Can't read too much into a little bit

Can't read too much into a little bit
SARASOTA, Fla. - Trying to detect patterns and search for clues in spring training lineups can be an exercise in futility. Roster crunches of a different sort. Calisthenics that still leave you clueless. Working up a sweat for a bigger waste. You get the picture, but maybe not the pitcher. Manager Brandon Hyde keeps batting Austin Hays in the leadoff spot, but isn't necessarily showing his hand. Hanser Alberto batted leadoff again yesterday in the other split-squad game. It's now happened...

Wind whips Means in his spring debut (Davis homers, O's lose 15-2)

Wind whips Means in his spring debut (Davis homers, O's lose 15-2)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said earlier today that he wanted two innings from John Means and for the left-hander to come out of the game "feeling good." Simple goals for the first start. "That's it," he said. He got one out of two. The most important component. Means was removed after 1 1/3 innings with his pitch count at 39. Jay Flaa inherited two Tampa Bay runners and let one score on Michael Brosseau's RBI single for a 2-0 lead. A wind-blown triple by Brandon Lowe...

LeBlanc puts up blanks and Orioles cruise to win (updated)

LeBlanc puts up blanks and Orioles cruise to win (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - One start won't move the needle much in the Orioles rotation competition. Two innings aren't a sufficient amount to begin placing odds. Three pitchers in the crowded field wanted to make an early impression this afternoon. Left-hander Wade LeBlanc shut out the Red Sox for the first couple of frames, allowing a single to Kevin Plawecki and striking out Tommy Joseph and Marcus Wilson. Both of them looking. (The Red Sox didn't bring their A team to Sarasota. I'm not sure the B...

Orioles outright Ureña and return him to camp roster

Orioles outright Ureña and return him to camp roster
SARASOTA, Fla. - Richard Ureña exited the utility competition in Orioles camp and has been dragged back into it. Just when a player thinks he's out ... The club announced that Ureña cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. He gets an invitation to spring training that bloats the camp roster to 69 players. It was inevitable. The Orioles designated Ureña for assignment after claiming Anthony Velazquez off waivers from the Indians. Velazquez is waiting to appear in...

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox
SARASOTA, Fla. - Stevie Wilkerson is in center field this afternoon for the Orioles' home opener against the Red Sox. Hanser Alberto is leading off and playing second base. Catcher Pedro Severino is batting cleanup. Shortstop José Iglesias is making his debut. For the Orioles Hanser Alberto 2B Trey Mancini RF Chris Davis 1B Pedro Severino C Dwight Smith Jr. LF José Iglesias SS Rio Ruiz 3B Stevie Wilkerson CF Cedric Mullins DH Wade LeBlanc LHP Alex Cobb starts against the Phillies Monday...

Chandler Shepherd named starter for first exhibition game

Chandler Shepherd named starter for first exhibition game
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chandler Shepherd is starting Saturday's exhibition opener against the Braves in North Port, marking the end of the workout grind and moving spring training into its next phase. Left-hander Ty Blach will follow Shepherd, who's supposed to work two innings. "He's one of the guys that we're stretching out and it just kind of fell on that day," said manager Brandon Hyde, who shared his decision with the media. "See him go a couple innings." Shepherd started the final game...

Orioles utility competition keeps changing

Orioles utility competition keeps changing
SARASOTA, Fla. - Utility competitions generally do not elicit much excitement and drama in a spring training camp. The backup infielder ranks pretty low on the meter. More yawns than yippees. The Orioles, however, are turning the battles into a game show of sorts - but without the car or jet skis as a grand prize. Richard Ureña had been deemed a favorite to break camp on March 23 until the Orioles designated him for assignment yesterday. Another mock roster goes into the shredder. Pat...

For the Orioles, there is no shortage of utility candidates

For the Orioles, there is no shortage of utility candidates
When it comes to the start of spring training games for the Orioles this Saturday, fans and reporters alike will begin tracking the chase for rotation spots. Is Alex Cobb healthy? Who will join him and John Means in the rotation? There are other areas in camp where there will be competition for a spot or spots. One area that is probably not going to garner a lot of media or fan attention is the battle to be the club's utility infielder. Or maybe they expand that to a super utility type as a...

Orioles welcoming pitchers and catchers to camp

Orioles welcoming pitchers and catchers to camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The real work is about to begin. Pitchers, catchers and position players choosing to report early will be arriving later today at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, where the temperature will climb back into the 80s. Physicals must be passed, and that includes the yearly eye exams. (That last part was aimed at the "he needs glasses" crowd. Everyone gets their vision tested.) The front office contingent headed to Florida without a veteran starting pitcher - executive vice...

Orioles outright Kline and Wilkerson

Orioles outright Kline and Wilkerson
The Orioles are keeping pitcher Branden Kline and super-utility player Stevie Wilkerson in the organization. Kline and Wilkerson cleared waivers and have been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk after the club designated them for assignment last week. Wilkerson had the give his approval based on a previous DFA. The list of camp invites has grown to 66 players, with left-hander Wade LeBlanc also a recent inclusion. Kline, a Frederick native and second-round pick out of the University of Virginia in...

