Showalter on Machado suspension and Davis at third base

Showalter on Machado suspension and Davis at third base
Orioles manager Buck Showalter knew that he had to be careful today regarding his comments on Manny Machado's five-game suspension. The Major League Baseball office has big ears. Asked for his reaction to the suspension being upheld, Showalter replied, "For public consumption?" "I'm not going to go there," he continued. "But I knew from our team standpoint that we were going to be without Manny for some period of time and we felt like it would probably be today, considering how things...

Davis on playing third base, Orioles statement on Cashen

Davis on playing third base, Orioles statement on Cashen
As reporters drifted toward his locker this afternoon, Chris Davis politely put them on hold by claiming that he had "early work at third base." Once Davis returned to the clubhouse, he was slumped in his chair and drenched in sweat from taking ground balls from third base coach and infield instructor Bobby Dickerson. Davis was using Manny Machado's glove, saying it felt weird having The Gold Glove Co. inscribed on it. With Machado serving a five-game suspension, Davis is making his first...

Notes on roster move, McFarland, Reimold, Davis, All-Star voting and more

Notes on roster move, McFarland, Reimold, Davis, All-Star voting and more
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said the club will make a roster move before tonight's game against the Rangers at Camden Yards. Showalter said the move will be "in the pitching department." The Orioles need another reliever and could option a starting pitcher. Left-hander T.J. McFarland is "most likely" going to start Tuesday night, according to Showalter, unless he's needed tonight in relief. The Orioles intend to designate outfielder Nolan Reimold for assignment today, according to...

Chris Davis starting at third base

Chris Davis starting at third base
Chris Davis is moving across the diamond tonight as Manny Machado's replacement at third base, as the Orioles open a four-game series against the Rangers at Camden Yards. Steve Pearce is starting at first base and Delmon Young is serving as the designated hitter. Davis has played 71 games at third base in the majors, including 17 with the Orioles in 2011. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce 1B Nelson Cruz LF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 3B Delmon Young DH J.J. Hardy SS Jonathan Schoop...

Orioles DFA Almanzar

Orioles DFA Almanzar
The Orioles have reinstated infielder Michael Almanzar from the 60-day disabled list and designated him for assignment. Almanzar, 23, joined the organization via the Rule 5 draft from the Red Sox on Dec. 12, 2013. The Orioles placed him on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 23, with left patellar tendinitis and transferred to the 60-day DL on June 6. Despite needing a third baseman while Manny Machado serves his five-game suspension, the Orioles didn't consider Almanzar to be a...

More on Machado suspension

More on Machado suspension
The Orioles are withholding comment on Manny Machado's five-game suspension until later today, when a team official will address the media. In the meantime, they will continue to fume over the announcement that Machado's punishment was not reduced. The expectation coming from the warehouse was that Machado would have to serve a maximum of four games, with the possibility of a further reduction. Instead, he will miss the next five games, beginning with tonight's series opener against the...

Machado's suspension upheld

Machado's suspension upheld
The Orioles finally received word on the result of Manny Machado's appeal hearing and it's not what they had anticipated. Major League Baseball has upheld Machado's five-game suspension, which he will begin serving tonight. The Orioles open a four-game series tonight against the Rangers at Camden Yards. Machado also will miss the Fourth of July game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. He can return to the 25-man roster on Saturday. Machado's hearing took place last Wednesday at the...

More on the bullpen and wondering who starts vs. Saunders

More on the bullpen and wondering who starts vs. Saunders
During yesterday's pregame session with the media, Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked to explain how his bullpen had allowed only one run in the last 29 2/3 innings. "Well," he replied, "now that you've jinxed it ..." Showalter was kidding at the time, but look what happened. Evan Meek was charged with four runs and Brian Matusz was charged with five in a 12-7 loss to the Rays at Camden Yards. Lesson learned. Don't talk about it. Just appreciate it. Showalter extended Matusz to 2...

Showalter on Gonzalez and a 12-7 loss

Showalter on Gonzalez and a 12-7 loss
The Orioles planned on sending down a reliever and bringing up an infielder once third baseman Manny Machado began serving his suspension. However, the rotation has produced one quality start in the last seven games, taxing a bullpen that may not be able to handle a subtraction. "The timing is never good, especially with some of the pending things, because you'd like to do some things with an infielder, but where we are with the bullpen is going to make that hard to do," manager Buck...

Suspension may be only way to cool off Machado (O's lose 12-7)

Suspension may be only way to cool off Machado (O's lose 12-7)
Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has picked the days leading up to his suspension to really get hot. Machado homered for the third time in three days to give the Orioles a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning. He went to the opposite field off Rays starter Alex Cobb. Ben Zobrist homered off Miguel Gonzalez in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 3-3, his second RBI of the day. Machado homered in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader, yesterday and again this afternoon, giving him seven on the season....

Gonzalez trying to get back on track (O's down 2-1)

Gonzalez trying to get back on track (O's down 2-1)
Miguel Gonzalez strung together four consecutive quality starts for the Orioles before going on the disabled list retroactive to May 31 with a strained oblique. Before today, Gonzalez had allowed seven runs and 17 hits over 10 innings in two starts since his return. He seemed to be fine physically. He just hadn't found the same rhythm. Two batters into today's game, Gonzalez already had fallen behind 1-0 to the Rays. Desmond Jennings drew a leadoff walk and scored on Ben Zobrist's double to...

