Wrapping up an 8-4 loss (updated)

Wrapping up an 8-4 loss (updated)
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Orioles are winless and Hyun Soo Kim is hitless. Now you're caught up. The Phillies defeated the Orioles today 8-4 at Bright House Field. Manny Machado and Xavier Avery homered. Avery and Jonathan Schoop had two hits. Caleb Joseph threw out three runners attempting to steal. Yovani Gallardo and Vance Worley each gave up three runs in two innings, but Zach Britton was dominant again with two strikeouts in a routine third. Britton is ready to start the season. Kim needs...

Gallardo: "I think the guys in this clubhouse, they've made it easy for me" (O's lose 8-4)

Gallardo: "I think the guys in this clubhouse, they've made it easy for me" (O's lose 8-4)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Phillies 8, Orioles 4 Recap: Yovani Gallardo allowed three runs and four hits in his first inning with the Orioles before retiring the Phillies in order in the second. Manny Machado hit a long two-run homer in the third after Xavier Avery singled. Zach Britton retired the side in order with two strikeouts in the third. Vance Worley allowed three runs and five hits in two innings. Darin Ruf homered off Gallardo and Worley. Parker Bridwell escaped a two-on, one-out jam...

Gallardo update and more notes (O's down 3-2)

Gallardo update and more notes (O's down 3-2)
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Yovani Gallardo's first inning with the Orioles this spring didn't go as planned, unless it's mostly about getting in his work. It's mostly about getting in his work. Gallardo allowed three runs and four hits to the Phillies at Bright House Field. He threw 23 pitches, 14 for strikes. Gallardo will return for the second inning before the Orioles go to their bullpen. Vance Worley most likely will replace him. Peter Bourjos doubled on Gallardo's first pitch and scored with...

Pedro Alvarez taking physical today (plus pitching notes)

Pedro Alvarez taking physical today (plus pitching notes)
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Pedro Alvarez is taking his physical this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex while the Orioles are in Clearwater to play the Phillies. As I've written, the club is home on Thursday and could set up a press conference if the results come back and there are no issues. Otherwise, they're in Tampa on Friday to play the Yankees and home on Saturday to play the Twins. The Orioles will make a corresponding roster move to create room for Alvarez on the 40-man roster. Catcher...

Orioles and Phillies lineups (and McFarland update)

Orioles and Phillies lineups (and McFarland update)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Yovani Gallardo makes his Orioles debut this afternoon against the Phillies in Clearwater. Manny Machado is leading off and playing third base, followed by Jonathan Schoop at second base. Chris Davis, Mark Trumbo, Hyun Soo Kim and Nolan Reimold also are on the trip. For the Orioles Manny Machado 3B Jonathan Schoop 2B Chris Davis 1B Mark Trumbo DH Hyun Soo Kim LF Nolan Reimold RF Caleb Joseph C Paul Janish SS Xavier Avery CF Yovani Gallardo RHP The Phillies lineup includes...

More thoughts on Pedro Alvarez and his impact on the roster

More thoughts on Pedro Alvarez and his impact on the roster
SARASOTA, Fla. - Why did it take so long for a team to sign Pedro Alvarez? Concerns about his defense limited his market to American League suitors. There's been talk that his agent, Scott Boras, pushed for assurances that Alvarez would play half of his games in the field. Money usually is a factor, though Dexter Fowler and Austin Jackson would like a minute for rebuttal. They'll also take your recommendations for the best deep dish pizza in Chicago. Manager Buck Showalter's plans for...

Wrapping up a 5-1 loss

Wrapping up a 5-1 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have signed their remaining non-arbitration eligible players to 2016 contracts. Everyone on the 40-man roster is under contract, a list that includes pitchers Parker Bridwell, Odrisamer Despaigne, Oliver Drake, Jason Garcia, Kevin Gausman, Mychal Givens, Chaz Roe, Andrew Triggs, Tyler Wilson, Mike Wright, Chris Jones, Chris Lee and T.J. McFarland; catchers Caleb Joseph and Francisco Pena; infielders Jimmy Paredes, Jonathan Schoop and Christian Walker; and...

Miguel Gonzalez shows improvement in second start (O's lose 5-1)

Miguel Gonzalez shows improvement in second start (O's lose 5-1)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Red Sox 5, Orioles 1 Recap: Miguel Gonzalez allowed one run and three hits in 2 2/3 innings before reaching his pitch limit. Brock Holt, the second batter of the game, homered off Gonzalez. Darren O'Day gave up one run in the fourth after Boston loaded the bases with no outs. Nolan Reimold doubled to lead off the bottom of the first. Manny Machado and Mark Trumbo singled in the third. J.J. Hardy singled and tripled in his first two at-bats, and he scored on Joey...

More morning notes before today's game

More morning notes before today's game
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter wouldn't comment this morning on Pedro Alvarez reaching agreement last night on a one-year deal. The move was referenced, the addition of a left-handed power bat implied, but nothing more. "You know, as we've been down this road a few times, let the process run its course," he said. "Then, we'll have plenty of time to talk about those things. I'm sworn to double-secret probation and I'm going to honor that protocol and process." I gave it...

Player reaction to Pedro Alvarez

Player reaction to Pedro Alvarez
SARASOTA, Fla. - Ryan Flaherty couldn't resist, but he sure tried. Flaherty was asked earlier today about the Orioles reaching agreement with Pedro Alvarez, his close friend and former Vanderbilt teammate. He immediately shot a glance toward Adam Jones, a clear reference to the Dexter Fowler debacle. The Orioles thought they had an agreement with Fowler, who spoke to Jones on the phone and expressed his excitement over joining the club. Fowler shocked the industry by returning to the...

