orioles

Updating some injured minor league pitchers

February 28, 2012, 6:11pm

Orioles

Updating some injured minor league pitchers

With as many farm teams and players that there are in the Orioles organization, there will always be some injured minor league players to try and keep track of. Here is a partial list of some pitchers that spent some time injured last year and how they are doing now. I'll update more from the minor leagues as opening day gets closer: * Right-hander Clay Schrader didn't pitch after July 25 last season due to a right elbow flexor mass strain. But he has already reported to minor league camp...

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Bundy impresses in live batting practice

February 29, 2012, 7:26am

Orioles

Bundy impresses in live batting practice

SARASOTA, Fla. - The highlight of a slow day this afternoon came when first-round pick Dylan Bundy threw his first live batting practice session behind a protective screen and with hitters given the green light to swing away. They weren't just tracking pitches here. Chris Davis joked about getting into a low crouch - he almost was scraping the ground - before taking the first cuts against Bundy. Davis swung and missed, barely got a piece of another ball on a foul tip, let two go past him -...

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Can Nick Markakis regain his 100-RBI form?

February 29, 2012, 6:50pm

Orioles

Can Nick Markakis regain his 100-RBI form?

When discussing Nick Markakis and what he might be able to do on offense this year, many fans now seem to be of the opinion that Markakis is no longer considered a middle-of-the-order hitter. Those fans have some stats to back up that opinion. His slugging percentage has dropped every year from 2008 on, from .491 to .453 to .436 to last year's .406. His 31 doubles in 2011 is much fewer than recent seasons when he had 48, 45 and 45. His extra-base hits total has dropped the last few years,...

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Notes and quotes from Wednesday's workout

February 29, 2012, 9:41am

Orioles

Notes and quotes from Wednesday's workout

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jake Arrieta will oppose Jason Hammel in Friday's intrasquad game at Ed Smith Stadium. Other pitchers will include Kevin Gregg, Matt Lindstrom, Brian Matusz, Alfredo Simon, Dana Eveland, Darren O'Day, Pedro Strop, Zach Phillips, Brad Bergesen, Troy Patton and Miguel Socolovich. Luis Ayala and Armando Galarraga will start Saturday's intrasquad game, unless manager Buck Showalter decides to replace one of them with Wei-Yin Chen. Either way, they're scheduled to throw. Chris...

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Machado and Schoop in camp

February 29, 2012, 6:15am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's been a pretty slow morning, but I wanted to pass along that top position prospects Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop are in camp. They weren't extended invitations this spring, but the Orioles planned all along to bring them over and let them work out with the guys in major league camp. They also could play in a few games, especially the split-squad variety. Meanwhile, Robert Andino and Matt Antonelli took ground balls at second base. J.J. Hardy and Steve Tolleson took...

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The Orioles have the makings of a decent lineup

February 26, 2012, 6:54pm

Orioles

There seems to be a perception among some that the Orioles' offense is sadly lacking. Maybe when stacked up to that of Boston or New York that is true, but the Orioles had an offense that ranked around league average in the American League in 2011. Here are eight team statistical categories from last year, and the Orioles ranked near or above league average in five of them: Runs: 723 was AL avg. while O's scored 708 to rank seventh. Average: .258 was AL avg. while O's were at .257 to rank...

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Neshek brings new look to Orioles

February 28, 2012, 6:29pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I had laptop issues my first week here. Now I need a new phone. I can't wait to see what March brings. My Blackberry is on its way out. I couldn't text with half of the keys last night, it kept locking up on me and now the screen is so bright I can barely read it - probably from me smacking it as hard as I could out of frustration. Just a hunch. The clubhouse is closed to the media this morning because the Orioles have some sort of meeting. They'll take the field around...

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Banks, Showalter and more

February 28, 2012, 9:55am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - So much for another slow day. Yesterday was pretty dead, but there have been nuggets of news today. Let's start with

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Simon and Matusz to start exhibition openers

February 28, 2012, 8:47am

Orioles

Simon and Matusz to start exhibition openers

SARASOTA, Fla. - Alfredo Simon and Brian Matusz will start the split-squad exhibition openers on March 5. Simon will face the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte and Matusz will face the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium. "Somebody's got to be first," manager Buck Showalter said. "That's probably 80 percent of it." Also, pitching coach Rick Adair clarified left-hander Zach Britton's throwing schedule. Britton will throw bullpen sessions on Friday and Monday. Britton threw off flat...

