Dylan Bundy named opening day starter (O's win 10-7)

Dylan Bundy named opening day starter (O's win 10-7)
SARASOTA, Fla. - One year after proving to the Orioles that he could stay healthy and in their rotation for an entire season, Dylan Bundy has been chosen as their opening day starter. He'll take the mound against the Twins on March 29 at Camden Yards. Manager Buck Showalter informed Bundy of his decision prior to today's game against the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. "Buck called us (starters) into the office and kind of explained how things were going to work," he said. "Obviously, I'm...

Orioles option Yacabonis (and other notes, O's down 5-2)

Orioles option Yacabonis (and other notes, O's down 5-2)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles reduced their camp roster to 38 players today by optioning reliever Jimmy Yacabonis to Triple-A Norfolk. The cuts will come in waves, according to manager Buck Showalter, who meets with each individual. Yacabonis made eight appearances and allowed three runs and eight hits in eight innings. He walked five batters and struck out seven. Showalter intended to meet with his starting pitchers before announcing the opening day starter, news that should arrive on Friday....

Pregame notes on Davis, Britton, roster, Rodriguez and more

Pregame notes on Davis, Britton, roster, Rodriguez and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Davis will go from leadoff hitter today at Ed Smith Stadium to playing Monday afternoon in a minor league game at Twin Lakes Park. Manager Buck Showalter is going to find ways to get Davis more at-bats now that the Orioles first baseman is able to play without discomfort in his right forearm/elbow. A few other players will join Davis at the minor league complex for Triple-A and Double-A games, including catcher Caleb Joseph and perhaps outfielder Colby Rasmus. Showalter...

Davis could play this weekend (and other notes)

Davis could play this weekend (and other notes)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis expects to be in the lineup this weekend as he recovers from tightness in his right elbow/forearm. The cortisone injection is bringing the desired result. Davis took top-hand swings yesterday and two-handed swings today without any discomfort. He hasn't been in the lineup since leading off in a March 2 game against the Pirates. Mark Trumbo remains scheduled to serve as designated hitter on Wednesday against the Yankees in Sarasota. He...

Wrapping up a 9-3 loss

Wrapping up a 9-3 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will make two or three roster cuts Friday morning before their game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. There's no update on Gabriel Ynoa's MRI because it isn't scheduled until 5 p.m. He's bothered by shin splints. Kevin Gausman will throw a simulated game Friday morning on Field 4, just as Andrew Cashner, Dylan Bundy and Chris Tillman have done the past three days. The home-and-home series began today with the Orioles losing 9-3 at Ed Smith Stadium. Catcher...

Liranzo optioned, Cashner nearing Grapefruit League debut

Liranzo optioned, Cashner nearing Grapefruit League debut
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Orioles extended their streak of removing players from their camp roster this morning by optioning right-hander Jesus Liranzo to Double-A Bowie. The roster is down to 52 players and more cuts are coming over the next few days. Liranzo, who turns 23 today, was slow-played this spring to protect his right shoulder. He was charged with five runs yesterday against the Twins in Fort Myers, the last three scoring after he left the game. Meanwhile, Andrew Cashner may be...

Valencia hits first home run (and other notes, O's lose 9-8)

Valencia hits first home run (and other notes, O's lose 9-8)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Danny Valencia really loves to hit the lefties. Valencia led off the top of the second inning today with a long home run to left field off Twins southpaw Adalberto Mejía, who tried to get a 91 mph fastball past him. Didn't work. Hunter Harvey tossed a scoreless first inning, stranding two runners after Miguel Sanó's two-out double and Eduardo Escobar's walk. He also threw a wild pitch. Harvey struck out Brian Dozier on a 95 mph fastball that caught the inner half of...

Teammates talk up Tillman's simulated game

Teammates talk up Tillman's simulated game
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman wanted feedback from his teammates following yesterday's simulated game at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Give him the good and the bad and don't hold back. Mincing words serves no purpose as he eases back into competition. Tillman threw 42 pitches in two innings and drew positive reviews. Most important, they were honest reviews. "I thought he had a nice mix to his pitches," said Mark Trumbo. "Thought his changeup looked real nice. He dropped some really...

More thoughts on the rotation and some of its candidates

More thoughts on the rotation and some of its candidates
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will play two games today, but only one counts in the fake standings. Miguel Castro is starting a B game in the morning on Field 4, the Camden Yards replica with the batter's eye that's still under construction. So is the rotation and Castro wants to join it, but first he must prove that his knees and back are fine and he no longer has to be treated with such care. It's early to suggest that anyone has really fallen behind, but it's a shorter spring training and...

Wrapping up a 5-2 win

Wrapping up a 5-2 win
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter noted the progress today made by Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. One run allowed over two innings in both starts, but not a duplication. "I thought he was a little better this time out," Showalter said. "He can do a lot of things with the baseball. He's presenting himself as advertised. I thought he was a little better today. That was good to see. "He's got good command of the fastball, works fast and can spin the ball. He'll need all...

