Updates on Matusz and Hardy

Updates on Matusz and Hardy
Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz will pitch twice at extended spring training, his first start coming tomorrow, before he reports to one of the affiliates on his injury rehab assignment. Matusz will make his first start for an affiliate on May 16, according to manager Buck Showalter. As the plan is currently constructed, Matusz will throw two to three innings tomorrow at Twin Lakes Park and three to four innings in his next start. He'll go at least four innings in his first start with a...
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Orioles lineup

Orioles lineup
Here is the Orioles lineup for tonight's series opener against Tampa Bay: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino SS Zach Britton LHP
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Early news on Machado encouraging

Early news on Machado encouraging
The Orioles are encouraged by the preliminary reports on Single-A Delmarva shortstop Manny Machado's left knee. The club will know more after receiving the results of Machado's MRI, but director of player development John Stockstill is hopeful that it's a "few days" thing. Machado will undergo an MRI in Asheville, N.C. this afternoon, and team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens will view the results later tonight and lay out a diagnosis. Machado was walking around fairly easily last night...
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Looking at the Orioles vs. Shields

Looking at the Orioles vs. Shields
Mark Reynolds batted .198 last year for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He's hitting .198 going into tonight's series-opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. This .198 looks a lot better than the other one. Reynolds has gone 4-for-6 over his last two games after a 5-for-53 slump. He's collected at least one hit in five of his last seven games. Maybe he'll clear the Mendoza Line tonight. Reynolds went 1-for-3 with two strikeouts in his only previous game against Rays starter James...
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Talking Tillman, the farm and ratings (and Machado)

Talking Tillman, the farm and ratings (and Machado)
The Orioles are back home tonight against the Rays, and Zach Britton is back on the mound. A Friday night, Britton pitching, a division rival. Let's hope for a little atmosphere at Camden Yards. He'll need to stick around longer than Chris Tillman did in Kansas City. Tillman lasted only 3 2/3 innings yesterday and raised more concerns about his long-term future in the rotation and the organization. Tillman's dragged down by a 7.16 ERA and much higher expectations. He's a riddle in some...
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Machado exits with injured knee (updated)

Machado exits with injured knee (updated)
Single-A Delmarva shortstop
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Rupe a silver lining in 9-1 loss (updated)

Rupe a silver lining in 9-1 loss (updated)
It's hard to find anything positive to say about a 9-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals, but I'll focus on reliever Josh Rupe. Rupe replaced starter Chris Tillman in the fourth and tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed only one hit, walked one and struck out two, and lowered his ERA from 7.59 to 5.65. Welcome back to Kansas City, Josh. Rupe had surrendered nine earned runs and 15 hits in his last seven appearances covering 9 2/3 innings. Clay Rapada replaced Rupe and served up Melky...
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Tillman gone after 3 2/3 innings

Tillman gone after 3 2/3 innings
I didn't make it back home from Bowie before Chris Tillman had walked off the mound for the last time. Tillman lasted only 3 2/3 innings in today's start in Kansas City, allowing eight runs and 10 hits to raise his ERA to 7.16. I wonder if manager Buck Showalter will mention pitch sequences again in his post-game session with the media. Tillman threw a flat breaking ball on a 2-2 count to the Royals' No. 8 hitter, Brayan Pena, in the fourth inning. He threw the same pitch with the count...
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Simon talks about today's start

Simon talks about today's start
Alfredo Simon threw 81 pitches in five innings today in his first start on his rehab assignment, which ended with Harrisburg defeating Bowie, 8-6. The Senators scored twice in the ninth off Brandon Cooney. Simon read his prepared statement in one of the third-level suites at Prince George's Stadium and took questions from reporters related to today's outing. The entire session lasted about six minutes. Alfredo Simon talks about his rehab start with Double-A Bowie "I feel great. My pitches...
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Statement from Simon

Statement from Simon
Orioles pitcher Alfredo Simon read the following statement concerning his legal issues in the Dominican Republic. He later took baseball-related questions from a small group of reporters at Prince George's Stadium: "Today is the day that I'm addressing everyone in my personal and professional life. "I want to take this opportunity to apologize to my sport, to the entire Baltimore Orioles organization, the owner, general manager, the front office, the coaches, my teammates, sponsors, and...
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MacPhail on Simon; O's-Royals should start at 2:45 p.m. on MASN

MacPhail on Simon; O's-Royals should start at 2:45 p.m. on MASN
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said pitcher Alfredo Simon will make his next start with Double-A Bowie next week at Prince George's Stadium. The Orioles have an agreement with Major League Baseball that Simon can remain on the restricted list and continue his assignment as if he's going through a regular spring training. "I think the deal that was worked out in New York is pretty reflective of what you'd expect for spring training. That's how much time he gets, what a...
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Simon done after five innings

