Notes on Dickerson, Strop, Teagarden, Britton and the rotation (updated)

Notes on Dickerson, Strop, Teagarden, Britton and the rotation (updated)
Orioles outfielder Chris Dickerson has been receiving treatment for a sore left wrist, which limited him to one at-bat since his last start on May 23. Dickerson was a candidate to go on the disabled list last weekend before the Orioles decided to put reliever Pedro Strop on the DL while recalling pitcher Steve Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk. Manager Buck Showalter had mentioned that there were two or three players being considered. Dickerson is batting .318/.333/.568 with two doubles, three...

Dickerson the DH tonight (with Tigers lineup)

Dickerson the DH tonight (with Tigers lineup)
Chris Dickerson is in the Orioles lineup tonight as the designated hitter, his first start since May 23 in Toronto. Dickerson has one at-bat since making that start. The rest of the lineup is predictable. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Dickerson DH Ryan Flaherty 2B Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the Tigers Omar Infante 2B Andy Dirks LF Miguel Cabrera 3B Prince Fielder 1B Victor Martinez...

Machado and more

Machado and more
Here's a nugget for lunch, which isn't deep-fried and doesn't come with any dipping sauces: According to the MLB Network, Manny Machado has the most hits in a month (44) by a player under 21 since Mickey Mantle had 46 in July 1952. Machado leads the majors with 25 doubles - Boston's Mike Napoli is next with 19 - and he's tied with Detroit's Miguel Cabrera with 79 hits. The Tigers are in town tonight to start a three-game series. I wonder if the Machado-Cabrera angle will get the proper...

Some striking numbers

Some striking numbers
While the Orioles continue to rank at or near the top in several offensive categories, they've totaled the third-fewest strikeouts in the majors. Why is this stat significant? Well, the Orioles ranked sixth in the majors last season with 1,315 strikeouts. So, you know, they're not doing it as much this year. Last year, the Orioles struck out 449 times in 1,829 at-bats in their first 53 games. This year, they struck out 337 times in 1,866 at-bats in their first 53 games. The San Francisco...

Showalter speaks after 2-0 win

Showalter speaks after 2-0 win
Orioles manager Buck Showalter got eight scoreless innings out of Freddy Garcia tonight. He considered letting Garcia come back out for the ninth. "He's not going to sweat any more than he already is," Showalter said. "Man, he had a great lather going tonight. I think he changed shirts two or three times. He wears a 54 jersey. That's a big shirt, more room to sweat in." Well played. Jim Johnson retired all three batters he faced in the ninth to record his 17th save in the Orioles' 2-0...

Markakis RBI machine churns out another one (O's win 2-0)

Markakis RBI machine churns out another one (O's win 2-0)
The Orioles wasted a prime scoring opportunity in the first inning tonight after Nate McLouth's leadoff double and Manny Machado's sacrifice bunt. The next two batters lined out, including Nick Markakis, who was denied by Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa. Given another chance in the third inning, Markakis came through with a double off Nats starter Dan Haren that scored Ryan Flaherty and gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead. Markakis has 14 RBIs in his last 15 games, and 32 this season to tie...

More notes before tonight's game

More notes before tonight's game
Steve Johnson is the only Orioles reliever who definitely isn't available tonight after working 2 1/3 innings last night and getting the win. Manager Buck Showalter may attempt to lay off Tommy Hunter, as well. Johnson became the 13th Orioles pitcher to record a win last night. In 2012, the Orioles had 17 pitchers record a win, though that total includes first baseman Chris Davis. According to STATS, the Orioles are tied with the Angels for the most pitchers recording wins in the majors....

Teagarden nearing return, Reimold nearing rehab assignment

Teagarden nearing return, Reimold nearing rehab assignment
The Orioles could be on the verge of changing backup catchers. Taylor Teagarden has left extended spring training in Sarasota and is headed to Triple-A Norfolk, where he's scheduled to catch nine innings on Friday and seven-to-nine on Saturday, and serve as the designated hitter on Sunday. "Hopefully all those things happen," said manager Buck Showalter. "That's the plan, Stan." Teagarden may rejoin the Orioles in Houston on Tuesday. Otherwise, his injury-rehab assignment will...

Flaherty stays at second base, Pearce remains the DH

Flaherty stays at second base, Pearce remains the DH
Orioles manager Buck Showalter noted the contributions from the bottom of his lineup last night, and he's not making any changes to it tonight. Ryan Flaherty remains at second base after registering his first two-hit game of the season, including an RBI double. Steve Pearce remains the designated hitter after homering last night. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty 2B Steve Pearce DH Freddy...

