Roch Kubatko

Reimold almost ready for rehab assignment

June 13, 2013, 1:06pm

Orioles

Reimold almost ready for rehab assignment

Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold said he expects to begin his injury-rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Bowie. "That's what I'm shooting for," he said. Reimold ran sprints and did quick bursts today before the heavy rain arrived at Camden Yards. As long as his right hamstring didn't bark, he would be cleared to start playing again. "It's feeling better. I've made a lot of progress," he said. "I think you know when you're past the point where you're going to keep having...

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McLouth and Flaherty included in tonight's lineup (plus Casilla update)

June 13, 2013, 11:14am

Orioles

McLouth and Flaherty included in tonight's lineup (plus Casilla update)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't entirely break out his right-handed lineup tonight against Red Sox left-hander Felix Doubront. Nate McLouth is in left field. No Steve Pearce. Ryan Flaherty is at second base. No Alexi Casilla. Casilla's right index finger must still be sore. For the Red Sox Jacoby Ellsbury CF Shane Victorino RF Dustin Pedroia 2B David Ortiz DH Mike Napoli 1B Daniel Nava LF Jarrod Saltalamachia C Will Middlebrooks 3B Stephen Drew SS Felix Doubront LHP For the...

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Kevin Gausman and his two changeups

June 13, 2013, 9:06am

Orioles

Kevin Gausman is on the mound tonight for the Orioles, searching for his first major league win in the opener of a four-game series against the Boston Red Sox. As usual, no pressure. During his last two starts, the Gameday pitch tracker kept giving readings on a "splitter," which seemed curious, since Gausman doesn't throw a split-fingered fastball. One split was clocked at 81 mph, the next at 88 mph. Gausman explained earlier this week that the confusion stems from the two changeups that...

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Orioles facing decision on Strop

June 12, 2013, 7:18pm

Orioles

I didn't plan on writing about Pedro Strop this morning as yesterday's game moved past the middle innings. But then, you know, stuff happened. I was surprised that starter Jason Hammel returned for the seventh inning. My ears were ringing from all the loud outs. It was a gutsy performance on a day when Hammel's command wavered, and I thought that trying to squeeze one more inning out of him was risky. However, it was clear that manager Buck Showalter wanted to avoid using a few of his...

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Showalter: "We can't pitch the same guys every night"

June 12, 2013, 12:37pm

Orioles

Showalter: "We can't pitch the same guys every night"

Without revealing the names, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he had two or three relievers that he wasn't going to use today. Pedro Strop wasn't on that list. Strop allowed two inherited runners to score and four of his own in the Orioles' 9-5 loss to the Angels before 25,964 at Camden Yards. The seventh inning unraveled after Strop, inheriting two runners from starter Jason Hammel with no outs, leaping for Hank Conger's high chopper and failed to make a play. If he doesn't touch...

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Strop enters game and loses lead (O's lose 9-5)

June 12, 2013, 11:11am

Orioles

Strop enters game and loses lead (O's lose 9-5)

The first two batters reached against Jason Hammel in the top of the seventh inning, and manager Buck Showalter called for Pedro Strop. It didn't go as planned. Hank Conger reached on an infield hit to load the bases, the ball deflecting off Strop's glove, and Erick Aybar followed with a three-run triple. Aybar scored on Ryan Flaherty's throwing error on the relay to third base. In the blink of an eye, the Angels had four runs and fans were booing Strop, who was making his second...

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McLouth's stolen base streak ends, Davis' HR drought ends

June 12, 2013, 9:51am

Orioles

McLouth's stolen base streak ends, Davis' HR drought ends

Orioles left fielder Nate McLouth is 2-for-2 at the plate today and 0-for-1 in arguments. McLouth singled again leading off the bottom of the third inning, and he appeared to get his 23rd stolen base of the season, which would have tied his career high. However, second base umpire Joe West ruled that McLouth's foot came off the bag as he came out of his slide, and shortstop Erick Aybar applied the tag. McLouth and manager Buck Showalter applied pressure to West, both of them disputing the...

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Orioles facing decision on Wada (O's lead 2-0)

June 12, 2013, 8:49am

Orioles

Wada mess. OK, I couldn't resist. Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada's injury rehab assignment ends this weekend and he can't be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk without his consent. It's part of his contract. Wada was torched last night for eight runs (seven earned) in 1 1/3 innings. He's totaled only 24 1/3 innings in six starts with the Tides, allowing 33 hits and posting an 8.14 ERA. He's not ready for major league hitters. The Orioles will try to convince Wada to remain with Norfolk past...

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Chen progressing, and other notes

June 12, 2013, 7:54am

Orioles

Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen will throw off a half mound on Thursday in Sarasota, and off a full mound on Saturday if he doesn't experience any setbacks in his recovery from a strained oblique. Chen could be in Baltimore by the weekend or early next week, as the Orioles monitor his progress and determine when he's ready to go on an injury rehab assignment. He would likely pitch in a simulated game before joining an affiliate. Brian Roberts took batting practice in the indoor cage...

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Casilla's finger improving, but he remains out (plus matinee lineups)

June 12, 2013, 6:45am

Orioles

Casilla's finger improving, but he remains out (plus matinee lineups)

Although Alexi Casilla says his right index finger is doing much better, the second baseman remains out of the Orioles lineup for a third straight game. The finger, which Casilla jammed attempting to steal second against Tampa Bay on Sunday, isn't as swollen and is no longer bandaged. He feels more flexibility in his hand and can almost make a fist. Casilla threw today and said it went OK, but it's unclear whether he'll be available off the bench for anything beyond pinch running. So Ryan...

