Notes on Strop, Chen, Jurrjens, Wada, Reimold and more

Notes on Strop, Chen, Jurrjens, Wada, Reimold and more
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said reliever Pedro Strop is "a consideration" to be activated from the 15-day disabled list before Saturday afternoon's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Strop threw an indoor bullpen session yesterday in Sarasota - heavy rains washed away his outdoor plans - and said his back feels good. He's eager to rejoin the bullpen. Wei-Yin Chen, who hasn't pitched since May 12 because of a strained oblique, threw from 90 feet today...

Orioles recall Belfiore

Orioles recall Belfiore
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles have recalled left-hander Mike Belfiore from Triple-A Norfolk to take the roster spot vacated yesterday by outfielder Xavier Avery. Belfiore is in the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field and listed among the relievers on the Orioles' lineup card. Belfiore could be optioned on Saturday if the Orioles activate reliever Pedro Strop from the 15-day disabled list. Today's move leaves the Orioles with four left-handers in the bullpen. For the Orioles Nate...

Orioles option Snyder (draft update)

Orioles option Snyder (draft update)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are taking early batting practice today. Roll call includes Ryan Flaherty, Alexi Casilla, Danny Valencia, Steve Pearce and Taylor Teagarden. Manager Buck Showalter has stepped out of the dugout at Tropicana Field to watch the session. Earlier today, the Orioles optioned backup catcher Chris Snyder to Triple-A Norfolk. Snyder was designated for assignment on Tuesday to make room for Taylor Teagarden on the 25-man roster. Snyder had the right to refuse an...

It's Hammel vs. Archer tonight (another draft update)

It's Hammel vs. Archer tonight (another draft update)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Jason Hammel takes the mound tonight at Tropicana Field for the first time since being ejected Saturday afternoon following back-to-back-to-back home runs by the Tigers and a slider that hit Matt Tuiasosopo on the left shoulder. Hammel insisted that he wasn't aiming at Tuiasosopo, and he presented a strong argument just a few inches from the face of plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt. You know who won that argument. In 32 games at The Trop, Hammel is 1-5 with a 5.78 ERA....

What's the latest on Wada?

What's the latest on Wada?
Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada worked 5 1/3 innings last night in his fifth injury-rehab start at Triple-A Norfolk, allowing three runs and six hits, walking one and striking out six. He threw 95 pitches, 70 for strikes. For the first time since signing his two-year, $8.15 million deal with the Orioles in December 2011, Wada was credited with a win. There's another W besides the first letter in his last name. In 23 innings with the Tides, Wada has surrendered 18 runs (15 earned) and 27 hits,...

Orioles select high school pitcher Hunter Harvey (with final update)

Orioles select high school pitcher Hunter Harvey (with final update)
With the 22nd overall pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, the Orioles selected North Carolina high school right-hander Hunter Harvey, the son of former major league closer Bryan Harvey. Harvey was 8-0 with a 0.38 ERA at Bandys High School in Catawba, N.C., with 116 strikeouts in 54 2/3 innings. Baseball America rated him as the seventh-best right-handed pitcher in the draft. John Hart on MLB Network said he believes Harvey can be a starter. Harvey is listed as 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds....

Orioles option Avery

Orioles option Avery
Outfielder Xavier Avery's stay with the Orioles was an extremely short one. The Orioles optioned Avery to Triple-A Norfolk following today's 3-1 victory over the Astros. A corresponding move will be announced on Friday. Avery was recalled today, sat on the bench and packed up his belongings. The Tides are in Louisville. The Orioles are headed to Tampa. Avery began the season with Double-A Bowie, where he batted .300/.391/.406 with 34 runs scored and 12 stolen bases in 39 games. He's...

Gonzalez dodges injury, not ball, while completing six innings (O's win 3-1)

Gonzalez dodges injury, not ball, while completing six innings (O's win 3-1)
The Orioles placed one pitcher on the disabled list today. They didn't need to lose another one. Miguel Gonzalez stayed in the game after J.D. Martinez's sharp bouncer struck his left forearm with two outs in the sixth inning. Martinez reached base and Gonzalez reached for his left arm, flexing his hand as head athletic trainer Richie Bancells came out to the mound. At least he didn't reach for the ball with his bare hand. Gonzalez retired Carlos Pena on a fly ball to center field and was...

A few pregame notes (O's lead 3-1)

A few pregame notes (O's lead 3-1)
With outfielder Xavier Avery's promotion earlier today, 16 players have now appeared on the active rosters of both the Orioles and Triple-A Norfolk Tides this season. Avery isn't expected to stay for long. He's an extra outfielder until Nick Markakis rejoins the team Friday in St. Petersburg. And the Orioles will need another pitcher to replace Steve Johnson in the bullpen, with Pedro Strop a leading candidate. The Orioles are 8-11 in series finales this season, including 4-5 on the road....

Steve Johnson headed to DL, Orioles and Astros lineups (Avery called up)

Steve Johnson headed to DL, Orioles and Astros lineups (Avery called up)
The Orioles are prepared to place reliever Steve Johnson on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique injury. Johnson felt the discomfort while warming up last night and allowed two home runs in 2 1/3 innings. An announcement will come later in the day. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters DH J.J. Hardy SS Chris Dickerson RF Ryan Flaherty 2B Taylor Teagarden C Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the Astros Brandon Barnes CF Jimmy Paredes RF Jason...

