Flaherty at third, Gonzalez on hill for Orioles at Red Sox

Flaherty at third, Gonzalez on hill for Orioles at Red Sox
FORT MYERS, Fla. - In this afternoon's split-squad game against the Red Sox, Ryan Flaherty continues to get his reps at third base in preparation for what will likely be the starting role there while Manny Machado is out. Jemile Weeks gets a shot at leading off for the Orioles while playing second base, with David Lough in left and batting second. Miguel Gonzalez makes his final start of what has been a strong spring. He enters today's game with a 2.35 ERA in five appearances, having...

While waiting for the Orioles lineup ...

While waiting for the Orioles lineup ...
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are playing two road games today, and I can't recall the last time they pulled off a doubleheader without taking the field at Ed Smith Stadium. They make another trip to Fort Myers today for a 1:05 p.m. game against the Red Sox, but they take a left turn at the Daniels Parkway exit off Interstate 75 instead of going right toward the Twins complex. Miguel Gonzalez gets the start for the Orioles, who will head back toward Sarasota and make a stop in Port Charlotte...

The last cuts are the deepest

The last cuts are the deepest
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are playing two games today and the biggest news will come at the conclusion of each one. Cuts will be made. Deep, bloody cuts. The Orioles have 40 players on their camp roster and need to eliminate 15. Four of them will go on the disabled list - Manny Machado, Edgmer Escalona, Francisco Peguero and Johan Santana - and Troy Patton will begin serving his 25-game suspension. That's five. Rule 5 pick Michael Almanzar has tendinitis in his left patella and could...

Orioles option Brach

Orioles option Brach
SARASOTA, Fla. - As Orioles manager Buck Showalter sat in his office following today's 4-1 loss to the Twins in Fort Myers, he talked about reliever Brad Brach's impressive spring training and mentioned how he planned on making at least one cut tonight. Showalter indicated that the roster move would involve a pitcher who wouldn't be scheduled to throw in Wednesday's split-squad games. As it turned out, Showalter was twice referencing Brach. The Orioles optioned Brach to Triple-A...

Showalter speaks after 4-1 loss

Showalter speaks after 4-1 loss
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Orioles are going to make a few cuts later today. Stay tuned. Tommy Hunter and Zach Britton are slated to pitch again on Wednesday, giving them back-to-back appearances for the first time this spring. Left-hander Troy Patton will be eligible to pitch in his first game for the Orioles on April 29 after serving his 25-game suspension. A few pitchers will stay back in Sarasota on Saturday and throw bullpen sessions, rather than accompany the team to Norfolk for the final...

Norris on Norris (O's lose 4-1)

Norris on Norris (O's lose 4-1)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Twins 4, Orioles 1 Recap: The Twins scored twice off Bud Norris after Alexi Casilla's error to open the bottom of the second. They added another run in the fifth. Norris was solid, with four of the seven hits against him in 5 1/3 innings being bloopers or the infield variety. Zach Britton retired both batters he faced after replacing Norris in the sixth, lowering his ERA to 0.87 in 10 1/3 Grapefruit League innings. Tommy Hunter allowed a run in the seventh on Chris...

Almanzar could be headed to disabled list (updated)

Almanzar could be headed to disabled list (updated)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Rule 5 pick Michael Almanzar underwent an MRI on his left knee yesterday and has been diagnosed with patella tendinitis. Executive vice president Dan Duquette, in a text message, indicated that it's a "possible DL" situation for Almanzar. The Orioles can't option Almanzar without placing him on waivers and offering him back to the Red Sox. The injury, which occurred while he played first base Saturday in Port Charlotte, could provide the Orioles with additional time to...

Flaherty told he's made club

Flaherty told he's made club
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter informed infielder Ryan Flaherty that he's heading north with the team after it breaks camp this weekend. Flaherty could start at third base in Manny Machado's absence. Showalter hasn't revealed his plans for opening day. Wei-Yin Chen will start the third game on April 3 against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Showalter is deciding on the order for Miguel Gonzalez and Bud Norris, who will pitch in Detroit. Rule 5 pick Michael Almanzar had an...

Clevenger confirms he's made the club (Twins pitching change)

Clevenger confirms he's made the club (Twins pitching change)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Steve Clevenger says he was called into manager Buck Showalter's office yesterday and told that he made the club. Clevenger's agent, Joshua Kusnick, tweeted the news last night, but it's always nice to get confirmation. "They called me in and told me, but I'm going to continue to play out the spring. You just never know what could happen between now and then," said Clevenger, who graduated from Mount Saint Joseph and lived in Pigtown. "I just tried not to concentrate...

Orioles and Twins lineups

Orioles and Twins lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - Steve Lombardozzi will make his Orioles debut today, batting second and playing second base against the Twins in Fort Myers. David Lough is leading off and playing center field. Bud Norris is opposed today by Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson. In his last start, Norris held the Pirates to one run and two hits over five innings in Bradenton. He's been strong in three of his four outings, permitting one run over 10 combined innings. Relievers making the trip include Zach...

