Harvey chips in with six scoreless again in 5-3 win (updated)

Harvey chips in with six scoreless again in 5-3 win (updated)
The latest reshaping of the Orioles rotation, like a big ball of clay that can be manipulated to take on many forms, put Matt Harvey into tonight's game rather than assigning him the task of closing out the series a day later. Manager Brandon Hyde didn't want Harvey waiting a full week between starts after the veteran right-hander tossed six scoreless innings in his last outing. Harvey didn't want to wait any longer. Meanwhile, the Nationals scratched Max Scherzer due to right triceps...
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Mancini has malignant tumor removed from colon

Mancini has malignant tumor removed from colon
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles announced this afternoon that outfielder Trey Mancini underwent "successful" surgery earlier today to remove a malignant tumor from his colon. The tumor was discovered last week during a colonoscopy. The team's statement also said lab results and the timetable for his recovery won't be known until next week. "The outpouring of love and support I have received has made an extremely tough week so much better," Mancini, 27, said in the statement. "I have the...
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Orioles ready to make selection in Rule 5 draft

Orioles ready to make selection in Rule 5 draft
SAN DIEGO - The Orioles have made a selection in the major league phase of baseball's Rule 5 draft at every Winter Meetings since 2006. Pitcher Alfredo Simón began the streak, though the Orioles traded him to the Phillies for catcher Adam Donachie. It's a streak that's certain to grow this morning with the Orioles holding the second-overall pick behind the Tigers. Which position is the only element of mystery. The pitching pool is much deeper than last year, when the Orioles chose...
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Orioles claim Hanhold, Trumbo scratched (O's down 5-2)

Orioles claim Hanhold, Trumbo scratched (O's down 5-2)
DETROIT - Just as the Orioles appear set with their 25-man roster over the final two weeks of the season, they make another move that today involves a new addition to the pitching staff. The Orioles claimed right-hander Eric Hanhold off waivers from the Mets this afternoon and designated left-hander Ty Blach for assignment. Hanhold, 25, isn't with the team, but could join it Tuesday at Camden Yards for the start of a three-game series against the Blue Jays. The Mets designated Hanhold for...
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Using the eye test vs. defensive metrics for Richie Martin

Using the eye test vs. defensive metrics for Richie Martin
BOSTON - Orioles shortstop Richie Martin darted to his left in a game this week in the Bronx, slid to gather a groundball hit by Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, and popped back up to his feet and fired to first base to record the out by a half-step. He earned a full style point for the maneuver. Six innings earlier, as the Yankees were batting for the first time, Martin took a few steps to his right to handle a bouncer from Aaron Judge and threw to second base, but the Orioles couldn't turn...
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McCoy making major impression

McCoy making major impression
The Orioles prospect talk doesn't usually bring infielder Mason McCoy into the conversation. Pitching is the area that warrants the most attention, and fans are waiting for first baseman Ryan Mountcastle and outfielders Austin Hays and Yusniel Diaz to be thrust into the rebuild. Catcher Chance Sisco made it back and DJ Stewart got the call before landing on the injured list with a sprained ankle. There aren't many cries for McCoy, 24, but I sense that there's been gradual notice. McCoy is...
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Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox
Joey Rickard is out of the Orioles lineup for tonight's series opener against the Red Sox, but Richie Martin has returned to shortstop. Stevie Wilkerson is in center field. Pedro Severino is catching left-hander John Means. Hanser Alberto is on the bench tonight, with Rio Ruiz at third base and Jonathan Villar at second. Means made an April 14 start against the Red Sox at Fenway Park and allowed one run in five innings in a 4-0 loss. J.D. Martinez is 2-for-2 with a double and home run against...
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Is Hays outrunning the outfield competition?

Is Hays outrunning the outfield competition?
SARASOTA, Fla. - As Austin Hays broke toward a fly ball in right-center field Thursday afternoon, he fought the elements but already had conquered his fears. The potential damage to a surgically repaired left ankle never crossed Hays' mind as he made a sprawling catch against the Pirates. A sprint and landing on the rock-hard warning track produced a highlight play and a broadest of smiles across his face. No pain or repercussions. "Off the bat it was pretty high, so I was running thinking...
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Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
SARASOTA, Fla. - The lessons that are distributed in Orioles camp don't skip past the manager's office. Brandon Hyde is finding out a lot about his team, the layers of mystery peeled away as the days pass. "I'll tell you what, I just like our guys," Hyde said yesterday while standing in the visiting dugout at Charlotte Sports Park. "I like the way our guys work. I didn't know what kind of work ethic our guys had. I didn't know how guys prepared. I didn't know the makeup of our players...
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Failure to stretch out Karns could cost rotation spot (tied 3-3)

Failure to stretch out Karns could cost rotation spot (tied 3-3)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The need to slow-play Nate Karns through the first half of camp has jeopardized his chances of entering the rotation and potentially opens a second spot for a field of candidates. Karns lasted 1 2/3 innings in his spring debut on Feb. 25 and didn't pitch again until yesterday, retiring the side in order in the fourth. He was shut down briefly with some arm soreness. Manager Brandon Hyde noted yesterday that Karns didn't have his best fastball and indicated this morning...
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Notes on Mountcastle, Young, Yacabonis, catching and coaches

