orioles

Pregame Showalter

April 01, 2012, 6:33am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' batting practice session is closed to the media this morning. They're hitting on the back fields and reviewing their signs. Maybe they're implementing a secret play. Tommy Hunter, Chris Tillman and Alfredo Simon also are pitching in minor league games today at Twin Lakes Park, for those of you scoring at home. Hunter is throwing six innings, Tillman five and Simon three. Simon is still in camp despite being placed on waivers. Infielder Zelous Wheeler, signed...

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Orioles lineup vs. Rays

April 01, 2012, 5:23am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen makes his final exhibition start today. He hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game since holding the Twins to one run over five innings March 22. Most recently, he allowed four runs (three earned) and six hits while facing 26 batters in a minor league game at Twin Lakes Park. James Shields is scheduled to start for the Rays. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Nick Johnson DH Mark Reynolds 3B Chris...

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Comments from Arrieta and Miller, Ward facing suspension (Baker homers)

March 31, 2012, 11:46am

Orioles

BRADENTON, Fla. - The downpour has ended, the sun is shining and the tarp is off the field. Yes, we're in Florida. This game will resume in the top of the seventh inning with the Pirates leading the Orioles, 6-5. Jake Arrieta said he felt good out of the stretch and in his windup today. It's the final line that looks pretty bad. Arrieta allowed six runs and eight hits in five innings. He threw 82 pitches, 55 for strikes. "Stuff was pretty good," he said. "Two real bad changeups were...

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Jim Johnson with scoreless inning (game ends 6-6)

March 31, 2012, 12:31pm

Orioles

Jim Johnson with scoreless inning (game ends 6-6)

BRADENTON, Fla. - Jim Johnson made back-to-back appearances for the first time this spring, and the results today were much better. Johnson struck out a batter for the second out of the eighth inning, issued a walk and induced his second ground ball of the day. He threw 19 pitches, 10 for strikes. Walks continue to be an issue for Johnson, though he might have gotten squeezed on a slider. He's walked six batters in eight innings. Johnson's fastball topped out at 95 mph. Update: The...

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Tillman optioned to Triple-A Norfolk

March 31, 2012, 7:15am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have optioned pitcher Chris Tillman to Triple-A Norfolk, removing him from the remaining camp competitions. Tillman, who will pitch Sunday in a minor league game at Twin Lakes Park, allowed five runs (four earned) and 12 hits in 12 1/3 innings, with three walks and six strikeouts. In his last appearance, he allowed one run and three hits in three innings Tuesday against the Twins. This is Tillman's final option. He'd have to pass through waivers before being...

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Paulino and Miller go back-to-back in support of Arrieta (O's down 6-5)

March 31, 2012, 10:11am

Orioles

Paulino and Miller go back-to-back in support of Arrieta (O's down 6-5)

BRADENTON, Fla. - Jake Arrieta was pretty much cruising along until Alex Presley stepped to the plate with one out in the third inning. Presley homered to right-center field, giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead at McKechnie Field. Arrieta walked the next batter, Nate McLouth, before getting a force at second base and a fly ball to left. Arrieta has allowed one run and three hits, walked one and struck out three in three innings. He's thrown 43 pitches, 30 for strikes. He threw 12 of his 14...

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In the case of the caps, the Hall makes the call

March 31, 2012, 7:41am

Orioles

In the case of the caps, the Hall makes the call

Well, there certainly was a lot of discussion this week about Mike Mussina's election to the Orioles Hall of Fame. Mussina played 18 seasons, 10 with the Orioles and eight with the Yankees. So the question has come up: If he gets elected to the Hall of Fame, would Mussina go into Cooperstown as an Oriole or a Yankee? First of all, he has to make it and I think he has a very good chance. Mussina's last season was 2008 and a player must be out of the game for five years before his name is...

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Hoffmann signs minor league deal

March 31, 2012, 6:13am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have signed outfielder Jamie Hoffmann to a minor league deal, and he'll stay with the team through the end of spring training before heading back to Twin Lakes Park. The Rockies designated Hoffmann for assignment this spring. He became a free agent and signed with the Orioles yesterday. "I was looking for teams for about a week and then decided to sign here," he said. "It's a great spot and a good opportunity and I'm excited to be in camp. "I've been...

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Orioles option right-hander Chris Tillman to Triple-A Norfolk

March 31, 2012, 7:33am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have optioned right-handed pitcher Chris Tillman to Triple-A Norfolk, bringing their spring roster to 33 players. Tillman posted a 2.92 ERA (12.1IP, 4ER) in five games (one start) for the Orioles this spring.

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Orioles lineup vs. Pirates

March 31, 2012, 5:09am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jake Arrieta makes his final spring start today against a Pirates split squad in the Orioles' final road game. Seems like a good time for manager Buck Showalter to confirm that Arrieta will be the opening day starter. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez CF Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Johnson DH Wilson Betemit 3B Chris Davis 1B Ronny Paulino C Jai Miller RF Robert Andino 2B Jake Arrieta RHP Jim Johnson will pitch again today. He threw 24 pitches yesterday but still will...

