Latest on Guerrero, Scott and the rotation

Latest on Guerrero, Scott and the rotation
Vladimir Guerrero said the pain in his right hand is the same as yesterday. No improvement. He didn't try to swing a bat today after taking four cuts yesterday and giving up. The Orioles could put Guerrero on the disabled list later today, retroactive to Monday, but they aren't expected to add a player to their 25-man roster before tomorrow. They'll play again tonight with two healthy reserves on their bench. Luke Scott will report to Double-A Bowie tomorrow if his shoulder continues to...

Guerrero still out of lineup

Guerrero still out of lineup
Vladimir Guerrero remains on the active roster, but out of tonight's lineup. I'm told that Triple-A third baseman Josh Bell and outfielder Matt Angle are with the Tides in Gwinnett. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Derrek Lee 1B Mark Reynolds 3B Felix Pie LF Nolan Reimold DH Blake Davis 2B Alfredo Smon RHP

Machado cleared to play tonight

Machado cleared to play tonight
Shortstop Manny Machado has been cleared to play tonight for Single-A Frederick after leaving last night's game with tightness in his hip flexor. However, it hasn't been determined whether he'll be in the starting lineup. Machado made a leaping throw in the hole last night and landed awkwardly. He left the field with the Keys' head athletic trainer, bringing more angst to an organization that lost him earlier this season to a dislocated knee cap while he played at low Single-A...

Just a Matusz of time

Just a Matusz of time
I wouldn't be surprised if the Orioles placed Vladimir Guerrero on the disabled list this weekend. It's the corresponding roster move that remains a mystery. They need help everywhere. Maybe it's

More clubhouse chatter

More clubhouse chatter
Congratulations to Single-A Frederick closer Manny Machado's hip injury: The night was not all positive for Frederick however as after making a leaping throw in shallow left on a fantastic backhand play deep in the hole at short, Keys SS Manny Machado left the game with Athletic Trainer Pat Wesley to his side. Machado went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI's prior to the injury. OK, back to Camden Yards. Here's Jake Arrieta: "It's tough, especially when we get a run in the bottom of an inning and I...

Showalter speaks after 6-5 loss

Showalter speaks after 6-5 loss
The Orioles have lost nine games in a row to fall 18 below .500. They'll probably have to put Vladimir Guerrero on the disabled list to avoid being handcuffed by a short bench, which came into play tonight. They're expected to put tomorrow night's starter, Alfredo Simon, on the restricted list Sunday when he flies to the Dominican Republic. They still need a starter for Monday, which could come from the bullpen or Triple-A Norfolk. And Single-A Frederick shortstop Manny Machado left...

Orioles' losing streak reaches nine games

Orioles' losing streak reaches nine games
At least this one was close and nobody is facing a suspension or fine. Jim Johnson gave up the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, and the Orioles lost to the Indians, 6-5, at Camden Yards. They've won six games since running their record to 30-31. Its gone from bad to worse to...whatever you want to call it. Johnson was the pitcher of record the last time that the Orioles won a game - July 3 in Atlanta - but he's allowed runs in four of his last five appearances. It took only two batters...

Orioles getting production from cleanup and DH (updated twice)

Orioles getting production from cleanup and DH (updated twice)
It wasn't necessarily supposed to work out this way, but Matt Wieters homered in the second inning as the Orioles' replacement cleanup hitter, and Nolan Reimold did the same as the replacement designated hitter. Orioles 2, Indians 1. Then, in the blink of an eye, Asdrubal Cabrera hit a two-run homer off Jake Arrieta in the top of the third. Indians 3, Orioles 2. Manager Buck Showalter indicated earlier today that he might have to use different players in the cleanup and designated hitter...

Guerrero could be headed to disabled list (with lineup and notes)

Guerrero could be headed to disabled list (with lineup and notes)
X-rays taken on Vladimir Guerrero's right hand revealed a small crack in a bone, and he's out of the lineup again tonight. Guerrero didn't play last night, and he couldn't swing a bat earlier today without experiencing pain in the hand. Guerrero was hit by a pitch from Red Sox rookie Kyle Weiland during Sunday's game at Fenway Park. The three-day All-Star break didn't improve the condition of his hand or his availability. The Orioles could attempt to give Guerrero a few more days or...

Arrieta's back on the mound tonight (with notes)

Arrieta's back on the mound tonight (with notes)
Bragging rights for TCU and Texas Tech are on the line tonight when the Orioles' Jake Arrieta takes the mound against the Indians' Josh Tomlin. OK, there's a lot more at stake than college pride. Arrieta has made two starts since being skipped in the rotation because of an inflamed right elbow. He's allowed nine earned runs (10 total) and 12 hits in 9 1/3 innings, with six walks and six strikeouts. Arrieta's ERA has risen to 4.90. The league average for starters is 3.85. And his WHIP...

