O's opening day lineup at Rays

O's opening day lineup at Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - With Chris Davis serving the last game of his suspension, Steve Pearce is starting at first base and batting cleanup for the Orioles on opening day at The Trop. Pearce has made five career starts batting fourth, but none last season. Ryan Flaherty is starting at shortstop with Everth Cabrera on the bench, which could have something to do with matchups against Rays starter Chris Archer. Flaherty is 4-for-9 with two doubles in his career against Archer while Cabrera has...

O's select Lavarnway, DFA Webb (plus Rays lineup, update)

O's select Lavarnway, DFA Webb (plus Rays lineup, update)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles have officially added catcher Ryan Lavarnway to the roster, selecting his contract while creating space by designating right-hander Ryan Webb for assignment. Lavarnway, 27, hit .283/.389/.370 in 62 games for Triple-A Pawtucket last season. In 301 major league plate appearances since 2011, Lavarnway has batted .201/.249/.315 with five home runs. Webb, 29, went 3-3 with a 3.83 ERA in 51 games with the Orioles in 2014. He struggled with a knee injury, pitching to...

Let the real games begin

Let the real games begin
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The games count starting today. No more Grapefruit League statistics and starters leaving early and interviews taking place outside the clubhouse before the final out. No more players busing over from minor league camp. No more Puerto Rico Development Program. Chris Tillman gets the opening day assignment for the second consecutive season, and it's assumed that he won't have a contract extension in his back pocket unless negotiations really heated up overnight. The...

Orioles will add Lavarnway to opening day roster

Orioles will add Lavarnway to opening day roster
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla - The Orioles aren't done tweaking their 25-man roster before opening day. According to multiple sources, the Orioles will purchase catcher Ryan Lavarnway's contract on Monday. He accompanied the team to St. Petersburg despite being reassigned earlier today. The corresponding roster move could involve reliever Ryan Webb, a surprise addition to what's become a 14-man pitching staff. Webb could go on the disabled list - he was sidelined this spring with a sore knee - but...

Duquette and Showalter discuss roster decisions

Duquette and Showalter discuss roster decisions
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles submitted their 25-man roster this afternoon, which should be viewed the same as any day during the regular season. It's subject to change. They won't carry 14 pitchers for long. In fact, they could get down to 13 before the first batter steps into the box Monday at Tropicana Field. Trades and other moves still are possible despite today's 3 p.m. deadline. The Orioles held onto reliever Ryan Webb, who's earning $2.7 million this season and was put on...

Orioles keep 14 pitchers on opening day roster (updated)

Orioles keep 14 pitchers on opening day roster (updated)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles didn't announce any trades by the 3 p.m. deadline, but they did pull off a few surprises. Steve Clevenger is on the 25-man roster as the backup catcher. The Orioles reassigned Ryan Lavarnway to minor league camp. And reliever Ryan Webb remains on the team after clearing waivers. The Orioles are carrying 14 pitchers on opening day. One will come off after Chris Davis is removed from the restricted list. The Orioles also reassigned outfielder Nolan Reimold and...

Looking ahead to roster deadline and back at various spring performances

Looking ahead to roster deadline and back at various spring performances
SARASOTA, Fla. - The countdown continues until the Orioles must set their 25-man roster for opening day. I'm checking out of my hotel later this morning and heading to St. Petersburg. The Orioles are conducting a workout at Tropicana Field that's closed to the media, but they're making executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter available in the afternoon to discuss the roster and perhaps a trade. Everything is subject to change with this team, but right now the Orioles...

Reimold informed that he's not making roster

Reimold informed that he's not making roster
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla - Outfielder Nolan Reimold has been told that he's being reassigned to minor league camp unless the Orioles make a trade that creates a spot on the roster. Manager Buck Showalter wouldn't confirm other moves because executive vice president Dan Duquette is engaged in talks with multiple teams. However, Reimold is headed to Triple-A Norfolk barring a late deal. The opening day roster must be set by 3 p.m. Sunday. "Nolan knows what the deal is. He'll start the season in...

A few pregame notes (Orioles lose 5-3)

A few pregame notes (Orioles lose 5-3)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Braves 5, Orioles 3 Recap: Zach Davies allowed four runs (three earned) and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings, with two walks and one strikeout. Freddie Freeman hit a solo home run off Davies in the first, and Pedro Ciriaco and Phil Gosselin had RBI singles in the second. Glynn Davis' throwing error in right field allowed a run to score with two outs in the third. Christian Walker got the Orioles on the board with an RBI single in the fifth. Chris Parmelee had a pinch-hit...

Minor leaguers facing Braves in final exhibition

Minor leaguers facing Braves in final exhibition
SOMEWHERE ALONG INTERSTATE 4, Fla. - The Orioles have announced their lineup for today's final Grapefruit League game against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista. And there aren't a lot of familiar names. A collection of minor leaguers will comprise the starting nine, as Orioles manager Buck Showalter gives the projected 25-man roster players a mandatory day off. Zach Davies makes the start against the Braves, and the most recognizable name may be Christian Walker, who is serving as DH. For the...

