Today's game and Tuesday's intrigue

Today's game and Tuesday's intrigue
SARASOTA, Fla. - Michael Weiner, the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, is making the rounds again this spring, and he's scheduled to stop by the Ed Smith Stadium complex this morning. This is an annual visit, which closes the clubhouse to the media. Players won't be available until after today's 1:05 p.m. game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Chris Tillman will make his second start. He allowed one hit, walked two batters and struck out one in 1 2/3...

News and notes following a 4-1 loss to the Rays (and quotes)

News and notes following a 4-1 loss to the Rays (and quotes)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Orioles lost their second exhibition game of 2013, falling to the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 at Charlotte Sports Park. The Orioles brought only one projected starter, third baseman Manny Machado. Don't judge them too harshly. Tommy Hunter recovered from the Sean Rodriguez home run and Ben Zobrist single to retire the last six batters he faced. Left-hander Troy Patton retired the side in order in the seventh, striking out two batters. He had allowed three runs and six...

Chen on Chen (updated)

Chen on Chen (updated)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Tommy Hunter entered the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, and the first batter he faced, Sean Rodriguez, lined a home run to right field. Tampa Bay 4, Orioles 0. Rodriguez was 0-for-12 this spring before the homer. Alexi Casilla reached on an infield hit in the top of the sixth, but he was thrown out trying to steal second base. Manny Machado tripled to center field with two outs. Update: Machado scored on Jason Pridie's single into right field. Machado is...

Chen impressive in debut (Matusz gives up back-to-back home runs)

Chen impressive in debut (Matusz gives up back-to-back home runs)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen worked two scoreless innings today in his Grapefruit League debut, allowing two singles on ground balls up the middle. Chen threw 23 pitches, 17 for strikes. Left-hander Brian Matusz began to warm in the Orioles' bullpen as Chen took the mound for the second inning. Tampa Bay's Ben Zobrist singled to center field leading off the bottom of the first, and Yunel Escobar did the same with two outs. In between, Kelly Johnson and Evan Longoria flew out to deep...

Orioles and Rays lineups (Reimold and Schoop updates)

Orioles and Rays lineups (Reimold and Schoop updates)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Manny Machado is making another road trip today, batting third against Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Alex Cobb. Jason Pridie is playing right field and batting cleanup. Xavier Avery is starting in left field and batting ninth. Yes, most of the regulars are staying in Sarasota. For the Orioles: Alexi Casilla 2B Ryan Flaherty SS Manny Machado 3B Jason Pridie RF Chris Dickerson CF Trayvon Robinson DH Travis Ishikawa 1B Luis Exposito C Xavier Avery LF Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the...

Quick hits on Reimold, Wada and McFarland

Quick hits on Reimold, Wada and McFarland
SARASOTA, Fla. - Who's up for another road trip? The Orioles are heading to Port Charlotte this morning to play the Tampa Bay Rays. It's a nice facility with a press box that seats about three reporters from the visiting media - with two obstructed views. But everything else about the place is fairly impressive. Wei-Yin Chen makes his 2013 Grapefruit League debut today, followed by Brian Matusz, Tommy Hunter, Troy Patton and Daniel McCutchen. Hunter was supposed to go two or three innings...

Reimold will take a few days off from throwing

Reimold will take a few days off from throwing
SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold made the decision to remove himself from today's game before he batted in the bottom of the second inning. As it turned out, he was allowed to hit and responded with a long home run. The at-bat easily was the best part of his brief day. Reimold said he's going to take a "day or two off from throwing" because of soreness in his right shoulder that, obviously, doesn't impact the way he swings a bat. "I just had a little bit of shoulder soreness and this is...

Roberts talks about his 3-for-3 day

Roberts talks about his 3-for-3 day
SARASOTA, Fla. - Did Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts have fun today? "Every day's a fun day on the field," Roberts replied with a smile. Roberts is just happy to be playing again, and going 3-for-3 with a home run today simply added to his joy. "It's been too many days in the training room. Baseball's fun when you can get out there and play. It's definitely been good so far." Roberts homered to right field leading off the bottom of the first inning. He singled to left in the...

Reimold has sore right shoulder

Reimold has sore right shoulder
SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's game ended with Orioles first baseman Steve Pearce throwing out the Pirates' Jordy Mercer at the plate on an infield hit. Orioles 6, Pirates 5. The news on Nolan Reimold is fairly encouraging. Reimold was removed from today's game after hitting a home run in the second inning because of a sore right shoulder, according to manager Buck Showalter. Reimold apparently notified Showalter of his condition before stepping to the plate. Showalter doesn't believe that...

Hammel: "Nice to be out there with two good knees" (O's win 6-5)

Hammel: "Nice to be out there with two good knees" (O's win 6-5)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Pirates scored a run in the third, fourth and fifth innings off right-hander Mike Wright, reducing the Orioles' lead to 4-3. Matt Wieters delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth, but Gaby Sanchez hit his second home run of the day leading off the top of the sixth, this one off left-hander Mark Hendrickson. Wright is the first pitcher to work three innings for the Orioles this spring. Brian Roberts' home run was his first since April 13, 2011. Tip of the cap...

