orioles

Flaherty strengthens his case (Betemit homers)

March 22, 2012, 9:45am

Orioles

Flaherty strengthens his case (Betemit homers)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty drove in two more runs today, increasing the Orioles' lead to 3-1 over the Twins in the second inning and increasing his chances of making the club. Flaherty tripled to center field, scoring Wilson Betemit and Chris Davis. The Orioles almost hit for the cycle that inning, with Betemit reaching on a single and Davis following with a double. Flaherty is 9-for-33 this spring with one double, two triples, one homer and seven RBIs. Only Adam Jones...

Comments

Tags:

spring training featured_sidebar orioles ryan flaherty frontfeatured_orioles

Before first pitch ...

March 22, 2012, 9:09am

Orioles

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter got hung up in a huge traffic jam on I-75, so he wasn't available to the media before today's game against the Twins. He arrived about 15 minutes before the anthem. I had the same issue, but I left the complex earlier and made it with room to spare. A typical Florida accident, where the car looks like a crushed aluminum can. They're called "fender benders" down here. People barely notice, except when traffic is backed up for miles and everyone...

Comments

Tags:

spring training frontfeatured_orioles orioles

Orioles lineup vs. Twins (updated)

March 22, 2012, 4:27am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I'm making another trip to Fort Myers today because I can't get enough of the Twins. Unfortunately, I'm referring to the baseball team. Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen makes another start for the Orioles. He's allowed four runs and nine hits, with two walks and eight strikeouts, in 10 Grapefruit League innings. Robert Andino makes a start at shortstop. For the Orioles: Xavier Avery CF Robert Andino SS Nick Johnson DH Nolan Reimold LF Wilson Betemit 3B Chris Davis 1B Ronny...

Comments

Tags:

spring training orioles

Orioles trim spring roster by four

March 21, 2012, 1:20pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have reassigned right-handed pitchers Willie Eyre, Jon Link, Miguel Socolovich and Oscar Villareal to minor league camp, bringing their spring roster to 43 players.

Comments

Tags:

Orioles News Release orioles

Roberts more encouraged with each passing day

March 21, 2012, 8:35am

Orioles

Roberts more encouraged with each passing day

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's been a busy day here in camp, and it doesn't figure to quiet down. The Orioles might make cuts before or after today's game. Stay tuned. Also, we're assuming that Dontrelle Willis threw a bullpen session, but he was doing stretching exercises by the time reporters reached the back fields. Manager Buck Showalter hopped in a golf cart and attempted to get over there in time, but he might have been too late. Pitching coach Rick Adair was on the scene. "He's had some...

Comments

Tags:

spring training brian roberts featured_sidebar frontfeatured_orioles orioles frontstory_orioles3

Hunter on Hunter (O's lose 6-3)

March 21, 2012, 11:24am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitcher Tommy Hunter says he still has a few things to work on before the Orioles break camp. "Maybe throwing strikes, starting off hitters with strikes," he said. "That's probably the first goal." The guy has a great sense of humor. Hunter was making his first appearance in a Grapefruit League game after throwing four innings in a minor league game. He allowed two runs and five hits over five innings. "Back to the big leagues," he said. "I was joking around about...

Comments

Tags:

spring training frontfeatured_orioles orioles tommy hunter frontstory_orioles1

Britton shut down 7-10 days, Socolovich and Eyre reassigned

March 21, 2012, 12:22pm

Orioles

Britton shut down 7-10 days, Socolovich and Eyre reassigned

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitcher Zach Britton will be shut down seven to 10 days after receiving an injection in his left shoulder to reduce the inflammation. The good news is Dr. James Andrews didn't find any structural damage in Britton's shoulder, so his diagnosis matches the one coming from the Orioles. But as expected, Britton won't be ready for opening day and figures to begin the season on the disabled list. Britton received a Platelet Rich Plasma injection, which contains several different...

