Wada shut down, Angels lineup (updated)

Wada shut down, Angels lineup (updated)
The Orioles announced that left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada has been shut down after complaining of stiffness in his neck a few days ago. He originally went on the disabled list to build up arm strength and innings after being bothered in spring training by inflammation in his left elbow. Wada will return to Baltimore and be examined by a team physician. There's no timetable for his return to throwing. Wada threw 100 pitches over six innings in his second start in extended spring training, but he...
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The bad and the good

The bad and the good
I decided to start with the "bad" because I'd rather end this blog entry on a high note. The Orioles are facing Jered Weaver tonight. That's bad for them. He's 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA in three starts, with only two walks and 23 strikeouts. He hasn't allowed a run in two of those outings. Weaver is 15-5 with a 2.68 ERA lifetime in the month of April. Over the last three seasons, he's 10-0 with a 1.85 ERA. The last time I checked, it's still April. The Orioles continued to be dogged by...
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Orioles' defense is offensive again

Orioles' defense is offensive again
If the Oriole Way is all about pitching and defense, the 2012 team is missing half of that equation. The Orioles committed three more errors tonight, and it would have been four if the official scorer hadn't removed one from catcher Matt Wieters and given Erick Aybar a single. Brian Matusz gave up six runs and nine hits in five innings but two of the runs were unearned. Who knows how much his outing would have changed without the two Robert Andino errors, or if first baseman Chris Davis had...
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Wada update

Wada update
Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Anaheim that Tsuyoshi Wada is bothered by some neck stiffness, which tells me two things: Wada's stay on the disabled list could last longer than anticipated, and he's been hanging out with Nolan Reimold. Remember when lower back stiffness was all the rage? Wada's neck apparently was an issue before he gave up six runs in 2 2/3 innings yesterday for Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles must decide whether to give Wada another start on his injury...
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Orioles and Angels lineups

Orioles and Angels lineups
Nolan Reimold has returned to the Orioles' lineup tonight after being bothered yesterday by neck spasms. Mark Reynolds is serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds DH Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Brian Matusz LHP A series win in Anaheim would mark the first time that the Orioles have won each series of a three-city road trip since Aug. 7-16, 1998 at Minnesota, Tampa Bay...
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Orioles release Hester

Orioles release Hester
The Orioles activated catcher Luis Exposito, claimed on waivers from the Boston Red Sox, and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. That move was expected. The surprise for me is the Orioles released catcher John Hester to make room for Exposito. Hester was batting .265/.342/.471 with a home run in 10 games. He went 3-for-6 with a homer on April 13, which began a five-game hitting streak that's still active. Well, the streak's active, but not Hester. The Orioles invited Hester, 28, to spring...
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Orioles haven't been road worriers in 2012

Orioles haven't been road worriers in 2012
If someone told you at the start of this road trip that the Orioles would split their 10 games in Toronto, Chicago and Anaheim, I'm guessing that most of you would have taken it. Well, 5-5 is the worst that the Orioles can do with three games remaining against the Angels, and they're not going to be satisfied with .500. The Orioles have played two road series and won both of them, taking two of three games from the Blue Jays and three of four from the White Sox. They didn't win their...
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Hearing from Johnson, Strop and Jones

Hearing from Johnson, Strop and Jones
CHICAGO - I'm heading to the airport shortly for my flight back to Baltimore, where it better be warmer. But first, here are some quotes from Jim Johnson, Pedro Strop and Adam Jones. Johnson: On the late drama: "You said it. I wasn't trying to make it as dramatic as it was, but it's good to get three out of four here. We want to keep it going." On getting his sixth save: "It's just the way the game's being played. We're battling. We're had a lot of close games this whole road trip....
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Showalter and Hammel speak after 5-3 win

Showalter and Hammel speak after 5-3 win
CHICAGO - Orioles manager Buck Showalter thought starter Jason Hammel had "good stuff" today in the Orioles' 5-3 victory at U.S. Cellular Field. It wasn't always easy for Hammel, but he made it through the sixth and held the White Sox to two runs while also tying his career high with 10 strikeouts. Gary Thorne catches up with Buck Showalter following the Birds' 5-3 win over the White Sox "We elongated an inning behind him today with the wild pitch, couple other things that got his...
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Orioles clinging to 5-3 lead (O's win)

Orioles clinging to 5-3 lead (O's win)
CHICAGO - Pedro Strop allowed a run in the bottom of the eighth on a leadoff walk to Paul Konerko, Alex Rios' double and Alexei Ramirez's ground ball. Strop struck out Dayan Viciedo and Tyler Flowers, and the Orioles are taking a 5-3 lead into the ninth. Strop's fastball reached 99 mph. Jim Johnson is getting ready in the bullpen. He's converted 13 straight save opportunities. And no, I'm not trying to jinx him. Nick Johnson drove in his first run today with a grounder, but he's...
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Pelzer released, Hammel goes six

