Orioles DFA Mike Wright

Orioles DFA Mike Wright
The Orioles made a roster move today to bring up a fresh bullpen arm, and it included the decision to cut ties with Mike Wright. Wright has been designated for assignment prior to this afternoon's series finale against the Twins at Camden Yards. The Orioles selected Gabriel Ynoa's contract from Triple-A Norfolk and he'll be in uniform today. Wright worked 3 1/3 innings last night, surrendering three-run homers to C.J. Cron and former Oriole Jonathan Schoop. Wright was charged with four runs...
Continue reading

Orioles and Twins lineups

Orioles and Twins lineups
Joey Rickard is starting in center field today as the Orioles close out their series against the Twins at Camden Yards. Cedric Mullins and Rule 5 shortstop Richie Martin are on the bench. Jonathan Villar is playing shortstop and Hanser Alberto is at second base. Jesús Sucre is catching Dylan Bundy. Chris Davis is playing first base and Trey Mancini is in right field. The Orioles have slipped into last place in the American League East at 8-14. They're 1-8 at home. For the Orioles Jonathan...
Continue reading

Ruiz, Núñez and today's series finale

Ruiz, Núñez and today's series finale
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde admits that he knew very little about Rio Ruiz before spring training. Watched him play a few times for the Braves. Noticed a nice swing. That's pretty much the extent of his early scouting report on a player who's become the Orioles regular third baseman. Ruiz went 2-for-3 with his team-leading 11th walk yesterday in Game 1 of a doubleheader, the 16th time in 17 starts that he reached base. His on-base percentage increased to .356. Executive vice president and...
Continue reading

Twins' hit eight home runs and complete sweep of O's (updated)

Twins' hit eight home runs and complete sweep of O's (updated)
The patience that Alex Cobb required to get him through his two stints on the disabled list, the groin injury late in spring training and the back spasms that cropped up after his first start, will be needed to guide him through another difficult period in his professional life. Cobb's return to the active roster and rotation couldn't have gone much worse tonight. He allowed three home runs as the Orioles blew past the major league record. The nine runs charged to him tied his career...
Continue reading

Lucas optioned to Norfolk (and Game 1 quotes, O's down 15-7)

Lucas optioned to Norfolk (and Game 1 quotes, O's down 15-7)
The Orioles created a roster spot for starter Alex Cobb tonight by optioning reliever Josh Lucas to Triple-A Norfolk. Cobb comes off the injured list to start Game 2 against the Twins, as the Orioles try to avoid a sweep. Tonight marks his second outing with the Orioles. He's been on the IL with groin and back injuries. Lucas allowed two earned runs (three total) in 4 1/3 innings. Branden Kline is officially the 26th man for the nightcap. He's part of the roster shuffling today. Joey Rickard...
Continue reading

Orioles allow three more home runs in 6-5 Game 1 loss

Orioles allow three more home runs in 6-5 Game 1 loss
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde stated before Game 1 of today's doubleheader that his club needs to play good defense because it's not going to set any home run records. He meant at the plate. Dan Straily surrendered three homers today over five innings, including two by Eddie Rosario. The Orioles have allowed 49, one short of the 1996 Tigers for the major league mark through April. Opponents have homered in 20 of 21 games. The Orioles hit three of their own this afternoon, but the Twins scored...
Continue reading

Orioles not letting defense rest (O's down 6-5)

Orioles not letting defense rest (O's down 6-5)
The Orioles go into today's doubleheader ranked fifth in the American League in defense with a .986 fielding percentage. Their 10 errors are tied for the fifth-fewest after they committed 104 last season for the seventh-highest total in the majors. The defense was in a steady decline over the past few summers, and anyone in charge was going to prioritize it. "I think you've seen it so far this year. I think it's kept us in a lot of games and we've had a lot of close games," said manager...
Continue reading

Kline in Baltimore as 26th man for doubleheader

Kline in Baltimore as 26th man for doubleheader
The Orioles have chosen reliever Branden Kline to be their 26th man in Game 2 of today's doubleheader, the first of multiple roster moves that are pending. Kline is at the ballpark and will be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk after Game 1. Alex Cobb will be activated from the injured list and start Game 2, and the Orioles must create a spot for him by optioning a pitcher. They also need to get back down to 25 players following the nightcap, which could mean a brief stay for Kline or involve...
Continue reading

Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. Twins (updated)

Orioles Game 1 lineup vs. Twins (updated)
Chris Davis is back in the Orioles' lineup for Game 1 of today's doubleheader against the Twins. Davis was excluded for the three-game series against the Rays due to illness. He would have played last night except for the postponement. Cedric Mullins wasn't in the posted lineup last night, but he's now starting in center field and likely will sit for Game 2 with left-hander Martín Pérez on the mound. Jonathan Villar is starting at shortstop and Hanser Alberto at second base. Trey...
Continue reading

Cobb's return delayed again

Cobb's return delayed again
The decision to postpone last night's game between the Orioles and Twins at Camden Yards was an easy one based on the heavy rains that fell, a forecast that included a tornado warning and proverbial windows busted as if treated by a demolition crew. Setting up the Orioles pitching also was a fairly easy call, the only question being whether Alex Cobb pitched in the first or second game of today's scheduled doubleheader. He's going in the nightcap, with Dan Straily leapfrogging him for the...
Continue reading

