Rickard optioned to Norfolk (updated)

Rickard optioned to Norfolk (updated)
CLEVELAND - The Orioles threw a curveball more than four hours after their game ended. Joey Rickard has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, which creates an opening on the 25-man roster for Adam Jones' return from the bereavement list. Jones is supposed to join the team later tonight in Toronto. The surprising element involves Mark Trumbo, who is expected to be placed on the disabled list Monday with inflammation in his right knee. Trumbo's removal from the roster would have cleared a spot for...

The roster move, bullpen notes and utility talk

The roster move, bullpen notes and utility talk
CLEVELAND - The Orioles will be making another roster move later today in Toronto with outfielder Adam Jones coming off the bereavement list, Mark Trumbo headed to the disabled list with inflammation in his right knee and Joey Rickard optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Outfielder John Andreoli, claimed off waivers Saturday from the Mariners, will be Trumbo's replacement and become the latest player to make his Orioles debut in 2018 unless he's glued to the bench. Andreoli batted .287/.397/.401...

Ramírez rocked in 8-0 loss

Ramírez rocked in 8-0 loss
CLEVELAND - The Orioles will keep giving Yefry Ramírez starts, and the rookie will continue to be limited as long as he can't harness his pitch count. Twenty-six pitches in the first inning, 44 through the second and 66 though the third. The Indians already had collected four hits and three walks, and Ramírez hit a batter and threw two wild pitches. Ramírez faced 17 batters and eight of them reached base, but he surrendered only two runs on a couple of two-out hits. It boggled the...

Orioles and Indians lineups

Orioles and Indians lineups
CLEVELAND - Cedric Mullins is back in the leadoff spot for this afternoon's Orioles game against the Indians. Craig Gentry is playing right field and hitting eighth, while Austin Wynns is catching and batting ninth. Indians rookie right-hander Adam Plutko is making his seventh major league start and 12th appearance. He's never faced the Orioles. Left-handers are batting .313/.385/.638 against him during his brief career. Right-handers are hitting .221/.242/.474. Alex Cobb is 3-2 with a 3.64...

Mullins meets Lofton, Gentry and Meisinger return (O's down 2-1)

Mullins meets Lofton, Gentry and Meisinger return (O's down 2-1)
CLEVELAND - Though the timing is coincidental, according to Orioles manager Buck Showalter, Cedric Mullins will bat leadoff in the majors for the first time tonight after meeting Indians outfielder Kenny Lofton, who's in town for Saturday's ceremony honoring Hall of Famer Jim Thome. Mullins is slotted first in the lineup against Indians starter Carlos Carrasco. He's batted seventh, eighth and ninth since the Orioles selected his contract. "I just thought it was a good matchup," Showalter...

Meisinger replacing Phillips in Orioles bullpen

Meisinger replacing Phillips in Orioles bullpen
CLEVELAND - The Orioles are recalling Ryan Meisinger from Triple-A Norfolk and putting him in the bullpen for tonight's series opener against the Indians at Progressive Field. Meisinger worked a scoreless inning last night at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, throwing 20 pitches, allowing two hits and striking out two batters. The Orioles had an opening on their 25-man roster after optioning reliever Evan Phillips to Norfolk following Wednesday night's 16-5 loss to the Mets at Camden Yards. The bullpen...

More on Gentry rejoining O's, tonight's game, Kline's candidacy

More on Gentry rejoining O's, tonight's game, Kline's candidacy
The Orioles begin their three-game series in Cleveland tonight with Craig Gentry replacing Adam Jones on the 25-man roster while the latter goes on the bereavement list. Gentry is out of minor league options, however, which brings uncertainty to the length of his stay. Jones will miss the entire series because he's required to be gone for a minimum of three days. He'll rejoin the club in Toronto. Paternity leave enables a player to return in fewer than three days. I'm not clear on why Major...

Notes on Trumbo, Jones, rotation, rehabs and Davis (O's lead 6-2)

Notes on Trumbo, Jones, rotation, rehabs and Davis (O's lead 6-2)
Mark Trumbo received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right knee yesterday and made it into tonight's lineup against the Mets at Camden Yards. The knee has bothered Trumbo for most of the season, but his 17 home runs are tied with Trey Mancini for the team lead among players who weren't traded last month. "Feels better today like we thought it would and he's going to DH," said manager Buck Showalter. "Waited to talk to him some and he said he felt good. I don't think it's going...

More on Mullins' arrival and outfield plans (O's down 14-10)

More on Mullins' arrival and outfield plans (O's down 14-10)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter expects to keep rookie Cedric Mullins in center field and Adam Jones in right beyond tonight's series opener against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Showalter won't go back and forth unless circumstances force him to adjust the plan. "Adam will play right and Cedric will play center," Showalter said. "That's the way I perceive it. Something happens with Cedric, we'll see. If something happens with Adam. I hope nothing does. "Adam's playing right field today...

Chris Davis on struggles, false theories and whether he'd quit

Chris Davis on struggles, false theories and whether he'd quit
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Chris Davis walked up the left field line at Tropicana Field before batting practice this week, found a box seat in the second row and joked about becoming the guy whose name was etched in a tiny gold plate. If only it were that simple for Davis to escape his own skin. He isn't looking for pity, which rarely comes to a man who's being paid $161 million to play a sport. But the chance to duck the spotlight and the steady flow of criticism was embraced beneath the...

