Orioles lineup versus Athletics (Gausman in clubhouse, Santana hurt)

Orioles lineup versus Athletics (Gausman in clubhouse, Santana hurt)
Steve Pearce is starting in left field tonight in the Orioles' series opener against the Athletics at Camden Yards. Nelson Cruz remains the designated hitter. Nick Hundley gets the start against A's left-hander Tommy Milone despite his odd splits. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Nelson Cruz DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Steve Pearce LF Jonathan Schoop 2B Nick Hundley C Wei-Yin Chen LHP Update: Right-hander Kevin Gausman is in the Orioles clubhouse, but...

O's bringing Tim Berry to Baltimore

O's bringing Tim Berry to Baltimore
The Orioles are bringing 23-year-old left-hander Tim Berry to Baltimore, but there's no word on whether he will officially be recalled from Double-A Bowie this weekend. The Baysox were in Portland, Maine, when he was asked to make the trip to Baltimore. Berry could be placed on the taxi squad or be added to the 25-man roster if the team has a need. Berry, the Orioles' sixth-best prospect according to Baseball America, would be making his major league debut if he joins the club. I'm...

Schedule continues to challenge Orioles

Schedule continues to challenge Orioles
ARLINGTON, Texas - Orioles manager Buck Showalter has instructed his players to stay away from Camden Yards today until 4 p.m. No early report times unless they're receiving treatment for an injury. "If anybody walks into that locker room before 4 o'clock," he said, "there will be a problem." Showalter wants his players rested after they were forced to play a night game in Arlington while tonight's opponent, the Athletics, had a day game in the Bronx. Yeah, Showalter is just thrilled...

Showalter, Tillman and Hardy after 8-6 loss

Showalter, Tillman and Hardy after 8-6 loss
ARLINGTON, Texas - The Orioles may not be able to wait until Saturday to make a roster move. After using Brad Brach for 3 1/3 innings and calling upon five relievers tonight, manager Buck Showalter indicated that the club may need to bring up a pitcher for Friday night's series opener against the Athletics at Camden Yards. Showalter would prefer a right-handed long man to back up left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, and Brach isn't available. Kevin Gausman, a candidate to start on Saturday, would be...

Hardy with three-error night (O's lose 8-6)

Hardy with three-error night (O's lose 8-6)
ARLINGTON, Texas - How strange is tonight's game? Gold Glove shortstop J.J. Hardy has committed three errors, including two in the seventh inning that enabled the Rangers to take a 6-5 lead. Hardy's never made more than two errors in a game. His only two-error night was back on June 6, 2007 with the Brewers. The Orioles' other three-error game this season came on April 20 in Boston, - one by Jonathan Schoop, one by David Lough and one by Ryan Flaherty on the since-abolished transfer...

Tillman matches shortest start of season (we're tied)

Tillman matches shortest start of season (we're tied)
ARLINGTON, Texas - Pitching on normal rest tonight after being moved up two days, Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman is done after failing to record an out in the second inning. Again. Tillman faced 11 batters and left with the Rangers leading 5-0. He threw 51 pitches, the last resulting in an RBI single for Elvis Andrus. Brad Brach replaced Tillman and got a force and a double play, leaving Tillman with five runs on his ledger. Tillman allowed six hits, walked three, struck out one and gave...

Hunter to pitch at Delmarva this weekend

Hunter to pitch at Delmarva this weekend
ARLINGTON, Texas - Orioles reliever Tommy Hunter will pitch at Single-A Delmarva Saturday night on a brief injury rehab assignment. How brief? The Orioles plan to activate Hunter before Sunday afternoon's game against the Athletics at Camden Yards. Hunter pitched two innings in today's simulated game before batting practice and covered first base. He will be used in relief for the Shorebirds' game against Lakewood that begins at 6:35 p.m. "Saturday, he will drive up to Delmarva," said...

Updating Gonzalez and Norris

Updating Gonzalez and Norris
ARLINGTON, Texas - Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez said the MRI taken on his right side yesterday came back negative and he still hopes to start this weekend at Camden Yards. The Orioles are prepared to put Gonzalez on the 15-day DL, backdated to Saturday, and recall Kevin Gausman from Triple-A Norfolk or use left-hander T.J. McFarland. However, they will wait until Gonzalez plays catch on Friday before making a final decision. "It's a lot better," said Gonzalez, who has registered four...

Orioles and Rangers lineups

Orioles and Rangers lineups
ARLINGTON, Texas - Can the Orioles keep their offense cranked up for one more game in the Texas heat? The Orioles, going for the series sweep tonight, have totaled 50 hits over their last four games, including 30 in the first two at Globe Life Park. Over the last 16 games since May 18, the Orioles have recorded 12 hits or more nine times and are batting .295, the second-highest mark in the majors behind the Blue Jays (.297) before today. Their 87 runs over that span also trailed only Toronto...

Hunter pitches simulated game (and Wieters note)

Hunter pitches simulated game (and Wieters note)
ARLINGTON, Texas - Orioles reliever Tommy Hunter just completed his simulated game at Globe Life Park, as the club determines whether he's ready to go on an injury rehab assignment or perhaps be activated from the disabled list. David Lough and Ryan Flaherty took their swings against Hunter, who's on the DL with a strained left groin. Coaches Wayne Kirby, Bobby Dickerson and Einar Diaz also took turns. No stats will be kept on this game, of course. Manager Buck Showalter stood on the field...