Notes on Mountcastle, Young, Yacabonis, catching and coaches
SARASOTA, Fla. - With so much attention given to Ryan Mountcastle's repetitions and game experience at first base, his slow start at the plate barely drew notice. One hit in 13 at-bats from an upper-tier prospect who usually can roll out of bed and square up a fastball. But what about the glove? How does he look at first? Is he really changing positions again? Talent wins out again. Mountcastle entered yesterday's game with four hits in his last six at-bats. Driving the ball into the gap and...
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Davis on his health, workouts and hushing the skeptics

Davis on his health, workouts and hushing the skeptics
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Davis knew it was coming. He hadn't reported to Orioles camp, at least according to the media's unofficial count, after vowing to arrive early. The most critical of fans had more ammunition. Talk radio came after him, too. Davis said he's been in Sarasota since Saturday afternoon, but an illness kept him away from his teammates. He didn't want to be at the complex while contagious. His equipment arrived ahead of him. "We got in around 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon...
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Orioles release Gentry and recall Wilkerson

Orioles release Gentry and recall Wilkerson
SEATTLE - The Orioles have released outfielder Craig Gentry after designating him for assignment over the weekend. Gentry becomes a free agent and can sign with any team. The Orioles couldn't find a trade partner and removed him from the active roster while recalling outfielder Joey Rickard from Triple-A Norfolk. Infielder Steve Wilkerson has been recalled from Norfolk after coming off the seven-day minor league disabled list and will join the Orioles in St. Petersburg, Fla., for their weekend...
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Leftover thoughts on early rounds of draft

Leftover thoughts on early rounds of draft
FLUSHING, N.Y. - While wondering if the Eagles will invite Alanis Morissette to sing "Uninvited" before their home opener ... I'm getting asked about the Orioles' decision to select Texas high school pitcher Grayson Rodriguez with their first pick in the draft. It felt like a reach considering the more highly rated pitchers still on the board, including Matthew Liberatore, Brady Singer, Cole Winn and Shane McClanahan, but let's not pretend that this is an exact science. It is not - more...
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O'Day on injury: "It's just a freak accident"

O'Day on injury: "It's just a freak accident"
Orioles reliever Darren O'Day is on the disabled list with an injury he sustained in a bizarre mishap before Tuesday night's series opener against the Royals. O'Day said he was stretching his arm and a teammate accidentally came into contact with him and hyperextend his right elbow. "My arm felt great," he said. "I was just stretching in the bullpen first game and someone ran into my space. That's what happened. I threw two innings in Oakland. There was nothing related to that. I felt...
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Orioles lineup vs. Tigers

Orioles lineup vs. Tigers
Craig Gentry gets the start in right field tonight and Jace Peterson remains the No. 2 hitter as the Orioles begin their three-game series against the Tigers at overcast but dry Camden Yards. Caleb Joseph is catching starter Chris Tillman. Tillman lowered his ERA from 11.91 to 9.87 in his last start, when he allowed four runs in six innings in a 4-0 loss to the Indians. He walked only one batter, but also surrendered three solo home runs. Tillman is 6-1 with a 3.12 ERA and 1.121 WHIP in 10...
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Trumbo removed from rehab assignment (and other notes)

Trumbo removed from rehab assignment (and other notes)
Mark Trumbo is in the Orioles' clubhouse this afternoon and the Orioles have halted his rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie. Manager Buck Showalter said Trumbo didn't experience a setback. This is done more as a precaution. "Just talking with him and the trainers, he's at 36 days and he's actually a little ahead of things, so we're going to slow that down a little bit," Showalter said. "He just felt like last night, he just didn't feel like pushing it. Thought he still wasn't...
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Orioles counting on Bundy to be himself tonight

Orioles counting on Bundy to be himself tonight
NEW YORK - The rotation spins back to Dylan Bundy tonight and it couldn't happen at a better time. Kevin Gausman gave the Orioles five innings plus one batter in Friday night's 7-3, 14-inning win at Yankee Stadium. Chris Tillman went 5 1/3 innings the following day in a bullpen-depleted 8-3 loss. And Mike Wright Jr. closed the series yesterday by retiring only two batters in an 8-7, 12-inning win. The Orioles could use more length after manager Buck Showalter needed six relievers to cover for...
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Wright knocked out in first, Scott on promotion (tied 7-7)

Wright knocked out in first, Scott on promotion (tied 7-7)
NEW YORK - As the Orioles tweak their bullpen again, they also have a decision to make regarding their rotation. How to create room for Alex Cobb, who figures to debut on April 14 or 15 in Boston. Mike Wright Jr. wanted to avoid the added pressure of pitching for his job. Just concentrate on getting outs and not obsess over a decision that isn't his to make. But his outing today leaves the wrong impression. Wright lasted only two-thirds of an inning and was charged with five runs (two earned)...
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The Sisco bunting controversy and other notes off first series

The Sisco bunting controversy and other notes off first series
While waiting for Gabe Kapler to signal for the other team's reliever ... I was going to devote this blog entry to an assortment of observations on the Orioles' first series of the 2018 season and I intend to stick with the narrative, but only after chiming in on the Twins taking exception to rookie Chance Sisco's bunt single in the ninth inning. Let me set up my mini-rant with a few quotes from the Twins clubhouse, courtesy of their beat writers: "Obviously we're not a fan of it," said...
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