Orioles reassign Romero and Gil

Orioles reassign Romero and Gil
SARASOTA, Fla. - Now I can finally say it. Goodbye, Niuman. The Orioles have reassigned infielder Niuman Romero and catcher Jose Gil to their minor league camp, two cuts that manager Buck Showalter alluded to earlier today while meeting with reporters during batting practice. The moves leave the Orioles with 51 players in major league camp, including 14 non-roster invitees. Romero was 4-for-11 this spring. Gil was 0-for-10. Kevin Gausman tossed a scoreless first inning against the Tampa...

Wada ready to increase his baseball activity

Wada ready to  increase his baseball activity
SARASOTA, Fla. - Tsuyoshi Wada threw in the bullpen today and is ready to take the next significant step in his quest to join the Orioles' staff. He's no longer throwing only to prove that he's recovered from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his left elbow. The focus is shifting in a positive direction. It's about pitching now, not his recovery. "The rehab part of it is 10 months today or yesterday," said manager Buck Showalter. "Now he's going to progress to baseball...

McCutchen giving hitters a new look

McCutchen giving hitters a new look
SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Daniel McCutchen was startled when he turned around at his locker this morning and found three reporters waiting to interview him. He probably wondered whether he had been cut. McCutchen has flown under the media radar this spring as a non-roster pitcher invited to camp, but he's gaining attention after the Orioles convinced him to lower his arm slot. Factor in Mark Hendrickson and Adam Russell, and it's definitely become one of the story angles this spring. (See...

Orioles lineup against Rays

Orioles lineup against Rays
SARASOTA, Fla. - Manny Machado is out of the lineup today after making the trip to Fort Myers for last night's 9-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins. Wilson Betemit is starting at third base today against Jeff Niemann and the Tampa Bay Rays. Nolan Reimold is batting second and serving as the designated hitter. Conor Jackson is in right field while Nick Markakis continues to receive treatment and take a medicine pack for the herniated disk in his neck. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nolan...

While waiting for the lineup...

While waiting for the lineup...
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles haven't posted their lineup and the players who made the trip to Fort Myers yesterday aren't required to report until 11 a.m. Nick Markakis has an ice pack on the back of his neck with his T-shirt over it, giving him a hunchback look. It's menacing. Tsuyoshi Wada will throw off a regular mound again today. His left arm continues to feel good - news that he replayed through his interpreter. Daniel McCutchen will throw in the bullpen again today as he continues...

Orioles are up in arms

Orioles are up in arms
SARASOTA, Fla. - It's a shame that cell phone cameras aren't permitted inside the clubhouse, because Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman provided a great photo opportunity for the media before yesterday's workout at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The two top pitching prospects in the organization, back-to-back fourth overall picks in the First-Year Player Draft, stood at opposite ends of the bumper billiards table, bent at the waist, cue sticks in hand. Opposite personalities, too, which only...

Recapping the Orioles' 9-4 victory

Recapping the Orioles' 9-4 victory
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Well, that was an interesting ninth inning. The Orioles scored six runs in the top half, and Chris Petrini survived two walks in the bottom half to finally put this game to bed. Orioles 9, Twins 4. Niuman Romero's single tied the game 4-4, and Kyle Hudson's single put the Orioles in front. Steve Pearce had a sacrifice fly, Yamaico Navarro a two-run double and LJ Hoes an RBI single. Brian Matusz allowed one baserunner in four innings and struck out seven. Manager Buck...

Matusz almost perfect in four innings (O's win 9-4)

Matusz almost perfect in four innings (O's win 9-4)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter stretched out Brian Matusz to four innings tonight, and the left-hander responded by allowing only one baserunner and causing the Minnesota Twins to mostly swing at air. Matusz struck out seven of the 13 batters that he faced. He walked one - Josh Willingham with two outs in the fourth - and didn't allow a ball out of the infield. The other five outs came on grounders or bouncers to an infielder, including three to second baseman Alexi...

Gausman starts Thursday, Matusz a strikeout machine, Robinson on WBC (updated)

Gausman starts Thursday, Matusz a strikeout machine, Robinson on WBC (updated)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Kevin Gausman will start Thursday afternoon's game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium, with Dylan Bundy pitching in relief. It's the reverse of how they were used against the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers. Chris Tillman will throw a bullpen session on Thursday and batting practice on Saturday. Miguel Gonzalez will make his next start on Friday at Twin Lakes Park. Wei-Yin Chen's next start is Monday at the same location. Manager Buck Showalter is limiting their...

Pregame quotes from Showalter

Pregame quotes from Showalter
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter still hasn't revealed whether Dylan Bundy or Kevin Gausman will start Thursday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Rays in Sarasota. Showalter will check with pitching coach Rick Adair and let us know following tonight's game against the Minnesota Twins. Showalter noticed that Nick Markakis was feeling much better today, easily turning his head from side to side and proclaiming that he could play on Thursday. It wasn't a temptation for...

