Talking to Arrieta and Showalter (and more)

Talking to Arrieta and Showalter (and more)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jake Arrieta's next start was moved back a day, which puts him on the mound Saturday against the Pirates in Bradenton. What's he been told? "Pretty much that they want to maximize my off-days and my ability to recover, give me an extra day here and there if it's available," he said. "I'm all for that. I like where I'm at physically, but the off days definitely will help." Couldn't this change signal that he's going to start the April 6 opener at Camden Yards? "I...

A few pregame notes (and Twins lineup)

A few pregame notes (and Twins lineup)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Alfredo Simon, sidelined with a groin injury, will pitch Wednesday against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. He'll throw a couple of innings after starter Dana Eveland leaves the game. Outfielder Jai Miller (knee) will make the trip to Dunedin and is expected to play. Outfielder Endy Chavez (groin) could return to the lineup Thursday night against the Yankees in Tampa. Manager Buck Showalter said Tsuyoshi Wada could make two more starts after today, though he'll have to get...

Neshek's not worried about his status

Neshek's not worried about his status
SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Pat Neshek has pretty much done everything in his power to break camp with the Orioles next week, but he still regards himself as a long shot. And he seems perfectly fine with those odds. Neshek hasn't allowed a run in seven appearances covering 6 1/3 innings. He's given up three hits, walked none and struck out six. "Coming in, I wanted to improve a lot on my command. That was my main focus, and I think I've done that," he said. "I feel really good out there....

Orioles lineup vs. Twins

Orioles lineup vs. Twins
SARASOTA, Fla. - Tsuyoshi Wada makes his first Grapefruit League start, and second appearance, this afternoon against the Twins. Chris Tillman will follow him to the mound. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF Nick Johnson DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Wilson Betemit RF Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino SS Ryan Flaherty 2B Tsuyoshi Wada LHP

Hunter on Hunter (O's win 4-1)

Hunter on Hunter (O's win 4-1)
BRADENTON, Fla. - The Pirates scored an unearned run off Jim Johnson after his leadoff walk to Andrew McCutchen in the bottom of the seventh, but Matt Wieters responded with his third hit of the night, an RBI single in the top of the eighth to give the Orioles a 3-1 lead. Tommy Hunter threw 15 more pitches in the bullpen after racking up 70 over six scoreless innings. Hunter was much better tonight than in his Grapefruit League debut. "Fastball was getting located," he said. "That was...

Hunter brings his best stuff to Bradenton

Hunter brings his best stuff to Bradenton
BRADENTON, Fla. - Where was Tommy Hunter in 1971 and 1979? The Orioles could have used him in the World Series. Hunter was in total control tonight against the Pirates, shutting them out on one gift double, walking one and striking out five in six innings. He threw 70 pitches, 48 strikes. Alex Presley walked to lead off the bottom of the first inning, but Hunter got a 6-3 double play and struck out Andrew McCutchen. Rod Barajas reached in the second inning when first baseman Wilson Betemit...

Bergesen, Berken, Antonelli optioned, five reassigned, two on DL (updated)

Bergesen, Berken, Antonelli optioned, five reassigned, two on DL (updated)
BRADENTON, Fla. - We had a flurry of roster activity this afternoon, with pitchers Brad Bergesen and Jason Berken, and infielder Matt Antonelli optioned to Triple-A Norfolk; pitcher Dontrelle Willis, infielder Steve Tolleson, catcher John Hester and outfielder Scott Beerer reassigned to minor league camp; and second baseman Brian Roberts and pitcher Zach Britton going on the 15-day disabled list. One more pitcher will be reassigned, but he hadn't been informed before batting practice....

Roberts, Beerer and more cuts coming (updated)

Roberts, Beerer and more cuts coming (updated)
BRADENTON, Fla. - Forgive the earlier typo. Matt Wieters is catching and Ronny Paulino is serving as the designated hitter. Here's more from second baseman Brian Roberts, who will begin the season on the 15-day disabled list and accompany the team to Baltimore for opening day: Is this news an important part of his progression? "Every day is a bigger step than the day before," he said. "My doctor thinks this is a huge part of this process, being in those environments. When you have these...

Roberts staying with team, Beerer reassigned, lineup

Roberts staying with team, Beerer reassigned, lineup
SARASOTA, Fla. - Second baseman Brian Roberts will go on the 15-day disabled list and head north with the Orioles rather than stay back at extended spring training. He'll continue to take batting practice and infield, and expects to accompany his teammates to Toronto and Chicago on the first road trip. He'll probably skip Anaheim. "That's the plan now, try to stay with the team and go that way," he said. "I really didn't want to be separated again and be down here away from my teammates...

Still seeking roster clarity

Still seeking roster clarity
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are making their first trip to Bradenton tonight, which is pretty unusual. It's typically one of our first stops. Tommy Hunter will make his second Grapefruit League start after allowing two runs and five hits over five innings against the Blue Jays on March 21. As spring training winds down - only 10 games remain if you count the two against college teams and the finale at Triple-A Norfolk - the 25-man roster still hasn't come into complete focus. Barring a...