Last spring game, Gonzalez as No. 3, roster ramblings

Last spring game, Gonzalez as No. 3, roster ramblings
SARASOTA, Fla. - We've reached the final game of the exhibition schedule. Nothing left after today except a workout that proceeds the opening day festivities at Tropicana Field. Raise the roof. The Orioles are breaking camp but they're not heading north, unless you count the drive from Sarasota to St. Petersburg. And if you really want to get technical, they're heading south from Lake Buena Vista following today's game against the Braves. Minor leauger Zach Davies gets the start and he's...

Orioles reassign Paul Janish and Jayson Nix

Orioles reassign Paul Janish and Jayson Nix
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles reassigned infielders Paul Janish and Jayson Nix to minor league camp following tonight's 3-2 win over the Braves in the final home exhibition game of 2015. Both players will be assigned to Triple-A Norfolk. Janish is projected as the starting shortstop and Nix as a utility infielder. The camp roster is down to 33 players. The deadline for setting the 25-man roster is 3 p.m. Sunday. Janish, slowed early in spring training after undergoing surgery to remove bone...

Ubaldo Jimenez all smiles after latest start (Orioles win 3-2)

Ubaldo Jimenez all smiles after latest start (Orioles win 3-2)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 3, Braves 2 Recap: Ubaldo Jimenez allowed one run and three hits in four innings, with one walk and five strikeouts. He threw 61 pitches, 43 for strikes. Eric Young Jr. singled in the first and scored on Jace Peterson's double, but Jimenez retired the last eight batters he faced and 11 of 12. Brad Brach retired the Braves in order with a strikeout in the fifth. Brian Matusz had a walk and strikeout in two-thirds of an inning, and Darren O'Day struck out the...

Jimenez hit on ankle, but stays in game (Jimenez goes four innings)

Jimenez hit on ankle, but stays in game (Jimenez goes four innings)
SARASOTA, Fla. - With the injuries piling up late in camp, the Orioles almost lost starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez tonight. Jimenez was hit on a right ankle by a sharp bouncer from Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt leading off the top of the second inning. Manager Buck Showalter and head athletic trainer Richie Bancells raced out of the dugout as Jimenez limped around the mound. Jimenez threw a few warmup tosses, Showalter patted him on the back and play resumed without a pitching change. No...

Showalter on Paredes, Norris and more

Showalter on Paredes, Norris and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles need to get out of Florida before they run out of players. Or at least break camp before they start breaking bones. Jimmy Paredes hasn't played since Tuesday and now we know the reason. He strained a muscle in his lower back a few days ago while lifting weights and he's likely headed to the disabled list. Paredes squatted to pick up a weight, straightened and injured his back. He received treatment again today. "It's legit," said manager Buck Showalter. "He...

Jimmy Paredes expected to go on DL

Jimmy Paredes expected to go on DL
SARASOTA, Fla. - Infielder Jimmy Paredes could begin the season on the 15-day disabled list with a strained muscle in his lower back. The injury occurred a few days ago while Paredes was lifting weights at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. He hasn't played since Tuesday. Paredes would join catcher Matt Wieters, shortstop J.J Hardy and outfielder David Lough on the DL. However, Paredes wouldn't be eligible to return until April 16, five days later than the others in the group. Paredes, who's out...

Updating Hardy, Lough and Gonzalez

Updating Hardy, Lough and Gonzalez
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy passed along another encouraging report today regarding the strained muscle in his left shoulder. Hardy was told Monday that he would be shut down a minimum of 10 days after undergoing an MRI arthrogram on his shoulder. He's headed to the disabled list and won't be eligible to return before April 11, but the swelling has been reduced and his optimism seems to be rising. "It's been good so far," Hardy said. "I feel like every day there's been...

Orioles lineup vs. Braves

Orioles lineup vs. Braves
SARASOTA, Fla. - Everth Cabrera is starting again at shortstop today as the Orioles continue their series against the Braves. Feel free to read everything into it. He appears to be the favorite to replace injured J.J. Hardy on opening day. Today's lineup could almost mirror the one that manager Buck Showalter will use on April 6 at Tropicana Field, except Jonathan Schoop is listed among the reserves. Ryan Flaherty is starting at second base today. Stay tuned. The bullpen includes Zach Britton,...

Brian Matusz: "I'm just excited to have a role here with the Orioles"

Brian Matusz: "I'm just excited to have a role here with the Orioles"
SARASOTA, Fla. - As more players are peeled off the camp roster, left-hander Brian Matusz remains in the clubhouse and the bullpen. Still an Oriole, still a reliever. Matusz, 28, has been the subject of trade rumors and speculation. Scouts have been tracking his appearances all spring, and the Orioles seemed to be showcasing him in two starts. Or maybe they were just letting him work on his changeup. You decide. The Mets were interested, but they acquired two left-handed relievers on Monday and...

Wrapping up a 6-5 loss

Wrapping up a 6-5 loss
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - T.J. McFarland gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning on a wild pitch and Joe Benson's fourth hit of the night, as the Braves walked off with a 6-5 win over the Orioles. McFarland stranded two inherited runners in the seventh and tossed a scoreless eighth, but he didn't record an out in the ninth. He's allowed 10 earned runs (11 total) and 23 hits in 12 1/3 innings for a 7.30 ERA. "I don't think anybody threw the ball better tonight on the field than...