Machado continues to lead AL shortstops in All-Star voting

Machado continues to lead AL shortstops in All-Star voting
The Orioles still have only one player whose vote total for the All-Star Game shows up in the latest balloting update provided by Major League Baseball. Manny Machado leads all American League shortstops with 1,272,233 votes to keep him ahead of the Astros' Carlos Correa (1,135,152). Adam Jones isn't in the top 15 among outfielders. No one else would warrant consideration and it's no surprise that Machado stands alone. Less than four full days remain for fans to cast their votes. The...
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Tale of the tape makes Britton feel closer to his previous self

Tale of the tape makes Britton feel closer to his previous self
Zach Britton's professional life can be tracked by the tiniest advancements since undergoing Achilles surgery in December. Shedding the protective boot, walking on an underwater treadmill, throwing off flat ground, getting back on a mound, participating in fielding drills without worrying about another blowout, starting an injury rehab assignment, leaving the disabled list. Pitching on consecutive days in Atlanta was another noteworthy achievement, earning his first save after being charged...
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Six-run inning and Gausman's mastery end losing streak (updated)

Six-run inning and Gausman's mastery end losing streak (updated)
A simple popup can leave the biggest mark on a game. Especially when it slams into the infield dirt instead of a glove. Who knew that Adam Jones would reach to lead off the fourth inning on a ball arcing above the area between first and second base? Certainly not Jones, who spiked his bat in disgust and headed up the line, expecting to take a hard right to the dugout. Jones blew a bubble, the Angels blew a one-run lead, and the Orioles ended their losing streak at seven games and beat an...
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O'Day agrees that surgery is proper course (O's up 8-1)

O'Day agrees that surgery is proper course (O's up 8-1)
Succumbing to the recommendation of undergoing hamstring surgery was made a little easier for Orioles reliever Darren O'Day because he no longer should live in fear of a reoccurrence of the injury. Get it done and get on with the rest of his professional career. O'Day said he'll have the procedure "as soon as possible" in Baltimore, the location a necessity because his leg will be immobilized with the knee bent for an extended period of time. Traveling in the position would be nearly...
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Showalter on Schoop: "He's got a pure heart and there's a lot of empathy"

Showalter on Schoop: "He's got a pure heart and there's a lot of empathy"
Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop didn't lobby to be included in today's lineup because he already knew the plan. Manager Buck Showalter talked to Schoop, whose average is down to .197, about sitting out a few games and getting an additional break with Monday's off-day. Schoop will play Tuesday night in Philadelphia. "We had a long conversation yesterday about what he and I ... he always has input on it," Showalter said. "Jon's not going anywhere. He's going to figure this out and...
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Orioles and Angels lineups

Orioles and Angels lineups
Jonathan Schoop is out of the Orioles lineup again today, but manager Buck Showalter said the second baseman will start Tuesday night's series opener in Philadelphia. Rookie Steve Wilkerson gets another start at second base. Outfielder Colby Rasmus is out of the lineup due to illness. Reliever Darren O'Day said he'll undergo surgery on his left hamstring "as soon as possible" in Baltimore. Making his third injury rehab start last night, Chris Tillman allowed five runs and eight hits with...
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Does Schoop stay out of today's lineup?

Does Schoop stay out of today's lineup?
The Orioles are in a race to finish the season with more wins than reset buttons. First baseman Chris Davis sat out eight games while trying to work through his offensive issues, taking early batting practice and advice from hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh and vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson. Yesterday's lineup didn't include second baseman Jonathan Schoop, whose average dipped to .197, its lowest point since April 2. Manager Buck Showalter suggested that Schoop also could...
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Orioles surrender five runs in eighth and lose 6-2 (with quotes)

Orioles surrender five runs in eighth and lose 6-2 (with quotes)
The game within the game unfolded again today at Camden Yards. The Orioles score two runs in the first inning to take an early lead and everyone is left to wonder whether that's going to be sufficient. Whether Andrew Cashner can push through the middle innings while keeping them ahead and trust the bullpen with the rest. Maybe on another day or in another season. Not this one. The Angels scored five runs off Mychal Givens and Tanner Scott in the eighth inning, the defense again...
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Losing O'Day another major complication for the bullpen (O's up 2-1)

Losing O'Day another major complication for the bullpen (O's up 2-1)
Since winning still matters to the Orioles, as manager Buck Showalter pointed out again this week, they were dealt another massive blow with the news that reliever Darren O'Day will undergo season-ending surgery. The recovery period for O'Day is estimated at six months and the Orioles reached the mathematical halfway point of their season last night with a 23-58 record. O'Day reinjured the hamstring while trying to field a bunt by the Mariners' Jean Segura in Tuesday night's 3-2 loss. The...
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Orioles lineup doesn't include Schoop

Orioles lineup doesn't include Schoop
Slumping Jonathan Schoop is out of the Orioles' lineup for today's game against the Angels. Steve Wilkerson is starting at second base with Schoop's average down to .197. Tim Beckham is leading off. Danny Valencia remains in right field and Chris Davis is batting seventh against left-hander Tyler Skaggs. Caleb Joseph is catching. For the Orioles Tim Beckham 3B Adam Jones CF Manny Machado SS Danny Valencia RF Trey Mancini LF Mark Trumbo DH Chris Davis 1B Steve Wilkerson 2B Caleb Joseph...
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Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph can frame pitches and critique prospects. He just doesn't do it at the same time. Manager Buck Showalter sought Joseph's opinion in the past while the veteran went down to the minors to rehab an injury. He stated yesterday that he did the same earlier this season while Joseph was playing at Triple-A Norfolk. The information must have come in handy with the Orioles selecting the contracts of pitchers Ryan Meisinger and Paul Fry, who made their major league debuts...
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O's debut two pitchers, but revert to old ways in 7-1 loss (with quotes)