Comments

Tags:

spring training featured_sidebar frontfeatured_orioles miguel socolovich orioles willie eyre zach britton

Talking cleanup hitters and minor league shortstops (Duquette quote added)

March 20, 2012, 6:45pm

Orioles

Talking cleanup hitters and minor league shortstops (Duquette quote added)

Here is an obvious statement: The Orioles need more production out of the No. 4 spot in their batting order this year. The Orioles got 65 RBIs out of that batting order position last year to rank dead last in the American League. By comparison, the Yankees and Red Sox rated first and second in the AL in four-hole RBIs with 118 and 116, respectively. We all know the Orioles don't have a legit cleanup batter on the team or that feared slugger that many fans ask about. This could be a season...

Comments

Tags:

orioles steve melewski adam jones frontstory_orioles2 jonathan schoop manny machado

Duquette on Dontrelle Willis and the catching situation

March 21, 2012, 8:17am

Orioles

Duquette on Dontrelle Willis and the catching situation

SARASOTA, Fla. - Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed today new pitcher Dontrelle Willis will make the transition to left-handed specialist, and will likely have to begin the season in the minors. Willis held left-handers to a .127 average with the Reds last season. "The idea is to see if he can be a lockdown left-handed reliever against left-handed hitters," Duquette said. "Our interest in that project is lefties hit .127 off him last year, and three of the last four years...

Comments

Tags:

spring training dan duquette dontrelle willis featured_sidebar frontfeatured_orioles orioles frontstory_orioles3

Hunter solid in Grapefruit League debut (Jones homers)

March 21, 2012, 10:43am

Orioles

Hunter solid in Grapefruit League debut (Jones homers)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Making his first appearance in a major league exhibition game, right-hander Tommy Hunter allowed two runs and five hits in five innings, with two walks and two strikeouts. The Orioles and Blue Jays are tied, 2-2, going to the top of the sixth. Hunter threw 74 pitches, 44 for strikes. His fastball was mainly 89-91 mph. It isn't always pretty with Hunter, but manager Buck Showalter likes how he grinds through a start and gives his team a chance to win. The Blue Jays put at...

Comments

Tags:

spring training adam jones frontfeatured_orioles orioles tommy hunter

Teagarden knows he's "running out of days" to make opening day roster

March 21, 2012, 5:47am

Orioles

Teagarden knows he's "running out of days" to make opening day roster

SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Taylor Teagarden still hasn't been cleared to start baseball-related activities after receiving an epidural on March 14 to alleviate the pain in his lower back. Teagarden said he hasn't been given a timetable. "Everything depends on how I respond," he said. "The doctor told me it could be two weeks longer or it could be two weeks shorter. It all depends on how I'm responding. "There's no need to rush anything when you're dealing with a back injury. We're...

Comments

Tags:

spring training featured_sidebar frontfeatured_orioles orioles taylor teagarden frontstory_orioles3

Dontrelle Willis is in the house

March 21, 2012, 4:58am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - There's a new pitcher sitting in catchers row, and he's trying to adapt to a new team and a new role. Dontrelle Willis said he arrived here about three hours ago, already passed his physical and is ready to start working out. The Orioles signed him to a minor league contract five days after the Phillies released him and will continue his conversion to relief pitcher. "The opportunity was definitely good and I've played with a bunch of these guys and against these guys, so...

Comments

Tags:

spring training dontrelle willis frontfeatured_orioles orioles frontstory_orioles3

Orioles sign left-handed pitcher Dontrelle Willis to minor league contract

March 21, 2012, 7:23am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have signed left-handed pitcher Dontrelle Willis to a minor league contract and invited him to major league camp. Willis will report to the Orioles' spring training complex at Ed Smith Stadium today. Willis, 30, was a two-time All-Star and won 22 games in 2005 as a member of the Florida Marlins, finishing second in National League Cy Young Award voting. He was also named NL Rookie of the Year in 2003, winning 14 games and posting a 3.30 ERA in his first...

