Roch Kubatko

Keeping the defense together, and other notes (updated)

April 21, 2016, 2:39pm

Orioles

Keeping the defense together, and other notes (updated)

The Orioles' defense continues to make plays on a nightly basis that grab the attention of manager Buck Showalter, his coaching staff and the media. Showalter wondered today how many times catcher Matt Wieters, third baseman Manny Machado, shortstop J.J. Hardy, second baseman Jonathan Schoop and first baseman Chris Davis were in the same lineup last season at their normal positions - as they are tonight to close out their series against the Blue Jays. The magic number is 18. Wieters was...

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Early notes on Matusz, Worley, Gausman, Paredes, Alvarez and more

April 21, 2016, 12:53pm

Orioles

Early notes on Matusz, Worley, Gausman, Paredes, Alvarez and more

Though it isn't official, the Orioles appear set to activate left-hander Brian Matusz from the disabled list on Saturday and give the start to Vance Worley. Manager Buck Showalter said Matusz is a possibility for Friday night in Kansas City, but the reliever is more likely to be activated the following day. He worked four innings Tuesday night at Single-A Frederick and probably could use the extra recovery period. Worley's status depends on whether he's needed out of the bullpen in the next...

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Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

April 21, 2016, 11:05am

Orioles

Mark Trumbo is serving as the designated hitter tonight as the Orioles close out their brief homestand against the Blue Jays. Slumping Pedro Alvarez is on the bench against Toronto right-hander Marco Estrada. Nolan Reimold is in right field. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard is one of only two players in the last 50 seasons (1967-2016) to make his major league debut on opening day and reach base in his team's first 13 games. The most recent players to do it were...

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Can Tillman build off his last start against the Jays?

April 20, 2016, 7:35pm

Orioles

Can Tillman build off his last start against the Jays?

Bring up Chris Tillman's struggles against the Blue Jays and he'll quickly mention his last start against them. That's going out on a high note. And the improvement ... wait for it ... strikes a chord with him. Tillman held the Blue Jays to two runs and five hits over 7 1/3 innings on Sept. 28 at Camden Yards. He needed it to lower his season ERA against them to 11.72 in six starts, to go with an 0-4 record and 2.013 WHIP. For his career, Tillman is 4-10 with a 5.79 ERA and 1.383 WHIP in 20...

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Showalter speaks after a 4-3 10-inning win

April 20, 2016, 7:20pm

Orioles

Showalter speaks after a 4-3 10-inning win

Few moments in sports rival the walk-off passed ball for pure excitement. It never happened for the Orioles before tonight. They were in a celebratory mood after Caleb Joseph raced home with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning to give them a 4-3 win over the Blue Jays before 15,404 at Camden Yards. With Adam Jones at the plate, a pitch from Rule 5 pick Joe Biagini scooted past catcher Josh Thole, who earlier had handled knuckleballer R.A. Dickey without incident. According to STATS, it's...

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Pedro Alvarez trying to join the hit party in Baltimore (O's win in 10th)

April 20, 2016, 3:30pm

Orioles

Pedro Alvarez trying to join the hit party in Baltimore (O's win in 10th)

Before the clubhouse opened to the media today and before the Orioles took batting practice, Pedro Alvarez performed drills at first base to sharpen his footwork and skills at digging throws out of the dirt. The Orioles set up a JUGS machine at the shortstop position and launched the ball across the infield, some reaching his glove on the fly and some short-hopping him. Alvarez also is focused on his offense, a 4-for-28 start leaving his average at .143 heading into tonight's game. He's drawn...

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Showalter on Matusz, Jones and the rotation

April 20, 2016, 2:07pm

Orioles

Showalter on Matusz, Jones and the rotation

The Orioles did a nice job of bumping up Brian Matusz's innings total after he was limited to two in spring training due to a strained muscle in his lower back. Matusz worked 10 innings in his five appearances on his injury rehab assignment, including four last night at Single-A Frederick. He went three innings in his previous appearance with the Keys. "It's good for him to get stretched out two or three outings," said manager Buck Showalter. Matusz, drafted as a starter with the fourth...

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Updating Matusz, Gausman, Jones, Lohse and more

April 20, 2016, 1:00pm

Orioles

Updating Matusz, Gausman, Jones, Lohse and more

Left-hander Brian Matusz is expected to be activated from the disabled list on Saturday while the Orioles are in Kansas City. Matusz allowed one hit and struck out nine batters over four scoreless innings last night at Single-A Frederick. He's made five appearances on his minor league rehab assignment. "It felt good to be able to get extended to four innings," Matusz said today. "Threw all four pitches. It was a positive outing. "The strikeouts are great. But I think ultimately the key was...

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Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

April 20, 2016, 11:09am

Orioles

Adam Jones is in the Orioles lineup tonight after leaving last night's game with a stomach virus. Joey Rickard continues to lead off and play left field. Mark Trumbo is in right. Caleb Joseph is behind the plate. Pedro Alvarez is on the field early today working out at first base. A JUGS machine is used to simulate throws to first, allowing Alvarez to field balls in the dirt. For the Orioles Joey Rickard LF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Mark Trumbo RF J.J. Hardy SS Jonathan...

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Taking a look at tonight's pitching matchup

April 20, 2016, 7:55am

Orioles

Taking a look at tonight's pitching matchup

Having lost four of their last five games, the Orioles will try to straighten out tonight against a knuckleball pitcher. Consider it the latest challenge in a young season. Blue Jays right-hander R.A. Dickey is 2-6 with a 3.93 ERA in 14 outings (11 starts) against the Orioles. He's 1-3 with a 3.09 ERA in six outings (five starts) at Camden Yards. The current Orioles are batting .199 (28-for-141) against Dickey. Adam Jones, who left last night's game with a stomach virus, is 3-for-25 with a...

