Teagarden headed to DL, and other notes

Teagarden headed to DL, and other notes
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will place catcher Taylor Teagarden on the disabled list before breaking camp, giving the backup job to Ronny Paulino. The move will be backdated so he can be eligible to return on April 10, and manager Buck Showalter said it's possible that Teagarden will be ready. Teagarden will receive a second epidural on his lower back at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Showalter still won't confirm that Jake Arrieta is the opening day starter. It's just a matter of time. Showalter...

Arrieta named opening day starter

Arrieta named opening day starter
SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter finally revealed the identity of his opening day starter this afternoon. Yes, it's Jake Arrieta who will take the mound for the April 6 opener against the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards. That's been the assumption all along, but Showalter planted some doubt by withholding the announcement. Arrieta made his final spring start on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and allowed six runs and eight hits in five innings. OK, so he's not exactly...

Neshek gets the save in 4-3 victory

Neshek gets the save in 4-3 victory
TAMPA, Fla. - Pat Neshek retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth, striking out two batters in the Orioles' 4-3 victory over the New York Yankees. Neshek hasn't allowed a run in nine spring outings. He's allowed three hits, walked none and struck out eight in 8 1/3 innings. "He's getting his confidence in his arm back," manager Buck Showalter said of Neshek, who missed the 2009 season after undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery in his right elbow. "I know how excited...

Hammel on Hammel (O's take the lead)

Hammel on Hammel (O's take the lead)
TAMPA, Fla. - If Jason Hammel's goal was to build his pitch count, he did it tonight. Hammel threw 89 pitches, 59 for strikes, in 5 1/3 innings and left with the Orioles leading, 3-1. He was charged with a second run after Troy Patton entered the game in relief. "I felt good. Real good," Hammel said. "Pretty much everything I was working on, I was pretty happy with, and the results were good." Hammel went to a full count against the first two batters in the sixth, striking out Alex...

Hammel's last two outings like day and night (updated)

Hammel's last two outings like day and night (updated)
TAMPA, Fla. - See what I did there? In Jason Hammel's previous start, he lasted only two innings against the Boston Red Sox because he threw 39 pitches in the second and manager Buck Showalter didn't want to tax his arm. Tonight, he lasted 5 1/3 innings against the New York Yankees and is charged with two runs and five hits, with no walks and five strikeouts. He also hit a batter. Hammel threw 75 pitches through five innings, and Showalter sent him back out for the sixth. The first batter...

Jim Johnson addresses loaded questions about the radar guns

Jim Johnson addresses loaded questions about the radar guns
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jim Johnson knew what was coming. I approached his locker yesterday and asked about his spring training and whether he's where he needs to be with opening day almost here. "I'm pretty much where I need to be," he replied. "I'm looking forward to (today) because this is the first part of the back-to-back. I've thrown, day off, thrown, day off, so I've been on a real heavy workload, which is what I'm used to. Gets me ready for the season. "For the most part, I think...

Pregame interviews with Duquette and Showalter

Pregame interviews with Duquette and Showalter
TAMPA, Fla. - Executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter arrived at George M. Steinbrenner Field during the Orioles' batting practice session, which included one ball launched by Mark Reynolds that slammed halfway up the scoreboard in left-center field. Duquette said he's had trade discussions with "a lot of teams." Asked if anything is close, he replied, "Not really. Not really." "It's an active market this time of the year," he said. But nothing's...

Orioles DFA Eveland, claim Z. Wheeler from Brewers (NY lineup)

Orioles DFA Eveland, claim Z. Wheeler from Brewers (NY lineup)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have designated left-hander Dana Eveland for assignment to make room for infielder Zelous Wheeler, who was claimed off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers. Eveland allowed three runs and six hits in four innings during yesterday's start against the Blue Jays. He was 1-2 with a 3.46 ERA and 17 hits allowed in 13 spring innings. The Orioles acquired Eveland from the Dodgers at the winter meetings for minor league left-hander Jarret Martin and outfielder Tyler...

Hardy, Chavez remain out of lineup

Hardy, Chavez remain out of lineup
SARASOTA, Fla. - Shortstop J.J. Hardy (shoulder) and outfielder Endy Chavez (groin) won't make the trip to Tampa for tonight's game against the New York Yankees. Hardy could return on Friday. Chavez has been day-to-day for more than a week. Hardy, who received a cortisone injection on Tuesday, will take off again today and attempt to throw Friday morning. If the shoulder feels good, he'll be in the lineup against the Tigers. "I'm kind of hoping I'll get over the hump tomorrow," he...

Bullpen puzzle still unsolved

Bullpen puzzle still unsolved
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are preparing for their final Grapefruit League game under the lights when they travel to Tampa to play the New York Yankees. The clubhouse opens to the media at 2 p.m., so there's no morning lineup to post. I'd expect plenty of regulars to make the trip after they were allowed to stay back in Sarasota yesterday, but shortstop J.J. Hardy won't be among them. He'll need another day off after receiving a cortisone injection in his aching right shoulder. Jason...

