More of this, that and the other

More of this, that and the other
Ryan Mountcastle is inching up the Rookie of the Year voting. Just in time to no longer qualify for the award next season. Mountcastle finished sixth in the American League, receiving two second-place votes and four third place. His 10 points left him one behind Guardians reliever Emmanuel Clase. The Rays' Randy Arozarena was first with 124 points, followed by the Astros' Luis Garcia (63), the Rays' Wander Franco (30) and the Rangers' Adolis García (27). The Rays' Shane McClanahan was...

Nuño's departure and more on Orioles minor league free agents

Nuño's departure and more on Orioles minor league free agents
Vidal Nuño didn't give us much of a chance to become attached to him. Left camp for 10 days to pitch in the World Baseball Classic, spent a small portion of the summer with the Orioles, became a minor league free agent and found a new team. Nuño has signed a minor league deal with the Rays, as first reported by Baseball America's Matt Eddy. He elected free agency last month, joining pitcher Logan Verrett, catcher Francisco Peña and second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Infielder Rubén...

Andrew Stetka: Hardy's absence will create a new look in O's infield

Andrew Stetka: Hardy's absence will create a new look in O's infield
With J.J. Hardy set to become the latest member of the Orioles to make a trip to the disabled list, parts are going to continue to move for the Birds. It's just the latest in a string of injuries that has recently included first baseman Chris Davis, along with the likes of Zach Britton and Darren O'Day out of the bullpen. Nothing new for the Orioles, but it could certainly spell new looks in the near and distant future. We don't know exactly how long Hardy's injury will keep him off the...

Welington Castillo goes on disabled list (O's lead 9-4)

Welington Castillo goes on disabled list (O's lead 9-4)
The Orioles have placed catcher Welington Castillo on the 10-day disabled list with a testicular injury and selected catcher Francisco Peña's contract from Triple-A Norfolk. The 40-man roster is full. Castillo spent much of last night in the emergency room after being hit in the groin by a pitch that first struck Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius and caromed. "Most of the times, the ones that are really a problem are the angle, when you get a different angle," manager Buck Showalter said...

Showalter on Flaherty, roster move, Castillo & more (O's down 3-1)

Showalter on Flaherty, roster move, Castillo & more (O's down 3-1)
The Orioles didn't adjust their bullpen and recall right-hander Tyler Wilson after he was scratched from last night's start with Triple-A Norfolk. They're sticking with the same seven pitchers. They couldn't stand pat in the infield. Ryan Flaherty's shoulder is barking again and he's on the 10-day disabled list. My guess is it's going to take longer than 10 days to get him back on the active roster. The strain is in the area of his lat and rotator cuff, which obviously causes discomfort...

Gausman struggles big in series opener (plus minor league results)

Gausman struggles big in series opener (plus minor league results)
Coming off a start at Toronto where he allowed just one run over six innings, the Orioles felt right-hander Kevin Gausman could get their series in Cincinnati off to a good pitching start. No one figured he'd give up more runs in 2 2/3 innings last night than he had allowed in his first three starts combined. But he did. Gausman tied his career-worst night, allowing eight runs while getting just eight outs in a 9-3 loss to the Reds. In his first three starts, he had given up seven runs over 16...

Roster moves and wrapping up the final day of camp

Roster moves and wrapping up the final day of camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles closed the Grapefruit League portion of their exhibition schedule with a 7-3 loss to the Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium, leaving them with a 16-14-2 record that holds little significance. What counts are the current and pending roster moves. Wade Miley goes on the disabled list, but he still can make the April 9 start on the day that he's eligible to return. Kevin Gausman will get two starts in that period because of the off-days. The Orioles could send Miley to...

Roster intrigue attaches itself to O's on final camp day (updated)

Roster intrigue attaches itself to O's on final camp day (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Anyone seeking clarity on the Orioles' opening day roster may have to wait until Sunday's workout at Camden Yards. Manager Buck Showalter likes to use the "moving parts" analogy and it really applies in the final days of spring training. The Orioles could put Wade Miley on the disabled list and carry three starters until the veteran left-hander is needed on April 9. This scenario remains in discussion. Trey Mancini's outstanding spring seems to have lined him up for a trip...

Rickard waiting for confirmation on roster spot

Rickard waiting for confirmation on roster spot
SARASOTA, Fla. - We wake up this morning with the Orioles' camp roster still technically at 38 players. There could be lots of cuts coming over the weekend, though more moves are possible today as the Orioles close out their Grapefruit League schedule with an afternoon game against the Tigers in Sarasota. The Orioles fly out on Friday morning, bound for Norfolk despite rain in the forecast. I say "technically" 38 because infielder Paul Janish already has been told that he's reassigned to...

Wrapping up a 15-6 loss (Tavárez on waivers)

Wrapping up a 15-6 loss (Tavárez on waivers)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter sensed that it was time to go home, and he knew it long before his team stumbled to a 15-6 loss to the Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. It got ugly in the sixth inning, when the Rays sent 15 batters to the plate and scored 12 runs off minor leaguers Jefri Hernandez and Brian Moran. A scoring change now tags Hernandez with six earned runs and one unearned and Moran with five earned. Shortstop J.J. Hardy committed his second error of the day in...

