Six Orioles elect free agency

Six Orioles elect free agency
While the Orioles decide which non-roster players to protect in the Rule 5 draft in December, six of their minor leaguers elected free agency and are eligible to sign with another organization. Pitchers Logan Verrett, Vidal Nuño and Jason Wheeler, catcher Francisco Peña and infielders Johnny Giavotella and Rubén Tejada can test the market, according to a list provided by Major League Baseball and published yesterday by Baseball America. The Orioles could attempt to re-sign any or all...

Dickerson offers opinion on Schoop as shortstop

Dickerson offers opinion on Schoop as shortstop
The Orioles lost two of three games in Anaheim, Seth Smith has a sore hamstring and Joey Rickard took a fastball off his batting helmet. The West Coast is no joke. This week's portion of the road trip now takes the Orioles to Oakland, where they lost three of four games last season - a 9-6 win in the finale allowing them to avert an embarrassing sweep. They lost the first three games 3-2, 2-1 and 1-0. The Orioles haven't swept the Athletics in a four-game series in Oakland since...

Tillman's troubles overshadow triple play (O's lose 7-5)

Tillman's troubles overshadow triple play (O's lose 7-5)
The Orioles have turned two triple plays this season, but they can't turn around Chris Tillman. No matter how hard everyone tries. A group effort brings glimmers of hope and more despair. Tillman failed to record an out in the third inning and was charged with five earned runs and seven total to put the Orioles behind 7-0 and raise his ERA to 8.10. And the rotation's recent roll has been halted. Rain continues to torment the Orioles and anyone who dares to step inside Camden Yards. It comes...

Giavotella designated for assignment, Beckham in lineup

Giavotella designated for assignment, Beckham in lineup
The Orioles have designated second baseman Johnny Giavotella for assignment this afternoon to create a roster spot for infielder Tim Beckham. They will continue to go with a 13-man pitching staff. Giavotella is 1-for-10 in seven games. He's started twice, most recently on July 16 against the Cubs. Beckham, who's wearing No. 1, is playing shortstop tonight and batting sixth. Seth Smith is the designated hitter while Joey Rickard plays right field. In his last 10 games, Manny Machado has gone...

Looking back at yesterday's deadline deals and rumors

Looking back at yesterday's deadline deals and rumors
If you were riding the Twitter roller coaster yesterday, you believed in the morning that Orioles reliever Zach Britton was staying, then by early afternoon you were convinced that he was a goner - most likely to the Astros, who reportedly were "close" to a deal - then told again that he was staying. Maybe you raised your arms instead of holding onto the bar. Maybe you found a bar and turned it into a drinking game. The Orioles fielded offers for Britton. They weren't satisfied with the...

Showalter catching on to backstop rotation

Showalter catching on to backstop rotation
Orioles manager Buck Showalter wrote Caleb Joseph's name into Wednesday night's lineup against the Rangers, then switched to Welington Castillo on Thursday. He went back to Joseph Friday night in the series opener against the Astros and selected Castillo last night. An early afternoon game today most likely will put Joseph behind the plate. No quick turnaround for Castillo. For Showalter, it's nice to have catching choices. Castillo began last night with eight hits in his last 18 at-bats,...

More on Jiménez, the rotation, Britton's market, tonight's game

More on Jiménez, the rotation, Britton's market, tonight's game
The Orioles have lost four games since the All-Star break and they've fallen behind 8-0, 7-0, 6-0 and 5-0. My advice is to stop doing it. The plan clearly isn't working. Putting Ubaldo Jiménez back in the bullpen isn't really a solution for the reasons previously stated. He needs extra time to get loose, he tends to struggle in his first inning and he requires extended rest between outings. And there isn't a spot for him with Miguel Castro earning an extended stay. Jayson Aquino would be...

Notes on Schoop and Giavotella (O's down 8-0)

Notes on Schoop and Giavotella (O's down 8-0)
Jonathan Schoop is making his second start and third appearance at shortstop today, with Johnny Giavotella playing second base in the series finale. As I wrote this morning, Giavotella is 4-for-8 lifetime against Cubs left-hander Jose Quintana. "I want to get Johnny in there," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. "He's only second base, so to get him in there and to not sit Jon, unless you DH him, which moves another guy, (Mark) Trumbo in right field and moves another player around that you...

Orioles and Cubs lineups

Orioles and Cubs lineups
Jonathan Schoop is starting at shortstop today as the Orioles try to avoid a three-game sweep by the Cubs. Johnny Giavotella is starting at second base. Adam Jones remains the leadoff hitter, with Trey Mancini in left field and Joey Rickard in right. For the Orioles Adam Jones CF Manny Machado 3B Jonathan Schoop SS Mark Trumbo DH Chris Davis 1B Trey Mancini LF Welington Castillo C Johnny Giavotella 2B Joey Rickard RF Ubaldo Jiménez RHP For the Cubs Ben Zobrist 2B Kris Bryant 3B Anthony Rizzo...

