Looking back at the trades, the impact on the roster and today's game

Looking back at the trades, the impact on the roster and today's game
Got anyone you want to trade? Give the Orioles a call before it's too late. Husband, wife, kids, that weird uncle who makes you uncomfortable during the holidays? I'll repeat that you can't judge a trade that involves minor leaguers for a few years. We have no idea how pitchers Miguel Chalas and Mark Blackmar are going to pan out, but the Orioles deemed them expendable. In the meantime, they get outfielder Alejandro De Aza, who provides immediate help with his left-handed bat and his...

The aftermath of another trade and a 3-2 win

The aftermath of another trade and a 3-2 win
Executive vice president Dan Duquette promised that the Orioles are done making trades tonight. The next day is another matter, but it's safe to go home. As reporters filed into the interview room following the Orioles' 3-2 win over the Twins, the team announced a second deal within an hour. Infielder Kelly Johnson is headed to Baltimore in exchange for minor league infielders Jemile Weeks and Ivan DeJesus Jr. The Orioles also got infielder Michael Almanzar, who returns to the organization...

Orioles acquire Johnson, Almanzar from Red Sox for Weeks, De Jesus

Orioles acquire Johnson, Almanzar from Red Sox for Weeks, De Jesus
We won't have to wait for tomorrow to see if the Orioles pull off another deal before the Aug. 31 deadline for adding players eligible for playoff rosters. The Orioles have announced their second trade of the evening. They've acquired infielders Kelly Johnson and Michael Almanzar from the Red Sox for infielders Jemile Weeks and Ivan DeJesus Jr. When Johnson makes his Orioles debut, he will have played for every team in the American League East since 2012. Before being traded from the Yankees...

Duquette on De Aza trade, O's win 3-2

Duquette on De Aza trade, O's win 3-2
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he expects newly acquired outfielder Alejandro De Aza to arrive at Camden Yards for Sunday's game against the Twins. Two roster moves are pending, with left-hander Wei-Yin Chen set to be recalled and start for the Orioles. Duquette described De Aza as "a multi-talented outfielder." "He's good in left, he can play center field," Duquette said. "He had two very good years in '12 and '13 where he hit for power, and he gives us a veteran...

Orioles acquire De Aza from White Sox (we're tied again)

Orioles acquire De Aza from White Sox (we're tied again)
The Orioles have made a trade 24 hours before the deadline for adding players who may be included on the playoff roster, acquiring outfielder Alejandro De Aza from the White Sox for minor league pitchers Miguel Chalas and Mark Blackmar. De Aza, 30, batted .243/.309/.354 (96-for-395) with five home runs, 31 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 122 games for the White Sox. He's a career .268/.331/.398 hitter in 545 major league games. De Aza, a left-handed hitter, plays all three outfield positions and...

Young succeeding as second hitter (we're tied)

Young succeeding as second hitter (we're tied)
Orioles starter Chris Tillman has thrown 38 pitches tonight in two scoreless innings, stranding three runners along the way. The first two Twins reached in the first before Tillman struck out Joe Mauer on a 91 mph fastball and retired Kennys Vargas on a grounder and Oswaldo Arcia on a fly ball. Kurt Suzuki doubled with one out in the second, but Tillman fanned Eduardo Escobar and Jordan Schafer. Tillman had allowed 19 runs in first inning this season and 17 in the second. He got away clean...

More pregame notes and quotes

More pregame notes and quotes
In case you missed it, the Yankees lost to the Blue Jays 2-0 this afternoon in Toronto. The Orioles' lead in the American League East has grown to 7 1/2 games. Chris Davis and Nelson Cruz each have hit two grand slams this season. The last player to hit three or more is Chris Hoiles (three) in 1998. The bullpen has registered a 1.57 ERA - 18 earned runs, 23 walks and 103 strikeouts in 103 1/3 innings - over the last 33 games since July 24. With his next save, Zach Britton will become the 10th...

Showalter on rotation, Pearce and roster

Showalter on rotation, Pearce and roster
Orioles manager Buck Showalter was hit with another rotation question today, causing him to shake his head and chuckle. Yes, it's still Wei-Yin Chen on Sunday and Kevin Gausman on Monday to close out the Twins series. Chen was in the Orioles clubhouse today after spending a few days in Sarasota. Gausman also is back in Baltimore. Showalter expressed relief that Steve Pearce's MRI didn't reveal anything more serious than a strained right abdominal muscle, though he didn't guarantee that the...

Orioles outright Phelps, Yoon off 40-man roster

Orioles outright Phelps, Yoon off 40-man roster
The Orioles continue to tinker with the 40-man roster. This afternoon, they outrighted infielder Cord Phelps and left-hander Suk-min Yoon off the 40-man and assigned them to Triple-A Norfolk, opening up two spots. Phelps, who was designated for assignment earlier this week when the Orioles recalled Miguel Gonzalez, hit .258 with seven homers and 49 RBIs in 97 games at Norfolk. He was 0-for-3 as a pinch-hitter with the Orioles. The Orioles signed Yoon to a three-year, $5.575 million deal in...

Paredes remains at third base for Orioles

Paredes remains at third base for Orioles
One night after making his Orioles debut, Jimmy Paredes is receiving his first start for them. Paredes is playing third base and batting seventh tonight while Chris Davis moves across the diamond. Steve Pearce is out of the lineup with a strained right abdominal muscle. Paredes replaced him last night. Nick Hundley is behind the plate for the Orioles, who are attempting to move a season-high 22 games above .500. For the TwinsDanny Santana CFBrian Dozier 2BJoe Mauer DHKennys Vargas 1BOswaldo...