Berken on Berken

Berken on Berken
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Jason Berken finally made it back on a mound today, throwing a scoreless sixth inning in his first spring training game. The hamstring injury is in the past. Now he's waiting to find out what the future holds for him. "I was anxious and excited to get out there," he said. "A leadoff double isn't the way I wanted to start, but fortunately I was able to stay out of it some. As a whole, I felt good, felt healthy. All my pitches were working pretty good, so I'd say first...

Orioles play to their fifth tie

Orioles play to their fifth tie
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Trent Mummey doubled with two outs in the eighth inning to score Steve Tolleson, who singled and stole second base, and Dana Eveland escaped a jam in the ninth in the Orioles' 5-5 tie with the Phillies. Neither team scored in the 10th, and the Orioles head back to Sarasota with a 9-9-5 record. Five ties actually ties a spring training record, though the research only goes back to 1996. The 2006 Dodgers and 2010 White Sox also had five ties, according to STATS LLC. The...

Matusz on Matusz

Matusz on Matusz
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Matusz retired six of the first seven batters he faced before the third inning. That's when his start took a turn for the worse. "Just started leaving the ball out over the plate," Matusz said after allowing three runs and four hits. "Got a couple guys on base, and (Jim) Thome got up there and he's the type of hitter in that lineup who will hurt you and he did. Got a little erratic, but just battled my way through." Thome drove a fastball over center fielder...

Rough third inning for Matusz (Neshek replaces him)

Rough third inning for Matusz (Neshek replaces him)
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Brian Matusz had allowed four runs in four starts this spring before today, but the Phillies almost matched that total in the third inning. Matusz gave up three runs and four hits, and walked former Oriole Lou Montanez, in a 27-pitch inning. Freddy Galvis led off with a single before pitcher Roy Halladay struck out. Jim Rollins and Placido Polanco followed with singles, which delivered the Phillies' first run, and Jim Thome doubled to center field for a 3-2 lead. Xavier...

Chavez, Miller closer to returning (Reimold homers again)

Chavez, Miller closer to returning (Reimold homers again)
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Outfielders Endy Chavez and Jai Miller remain out of the lineup for today's game against the Phillies, but they're getting closer to returning from their respective injuries. Chavez hasn't played since Wednesday because of a strained groin, which happened after he laid down a bunt and raced up the line. "Getting better every day," manager Buck Showalter said. "I don't have him going over to Bradenton (Monday night) right now, but that could change. I'm hoping...

Dontrelle Willis: "I just need more experience"

Dontrelle Willis: "I just need more experience"
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dontrelle Willis made his first appearance with the Orioles yesterday and walked the first three batters he faced. He also mixed in a wild pitch. He hadn't pitched in a while, and it showed. "Early on I was a little shaky, but once I got settled in I felt fine," he said this morning. "That's the one thing about baseball - you take a couple days off and it's like a whole different world as far as the speed. But I settled in. I just need more game experience....

Orioles and Phillies lineups

Orioles and Phillies lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - I'm heading to Clearwater for the second time this spring. And for the second time, left-hander Brian Matusz will oppose Roy Halladay. Matusz is preparing for his third game against the Phillies this spring. He's allowed one run and 10 hits in nine innings, with one walk and seven strikeouts. In his last three starts, including a March 15 game against the Tigers in Lakeland, Matusz has allowed one run and 12 hits in 13 innings, with one walk and 13 strikeouts. Endy Chavez...

Showalter speaks after 12-3 win

Showalter speaks after 12-3 win
SARASOTA, Fla. - Matt Lindstrom retired the side in order in the top of the ninth inning, striking out one in the Orioles' 12-3 victory over the Nationals before 6,665 at Ed Smith Stadium. The Orioles outhit the Nationals 17-4. "This is just about the stage of the spring when you see the bats start to catch up with some of the pitching, and you see the pitchers start to go through - not a dead arm - but the novelty's worn off of everything and guys are kind of going through a little dip in...

Arrieta on Arrieta

Arrieta on Arrieta
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jake Arrieta met with reporters have going five innings and throwing 72 pitches. Here are the highlights: "I settled in a little more as the game went on. Was throwing across my body a little bit at the start of the game. Felt uncomfortable there for a little while, but I was able to get outs. Had that walk in the first. Other than that, I forced contact. Got behind a few guys, but even the 2-0, 2-1 counts, was able to make quality pitches away. Got some ground balls, got...

D-train slow to get untracked (updated)

D-train slow to get untracked (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dontrelle Willis made his Orioles debut this afternoon, and his control issues weren't left behind in Phillies camp. Willis walked the first three batters he faced and threw a wild pitch. He almost escaped the jam when Jesus Flores popped up and Corey Brown grounded to second base, but the throw to first was late and a run scored. Third baseman Mark Reynolds committed a throwing error that scored another run and extended Willis' stay on the mound. Steve Lombardozzi flied to...