Much to like about Hader

Much to like about Hader
The Orioles hold the 22nd pick in the first round of tonight's First-Year Player Draft, which makes it a heck of a lot harder to project their selection than back in the days when they chose third or fourth. They like South Carolina high school catcher Nick Ciuffo, but they usually lean toward pitching, and University of San Francisco right-hander Alex Balog has been linked to them in some mock drafts. That's as deep as I'll venture into this guessing game. But check back with...

Long ball could make for short night for Garcia (O's lose 11-7)

Long ball could make for short night for Garcia (O's lose 11-7)
Freddy Garcia threw eight scoreless innings in his last start against the Nationals. Tonight, he's served up three home runs in two innings and trails the Astros 5-1. Garcia is like a box of chocolates. Never know what you're going to get. Against the Astros, he's sort of like that jelly candy that you bite into and want to spit out. Remember those? Jason Castro and Carlos Pena hit two-run shots off Garcia in the first inning, and Marwin Gonzalez - don't pretend that you've never heard...

Pearce replaces Markakis in right field (and notes)

Pearce replaces Markakis in right field (and notes)
With Nick Markakis away from the team for the next two games, Steve Pearce is starting in right field tonight against the Houston Astros. J.J. Hardy moves up to third in the order, as manager Buck Showalter breaks out his right-handed lineup. Danny Valencia is serving as the designated hitter, and Alexi Casilla is starting at second base. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C Danny Valencia DH Steve Pearce RF Alexi...

It's Garcia vs. Keuchel tonight

It's Garcia vs. Keuchel tonight
A win tonight in Houston would put the Orioles nine games over .500 for the first time this season. It also would improve their series record to 13-5-2. Once again, they will be facing an Astros pitcher who is new to them - left-hander Dallas Keuchel, 25, who's making his sixth start among 12 appearances. Keuchel is 2-2 with a 5.10 ERA in 47 2/3 innings, with 59 hits, 17 walks and 30 strikeouts. He has a 5.17 ERA as a starter and a 4.96 ERA as a reliever. Keuchel hasn't allowed an earned...

Patton's progress

Patton's progress
The Orioles will break out a different lineup tonight with Nick Markakis missing his first game this season to attend his grandmother's funeral. The Orioles will be facing a left-hander, Houston's Dallas Keuchel, who's 2-2 with a 5.10 ERA. Steve Pearce could start in the outfield, with Danny Valencia again serving as the designated hitter. Right-handers are batting .315 against Keuchel, compared to .283 for left-handers. Taylor Teagarden will catch Thursday afternoon's game after being...

Valencia homers again (O's win 4-1)

Valencia homers again (O's win 4-1)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter hasn't been predictable in his use of Danny Valencia. There isn't the anticipated strict platoon at designated hitter. Valencia is starting again tonight against a right-hander, the Astros' Lucas Harrell, and he gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead with a home run to right field in the top of the third inning. Valencia has homered in three of his last seven games, and he's totaled seven RBIs in that span. Chris Dickerson, no longer bothered by a sore wrist, made...

Orioles DFA Snyder to make room for Teagarden

Orioles DFA Snyder to make room for Teagarden
The Orioles finally made their roster move official tonight, activating Taylor Teagarden from the 15-day disabled list and designating Chris Snyder for assignment in a swap of backup catchers. Teagarden, 29, went on the DL on April 28 with a dislocated left thumb after appearing in four games and going 0-for-13. He threw out one of two runners attempting to steal. Teagarden appeared in three injury-rehab games at Triple-A Norfolk, catching twice and serving as the designated hitter. Snyder,...

Flaherty remains at second base, Valencia serving as DH (with Astros)

Flaherty remains at second  base, Valencia serving as DH (with Astros)
Ryan Flaherty gets another start at second base tonight against the Houston Astros, and Danny Valencia will serve as the designated hitter after delivering a pinch-hit, game-tying single Sunday afternoon against the Detroit Tigers at Camden Yards. The rest of the lineup is predictable. Still waiting for the Orioles to announce that catcher Taylor Teagarden has been activated from the disabled list. He's no longer with Triple-A Norfolk. Official word will come before the first pitch. For...

Quick update on Chen

Quick update on Chen
Wei-Yin Chen, on the disabled list since straining his right oblique during a May 12 start in Minnesota, was scheduled to do some light throwing today in Sarasota. Apparently, the session went pretty well, judging by a tweet that Chen sent a few minutes ago. Using Google translate, it read as follows: "Today began to pass the ball, and the progress of all the best" I'm taking it as a positive step for Chen. There's no timetable for Chen's return to the active roster. The Orioles need...

A scout's take on Arrieta and the catchers (Hader note)

A scout's take on Arrieta and the catchers (Hader note)
The Orioles' quiet off-day made plenty of noise yesterday. Wei-Yin Chen will start doing some light throwing today in Sarasota, according to interpreter Tim Lin. The first round of American League All-Star voting was announced, and Chris Davis ranked first among first basemen and Adam Jones ranked second among outfielders. Davis was named AL Player of the Week for the second time this season, but Miguel Cabrera beat him out for monthly honors. Dylan Bundy was cleared to begin a throwing...