Orioles make more cuts, Smith continues to impress

Orioles make more cuts, Smith continues to impress
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made two more roster cuts this morning, reassigning infielder Jack Reinheimer and pitcher Josh Lucas to minor league camp. Reinheimer follows Alcides Escobar out the door after the veteran was released yesterday, further reducing the competition for a utility job. Reinheimer was 11-for-28 (.393) with two doubles and a home run while mostly coming off the bench later in games. Lucas had a 5.06 ERA in six games with three runs and four hits allowed in 5 1/3 innings....
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Orioles and Pirates lineups

Orioles and Pirates lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he wants to get an extended look at outfielder Dwight Smith Jr., who's leading off today and playing left field against the Pirates in Bradenton. Smith hit his second home run last night and is 6-for-14 since joining the Orioles. Trey Mancini is playing first base and Chris Davis is the designated hitter. Renato Núñez remains out of the lineup with biceps soreness and Rio Ruiz gets another start at third base. Hanser Alberto is the...
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Sucre getting more comfortable in camp as opt-out date nears

Sucre getting more comfortable in camp as opt-out date nears
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles education of Jesús Sucre continued last night as he caught starter Dylan Bundy for the first time in camp beyond a couple of bullpen sessions. A late arrival following a prolonged work visa issue had Sucre scrambling to learn the staff and make his bid for a roster spot after agreeing to a minor league deal on Feb. 1. "It's going really well," he said. "I've been working in the 'pen with a lot of guys. They're mostly here. And even in the games I've been...
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Mullins and Bundy with big nights for Orioles (O's lose 6-4, updated)

Mullins and Bundy with big nights for Orioles (O's lose 6-4, updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Cedric Mullins collected his sixth hit of spring training tonight while leading off the bottom of the first inning. His fifth for extra bases and third home run. And the odd count would continue. Mullins also reached on a bunt single and doubled for his most productive game of the spring, his average climbing to .186. Always at his most dangerous from the left side, Mullins pulled a two-strike off-speed pitch from Red Sox starter Rick Porcello down the right field line to give...
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Orioles release Escobar, Núñez still out and other notes (tied 1-1)

Orioles release Escobar, Núñez still out and other notes (tied 1-1)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have granted infielder Alcides Escobar his outright release this afternoon, a move coinciding with the opt-out date on the veteran infielder's minor league deal. Escobar, 32, is free to sign with another team and drops out of the competition for a utility infield job in camp. The Orioles reached agreement with Escobar on Feb. 16 and he would have earned $700,000 if placed on the 25-man roster. Appearing in 13 exhibition games, Escobar went 7-for-32 with two doubles...
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Harvey getting good results in minor league camp

Harvey getting good results in minor league camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The clubhouse filled up this afternoon with numerous officials from the Major League Baseball Players Association, including former Orioles outfielders Jeffrey Hammonds and Bobby Bonilla, making the Ed Smith Stadium complex their latest stop for the annual round of meetings, which attracted players from minor league camp who are on the 40-man roster and therefore included in the discussions. The hugs were plentiful as Hunter Harvey, Austin Hays, Anthony Santander, DJ Stewart,...
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Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - Trey Mancini is in left field tonight instead of Drew Jackson for the Orioles' game against the Red Sox in Sarasota. Jackson was supposed to make his debut in left before yesterday's cancellation. Rio Ruiz is still getting the start at third base instead of Renato Núñez. Jesús Sucre is catching Dylan Bundy for the first time this spring. Mark Trumbo is the designated hitter and Chris Davis is batting fourth and playing first base. Rule 5 pick Richie Martin is the...
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Reinheimer raking in reduced at-bats with Orioles

Reinheimer raking in reduced at-bats with Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jack Reinheimer can remember making one start for the Orioles this spring, though he might not be able to nail down the date. Reinheimer keeps coming off the bench, mainly to play shortstop or second base and to get his daily at-bat. And what often follows is a line drive that finds grass in the outfield. Is there a quieter .407/.429/.593 slash line in the Grapefruit League? Reinheimer has appeared in 20 games, one fewer than team leader Drew Jackson, and accumulated 27...
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Today's cancellation delays outfield plans for Jackson (updated)

Today's cancellation delays outfield plans for Jackson (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - A steady rain and unfavorable forecast have caused the cancellation of today's game between the Orioles and Twins and delayed Drew Jackson's debut in left field. Jackson made his first professional appearance in right field yesterday in Lakeland and was set to play left today, but the Twins never left Fort Myers, didn't post a lineup and waited for the inevitable. The Orioles want to know whether Jackson can be a fourth outfielder along with his other utility duties. A sunny...
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Checking on Orioles camp competitions

Checking on Orioles camp competitions
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde remains uncertain about numerous aspects of his opening day roster. The final rotation spots, the complete bullpen and outfield compositions, the two catchers heading north. The top three starters always have been Alex Cobb, Dylan Bundy and Andrew Cashner. The only drama involved which one would be on the mound March 28 at Yankee Stadium, with Cobb given the honor. Mychal Givens and Richard Bleier were locks for the bullpen, the latter just needing...
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Orioles acquire catcher Lenin Rodriguez from Phillies

