Britton confirmed for Tuesday, Matusz not candidate for Wednesday

Britton confirmed for Tuesday, Matusz not candidate for Wednesday
The Orioles' rotation for the series in Minnesota that begins tomorrow will not include left-hander Brian Matusz. Chris Tillman will start tomorrow after making it through yesterday's bullpen session without a recurrence of the back spasms that flared up on Thursday. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Zach Britton will start Tuesday, marking the left-hander's first appearance in the majors this season. However, Showalter eliminated Matusz from consideration for Wednesday's...
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Teagarden behind the plate today (Hammel surgery Monday)

Teagarden behind the plate today (Hammel surgery Monday)
Taylor Teagarden played in his first game with the Orioles yesterday. He hit his first home run, and the first walk-off shot of his career. Today, he gets to start his first game behind the plate. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Jim Thome DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis LF Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Taylor Teagarden C Robert Andino 2B Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the Tigers: Jackson CF Berry LF Cabrera 3B Fielder 1B Boesch DH Peralta SS Avila C Santiago 2B Kelly...
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Orioles will recall Steve Johnson

Orioles will recall Steve Johnson
Orioles manager Buck Showalter used six relievers last night after starter Jason Hammel exited in the fourth inning with a knee injury. He used seven relievers tonight because the game lasted 13 innings. Needing a fresh arm for the bullpen, the Orioles will recall Steve Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk and get him to Camden Yards in time for tomorrow afternoon's series finale against the Tigers that also concludes a brief homestand. Johnson qualifies as a fresh arm. He hasn't pitched since...
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Showalter speaks after 8-6, 13-inning victory

Showalter speaks after 8-6, 13-inning victory
Taylor Teagarden hadn't hit a home run in the major leagues since Aug. 18, 2010. He hadn't played in a major league game since Aug 20, 2011. Of course, Teagarden homered tonight to break a 6-6 tie in the bottom of the 13th inning and give the Orioles a rousing 8-6 win over the Tigers before 43,215 at Camden Yards. The Orioles blew a 4-1 lead in the ninth. They overcame a 5-4 deficit in the 11th. They overcame a 6-5 deficit in the 13th. Manager Buck Showalter referred to the Orioles as a...
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Surgery likely for Hammel (updated)

Surgery likely for Hammel (updated)
Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel said he's "leaning toward" having surgery to remove a piece of loose cartilage from his right knee. Hammel is expected to be placed on the disabled list tomorrow, and he could make his decision before leaving Camden Yards. Hammel said the MRI taken today didn't reveal any new damage, but the cartilage has floated to a location where it's pressing against a nerve whenever he bends the knee. Manager Buck Showalter suggested that Hammel could return by early...
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Chen music soothing to Orioles (Teagarden with walk-off HR)

Chen music soothing to Orioles (Teagarden with walk-off HR)
Winless since June 17, left-hander Wei-Yin Chen is pitching today like the Orioles' staff ace. He pretty much inherited the title, since he's the only one left from the opening day rotation who hasn't been demoted or injured. Chen is on his game today, retiring 13 Tigers in a row as we head to the bottom of the fifth. He's allowed one hit, Prince Fielder's RBI double with two outs in the first. He's walked one and struck out five, including Jhonny Peralta and Gerald Laird in the top of...
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Hammel will miss next start (Andino breaks tie)

Hammel will miss next start (Andino breaks tie)
Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel will miss his next start, according to a team spokesman. Manager Buck Showalter will provide more details following today's game. Hammel underwent an MRI on his right knee at 1 p.m. At this point, there's been no indication that he's facing surgery. We're told that Showalter will discuss Hammel's treatment. Hammel limped off the field in the top of the fourth inning last night after throwing a pitch to Tigers outfielder Brennan Boesch. He said the pain was...
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Tillman pushed back to Monday, more on roster moves (updated)

Tillman pushed back to Monday, more on roster moves (updated)
Lots and lots of activity today at Camden Yards, and the game isn't scheduled to start for more than two hours. Chris Tillman's next start has been pushed back to Monday in Minnesota after he experienced back spasms a few days ago. Miguel Gonzalez will move up a day and pitch tomorrow against the Tigers at Camden Yards. The Orioles still don't have an update on Jason Hammel, whose MRI took place at 1 p.m. The good news is his right knee didn't swell up during the night. Reviewing the...
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Markakis leading off again today (plus roster moves)

Markakis leading off again today (plus roster moves)
Nick Markakis remains atop the order for today's game against the Tigers. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Jim Thome DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis LF Mark Reynolds 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Robert Andino 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP Ronny Paulino is listed among the reserves. No sign of Taylor Teagarden. Update: Teagarden is at Camden Yards, so a roster move could be coming. Update II: The Orioles have activated Teagarden from the 60-day disabled list and selected the...
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Rotation would take another hit without Hammel

Rotation would take another hit without Hammel
A reminder that the Orioles will honor Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer today with the unveiling of his statue at 2:15 p.m. All gates open at 2 p.m. Is he available to pitch? Executive vice president Dan Duquette is trying to acquire a starting pitcher. To which I say, "Why only one?" The only good news is that Brian Matusz and Zach Britton were exceptional in their most recent starts, and Tommy Hunter had one bad inning last night out of 7 1/3. I don't need to be reminded that they're...
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MRI scheduled for Hammel (with more quotes)