Postgame chatter after 9-3 loss

Postgame chatter after 9-3 loss
DUNEDIN, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter refused to dismiss Dana Eveland from the rotation competition despite today's results, but he conceded that it would probably be "a push" for Alfredo Simon to make it. Eveland allowed three runs and six hits in four innings. He hadn't gone more than three innings this spring and tossed one each in his last two outings. "He was OK," Showalter said. "Seen him better. We've seen him better." Eveland pretty much dismissed his chances of...

Updating Britton and Johnson (and Simon and Phillips)

Updating Britton and Johnson (and Simon and Phillips)
DUNEDIN, Fla. - Zach Britton said his left shoulder is feeling good and he could begin to do some light tossing next week after receiving two Platelet Rich Plasma injections on March 21. Dr. James Andrews told Britton it could be a six-week process before he's cleared to pitch. "I've been feeling really good," Britton said this morning. "The soreness from the shots is gone. This will be the third day that I've been doing stuff in the pool, like shoulder strengthening in the pool. I've...

Eveland goes four innings, O's down 3-2 (updated)

Eveland goes four innings, O's down 3-2 (updated)
DUNEDIN, Fla. - Left-hander Dana Eveland, trying to find a spot on the Orioles' 12-man pitching staff, allowed three runs and six hits in four innings today against the Toronto Blue Jays. Eveland threw 51 pitches, 34 strikes, and left with the Orioles trailing 3-2. Alfredo Simon has taken his place. Eveland's pitch count stood at 41 after three innings and the bullpen was busy, but he came back out for the fourth and retired the side in order, striking out Colby Rasmus. Three of the six...

Hardy gets injection in shoulder, new Orioles lineup

Hardy gets injection in shoulder, new Orioles lineup
DUNEDIN, Fla. - Shortstop J.J. Hardy continues to be bothered by soreness in his right shoulder, and he received a cortisone injection yesterday in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort and get back into the lineup. Manager Buck Showalter said Hardy could play Friday against the Tigers in Sarasota. "He's a little sore from (the injection) today, but he's getting there. I'm hoping he's a Friday player," Showalter said. Team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens examined Hardy's shoulder...

A few pregame notes and Blue Jays lineup (updated)

A few pregame notes and Blue Jays lineup (updated)
DUNEDIN, Fla. - I'm back in Dunedin for the first time since Koji Uehara limped off the mound with a hamstring injury in his first spring training with the team. I can't say that I missed this place. The Orioles are so fortunate to reside at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. So very fortunate. Today's lineup has inspired a few quips from the Blue Jays' media and press box employees. Of the nine starters, six of them have uniform numbers in the 70s, 80s or 90s. That's fine in the NFL. In...

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter wasn't kidding yesterday when he warned reporters that they'd be watching a "prospects game" today in Dunedin. The Blue Jays aren't getting the A team. Jai Miller has returned from a knee ailment and will serve as the designated hitter. Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop will work as double play partners. Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty will start at first base. And by the way, it's a pretty big start for Dana Eveland as he tries to make the...

Mussina, Dauer, Youse elected to Orioles Hall of Fame

Mussina, Dauer, Youse elected to Orioles Hall of Fame
SARASOTA, Fla. - The choice was obvious. How Mike Mussina will be received at Camden Yards remains the mystery. Mussina has been elected to the Orioles Hall of Fame, setting up a reunion that was destined to happen in spite of his final eight pinstriped seasons. Former second baseman Rich Dauer was chosen by the Veterans Committee. And longtime scout Walter Youse was chosen as the Herb Armstrong Award winner for non-uniformed personnel who have made significant contributions to the ballclub...

Showalter speaks after 5-0 loss

Showalter speaks after 5-0 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter went a lot easier on Tsuyoshi Wada than the Japanese left-hander following today's 5-0 loss to the Twins. "I thought he pitched good last inning," Showalter said. "He had trouble getting the ball where he wanted to. Away from his arm slot. But he made some adjustments. I like what I saw with the command, as far as the ball down. You can see why he had success and will again. You can tell his command is going to be good. He was barely missing. "He...

Wada says he "feels sorry for the crowd" that watched him pitch

Wada says he "feels sorry for the crowd" that watched him pitch
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles won't be no-hit today. Robert Andino doubled off Twins reliever Glen Perkins in the eighth inning and was thrown out at third base. Tsuyoshi Wada ripped himself after today's start. Here's a sampling. I'll add more later. "It didn't go that well. I'm not satisfied." "I wasn't able to throw correctly with my normal form today. The first-pitch strike with the fastball I pitched was hit easily. I have to work on it more." "I was missing a lot of...

Wada starts slow, finishes strong (with Chen note)

Wada starts slow, finishes strong (with Chen note)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Tsuyoshi Wada threw 48 pitches and gave up four runs in the first two innings of his first Grapefruit League start. Troy Patton began warming in the third. Wada looked like he was headed for an early exit. Instead, Wada retired the side in order with two strikeouts in the third. Patton replaced him to begin the fourth, causing Wada to fall one inning short of his intended limit. Early, yes, but it could have been worse. Wada threw 62 pitches, 38 for strikes. He allowed four...