More memories from days covering Orioles spring training

More memories from days covering Orioles spring training
Because major league spring training remains delayed and I'm stuck at home for an indefinite period - I'd definitely like to know for how long - I must live vicariously through myself. Oh, the memories. I loved the city of Fort Lauderdale and the proximity to South Beach. I had my favorite spots to eat and drink and made lots of friends. I didn't care for the small complex, the flooded dugouts and clubhouse after heavy rains, the limited space, the ballpark lights that didn't work, the...

Nuño's departure and more on Orioles minor league free agents

Nuño's departure and more on Orioles minor league free agents
Vidal Nuño didn't give us much of a chance to become attached to him. Left camp for 10 days to pitch in the World Baseball Classic, spent a small portion of the summer with the Orioles, became a minor league free agent and found a new team. Nuño has signed a minor league deal with the Rays, as first reported by Baseball America's Matt Eddy. He elected free agency last month, joining pitcher Logan Verrett, catcher Francisco Peña and second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Infielder Rubén...

Orioles sign Can-Am League MVP Joe Maloney

Orioles sign Can-Am League MVP Joe Maloney
The Orioles began their offseason by aiming to improve their depth at first base in the farm system. Always attracted to power at any level, the Orioles announced today that they signed Joe Maloney to a minor league contract. Maloney, 27, was a 10th-round pick of the Rangers in 2011 out of Division II Limestone College in South Carolina. He spent the 2017 season in independent ball and was named Most Valuable Player in the Can-Am League after batting .282/.359/.638 with 24 doubles, two triples,...

Paul Janish and David Washington outrighted to Norfolk

Paul Janish and David Washington outrighted to Norfolk
The Orioles announced today that infielder Paul Janish and first baseman David Washington are staying in the organization. Janish and Washington cleared waivers and were assigned to Triple-A Norfolk, leading to more roster moves for the Tides after play resumes. The International League All-Star Game is scheduled for Wednesday in Tacoma. Janish has been outrighted multiple times again this season and could have refused the assignment and elected free agency. But he's back at Norfolk and likely...

Orioles purchase Giavotella's contract and DFA Washington

Orioles purchase Giavotella's contract and DFA Washington
MINNESOTA - The Orioles selected the contract of Triple-A Norfolk second baseman Johnny Giavotella today and optioned left-hander Jayson Aquino to the Tides, giving them an extra position player. First baseman/outfielder David Washington was designated for assignment to make room for Giavotella on the 40-man roster. Giavotella is batting .306/.368/.441 with 22 doubles, four triples, five home runs and 45 RBIs in 83 games. His defense limitations have kept him from being used in a utility role...

Another slow night on offense, plus more O's notes and quotes

Another slow night on offense, plus more O's notes and quotes
TORONTO - The Orioles offense has been so inconsistent this year that when they fail to score like last night, you figure to put more blame on their hitters than pass on credit to the opposing pitcher. But last night tipping your hat to Toronto right-hander Marcus Stroman was probably just fine. He threw a strong game at the Orioles and had them pounding the ball into the Rogers Centre turf. They were held to five hits and struck out 12 times in the 4-0 loss. They have been shut out five...

Nuño on demotion and Hart on return (O's lead 6-5)

Nuño on demotion and Hart on return (O's lead 6-5)
In case anyone missed the update earlier today, the Orioles selected outfielder Craig Gentry's contract from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned first baseman/outfielder David Washington to the Tides. Closer Zach Britton was transferred to the 60-day disabled list to open a spot for Gentry on the 40-man roster. Britton can come back July 4, so the move doesn't impact his schedule. Otherwise, the Orioles would have taken a different route. The Orioles optioned left-hander Vidal Nuño earlier in...

Notes on Gentry, Hart, Bundy and more (updated)

Notes on Gentry, Hart, Bundy and more  (updated)
The Orioles could make a second roster move later today. The wheels are in motion. They already announced that left-hander Donnie Hart was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and southpaw Vidal Nuño was optioned to the Tides. They also are trying to get another player here before tonight's game against the Indians. Otherwise, the move would be completed on Wednesday. It's believed that they have summoned outfielder Craig Gentry, which could put David Washington's roster spot in jeopardy....

Because You Asked - Back In The Habit

Because You Asked - Back In The Habit
The mailbag is filled again with the same handful of questions. No sense wasting precious time answering each one individually, only to field 12 duplicates later in the day. You ask, I answer, you ask again, I answer again. Just don't challenge me on the whole hot dog/sandwich thing. I still can't decide. The meaning of life is much easier. At least it doesn't come in a bun. Anyway, here's the latest sequel: What's wrong with this team? The pitching has been atrocious. It all starts with...

David Washington is getting ready to make his major league debut

David Washington is getting ready to make his major league debut
CHICAGO - On his first day in the big leagues David Washington will make his major league debut. The Orioles selected his contract today, and then manager Buck Showalter selected him to bat eighth as the DH. Washington admitted he's a bit of a nervous wreck right now, but he'll try to channel the nerves and emotions as best as he can. "It's crazy," Washington said. "My mind is going about a million miles per hour right now. Very excited. I've been a bit of a wreck. Trying to get...