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Leftovers for breakfast

April 19, 2016, 9:00pm

Orioles

Mark Trumbo reached base twice last night on a walk and infield hit. He also threw out Troy Tulowitzki at the plate to conclude the third inning, and it wasn't close. Tulowitzki went in standing and ran into catcher Matt Wieters' tag. He could have just stopped and held out an arm. Trumbo has 16 career outfield assists, the most recent before last night coming on June 27, 2015. The Orioles lead the majors with 49 outfield assists since the beginning of the 2015 season. * Manny Machado...

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Showalter speaks after 4-3 loss

April 19, 2016, 7:01pm

Orioles

The Orioles no longer are unbeaten at home or on a nice early roll. Though they got six innings out of starter Mike Wright and the first home run from Matt Wieters, the Orioles lost again tonight, 4-3 to the Blue Jays before an announced crowd of 16,783 at Camden Yards. The Orioles have dropped four of their last five games, tonight's defeat coming after they stranded two runners in the eighth and went down quietly in the ninth. They had a 10-game home winning streak that dated to the second...

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Jones leaves tonight's game with stomach virus (O's lose 4-3)

April 19, 2016, 5:12pm

Orioles

Jones leaves tonight's game with stomach virus (O's lose 4-3)

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones left tonight's game after the bottom of the sixth inning with a stomach virus, according to the team. Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard moved to center field and Nolan Reimold was inserted into left. Jones grounded to short for the second out in the sixth inning. He hit into a double play and singled in two previous at-bats. The news tonight is good, considering that Jones wasn't in the lineup for six games due to soreness in his rib area. He was used twice as a...

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Orioles trying to remain perfect at home (Machado homers)

April 19, 2016, 3:45pm

Orioles

Ramon Martinez is serving as Orioles pitching coach for the three-game series against the Blue Jays while Dave Wallace attends to a family matter. Martinez is in his second season as special assignment pitching instructor. The Orioles are the only team in the majors to remain unbeaten at home with a 5-0 record. The Nationals are 5-1 and the Royals are 4-1. When does a team gain a psychological advantage? "Not yet," said manager Buck Showalter. "Think about it. If we go 81-0, I think that...

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Showalter on Gausman, Matusz and Paredes

April 19, 2016, 2:03pm

Orioles

Showalter on Gausman, Matusz and Paredes

The Orioles rotation could include Kevin Gausman as early as Monday, or he could remain out of it next week. It's anybody's guess at this point. Gausman is starting Wednesday night for Triple-A Norfolk, putting him in line to pitch Monday unless manager Buck Showalter wants to keep Ubaldo Jimenez on his normal turn. And unless the Orioles decide Gausman would benefit from another start in the minors. We know now that Jimenez starts Wednesday and Chris Tillman starts Thursday, with Yovani...

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Gausman starting Wednesday for Norfolk (plus other notes)

April 19, 2016, 12:52pm

Orioles

Gausman starting Wednesday for Norfolk (plus other notes)

The Orioles are keeping Kevin Gausman on his injury rehab assignment. Gausman will report to Triple-A Norfolk and start Wednesday night in Charlotte. He could be activated and start for the Orioles when his turn comes up again, but the decision is pending. Gausman, on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis, has allowed three runs (one earned) and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings at Double-A Bowie and Single-A Frederick. The Orioles want to get him up to 90 pitches with Norfolk, preferably...

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Orioles lineup vs. Toronto

April 19, 2016, 11:07am

Orioles

Manny Machado will try to extend his hitting streak to 12 games as the Orioles open their brief homestand with tonight's game against the Blue Jays. Machado and the Angels' Andrelton Simmons are tied for the longest active hitting streak in the majors. No surprises in tonight's lineup. Joey Rickard is leading off and playing left field. Mark Trumbo is in right. Pedro Alvarez is the designated hitter. For the Orioles Joey Rickard LF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Mark Trumbo RF...

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Mike Wright finally gets a second chance

April 18, 2016, 7:05pm

Orioles

Mike Wright finally gets a second chance

The Orioles should be able to play tonight's game without any delays, without the sky opening and the tarp unrolling. The forecast calls for temperatures in the upper 70s during the day and dipping to 47 in the evening. No chance of precipitation. Rain doesn't return until Friday when the Orioles are in Kansas City. The Blue Jays arrive at Camden Yards with a 7-7 record that puts them 2 1/2 games behind the Orioles in the American League East. They're 3-3 at home and 4-4 on the road. The...

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Mark Trumbo shares weekly award

April 18, 2016, 11:51am

Orioles

Orioles outfielder Mark Trumbo is being rewarded for last week's offensive outburst. Trumbo has been named the American League's co-Player of the Week for the period ending April 17 after batting .320/.346/.960 in six games. He shares the award with Astros second baseman Jose Altuve. This is Trumbo's first weekly honor and Altuve's second. Trumbo had one double, five home runs, 11 RBIs and six runs scored. Two of his home runs came in the seventh inning of Friday night's game against the...

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Orioles' infield defense has been golden

April 17, 2016, 3:14pm

Orioles

ARLINGTON, Texas - Manny Machado makes a diving stop along the third base line and fires from his knees to record the out. A few innings later, he crouches to backhand a nasty one-hopper near his body and starts a rally-killing double play. It seems to almost become a competition among Orioles infielders. Jonathan Schoop takes a couple of steps up the middle, makes a diving stop and starts another double play. Chris Davis handles a couple of scorching ground balls up the first base line and...