Outside interest in Brach and today's game

Outside interest in Brach and today's game
In case anyone missed it on Twitter, I'll pass along that teams like players who might be able to help them, but there may not be active discussions between the two sides. Also, everyone likes Zach Britton. There may actually be more inquiries about Brad Brach than Britton. I'm hearing that there's heavy traffic on Brach, who was dangled at the Winter Meetings for the proper return. The Orioles aren't simply going to unload him. Brach also can become a free agent following the 2018 season....

More on Davis' pending return and Mancini's impressive first half

More on Davis' pending return and Mancini's impressive first half
SALISBURY, Md. - Chris Davis wished that he could have hit a home run last night to reward the fans at Perdue Stadium who greeted each of his at-bats with a rousing ovation. He settled for no longer having pain in his right oblique and being ready to come off the disabled list. Going 0-for-4 with Single-A Delmarva, including a strikeout and double play, didn't matter in the grand scheme. "I've felt really good physically for about a week and a half," he said. "Obviously, the medical staff...

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...

A few thoughts on the first half

A few thoughts on the first half
MINNEAPOLIS - When does four games below .500 at the All-Star break feel like a positive development? When the Orioles were six below with two left. Too bad there's really no such thing as momentum in baseball based on games won. The next day's starting pitcher dictates it. And four days will pass before the Orioles resume play. They need Kevin Gausman to come out strong on Friday against the Cubs. They need the entire rotation to step up or they have no shot at contending. The starters are...

Orioles end losing streak at five games with 5-1 win (with quotes)

Orioles end losing streak at five games with 5-1 win (with quotes)
MINNESOTA - Wade Miley wanted the starting assignment today. He didn't beg for it. He didn't stand on top of manager Buck Showalter's desk and pound his chest. But he didn't want to give the appearance that he was hiding from his slump. Give him the ball and another chance. Why stagger into the break when you can strut? Miley came within an out of a defined quality start, holding the Twins to one run, and the Orioles ended their five-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory before an announced...

Tillman on his view from the bullpen (O's ahead 5-1)

Tillman on his view from the bullpen (O's ahead 5-1)
MINNESOTA - Chris Tillman is sitting in a major league bullpen today, and not at an All-Star Game or to visit friends and teammates. He's listed with the relievers after returning from paternity leave. Tillman hasn't pitched in relief in a major league game and can't remember the last time it happened in the minors. It was one game at Triple-A Norfolk in 2012 after five at a rookie-level affiliate of the Mariners in 2006. "That's why I'm here," he said. "I threw my bullpen and it went...

Orioles and Twins lineups

Orioles and Twins lineups
MINNESOTA - Jonathan Schoop will make his first major league start at shortstop in this afternoon's game against the Twins. The Orioles have not announced a corresponding roster move for Chris Tillman's return from the paternity list. As I wrote this morning, with Johnny Giavotella starting at second base and Schoop moving to short, the Orioles can remove one of their shortstops. For the OriolesJoey Rickard LFManny Machado 3BJonathan Schoop SSAdam Jones CFMark Trumbo DHTrey Mancini...

Davis remains encouraged by health as activities increase

Davis remains encouraged by health as activities increase
MINNESOTA - Whether Chris Davis is ready for more baseball activities won't be clear until the Orioles first baseman wakes up on Saturday and determines that the soreness hasn't returned to his right side. Davis took batting practice, threw and fielded ground balls earlier today and said he responded favorably to it. Still no setbacks as he tries to return from a strained oblique. "I think the biggest test is probably going to be tomorrow, what I feel like tomorrow, from what I hear. But I...

Orioles undone by one inning in 6-4 loss (with quotes)

Orioles undone by one inning in 6-4 loss (with quotes)
MINNESOTA - The unraveling happens so quickly and with such force that it creates sparks. Players should be required to wear protective goggles. The Orioles took a two-run lead into the third inning tonight and watched the Twins bat around while scoring six times, and the final series before the All-Star break began with a 6-4 loss before an announced crowd of 19,706 at Target Field. When is it going to get better? Can it get better? The Orioles are a season-worst five games below .500 at...

More on Saturday's starter and Giavotella's arrival (O's down 6-4)

More on Saturday's starter and Giavotella's arrival (O's down 6-4)
MINNESOTA - The Orioles will remove Chris Tillman from the paternity list on Saturday, but manager Buck Showalter could put him in the bullpen before the break. Showalter seems to be leaning toward starting Wade Miley in the third game of the series, keeping the left-hander on his normal turn. Tillman had a work day this afternoon at Double-A Bowie under the guidance of pitching coach Kennie Steenstra. He's been away from the team since Monday for the birth of his daughter Charlotte. "We'll...

Orioles lineup vs. Twins

Orioles lineup vs. Twins
MINNESOTA - Johnny Giavotella is on the bench for tonight's series opener against the Twins at Target Field. The Orioles selected Giavotella's contract earlier today from Triple-A Norfolk, and he's among five reserves available to manager Buck Showalter. Hyun Soo Kim is in left field and batting eighth ahead of shortstop Paul Janish. For the Orioles Seth Smith RF Manny Machado 3B Jonathan Schoop 2B Adam Jones CF Mark Trumbo DH Trey Mancini 1B Welington Castillo C Hyun Soo Kim LF Paul Janish...