Orioles lineup excludes Davis and Mullins

Orioles lineup excludes Davis and Mullins
NEW YORK - Chris Davis is out of the Orioles lineup today against Yankees left-hander James Paxton. Trey Mancini is playing first base and Renato Núñez is the designated hitter. Davis struck out in all three at-bats on opening day and Núñez pinch-hit for him in the ninth inning. Dwight Smith Jr. is in left field again and Joey Rickard is in right. Drew Jackson is the center fielder instead of Cedric Mullins. Jonathan Villar is leading off. For the Orioles Jonathan Villar 2B Dwight...
Continue reading

Today's opener, wondering about Davis and the Williams signing

Today's opener, wondering about Davis and the Williams signing
NEW YORK - Who's ready for opener day? The Orioles are breaking out a bullpen game, as it used to be called, in the first week of the season. Three days into it. Nate Karns makes sense as a former starter who didn't exceed two innings in his spring training appearances and is handled with care after missing the 2018 season with an elbow injury. Stretch him out and he could be slotted into a more traditional role, but in the meantime, let him cover the early portion and be the first to touch...
Continue reading

Orioles announce Williams signing and trade for Gudino

Orioles announce Williams signing and trade for Gudino
NEW YORK - The Orioles are conducting more minor league business on their off-day, remaining active in trying to increase the level of talent in the system. The club has announced the signing of outfielder Mason Williams to a minor league deal and the acquisition of infielder Yeltsin Gudino from the Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations. Williams is assigned to Triple-A Norfolk and Gudino to Single-A Frederick. Gudino turned 22 in January. The native of Venezuela signed with the Blue...
Continue reading

Orioles to celebrate life of Frank Robinson on April 6 (note added)

Orioles to celebrate life of Frank Robinson on April 6 (note added)
The Orioles unveiled more of their plans to honor Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, the celebration of his life moving from Sarasota to Camden Yards. The club is dedicating a night to Robinson on April 6 prior to its game against the Yankees, with the ceremony beginning at 6:15 p.m. The program, entitled "A Celebration of Frank," will include a video tribute and collection of notable speakers with confirmations from fellow Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson and Jim Palmer and Orioles Hall of Famer...
Continue reading

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
NEW YORK - The last visit for Richard Bleier at Yankee Stadium came on July 31 after his follow-up exam in the city. He provided a post-surgery update to the media and watched more teammates get traded at the non-waiver deadline, saying his goodbyes to pitcher Kevin Gausman and second baseman Jonathan Schoop. No one knew whether Bleier would be back for opening day. Bleier had no idea. He could only follow the steps in his rehab and hope that the work and patience would get him on the 25-man...
Continue reading

Wrapping up the Orioles' 7-2 loss on opening day

Wrapping up the Orioles' 7-2 loss on opening day
NEW YORK - Signs that it wasn't going to be the Orioles' day included a ground ball headed to right field that struck a runner's leg and the moment when four pitchers began to do stretching exercises in the bullpen while in a rush to get loose. David Hess was included in the group. He's supposed to start Monday night in Toronto, but plans can be blown up with one rally and a game already slipping away. The 2019 season begins with a 7-2 loss to the Yankees in the Bronx, the first game for...
Continue reading

Wilkerson outrighted, Orioles down 3-0 (O's lose 7-2)

Wilkerson outrighted, Orioles down 3-0 (O's lose 7-2)
NEW YORK - Infielder Stevie Wilkerson has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, the announcement coming this afternoon while the Orioles opened their season at Yankee Stadium. The Orioles designated Wilkerson for assignment on Saturday to make room for catcher Pedro Severino on the 40-man roster. Wilkerson already had been optioned to Norfolk after going 8-for-36. He appeared in 16 games with the Orioles last season in a utility role and batted .174/.224/.239. With Austin...
Continue reading

Hyde on rotation, lineup and first opening day as manager

Hyde on rotation, lineup and first opening day as manager
NEW YORK - Let's get the nuts and bolts out of the way first before transitioning into the emotional. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde confirmed today that David Hess is starting Monday night's series opener in Toronto. The rest of the rotation to follow. Alex Cobb is making good progress in his recovery from a groin injury and remains in line to start the home opener April 4. Hyde hasn't told any of the pitchers of their potential assignments Saturday behind "opener" Nate Karns. He needs to...
Continue reading

Jackson, Martin and Means on first opening day experiences

Jackson, Martin and Means on first opening day experiences
NEW YORK - The day has finally arrived. On the road, in the cold, but filled with excitement for players experiencing their first opener in the majors. The Orioles have two Rule 5 infielders on the roster, with Richie Martin starting at shortstop and Drew Jackson waiting his turn on the bench at Yankee Stadium. "Right now I'm super excited and obviously there's nerves, but I think once I go out there, that's when it will really hit me. I'll look up and see everyone," Jackson said. "This...
Continue reading

Orioles and Yankees lineups for opening day

Orioles and Yankees lineups for opening day
NEW YORK - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is going with his best defensive outfield on opening day. Dwight Smith Jr. is in left field this afternoon at Yankee Stadium and Joey Rickard is in right, with Cedric Mullins patrolling the middle. Trey Mancini is the designated hitter and cleanup hitter. Chris Davis is batting seventh after leading off on opening day 2018. Rio Ruiz is playing third base. Jesús Sucre is catching Andrew Cashner. Eleven Orioles are on their first opening day roster. For...
Continue reading