Orioles and White Sox lineups

Orioles and White Sox lineups
David Washington is making his major league debut tonight as the Orioles' designated hitter. He's batting eighth against White Sox right-hander and former Oriole Miguel González. Hyun Soo Kim is leading off for the second time this season and playing left field, and Mark Trumbo is in right field. Seth Smith is on the bench. Trey Mancini is replacing Chris Davis at first base. Davis went on the 10-day disabled list today with a strained right oblique. The Orioles are batting .228 on the...

Chris Davis goes on disabled list

Chris Davis goes on disabled list
The Orioles made the anticipated roster move this afternoon, with first baseman Chris Davis going on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right oblique. First baseman/outfielder David Washington had his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk as the corresponding move. The other move today involves Rule 5 outfielder Anthony Santander, who was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. The 40-man roster remains at 39. Davis sustained the injury Monday night after lining to right field in the...

Bundy the rotation's exception

Bundy the rotation's exception
The official Twitter record was set yesterday for "can he pitch?" responses. About position players drafted by the Orioles and first baseman David Washington joining the club in Chicago. About anyone and anything that, in reality, doesn't have a pitching background, including infielders, outfielders and garden tools. I'm not counting "can he pitch tomorrow?" in relation to actual pitchers who were drafted by the Orioles in the first 10 rounds. It's no secret that the Orioles rotation is...

Washington joining Orioles, Jackson update, lineup (updated)

Washington joining Orioles, Jackson update, lineup (updated)
Trey Mancini is playing first base tonight and Chris Davis seems to be headed for the disabled list after suffering a strained right oblique last night in Chicago. Davis underwent an MRI this morning. David Washington was scratched from Triple-A Norfolk's lineup and is joining the Orioles, as first reported by The Virginian-Pilot. Washington can play first base and serve as a left-handed designated hitter, and he also has experience in the outfield. Washington has never played in the majors....

Did O's steady the ship with 4-3 run?

Did O's steady the ship with 4-3 run?
After going through a 3-13 stretch through the end of a series at Houston a week ago yesterday, the Orioles went 4-3 over their past seven games against the Yankees and Red Sox. A 4-3 record against those teams would be pretty solid most of the time, except maybe when they started the stretch 4-1, then lost the next two games as the Orioles just did. They took the first two games against Boston before losing the last two. They have played four series against Boston and have not lost a single...

Orioles make four cuts, wrapping up 7-1 loss

Orioles make four cuts, wrapping up 7-1 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made four camp cuts today following their 7-1 loss to the Tigers. They optioned pitcher Jesus Liranzo to Double-A Bowie and reassigned outfielder Logan Schafer, infielder/outfielder David Washington and catcher Austin Wynns to minor league camp. The spring roster is down to 46 players, and two more cuts are expected on Monday. There are 12 non-roster invitees remaining. Liranzo gave up a two-run homer to John Hicks in the ninth inning and hit two batters, but it...

Wrapping up a 7-6 victory

Wrapping up a 7-6 victory
SARASOTA, Fla. - David Washington hit his second exhibition home run today, a wind-blown two-run shot to center field that gave the Orioles a 7-6 walk-off victory over the Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium. Craig Gentry singled with one out in the ninth before Washington came to the plate. "He's put some good swings on balls the last week," said manager Buck Showalter. "He's hit some balls hard. He's a really good young man to be around, too. He works hard. He's been a pleasure to have in...

Wrapping up a 6-6 tie and updating injuries

Wrapping up a 6-6 tie and updating injuries
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles were headed toward a split-squad loss today against the Twins, down by five runs with four outs left in regulation. David Washington hit a two-run homer with two outs in the eighth, Joey Rickard hit a solo shot off reliever Ryan O'Rourke with two outs in the ninth and Ryan Mountcastle launched a two-run shot to tie the game. Neither team scored in the 10th and they settled for a 6-6 tie. Another crazy day in the Grapefruit League. Manager Buck Showalter left the...

Gunkel scratched from today's exhibition game

Gunkel scratched from today's exhibition game
SARASOTA, Fla. - Joe Gunkel won't appear in today's exhibition game against the Pirates due to an upper respiratory infection. He was supposed to follow left-hander Wade Miley. "He could probably pitch today, but he's not feeling well," said manager Buck Showalter. "He's better than he was yesterday, but Roger (McDowell) and I decided just to be fair to him, let him get back to 100 percent before we run him out there, especially his first time out there. "We talked to him today and he...

Dariel Álvarez prefers pitching in as an outfielder

Dariel Álvarez prefers pitching in as an outfielder
BRADENTON, Fla. - Dariel Álvarez is in Orioles camp again this spring as an outfielder and is showing no interest in making the transition to pitcher. Álvarez, 28, confirmed that the Orioles approached him with the idea, but he's trying to make the club at his natural position. "At the moment, I'm a hitter," he said through interpreter Ramon Alarcon. "That's where my mindset is right now, to be a hitter. The things that I've done so far as a hitter. So I look at myself as a hitter...