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Quick Berken and Britton updates

February 28, 2012, 8:00am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Jason Berken said he left hamstring feels "a lot better" after receiving more treatment today and running on the water treadmill. Berken said he might play catch Wednesday, depending how his leg feels when he wakes up. "Every day it's getting better. Hopefully, it will be more of the same tomorrow," he said. "This is the fifth day rehabbing it and every day it's significantly better." Meanwhile, Zach Britton threw off flat ground again today. He'll take...

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Josh Banks drawing interest from Orioles (updated twice)

February 28, 2012, 5:49am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette just confirmed that former Severna Park High pitcher Josh Banks, currently a free agent, is working out at the Twin Lakes Park complex. Banks, who is here for a tryout, is represented by former major league outfielder Gary Sheffield. Yes, Sheffield is an agent, and he just rolled out of camp in a cream-colored Bentley. Banks, 29, was a second-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2003. He last pitched in the majors with the...

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Orioles sign Josh Banks

February 28, 2012, 8:09am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have signed former Severna Park High pitcher Josh Banks to a minor league contract. Banks will be assigned to the minor league complex at Twin Lakes Park, but he could come to the Ed Smith Stadium complex at a later date. Banks said the Yankees and Dodgers also were interested. More to come.

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Johnson and Johnson

February 28, 2012, 4:56am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jim Johnson threw his second bullpen session this morning, the latest progression from lower-back discomfort that no longer seems to be an issue with the Orioles' reliever. Johnson is scheduled to throw off a mound again on Friday, Sunday and March 7. He'll throw live batting practice for the first time on March 10. Yes, the Orioles are being extremely cautious with Johnson. Zach Britton (shoulder) will repeat Sunday's routine of long-tossing from 60, 90 and 120 feet,...

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Baseball's love affair with a good fastball

February 27, 2012, 6:46pm

Orioles

Baseball's love affair with a good fastball

It seems that baseball is in love with big-time fastball velocity. Scouts talk about it, pitchers want to gain more of it, fans are impressed by it and reporters are plenty happy to keep track of it. It takes more than a good fastball to succeed on that mound - we all realize that - but it seems to be the first thing discussed when debating the talents of a pitcher, pro or amateur. How hard does he throw? Does his velocity hold up into the later innings? What speed does he top out at? Is he...

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Hardy hardly worried about double play partner

February 27, 2012, 5:37pm

Orioles

Hardy hardly worried about double play partner

SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's workout begins at 10 a.m., which means clubhouse access for the media from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Players will stretch and play catch before separating for infield drills, with the regulars occupying the Camden Yards field. Up to this point, Robert Andino has been taking ground balls at second with the projected starters while Brian Roberts heads back indoors to swing off a tee and lift weights. J.J. Hardy will need to get comfortable with all of the second base...

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A few notes from Monday's workout

February 27, 2012, 9:16am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The weather here is insane today. The sun was shining when I walked off the back fields, but it started pouring while the media met with manager Buck Showalter. We could hear the rain pounding the roof. I returned to my laptop, and the rain had just about stopped. Maybe a few drops were falling. A minute later, the sky opened up again and players were getting drenched as they ran to their cars. There are patches of blue sky, but one huge black cloud must be hovering over the...

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Nick Johnson: "For me, it comes down to health"

February 26, 2012, 5:59pm

Orioles

Nick Johnson: "For me, it comes down to health"

SARASOTA, Fla. - How do you know when you've had too many surgeries? First baseman

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A few injury updates

February 27, 2012, 5:22am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I didn't bother approaching Tsuyoshi Wada's locker this morning, since that cortisone injection in his left elbow needs another day or two to take effect. His status hasn't changed. He'll receive treatment and avoid picking up a ball. Zach Britton will have a light catch day from 60-70 feet. Tomorrow, he'll repeat Sunday's routine of long-tossing from 60, 90 and 120 feet and simulating his delivery on flat ground. Britton still doesn't know when he'll be cleared to...

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Wada talks about his elbow

February 26, 2012, 10:23am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada mostly downplayed the condition of his left elbow, saying, "This is something that's not even on a level I would consider reporting in Japan." "It's a discomfort that I feel about every year and I just thought I would say something about it right off the top," Wada said through interpreter Danny MacLeith. "It comes about this time every year. Usually, I have no problem if I take two or three days off and then play catch." Wada felt the...

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More notes from Sunday's workout

February 26, 2012, 9:24am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Here are a few more items from today's workout. Later, I'll post comments from pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada, who's meeting with reporters at 2:30 p.m. Double-A Bowie catcher