Davis back on bench for latest reset

Davis back on bench for latest reset
DENVER - Chris Davis' name was missing from the Orioles lineup in last night's series opener against the Rockies and his removal versus a right-handed starter, in this case Jeff Hoffman, serves as a sharp indicator that another reset is underway. Davis also expects to sit tonight with the Rockies sending left-hander Kyle Freeland to the mound. But he won't be idle, his work continuing with hitting coach Don Long as they try to find a solution. Manager Brandon Hyde put Trey Mancini at first...

More on the process of finding a new manager

More on the process of finding a new manager
If you've been trying to pry a list of Orioles managerial candidates from family, friends or beat writers, do yourself a favor and forget about it. There's an order here and it begins with the hiring of a replacement for executive vice president Dan Duquette, with the title to be determined. I've heard more than once that the new hire will compile the list of candidates to replace manager Buck Showalter. He or she will choose the successor. He or she won't be overruled. So, until we know...

No game leaves Orioles with more time to figure out roster

No game leaves Orioles with more time to figure out roster
The Orioles won't play a game today, but they've got a lot of roster maneuvering to consider before the Phillies come to town. Joey Rickard was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk before Sunday's game to give the Orioles another right-handed bat against Rays southpaw Blake Snell, who's murder on left-handed hitters. And to finally let Anthony Santander, shed of his Rule 5 status, continue his development in the minors. Losing the switch-hitting Santander for Rickard causes the Orioles to tilt...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
From a personal standpoint, Manny Machado is riding the highest professional wave right now. He's red-hot at the plate with a 10-game hitting streak and three multi-home run games this season. He's hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games. Machado has posted a .410 average (16-for-39) during his streak with five home runs, 11 RBIs and eight runs scored. According to STATS, Machado is tied for sixth all-time in multi-homer games by a right-handed hitter 25 years old or younger. Jimmie Foxx, Bob...

Michael Saunders signs minor league deal with Orioles

Michael Saunders signs minor league deal with Orioles
With previous interest in Michael Saunders carrying over to spring training, the Orioles finally landed the veteran outfielder today by reaching agreement on a minor league contract. Saunders, 31, will report to Triple-A Norfolk. He can earn $1.5 million guaranteed if he reaches the majors. The Orioles negotiated with Saunders' agent at the 2016 Winter Meetings and kept him on their board this spring while searching for another left-handed hitting outfielder. They already traded for Jaycob...

Reflections on spring training as Orioles break camp

Reflections on spring training as Orioles break camp
Minor league signings in November tend to be forgotten as spring training nears its conclusion. They provide copy during the offseason's dead zone. Players given generous amounts of space on websites and in newspapers are footnotes later as camp cuts are announced. There are exceptions, of course, which brings us to left-handed relievers Joely Rodriguez and Josh Edgin. I've covered past spring trainings when the decision to take guys of this caliber north would be a no-brainer. The Orioles...

Orioles announce more roster cuts

Orioles announce more roster cuts
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Orioles have reduced their camp roster to 55 today with five more cuts. Pitchers Stefan Crichton, Michael Kelly and Yefry Ramirez have been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, and left-hander Andrew Faulkner and outfielder Jaycob Brugman have been reassigned to minor league camp. The yearly reminder that players on the 40-man roster are optioned and non-roster players are reassigned. Also, the assignments to Norfolk can be adjusted later, with Double-A Bowie always a...

Cortes allows one run in two innings - again (O's win 5-2)

Cortes allows one run in two innings - again (O's win 5-2)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The battle for the fifth spot in the rotation won't be decided until much later this month, with the possibility still alive that the Orioles sign another starter. In the meantime, Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. can only state his own case and try to gain the trust of the organization's decision-makers. Cortes allowed one run over two innings for the second time in two starts, with a home run by Tampa Bay's Jesús Sucre tying the game 1-1. He labored in the second...

Pregame notes on Gausman, Cashner, Hays and more (tied 1-1)

Pregame notes on Gausman, Cashner, Hays and more (tied 1-1)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Kevin Gausman will make his next start Saturday afternoon against the Phillies in Clearwater. No need to push him back following the home plate collision in his debut. "He's good, ready to go," said manager Buck Showalter. "We got lucky there." Andrew Cashner impressed observers during today's two-inning simulated game in Sarasota. Cashner faced Mark Trumbo, Tim Beckham and Craig Gentry and he shattered a couple of bats. "Got some firewood for tonight," Showalter...