Pregame notes on Gausman, Cashner, Hays and more (tied 1-1)

Pregame notes on Gausman, Cashner, Hays and more (tied 1-1)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Kevin Gausman will make his next start Saturday afternoon against the Phillies in Clearwater. No need to push him back following the home plate collision in his debut. "He's good, ready to go," said manager Buck Showalter. "We got lucky there." Andrew Cashner impressed observers during today's two-inning simulated game in Sarasota. Cashner faced Mark Trumbo, Tim Beckham and Craig Gentry and he shattered a couple of bats. "Got some firewood for tonight," Showalter...

Cashner throws first bullpen session with O's (and other notes)

Cashner throws first bullpen session with O's (and other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman spent this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, but he hasn't been cleared to join workouts until his new contract becomes official. Both sides are in a holding pattern, but an announcement could come later today. The Orioles are waiting to hear back from Tillman's representative. Tillman has agreed to a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $3 million. He can earn another $7 million in incentives. Catcher Andrew Susac will be released from the hospital today...

José Mesa viewed as starter in camp (and other notes)

José Mesa viewed as starter in camp (and other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 pick José Mesa will be used as a starter in camp instead of working out of the bullpen. The Orioles added him to the mix earlier today, with the right-hander joining Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, Mike Wright, Gabriel Ynoa, Miguel Castro, Hunter Harvey and Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. Mesa, son of the former Orioles pitcher of the same name, has made nine starts among his 78 minor league appearances in the Yankees system. He's gone 12-4 with a 2.86 ERA and 1.15 WHIP...

Hearing from Hess and Akin at minicamp

Hearing from Hess and Akin at minicamp
Only eight of the 17 pitchers at the Orioles minicamp in Sarasota threw off a bullpen mound over the course of three days. Richard Bleier had sessions on Monday and yesterday. I'm including Ryan O'Rourke in the group of invitees because the Orioles wanted to check on him following ligament-reconstructive surgery on his left elbow that forced him to miss the 2017 season. O'Rourke and Dariel Álvarez, who had the same procedure on his right elbow, are in rehab mode. David Hess played catch,...

McDowell wraps up the three-day minicamp

McDowell wraps up the three-day minicamp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles concluded their three-day minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex this morning with Richard Bleier throwing his second bullpen session. Bleier was the only pitcher on a mound today and the only one cleared for multiple sessions this week. This is the fifth year in a row that the Orioles have held their minicamp in Sarasota. Dariel Álvarez did some long-tossing again while rehabbing from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. As I wrote in my last...

Could Yacabonis become a starter?

Could Yacabonis become a starter?
SARASOTA, Fla. - We've come upon the third and final day of the Orioles minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. It feels like we just arrived and got reacquainted with the facility. Like we just checked the nameplates above the lockers to make certain that no one signed during the flight. Pitching coach Roger McDowell will meet briefly with the three beat writers before everyone heads home. This is, after all, a gathering of pitchers with no position players. It will be good to...

Orioles aren't ready to place restrictions on Hunter Harvey

Orioles aren't ready to place restrictions on Hunter Harvey
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter won't put an innings limit on Hunter Harvey, the former first-round pick who's recovered from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. No decision has been made on where he'll be assigned. Keeping Harvey healthy is job No. 1. The rest should take care of itself. Watching Harvey throw his bullpen session today "brings a smile to my face," Showalter said. "Think about how far he's come and the similarities with Dylan (Bundy). I...

Chris Lee on a difficult season and a fresh start

Chris Lee on a difficult season and a fresh start
SARASOTA, Fla. - We're only one day into the Orioles minicamp and manager Buck Showalter is accomplishing everything on the list. Pitchers coming off surgeries are checked, the newbies are evaluated, meetings are held with everyone who received an invitation. Chris Tillman's workouts while the club retains interest in re-signing him are an added bonus. I'll just assume that he remains out of view of the three beat writers who made the trip. "The criteria for being here, and we have a lot of...

Hunter Harvey: "I feel like I'm ready to go"

Hunter Harvey: "I feel like I'm ready to go"
SARASOTA, Fla. - The first day of Orioles minicamp wrapped up this morning with Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. completing a bullpen session, pitchers running sprints and Dariel Álvarez playing catch on flat ground as he recovers from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. Álvarez is converting from outfielder to reliever. Manager Buck Showalter is joined by pitching coach Roger McDowell, bullpen coach Alan Mills, bench coach John Russell, special assignment pitching instructor...

Day One of Orioles minicamp

Day One of Orioles minicamp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The first day of Orioles minicamp begins this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, with pitchers scheduled to head outdoors at 10 a.m. A small group of beat writers will have clubhouse access for an hour. Temperatures climb into the 70s this week, but rain is in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, which could move some of the bullpen sessions to the covered cages. Or, because it's Florida, the sun could come out two minutes after a downpour. In case you need a...