What to expect at spring training

What to expect at spring training
Pitchers and catchers are reporting to the Orioles' spring training complex in exactly one week. The first full-squad workout is Feb. 17. I've been asked about leaving for "spring break" since December. There's a difference, including how you won't find me dancing poolside on MTV. It isn't all fun and exhibition games. It actually qualifies as work - with only one day off in six weeks - but the sunshine kills the pity factor. I won't be penning a love letter to Sarasota because it...

Upon further review ...

Upon further review ...
Today, on Super Bowl Sunday, let's talk some baseball. Seems appropriate even on such a big day for football as Orioles pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota, Fla., a week from Tuesday. Today we're looking back at a few stories published here in recent weeks. Feel free to post some comments on those stories and/or present any other O's comments and questions. The crack of the bat will soon be heard under the Florida sun. In this story, published Jan. 1, we began the new year looking ahead...

Looking at an Orioles lineup that could be more settled

Looking at an Orioles lineup that could be more settled
The Orioles used a club-record 58 players last season and the lineup was built with moving parts. Injuries were only partly to blame. Nine players made starts in left field, eight in center and seven in right. Joey Rickard, Jace Peterson, Keon Broxton and Drew Jackson are gone. DJ Stewart is recovering from offseason ankle surgery and won't be ready for opening day. Stevie Wilkerson won't repeat as the leader in appearances in center unless something unforeseen happens. Really unforeseen,...

Orioles claim Travis Lakins and DFA Stevie Wilkerson

Orioles claim Travis Lakins and DFA Stevie Wilkerson
The Orioles tossed another name into their bullpen competition today, at the expense of a super-utility player whose popularity soared last season. Stevie Wilkerson has been designated for assignment to make room for Travis Lakins, a 25-year-old right-hander claimed off waivers from the Cubs. The team made the announcement this afternoon. Wilkerson, 28, also was designated for assignment last winter, but had his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk on April 22 and appeared in 117 games. He...

Hyde happy to have hefty camp roster

Hyde happy to have hefty camp roster
If it's true that there's strength in numbers, the Orioles will be able to out-flex the other teams in spring training. The bird logo will be replaced by a biceps muscle. The chalk lines will be drawn with creatine powder. The current number of camp invites stands at 23 and doesn't include left-hander Wade LeBlanc, who signed a minor league deal that becomes official after his physical in Sarasota. Reliever Branden Kline could make it 25 if he clears waivers after the Orioles designated him...

Orioles interested in bringing back Beckham

Orioles interested in bringing back Beckham
Could the Orioles' search for infield depth lead them to one of their former players? It's a possibility. According the multiple sources, the Orioles are interested in veteran Tim Beckham and have discussed a minor league contract. This is an intriguing development for a couple of reasons, the first being that Beckham spent 1 1/2 seasons with the Orioles before they non-tendered him on Nov. 30, 2018. But there's also the 80-game suspension handed down on Aug. 6, 2019 after Beckham tested...

Orioles remain interested in starting pitchers and infielders

Orioles remain interested in starting pitchers and infielders
The days keep melting away until pitchers and catchers report to the spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla. The Orioles have filled some of their needs, but they aren't done. While the media keeps making predictions on the rotation, the guesswork aimed at the back end of it, the club has been negotiating with representatives for starting pitchers who remain on the market. I'm hearing that the Orioles are discussing major league deals and minor league contracts that would include...

Infield questions linger for Orioles

Infield questions linger for Orioles
While wondering if I should jump off the baseball beat and cover something more believable, like World Wrestling Entertainment ... What are the Orioles doing at third base? Mark it down as another storyline heading into spring training. Rio Ruiz made 89 starts at third to lead the club, but he also was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk and pretty much shared the position with Hanser Alberto. The Orioles could give him a shot at an everyday job, which he'll have to earn in camp. He's actually a...

Orioles lose Valaika on waiver claim

Orioles lose Valaika on waiver claim
The competition for a utility job with the Orioles has grown thinner. The Diamondbacks claimed Pat Valaika off waivers this afternoon after the Orioles designated him for assignment on Friday while selecting Richard Ureña off waivers from the Blue Jays. Ureña is poised to break camp with the team as a backup at various positions, most importantly shortstop behind starter José Iglesias. Meanwhile, Valaika is joining his third organization since Oct. 30. The Orioles claimed Valaika off...

Wondering about Orioles' outfield alignment

Wondering about Orioles' outfield alignment
The days are dwindling until Orioles pitchers and catchers report, and the intrigue and curiosity are building as more storylines begin to develop. Others will surface with the front office continuing to explore the free agent and trade markets, but we're already off to a good start. The various competitions will provide copy, including the rotation, bullpen and bench. Someone is bound to get hurt, which requires daily updates and the hope that it's anything except a groin. And there's...