Impressions from spring training
Impressions from spring training
Steve Melewski
Orioles
You probably noticed that as of Friday afternoon, I am no longer writing with a Sarasota, Fla., dateline. Now that I have left Florida and am back in chilly Maryland, where it might snow tonight or tomorrow, I thought I'd pass along some observations from spring training while I hope that snow shovel can stay in my basement collecting dust. * Watching the pitchers step up and pitch well in the battle for the fifth starter's position was impressive. It has been a good competition and...
Kobernus returned to Nationals
Kobernus returned to Nationals
Dan Kolko
Nationals
VIERA, Fla. - Oh, hey there. I'm back. After a few days home, I've returned to Viera ready for the final stretch. The Nats now have just five more days down here before shipping up north to take on the Yankees in an exhibition game at Nationals Park on March 29, and I'll have you covered the rest of the way. Big thanks to Pete Kerzel for filling in for me in my absence. My time away from Florida was actually a bit longer than expected; my flight down to Orlando got hit with a lengthy...
Notes and quotes following today's 13-4 loss
Notes and quotes following today's 13-4 loss
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland will make his first start of the spring on Monday against the Boston Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. Zach Britton was listed as the starter before being optioned today. With Jake Arrieta going from being Tuesday's starter against the Minnesota Twins to pitching at minor league camp, it's probably safe to assume he's going to be named the fifth starter. You can read something into it. The Orioles are expected to make one or two cuts Sunday...
Chen on Chen (O's lose 13-4)
Chen on Chen (O's lose 13-4)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen was handed a couple of excuses for his poor outing today, and he politely declined them. The wind? Didn't aid the three home runs that he surrendered. The limited starts in Grapefruit League games? Doesn't matter. "I felt OK today, but delivery-wise, they got my timing really well today," Chen said through his interpreter after allowing six earned runs (seven total) and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies. "Most of my pitches were...
Chen and pitching updates (O's down 10-2)
Chen and pitching updates (O's down 10-2)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen may not recognize Grapefruit League hitters today. Maybe that's why he's struggling through three innings. Chen has allowed five runs and seven hits, with two walks, two strikeouts and a hit batter. He's served up back-to-back home runs to Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, and the Philadelphia Phillies have taken a 5-0 lead. Chen has thrown 69 pitches, 44 for strikes, in only his third start outside of Twin Lakes Park. Ben Revere struck out leading off the top of...
Orioles make four roster moves
Orioles make four roster moves
Josh Land
Orioles
The Orioles today announced that they have optioned left-hander Zach Britton, infielder Jonathan Schoop and infielder Yamaico Navarro to Triple-A Norfolk and have reassigned right-hander Daniel McCutchen to minor league camp. With the assignment, the Orioles now have 40 players at major league spring training, including 11 non-roster invitees.
O's option Britton, Schoop, Navarro to Norfolk (updated)
O's option Britton, Schoop, Navarro to Norfolk (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
In addition to reassigning pitcher Daniel McCutchen to minor league camp earlier this morning, the Orioles have made three more cuts today. The club optioned left-hander Zach Britton and infielders Jonathan Schoop and Yamaico Navarro to Triple-A Norfolk. While Schoop and Navarro weren't expected to make the 25-man roster, Britton was in the thick of the competition for the fifth starter's job. Sending the 25-year-old to the minors begins to clear up the rotation picture, as Jake Arrieta...
Hunter gets in his work at Twin Lakes Park
Hunter gets in his work at Twin Lakes Park
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - You can include Tommy Hunter on your list of pitchers who are amused and challenged by the free-swinging minor leaguers who stand in the box against them at Twin Lakes Park. Hunter threw 51 pitches yesterday against a group of Tampa Bay Rays Single-A hitters while the Orioles were playing in Port Charlotte. "I felt pretty good," he said. "Got my work in. They swung at a lot of pitches, so it's hard to really ..." No need to finish the thought, though Hunter came back to...
McCutchen reassigned, and other notes (updated)
McCutchen reassigned, and other notes (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles reassigned pitcher Daniel McCutchen to minor league camp this morning, reducing their roster to 43 players. More cuts are expected later today. McCutchen allowed five runs in 7 1/3 innings this spring, all of them coming in a March 7 game against the Toronto Blue Jays. He lowered his arm slot after that outing, at the suggestion of manager Buck Showalter and pitching coach Rick Adair, and tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings over three appearances. He also picked up a...
Orioles lineup and Hendrickson note (and pitching note)
Orioles lineup and Hendrickson note (and pitching note)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold is starting in right field for the Orioles in today's game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Ed Smith Stadium. Nate McLouth is starting in left field. Maybe they'll change positions every inning. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF Brian Roberts 2B Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Nolan Reimold RF Manny Machado 3B Steve Pearce DH Wei-Yin Chen LHP Mark Hendrickson is back in camp after leaving the team earlier this week for...