Gausman named Wednesday starter

Gausman named Wednesday starter
So much for Kevin Gausman not working on short rest. The Orioles just announced that Gausman will start Wednesday afternoon's game against the Tigers at Camden Yards. No explanation given, no news on Wei-Yin Chen or Miguel Gonzalez. A corresponding roster move will be announced on Wednesday. Gausman threw a season-high 77 pitches in 4 2/3 scoreless innings for Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday, allowing two hits, walking three and striking out six. It was his first appearance since going on the...

Bundy update and a few pregame notes

Bundy update and a few pregame notes
The Orioles still haven't revealed their starter for Wednesday afternoon's game against the Tigers at Camden Yards. I hope it lives up to the hype. Down in Sarasota, Dylan Bundy threw live batting practice today for the first time and the session went extremely well. He's scheduled to throw again in a few days. It may not seem like much on the surface, but facing hitters is an important part of his progression. Ubaldo Jimenez will try to build on his May success tonight against the Tigers....

About last night ...

About last night ...
Steve Clevenger collected three more hits last night and is batting .304. Let me put this another way: An Orioles backup catcher is batting .304. Another silver lining in another Orioles injury. Jonathan Schoop was given regular playing time while Manny Machado rehabbed his left knee, accelerating his development at the major league level. Steve Pearce became the starting first baseman in Chris Davis' absence and flourished at the plate and on the bag, solidifying his spot on the team. Now...

Torii Hunter and the umpires talk about tonight's incident

Torii Hunter and the umpires talk about tonight's incident
Plate umpire James Hoye ejected Orioles starter Bud Norris tonight in the eighth inning after Torii Hunter was hit in the ribs following Ian Kinsler's two-run homer. Norris insisted it wasn't intentional. Hunter offered his own opinion. "I was actually thinking he's got good stuff today," said Hunter, who jawed at Norris while the pitcher was on the mound and again when he headed to the dugout. "He's pitching pretty well, and what, he just all of a sudden lost it? I want all the...

Showalter on Norris' ejection and 4-1 loss

Showalter on Norris' ejection and 4-1 loss
Most of the talk tonight following the Orioles' 4-1 loss to the Tigers at Camden Yards centered on the heated exchange between pitcher Bud Norris and right fielder Torii Hunter. You were expecting something else? Hunter kept jawing at Norris after being hit in the eighth inning following Ian Kinsler's two-run homer. Norris said it wasn't intentional and plate umpire James Hoye ejected him only because of Hunter's overreaction. "Hit Torii with a pitch, the umpire deemed it intentional...

Dugouts and benches empty after Norris hits Hunter (O's lose 4-1)

Dugouts and benches empty after Norris hits Hunter (O's lose 4-1)
Bud Norris leads the Orioles with five hit batters in his seven starts. Detroit right fielder Torii Hunter wishes it were four. Ian Kinsler drilled a two-out, two-run homer off Norris in the top of the eighth to give the Tigers a 4-1 lead. Norris proceeded to hit Hunter, who took a wide path toward first base while catcher Steve Clevenger followed him. Hunter barked at Norris, who yelled back and pointed toward the plate. The dugouts and bullpens emptied and umpire James Hoye ejected...

Updates on Norris and Harvey

Updates on Norris and Harvey
Orioles starter Bud Norris was perfect through three innings tonight and losing by a run in the fourth. A leadoff walk to Tigers' second baseman Ian Kinsler started the trouble. Isn't that usually the way? Kinsler stole second and scored on Miguel Cabrera's single. Cabrera moved to third on Victor Martinez's double and scored on Austin Jackson's sacrifice fly for a 2-1 lead. Norris' pitch count stood at 36 after the third. He threw 18 in the fourth. Somehow, the Orioles need to figure...

More notes while players are introduced

More notes while players are introduced
This weather is insane. It was raining sideways while I ate dinner in the press lounge, delaying the start of tonight's game until 7:35 p.m., and now the sky is blue and the grounds crew is watering down the infield. The Orioles' pitchers took batting practice today in preparation for their three-game series in Pittsburgh that begins May 20 and a three-game series in Milwaukee that begins May 26. "That's always quite entertaining," said manager Buck Showalter. "I always try to pick...

Uncertainty in Orioles' rotation this week (start time 7:35 p.m.)

Uncertainty in Orioles' rotation this week (start time 7:35 p.m.)
Originally, the Orioles listed left-hander Wei-Yin Chen as Wednesday afternoon's starter against the Tigers at Camden Yards, which lined up Miguel Gonzalez to start Thursday night's opener in Kansas City. It's not so clear anymore. The Orioles' game notes still list Ubaldo Jimenez as Tuesday night's starter, but Wednesday and Thursday are TBA. Manager Buck Showalter will be asked about his rotation later tonight. Perhaps he can provide an explanation. Chen would be working on normal...

Showalter on decision to bring up Guilmet

Showalter on decision to bring up Guilmet
Reliever Preston Guilmet reported to Camden Yards this afternoon and is wearing No. 63. Guilmet takes the roster and bullpen spots of left-hander T.J. McFarland, who was optioned following yesterday's game. Because he's been pitching one and two innings, Guilmet doesn't fit the description of a prototypical long reliever. "Length in the American League is two innings and he's capable of that," said manager Buck Showalter. "He's rested and pitching well. Other than one hiccup, he's...

