Wieters on today's throwing session

Wieters on today's throwing session
HOUSTON - Orioles catcher Matt Wieters estimated that he made 25 throws today in the outfield at Minute Maid Park and came away encouraged by the condition of his right elbow. Wieters hadn't picked up a ball since going on the disabled list May 11. "It felt better," he said. "It's kind of just progress each day and see how it feels throwing, and then the next day, and we'll just keep progressing and see how it goes. "It definitely felt like I had some life back in it and it felt a...

Wieters note and O's-Astros lineups

Wieters note and O's-Astros lineups
HOUSTON - Matt Wieters played catch in the outfield with Orioles bench coach John Russell before batting practice today at Minute Maid Park, the first time he's thrown since going on the disabled list with a strained right elbow. Wieters was on the field for only a few minutes before heading back to the clubhouse with Russell and assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel. Manager Buck Showalter said he won't really evaluate Wieters' progress until the catcher has thrown multiple times. Today...

Gonzalez takes his turn tonight

Gonzalez takes his turn tonight
HOUSTON - Former heavyweight boxing champion and Houston native George Foreman will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for tonight's Civil Rights Game between the Orioles and Astros. Then it's up to Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez to stay on his feet through the later rounds. Gonzalez has registered three straight quality starts, allowing six earned runs in 19 innings. The streak began on May 10 at Camden Yards, when he held the Astros to two runs over seven innings in a 5-4...

Current concerns about the Orioles

Current concerns about the Orioles
HOUSTON - With a loss tonight, the Orioles would fall below .500 for the first time since they were 9-10 on April 22. They also would have their third four-game losing streak of the season. The Orioles are 6-12 in their last 18 games, beginning with a loss to the Astros on May 11 at Camden Yards that denied them a sweep of the series. The offense bogs down or the starters can't get through the middle innings or the bullpen buckles under the weight of constant use. "I think we've seen flashes...

Davis: "We'll right the ship"

Davis: "We'll right the ship"
HOUSTON - For the first time since April 27, the Orioles are a .500 team. Losing three straight games and eight of 12 will remove you from the positive side of the ledger. "I think if there was an easy fix we would have found it by now," said first baseman Chris Davis. "It's kind of the nature of the beast. Sometimes, you're playing well and you're not clicking on all cylinders, but you're able to get away with it. Right now we're obviously not able to get away with it." Is the...

Showalter and Jimenez speak after 3-1 loss

Showalter and Jimenez speak after 3-1 loss
HOUSTON - There may come a point during the 2014 season when the Orioles are clicking on all cylinders. Quality starts, an abundance of runs and a string of easy victories. For now, it seems to be one or the other. Ubaldo Jimenez escaped enough jams tonight to hold the Astros to one run over six innings, but the Orioles were unable to do much at the plate in a 3-1 loss at Minute Maid Park. The Astros have won six in a row. "He deserved a better fate, but we knew coming in here that they...

Both starters done after six innings (O's lose 3-1)

Both starters done after six innings (O's lose 3-1)
HOUSTON - Ubaldo Jimenez had two clean innings for the Orioles tonight at Minute Maid Park - the first and the sixth. He finished the way he started, leaving the game with the score tied 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh. Jimenez didn't work past the fifth in his last two starts, but he retired the Astros in order in the sixth and left with his pitch count at 112 - six short of his season high. Jimenez allowed one run and three hits in six innings, with three walks eight strikeouts, a wild...

Showalter on Pearce and Machado in the batting order (we're tied)

Showalter on Pearce and Machado in the batting order (we're tied)
HOUSTON - Nick Markakis led off tonight's game with a single into center field, making him 21-for-51 (.412) in the first inning this season. Steve Pearce followed Markakis to the plate and flied to left field. Pearce is batting second to start a game for only the fourth time in his major league career. Manny Machado is hitting seventh for the 14th time in his career. Machado hadn't batted seventh or lower since the end of the 2012 season. "I'm trying to take advantage of Steve right...

Updates on Hunter, Peguero, Escalona and more

Updates on Hunter, Peguero, Escalona and more
HOUSTON - Orioles reliever Tommy Hunter has been throwing on flat ground for the past four days and could be ready to come off the disabled list when eligible on June 5. Assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel is flying back to Baltimore for his son's graduation, "and he's going to pick up Tommy's rehab a little bit there," said manager Buck Showalter. "Tommy's been on flat ground for four days. He feels good. I'm going to let Brian kind of handle that once he gets there about when he...

Wieters on elbow: "It's gotten a lot better over the last few days"

Wieters on elbow: "It's gotten a lot better over the last few days"
HOUSTON - Matt Wieters is set to begin a throwing progression on Friday, when he's scheduled to pick up a ball and do some light tossing for the first time since going on the disabled list. Wieters hasn't caught since May 4 and hasn't played since May 10 due to a right elbow strain. "We've got a whole throwing program, but the trainers know it better than I can. If everything goes well, we're going to pick up a ball tomorrow," Wieters said. "Every movement that gets me back toward...

