Considering challenges of constructing a coaching staff

Considering challenges of constructing a coaching staff
The Orioles haven't laid out a time frame for hiring a new manager, with Mike Elias offering confirmation last week during his introduction as executive vice president and general manager. A process too important to be rushed. A list too long to be chopped in hasty fashion. To quote Elias: "It's not something to rush for the sake of meeting artificial dates in the wintertime." Meanwhile, contracts for the entire coaching staff expired on Oct. 31. No one has landed a new job, from what I can...

Whittling down the walks would work wonders for Orioles

Whittling down the walks would work wonders for Orioles
A new manager for the Orioles likely will bring in his own pitching coach rather than inherit Roger McDowell. It's the usual outcome. Few coaches carry over to the next skipper. The ones that do should receive an award bearing Elrod Hendricks' name. Manager Mike Hargrove inherited Eddie Murray on his 2000 staff, giving him an extra coach and forcing Brian Graham, formerly on the Indians' staff, to the press box as the "eye in the sky." Graham also was given the title of "offensive and...

Bullpen handles nine innings and Beckham homers twice in 6-3 win

Bullpen handles nine innings and Beckham homers twice in 6-3 win
NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter always talks about having to prepare for the what-ifs. As in, what if the starting pitcher gets nailed on the shin by a line drive in the first inning? How will the bullpen cover the rest of the game? Showalter sits down with pitching coach Roger McDowell and bullpen coach Alan Mills to ascertain the availability of their relievers. An expanded roster doesn't necessarily provide adequate cover. Alex Cobb's blister issues had the Orioles on high alert...

Ortiz leaves game with injury (O's lose 8-6)

Ortiz leaves game with injury (O's lose 8-6)
Luis Ortiz's first major league start tonight didn't carry through the second inning. Ortiz came out of the game with an injury, perhaps sustained while trying to avoid a collision with Chris Davis. He faced one more batter, walking Yolmer Sánchez, and limped off the mound with assistant athletic trainer Mark Shires and pitching coach Roger McDowell. Manager Buck Showalter waited for Jimmy Yacabonis, who was rushed from the bullpen and given ample time to warm up. Yacabonis stranded two...

Cobb exits game after two innings (Orioles lose 3-2)

Cobb exits game after two innings (Orioles lose 3-2)
Alex Cobb lasted only two innings tonight, his shortest start with the Orioles, and it wasn't due to ineffectiveness or a soaring pitch count. Cobb has been receiving treatment for a blister on his right middle finger and the cut must have opened up again. Mike Wright Jr. began to warm in the Orioles bullpen after Cobb retired the side in order in the second inning on only nine pitches. Wright started the third inning and fell into immediate trouble, surrendering the game's first three...

Orioles monitoring pitching innings

Orioles monitoring pitching innings
While the Orioles set their September roster by deciding on the number of call-ups, they also will continue to chart the innings accumulated by various pitchers while determining which ones eventually will be shut down to eliminate any risk of injury or fatigue. Manager Buck Showalter stated yesterday that no one in the current rotation besides Josh Rogers, who made his major league debut last night, is in danger of an early dismissal. He could choose to provide additional rest on occasion, but...

Orioles option Carroll and announce Rogers as Tuesday starter

Orioles option Carroll and announce Rogers as Tuesday starter
The Orioles have optioned reliever Cody Carroll to Triple-A Norfolk and announced that left-hander Josh Rogers, as reported earlier today, will make his major league debut by starting Tuesday night against the Blue Jays. Rogers arrived in Baltimore tonight and will be the first left-hander to start for the club this season. The roster moves are a swap of players obtained from the Yankees for closer Zach Britton. Carroll has allowed seven runs and eight hits with nine walks and six strikeouts in...

The rotation, health updates and the break (O's up 6-5)

The rotation, health updates and the break (O's up 6-5)
As manager Buck Showalter and pitching coach Roger McDowell line up the post-break rotation, they're cognizant of the need to give right-hander Kevin Gausman an extended break before his next outing. Gausman won't pitch again until July 23 against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. His most recent start came in Thursday night's makeup game against the Phillies, when he allowed five runs and a career-high 12 hits over five innings to leave his ERA at 4.33 in 112 1/3 innings. "Trying to give...

Injury updates on O'Day, Hays and Cashner

Injury updates on O'Day, Hays and Cashner
Orioles reliever Darren O'Day underwent his hamstring surgery today in Baltimore and manager Buck Showalter said the procedure "went great." "There were no surprises," Showalter said, adding that he's looking forward to O'Day "returning to form." Head athletic trainer Brian Ebel spoke with O'Day earlier today. Double-A Bowie outfielder Austin Hays had an injection in his ankle on Monday and will be shut down for a week before resuming baseball activities. Showalter remains confident...

Updating Bleier and Cashner following 5-1 loss

Updating Bleier and Cashner following 5-1 loss
Orioles reliever Richard Bleier underwent an X-ray today at Camden Yards and is scheduled for an MRI on Thursday to determine the severity of an injury that manager Buck Showalter said has "got the characteristics of a lat." The elbow is fine, but Bleier's season is in jeopardy after he exited the game in the eighth inning. "I just felt something in the lat area or whatever," Bleier said. "Obviously, it was unpleasant. Just, I don't know, that's pretty much it." Bleier threw one...