MRI scheduled for Hammel (with more quotes)
Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel will undergo an MRI on his right knee tomorrow at 1 p.m. Hammel exited tonight's game in the fourth inning after throwing his sixth pitch to Tigers right fielder Brennan Boesch. He limped off the field with manager Buck Showalter and assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel after attempting a few warmup tosses. Hammel wasn't available to reporters while receiving treatment on his knee in the trainers room following a 7-2 loss to the Tigers, but he sent along a...
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Hammel leaves game with injury (another update on injury)

Hammel leaves game with injury (another update on injury)
Did the Orioles just lose another member of their opening day rotation? Jason Hammel's night is over after three innings and six pitches in the fourth, the shortest outing of his Orioles career. Hammel appeared to land awkwardly on his left leg while delivering a pitch to Brennan Boesch leading off the fourth. Assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel and manager Buck Showalter came to the mound, and Hammel limped off the field after a few warmup tosses. Luis Ayala replaced Hammel, who's...
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Orioles must decide where to start Gausman (O's trail 2-1)

Orioles must decide where to start Gausman (O's trail 2-1)
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette and scouting director Gary Rajsich joined first-round pick Kevin Gausman at today's press conference in the auxiliary clubhouse at Camden Yards. Gausman tried on his new Orioles jersey and cap, bending the brim to "break it in." He also wore a smile that lasted from the second he walked into the room until it was time to leave. "We're happy to sign Kevin, and I just want to congratulate Kevin on joining the Orioles and welcome him to the...
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Showalter on batting Markakis first and putting Davis in left

Showalter on batting Markakis first and putting Davis in left
Nick Markakis is batting leadoff tonight for the first time in his major league career. Why did manager Buck Showalter choose Markakis? "The answer is a question," Showalter replied. "As opposed to who? "I don't know if Nicky's more excited about coming back and playing or leading off," Showalter continued. "We talked about it a little bit yesterday. It was something I thought about, seeing how we were going to be constructed in the post-break. "One thing, it gives him, hopefully,...
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Nick Johnson has cortisone injection, and other stuff (Gausman signs)

Nick Johnson has cortisone injection, and other stuff (Gausman signs)
Nick Johnson had a cortisone injection in his sore right wrist. He remains in Sarasota and isn't close to coming off the 15-day disabled list. Johnson eventually could be moved to the 60-day DL to create room on the 40-man roster if the Orioles determine that he's going to be sidelined for an extended period. Asked whether Johnson and Jim Thome, a full-time designated hitter, can co-exist on this team, manager Buck Showalter replied, "Let's get Nick healthy first. We can always figure out...
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Markakis leading off, Davis in left field

Markakis leading off, Davis in left field
Orioles manager Buck Showalter just answered two pressing questions regarding the lineup: Who's batting leadoff and who's playing left field. That would be Nick Markakis and Chris Davis, respectively. Markakis has never batted first in the majors before tonight. Davis has never played left field. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Jim Thome DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis LF Mark Reynolds 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Robert Andino 2B Jason Hammel RHP For the...
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Hammel rested and ready

Hammel rested and ready
Jason Hammel has lost three consecutive starts heading into tonight's game against the Tigers at Camden Yards. He hasn't won since June 22, when he held the Nationals to one unearned run in eight innings. He also won his previous start with a complete-game, one-hit shutout in Atlanta. On both victorious occasions, Hammel was working on five days rest instead of the standard four. Tonight, by my math, he'll be working on five days rest. In nine starts on four days rest, Hammel is 3-5 with a...
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While Gausman ponders whether to sign, Ripken prepares for college

While Gausman ponders whether to sign, Ripken prepares for college
The Orioles have until 5 p.m. today to sign LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman, the fourth overall pick in the First-Year Player Draft. They're on the clock again. Gausman let it be known that his heart is still at LSU. The Orioles are trying to get the rest of him. I'll be convinced that they sign him until they don't. It usually comes down to the final minutes. It's a silly tug of war. The slotted amount for the fourth pick is $4.2 million. Can you imagine saying, "No thanks," and going back...
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Avery optioned to Norfolk

Avery optioned to Norfolk
The Orioles just announced that they've optioned outfielder Xavier Avery to Triple-A Norfolk. No corresponding move was included in the tweet and press release, but outfielder Endy Chavez is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list before tomorrow night's game against the Tigers at Camden Yards. Chavez has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. Avery has batted .233/.317/.356 in 24 games over three stints with the Orioles. Chavez completed his injury-rehab assignment...
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Has Britton done enough to make Tuesday's start?

Has Britton done enough to make Tuesday's start?
The Orioles need a starter for Tuesday night's game in Minnesota, and left-hander Zach Britton did nothing tonight at Triple-A Norfolk to hurt his candidacy. Britton tossed seven scoreless innings against Lehigh Valley, allowing only four hits, walking none and striking out six. He threw 93 pitches, 64 for strikes. In his last five starts, Britton has permitted 10 earned runs and 24 hits over 32 innings, with 12 walks and 23 strikeouts. It's clear that his command has improved over the...
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