Wrapping up an 11-9 loss

Wrapping up an 11-9 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are down to 40 players in camp after reassigning catcher Chance Sisco. However, they may hold at that total today rather than make additional moves. Manager Buck Showalter said following today's 11-9 loss to the Red Sox - which came after Johnny Giavotella's leadoff home run in the ninth and catcher Dan Butler's throw to first base with two outs that picked off Robert Andino - that he's "trying" to pare down the roster, but there are multiple road...

Aquino allows one run in four innings (O's win 2-1)

Aquino allows one run in four innings (O's win 2-1)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 2, Blue Jays 1 Recap: Jayson Aquino allowed one run and three hits in four innings, with one walk, four strikeouts and a hit batter. He threw 63 pitches, 41 strikes. ... Ryan Flaherty tripled to center field with one out in the eighth and scored the go-ahead run on Cedric Mullins' sacrifice fly. ... Chris Johnson had a two-out RBI single in the first inning after Jays starter Francisco Liriano walked two batters and struck out two. ... Donnie Hart tossed a...

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...

Early notes on Tillman, Flaherty, Machado, Castillo and more

Early notes on Tillman, Flaherty, Machado, Castillo and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman will wait until next Sunday to begin long-tossing, his throws coming from a distance of 60 to 90 feet. The Orioles first scheduled Tillman to throw on Wednesday, but doctors want to give the cortisone injection a few more days to work. Manager Buck Showalter said there hasn't been a setback. Tillman will throw every other day once he's back on the field. Infielder Ryan Flaherty's shoulder is much better and he'll play in Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays...

Jiménez throws three scoreless innings (O's lead 1-0)

Jiménez throws three scoreless innings (O's lead 1-0)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Orioles were able to stretch out Ubaldo Jiménez today to three innings and 49 pitches. And Jiménez shortened the anxiety as the game progressed. Jiménez retired seven of the last eight Rays, allowing only an infield hit in that stretch. His scoreless outing was the second-most impressive start of the day, with Tampa Bay's Chris Archer retiring all nine Orioles he faced and striking out five. The Rays worked Jiménez for 21 pitches in the bottom of the...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - Joey Rickard is leading off today and playing left field and Craig Gentry is getting the start in right field, as the Red Sox make their first visit this spring to Ed Smith Stadium. Adam Jones is batting second. Manny Machado remains at shortstop before leaving for the World Baseball Classic and Robert Andino replaces Jonathan Schoop at second base. For the Orioles Joey Rickard LF Adam Jones CF Manny Machado SS Mark Trumbo DH Chris Davis 1B Welington Castillo C Chris Johnson 3B...

Janish on his return to Orioles (plus Yankees lineup)

Janish on his return to Orioles (plus Yankees lineup)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The locker is in the same spot. Only the number has changed. Paul Janish arrived too late to keep No. 15, which now belongs to infielder Robert Andino. But he's back in Orioles camp and trying again to earn a utility spot. The Orioles appeared to move on from Janish, 34, after signing Andino to a minor league deal, creating a possible Triple-A infield that includes Johnny Giavotella and Chris Johnson. But Janish agreed to terms Saturday and flew into Sarasota the following...

Wrapping up a 6-2 loss

Wrapping up a 6-2 loss
BRADENTON, Fla. - The Orioles will play their spring home opener on Sunday with a .500 record. The Pirates hit back-to-back home runs off Parker Bridwell in the bottom of the eighth inning and cruised to a 6-2 win at LECOM Park. The Orioles got a run back in the ninth on Robert Andino's fielder's choice grounder. The Pirates failed to turn a double play on three tries in the inning. Bridwell struck out the first two batters before an infield hit and Chris Bostick's two-run shot gave the...

Orioles sign Janish to minor league deal (updated with quote)

Orioles sign Janish to minor league deal (updated with quote)
BRADENTON, Fla. - The Orioles aren't done making roster moves in spring training or seeking ways to improve their infield depth. Veteran Paul Janish has signed a minor league deal that includes an invitation to spring training, returning him to the organization after it appeared that the Orioles have moved on from him. Janish, 34, has played in 14 games with the Orioles in each of the past two seasons. He batted .286/.278/.371 in 2015 and .194/.286/.226 in 2016. Manager Buck Showalter values...

Castillo's education, Jiménez's strikes and more

Castillo's education, Jiménez's strikes and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will find out later today whether their regulars can maintain the high standard set yesterday by their backups, Rule 5 picks and non-roster invitees. The mismatch on paper didn't play out in Lakeland, as the Orioles shut out the Tigers 2-0 in their exhibition opener. Hyun Soo Kim was the only projected starter in the lineup - at least against right-handers - but seven pitchers combined to blank the hosts and Johnny Giavotella collected three hits. Ryan Flaherty...