Orioles and Twins lineups (game postponed due to rain)

Orioles and Twins lineups (game postponed due to rain)
Alex Cobb is coming off the injured list to make tonight's start against the Twins, if the weather allows it. He's listed as the starter, but a corresponding roster move hasn't been announced. Cedric Mullins is out of the lineup, but Chris Davis returns. Trey Mancini is in right field, with Joey Rickard in center. Hanser Alberto is playing second base and Jonathan Villar moves to shortstop. Cobb is making his second start tonight. He's 2-1 with a 3.80 ERA and 1.359 WHIP in four career...
Continue reading

More on Orioles' thrilling 11-inning win

More on Orioles' thrilling 11-inning win
TAMPA - A trip that showed so much promise and offered the chance to inflict further damage within the division following a four-game split in Boston threatened to crumble beneath the dome at Tropicana Field. The Orioles were 2-0-1 in road series before losing two of three to the Rays, but avoiding a sweep last night and winning in such thrilling fashion - 11 innings after fumbling a three-run lead - put them in a celebratory mood. Music blared in the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field as...
Continue reading

Rickard double gives Orioles 6-5 win in 11 innings (with quotes)

Rickard double gives Orioles 6-5 win in 11 innings (with quotes)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles needed five outs from Mychal Givens tonight to secure a win that would prevent them from being swept to close out their road trip. The latest heavy tax applied to a bullpen that's in constant motion. Givens surrendered a game-tying home run to Avisaíl García with one out in the ninth inning and manager Brandon Hyde turned to his fifth reliever of the night, left-hander John Means, who had been bumped from the rotation temporarily. Means struck out the...
Continue reading

Means slated to make more starts (and other notes, tied 5-5)

Means slated to make more starts (and other notes, tied 5-5)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles left-hander John Means is available in the bullpen tonight and for Friday night's series opener against the Twins at Camden Yards. However, he isn't ticketed for exclusive relief duties. Manager Brandon Hyde said Means is the likely choice to start April 26 in Minnesota following the off-day. Means could bounce back and forth between the rotation and bullpen. "Means is still a starting option and he's going to make a lot of starts," Hyde said. "We're going...
Continue reading

Cobb ready for rotation return

Cobb ready for rotation return
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Alex Cobb was supposed to make a start against the Athletics at Camden Yards before back spasms forced him onto the injured list for the second time this year. He was eligible to return on Tuesday for the series against the Rays that concludes tonight at Tropicana Field, but manager Brandon Hyde wanted to give him a little more recovery time. Cobb will be on the mound Friday night against the Twins in Baltimore. It's going to happen if the weather allows it. No more...
Continue reading

Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles conclude their latest road trip tonight, having gone 2-4, and Chris Davis stays on the bench while recovering from a stomach virus. Davis is missing his third game in a row. Trey Mancini is in left field tonight, with Joey Rickard in right and Dwight Smith Jr. serving as designated hitter. Renato Núñez makes his second career start at first base. Pedro Severino is catching. Andrew Cashner has won three of his four decisions despite a 5.31 ERA and 1.623...
Continue reading

What Cobb's return means for the rotation (and other notes)

What Cobb's return means for the rotation (and other notes)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde checked on Alex Cobb yesterday, received the information he wanted and proceeded with his pitching plans for the weekend and beyond. Cobb's back is fine. The spasms are gone. And he's coming off the injured list Friday to start against the Twins at Camden Yards. The rotation lines up as Cobb, Dan Straily and Dylan Bundy for the weekend series, followed by David Hess and Andrew Cashner for the first two games against the White Sox in...
Continue reading

Hess hit hard and dugout heated in 8-1 loss (updated)

Hess hit hard and dugout heated in 8-1 loss (updated)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - If David Hess had any shot at getting deeper into his start tonight against the Rays, he needed to soften the contact against him. Think pillow instead of pillar. Everything that Hess threw was tattooed, with exit velocities in the first inning of 115.4, 102.3, 105.6 and 108.9 mph - the latter resulting in a three-run homer by the University of Maryland's Brandon Lowe on a ball that traveled 409 feet, according to Statcast. Hess allowed another run in the second and...
Continue reading

Hyde on Davis, bench, Hess, Wynns and more (O's down 8-1)

Hyde on Davis, bench, Hess, Wynns and more (O's down 8-1)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A short bench for the Orioles has reached its tiniest stage with Chris Davis unable to play due a stomach virus. Manager Brandon Hyde needs length from his starters. He won't get it from his bench, which is down to infielder Hanser Alberto and backup catcher Pedro Severino. It's risky to use the second catcher, leaving Hyde with Alberto and fingers crossed. "Options are a little short," Hyde said. "It's part of it. This happens a lot throughout the year where things...
Continue reading

Davis battling stomach virus that's keeping him out of lineup

Davis battling stomach virus that's keeping him out of lineup
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Chris Davis feels much better at the plate. It's his stomach that's keeping him out of the lineup. Davis was scratched yesterday due to a stomach virus and he's on the bench for tonight's game against the Rays. He's in the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field, but unable to play unless there's significant improvement in his physical condition. "I don't think there's really a whole lot I can do," Davis said this afternoon. "You just have to let it run its...
Continue reading