Rehashing Orioles news, previewing tonight's game and striking out cancer

Rehashing Orioles news, previewing tonight's game and striking out cancer
ARLINGTON, Texas - Let me make sure I've got it all straight. Miguel Gonzalez underwent an MRI on his right side yesterday and is a strong candidate for the disabled list. Chris Tillman is starting in Gonzalez's place tonight in the series finale against the Rangers, and Kevin Gausman may be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and start Saturday night against the Athletics at Camden Yards. Bud Norris left last night's game after five innings with a right forearm contusion and will be re-evaluated...

Hearing from Norris and Markakis following 6-5 win

Hearing from Norris and Markakis following 6-5 win
ARLINGTON, Texas - Bud Norris said his right forearm is "pretty sore" tonight after he was nailed by a Mitch Moreland comebacker in the fifth inning. Whether he can make his next start is up in the air. "You never want to get smoked by a comebacker, but the trainers will look at it the next couple days and get rid of the swelling as best I can," Norris said following the Orioles' 6-5 win over the Rangers. "I don't know. I've really got to see how it is tomorrow. The swelling is...

Showalter updates Gonzalez and Norris injuries

Showalter updates Gonzalez and Norris injuries
ARLINGTON, Texas - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said the club is leaning toward placing pitcher Miguel Gonzalez on the 15-day disabled list. Gonzalez underwent an MRI this afternoon after complaining of pain on his right side. The results were more favorable than anticipated, but he's still expected to go on the DL. A decision will be made by Friday. Left-hander T.J. McFarland and Kevin Gausman are the other candidates to start Saturday. "MRI was better than we thought it might be, so...

Norris hit on arm, Beltre keeps hitting the Orioles (O's win 6-5)

Norris hit on arm, Beltre keeps hitting the Orioles (O's win 6-5)
ARLINGTON, Texas - Orioles starter Bud Norris stayed in tonight's game after taking a shot off his right forearm from Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland in the bottom of the fifth inning. The next batter, Adrian Beltre, hit his second home run of the night and his third of the series to tie the game 5-5. Norris threw three pitches to test the arm before sending head athletic trainer Richie Bancells and manager Buck Showalter back to the dugout. Beltre dug in and drove a 93 mph fastball an...

Gausman, Santana and game updates (Davis homers)

Gausman, Santana and game updates (Davis homers)
ARLINGTON, Texas - Johan Santana is scheduled to throw five innings or 75 pitches Friday at extended spring training in Sarasota. The rest of Santana's schedule must be determined, but he could report to Triple-A Norfolk to begin a rehab assignment. Kevin Gausman worked one inning and threw 26 pitches tonight for Norfolk, allowing three runs and two hits, walking one, striking out two and serving up a home run. He was removed from the game in case the Orioles need him to start Saturday night...

Pregame notes on Tillman, Gonzalez, Hunter, Urrutia and more

Pregame notes on Tillman, Gonzalez, Hunter, Urrutia and more
ARLINGTON, Texas - Chris Tillman took his normal work day yesterday and is ready to pitch on regular rest Thursday night in the series finale against the Rangers. Tillman is taking Miguel Gonzalez's turn, leaving Saturday's starter a mystery. "This is normal rest and everything," Tillman said. "I was throwing as much in between if I was starting that day anyway." The Orioles are waiting on the results of Gonzalez's MRI, braced for the possibility that he's headed to the disabled list...

Gonzalez having MRI, Tillman to start Thursday

Gonzalez having MRI, Tillman to start Thursday
ARLINGTON, Texas - The Orioles rotation for their upcoming series with the Athletics still has not been set. Wei-Yin Chen is set to start on Friday and Ubaldo Jimenez on Sunday, but the starter for Saturday's game is still unknown. Chris Tillman was originally supposed to start Saturday, but his spot is now listed as TBA. Tillman's health is fine, but he has been moved to start Thursday on normal rest because Miguel Gonzalez woke up yesterday with pain in his right side. Gonzalez is...

Orioles and Rangers lineups (and rotation note)

Orioles and Rangers lineups (and rotation note)
ARLINGTON, Texas - Nelson Cruz is serving as the Orioles' designated hitter again tonight against the Rangers. David Lough is in left field. Caleb Joseph gets another start behind the plate after going 2-for-4 with a tie-breaking double. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Nelson Cruz DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Jonathan Schoop 2B David Lough LF Caleb Joseph C Bud Norris RHP For the Rangers Shin-Soo Choo LF Luis Sardinas SS Mitch Moreland 1B Adrian Beltre...

Tonight's pitching matchup and notes on Joseph and Pearce

Tonight's pitching matchup and notes on Joseph and Pearce
ARLINGTON, Texas - Bud Norris has faced the Rangers once in his major league career. Nick Martinez has never pitched against the Orioles. Not a lot of history in tonight's matchup at Globe Life Park. Norris is 1-4 with a 4.71 ERA in six road starts this season. In his only outing against the Rangers on March 31, 2013, he picked up the win in Houston after allowing two runs over 5 2/3 innings. Norris hasn't pitched since May 28 because manager Buck Showalter decided to tweak his rotation...

Cruz in control against former team

Cruz in control against former team
ARLINGTON, Texas - It began as an uneventful homecoming tonight for Nelson Cruz at Glove Life Park. He received a warm ovation before his first at-bat and went hitless in four trips to the plate before getting another chance in the eighth. The Orioles already had scored three runs to break a 2-2 tie. Cruz tacked on three more with his 21st home run of the season. He won't soon forget his return to Arlington. "It feels good. It's just different," he said. "It was kind of weird. It was...