Pregame notes on rotation, Machado, Casilla, Stinson and more

Pregame notes on rotation, Machado, Casilla, Stinson and more
The Orioles now have two confirmed starters for their four-game series against the Rangers at Camden Yards. Ubaldo Jimenez will start Monday night's opener and Chris Tillman will start on Wednesday. Reliever T.J. McFarland remains a prime candidate to take the mound Tuesday, and manager Buck Showalter said he's leaning toward using left-hander Wei-Yin Chen on normal rest Thursday. Kevin Gausman will throw a bullpen session Monday in Aberdeen. Nothing is scheduled for him beyond that...

Machado in lineup again today

Machado in lineup again today
One of these days, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado will begin serving his suspension. It's just not going to happen today. Machado is batting seventh again today, one spot ahead of second baseman Jonathan Schoop. Nick Hundley is behind the plate. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce LF Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Manny Machado 3B Jonathan Schoop 2B Nick Hundley C Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the Rays Desmond Jennings CF Ben Zobrist SS Matt Joyce LF Evan...

More Machado, today's pitching matchup and Britton's double play prowess

More Machado, today's pitching matchup and Britton's double play prowess
Will Manny Machado remain in the Orioles lineup today? Has Major League Baseball forgotten about his suspension? What in the world is the holdup? Jemile Weeks is waiting for the Orioles to recall him as Machado's replacement. Rather than sit in a hotel room and drum his fingers on a table, he actually led off for short-season Single-A Aberdeen last night and went 1-for-4 as the designated hitter. He's come a long way from Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles appeared to be better equipped to deal...

Showalter on Chen and a 5-4 loss to the Rays

Showalter on Chen and a 5-4 loss to the Rays
The Orioles rallied to within one run of the Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon before suffering a 5-4 loss at Camden Yards. Wei-Yin Chen lost for the first time since May 3 in Minnesota, allowing three home runs over 3 1/3 innings. Manager Buck Showalter offered his opinion of Chen's start, the shortest of the left-hander's major league career. "Velocity-wise, obviously he was fine, but he got beat on two off-speed pitches," Showalter said. "One was a slider and one was a changeup. Not a lot...

Longball leads to short outing for Chen (O's lose 5-4)

Longball leads to short outing for Chen (O's lose 5-4)
Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen tied his career high today by serving up three home runs to the Tampa Bay Rays. What made it worse was the damage came in only 3 1/3 innings. Brad Brach has replaced Chen, who's charged with five runs and seven hits in a career-low 3 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out two. Chen was done after walking Desmond Jennings on his 82nd pitch of the day. Chen's previous shortest outing was 3 2/3 innings against the Red Sox on Aug. 27, 2013 at Fenway...

Bundy's next start at Single-A Frederick, and other notes (O's down 3-0)

Bundy's next start at Single-A Frederick, and other notes (O's down 3-0)
The Orioles announced today that pitcher Dylan Bundy will make his next injury rehab start on July 3 at Single-A Frederick. The Keys host Salem at 6 p.m. at Harry Grove Stadium. Bundy has done enough damage in the New York-Penn League. In three starts at short-season Single-A Aberdeen, he allowed one run and 10 hits in 15 innings, with three walks and 22 strikeouts. Exactly one year removed from Tommy John surgery last night, Bundy allowed three hits and struck out seven in five scoreless...

Showalter on Machado, Tuesday starter, Reimold and Wieters

Showalter on Machado, Tuesday starter, Reimold and Wieters
The Orioles are prepared to handle third baseman Manny Machado's suspension. They just need to know when it starts and how long it lasts. They're confident that the suspension will be reduced from five games. The Orioles have an extra reliever and could send down one while calling up an infielder as Machado's replacement. Jemile Weeks is on short-season Single-A Aberdeen's roster, a relatively short drive to Camden Yards. The only complication arrives on Tuesday, when the Orioles need a...

Machado remains in Orioles lineup (plus Rays lineup)

Machado remains in Orioles lineup (plus Rays lineup)
Another day will pass without Orioles third baseman Manny Machado serving his suspension. Machado is in today's lineup against the Rays at Camden Yards. Steve Pearce gets another start in left field against former Orioles left-hander Erik Bedard, and Caleb Joseph is behind the plate. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce LF Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Manny Machado 3B Jonathan Schoop 2B Caleb Joseph C Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the Rays Desmond Jennings...

Thoughts on Machado, Gausman, Brach and today's game

Thoughts on Machado, Gausman, Brach and today's game
Will the Orioles find out today whether Manny Machado must begin serving his suspension, whatever the length? It's hanging over their heads, but they're better equipped now to handle it. The Orioles have an extra reliever in their bullpen who can be sent down, and they have an infielder who can be summoned to Camden Yards. Let's just get it over with and move on. If it were up to me, and we know that's not the case, I'd recall Kevin Gausman to make the Wednesday or Thursday start and...