Orioles acquire catcher Lenin Rodriguez from Phillies
SARASOTA, Fla. - The distribution of international signing bonus slots continues under executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias. The Orioles swung another spring training deal earlier today, sending an undisclosed slot figure to the Phillies in exchange for minor league catcher Lenin Rodriguez. Rodriguez is the latest depth move, and he reaches the low levels of the system. He turns 21 later this month and hasn't played above short-season Single-A, appearing in 21 games last...
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Cashner on his "big step in the right direction" (O's win 14-1, updated)

Cashner on his "big step in the right direction" (O's win 14-1, updated)
LAKELAND, Fla. - Andrew Cashner retired the last 12 batters that he faced today. The Orioles sent 11 to the plate in the fifth inning, with Dwight Smith Jr. collecting two singles. They received back-to-back triples from Jonathan Villar and Trey Mancini. Just another day in spring training. Cashner got on a nice roll after Mikie Mahtook singled to lead off the bottom of the second inning. He filled up the strike zone and did his finest work while holding the Tigers to one run in five...
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Hyde on Jackson, roster decisions, Núñez's arm and more (O's up 8-1)

Hyde on Jackson, roster decisions, Núñez's arm and more (O's up 8-1)
LAKELAND, Fla. - Drew Jackson's ability to handle the outfield corners, with today marking his first game in right, could influence manager Brandon Hyde's roster construction prior to opening day. Jackson figures to make the club as a second Rule 5 infielder along with Richie Martin, but he's been used in a utility role in camp and the resume is expanding. "He's so versatile. He can play a lot of different positions," Hyde said this morning while the Orioles took batting...
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Wynns: "I'm trying to get back as fast as I can"

Wynns: "I'm trying to get back as fast as I can"
LAKELAND, Fla. - Austin Wynns remains hopeful that he can get back in the lineup within a few days and continue his fight for a spot on the opening day roster as the Orioles wind down the exhibition portion of their spring training. Wynns hasn't been able to play due to a strained left oblique. He did some defensive work yesterday on one of the back fields and has been hitting in the cage, but he's set to ramp up his activities. "I'm like full-go defensive, throwing running," he said....
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Orioles lineup vs. Tigers

Orioles lineup vs. Tigers
SARASOTA, Fla. - Drew Jackson is making his first appearance in right field this afternoon as the Orioles travel to Lakeland to play the Tigers. Ryan Mountcastle is coming over from minor league camp to serve as the designated hitter. He's batting third. Trey Mancini is starting at first base, Chance Sisco is catching and Joey Rickard is in center field. Andrew Cashner makes his fourth spring start after allowing eight runs and 12 hits in 8 1/3 innings. He's walked four batters and struck out...
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Early notes on catchers, Rickard, Araujo and Davis

Early notes on catchers, Rickard, Araujo and Davis
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles catcher Austin Wynns provides the latest example of how an oblique injury isn't a day-to-day situation. Players can't rush back from them. Can't test them early without risking a setback. Wynns seems confident that he'll return this week, but he still has to take live batting practice. He's been hitting in the cage, which is where the injury happened. Life as a catcher certainly has its risks, though most of them occur behind the plate. Andrew Susac took a beating...
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Wright: "Got to keep the ball in the park" (O's lose 5-3)

Wright: "Got to keep the ball in the park" (O's lose 5-3)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Mike Wright's late push to be included in the Orioles rotation needs more muscle. Wright finished strong today by retiring the split-squad Yankees in order in the fifth inning, but he served up three home runs and the Orioles trail 4-1 in the seventh at Ed Smith Stadium. Luke Voit hit a two-run homer to left-center field with the count full in the first inning and flied to the right field fence in the fifth. Miguel Andújar and Zack Zehner led off the third and fourth,...
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Hyde on roster cuts, Wynns update and more (O's down 4-0)

Hyde on roster cuts, Wynns update and more (O's down 4-0)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brandon Hyde called them into his office one at a time. Eight players sent out of major league camp in the latest round of roster cuts. Always tough conversations for veteran and first-year managers. Outfielders Austin Hays and Anthony Santander, pitchers Yefry Ramirez, Cody Carroll and Branden Kline, and infielder Stevie Wilkerson were optioned to Triple-A Norfolk this morning. Pitcher Gabriel Ynoa and infielder Christopher Bostick were reassigned to minor league camp. "All...
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Elias explains roster decisions on Hays, Santander and Carroll

Elias explains roster decisions on Hays, Santander and Carroll
SARASOTA, Fla. - The message delivered by the Orioles this spring regarding the importance of camp competitions and fighting for available jobs clashed this morning with a round of roster cuts that included outfielders Austin Hays and Anthony Santander and reliever Cody Carroll. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias explained the decisions and more while meeting with the media for about 10 minutes inside the home dugout at Ed Smith Stadium. "I don't think competition in the...
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Orioles announce eight more roster cuts

Orioles announce eight more roster cuts
SARASOTA, Fla. - Austin Hays slashed .351/.385/.892 in 12 exhibition games this spring. His 13 hits included three doubles, a triple and five home runs. He scored 10 runs and drove in 13. He proved that his surgically repaired ankle was healed and wouldn't restrict him on the bases or in the field, where he played a superb center and moved to both corners. Hays did everything in camp except win a roster spot. The Orioles have optioned Hays, outfielder Anthony Santander, pitchers Yefry Ramirez,...
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