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Showalter speaks after 6-4 loss

March 30, 2012, 1:02pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Every kid in Detroit will wake up tomorrow wanting to be Tony Plagman. Plagman didn't start today, but he was a strong finisher. He tied the game in the seventh inning with a home run off Luis Ayala and won it for the Tigers in the ninth with a two-out, two-run triple off Jim Johnson. Baseball America rates Plagman as the fourth-ranked first baseman in the Tigers' organization. Johnson walked two more batters today, giving him five in seven innings. He's 0-3 with a 7.71...

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Matusz on Matusz (O's lose 6-4)

March 30, 2012, 11:42am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tony Plagman hit a game-tying home run off reliever Luis Ayala in the top of the seventh inning while I was walking to the clubhouse to interview Brian Matusz. Orioles 4, Tigers 4. The Orioles still have a shot at their record-setting sixth exhibition tie of 2012. Matusz settled down after a three-run first inning to blank the Tigers through the fifth and retire the last nine batters he faced. "Just came out of the gates amped up with a lot of energy," Matusz said. "The...

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Showalter won't confirm opening day starter

March 30, 2012, 9:00am

Orioles

Showalter won't confirm opening day starter

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter knew it was a slow news day for the reporters in camp, but he wouldn't throw us a bone and confirm his opening day starter. Is it still being decided? "In my mind, no, but there are some variables that may play into it and are still developing," he replied. "There are some things that Dan (Duquette) and I talk about every day that could change the way we look at it." Could one variable be a starter acquired from outside the...

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Matusz navigates through early trouble (updated twice)

March 30, 2012, 10:32am

Orioles

Matusz navigates through early trouble (updated twice)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The first four Tigers reached base against Brian Matusz in the top of the first inning today, and the Orioles' left-hander didn't get back into the dugout until he had surrendered three runs and thrown 32 pitches. Matusz's pitch count rose to 52 after the second inning and 71 after the third, but the Tigers didn't score again. He threw only five pitches, all strikes in the fourth. Another positive note: Matusz's fastball reached 93 mph in the third inning. He hit 92 mph...

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Teagarden talks about his back and possible return date

March 30, 2012, 8:09am

Orioles

Teagarden talks about his back and possible return date

SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Taylor Teagarden will be eligible to come off the disabled list on April 10, but he conceded today that it's a "best-case scenario" and he might need an extra week. Teagarden said he no longer is experiencing the same level of discomfort in his lower back, but there's a lingering sensation that a second epidural on Wednesday should alleviate. "I want to come back feeling good," he said. "I'm planning on my back feeling well in the next couple of weeks and the...

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Maybe this 'pen will be mightier

March 29, 2012, 6:07pm

Orioles

If you think there has been spring training competition for starting rotation spots for the Orioles, well, that is not the only pitching competition that has been taking place in ballparks throughout Florida the last few weeks. The Orioles likely have seven spots for their bullpen and probably, right now, 10 to 11 solid candidates for those spots. Barring a trade, which quite possibly could be coming, here is my plan to keep all 11 players in the organization with opening day...

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Jim Johnson addresses loaded questions about the radar guns

March 29, 2012, 4:28pm

Orioles

Jim Johnson addresses loaded questions about the radar guns

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jim Johnson knew what was coming. I approached his locker yesterday and asked about his spring training and whether he's where he needs to be with opening day almost here. "I'm pretty much where I need to be," he replied. "I'm looking forward to (today) because this is the first part of the back-to-back. I've thrown, day off, thrown, day off, so I've been on a real heavy workload, which is what I'm used to. Gets me ready for the season. "For the most part, I think...

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Teagarden headed to DL, and other notes

March 30, 2012, 7:40am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will place catcher Taylor Teagarden on the disabled list before breaking camp, giving the backup job to Ronny Paulino. The move will be backdated so he can be eligible to return on April 10, and manager Buck Showalter said it's possible that Teagarden will be ready. Teagarden will receive a second epidural on his lower back at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Showalter still won't confirm that Jake Arrieta is the opening day starter. It's just a matter of time. Showalter...

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Pregame interviews with Duquette and Showalter

March 29, 2012, 2:43pm

Orioles

Pregame interviews with Duquette and Showalter

TAMPA, Fla. - Executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter arrived at George M. Steinbrenner Field during the Orioles' batting practice session, which included one ball launched by Mark Reynolds that slammed halfway up the scoreboard in left-center field. Duquette said he's had trade discussions with "a lot of teams." Asked if anything is close, he replied, "Not really. Not really." "It's an active market this time of the year," he said. But nothing's...

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Hammel on Hammel (O's take the lead)

March 29, 2012, 5:30pm

Orioles

TAMPA, Fla. - If Jason Hammel's goal was to build his pitch count, he did it tonight. Hammel threw 89 pitches, 59 for strikes, in 5 1/3 innings and left with the Orioles leading, 3-1. He was charged with a second run after Troy Patton entered the game in relief. "I felt good. Real good," Hammel said. "Pretty much everything I was working on, I was pretty happy with, and the results were good." Hammel went to a full count against the first two batters in the sixth, striking out Alex...