Comments

Tags:

Orioles News Release orioles

Orioles announce Military Appreciation Day details

March 21, 2012, 7:06am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they will celebrate Military Appreciation Day, presented by Budweiser, this Saturday, March 24 for the 1:05 p.m. game against the Washington Nationals at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. All active, retired or reserve military members, as well as Department of Defense employees, can receive $3 off any lower box, reserved grandstand or left field pavilion ticket at the Ed Smith Stadium box office with proper ID. In addition, the first 2,000 fans age 21 and over...

Comments

Tags:

Orioles News Release orioles

Orioles lineup vs. Jays (Willis is here)

March 21, 2012, 4:18am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tommy Hunter is making his first start today in a Grapefruit League game. Also, Adam Jones is batting fourth again today. Should we read anything into it? For the Orioles: Endy Chavez RF J.J. Hardy SS Wilson Betemit 1B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Nolan Reimold LF Chris Davis DH Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP Dontrelle Willis arrived here three hours ago and already took his physical. He'll wear No. 25. Willis confirmed that he'll be used as a...

Comments

Tags:

spring training frontstory_orioles3 orioles

Showalter speaks after 4-1 loss

March 20, 2012, 1:50pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter addressed two of the most important postgame topics today: Pitcher Brian Matusz and right fielder Nick Markakis. Showalter noted that Matusz wasn't "as crisp as he was in the two previous outings." "Obviously, the wind helped him a little bit on the one ball, so there's two sides of that," Showalter said. Showalter was impressed with the way Matusz handled adversity today, including the seven hits he allowed in five innings and a ball that hit...

Comments

Tags:

spring training brian matusz buck showalter featured_sidebar frontfeatured_orioles nick markakis orioles frontstory_orioles1

Teagarden hit by liner, Markakis talks about right field debut

March 20, 2012, 12:22pm

Orioles

Teagarden hit by liner, Markakis talks about right field debut

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Phillies scored one run each off relievers Jim Johnson, Willie Eyre and Zach Phillips over the last three innings to defeat the Orioles, 4-1, before a sellout crowd of 7,811 at Ed Smith Stadium. Adam Jones had two of the Orioles' four hits. Backup catcher Taylor Teagarden, still shut down by discomfort in his lower back, was hit on the back of the left hand by a Ty Wigginton line drive while standing at the dugout railing. X-rays were negative. Teagarden might want to...

Comments

Tags:

spring training featured_sidebar frontfeatured_orioles nick markakis orioles taylor teagarden frontstory_orioles3

Matusz on Matusz

March 20, 2012, 11:15am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Phillies scored once off Willie Eyre in the eighth, and Erik Kratz homered off Zach Phillips in the ninth to increase their lead to 4-1. So how did Brian Matusz rate today's performance, when he allowed one run and seven hits, with one walk and three strikeouts, over five innings? "Good," he said. "Being able to go as deep as I could, getting a lot of ground balls, double plays. Defense played great today. J.J. (Hardy) and (Robert) Andino up the middle are phenomenal,...

Comments

Tags:

spring training brian matusz featured_sidebar frontfeatured_orioles orioles frontstory_orioles3

Sarasota County tourism receives boost from partnership with O's

March 20, 2012, 1:00pm

Orioles

Sarasota County tourism receives boost from partnership with O's

Sarasota, Florida - The Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB) has seen a significant increase in requests for destination information and visitation from the Mid-Atlantic region, largely due to the continued relationship between Sarasota County and the Baltimore Orioles. Over the last three years, inquiries from the Mid-Atlantic region grew 2.2 percent in 2009, 6.4 percent in 2010, and 7.3 percent for 2011 during the January through March time period. The visitor intercept statistics...

Comments

Tags:

Orioles News Release orioles

Orioles pitching injuries: Is there any end in sight?

March 19, 2012, 6:10pm

Orioles

Maybe this is what Andy MacPhail meant when he said, "Pitching is fragile." Orioles pitchers are eliminating themselves from the pitching competition due to various ailments and injuries - Zach Britton is the latest - and another Orioles pitching staff is getting smaller by attrition. Buck Showalter said opening day jobs on last year's staff went to the "last man standing." This year they may go to the last man able to pitch without injury. These various camp ailments once again must be...