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Hammel trying to feel at home

June 11, 2013, 8:12pm

Orioles

The lineups will be coming to you earlier than normal on a Wednesday, with the Orioles scheduled to play a 12:35 p.m. game against the Angels. Do the Orioles lead the majors in day games? Their body clocks must be out of whack. Jason Hammel is making his sixth start at Camden Yards. He's 1-3 with a 7.33 ERA at home, allowing 22 earned runs in 27 innings. His last start here ended with an ejection after back-to-back-to-back home runs by the Tigers. He's not looking to relive that...

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Showalter speaks after 3-2 win

June 11, 2013, 6:33pm

Orioles

Knowing that Alexi Casilla couldn't play tonight because of an injured finger, Orioles manager Buck Showalter went against conventional thinking and put two left-handed hitters back-to-back in his lineup against a left-handed starting pitcher. Ryan Flaherty batted ninth. Nick Markakis led off. And they were instrumental in a 3-2 victory over the Angels. Flaherty had two hits off Angels starter Jason Vargas, including an infield single in the bottom of the seventh that loaded the bases with...

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Great Gonzo (O's win 3-2)

June 11, 2013, 5:04pm

Orioles

We're not sure whether Miguel Gonzalez is making his last start for the Orioles before going on paternity leave. Manager Buck Showalter isn't sure about it. Gonzalez isn't sure about it. Gonzalez is the most nervous, though Showalter ranks a close second. Showalter understands why Gonzalez will be leaving the team for a few days, but he's dreading it if the right-hander's turn falls during that span. The rotation is already missing Wei-Yin Chen. Steve Johnson is on the disabled list with...

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Hardy robbed again (we're tied)

June 11, 2013, 3:36pm

Orioles

Last year, Angels center field Mike Trout scaled the fence in right-center field - see what I did there? - to rob Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy of a home run in the first inning. Tonight, Angels center fielder Peter Bourjos scaled the fence in center field to rob Hardy of a home run in the first inning. Hardy might want to try pulling the ball or aiming at the out-of-town scoreboard in right. Hardy almost gave Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez a 2-0 lead, but Bourjos brought back an apparent...

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More pregame notes

June 11, 2013, 1:22pm

Orioles

Orioles closer Jim Johnson has converted seven consecutive save opportunities since the meltdown in Toronto on May 26, when he fumbled a three-run lead on the artificial surface at Rogers Centre. He hasn't permitted a run during the current stretch. So, what's the difference now? "Results," said manager Buck Showalter. "Jimmy lives in results. Not nearly as much difference as people may think. It's that job. I can rattle off four or five other guys who are having... Jered Weaver threw a...

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Casilla day-to-day with finger injury

June 11, 2013, 12:44pm

Orioles

Alexi Casilla attempted to play catch today, made one throw and gave up. Casilla remains day-to-day after jamming his right index finger while attempting to steal second base during Sunday's game at Tropicana Field. He didn't try to throw the ball yesterday and ended his scheduled session early today. "Hopefully, I'll be good to go for tomorrow," said Casilla, who still has a bandage wrapped around the finger. "I just need the swelling to go down completely." X-rays came back...

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Orioles lineup against Angels

June 11, 2013, 11:00am

Orioles

The Orioles are trying to move nine games above .500 for the first time this season. They're facing a pitcher, Angels left-hander Jason Vargas, who shut them out on three hits back on May 3. Miguel Gonzalez will be leaving the team soon to join his wife for the birth of their first child. But first, he faces the Angels tonight. Gonzalez has allowed four runs and nine hits in 13 innings in two career starts against them, with two walks and 11 strikeouts. The Orioles will use the following...

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Casilla not switching the way he hits

June 10, 2013, 9:50pm

Orioles

Remember back in early May when Orioles second baseman Alexi Casilla sat at his locker in the visiting clubhouse at Target Field and informed reporters that he was prepared to give up switch-hitting and concentrate on batting exclusively from the right side? Well, forget it. Casilla told me yesterday that he's decided to continue batting from both sides of the plate. The experiment is over. "I'm going to stay hitting from the left side, too. I'm going to keep switch-hitting," he said....

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Showalter speaks after 4-3 win

June 10, 2013, 8:37pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter offered praise for the Camden Yards grounds crew and the umpiring crew following tonight's soggy 4-3 victory over the Angels. The rain delay lasted 2 hours, 14 minutes. The game itself lasted 2 hours, 23 minutes. At one point, it seemed highly unlikely that it would resume in the bottom of the sixth as the rain came down in buckets and the field was under water. "What a job the grounds crew did. When they put the tarp out there, you wouldn't like the chances...

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Hunter will replace Garcia (O's win 4-3)

June 10, 2013, 6:58pm

Orioles

Hunter will replace Garcia (O's win 4-3)

Tommy Hunter is warming in the Orioles' bullpen and will replace Freddy Garcia in the seventh inning. Garcia is charged with two runs and six hits in six innings, with one walk, three strikeouts and two home runs. He threw 83 pitches, 52 for strikes. A scoring change resulted in an extra hit off Garcia. Credit Josh Hamilton with a single in the first inning and remove the error from shortstop J.J. Hardy. Garcia has turned in four quality starts out of his eight starts with the Orioles....