Steve Melewski

The last game that doesn't count: O's and Tides meet today

March 25, 2018, 5:03pm

Orioles

The last game that doesn't count: O's and Tides meet today

NORFOLK, Va. - With a 25-man roster that is pretty much finalized, barring a last-minute injury or acquisition, the Orioles are set to play one more game that doesn't count today. Then it's back to Baltimore to open the 2018 season on Thursday against Minnesota. This afternoon, the Orioles play the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, their top minor league affiliate, in an exhibition game to wrap up a run of spring games that started Feb. 23 when Tampa Bay beat the Orioles 6-3. The Orioles' season...

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After long road back, Branden Kline again is chasing his big league dream

March 24, 2018, 3:37pm

Orioles

After long road back, Branden Kline again is chasing his big league dream

For Orioles pitching prospect Branden Kline, the long road back from Tommy John surgery was even longer than expected. Kline's last game for an O's affiliate was with Double-A Bowie on May 20, 2015. He left a start at Trenton after just 1 2/3 innings. It later led to surgery on Oct. 8, 2015. When Kline reported to spring training in 2017, he expected to pitch a full and healthy season on the farm. But that didn't happen. He had two setbacks, both very similar. He had two additional...

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MLB Network talks about the Orioles

March 23, 2018, 7:27pm

Orioles

MLB Network hosts and analysts spent some time this week at the Orioles' spring training home in Sarasota. And last night, the network aired a "30 Clubs in 30 Days" show on the Orioles. They threw the team some props for the upgraded rotation, spent a lot of time talking about Manny Machado's move to shortstop and interviewed several players. No one is ready to say the Orioles can beat the Yankees or Red Sox, but the additions of Andrew Cashner and Alex Cobb in the last few weeks improved...

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Bundy and Gausman no longer need to carry O's rotation

March 22, 2018, 6:00pm

Orioles

Bundy and Gausman no longer need to carry O's rotation

No doubt the entire Orioles roster will benefit from having right-handers Alex Cobb and Andrew Cashner in the rotation this season. They combined to make 57 starts and throw 346 innings in the 2017 season. At 3.40, Cashner finished ninth in the American League in ERA last season and Cobb was 11th at 3.66. Both have been good against the AL East. Cashner has made just eight career starts versus the other four division teams, but is 3-2 with a 2.82 ERA. Cobb has made 36 career starts against the...

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After 2017 injuries, Cody Sedlock comes back stronger, determined

March 21, 2018, 5:39pm

Orioles

After 2017 injuries, Cody Sedlock comes back stronger, determined

For 22-year-old right-hander Cody Sedlock, the 2018 season provides a chance to show he's healthy and a chance to get back to pitching well again. Taken by the Orioles with their top selection - the No. 27 overall pick - in the First-Year Player Draft in 2016, Sedlock had a solid debut that summer. He pitched to an ERA of 3.00 at short-season Single-A Aberdeen. When the Orioles sent him to Single-A Frederick to start last season - bypassing Single-A Delmarva - big things were expected out of...

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O's get Alex Cobb and the fans may get a contender

March 20, 2018, 7:15pm

Orioles

O's get Alex Cobb and the fans may get a contender

So how much better will the Orioles be with right-handers Andrew Cashner and Alex Cobb in their 2018 rotation? They'll be joined by Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman and Chris Tillman. The best-case scenario for the team would be for Cobb and Cashner to pitch at or close to their track records, Tillman to return to pre-2017 form, and Bundy and Gausman to take steps forward. Will the Orioles go three-for-three with that wish list? If they do they might have a lot of fun this summer. Even if only part...

