Orioles lose Goudeau on waiver claim

Orioles lose Goudeau on waiver claim
The Orioles cleared a spot on their 40-man roster this afternoon in preparation for opening day in two weeks. The Giants have claimed right-hander Ashton Goudeau off waivers from the Orioles, paring the 40-man to 39 players. Goudeau appeared in two exhibition game, the most recent on Saturday against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, and allowed two runs and one hit in four innings. He walked two batters and struck out five. A rotation spot didn't seem available to Goudeau, but he was a candidate to...
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MASN airing two Orioles exhibition games in final week

MASN airing two Orioles exhibition games in final week
The final week of spring training is going to include four games broadcast on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network - two Orioles and two Nationals. MASN is airing the following: March 23: Orioles vs. Rays, 1:05 p.m. March 25: Orioles vs. Pirates, 6:05 p.m. March 28: Nationals vs. Cardinals, 1:05 p.m. March 29: Nationals vs. Astros, 1:05 p.m. Orioles games also can be accessed on MLB.TV. Unless there's a sudden pitching shortage, the Orioles are playing nine innings for the rest of the spring. The...
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Rutschman versus Witt setting up as fascinating follow

Rutschman versus Witt setting up as fascinating follow
Here's a summer activity that might interest some fans. Track the performances of Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman and Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Then stay on it through the rest of their professional careers. Rutschman is going to play for Double-A Bowie after games begin in early May. The Royals are suggesting that Witt could break camp with the team at 20 and with no experience beyond rookie ball. General manager Dayton Moore is on record as saying the team will be "very open-minded"...
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Means and Hays the primary stars in Orioles' 5-2 win

Means and Hays the primary stars in Orioles' 5-2 win
The math is intertwined with logic to make left-hander John Means the opening day starter for the Orioles. It just isn't official. Means held the Braves to one run and two hits tonight in four innings, with no walks and four strikeouts. He's allowed two runs and four hits with eight strikeouts in his last two appearances covering eight innings. Putting him on the mound every fifth day aligns him to pitch on April 1 against the Red Sox at Fenway Park to begin the 2021 season. Done deal. Means...
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Hernández receiving treatment on sore elbow (plus other notes)

Hernández receiving treatment on sore elbow (plus other notes)
The early news on Félix Hernández is more encouraging than his premature exit yesterday. Hernández tossed a 1-2-3 first inning against the Rays and departed with soreness in his right elbow. "He came out of the game with elbow discomfort, he still has a little bit, we're just treating him today," manager Brandon Hyde said in his Zoom call. "He was in the training room just getting treatment on his elbow this afternoon." The Orioles aren't ready to speculate on whether...
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Orioles and Braves lineups, plus hearing from Franco

Orioles and Braves lineups, plus hearing from Franco
The Orioles are breaking out a lineup tonight against the Braves that could come close to duplicating the opening day order. Cedric Mullins is in center field and batting first, with Trey Mancini following at first base. Anthony Santander is in right field and Ryan Mountcastle is in left and batting cleanup. Freddy Galvis and Yolmer Sánchez form the double play combination and Rio Ruiz is starting at third base. Austin Hays is the designated hitter, which is one of many combinations this...
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Alan Mills eager to manage again

Alan Mills eager to manage again
Alan Mills is ready to manage again. The former Orioles reliever didn't leave baseball. It sort of left him. Hurricane Dorian washed away the end of the Gulf Coast League's regular season and playoffs in 2019, making the Orioles owners of the best record at 38-15 and Mills the choice as Manager of the Year. The minors were canceled last summer due to COVID-19. Mills stayed home in Lakeland, Fla., with no offer to serve as an instructor at the alternate camp site in Bowie or in the fall...
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How the latest news jumbles the roster analysis

How the latest news jumbles the roster analysis
Make opening day roster plans and duck the wrenches thrown at them. The Orioles intended to carry first baseman Chris Davis, but he hasn't played since Feb. 28 due to a lower back injury. The result is likely a trip to the injured list, whether 10 or 60 days. Hunter Harvey was a candidate to serve as closer, or at least a high-leverage reliever, but he's on the 60-day injured list with a left oblique strain. Félix Hernández was signed to a minor league deal and penciled into the...
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Hernández leaves game with elbow discomfort

Hernández leaves game with elbow discomfort
Veteran starter Félix Hernández left today's start against the Rays with discomfort in his right elbow. He's undergoing an examination and the Orioles should have more information in the morning. Hernández retired the side in order with two strikeouts, but manager Brandon Hyde sensed that there was an issue. "I thought the velo was the same," Hyde said following a 7-1 seven-inning loss in Port Charlotte. "He was getting outs, he had a good slider. I just thought the body language...
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Franco deal official, Hernández leaves start early

Franco deal official, Hernández leaves start early
Third baseman Maikel Franco entered the Orioles organization today about the same time that veteran pitcher Félix Hernández made a mysterious exit from his start against the Rays. Franco signed a one-year contract that pays $800,000, with a possible $200,000 in incentives, as first reported by MLB Network's Jon Heyman and confirmed by a source. Franco receives a bonus if he's traded, the same perk given to shortstop Freddy Galvis in January. Both sides agreed that Franco's option can...
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Hyde provides updates on Martin and Stewart (Franco signs)