Richard Bleier leaves game with apparent injury (O's lose 5-1)

Richard Bleier leaves game with apparent injury (O's lose 5-1)
Orioles reliever Richard Bleier just came out of today's game in the top of the eighth inning after retiring Red Sox second baseman Eduardo Núñez on a ground ball, dropping his glove and reaching for his left elbow area in obvious pain. Bleier grimaced and shook his head as he walked toward the dugout with assistant athletic trainer Mark Shires. There was no hesitation in his removal as manager Buck Showalter and pitching coach Roger McDowell rushed to the mound. Brad Brach replaced...

Updates on O'Day, Sunday starter, Tillman and more (O's down 4-1)

Updates on O'Day, Sunday starter, Tillman and more (O's down 4-1)
Darren O'Day threw another bullpen session this morning and could come off the disable list as early as Friday afternoon in Boston. The Orioles passed along that the session "went well" and it will check how he responds on Thursday. O'Day is recovering from a hyperextended right elbow. He was eligible to return today. Miguel Castro and David Hess are candidates to start Sunday afternoon in Boston. Hess currently is scheduled to start Sunday for Triple-A Norfolk, so he'd be staying on...

Tonight's game and roster moves, Bleier's been best and more

Tonight's game and roster moves, Bleier's been best and more
A win tonight in Anaheim will allow the Orioles to equal their longest streak of the season. If anyone regards back-to-back victories as constituting a streak. The Cambridge Dictionary defines "streak" as: A mark of a color that is different from what surrounds it, or a thin strip of light. Doesn't seem like a fit here. Let's keep going. An obvious characteristic in a personality. Strike two. A period during which a series of things happens. We're getting there. A short period of good or...

Britton looking forward to talking pitching instead of surgery

Britton looking forward to talking pitching instead of surgery
Orioles closer Zach Britton has thrown three full-mound bullpen sessions at Camden Yards and he's going to have a bigger audience this week while he's in Anaheim. Dr. Kenneth Jung, who performed the surgery in December to repair Britton's ruptured Achilles, will watch him throw on Wednesday with head athletic trainer Brian Ebel and give his final "blessing," as the left-hander worded it with a chuckle. One of Jung's offices overlooks center field at Angel Stadium, so it's a short walk to...

Showalter on adversity, defense, injuries, roster move (O's up 3-1)

Showalter on adversity, defense, injuries, roster move (O's up 3-1)
As the Orioles get reacquainted with their home surroundings tonight, they're also trying to end a six-game losing streak and regain their footing after absorbing a hard fall on the road. Asked earlier today what message he would send to his team and the fans, manager Buck Showalter replied that there was nothing to "sum up." It couldn't be done as a quick hit. "What does that mean? To sit here with two sentences? I think there's a lot more to it than that," he said. "It's frustrating,...

Trumbo removed from rehab assignment (and other notes)

Trumbo removed from rehab assignment (and other notes)
Mark Trumbo is in the Orioles' clubhouse this afternoon and the Orioles have halted his rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie. Manager Buck Showalter said Trumbo didn't experience a setback. This is done more as a precaution. "Just talking with him and the trainers, he's at 36 days and he's actually a little ahead of things, so we're going to slow that down a little bit," Showalter said. "He just felt like last night, he just didn't feel like pushing it. Thought he still wasn't...

Machado stays hot, Gausman reflects on last night (O's down 8-3)

Machado stays hot, Gausman reflects on last night (O's down 8-3)
NEW YORK - Manny Machado isn't going to stop playing shortstop beyond this season and he won't stop hitting in this series. Machado's two-out, two-run double off Yankees starter Sonny Gray in the top of the third inning tied the score 2-2. He reached base six times last night with two home runs, two singles and two walks. It must be the hair. Pedro Álvarez, whose grand slam last night in the 14th inning gave the Orioles a 7-3 lead, drew a leadoff walk against Gray. Trey Mancini singled...

Showalter on Cobb, Trumbo, leadoff spot and more (O's lead 5-2)

Showalter on Cobb, Trumbo, leadoff spot and more (O's lead 5-2)
NEW YORK - The Orioles still haven't committed to a date for Alex Cobb's debut, waiting again for his upcoming work day and input from the right-hander before plotting the next move. Cobb went five innings yesterday in a simulated game in Sarasota. He could go six next week at extended spring training or join the Orioles. Manager Buck Showalter said Cobb will throw in the bullpen Friday or Saturday, "depending how he feels." Showalter suggested that Cobb could pitch Monday or Tuesday in...

Update on Cobb's simulated game

Update on Cobb's simulated game
Alex Cobb's progression toward his Orioles debut continued today without a hitch at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. Facing a batch of Orioles minor leaguers and Mark Trumbo, who's rehabbing his strained right quadriceps muscle, Cobb worked five innings and allowed one run and three hits with two walks and four strikeouts. A club official also passed along that Cobb threw 74 pitches. The progress is significant on multiple fronts. Cobb increased his innings total from four to five...

Rotation order, Showalter on Bundy and Beckham

Rotation order, Showalter on Bundy and Beckham
SARASOTA, Fla. - Andrew Cashner and Kevin Gausman will follow opening day starter Dylan Bundy for the Twins series at Camden Yards that begins on March 29. Chris Tillman starts the Astros' home opener on April 2. Orioles manager Buck Showalter hasn't committed to a fifth starter and the club continues to check the waiver wire. Bundy was informed yesterday that he'd get the opening day assignment while Showalter met with the starters. "We had some candidates, a lot of guys," Showalter said....