Simon done after five innings
Alfredo Simon threw 81 pitches in five innings, and a reliever is warming in Double-A Bowie's bullpen. It looks like his first start in an affiliated game is over. Simon is charged with four runs (three earned) and six hits, with no walks and five strikeouts. He also hit a batter and threw two wild pitches. We had trouble getting an accurate read on the speed of his pitches. One fastball was clocked at 122 mph on the ballpark's radar gun. Another ball, which Harrisburg No. 9 hitter Archie...
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Fox catching today for Orioles (Simon update)

Fox catching today for Orioles (Simon update)
The Orioles just passed along their lineup from Kansas City, and it includes Jake Fox behind the plate. Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Adam Jones CF Luke Scott LF Mark Reynolds 3B Jake Fox C Robert Andino SS Chris Tillman RHP Alfredo Simon allowed a leadoff double in the second inning, but he retired the next three batters, getting a called third strike on Tim Pahuta. Simon has allowed one run and three hits, and struck out four, over two innings....
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Simon strikes out three in first inning

Simon strikes out three in first inning
Alfredo Simon, pitching for Double-A Bowie in his first affiliated game since being jailed in the Dominican for almost two months, struck out three Harrisburg batters in the top of the first inning. Simon threw 23 pitches, 18 for strikes. His fastball topped out at 95 mph and was mostly in the 92-93 range. Simon also allowed a run on two hits, though the RBI double by Tyler Moore should have been ruled an error. Xavier Avery ran down the ball in right-center field, and it bounced out of his...
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More pregame notes from Bowie

More pregame notes from Bowie
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, director of baseball operations Matt Klentak and director of player development John Stockstill are in Bowie. So is instructor Mike Bordick. Alfredo Simon is on a pitch count of 75-80 today. Double-A Bowie manager Gary Kendall isn't sure how long Simon will remain on the roster. "It's a stop along the way," Kendall said. "We didn't know if it was going to be one or maybe two starts. I don't have that information. But we're happy to...
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Baysox lineup

Baysox lineup
Alfredo Simon looks thinner, and we've been told that he dropped around 30 pounds over the winter. He doesn't look that much thinner, but there's a noticeable difference. Here's the Bowie Baysox's lineup: Xavier Avery CF Greg Miclat 2B Robbie Widlansky 1B Brandon Waring 3B Ronnie Welty RF Steve Lerud C Carlos Rojas SS Adam Donachie DH Kyle Hudson LF Alfredo Simon RHP Dan Klein (UCLA) is expected to pitch today. Donachie was added to the Bowie roster from extended spring training....
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Heads-up play by Jones, Gonzo great again (O's win)

Heads-up play by Jones, Gonzo great again (O's win)
Adam Jones took a huge risk in the bottom of the eighth inning by holding up his arms and calling for time as the ball Mike Aviles hit wedged underneath the padding on the left-center field fence. Jones wanted a ground-rule double, which would have forced Alcides Escobar to stop at third base and Aviles to hold at second with one out and the Orioles clinging to a 3-1 lead. Both runners crossed the plate while Jones waited for the umpires to make the call. Jim and Rick talk with Adam Jones...
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Markakis having a night (updated)

Markakis having a night (updated)
Nick Markakis has a run-scoring single and solo home run tonight, and the Orioles have knocked out Kyle Davies in a game they lead, 3-1, in the top of the seventh. Before tonight, Markakis was in a 12-for-70 (.171) slump that had dropped his average from .268 to .207. Fans want him lowered in the order. They want him benched. They want him placed on waivers and let go like Alex Rios. I doubt that tonight's game will silence the critics. He'll need to heat to a boil for that to happen. But...
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Waiting to find out what Simon says (updated)

Waiting to find out what Simon says (updated)
I'll point out one more time that "Modern Family" is the funniest show on television, and I'll wrestle anyone who disputes this indisputable fact. If you missed last night's episode and you treat DVR the way I treat splitting the atom ... or DVR ... that's too bad. Another classic. Anyway, I'm heading down to Bowie for today's 11:05 a.m. game between the Baysox and the Harrisburg Senators. Alfredo Simon is pitching, so I figure it's a good idea to check on him. Simon will issue a...
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Reynolds wrapped in 8th spot

Reynolds wrapped in 8th spot
Mark Reynolds is batting eighth tonight for only the fourth time in his career. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Kansas City that Reynolds will be hitting in another spot tomorrow afternoon. But he also pointed out that Reynolds' slotting is up to the third baseman, who began tonight batting .168 with three homers and 15 RBIs. Reynolds is in a 3-for-25 slump. Or it's a 5-for-36 slump if you go back to his last 10 games. Or it's a 7-for-62 slump if you go back to April 14. Reynolds...
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