Garcia vs. Haren tonight

Garcia vs. Haren tonight
Freddy Garcia is still looking for his first win at Camden Yards as an Oriole, and he's willing to work up a sweat for it. As if he has a choice. Garcia is nicknamed "Sweaty Freddy" for a reason. The man perspires while shuffling a deck of cards. He's drenched by the first inning. Heck, he's drenched by his first meal. If a manager gauged whether Garcia was fatigued by the way he looked, the bullpen phone would ring during the anthem. It's going to be a scorcher tonight. Game time...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
I have to admit, I began to wonder yesterday whether the Orioles were considering a position change for reliever Pedro Strop. He was fielding balls at shortstop while the club videotaped him. And around here, guys change arm slots and pitches and positions as regularly as they change socks. Strop started out as a shortstop, so it wasn't that far of a reach. "He's not making a change to shortstop," said manager Buck Showalter, pointing out that Strop was simply taking part in a throwing...

Showalter speaks after 9-6 win

Showalter speaks after 9-6 win
The Orioles set a season high with four home runs tonight and also tied their season high by allowing four home runs, the second night in a row that they've surrendered that many to the Nationals. If that's going to happen, you may as well win the game and focus on the first part. "It was a good win," said manager Buck Showalter following a 9-6 victory at Camden Yards. "I may take a little slower jaunt down Pratt." Sounds like a plan. Roll down the windows, crank up the tunes and soak...

Tillman victimized by the long ball again (O's win 9-6)

Tillman victimized by the long ball again (O's win 9-6)
Chris Tillman allowed three home runs in his first six starts, and six in his first eight outings. Suddenly, he can't keep the ball in the park. Tillman has surrendered three more home runs tonight against the Nationals, including two by third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Roger Bernadina led off the top of the fourth with a shot onto Eutaw Street, the 68th in Camden Yards history and the 40th by an opposing player. Bernadina is the second National to do it, joining Adam Dunn on June 28,...

Showalter talks about Gausman and Flaherty (updated)

Showalter talks about Gausman and Flaherty (updated)
The Nationals grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning tonight on Ryan Zimmerman's two-out solo home run off Orioles starter Chris Tillman, the ball traveling to the visiting bullpen in left-center field. Tillman struck out Roger Bernadina on a changeup before Zimmerman unloaded on a 93 mph fastball. Tillman has allowed at least one home run in his last five starts, and eight total during that span. The second inning went a bit smoother for Tillman. Ian Desmond reached on an...

Reimold provides update on his hamstring

Reimold provides update on his hamstring
Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold worked with a physical therapist while the team was in Toronto and continues to do exercises for his strained right hamstring. "I've been rehabbing, working out, getting kind of like active rest, strengthening and getting the flexibility back in my hammy," said Reimold, who hasn't played since May 11. "That's the program for now." Reimold took his rehab to Johns Hopkins Hospital during the Orioles' last road trip and has been working out at Camden...

Updates on Strop, Schoop, Bundy, Teagarden, Chen and more

Updates on Strop, Schoop, Bundy, Teagarden, Chen and more
Reliever Pedro Strop, on the disabled list with a lower-back strain, did some early work at shortstop today as part of a throwing drill incorporated by pitching coach Rick Adair. He isn't changing positions. The drill is supposed to aid a pitcher in refining and repeating his throwing motion. "We can't sneak anything by you all," said manager Buck Showalter. Strop also threw off a mound today for the first time since going on the disabled list on Saturday. Triple-A infielder Jonathan...

Orioles option Navarro and recall Flaherty (plus lineups)

Orioles option Navarro and recall Flaherty (plus lineups)
The Orioles made a roster move today, optioning infielder Yamaico Navarro to Triple-A Norfolk and recalling infielder Ryan Flaherty. Flaherty was batting .265 with one double, two homers, five RBIs and four multi-hit games in eight games with the Tides. He was optioned on May 18 after batting .133 in 30 games with the Orioles. Navarro batted .286 with two RBIs in eight games with the Orioles. His defense was inconsistent at second base. Flaherty is starting tonight against the...

Wieters on Gausman

Wieters on Gausman
Unless Orioles manager Buck Showalter changes his mind later this week, Kevin Gausman will make his third major league start on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers. His home debut will follow a disappointing outing last night in Washington, where he allowed seven runs and eight hits - including three home runs - in four innings. Catcher Matt Wieters shared his thoughts on Gausman after last night's 9-3 loss to the Nationals. Here's a sampling, which may be used today as leftovers for lunch....

Showalter on Machado, and debating Sunday's starter

Showalter on Machado, and debating Sunday's starter
Manny Machado played 51 games for the Orioles as a rookie last year. Last night marked his 52nd game of the 2013 season. Showalter hasn't noticed much of a difference in Machado beyond the statistics, which included a single and walk last night that left his average at .335. "He seems to have a pretty good approach about it. He doesn't get too high or too low," Showalter said. "He's very competitive. You can tell between at-bats and things, if he doesn't do something he thinks he's...

Gausman will start again Sunday

Gausman will start again Sunday
WASHINGTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Kevin Gausman will make his third major league start on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers at Camden Yards. Gausman will be making his home debut against a team that began tonight leading the American League in average, hits, runs and on-base percentage. "He's fine. He'll be all right," Showalter said. Gausman allowed seven runs and eight hits in four innings tonight in a 9-3 loss to the Washington Nationals before 35,664 at...