Pitching market losing appeal for Orioles
Pitching market losing appeal for Orioles
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are on a rotation roll of late, with Asher Wojciechowski the latest starter to impress yesterday with three scoreless innings. They've got Tommy Milone throwing this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex and Wade LeBlanc prepping for Wednesday's start in Jupiter. John Means retired all nine batters he faced Sunday in Clearwater. Alex Cobb impressed in his simulated game and hasn't experienced any discomfort in his hip or knee. Other candidates are making their...
Lineups: Orioles vs. Nats in West Palm Beach
Lineups: Orioles vs. Nats in West Palm Beach
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It's a while since the Orioles traveled to West Palm Beach for a Grapefruit League game - 1997, to be exact. That's when the Braves and Expos shared Municipal Stadium and the Birds would travel up from their spring camp in Fort Lauderdale. But the opening of Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter spelled the end to the Braves-Expos pairing in 1998. The Braves headed to Orlando and the Expos to new digs in Jupiter before swapping complexes with the Viera-based Marlins...
J.J. Hardy on instructor role, possible coaching future at O's camp
J.J. Hardy on instructor role, possible coaching future at O's camp
Steve Melewski
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - It is a nice sight for Orioles fans. Former O's shortstop J.J. Hardy back in the orange and black. He was back wearing team colors Monday as he began a week-long run in camp as a guest instructor. A very popular Oriole from 2011-2017, Hardy was known for airtight defense and remarkable consistency at shortstop. He's also remembered for the great slide at home to score the go-ahead run on the Delmon Young three-run double in the 2014 American League Division Series. He was a...
Wrapping up a 3-2 victory
Wrapping up a 3-2 victory
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Joe Ross knows he's immersed in a battle to be the Nationals' fifth starter. A few more outings like he had Monday in a 3-2 victory over the Marlins and the right-hander might just lock up the spot he covets. Emilio Bonifacio played the hero's role, though it got a little sticky in the bottom of the ninth with the teams knotted at 2-2. Cody Wilson broke for home on what was supposed to be a safety squeeze with Bonifacio batting and was easily tagged out. But Bonifacio...
Velazquez and Valaika in thick of utility competition (3-3 tie)
Velazquez and Valaika in thick of utility competition (3-3 tie)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Andrew Velazquez lined a single into right-center field this afternoon off Rays starter Charlie Morton, who handed the ball to his manager and exited one out short of completing the third inning. At the plate again in the fifth, Velazquez coaxed a walk out of former Orioles reliever Oliver Drake. He's 4-for-9 with three stolen bases this spring. Velazquez is the last Orioles player to crack the camp roster after a Feb. 19 waiver claim. He's also migrating toward the front of...
Asher Wojciechowski on his scoreless start against Tampa Bay
Asher Wojciechowski on his scoreless start against Tampa Bay
Steve Melewski
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are starting to stack up some good outings from their starting rotation candidates. Right-hander Asher Wojciechowski was the latest to deliver today. In his second spring start, he pitched three hitless and scoreless innings, facing the minimum nine batters against the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. This followed John Means with his nine up and out outing yesterday against the Phillies. And Keegan Akin with a run allowed over two innings Saturday and Brandon...
Versatile Bonifacio has utility role down to a science
Versatile Bonifacio has utility role down to a science
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Astute fans might recall Emilio Bonifacio's first tour of duty with the Nationals. He played the second half of the 2008 season in D.C., coming over from the Diamondbacks in exchange for reliever Jon Rauch in July and being sent to the Marlins as part of the deal that netted pitcher Scott Olsen and outfielder Josh Willingham about four months later. What does Bonifacio remember about his time as a National on that 59-102 team? "Not much," he laughed. "Wally and...
Melanie Newman to make O's broadcasting debut today
Melanie Newman to make O's broadcasting debut today
Steve Melewski
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Today is a special day for new Orioles broadcaster Melanie Newman. She'll work an Orioles broadcast for the first time and call some play-by-play alongside Geoff Arnold on the Orioles Radio Network as the O's host Tampa Bay at Ed Smith Stadium. Newman joins the Orioles from the Carolina League's Salem Red Sox, for whom she served as the lead broadcaster on baseball's first all-female broadcast team. Newman previously held various roles with the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders...
Hyde on Cobb, Harvey, Hardy and more
Hyde on Cobb, Harvey, Hardy and more
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Alex Cobb is going to wait a little longer before making another start. Cobb will pitch in a simulated game Friday while the Orioles play the Yankees in Tampa. His next start is March 11 versus the Blue Jays in Dunedin. "He threw right around 50 pitches yesterday and looked great and he felt great after," said manager Brandon Hyde. "Actually threw a little bit more than we had planned for and he felt outstanding during it and after, so we're good to go." The adjustments...
Martinez on Kieboom, Harris, Robles and World Series (Nats win 3-2)
Martinez on Kieboom, Harris, Robles and World Series (Nats win 3-2)
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - With observers focusing on every swing he takes and every grounder he fields at third base, Carter Kieboom is off today. He's getting a chance to reset and Nationals manager Davey Martinez continues to preach to the 22-year-old that he needs to relax. Given an extended opportunity to replace the departed Anthony Rendon at third base, Kieboom has struggled this spring. He's hitting .083 (1-for-12) without an extra-base hit and has committed two errors at the hot corner....