Hyde provides updates on Martin and Stewart (Franco signs)
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is withholding Richie Martin from his first game until after Thursday's off-day. Hyde is being cautious with Martin, who had the hamate bone removed from his left hand in January. Martin hit yesterday on a back field at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. "Wrist is feeling pretty good," Hyde said today on his Zoom call. "We're pushing him back a couple days. ... He's going to continue to take at-bats on the back field here. "It's just coming off a hamate and your...
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Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
Richie Martin won't make his spring debut this afternoon against the Rays, with manager Brandon Hyde giving him a little more time following hamate bone surgery rather than sending him to Port Charlotte to play shortstop. Martin underwent the procedure in January after breaking the bone in Puerto Rico. He batted yesterday in a simulated game and was expected in the lineup today, but his first Grapefruit League activity remains on hold. The former Rule 5 pick said on his Zoom call that he'll...
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More on Maikel Franco as sides get closer to completing deal

More on Maikel Franco as sides get closer to completing deal
Learning more about future Orioles third baseman Maikel Franco requires pushing away from online statistics as if they're underneath the remains of a holiday spread. What else is out there? For me, it starts with learning how to pronounce his name. I've heard a couple of versions this week. Going back online to BaseballReference.com - never stray too far - it's "Michael Fraun-co" rather than "May-KEL Franco" or "MAY-kel Franco." You'll find him on Twitter if you search @maikelfranco7....
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Ruiz's return a rousing success in 12-3 win

Ruiz's return a rousing success in 12-3 win
Rio Ruiz had something to say this afternoon before hopping on his media Zoom call. He knows about the club's pending move for free agent third baseman Maikel Franco and how it impacts him. He knows that missing more than a week with an illness and being 1-for-12 before today's game against the Pirates are sabotaging his attempts to make the club and keep his position. Ruiz isn't wearing blinders. He wore the look today of a much better version of himself. Ruiz made a diving stop and throw...
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Hyde updates Harvey, Martin and Ruiz

Hyde updates Harvey, Martin and Ruiz
An examination of Orioles reliever Hunter Harvey confirmed that he has a strained oblique, an injury suffered after throwing one pitch in Friday's game against the Phillies. Manager Brandon Hyde couldn't provide a timeline for Harvey's recovery, of course, but the former first-round pick is expected to go on the injured list. "He's going to miss some time," Hyde said in his Zoom call with the media. "How much time, we're not sure, just because obliques are tricky. But it's an injury....
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Orioles and Pirates lineups

Orioles and Pirates lineups
Rio Ruiz has returned to the Orioles' lineup today, playing third base and batting seventh against the Pirates in Sarasota. Richie Martin isn't in the lineup, but could enter the game later. He's recovered from surgery in January to remove a broken left hamate bone and got some at-bats yesterday. Austin Hays is in left field again, with Cedric Mullins in center. Trey Mancini is the first baseman. Pat Valaika is the second baseman. Matt Harvey is making his second start after his three-inning...
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This, that and the other

This, that and the other
With the Orioles working out the final details on a deal with free agent third baseman Maikel Franco, their pursuit intensifying late last night, according to an industry source, there are dominos set up to fall upon his arrival. The 40-man roster is full and a major league deal, pending a physical, would require a corresponding move. Rio Ruiz's future in the organization is in question. He could share the position with Franco, which limits the number of super-utility players able to travel...
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O's made offer to Franco, Kremer and Zimmermann shine

O's made offer to Franco, Kremer and Zimmermann shine
Though the Orioles seemed more inclined to pass on the remaining free agents and wait for camp cuts or opt-outs, they're trying to work out a deal with third baseman Maikel Franco. A source confirmed today that the Orioles have an offer on the table. MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported that the sides are getting close. The Orioles definitely are trying to get Franco, which blows up roster predictions for opening day. Third base is the one unsettled position in camp. Rio Ruiz entered it as the...
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Martin and Ruiz returning to lineup

Martin and Ruiz returning to lineup
Richie Martin is advancing to an important stage in his recovery from hamate bone surgery. He's expected in Monday's lineup against the Pirates. Manager Brandon Hyde said today that Martin is getting at-bats in Sarasota and should play the following day. Martin underwent surgery in January to remove the bone, cutting into his bid to make the club in a utility-type role. He missed the truncated 2020 season due to a broken bone in his right wrist. "If he's good to go, he'll be in there...
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Orioles and Tigers lineups (and more)

Orioles and Tigers lineups (and more)
Adley Rutschman is rewarded for yesterday's double, the Orioles' only hit in Dunedin, with a start today as the designated hitter against the Tigers in Lakeland. Rutschman is batting seventh, one spot ahead of Ryan McKenna, who gets the start in center field. Austin Wynns is behind the plate. Yolmer Sánchez is leading off. Ryan Mountcastle is in left field. Dean Kremer is making his third start after allowing three runs and walking three batters in 4 2/3 innings. He tossed three scoreless...
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