Pitching notes and Twins lineup (updated)

Pitching notes and Twins lineup (updated)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Minnesota Twins are taking batting practice now while the Orioles gather in the visiting clubhouse at Hammond Stadium for their last road night game of the spring. The Orioles still haven't named a starter for Thursday afternoon's game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Sarasota. It's Dylan Bundy or Kevin Gausman. I bet we can pry the answer out of manager Buck Showalter later this afternoon. Bundy and Gausman were playing bumper billiards earlier today in the Orioles'...

Markakis "optimistic" about opening day

Markakis "optimistic" about opening day
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis is back in camp today and pain-free after being examined yesterday by spine specialist Dr. Lee Riley at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Markakis is taking a medicine pack for another six days to alleviate the discomfort in his neck caused by a small herniated disc, and is hopeful that he'll be on the field in a week or two. "He basically told me what was going on and what to expect and that was pretty much it," Markakis said. "It's a slight...

Orioles lineup against Twins

Orioles lineup against Twins
SARASOTA, Fla. - Taylor Teagarden gets the start behind the plate, as expected, for tonight's game against the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers. Ryan Flaherty will get another look at shortstop, with Alexi Casilla playing second base. Manny Machado is making another trip, getting the start at third base. For the Orioles: Alexi Casilla 2B Ryan Flaherty SS Manny Machado 3B Jason Pridie LF Taylor Teagarden C Travis Ishikawa 1B Danny Valencia DH Chris Dickerson RF Trayvon Robinson CF Brian Matusz...

Today's game and yesterday's news on Markakis

Today's game and yesterday's news on Markakis
SARASOTA, Fla. - It's back to Fort Myers and back under the lights tonight, as the Orioles visit the Minnesota Twins for a 7:05 p.m. game at Hammond Stadium. Brian Matusz will make the start after three two-inning appearances. He's allowed three runs - all against the Tampa Bay Rays on March 2 - and six hits, with one walk and four strikeouts. Tommy Hunter also is slated to pitch. Taylor Teagarden will start behind the plate after asking to enter Sunday's game to further test his lower...

Notes off today's intrasquad game

Notes off today's intrasquad game
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles continue to dodge the raindrops in today's intrasquad game on the Camden Yards field. Jason Hammel went four innings, allowing two runs and five hits, with no walks and four strikeouts. Jair Jurrjens went three innings, allowing one run and two hits, with no walks and eight strikeouts. He stayed on the mound in the second inning to record a fourth out and elevate his pitch count. Taylor Teagarden, Nolan Reimold and Wilson Betemit batted every half-inning....

Markakis has small disc herniation (with quotes and note)

Markakis has small disc herniation (with quotes and note)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis has been diagnosed with a small disc herniation in his neck. He flew to Baltimore today to be examined by spine specialist Dr. Lee Riley at Johns Hopkins Hospital and is expected to return to camp Wednesday. The slight tear, discovered yesterday after he underwent an MRI, is located in C4-C5, according to manager Buck Showalter. The normal healing period is seven to 14 days, and Markakis already has been shut down for week. The hope is that...

Interested in intrasquad?

Interested in intrasquad?
SARASOTA, Fla. - Today is technically an off-day for the Orioles, which means that manager Buck Showalter scheduled something for them to do. Not all of them. Most of the position players can hit the links or the beach. But Jason Hammel and Jair Jurrjens will start in the 10:30 a.m. intrasquad game that Showalter arranged on the Camden Yards field. Steve Johnson, Troy Patton, Mike Wright and Eduardo Rodriguez also are listed as available pitchers today for a game that will last eight to 10...

Markakis update and postgame quotes

Markakis update and postgame quotes
BRADENTON, Fla. - Well, it's not much of an update, but Nick Markakis had an MRI on his neck this afternoon and the Orioles will examine the results later tonight. The club isn't expected to pass along the results until Tuesday morning. Also, Zach Britton will take off three days and make Friday's start against the Boston Red Sox in Sarasota. Britton only went two innings today, and manager Buck Showalter wants to get him back on the mound and extend him. It worked today with Jake...

Arrieta reflects on outing (O's lose 4-3)

Arrieta reflects on outing (O's lose 4-3)
BRADENTON, Fla. - Left-hander Zach Britton gave up an RBI double to Josh Harrison in the bottom of the seventh inning to reduce the Orioles' lead to 3-1 over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jake Arrieta stepped outside the clubhouse while icing his right arm and met with reporters. Here's a sampling: On how he felt about his start: "Overall, I liked the outing. I started out very strong. I talked to Rick (Adair) about this a lot and we've continued to work, bullpen session after bullpen session,...

Ford cruising in Grapefruit League (Arrieta update)

Ford cruising in Grapefruit League (Arrieta update)
BRADENTON, Fla. - You can't stop Lew Ford. You can only hope to contain him. Ford is 2-for-2 today with a single and home run, and the Orioles have taken a 2-0 lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Ford, re-signed to a minor league deal over the winter, is now 11-for-19 with two home runs this spring. The Orioles scored in the second inning on consecutive singles by Danny Valencia, Yamaico Navarro and LJ Hoes. Ford homered with one out in the third off Pirates left-hander...