Showalter speaks after 6-3 win

Showalter speaks after 6-3 win
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Jair Jurrjens tossed five scoreless innings today in relief of Steve Johnson, allowing two hits, walking none and striking out three in the Orioles' 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. "That's as good as I've seen him," said manager Buck Showalter. "Regardless of which hitter he was against, all that other stuff, he was in command. That's pretty solid right there. Down with everything with a couple exceptions. Pretty impressive. "We've got to make some decisions...

Steve Johnson: "It's just very frustrating" (O's win 6-3)

Steve Johnson: "It's just very frustrating" (O's win 6-3)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Steve Johnson lost home plate today. Now, he must hope that he didn't lose his chance to break camp with the Orioles. Johnson walked three straight batters and gave up a three-run double to Evan Longoria in the bottom of the third inning. He had retired eight in a row and was cruising along until his start unraveled. "I'm not real sure what happened," he said. "I felt like I battled that first walk. I was a little up, but it happens. I tried to go out of the...

O's, MLB unable to move Sept. 5 game for Ravens

O's, MLB unable to move Sept. 5 game for Ravens
The Orioles have issued a statement regarding the Sept. 5 night game against the Chicago White Sox, which is blocking the Ravens from playing the NFL season opener at home that night. The team and league were unable to find a way to move the game to allow for the Thursday night contest usually awarded to the Super Bowl champions. Here's the full statement: "The Orioles have great respect for the Super Bowl Champion Ravens and thank Major League Baseball, the MLB Players Association, and...

Redmond claimed off waivers (Schoop homers)

Redmond claimed off waivers (Schoop homers)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Orioles have lost pitcher Todd Redmond on waivers to the Toronto Blue Jays, an industry source confirmed this afternoon. The Blue Jays later announced the claim. They optioned Redmond to Triple-A Buffalo. Redmond, claimed off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds in February, had been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after allowing five runs and eight hits in eight innings this spring. The Orioles had removed outfielder Trayvon Robinson from the 40-man roster to make room...

Pregame nuggets from Showalter

Pregame nuggets from Showalter
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Nick Markakis hit off a tee, threw and ran this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, and it went extremely well, according to manager Buck Showalter. Markakis will hit soft toss on Saturday and also run and throw again as he nears a return to the Orioles' lineup. "He's got that grin on his face on his face where you know he's going, 'Why don't we just start playing games?'" Showalter said. Tsuyoshi Wada and T.J. McFarland threw today back in Sarasota. Mark...

Orioles lineup against Rays (and notes)

Orioles lineup against Rays (and notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jonathan Schoop, back from the World Baseball Classic, will start at shortstop today for the Orioles in their 1:05 p.m. game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Ryan Flaherty is starting at third base. For the Orioles: Alexi Casilla 2B Trayvon Robinson LF Ryan Flaherty 3B Wilson Betemit 1B Conor Jackson DH Jason Pridie RF Taylor Teagarden C Chris Dickerson CF Jonathan Schoop SS Steve Johnson RHP Notes: The travel roster today includes pitchers Jair Jurrjens, Daniel McCutchen, Adam...

Markakis, Tillman and the Rays' lineup

Markakis, Tillman and the Rays' lineup
SARASOTA, Fla. - Nick Markakis stood at his locker this morning, held a bat and took a couple of swings. He didn't have an ice pack on his neck. So far, so good. Markakis, cleared yesterday to begin baseball activities, will hit off a tee and do some light throwing as part of a three- or four-day progression. "That's what I was hoping for," he said. "I don't know exactly what I'm going to do today, but I'll do a little bit and get reevaluated tomorrow and go from there." Markakis...

Rotating the fifth starter candidates

Rotating the fifth starter candidates
SARASOTA, Fla. - Let's see if Steve Johnson can counterpunch Jake Arrieta's outing last night. Arrieta didn't allow a run in six innings last night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, striking out nine batters. He hasn't been scored upon in his last 14 2/3 innings. He's struck out 16. Johnson will try to stay in the fifth starter race today against the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte. He figures to get their regular lineup. Why should anything come easily to him? Buck Showalter doesn't...

Markakis cleared for baseball activities (and more from Showalter)

Markakis cleared for baseball activities (and more from Showalter)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis has been cleared to begin baseball activities after consulting earlier today with spine specialist Dr. Lee Riley. Markakis will hit off a tee and do some light throwing on Friday at the Ed Smith Stadium complex as part of a three- to four-day offensive progression that will lead to his first games since March 1. Manager Buck Showalter figured that Markakis could play a week's worth of games in two days. "Trust me, he is Twin Lakes...

Arrieta keeps his scoreless streak alive (game ends 0-0)

Arrieta keeps his scoreless streak alive (game ends 0-0)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right-hander Jake Arrieta made another strong argument for being named the No. 5 starter. Arrieta blanked the Pittsburgh Pirates on six hits over six innings tonight, walking two batters and striking out nine. He threw 88 pitches, 64 for strikes. Arrieta hasn't allowed a run in his last three starts covering 14 2/3 innings. He's permitted 11 hits and fanned 16 batters. Removing the Team Spain game, Arrieta has permitted three earned runs and 13 hits in 17 1/3...

