. Hardy. He was on the field taking ground balls, but he must not be coming off the disabled list. Francisco Pena is behind the plate after Matt Wieters caught all three nights in Boston. For the Orioles Adam Jones CF Hyun Soo Kim LF Manny Machado SS Chris...

Wright vs. Sanchez tonight at Camden Yards

Wright vs. Sanchez tonight at Camden Yards
BOSTON - Another road trip is in the books, with the Orioles going a combined 3-4 in Toronto and Boston. They've escaped hotel life again, but not their division. The Blue Jays are back after taking three of four games at Rogers Centre. This isn't the suggested method for lowering a rotation's ERA, though Tyler Wilson let some air leak out last night. (Not a euphemism. Still talking about the staff ERA.) Mike Wright gets another shot at them after allowing four runs and six hits in five...

Showalter, Jones, Wilson and a 5-1 win

Showalter, Jones, Wilson and a 5-1 win
BOSTON - Tyler Wilson consumed innings tonight for the Orioles and the defense behind him offered a sampler platter of defensive excellence. Nolan Reimold makes a lunging catch in left field and Joey Rickard makes one in right. Chris Davis snares a screaming line drive up the first base line. Paul Janish makes a diving catch to his left to rob another Red Sox batter. Square up a ball and watch it disappear into the Bermuda Triangle. Wilson pitched to contact while going a career-high eight...

Game update and more from Showalter (O's win 5-1)

Game update and more from Showalter (O's win 5-1)
BOSTON - Orioles rookie right-hander Tyler Wilson, in search of his first quality start this month, retired the Red Sox in order tonight in the bottom of the first inning. He threw 14 pitches and was back in the dugout. The Orioles stranded Joey Rickard and Manny Machado in the top of the first after back-to-back singles off left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, who retired the side in order on 10 pitches in the second inning. Shortstop J.J Hardy is playing his third game tonight at Double-A Bowie....

Odrisamer Despaigne on his promotion and last night's outing

Odrisamer Despaigne on his promotion and last night's outing
BOSTON - Odrisamer Despaigne made his Orioles debut last night and tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings, wiggling out of a few jams and relying on left-hander Brian Duensing to strand two of his runners upon his departure. It wasn't clean, but it was effective. The Orioles already were down 6-0. Despaigne applied the tourniquet. The Orioles didn't give Despaigne a specific role after recalling him on Tuesday from Triple-A Norfolk. He's in the bullpen for now, but the rotation could become an...

Darren O'Day provides injury update

Darren O'Day provides injury update
BOSTON - Though he's eligible to come off the disabled list this weekend, Orioles reliever Darren O'Day hasn't made the necessary strides with his strained right hamstring - so to speak - which would allow him to rejoin the bullpen. O'Day still hasn't thrown from a mound and still doesn't know when he'll be cleared to do so, severely reducing the odds that he's activated on Sunday. "Part of my delivery is bending over, stretching the hamstring. Before I get on the mound, I want to make...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
BOSTON - Matt Wieters is catching for the third consecutive night and Nolan Reimold is in left field, as the Orioles close out their series tonight against the Red Sox and try to avoid their fifth loss in the last six games. Joey Rickard is in right field and batting second. Mark Trumbo is the designated hitter and Paul Janish is starting at third base. For the Orioles Adam Jones CF Joey Rickard RF Manny Machado SS Mark Trumbo DH Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C Jonathan Schoop 2B Nolan Reimold...

Wilson vs. Rodriguez tonight at Fenway Park

Wilson vs. Rodriguez tonight at Fenway Park
BOSTON - Chris Tillman was the stopper on Tuesday, enabling the Orioles to end a three-game losing streak. Can Tyler Wilson give his best impression tonight? The Orioles have lost three of their last four games and are tied again with the Red Sox for first place in the American League East. The rotation's 4.89 ERA ranks 26th in the majors. Wilson is due for a good outing and the Orioles certainly could use one. He registered four quality starts in five outings last month, but he's allowed 10...

Hearing from Hays following amateur draft

Hearing from Hays following amateur draft
BOSTON - Austin Hays may not be well-versed in his Orioles history, but he knows the quality that largely defines the team that drafted him. "I know they've got a lot of power in their lineup this year," said Hays, the 91st overall pick in last week's amateur draft. "They've got a chance to make some history. And they're doing really well again this year. But I haven't followed them too much growing up. I didn't have any ties to Baltimore and the Orioles." It all changed for Hays when...

Wrapping up a 6-4 loss

Wrapping up a 6-4 loss
BOSTON - Kevin Gausman had a pretty good idea tonight that he wasn't coming back out for the fourth inning. A six-run deficit would hold his fingerprints, but the game no longer was in his hands. Manager Buck Showalter decided that a 39-pitch third inning was too much for Gausman, who remained winless as an Orioles rally fell short in a 6-4 loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The bullpen offered up five scoreless innings, including 2 2/3 from Odrisamer Despaigne in his Orioles debut. Adam...

Gausman lasts only three innings (O's lose 6-4)

Gausman lasts only three innings (O's lose 6-4)
BOSTON - In three innings tonight, Kevin Gausman's pitch count soared by disturbing proportions. To heights that led manager Buck Showalter to call upon his bullpen in relatively quick fashion. Gausman turned in his shortest outing of the season, with Odrisamer Despaigne replacing him to begin the fourth and making his Orioles debut. Gausman allowed a season-high six runs and seven hits, with two walks, three strikeouts, a home run and a wild pitch. If not for No. 9 hitter Christian Vazquez,...

More on Hardy, Joseph, O'Day, the rotation, All-Stars (O's down 6-0)

More on Hardy, Joseph, O'Day, the rotation, All-Stars (O's down 6-0)
BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter sounded an encouraging tone today while providing updates on shortstop J.J. Hardy and catcher Caleb Joseph. It wasn't the same with reliever Darren O'Day, however, but let's start with the two position players. Hardy is scheduled to play three games at Double-A Bowie while testing his left foot and could come off the disabled list by "Friday at the earliest," Showalter said, "but it's going to be J.J's call." "Dave Anderson is there, Brian...

Quick hits from Fenway Park before tonight's game

Quick hits from Fenway Park before tonight's game
BOSTON - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is back in Double-A Bowie's lineup tonight as the shortstop and No. 2 hitter. Hardy went 2-for-3 and played six innings in the field last night. He's also expected to start on Thursday, though the Orioles are leaving it up to him. Whether Hardy comes off the disabled list on Friday while the Orioles are home also rests primarily in his hands. If he's up to it, the Orioles likely will return him to their lineup. Caleb Joseph continues to work out at Bowie...