Orioles lineup vs. Tigers

Orioles lineup vs. Tigers
Nelson Cruz is in left field and Delmon Young is the designated hitter for the Orioles' series opener tonight against the Tigers at Camden Yards. Tigers starter Rick Porcello is 2-5 with a 4.62 ERA in eight career starts against the Orioles and 0-3 with a 5.19 ERA in three starts at Camden Yards. Nick Markakis is 9-for-21 with a double and home run against Porcello. He's trying to extend his hitting streak to 19 games tonight, which would tie his career high. He's hit safely in 21 of the...

Orioles to recall Guilmet

Orioles to recall Guilmet
The Orioles have decided to recall right-handed reliever Preston Guilmet from Triple-A Norfolk as the bullpen replacement for left-hander T.J. McFarland. McFarland was optioned following yesterday's 5-2 loss to the Astros. Manager Buck Showalter indicated yesterday that the club wanted a right-hander to match up against the Tigers, who visit Camden Yards for a three-game series. It appeared that the Orioles sought a reliever who could provide length in the bullpen after optioning their...

Russell talks about progress of catchers

Russell talks about progress of catchers
The Orioles sure do have a lot of roster turnover for a club that's five games above .500 and holding onto first place in the American League East. They're making another bullpen move this afternoon after optioning left-hander T.J. McFarland following yesterday's 5-2 loss to the Astros. They placed catcher Matt Wieters on the 15-day disabled list and activated first baseman Chris Davis. And they continue to check the market for available backup catchers. Executive vice president Dan...

O's option McFarland to Triple-A Norfolk

O's option McFarland to Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles optioned left-hander T.J. McFarland to Triple-A Norfolk after today's game, and a corresponding roster move will be announced tomorrow. Manager Buck Showalter had indicated that the team might need to call up a right-handed long reliever for the Tigers series, which begins Monday, because of Detroit's righty-leaning lineup and the need to use McFarland for three-plus innings Sunday. "We'll see. We'll talk about it," Showalter said after the game. "We'd like to make sure...

Showalter speaks after 5-2 loss

Showalter speaks after 5-2 loss
The Orioles' designated long man in the bullpen, left-hander T.J. McFarland, worked three-plus innings today in a 5-2 loss to the Astros before a sellout crowd at Camden Yards. The club will discuss bringing up another reliever for Monday night's series opener against the Tigers. "We'll see. We'll talk about it," said manager Buck Showalter. "We'd like to make sure we have some length there. Detroit's primarily right-handed." Going by matchups, Showalter would prefer a right-handed...

Showalter providing work for Lough, Flaherty and McFarland (O's lose 5-2)

Showalter providing work for Lough, Flaherty and McFarland (O's lose 5-2)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter wanted to knock the rust off a few of his players today, putting them in today's game to keep everyone engaged. He doesn't like guys to sit for prolonged stretches. David Lough received his first at-bats since May 3 and went 0-for-2, grounding out and popping up, before Steve Pearce pinch-hit for him in the seventh. Ryan Flaherty, appearing in only his third game this month, went 0-for-3 and hit into a double play to end the bottom of the sixth. He made a...

Slow start for Tillman (Tillman done after fifth)

Slow start for Tillman (Tillman done after fifth)
Chris Tillman walked the first two batters he faced today and served up a three-run homer to Jason Castro to quickly fall behind this afternoon at Camden Yards. Tillman issued a third walk in the inning and received a visit from pitching coach Dave Wallace. He escaped further harm with a strikeout and ground ball, but ran his pitch count to 32 in the process. The inning brought back memories of his May 1 start against the Pirates, when he threw 49 pitches in the first. The run damage was...

Showalter on Wieters' loss and Davis' return

Showalter on Wieters' loss and Davis' return
The Orioles welcome back Chris Davis today and put Matt Wieters on the disabled list. At some point, manager Buck Showalter will have his projected lineup intact. It's just taking a while. Third baseman Manny Machado missed the first month of the season. He returns and Davis goes on the disabled list with a strained oblique. Now, Wieters is on the shelf. "Who's to say this isn't that team, that isn't the lineup? Don't try to tell Steve Pearce that," Showalter said. "If you live in...

Wieters to DL, Davis activated (updated)

Wieters to DL, Davis activated (updated)
To make room for Chris Davis on the 25-man roster, the Orioles have placed catcher Matt Wieters on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow strain. Wieters hasn't caught since May 4 and has been limited to serving as the Orioles' designated hitter in each of his last four games because of the injury. Wieters was expected to avoid a trip to the disabled list after being examined by renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday. But with the combination of Wieters' health...

Davis in lineup

Davis in lineup
The Orioles will activate first baseman Chris Davis from the disabled list before today's game against the Astros. He's in the lineup batting third. Five reserves are listed on the lineup card, so we're waiting for a corresponding roster move. David Lough is in left field. Steve Clevenger is catching again today and Nelson Cruz is at designated hitter. No Matt Wieters, who's one of the listed reserves. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Nelson...