Guthrie: "I'm just not throwing the ball well"

Guthrie: "I'm just not throwing the ball well"
Jeremy Guthrie seemed pretty despondent after tonight's 8-4 loss. He didn't have much to say. And really, what's left to say when your team is 17 games below .500 and your own record is 3-13? "I'm just not throwing the ball well," he said. "I haven't been going deep into games for a while." Jeremy Guthrie isn't satisfied with his performance following the O's 8-4 loss Guthrie was charged with six runs in five innings, raising his ERA to 4.45. "I felt like I wasn't able to throw...

Russell speaks after 8-4 loss

Russell speaks after 8-4 loss
The Indians lead the season series 4-0 after tonight's 8-4 victory over the Orioles. The Orioles have lost eight in a row, tying their longest streak of the season (April 9-18). They're 6-22 since entering their June 11 game with a 30-31 record, and they're batting .199 with runners in scoring position during that stretch. Orioles starters have completed seven innings only once in the last 27 games. Nick Markakis is batting .391 in his last 30 games, with seven doubles, three homers and...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles became the first team last night to score four earned runs off Indians starter Justin Masterson since June 3, and they did it over six innings. The end result was another loss for the Orioles, their eighth in a row. I preached all winter that they could finish .500 or slightly above if a lot of things fell into place. They would have to avoid injuries to key players, their young starters would have to take the next step and certain veterans would need bounce-back...

Brian Roberts and game updates (Guthrie gone and more)

Brian Roberts and game updates (Guthrie gone and more)
Dr. Michael Collins, the concussion specialist in Pittsburgh, reported today that second baseman Brian Roberts is improving and has been given the green light to increase his workload in Sarasota. He can amp up the baseball activities. However, no timetable has been established for Roberts to go on a rehab assignment in the minors. Don't look for him in the lineup anytime soon. The headaches and dizzy spells aren't as frequent, but they haven't completely subsided. Meanwhile, Nick...

Orioles down three runs after 11 pitches (updated)

Orioles down three runs after 11 pitches (updated)
So much for a fresh start to the season. Asdrubal Cabrera hit a solo home run with one out in the first inning, and Carlos Santana launched a two-run shot after Travis Hafner walked. Eleven pitches, two home runs, and a 3-0 lead for the Indians. Jeremy Guthrie threw 19 pitches in the inning, which included a diving stop along the line by first baseman Derrek Lee to rob Grady Sizemore of an extra-base hit. Cabrera's 15th homer came on a 94 mph fastball that traveled an estimated 362 feet....

Pregame Showalter and Indians lineup

Pregame Showalter and Indians lineup
Manager Buck Showalter had a lot to talk about during his pregame session with the media. On serving his suspension tonight: "We've got a chance tonight." "Managers don't really have any rights to appeal, even though we belong to the union. I think our right to appeal is talking to Joe (Torre), so I did that today." On the players' punishments: "I haven't really seen a lot. I've just been looking at what ours are. I think it's more take a look at the finished product when the...
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Two new updates on Guerrero, Izturis, Scott and the rotation

Two new updates on Guerrero, Izturis, Scott and the rotation
It was determined by Major League Baseball that Red Sox manager Terry Francona will not be suspended or fined because Red Sox pitcher Kyle Weiland did not intentionally throw at Vladimir Guerrero during Sunday's game. Orioles manager Buck Showalter is serving his one-game suspension tonight. Kevin Gregg was fined $2,500. Michael Gonzalez was fined $1,500, and Jim Johnson was fined $500. Vladimir Guerrero isn't in the lineup because of the sore hand and wrist. Guerrero told Showalter this...

Guerrero out of lineup as O's open second half vs. Indians

Guerrero out of lineup as O's open second half vs. Indians
The Orioles have posted their lineup for Thursday's opener of a four-game series with the Cleveland Indians, and designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero isn't in it. Instead, Matt Wieters will serve as the DH with Craig Tatum catching. Here's the Orioles lineup: SS - Hardy RF - Markakis CF - Jones DH - Wieters 1B - Lee LF - Pie 3B - Reynolds 2B - Davis C - Tatum RHP - Guthrie

Gregg suspended four games, Gonzalez three; both will appeal

Gregg suspended four games, Gonzalez three; both will appeal
Major League Baseball has handed down suspensions and fines related to the ejection-filled series between the Orioles and Red Sox at Fenway Park. Orioles reliever Kevin Gregg and Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz received four-game suspensions and undisclosed fines. Gregg's punishment was scheduled to begin tonight, but he will appeal the ban. Gregg and Ortiz threw punches Friday night, and both dugouts and bullpens emptied, after Gregg pitched inside to Ortiz and then shouted to him as...

I want to know ...

I want to know ...
My biggest fear today is I'll plop down on my couch, grab the remote, turn on MASN for the Orioles-Indians game and realize it's being played at Camden Yards. Or I'll order a dirty martini, ask the bartender to turn on the Orioles-Indians game and ... see above. The Orioles haven't been home since June 30, and they turned their fans into road worriers with that 1-9 trip that dropped them 16 games below .500. So why do we still care about the 2011 season? Well, it doesn't end this...