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O's rotation overhaul complete with expected Cobb addition

March 20, 2018, 3:12pm

Orioles

O's rotation overhaul complete with expected Cobb addition

It took a while - quite a while - but a team that last year ranked last in the majors in rotation ERA has remade its starting five for the 2018 season. The Orioles posted a rotation ERA of 5.70 last season. But tonight they are on the verge of adding free agent right-hander Alex Cobb to the earlier signing of Andrew Cashner and the re-signing of Chris Tillman. MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko reported that the Orioles are close to a four-year deal with Cobb. Yahoo Sports first reported the club...

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O's homegrown talent holds its own, plus Tillman talk

March 19, 2018, 5:08pm

Orioles

O's homegrown talent holds its own, plus Tillman talk

SARASOTA, Fla. - We'll probably overlook some players, but a partial list of Orioles drafted and developed players that showed some talent at major league spring training includes Chance Sisco, Austin Wynns, Hunter Harvey, Tanner Scott, Cedric Mullins, Ryan Mountcastle, Austin Hays and DJ Stewart. This list only includes players with little big league experience and not those from the farm already helping the big club, like Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop, Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy to name...

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Wrapping up Tillman's outing and the O's 4-2 victory

March 19, 2018, 12:53pm

Orioles

Wrapping up Tillman's outing and the O's 4-2 victory

LAKELAND, Fla. - When the first two hitters in what could be the Detroit Tigers' opening day lineup singled today, Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman was in immediate trouble. But soon he would finish a scoreless first going through the heart of the Detroit batting order. It was the start of a good day for Tillman, one that produced better radar gun readings on the scoreboard and much better results in the box score. Tillman went five innings and allowed six hits and one run in the Orioles'...

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Pregame notes from Lakeland (Tillman quotes, O's win 4-2)

March 19, 2018, 9:09am

Orioles

Pregame notes from Lakeland (Tillman quotes, O's win 4-2)

LAKELAND, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Danny Valencia was scratched from today's lineup against Detroit due to a sore calf. He's being held out as a precaution. "Danny felt some soreness in his calf. Been playing a lot. Trainers felt like it would be a good idea to give him a day and not take any chances. I think he'll be fine," the skipper said. Valencia hit a two-run homer yesterday and is 6-for-29 (.207) with three doubles, two home runs and six RBIs in 11 games after...

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Susac on his time with the Orioles and the catching competition

March 19, 2018, 7:39am

Orioles

LAKELAND, Fla. - The competition to serve as the Orioles' No. 2 catcher is now down to two after Austin Wynns was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday. It includes Chance Sisco and Andrew Susac, who was acquired by the club on Feb. 2 from the Milwaukee Brewers for a player to be named or cash considerations. Susac has played in 11 Orioles spring games, going 3-for-10 with a homer and four RBIs. He'll turn 28 on Thursday and has played parts of the last four seasons in the majors for San Francisco...

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Tim Beckham works to grasp new position, new chance with Orioles

March 18, 2018, 3:18pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles third baseman Tim Beckham has a few things to look forward to this season. The challenge of playing a new position in third base for one. For two, he has a chance to get everyday at-bats for a team for the first time through a full season. He knows playing time is not guaranteed, but Beckham looks forward to the chance to be an O's regular in 2018. "It's very exciting," Beckham said. "You know you just want to keep your eye on the prize though. Keep having fun and...

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Dylan Bundy on his start today against the Mets

March 18, 2018, 11:33am

Orioles

Dylan Bundy on his start today against the Mets

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy wanted to get some work on his curveball today. He was able to do that while getting his pitch count up in a start against the New York Mets. Bundy pitched 5 2/3 innings, his longest spring outing, and allowed five hits and five runs (four earned) with one walk and six strikeouts. He gave up one homer, threw a wild pitch and hit two batters. The last run on his record scored after he left the game. Lefty Luis Gonzalez replaced him in the sixth...