X-rays on McFarland's elbow come back clean (and other injury updates)

X-rays on McFarland's elbow come back clean (and other injury updates)
SARASOTA, Fla. - It's been a busy morning for the media at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Injuries needed updating and players were asked for their reactions to the Orioles' agreement with Pedro Alvarez on a one-year, $5.75 million contract. Reliever T.J. McFarland said the X-rays on his left elbow came back clean and he feels great this morning. He isn't sure when he's going to start throwing again, but the news is encouraging. No MRIs are scheduled for McFarland, who exited Sunday's game...

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard is in left field today and Mark Trumbo is in right for the Orioles' 1:05 p.m. game against the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium, which will air live on MASN. Nolan Reimold is leading off and serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles Nolan Reimold DH Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Mark Trumbo RF Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Jonathan Schoop 2B Joey Rickard LF Miguel Gonzalez RHP

Sources: Orioles agree to terms with Pedro Alvarez on one-year deal

Sources: Orioles agree to terms with Pedro Alvarez on one-year deal
SARASOTA, Fla. - Failing to secure a new right fielder in spring training, the Orioles decided to go after another home run bat. The club has agreed to terms with Pedro Alvarez on a one-year deal, multiple sources confirmed tonight. Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune was first with the news. Alvarez will receive $5.75 million, plus another $1.25 million in incentives, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network. The deal is contingent on Alvarez passing a physical. Always an important...

Two years removed from cancer diagnosis, Don Werner embraces each birthday

Two years removed from cancer diagnosis, Don Werner embraces each birthday
SARASOTA, Fla. - Don Werner is celebrating his 63rd birthday today and it's unfortunate if the name brings little or no recognition to fans. He's a valued behind-the-scenes member of the Orioles organization, a roving catching instructor also known for his skills at throwing batting practice. He's a former major leaguer who's highly respected in the industry. But he's something much more important. Don Werner is a cancer survivor. I'm hanging the label on him despite his diagnosis coming...

Wrapping up a 3-0 loss

Wrapping up a 3-0 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles put two runners on base in the bottom of the ninth inning today on singles by Ryan Flaherty and Dariel Alvarez, but Paul Janish grounded into a double play to give the Twins a 3-0 victory at Ed Smith Stadium. The winless streak has reached eight games. Flaherty, who entered as a pinch-runner and played third base and second base, is 7-for-12 this spring. Ubaldo Jimenez tossed three scoreless innings to lower his ERA from 162.00 to 16.20. "Ubaldo was good, crisp,"...

Ubaldo Jimenez goes three scoreless against the Twins (O's lose 3-0)

Ubaldo Jimenez goes three scoreless against the Twins (O's lose 3-0)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Twins 3, Orioles 0 Recap: Nice recovery for Ubaldo Jimenez, who followed a poor debut with three scoreless innings. He allowed one hit, walked one and struck out three. Hunter Harvey allowed a run in 1 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out one. Andrew Triggs had a walk and strikeout in two-thirds of an inning. Mychal Givens allowed a run on two hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Cesar Cabral retired all four batters he faced, but Juan Centeno had an RBI...

Showalter on Matusz: "I think he'll rejoin us here before long"

Showalter on Matusz: "I think he'll rejoin us here before long"
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are waiting for the results of X-rays taken on reliever T.J. McFarland's left elbow. They're hopeful that he's dealing with a minor muscle issue instead of anything related to a ligament. Reliever Brian Matusz played catch yesterday and didn't report any discomfort in his lower back. "He's coming along," said manager Buck Showalter. "I think he's going to be sooner than later. I think he'll rejoin us here before long. They were talking today about how good...

Hearing from T.J. McFarland and Dylan Bundy before today's game

Hearing from T.J. McFarland and Dylan Bundy before today's game
SARASOTA, Fla. - T.J. McFarland sounded confident this morning that X-rays taken later today on his left elbow won't reveal a serious injury. The Orioles reliever came out of yesterday's game against the Red Sox after 1 1/3 innings due to discomfort in the elbow. He was charged with two runs and four hits, and he walked two batters. "Until I really know anything, I can't really comment on what's going on. So, I'm leaving today and getting an X-ray. We'll see," he said. "I haven't felt...

Orioles lineup vs. Twins (with McFarland update)

Orioles lineup vs. Twins (with McFarland update)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Trumbo is playing first base today and Chris Davis is serving as the designated hitter for todays' game against the Twins. Henry Urrutia is in right field. For the Orioles Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis DH Mark Trumbo 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Hyun Soo Kim LF Jonathan Schoop 2B Henry Urrutia RF Ubaldo Jimenez RHP Reliever T.J. McFarland will have his left elbow X-rayed this morning after experiencing discomfort in yesterday's game against the Red...

Today's health checklist and notes on Bundy, Flaherty and the outfield

Today's health checklist and notes on Bundy, Flaherty and the outfield
SARASOTA, Fla. - While planning my day leading up to a 1:05 p.m. home game against the Twins, I've made notations about checking on T.J. McFarland's left elbow and Ozzie Martinez's head. The Orioles aren't expected to know more about Jimmy Paredes' left wrist until Wednesday, but I can't ignore it. It's doubtful that anything has changed with Brian Matusz's strained serratus muscle in his lower back, but I can't ignore it. Chris Tillman will throw live batting practice today. He's no...