Positive news on Pearce MRI

Positive news on Pearce MRI
I'm told that the MRI on Steve Pearce this morning didn't reveal an injury to his oblique or intercostal. The original diagnosis of a strained right abdominal muscle stands after a long review. The Orioles won't protest it. Pearce is considered day-to-day for now. Manager Buck Showalter will provide more information later today when he meets with reporters, but the news appears to be favorable. The Orioles already lost catcher Matt Wieters and third baseman Manny Machado to season-ending...

Showalter on his relievers: "They've been a rock for us"

Showalter on his relievers: "They've been a rock for us"
While wondering if I'd really get upset if someone sent me an ice cream sandwich while I was working ... I won't attempt to predict the result of Steve Pearce's MRI this morning, but as long as we don't hear "oblique" or "intercostal," it should be fine. It's been that kind of season for the Orioles. Pearce unexpectedly has emerged as one of the more valuable players on the roster and a guy who needs to stay in the lineup. I'd have to check, but I'm pretty sure the Orioles cut him...

Showalter on Pearce, Davis and a 9-1 victory

Showalter on Pearce, Davis and a 9-1 victory
The Orioles are thriving at home these days, going 19-6 since June 30 and outscoring opponents 124-72. They're now 21 games above .500, tying their season high, and continue to lead the Yankees by seven games in the American League East. In addition, the Orioles have won 11 of their last 13 series openers. They ran away with this one tonight. The joy was tempered by Steve Pearce's abdominal injury, which manager Buck Showalter discussed following a 9-1 victory over the Twins at Camden...

Pearce will undergo MRI in morning

Pearce will undergo MRI in morning
The Orioles have scheduled an MRI for first baseman Steve Pearce, who left tonight's game after three innings with a strained right abdominal muscle. Pearce will undergo the MRI at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning. "He's been swinging the bat well," said manager Buck Showalter. "Hopefully, we'll get some good news tomorrow and it will be short-term." Pearce apparently has been bothered by some discomfort for a couple of days. He was fine last night, but it returned tonight after his first...

Pearce leaves game with abdominal injury (Davis hits slam, O's win 9-1)

Pearce leaves game with abdominal injury (Davis hits slam, O's win 9-1)
Infielder Jimmy Paredes is making his Orioles debut tonight, but not as manager Buck Showalter planned it. Paredes has replaced Steve Pearce, who left the game with a strained right abdominal muscle. Paredes was on deck to bat for Pearce as Nick Markakis struck out to end the bottom of the third. He went to third base, with Chris Davis shifting across the diamond. Can only speculate what happened to Pearce, whose 11-game hitting streak came to an end. Pearce backed against the railing in...

Game update and Wright's latest no-hit bid

Game update and Wright's latest no-hit bid
Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez hasn't fallen into the trap of laboring in the early innings tonight, keeping the Twins scoreless through the second. Gonzalez threw 12 pitches in the top of the first and stranded Brian Dozier, who singled with one out. He struck out Joe Mauer. The right-hander retired the Twins in order in the second, striking out Oswaldo Arcia. Nelson Cruz struck out leading off the bottom of the second. Cruz entered the night batting .256 and leading the majors with 34...

Notes on Gonzalez, the bullpen, the rotation and more

Notes on Gonzalez, the bullpen, the rotation and more
Miguel Gonzalez has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts heading into tonight's game against the Twins. However, he's picked up only two wins in his last nine outings. Gonzalez has worked into the seventh inning in 13 of his 20 starts. Manager Buck Showalter will take that kind of length tonight, knowing he's got a red-hot bullpen to close out the game. This next part should come with a jinx alert. Avert your eyes if you're a believer. The Orioles' relievers...

Early notes on rotation, Wieters, Machado and Cruz

Early notes on rotation, Wieters, Machado and Cruz
Orioles manager Buck Showalter, responding today to his daily question about the rotation, confirmed that Wei-Yin Chen and Kevin Gausman remain scheduled to start Sunday and Monday, respectively, against the Twins at Camden Yards. It's not etched in stone, but it's printed on the game notes. Showalter repeated that he's focused on tonight's game. He's left himself some wiggle room if he decides to make a change, but Chen and Gausman remain the listed starters. Catcher Matt Wieters...

Orioles lineup vs. Twins

Orioles lineup vs. Twins
Delmon Young is in left field and Nelson Cruz is serving as the designated hitter tonight, as the Orioles open a four-game series against the Twins at Camden Yards. Miguel Gonzalez is 2-3 with a 3.66 ERA in eight home starts this season. He lost to the Twins in his only career start on May 4 after surrendering three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. Twins rookie Trevor May is 0-3 with an 8.79 ERA this season. He hasn't allowed a home run in 14 1/3 innings. Right-handers are batting .425...

Call-ups, roster expansion, Rule 5 decisions and minor league award candidates

Call-ups, roster expansion, Rule 5 decisions and minor league award candidates
The Orioles are taking all the drama and excitement out of the September call-ups. I may as well shut down until the playoffs. (Yes, I said that word.) The Orioles always add an extra catcher when rosters expand, but they already recalled Steve Clevenger from Triple-A Norfolk. They figured to bring up at least one utility infielder, allowing Ryan Flaherty to actually get in the lineup, but they already recalled Jimmy Paredes. Actually, these were sharp moves by the Orioles. Take advantage...