Pelzer released, Hammel goes six
CHICAGO - The Orioles have released pitcher Wynn Pelzer, who appeared in three games at Double-A Bowie this season. Pelzer was 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in three innings. He allowed three runs and four hits, walked two and struck out four. He went 5-7 with a 4.14 ERA in 29 appearances with the Baysox in 2011. The Orioles acquired Pelzer from the San Diego Padres on July 29, 2010 for Miguel Tejada. Pelzer just tweeted the following: "Want to take the time to thank the entire #Orioles organization...
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More on Wada (O's lead 2-0)

More on Wada (O's lead 2-0)
CHICAGO - Tsuyoshi Wada threw 100 pitches in six innings in his last extended spring training start, and the Orioles were looking for the Japanese left-hander to do more of the same today. He didn't come close. Wada was charged with six runs and six hits in 2 2/3 innings for Triple-A Norfolk, with four walks and one strikeout. Wada threw 77 pitches, including 39 for strikes, and Gwinnett leads the Tides 6-0. Wada is on an injury rehab assignment, which can last 30 days for a pitcher. The...
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The reason Reimold is out of the lineup (Wada update)

The reason Reimold is out of the lineup (Wada update)
CHICAGO - Nolan Reimold was supposed to start in left field today, but he's bothered by neck spasms. Reimold began experiencing the spasms yesterday. They subsided before the game, but returned this morning. Buck Showalter explains the exclusion of Nolan Reimold from the lineup to the media "He had it a little bit yesterday before the game but they got it out of there," manager Buck Showalter said. "It stiffened up on him late in the ballgame, and he got it treated after the game. He...
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Chavez in left field, Paulino behind the plate

Chavez in left field, Paulino behind the plate
CHICAGO - Nolan Reimold takes a seat on the bench today, with Endy Chavez starting in left field. That's a bit of a surprise, since manager Buck Showalter indicated that Reimold would start the last three games of the series. Ronny Paulino will do the catching in a day game following a night game. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Nick Johnson DH Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Davis 1B Ronny Paulino C Robert Andino 2B Jason Hammel RHP
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Reimold's defense a work in progress (and Chisox lineup)

Reimold's defense a work in progress (and Chisox lineup)
CHICAGO - The Orioles wrap up their four-game series against the White Sox this afternoon, hoping to win it, but also knowing they can do no worse than a split. Nick Markakis will be back in right field after serving as the designated hitter last night. He's 7-for-20 with four doubles, a home run and seven RBIs lifetime against White Sox starter Gavin Floyd. We could find Endy Chavez in center field today, with Adam Jones serving as the DH. Chavez busted out of his 0-for-12 slump last night...
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Hunter fills in the blanks from his bad start

Hunter fills in the blanks from his bad start
CHICAGO - Tommy Hunter never fails to amuse me. He's a fun guy. He keeps everyone loose, whether he's singing off-key or talking smack during ping pong or just firing one-liners at teammates and the media. He's also brutally honest with himself. Hunter didn't have his fastball command tonight, and he didn't go easy on himself or the English language following the Orioles' 8-1 loss to the White Sox. Make no mistake, he was upset with the result, but even his frustration can bring a few...
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Too many homers off Hunter (O's down 8-1)

Too many homers off Hunter (O's down 8-1)
CHICAGO - In his previous start in Toronto, Orioles right-hander Tommy Hunter surrendered four home runs over six innings in a 7-5 victory. The White Sox have homered twice off Hunter in four innings tonight to build a 4-1 lead over the Orioles at U.S. Cellular Field. A.J. Pierzynski's two-run shot in the second erased the Orioles' 1-0 lead. The White Sox loaded the bases in the third, and Alex Rios came through with a sacrifice fly. And Alejandro De Aza homered with two outs in the fourth...
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A little more from Showalter (updated)

A little more from Showalter (updated)
CHICAGO - Darren O'Day got out of a huge jam last night after replacing Wei-Yin Chen in the sixth inning, entering with runners on the corners and one out and preserving a 3-2 lead. He's made three straight scoreless appearances over 3 2/3 innings. O'Day figures to be tough on right-handers with his sidearmed delivery, and he's held them to a .214 average over his career. However, left-handers are batting only .246 against him lifetime, including .229 in 2010. His value to manager Buck...
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Showalter on Markakis

Showalter on Markakis
CHICAGO - Rain is in the forecast tonight and tomorrow. A few drops fell during batting practice. Apparently, it's really supposed to be bad tomorrow, when I'm scheduled to fly out of here at 8:05 p.m. I can't afford a lengthy delay. The Kubatko luck strikes again. Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked about his decision to use Nick Markakis as the designated hitter tonight. "We'll move it around," he said. "One of the assets we have in not having it locked down. I've got a...
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Markakis serving as DH tonight

Markakis serving as DH tonight
CHICAGO - Endy Chavez will start in right field tonight, with Nick Markakis serving as the designated hitter. Markakis is in a 3-for-35 slump. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Endy Chavez RF Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP
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