Notes on the rotation, catching situation and lineup possibilities

Notes on the rotation, catching situation and lineup possibilities
NEW YORK - A rotation that already is going to be slower to evolve than the standard models became more unpredictable with Alex Cobb's groin injury and subsequent trip to the 10-day injured list. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has given Andrew Cashner the opening day assignment this afternoon at Yankee Stadium. Cashner and Dylan Bundy were supposed to vie for Saturday's start, but it goes to Nate Karns as the season's first "opener." Bundy takes the mound for Sunday's series finale and...
Continue reading

Revisiting the opener, camp roster decisions and more

Revisiting the opener, camp roster decisions and more
The Orioles made it through yesterday's workout without their tans fading or the front office tweaking the 25-man roster. The same group that flew out of Sarasota headed out to the field in stocking caps and hoodies, then retreated to a clubhouse that added new big screen televisions mounted from the ceiling, a leather sofa and a couple of recliners. Feel the cold outside and chill indoors. The final roster moves on Monday didn't include any mention of pitcher Gregory Infante, who never made...
Continue reading

Orioles using Karns as "opener" in second game

Orioles using Karns as "opener" in second game
Circumstances and a willingness to try something new, at least to their organization, have led the Orioles to introduce the "opener" to their rotation in the second game of the 2019 season. Nate Karns will start Saturday afternoon against the Yankees in the Bronx, following opening day starter Andrew Cashner and the ensuing off-day. Manager Brandon Hyde provided some clarity to his rotation during today's workout at chilly Camden Yards, including how Dylan Bundy will start Sunday...
Continue reading

Back in Baltimore and inching closer to opening day

Back in Baltimore and inching closer to opening day
Spring training is over and the Orioles have moved into the next phase of their 2019 season. The games are starting to count, even for teams that are focusing on the bigger rebuild picture. The Orioles will visit the Naval Academy today - touring the grounds and facilities as guests of the baseball team and having lunch with 4,400 Midshipmen in King Hall - before holding their workout at Camden Yards and heading to New York. Major League Baseball requires teams to take an entire day off, which...
Continue reading

Smith has another big day for Orioles (final roster moves)

Smith has another big day for Orioles (final roster moves)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dwight Smith Jr. singled today in the fifth inning, came out of the game for a pinch-runner and received a nice ovation. He left on a low note by his standards. Smith hit two more home runs today to give him five in 12 games. Both balls cleared the fence in center field, an impressive display of power from a player who's hit two homers in 104 plate appearances in the majors and had six last summer in Triple-A. "I've just been working on it," said Smith, who hugged his...
Continue reading

Hyde and Elias on the catching situation and more (tied 6-6)

Hyde and Elias on the catching situation and more (tied 6-6)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's news of the likely placement of three Orioles on the injured list finally brings the opening day roster into clear focus unless a late waiver claim or trade muddies the picture again. Splatters happen. Jesús Sucre should be told later that he's on the club, making his opt-out date insignificant and finalizing the composition of the catching tandem. Sucre, signed to a minor league deal on Feb. 1 with a guarantee of $850,000 if he made the team, will be paired with...
Continue reading

Cobb headed to injured list as Orioles make final roster moves

Cobb headed to injured list as Orioles make final roster moves
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are set to pare down the remainder of their spring training roster via the injured list. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias confirmed this morning that pitcher Alex Cobb likely will miss Thursday's opening day start due to a strained groin muscle, forcing him onto the injured list and giving the assignment to Andrew Cashner. The rest of the rotation order hasn't been decided, according to manager Brandon Hyde, but Dylan Bundy figures to start...
Continue reading

Orioles lineup vs. Mets

Orioles lineup vs. Mets
SARASOTA, Fla. - The final spring training lineup for the Orioles today includes Dwight Smith Jr. in right field, Rio Ruiz at third base and Pedro Severino behind the plate for his first start with his new team. Chris Davis is lowered to sixth in the order, followed by Renato Núñez as the designated hitter. Rule 5 pick Richie Martin is the shortstop. Is this the opening day lineup? For the Orioles Cedric Mullins CF Dwight Smith Jr. RF Jonathan Villar 2B Trey Mancini LF Rio Ruiz 3B Chris...
Continue reading

Orioles roster close to completion

Orioles roster close to completion
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will host the Mets this afternoon and bolt Sarasota as if their hair is on fire. They have commitments on Tuesday, including a workout at Camden Yards followed by a train to New York. Final roster cuts could come this morning. The catching picture cleared up last night with Jesús Sucre and Pedro Severino avoided the chopping block. Only another waiver claim can break up the duo. I never thought it made sense to bump Sucre for Severino - one plus-defender for...
Continue reading

Sisco and Scott among six players cut from Orioles camp

Sisco and Scott among six players cut from Orioles camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles apparently have decided to carry Jesús Sucre and Pedro Severino as their catchers on opening day. Chance Sisco posted a .382 average in spring training, collecting three more hits this afternoon, but he's included among six roster cuts. Sisco and left-handers Tanner Scott and Josh Rogers were optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Catchers Carlos Pérez and Andrew Susac and infielder Jace Peterson were reassigned to minor league camp. Manager Brandon Hyde confirmed...
Continue reading