Showalter on Gentry, Davis on throwing error (tied 3-3)

Showalter on Gentry, Davis on throwing error (tied 3-3)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The news was light again today as manager Buck Showalter sat in the visiting dugout at Tropicana Field for his pregame media session. Three of the four starters have been confirmed for the Red Sox series at Camden Yards. Dylan Bundy takes the mound in Friday night's opener, Yefry Ramírez starts one of the doubleheader games on Saturday and Alex Cobb closes out the series on Sunday. Jimmy Yacabonis is a candidate to be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and start Saturday....

Showalter provides pitching and injury updates (tied 3-3)

Showalter provides pitching and injury updates (tied 3-3)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles rookie David Hess will start Thursday night's series finale against the Rays. Dylan Bundy is pushed back to Friday night against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. "I don't want David to get too far away from being out there," manager Buck Showalter said. "Also, I didn't want to necessarily have those three young guys lined up in a row, either, if I could help it." The Orioles have a day-night doubleheader on Saturday against the Red Sox, and Jimmy Yacabonis...

Showalter pregame and Jones on donation to LL team (game update)

Showalter pregame and Jones on donation to LL team (game update)
ARLINGTON, Texas - The Orioles starting lineup today doesn't include center fielder Adam Jones or first baseman Chris Davis. Jones is just getting a day off. But is it not the exact same scenario for Davis. "He's banged up a little bit. We're going to give him the benefit of another day and the off-day tomorrow. Hopefully, he's back in the lineup Tuesday. Just felt like he needed one more day," manager Buck Showalter said. Showalter was asked today if he's noticed if Davis has become...

Villar given leadoff spot, Duquette on series of moves

Villar given leadoff spot, Duquette on series of moves
As the Orioles rid themselves of veterans and salary while beginning their rebuild, they're also making adjustments to a lineup that's been lacking a true leadoff hitter. Jonathan Villar, part of the package obtained earlier this week from the Brewers for second baseman Jonathan Schoop, owned a career .324 on-base percentage before last night's game against the Rangers. In the Orioles organization, that's a step in the right direction. Villar led the majors with 62 steals in 156 games in...

Jones likely to remain with Orioles past deadline (O's up 4-1)

Jones likely to remain with Orioles past deadline (O's up 4-1)
Less than 72 hours before the non-waiver trade deadline and the Orioles remain in talks with several clubs. However, they've been given no indication that center fielder Adam Jones will waive his 10-5 rights and approve a deal. The Phillies, Indians and Giants have shown their interest in Jones, but a source confirmed earlier today that the five-time All-Star has expressed his desire to remain with the Orioles. The Phillies apparently were making a strong push for him. The matter remains under...

Notes on Bundy, Mancini, Q&A with fans and more (O's up 11-2)

Notes on Bundy, Mancini, Q&A with fans and more (O's up 11-2)
Dylan Bundy threw a light bullpen session and remains scheduled to start Sunday afternoon's series finale against the Rays. Bundy will be working on three days' rest after throwing 30 pitches in Wednesday's rain-shortened start against the Red Sox. The three home runs he surrendered were washed away. In his last three starts that count, Bundy has allowed 15 earned runs (16 total) and 19 hits in 12 1/3 innings. Yefry Ramírez is available out of the bullpen tonight in an emergency, but...

Rotation adjustment and injury updates

Rotation adjustment and injury updates
By throwing only 30 pitches last night before rain washed away his start, Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy will come back on short rest Sunday in the series finale against the Rays at Camden Yards. Rookie Yefry Ramírez will be pushed back to Tuesday night against the Yankees in the Bronx. Bundy surrendered three home runs to the Red Sox last night in only 1 2/3 innings, but the stats no longer count. "With an off-day (Monday), we don't want Dylan sitting around that long," said manager...

Orioles injury updates

Orioles injury updates
Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop has relocated to the locker formerly used by Manny Machado at the end of the row, with third baseman Renato Núñez setting up next to him. Zach Britton, Adam Jones and Brad Brach are at their same lockers. They still haven't been traded. Reliever Darren O'Day returned to Camden Yards today to begin treatment following his hamstring surgery. He's out for the rest of the season. Reliever Richard Bleier will meet the team in New York on July 31 for a...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Outfielder Yusniel Díaz was the jewel in the package of players that the Orioles acquired from the Dodgers for shortstop Manny Machado. No other suitor offered up anyone of that caliber. But scouts like the potential of reliever Zach Pop, a 21-year-old right-hander assigned to Double-A Bowie. Pop, a seventh-round pick in the 2017 draft out of the University of Kentucky, registered a 0.93 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 35 career relief appearances before the trade. He projects as a potential set-up...

Orioles move into second half without Machado

Orioles move into second half without Machado
The reality that Manny Machado no longer played for the Orioles hit them hardest yesterday as they boarded their charter flight to Toronto and gathered for a workout. It will strike them again today as they convene inside the visiting clubhouse at Rogers Centre to begin a three-game series against the Blue Jays. When the lineup card lists somebody else at shortstop. Imagine how fitting the moment if Jonathan Schoop homers and his best friend isn't in front of the dugout for the choreographed...