Showalter on a variety of topics

Showalter on a variety of topics
SARASOTA, Fla. - Pat Egan, claimed by the Brewers in the Rule 5 draft and returned to the Orioles today, will work out here and possibly pitch in a game. However, he's not part of the official camp roster and eventually will be sent to Triple-A Norfolk. Egan doesn't have to be included on the 40-man roster. "He'll be here in a day or two," manager Buck Showalter said. "He's going to be available to pitch. He's going to have a locker and a uniform and he'll be a just-in-case type...

Rosario expected to be cut, Bell speaks

Rosario expected to be cut, Bell speaks
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 pick Adrian Rosario is expected to be included in today's cuts. He'll be placed on waivers, and another team can put in a claim and attempt to keep him on the major league roster. If Rosario clears as expected, the Orioles must offer him back to the Brewers for $25,000 or work out a trade. Rosario has a live arm, but he's raw. He allowed two runs and three hits, walked three batters and struck out one in two innings. Rosario's lone decision came in a loss to the...

Rosario, Egan trade places, Duchscherer pushed to April 21

Rosario, Egan trade places, Duchscherer pushed to April 21
SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter just buried reporters with news during batting practice. It won't all fit into the headline on this blog entry. Rule 5 pick Adrian Rosario cleared waivers and returned to the Brewers. Pat Egan cleared waivers and returned to the Orioles. Egan worked 6 1/3 scoreless innings and recorded two saves this spring. Justin Duchscherer is projected to make his debut on April 21, which requires a stop on the disabled list. The Orioles will begin the season...

Britton on Britton

Britton on Britton
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jason Berken threw two scoreless, hitless innings after replacing Zach Britton. That's three scoreless outings in his last four. He allowed two runs in three innings to the Twins in his most recent appearance before today. Michael Gonzalez gave up a run on a hit and walk in the eighth. He also struck out two. Matt Wieters has singled and twice flied out to the fence. Derrek Lee is 0-for-2 with a grounder and pop up. Here are some comments from Zach Britton: "I got into a...

I'll bet O's fans approve of Showalter's comments

I'll bet O's fans approve of Showalter's comments
As if Buck Showalter hasn't already done enough to get Orioles fans energized and excited for the new season, now there is this: Although, the headline on ESPN.com may be a bit misleading. Showalter didn't exactly "rip" Derek Jeter. "The first time we went to Yankee Stadium, I screamed at Derek Jeter from the dugout. Our guys are thinking, 'Wow, he's screaming at Derek Jeter.' Well, he's always jumping back from balls just off the plate. I know how many calls that team gets - and...

Bell cut; O's lineup vs. Pirates for Thursday (updated)

Bell cut; O's lineup vs. Pirates for Thursday (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Josh Bell is included in today's cuts. He's been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk and told he'll play third base every day. Left-hander Zach Britton hasn't been called into the manager's office and is expected to make another start here. Here's the Orioles' lineup for tonight's 7:05 p.m. game against Pittsburgh: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Felix Pie CF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C J.J.Hardy SS Jake Arrieta...

Camden Yards to host championship of inaugural President's Cup tournament

Camden Yards to host championship of inaugural President's Cup tournament
Come Saturday April 16, Oriole Park at Camden Yards will play host to an intense, pressure-packed game with plenty on the line. Nope, the Yankees aren't in town to face the O's that weekend, and the Red Sox won't be setting up shop in the visitor's clubhouse, either. The players taking the field at Camden Yards that day will be members of two Baltimore city high schools, and they'll be duking it out for the championship of the inaugural President's Cup. This morning, flanked by...

Roster cuts coming today

Roster cuts coming today
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will play their second consecutive night game, but they won't do any traveling. The Pirates are coming to Sarasota. I made it back to my hotel from Fort Myers around midnight, so I had no problem staying in bed a little longer this morning. Jake Arrieta will start for the Orioles. He's allowed six runs and 12 hits, with two walks and eight strikeouts, in his last two outings covering 8 1/3 innings. He's posted a 5.40 ERA in 13 1/3 innings this spring, allowing...

Matusz finds silver lining in bullpen (with two notes)

Matusz finds silver lining in bullpen (with two notes)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - It wasn't until left-hander Brian Matusz returned to the bullpen to continue throwing that he salvaged part of his night. Matusz recorded only four outs and allowed four runs and four hits, with three walks and no strikeouts. He threw 56 pitches, but the most important ones came afterward. That's when Matusz says he found the rhythm that abandoned him while the Twins were teeing off and home plate kept moving on him. "From the get-go, warming up, I couldn't find my...

Machado debuts in 5-2 loss

Machado debuts in 5-2 loss
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The ninth inning took on special meaning tonight because shortstop Manny Machado stepped to the plate against Twins reliever Chuck James. Of course, it happened while reporters were racing down from the press box to the seats beside the Orioles' dugout. Machado grounded to short in the Orioles' 5-2 loss at Hammond Stadium. Nervous? "No, not really," he said. "I was just a little too patient." Machado, the third overall pick in last June's draft, didn't know he...

