NEW YORK - While Alex Cobb has convinced the Orioles that he's ready to start Sunday following two bullpen sessions, the other pitcher that they pursued simultaneously in spring training takes the mound today for the Yankees.
The Orioles were negotiating with the agents for Cobb and Lance Lynn, driven to sign one more pitcher before breaking camp. An impactful addition to the rotation.
They spoke at length with Lynn's agent on many occasions right up to the time that the right-hander agreed...
NEW YORK - Two teams with separate agendas met tonight in the Bronx, the Yankees trying to clinch a playoff berth and home wild card game, the Orioles trying to impose their influence from last place.
The word "spoiler" wasn't uttered in the visiting clubhouse, but it fit. Be the fly swirling around in the ointment. Burrow under the skins of the Yankees, Red Sox and Astros before scattering for the winter.
There isn't much else to play for other than individual achievements. Becoming a...
NEW YORK - As Alex Cobb threw in the bullpen again today, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said the right-hander is a candidate to start Sunday afternoon's series finale against the Yankees.
Cobb said earlier today that he was hoping to start again before the season ends. The Orioles are in the process of figuring out his availability and whether the cut on his right middle finger has sufficiently healed.
"We're waiting," Showalter said. "We'll have a decision after he gets through throwing...
NEW YORK - Alex Cobb is throwing in the bullpen today to determine whether he's ready to make another start before the 2018 schedule no longer holds any games.
Cobb threw a couple of days ago and planned on a lighter session this afternoon to check whether the cut caused by a blood blister would reopen on his right middle finger.
"I'll see how it feels and talk to Buck (Showalter) and see what the plan is moving forward, whether they want to start me again," Cobb said.
"It's feeling a lot...
NEW YORK - Rookie Austin Wynns gets another start behind the plate tonight and Chris Davis is back at first base as the Orioles open a three-game series against the Yankees.
Joey Rickard is in left field, Tim Beckham is starting at shortstop and Trey Mancini is the designated hitter.
Yefry RamÃrez is making his third start and fourth appearance against the Yankees. He's allowed a combined 10 runs and 15 hits in nine innings in his two starts, and he tossed three scoreless innings out of the...
The last 10 games of the season can't pass without another dive into the ol' "mailbag," which requires actual quotation marks because air quotes won't work here.
I tend to gravitate toward the duplicates, hoping that an answer will eliminate the repetition. But I've learned over the years that it doesn't really work.
At least we're having fun, right?
Right?
I'm running low on movie sequel titles. Similar to how the Orioles are running out of starters. But I'm not injured and I'm not...
A 44th win in the 152nd game of the season can only hold so many positives. The rest may seem forced.
However, manager Buck Showalter could appreciate last night how a team with so many inexperienced and unproven components played such a crisp game in defeating the Blue Jays 2-1. The long walk down the hallway that leads to the interview room didn't seem like it stretched for miles.
Jimmy Yacabonis works four scoreless innings in his fifth major league start. DJ Stewart hits his first major...
The choice came down to Jimmy Yacabonis and Mike Wright Jr. for tonight's start that would close out the penultimate homestand of the 2018 season. Manager Buck Showalter weighed his options, checking rest days, and chose Yacabonis. Wright would back him up.
It was a tag-team affair on a night when the Orioles were promoting World Wrestling Entertainment. How appropriate.
Yacabonis shut out the Blue Jays over the first four innings and Wright blanked them in two. Miguel Castro hopped into the...
Chris Davis is out of the Orioles lineup tonight while mired in his latest slump.
Davis has collected only one hit in 28 at-bats in his last eight games, with 13 strikeouts raising his season total to 185. His average is back down to .171. Manager Buck Showalter is playing Trey Mancini at first base again and using DJ Stewart as the designated hitter to provide more at-bats for the rookie.
An expanded bench includes Davis, who again appeared to be getting on a roll and then screeched to a...
David Hess is getting another start for the Orioles on Saturday, completing two-thirds of the rotation for the weekend series in the Bronx. Yefry RamÃrez starts the opener.
Manager Buck Showalter said he wants to push back Dylan Bundy to Monday in Boston, providing an extra day of rest. The vacancy on Sunday isn't likely to be filled by Dillon Tate or left-hander John Means, who continue to stay ready down in Sarasota.