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Yacabonis makes his pitch to earn some time in the 'pen this year

March 18, 2018, 7:35am

Orioles

Yacabonis makes his pitch to earn some time in the 'pen this year

SARASOTA, Fla. - It seems there are times we don't hear his name mentioned when it comes to earning a bullpen spot for the Orioles. But maybe we should. After he had a decent September for the Orioles, 25-year-old right-hander Jimmy Yacabonis has had a solid spring training, as well. In seven games, he has allowed three runs and seven hits with five walks and six strikeouts over seven innings for an ERA of 3.86. Yacabonis allowed two runs in one inning March 3 versus the Phillies. Other than...

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Rasmus enjoys fit with the Orioles, now looks to make roster

March 17, 2018, 6:38pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Colby Rasmus signed a minor league contract with the Orioles on Feb. 21. Just over a month later, he could find himself in the starting lineup on opening day. Rasmus seems to have an excellent shot to break north with the club and possibly be the left-handed batting side of a right field platoon. For now, he's enjoying his first few weeks as an Oriole. "It's been good," he said Saturday morning in the clubhouse. "Enjoying my time so far. Been feeling good and...

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Mike Wright Jr. on his outing today versus Toronto

March 17, 2018, 11:30am

Orioles

Mike Wright Jr. on his outing today versus Toronto

SARASOTA, Fla. - Making his fifth spring appearance, Orioles right-hander Mike Wright Jr. had a pretty good outing working. That was until the bottom of the Toronto Blue Jays order got to him in the top of the fifth inning today at Ed Smith Stadium. Wright took the mound in a 1-1 game that inning, but two singles, a balk and No. 9 hitter Roemon Fields' two-run triple with one out made it 3-1. Fields went 2-for-2 against him and scored twice. A fielder's choice grounder plated a fourth run. A...

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With shoulder now sound, Austin Hays looks to earn a roster spot

March 17, 2018, 8:06am

Orioles

With shoulder now sound, Austin Hays looks to earn a roster spot

SARASOTA, Fla. - After a stellar 2017 season, one that started with him in the Carolina League and ended in the American League, Austin Hays' chance to make the Orioles opening day roster was briefly derailed this spring. The Orioles' 22-year-old outfielder dealt with a sore shoulder early in camp. An MRI showed some inflammation behind his right shoulder. Hays got a cortisone injection Feb. 28 and missed six games. He returned to the lineup as the designated hitter on March 7 and then missed...

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Machado on a few topics, Showalter on Machado and Schoop

March 17, 2018, 5:05am

Orioles

Machado on a few topics, Showalter on Machado and Schoop

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' East Coast road trip produced a win, a tie, some good starting pitching and more good hitting from shortstop Manny Machado and second baseman Jonathan Schoop. The Orioles' double play duo looks ready to start the year. Machado is batting .425/.465/.775 this spring, going 17-for-40 with three homers and 15 RBIs. He had a double in Friday's 4-4 tie in Port St. Lucie with the Mets. "You know what? I just try to be consistent," Machado said. "Try to be consistent...

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Wrapping up O's 4-4 tie with Mets

March 16, 2018, 1:02pm

Orioles

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - After each team scored twice in the ninth inning today, the New York Mets were out of pitchers, and the Orioles and Mets played to a 4-4 tie. The Orioles have not lost since March 9 and are 7-0-1 over the last eight games. They are 13-8-2 for the Grapefruit League season. Anthony Santander's two-run homer in the top of the ninth gave the O's a 4-2 lead before the Mets tied it versus right-hander James Teague in the bottom half. It was Santander's fourth spring homer. A...

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Machado on Judge's comments, playing with Schoop and more

March 16, 2018, 12:28pm

Orioles

Machado on Judge's comments, playing with Schoop and more

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - For the first time since it happened on Wednesday in Sarasota, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado today discussed the comments made to him that day by the Yankees' Aaron Judge. Judge told New York reporters that he told Machado he'd "look good in pinstripes." Major League Baseball issued a statement saying Judge's comments "were not appropriate and not authorized by the club." "I think he's a great guy," Machado said outside the Orioles clubhouse. "He's a...