Showalter on Tillman and Gausman (O's down 3-0)

Showalter on Tillman and Gausman (O's down 3-0)
Dark clouds rolled into Camden Yards, the tarp is on the field and the start of tonight's game will be delayed. The grounds crew got the infield ready before covering it. This will be the 10th delay endured by the Orioles this season, including a postponement in D.C. Eight of them have occurred at Camden Yards. Chris Tillman is listed as Sunday's starter against the Rays at Tropicana Field, just as manager Buck Showalter stated following last night's game. Tillman remains in the rotation...

Jackson on DFA; Yacabonis, Verrett on arrivals (O's down 14-3)

Jackson on DFA; Yacabonis, Verrett on arrivals (O's down 14-3)
NEW YORK - The Orioles ran out of time to let Edwin Jackson work through his issues. They needed two fresh arms today and Jackson and Stefan Crichton had worked on back-to-back nights. They didn't get results or another chance. Jackson was designated for assignment today after allowing seven runs (four earned) and 11 hits in five innings since the Orioles purchased his contract. Crichton was optioned after allowing five runs in 3 1/3 innings this weekend. "It's tough," said manager Buck...

Castillo: "I will be good to go when they need me" (O's down 4-1)

Castillo: "I will be good to go when they need me" (O's down 4-1)
Orioles catcher Welington Castillo was on the field again today before batting practice, this time making throws to the bases coming out of his crouch. Castillo could be activated from the disabled list on Saturday instead of going on another injury rehab assignment. He's not trying to talk anyone out of it. "I will be good to go when they need me," he said. "That's what I think. Whatever they're thinking or might do, it's their business. I'm just here to do my job and play whenever...

Showalter on Jackson's arrival and Hart's departure

Showalter on Jackson's arrival and Hart's departure
Paul Janish has cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, allowing the Orioles to maintain their infield depth. The Orioles designated Janish for assignment yesterday while selecting Rubén Tejada's contract from Norfolk. Edwin Jackson spoke at his locker for about six minutes today, happy to be back in the majors after finding out about an hour after last night's game at Gwinnett that the Orioles were selecting his contract. Jackson can be used in many ways,...

Paul Fry "pretty speechless" after promotion

Paul Fry "pretty speechless" after promotion
It was past midnight when Triple-A Norfolk manager Ron Johnson informed Paul Fry that the Orioles were calling up the young left-hander. The rest seemed like a blur. "Pretty speechless," Fry said today while standing in front of a photo of Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson that hangs outside the clubhouse entrance. Fry, 24, said he wasn't expecting the Orioles to promote him. "Not really," he said. "I had two outings at Norfolk after getting there. Hadn't played a home game yet. Pretty...

Edwin Jackson making progress in extended spring training

Edwin Jackson making progress in extended spring training
The Orioles currently are set at long relief with right-hander Alec Asher and left-hander Vidal Nuno in the bullpen. Jayson Aquino made his first major league start last night and is waiting to find out whether he stays or goes. Edwin Jackson is positioning himself as a possibility for next-man-up status this summer. The 14-year veteran is throwing at extended spring training while getting in pitching shape and, according to manager Buck Showalter, had "a really good outing." "Keep an eye on...

More on Tillman, roster, fifth starter, more (O's win 5-4)

More on Tillman, roster, fifth starter, more (O's win 5-4)
Kevin Gausman is warming in the Orioles' bullpen this afternoon while pitching coach Roger McDowell stands behind him. We're a few minutes away from the anthem and the season's fourth game. Chris Tillman's work already is done for the day. I wrote earlier that Tillman threw 25-30 pitches during a live batting practice session in Sarasota. He'll take off the next two days and pitch Tuesday in an extended spring training game, the goal being two innings and around 30 pitches. "He's going...

Orioles re-sign Chris Johnson, plus Roger McDowell on pitchers

Orioles re-sign Chris Johnson, plus Roger McDowell on pitchers
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Orioles re-signed infielder Chris Johnson this morning and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. The move comes two days after he was released. Johnson will play for his father, Tides manager Ron Johnson, now that he's agreed to a restructured deal. He's primarily a third baseman but also can move across the infield. Johnson batted .269 (18-for-67) with six doubles, three home runs, 11 RBIs and 17 strikeouts in 24 games this spring. Orioles pitching coach Roger McDowell...

Wrapping up a 2-1 win

Wrapping up a 2-1 win
DUNEDIN, Fla. - The Orioles received key contributions today from minor league players on their travel roster, with Cedric Mullins lifting a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to break a tie and pitchers Stefan Crichton, Jimmy Yacabonis and Cody Satterwhite each tossing a scoreless inning in a 2-1 win over the Blue Jays. Satterwhite picked up the save, striking out his final batter, JC Cardenas, on a foul tip squeezed by catcher Chance Sisco. Jayson Aquino, vying for the fifth starter's job,...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
SARASOTA, Fla. - Does anyone want to be the Orioles' fifth starter? I'd do it, but it might interfere with my blogging. I considered Mike Wright to have the edge before last night, and it still could hold true, but he allowed five runs and seven hits in two innings against the Twins in Fort Myers. It's important to remember that the competition doesn't have to be decided when the Orioles break camp. They don't need a fifth starter until April 15. Perhaps it comes down to whichever pitcher...