O's debut two pitchers, but revert to old ways in 7-1 loss (with quotes)
David Hess was introduced the Mike Trout tonight. Not on the field during batting practice or in the portion of the tunnel that connects the clubhouses. From 60 feet, six inches away in the top of the first inning. The advance meeting didn't include instructions that Hess feed Trout a belt-high fastball over the plate. It just worked out that way. Trout spun around and watched its flight - over the corner of the Orioles' bullpen near the batters eye, an estimated 408 feet with an exit...
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Showalter on O'Day, Meisinger and Fry (O's down 7-0)

Showalter on O'Day, Meisinger and Fry (O's down 7-0)
The news that reliever Darren O'Day sustained a Grade 2 tear in his left hamstring, which an MRI revealed, was viewed in a positive light because he apparently could avoid surgery. However, O'Day sought a second opinion today and seems more likely to undergo a procedure. The Orioles transferred O'Day to the 60-day disabled list today to create an opening on their 40-man roster while selecting the contracts of pitchers Ryan Meisinger and Paul Fry from Triple-A Norfolk. "We knew it was a...
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Meisinger and Fry talk about their promotions

Meisinger and Fry talk about their promotions
Paul Fry could have taken Ryan Meisinger on a tour of Camden Yards earlier today. Fry spent two whole days here last April, making him a more qualified guide. The Orioles selected the contracts of both pitchers from Triple-A Norfolk while optioning Jimmy Yacabonis and Yefry Ramirez . They also moved reliever Darren O'Day to the 60-day disabled list and designated infielder Corban Joseph for assignment to open spots on the 40-man roster. Meisinger said he wasn't worried about the Orioles...
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O'Day could undergo surgery on hamstring (updated)

O'Day could undergo surgery on hamstring (updated)
Orioles reliever Darren O'Day received a second opinion today on his injured hamstring and is considering whether to undergo surgery that likely would end his season. O'Day is headed to the 60-day disabled list, which opens a spot on the 40-man roster. An MRI revealed a Grade 2 tear of the hamstring, which doesn't always require a surgical procedure. Pitchers Jimmy Yacabonis and Yefry Ramirez will be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Yacabonis will start July 3 for the Tides and Ramirez will...
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Orioles lineup vs. Angels

Orioles lineup vs. Angels
Adam Jones and Tim Beckham are back in the Orioles lineup tonight for their series opener against the Angels at Camden Yards. Chance Sisco is catching again. Mark Trumbo is the designated hitter and he's batting fourth. Chris Davis, who's homered in back-to-back games, is batting fifth. Danny Valencia is in right field. Colby Rasmus isn't in the lineup against right-hander Felix Pena Rookie David Hess will try to get back on track tonight. He's allowed five runs in each of his last three...
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More moves coming for Orioles before series opener (updated)

More moves coming for Orioles before series opener (updated)
The Orioles are expected to make more adjustments to their pitching staff after another extra-inning game yesterday that required Jimmy Yacabonis to cover the first four and Yefry Ramirez to follow with five scoreless. Ramirez didn't have to shut out the Mariners for five innings, but he went the extra mile in regulation. It's always a guessing game with an off-day on the horizon - the next one arrives on Monday - and the unpredictable nature of a team that's slipping deeper into evaluation...
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Two Orioles errors in 10th inning lead to 4-2 loss (with quotes)

Two Orioles errors in 10th inning lead to 4-2 loss (with quotes)
A former reliever making the switch to starter and trying it at the major league level is going to arrive wrapped in uncertainty. Multiple layers of it. The Orioles figured that Jimmy Yacabonis' ceiling today against the Mariners would be the fifth inning. They were prepared to begin passing the baton in the sixth with the few fresh arms at their disposal. Yacabonis faced two batters in the fifth without recording an out, back-to-back singles ending his day at 67 pitches. Three innings were...
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Orioles notes on rest days, roster moves and more (tied 2-2)

Orioles notes on rest days, roster moves and more (tied 2-2)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter wanted to give third baseman Tim Beckham a rest day after playing him on three consecutive nights. Just being careful with a player who underwent core muscle surgery. "He feels good, there's no problem," Showalter said. "Just want to keep him that way and not push this too quickly. He'll be back in there tomorrow. "I was talking to him today about how he felt. He's been tested a lot. He said he feels great. Wasn't happy about not playing today." Showalter...
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Orioles lineup vs. Mariners

Orioles lineup vs. Mariners
Adam Jones is getting a rest day as the Orioles close their four-game series against the Mariners and try to avoid a sweep. Colby Rasmus is in center field and batting second. Chance Sisco is behind the plate and Steve Wilkerson is starting at third base. Danny Valencia is in right field. He's batting .351 (27-for-77) in 23 home games. David Hess isn't listed as Friday night's starter against the Angels - the spot is TBD - but he'll take the mound if not needed today in relief. Andrew...
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