"I don't think so, but let's see how Friday goes," Showalter said....
DJ Stewart is the designated hitter tonight as the Orioles close their series against the Blue Jays, and Chris Davis is on the bench.
Davis is 6-for-36 with three home runs and 12 strikeouts lifetime against right-hander Marco Estrada.
Joey Rickard is in left field and Adam Jones is in right. Rookie Austin Wynns is catching.
Jimmy Yacabonis makes his first start since Game 1 of an Aug. 25 doubleheader against the Yankees. He's no longer working as the 26th man.
Yacabonis has made three relief...
The modest gathering of fans during the current homestand generate the most noise when Adam Jones is introduced and steps to the plate. He hears it and provides an amusing explanation.
"I think they're cheering louder because they don't know anybody else," he said with a laugh while sitting at his locker before last night's 6-4 loss to the Blue Jays, the club-record 108th of the season.
"They don't really know who's in the lineup. They're like, 'Oh. Huh? Who?' But to be honest with...
Cedric Mullins clubbed his first home run in Baltimore tonight and DJ Stewart picked up his first major league hit and later stole his first base. Two of the potential rebuilding blocks contributing to a lead that carried into the seventh inning.
It was squandered in stunning fashion, with the Jays scoring four unearned runs for a 6-4 win before an announced crowd of 9,096 that handed the Orioles a club-record 108th loss.
The milestone was achieved in appropriate fashion. Defense has been...
Given the chance to remain in his current role, Orioles manager Buck Showalter would make defense one of his points of emphasis in spring training. Defending at a level that they need get back to or the losses will continue to mount.
"There are some things offensively," he added, "without delving into it too deeply."
Establishing leadership within the clubhouse also could aid the process, but who's a logical candidate with Adam Jones expected to leave as a free agent?
The large roster...
Hunter Harvey had another setback today in the fall instructional league. He felt some discomfort in his right elbow while throwing on flat ground and has been shut down again.
Harvey underwent an MRI on Aug. 22 that didn't reveal any structural damage in the elbow and he was allowed to resume throwing a week later. He initially had been cleared on Aug. 6 to get back on his program after experiencing some stiffness in his right forearm that removed him from the mound, but the Orioles shut him...
Steve Wilkerson is getting the start at third base tonight for the Orioles, who will try to avoid a club-record 108th loss.
Adam Jones is in right field. Breyvic Valera is the second baseman.
DJ Stewart is in left field.
Jonathan Villar is 28-for-32 in stolen base attempts and 14-for-16 since joining the Orioles. His 14 steals since Aug. 1 are the third-most in the American League.
Luis Ortiz's hamstring is feeling much better today and it appears that he's ready to pitch again if the Orioles...
While the Orioles were deciding to start Evan Phillips last night and monitoring the weather in case their rotation plans had to be altered again, they had John Means and Dillon Tate throwing side sessions down in Sarasota to remain options for Wednesday night.
Lots of balls in the air, lots of moving parts.
"We've got that well underway," said manager Buck Showalter. "Trying to make sure that we're covered there."
Means and Tate must be protected in the Rule 5 draft and eventually will...
Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't decide to become trendy and go with an "opener" instead of a traditional starter against the Blue Jays. It was done out of necessity with injuries and innings limits forcing his hand. And he avoided the term as if it were contagious.
A reliever stood on the mound tonight after the playing of both anthems. Call it what you want.
Evan Phillips made his first major league start and second as a professional in front of an intimate gathering that waited out a...
The Orioles are expected to stick with their latest lineup, the third posted today, if the weather allows them to play. It's pouring at Camden Yards.
Breyvic Valera was removed from the original one due to some shuffling that began with Adam Jones going from right field to the designated hitter role. Joey Rickard was inserted into right field, but he's been removed while Chris Davis gets the start at first base.
Baseball's version of the trickle-down theory.
"Just satisfying all the things...
The Orioles may post a third lineup today, with manager Buck Showalter hinting at another change.
Adam Jones moved to designated hitter because of the wet field. The switch forced Breyvic Valera out of the lineup. He's a healthy scratch.
Chance Sisco isn't available tonight after suffering a deep gash on his chin yesterday on a foul tip. He's also under concussion protocol.
Sisco underwent an examination earlier today and he wasn't in the clubhouse while the media was allowed inside.
The...