Clevenger wins backup job

Clevenger wins backup job
SARASOTA, Fla. - It appears that the Orioles have made their final decision on a backup catcher. Steve Clevenger was told that he's going to head north with the club, according to a tweet from agent Joshua Kusnick. Here it is: "Congratulations to steve clevenger. He officially made the orioles" Sounds legit to me. And it's the obvious choice, given recent transactions and Clevenger's performance this spring. The Orioles have been checking outside the organization for available...

Cornering the market on third base candidates

Cornering the market on third base candidates
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will try to outrun the rain today, racing down to Fort Myers for a 1:05 p.m. game against the Twins. Bud Norris will take the mound. Hopefully, he won't find out how much water the mound can take. Ryan Flaherty will make the trip, perhaps getting another start at third base. Not a bad idea to give him as many innings as possible with Manny Machado headed to the disabled list. Manager Buck Showalter indicated yesterday that newly acquired Steve Lombardozzi is a...

Matusz on his fragmented start, Lombardozzi on his fresh start (updated)

Matusz on his fragmented start, Lombardozzi on his fresh start (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Matusz had his start last Monday in Clearwater washed away by heavy rains. He lasted two innings today against the Red Sox before the weather caused another cancellation. If the baseball gods are going to keep messing with him, could they at least bring an umbrella? Matusz headed to the indoor batting cage with catcher Caleb Joseph and elevated his pitch count from 29 to 70. "Went back and forth from the windup to the stretch, and just building that pitch count....

Machado talks about his pending DL assignment

Machado talks about his pending DL assignment
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles third baseman Manny Machado hasn't circled a date on his calendar for his first game of the spring. "Never will," he said. "That's not me." So, what's next for Machado after being told yesterday that the Orioles would put him on the 15-day disabled list prior to opening day. "Play baseball. That's all," he said. "Go out there and get ready and come back and help the team whenever I can, whenever I'm ready to play baseball. It's unfortunate but it's...

Game cancelled after two innings

Game cancelled after two innings
SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's game between the Orioles and Red Sox has been cancelled after two innings due to heavy rains. Brian Matusz threw 29 pitches, 17 strikes in two innings. He allowed one hit, a Ryan Lavarnway single, and walked Jonny Gomes. J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis singled off Red Sox left-hander Drake Britton in the first inning. Hardy is 11-for-33 this spring, and Davis is 14-for-31. Matt Wieters lined a single into center field leading off the second, his 10th hit in 26...

Notes on game status, Lombardozzi, Gonzalez, Almanzar, more (more quotes)

Notes on game status, Lombardozzi, Gonzalez, Almanzar, more (more quotes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will attempt to start today's game at 2 p.m., a delay of one hour caused by heavy rain that continues to fall. Manager Buck Showalter needs to provide innings for his scheduled pitchers. Losing a fourth game this spring due to weather would be a major disruption. Steve Lombardozzi arrived at the Ed Smith Stadium complex after today's trade with the Tigers. "I like him. Always have," Showalter said. "I'm excited about it. Dan (Duquette) and I have talked...

Duquette and A. Gonzalez talk about the trade

Duquette and A. Gonzalez talk about the trade
SARASOTA, Fla. - Executive vice president Dan Duquette stopped by the media workroom this morning to discuss the trade that sent Alex Gonzalez to the Tigers for Steve Lombardozzi. "Steve Lombardozzi is a talented infielder," Duquette said. "He's good at second base and can also play third and the outfield. Switch-hitter. Good hands. He's a hustler, a scrappy player. Has two years experience and he's just 25 years old. So, we think he'll be very helpful for our team. And he's a local...

Schoop starting at third base today (and Red Sox lineup)

Schoop starting at third base today (and Red Sox lineup)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rain is coming down hard at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, putting in jeopardy today's game against the Red Sox. Jonathan Schoop will start at third base if the Orioles play. Steve Lombardozzi is listed among the reserves. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Nelson Cruz LF Matt Wieters C Delmon Young DH Jonathan Schoop 3B Jemile Weeks 2B Brian Matusz LHP The bullpen includes Alfredo Aceves, Darren O'Day, Josh Stinson, Ryan Webb, T.J....

Orioles acquire Lombardozzi from Tigers for A. Gonzalez (updated)

Orioles acquire Lombardozzi from Tigers for A. Gonzalez (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - With third baseman Manny Machado set to begin the season on the disabled list, the Orioles made a move this morning to bring in another infielder who can play multiple positions and perhaps start at second on opening day. The Orioles have acquired Steve Lombardozzi, 25, from the Tigers for Alex Gonzalez, a source confirmed. Lombardozzi, a Fulton native who attended Atholton High School, has played second base, shortstop, third and the outfield. He's a career .264/.297/.342...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz is back on the bump today, making his fourth Grapefruit League appearance in a 1:05 p.m. game against the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. He most recently tossed five innings in a minor league game. Jake Peavy is starting for the Red Sox, who also are bringing former Orioles left-hander Rich Hill. Manny Machado will find more reporters gathered at his locker this morning, seeking his reaction to the Orioles' decision to place him on the 15-day...