Orioles and Astros lineups

Orioles and Astros lineups
HOUSTON - Steve Pearce gets the start in left field tonight, as the Orioles begin a four-game series against the Astros at Minute Maid Park. He'll bat second, while Manny Machado slides down to the seventh spot. Nelson Cruz is serving as the designated hitter, and Ryan Flaherty is starting at second base. David Lough is the only current Oriole who has faced Astros starter Brad Peacock, going 1-for-2 against him, but he's on the bench. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce LF Adam...

Bundy update and other notes

Bundy update and other notes
HOUSTON - Dylan Bundy threw three innings today at extended spring training. He will throw a bullpen session on Saturday and graduate to four innings next week. Bundy didn't allow a hit in his start against the Twins in Fort Myers. He walked three batters and struck out four. "I wasn't getting ahead in the count," he said. "I walked the first guy in each inning. That's not good at all. I've got to get my command and go after hitters. Get ahead in the count and get better...

Pearce keeps producing

Pearce keeps producing
HOUSTON - While Orioles manager Buck Showalter writes out tonight's lineup for the series opener against the Astros, he must consider whether to insert Steve Pearce as the designated hitter or use Nelson Cruz in that role and play David Lough in left field. As I wrote this morning, right-handers are batting .201 against Houston starter Brad Peacock in his major league career, compared to a .270 average for left-handers. However, Pearce is 17-for-50 against right-handers this season, posting a...

Orioles back to American League rules

Orioles back to American League rules
Breaking news for the Orioles: They get to use a designated hitter tonight. It's not as exciting as trading prospects for a hot pitcher, but there you go. Honestly, does anyone get a thrill from watching American League pitchers attempt to lay down a bunt? If so, you also must get a rush from staring at a dripping faucet. Nelson Cruz could serve as the DH tonight if David Lough gets the start in left field against Astros right-hander Brad Peacock, who's 1-4 with a 5.20 ERA this...

Updating tonight's game, Santana and Bundy (O's lose 8-3)

Updating tonight's game, Santana and Bundy (O's lose 8-3)
Not only does Nelson Cruz continue to hit home runs, he has developed a fondness for driving the ball to right-center field. That was the landing spot again tonight in the top of the second inning at Miller Park, as his 18th home run tied the game 1-1. Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo threw two 91 mph fastballs to Cruz, the second one traveling much farther than he wanted. Cruz leads the majors in home runs and ranks second in RBIs with 47, two behind the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton. Cruz...

Orioles lineup versus Brewers (updated)

Orioles lineup versus Brewers (updated)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter is sticking with the same lineup tonight, which includes Nick Hundley behind the plate and Jonathan Schoop at second base. Nothing to see here except familiarity. Pitchers Bud Norris and Yovani Gallardo were used as pinch-hitters last night at Miller Park. Gallardo delivered a walk-off double in the 10th inning off Orioles left-hander T.J. McFarland. Tonight, they oppose each other on the mound. According to Elias, Tom Browning and John Smoltz were the last...

Meek outrighted to Norfolk, Brewers lineup

Meek outrighted to Norfolk, Brewers lineup
The Orioles have been busy with minor matters today. Shortly after trading catcher Johnny Monell to the Dodgers for cash considerations, the Orioles announced that reliever Evan Meek has been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Meek cleared waivers after going 1-0 with a 5.59 ERA in eight games and 9 2/3 innings with the Tides. Meek didn't allow a run in his first eight appearances with the Orioles, but was optioned on May 1 after permitting nine runs and 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings over four...

Orioles trade Monell to Dodgers

Orioles trade Monell to Dodgers
One day after optioning catcher Steve Clevenger to Triple-A Norfolk, the Orioles have traded Tides catcher Johnny Monell to the Dodgers for cash considerations. Monell, 28, was batting .209/.280/.286 with four doubles, one home run and seven RBIs in 30 games at Norfolk. He will report to the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque. The Orioles purchased Monell's contract from the Giants on Nov. 30. He lost the backup competition to Clevenger, who was optioned yesterday after first...

Peguero update and a few afternoon notes

Peguero update and a few afternoon notes
Outfielder Francisco Peguero will fly to Baltimore Thursday and undergo an examination on both hamstrings. Peguero's 20-day injury rehab assignment ends on Thursday. He's on the major league disabled list with right wrist tendinitis. Peguero's hamstring injuries enable the Orioles to keep him on the DL. Otherwise, they would have been required to activate him and find a spot on the 25-man roster or expose him to waivers and attempt to outright him to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles signed...

Talking about Guilmet, Matusz and a few others

Talking about Guilmet, Matusz and a few others
Outfielder Nelson Cruz wasn't with the Orioles when they reported to spring training. Reliever Preston Guilmet wasn't in the organization on opening day. Catcher Nick Hundley wasn't an Oriole until Saturday. Cruz leads the majors in home runs and ranks second in RBIs, and he seems a shoo-in to play in the All-Star Game. Guilmet hasn't allowed a run or hit in six innings. Hundley is pretty much the starter now with Matt Wieters on the disabled list and Steve Clevenger optioned to Triple-A...