Valencia optioned to Norfolk (Arrieta update)

Valencia optioned to Norfolk (Arrieta update)
SARASOTA, Fla. - So much for the Orioles not making any cuts tonight. The club announced that infielder Danny Valencia has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, leaving 44 players in camp, including 12 non-roster invitees. Valencia went 10-for-31 in 17 games this spring. His only home run came in the ninth inning of Tuesday's game against the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers, breaking a 7-7 tie. The Orioles purchased Valencia from the Red Sox on Nov. 28. Valencia is expected to be the primary...

Showalter "feels good" about Reimold being ready opening day (and notes)

Showalter "feels good" about Reimold being ready opening day (and notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - It's been a light news day at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Nobody is complaining. Nolan Reimold is making another start in left field, and manager Buck Showalter remains optimistic that he will be on the 25-man roster on opening day. Reimold had been shut down with soreness in his right shoulder and later was restricted to serving as the designated hitter. "I feel good about it," Showalter said. "There's no givens. We'll see. I'm glad that he felt good taking...

Roberts remains in the lineup

Roberts remains in the lineup
SARASOTA, Fla. - Second baseman Brian Roberts will play in his third consecutive game tonight, as the Orioles host the Pittsburgh Pirates. Roberts fouled a ball off his right ankle in the sixth inning yesterday, but he feels fine and will start at second base. Nolan Reimold is starting in left field. Adam Jones is in center and Lew Ford is in right. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis 1B Nolan Reimold LF Russ Canzler...

Strop talks about his WBC experience (notes added)

Strop talks about his WBC experience (notes added)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Pedro Strop flew from San Francisco to Orlando last night, slept until around noon and raced to the Ed Smith Stadium complex. "I wanted to be here so bad," he said with a big grin. Strop tossed eight scoreless innings for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic and stranded two runners in the championship game. He was clutch. "It was unbelievable," he said. "I don't even know how to describe this experience. An unbelievable feeling. That's the...

Hearing from Markakis and Gonzalez

Hearing from Markakis and Gonzalez
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis sat at his locker again today with an ice pack on the back of his neck and his T-shirt pulled over it, giving him a hunched look that is becoming quite familiar. "I'm getting tired of icing," he said. What's worse, the icing or having to talk to reporters every day? "Talking to you guys," he deadpanned. "I'll take the ice any day." Boom! Markakis was waiting to speak over the phone with spine specialist Dr. Lee Riley this...

Markakis and Strop notes, and Pirates lineup (and Roberts update)

Markakis and Strop notes, and Pirates lineup (and Roberts update)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Nick Markakis, sitting at his locker with another ice pack wrapped on the back of his neck, will speak with spine specialist Dr. Lee Riley later today and hopes to be cleared for baseball activities within the next day or two. Markakis said he has full range of motion in his neck and no pain. Reliever Pedro Strop is back in camp after helping the Dominican Republic win the World Baseball Classic. He flew into Florida last night, woke up a few hours ago and rushed to the...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have another home game on the agenda, and it's going to be played under the lights The Pittsburgh Pirates are traveling to Ed Smith Stadium, which means the lights will be bright. Go to their home ballpark and it's like each dugout is given a candle and a box of matches to illuminate the field. Jake Arrieta, Luis Ayala, Tommy Hunter and Troy Patton will pitch for the Orioles tonight. Left-hander Jonathan Sanchez is starting for the Pirates. Arrieta blanked the...

Showalter on Roberts, Britton and McFarland

Showalter on Roberts, Britton and McFarland
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he already planned to remove Brian Roberts from today's game in the top of the seventh inning. It wasn't done after the second baseman fouled a ball off his right ankle. Roberts completed his at-bat before Yamaico Navarro replaced him in the field. "Everybody was getting their fourth at-bat," Showalter said. "We'll see. It was a pretty good one. I'm not going to say that was the best ball he hit today, because it wasn't the best...

Roberts fouls ball off ankle, Britton talks about outing (O's win 6-5)

Roberts fouls ball off ankle, Britton talks about outing (O's win 6-5)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Second baseman Brian Roberts fouled a ball of his right ankle in the bottom of the sixth inning, bringing head athletic trainer Richie Bancells and manager Buck Showalter out of the dugout. Roberts crouched down in obvious pain, then tried to walk it off. He stayed in the game and struck out, then was replaced by Yamaico Navarro in the top of the seventh. Showalter has removed most of his starters, so it may have been Roberts' turn to come out anyway. Darren O'Day went two...

Disappointing start for Britton (Roberts gives O's lead)

Disappointing start for Britton (Roberts gives O's lead)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles wanted to stretch out left-hander Zach Britton to five or six innings today. He didn't make it out of the second. Britton allowed five runs and seven hits, including a homer by Emilio Bonifacio, in 1 2/3 innings. He walked two of the first three batters he faced and struck out one before manager Buck Showalter removed him from the game. Britton threw 59 pitches, 36 for strikes, in his second-shortest outing of the spring. He went one inning in his debut on Feb....