Showalter speaks

Showalter speaks
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Since manager Buck Showalter is all about finding nuggets, I wanted to pass along a few from today's pre-game media session. On Brian Roberts making the trip: "We were going to wait until after (yesterday's) game was over. Robby and I talked about 6 o'clock last night at the stadium. He wanted to get some right-handed at-bats, Obviously, (Francisco) Liriano presents that. It was probably more his idea than mine. I think it's a great idea." On the number of cuts that...

Matusz makes early exit, Jones homers

Matusz  makes early exit, Jones homers
FORT MYERS, Fla. - It was hardly worth the drive over here. Left-hander Brian Matusz recorded only four outs tonight and was charged with four runs and five hits, with three walks and no strikeouts. The Twins lead, 4-1, in the third inning. Manager Buck Showalter summoned left-hander Alberto Castillo after Joe Mauer's two-run single, which came on Matusz's 56th pitch. The ball slammed off the left-center field fence, but Tsuyoshi Nishioka inexplicably stopped at second base. Matusz went to...
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Long first inning for Matusz

Long first inning for Matusz
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Good thing the Orioles relaxed their facial-hair policy, or half the team would be in violation right now. The Twins forced Brian Matusz to throw 34 pitches in the first inning, 18 for strikes. Matusz had four full counts, walked two batters, gave up a hit and fell behind, 1-0. Denard Span walked and stole second base without a throw. Tsuyoshi Nishioka laid down a sacrifice bunt, and Span scored on Joe Mauer's sharp grounder down the third base line. Mark Reynolds made a...
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Quick updates

Quick updates
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Justin Duchscherer threw the first part of today's bullpen session on a half mound and the rest on a full mound. Manager Buck Showalter said Duchscherer felt "really good," and the club will have a more definite plan for him tomorrow. Koji Uehara will pitch in a Triple-A game on Friday. Showalter still believes that Uehara will be ready for the April 1 opener against the Rays. Brendan Harris will be sidelined one or two more days after having a mole removed from his...
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Cleaning out my notebook

Cleaning out my notebook
SARASOTA, Fla. - Here's a shocker: The Orioles are playing another night game on the road. Even more startling, we're headed back to Fort Myers to watch the Twins - twice, including Friday afternoon, if you're keeping score at home. The clubhouse opens to the media today at 1 p.m. The team bus leaves Sarasota at 2:15 p.m. Left-hander Brian Matusz and relievers David Riske, Clay Rapada and Jim Johnson are scheduled to pitch. The Orioles will take another look at Twins left-hander...

Roberts and Lee in lineup (and Twins lineup)

Roberts and Lee in lineup (and Twins lineup)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter told reporters yesterday that Brian Roberts wasn't making the trip to Fort Myers for tonight's game against the Twins, but the second baseman is in the lineup. He'll join Derrek Lee, who's starting at first base. Also, no cuts will be announced today. We'll most likely receive them tomorrow. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Adam Jones CF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Jake Fox LF Mark Reynolds 3B Nolan Reimold RF Craig Tatum C Cesar Izturis...

Gregg tweaks mechanics again, Machado here

Gregg tweaks mechanics again, Machado here
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Kevin Gregg stayed back in camp today after pitching yesterday in a minor league game at Twin Lakes Park. Gregg faced five batters yesterday, allowing two hits, striking out two and hitting a batter. He threw 23 pitches, 16 for strikes. Gregg made an adjustment in his mechanics earlier in camp, leaning forward as he delivered the ball rather than staying back. He wasn't happy with the results - he gave up eight earned runs (nine total) in two appearances over 1 1/3 innings...

Orioles Reach to present check for $26,000 to Miracle League of Manasota tomorrow

Orioles Reach to present check for $26,000 to Miracle League of Manasota tomorrow
In an on-field ceremony prior to tomorrow's 7:05 p.m. game against the Minnesota Twins, the Orioles will present a check for $26,000 to representatives from the Miracle League of Manasota, an organization dedicated to providing an opportunity to play baseball for everyone, regardless of their ability. The money was raised through the club's OriolesREACH Birdland Golf Classic, held February 17 at The Founders Club in Sarasota. Orioles reliever and Sarasota resident Jim Johnson, President of...

Orioles and Delaware North Sportservice adding more local tastes to Oriole Park at Camden Yards food lineup

Orioles and Delaware North Sportservice adding more local tastes to Oriole Park at Camden Yards food lineup
The Baltimore Orioles and new food, beverage and retail partner Delaware North Companies Sportservice today unveiled several new menu items that will be available in general concessions this season at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Sportservice chefs previewed the new items, including many celebrating the tastes of Baltimore, at a tasting held for regional media members in the B&O Warehouse at the ballpark. The new items were developed after Sportservice executives and chefs visited dozens of...

MASN hosts Orioles chat at Hightopps tonight, 6-8 p.m.

MASN hosts Orioles chat at Hightopps tonight, 6-8 p.m.
The Grapefruit League is hitting its home stretch and there are still plenty of Orioles-centric topics trending in Baltimore-based baseball discussions. Why not join MASNsports.com's Steve Melewski and Jen Royle tonight at Hightopps Backstage Grille for another in our series of baseball chats. The fun begins at 6 p.m. with a roundtable discussion - with you, the fans, at the table - about the current state of the Birds. Will Zach Britton make the rotation? Will Brian Roberts and Derrek Lee be...