Short start tonight for Chris Lee (O's win 7-4)

Short start tonight for Chris Lee (O's win 7-4)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 7, Rays 4 Recap: Chance Sisco hit an opposite-field three-run homer with two outs in the eighth to break a 4-4 tie ... Chris Lee lasted only two innings in his second start and allowed two runs and five hits. He threw 55 pitches, 32 for strikes ... Chris Johnson hit a two-run homer to center field in the fourth to give the Orioles a 3-2 lead ... Brad Brach tossed another scoreless inning, giving up a hit and striking out one ... Zach Britton retired the side in...

Q&A with new Orioles pitching coach Roger McDowell

Q&A with new Orioles pitching coach Roger McDowell
SARASOTA, Fla. - When the Orioles hired Roger McDowell as pitching coach in November, they got a man with a strong resume in the position. McDowell, who replaces Dave Wallace, spent the last 11 seasons as the Atlanta Braves pitching coach. During that run, the Braves ranked fourth in the majors with a 3.88 ERA, including a 3.58 ERA from a bullpen that ranked second in the major leagues. The staff ranked in the top five in ERA from 2009-2014 and led the majors with a 3.18 ERA in 2013. Braves...

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...

More early notes, Wright's spring and today's start (updated)

More early notes, Wright's spring and today's start (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Could Chris Tillman's bullpen session on Wednesday have been affected by an antibiotic? And have stranger things happened? Yes to the latter, but the Orioles are withholding judgment on the former. The Orioles switched Tillman's medication and pushed back his session until Sunday morning. "He was taking an antibiotic and one of the side effects is some soreness in the joints," said manager Buck Showalter. "They got him off that and changed the antibiotic. They decided to...

More on Álvarez and Rodriguez being removed from camp

More on Álvarez and Rodriguez being removed from camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are down to 55 players in major league camp after optioning outfielder Dariel Álvarez to Triple-A Norfolk yesterday and reassigning pitcher Richard Rodriguez to the minor league complex. Here's the yearly reminder that players on the 40-man roster are optioned and the rest are reassigned and later placed with an affiliate or released. Pitching coach Roger McDowell summoned Rodriguez to manager Buck Showalter's office following yesterday's game. It's the...

Wrapping up a 7-5 loss

Wrapping up a 7-5 loss
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Does it count as a "welcome to the majors" moment when you're facing a collection of minor league hitters in a spring training game? No matter what it's called, Cody Sedlock fought to keep his head above water today while getting his feet wet. Last year's first-round draft pick served up a three-run homer to Brock Stassi and a solo shot to Aaron Altherr in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Phillies a 7-5 win over the Orioles. The inning began with the Orioles...

Jiménez putting thoughts of free agency on hold

Jiménez putting thoughts of free agency on hold
SARASOTA, Fla. - Ubaldo Jiménez is back in his contract year, free agency looming like storm clouds over one of the practice fields. Will a team make it rain? The Orioles were mighty generous on Feb. 19, 2014, giving Jiménez $50 million over four years in the largest deal handed out to a free agent pitcher outside the organization. The return hasn't been acceptable, to say the least, though his contributions in September pushed the Orioles into the wild card game and offered renewed hope...

Can Bradley avoid being left out?

Can Bradley avoid being left out?
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will begin their first full-squad workout this morning still unsure where they're going to find another left-hander for their bullpen. They've got Zach Britton to close, and each day this week has brought another reporter into camp to set up at his locker. (See what I did there?) They've got rookie Donnie Hart to match up against left-handed hitters. And manager Buck Showalter indicated this week that he could bring another southpaw to Camden Yards, the...

Week in review: New pitching coaches, bullpen usage, PECOTA and more

Week in review: New pitching coaches, bullpen usage, PECOTA and more
On this Sunday, we take a look back about a week at some of the stories that appeared here and the comments you made about them. Feel free to send in a question or comment about any or all of them today. Monday: We heard from the new Orioles pitching coaches and Rule 5 picks Anthony Santander and Aneury Tavarez. New pitching coach Roger McDowell said bullpen coach Alan Mills will be very important for him. They are former O's teammates and Mills has some real knowledge of the O's pitchers...

Checking in with the pitching coaches and Rule 5 picks at FanFest

Checking in with the pitching coaches and Rule 5 picks at FanFest
For the first time since the 2013 season, the Orioles will have a new pitching coach this year with Roger McDowell replacing Dave Wallace. Before the 2006 season, McDowell replaced Leo Mazzone as Atlanta Braves pitching coach. Over the next 11 seasons, the Braves staff went 905-876 and ranked fourth among major league clubs with a 3.88 ERA, including a 3.58 ERA posted by relievers, which ranked second in the majors. Each season from 2009-14, Atlanta's ERA ranked in the top five among big...