Hammel goes two, Orioles going deep (updated)

Hammel goes two, Orioles going deep (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jason Hammel's first spring start of 2013 resulted in two scoreless innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hammel gave up one hit, a double to Chase d'Arnaud in the first inning. The ball cleared Adam Jones' head in center field and hopped the fence. He struck out two batters, and his fastball was mostly 91-92 mph. Hammel threw 39 pitches, 27 for strikes. He got ahead 0-2 on five of the seven batters he faced. Brian Roberts led off the bottom of the first inning with a...

Teagarden confident back issue is minor

Teagarden confident back issue is minor
SARASOTA, Fla. - There isn't much competition for the backup catching job in Baltimore. If Taylor Teagarden is healthy, he figures to break camp with the team. Teagarden woke up this morning with lower-back spasms, again bringing his health into question. He didn't debut for the Orioles last season until July 14, when he hit a walk-off home run against the Detroit Tigers at Camden Yards, because of discomfort in his lower back that shut him down for most of spring training. Teagarden's...

Notes on Teagarden, Urrutia and more

Notes on Teagarden, Urrutia and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Taylor Teagarden woke up this morning with spasms in his lower back and will take off the next few days, according to manager Buck Showalter. Teagarden was sidelined last spring with lower-back discomfort. We're not certain if it's a similar condition. The clubhouse is closed to the media during batting practice, but we hope to meet with Teagarden later and get a full report. "We've got plenty of time. We're not going to rush him," Showalter said. "I think...

Jones preparing to leave camp for the WBC (Pirates lineup and notes)

Jones preparing to leave camp for the WBC (Pirates lineup and notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles center fielder Adam Jones stood at his locker this morning wearing a bright yellow T-shirt with "Hulkamania" in red letters across his chest, a nod to former pro wrestling champion Hulk Hogan. Yes, Jones is a real American. Need more proof? He's leaving camp Saturday to join Team USA in Phoenix for the World Baseball Classic. "Get to play for your country," he said, describing his excitement at the chance to represent. "I'm going to miss these guys here, but...

Roberts leading off today

Roberts leading off today
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Roberts is leading off for the Orioles today against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium. Nick Markakis is batting second and playing right field. Nolan Reimold is in left field and Nate McLouth is serving as the designated hitter. Manny Machado isn't in the lineup after making yesterday's trip to Fort Myers. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth DH Nolan Reimold LF Wilson...

Hammel on the hump

Hammel on the hump
SARASOTA, Fla. - Finally. Jason Hammel will make his first Grapefruit League start of 2013 today when the Pittsburgh Pirates visit Ed Smith Stadium. Call off the search. The last time we checked, he was throwing in the indoor batting cage Tuesday while high winds swirled around the complex, with "hitters" tracking pitches. It was like batting practice, except without any real batting. Today, opposing hitters will be swinging for the fences. Hammel's right knee is fine. It's not like he...

Showalter speaks after 7-1 loss

Showalter speaks after 7-1 loss
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Xavier Avery's sacrifice fly in the ninth inning scored Chris Dickerson, who walked and moved up on Ryan Flaherty's single. No win today, but no shutout. The Orioles lost to the Minnesota Twins 7-1 to ruin their bid for a perfect Grapefruit League season. Jair Jurrjens told reporters that he's still having issues with his timing and mechanics. Does manager Buck Showalter agree with that assessment? "He knows himself and his body," Showalter said. "We're still...

Jurrjens struggles through one inning (O's down 7-0)

Jurrjens struggles through one inning (O's down 7-0)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Jair Jurrjens had an abbreviated outing today at Hammond Stadium. Jurrjens lasted only one inning, walking three batters and throwing 34 pitches before recording the final out. He gave up three runs and two hits - both doubles - and only 13 of his pitches were strikes. Jurrjens, who allowed one run in two innings against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, fell behind six of the eight batters he faced. His fastball topped out at 92 mph, but he mostly sat at 89-90 mph,...

Hunter pushed back to Saturday, and other notes

Hunter pushed back to Saturday, and other notes
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Tommy Hunter's pitching schedule has been adjusted following Tuesday's rainout in Bradenton. Hunter threw a light side session today and will pitch Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte. Hunter will follow starter Wei-Yin Chen and left-hander Brian Matusz to the mound. No health issues. Manager Buck Showalter said he expects Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia to take his physical today or Friday and report to the minor league complex in Twin Lakes Park "by...

Orioles lineup against the Twins (updated)

Orioles lineup against the Twins (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jair Jurrjens makes his second spring training start today when the Orioles travel to Fort Myers to play the Minnesota Twins. Most of the regulars will work out at the Ed Smith Stadium complex and call it a day. Manny Machado is making the trip and batting second. Danny Valencia is back at first base. For the Orioles: Alexi Casilla SS Manny Machado 3B Lew Ford DH Conor Jackson RF Danny Valencia 1B Trayvon Robinson LF Yamaico Navarro 2B LJ Hoes CF Chris Robinson C Jair...