Orioles and Rays lineups

Orioles and Rays lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - Pedro Álvarez is making his first start today since rejoining the Orioles, playing first base against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Jaycob Brugman is in left field and Éngelb Vielma is playing shortstop. For the Orioles Alex Presley RF Joey Rickard CF Anthony Santander DH Pedro Álvarez 1B Ryan Mountcastle 3B Jaycob Brugman LF Luis Sardiñas 2B Chance Sisco CÉngelb Vielma SS Nestor Cortes Jr. LHP For the Rays Denard Span CF Mallex Smith LF C.J. Cron 1B Jake Bauers...

Updating MRIs on Chris Lee and Austin Hays (plus more notes)

Updating MRIs on Chris Lee and Austin Hays (plus more notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - An MRI administered this morning confirmed that Orioles left-hander Chris Lee sustained an injury to his right oblique muscle and he's expected to be sidelined at least four weeks. Lee wasn't expected to break camp with the team, but the injury totally eliminates the possibility. The MRI on Austin Hays was more favorable. Hays has some inflammation behind his right shoulder, but he could be available to hit. The Orioles will prevent him from throwing for about three days,...

Orioles lineup vs. Cardinals

Orioles lineup vs. Cardinals
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles reliever Darren O'Day will make his spring debut in today's 1:05 p.m. game against the Cardinals at Ed Smith Stadium. Pedro Álvarez is listed among a group of reserves that also includes outfielder Jaycob Brugman, catcher Andrew Susac and infielder Éngelb Vielma. Outfielder Austin Hays is counted, too, though he was scheduled to receive an MRI today on his right shoulder/lat. Colby Rasmus is leading off and playing right field. Tim Beckham is batting...

Gentry sidelined with hamstring injury (and other notes)

Gentry sidelined with hamstring injury (and other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Veteran outfielder Craig Gentry injured his hamstring yesterday in Fort Myers and his return isn't imminent. "Could be a little issue for us for a little while, I think," said manager Buck Showalter. "We took him out yesterday. He told the trainer he kind of felt it tighten a little bit on the ball he dove for in center field, and the last time he ran the bases, same thing, so we got him out there an inning earlier. He's got some soreness today, so it might be a little...

Álvarez signing official, upcoming pitchers, Brugman's return

Álvarez signing official, upcoming pitchers, Brugman's return
SARASOTA, Fla. - Pedro Álvarez has passed his physical and signed his minor league contract with the Orioles. Álvarez is guaranteed $1 million if he returns to the majors and can make an additional $3 million based on incentives for plate appearances. Today's signing marks the third year in a row that the Orioles have brought Álvarez to camp - the last two on minor league contracts. He batted .313/.353/.438 with one home run in 14 games after a September call-up. Hunter Harvey makes...

Orioles agree to terms with Pedro Álvarez on minor league deal

Orioles agree to terms with Pedro Álvarez on minor league deal
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are bringing back Pedro Álvarez. Again. Álvarez has agreed to terms on a minor league contract with an invitation to major league camp, according to a source. No word on whether he's reporting today, but the club is setting up a locker for him in the main clubhouse. This is the third year in a row that the Orioles have signed Álvarez, the last two on minor league deals. However, today marks the first time that they reached an agreement before...

Notes on Brugman, Ynoa and Hays

Notes on Brugman, Ynoa and Hays
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles continue to hold a locker for outfielder Jaycob Brugman inside their clubhouse at the Ed Smith Stadium complex and a team official said they should know his status "in the next day or so." Brugman was designated for assignment on Wednesday to create a spot for starter Chris Tillman on the 40-man roster, a surprising move considering the need for left-handed hitting outfielders and the presence of 37 pitchers in camp. Colby Rasmus and Alex Presley have signed minor...

Tillman: "It feels good to finally be able to join the team"

Tillman: "It feels good to finally be able to join the team"
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman no longer will be a spectator in spring training. Hidden behind the walls of the Ed Smith Stadium complex while negotiations continued on a new contract, Tillman is free to join the workouts and prepare to join a rotation that's added two starters in less than a week. "It is a relief," he said this morning while standing outside an entrance to the clubhouse. "I've been stuck inside looking out the windows for the last three days, so it feels good to finally...

Orioles announce Chris Tillman signing

Orioles announce Chris Tillman signing
SARASOTA, Fla. - The deal is official. Chris Tillman is coming back to the Orioles for the 2018 season, a match that made sense since the early days of free agency. Tillman passed his physical and signed his one-year contract worth a guaranteed $3 million. Incentives can push it to $10 million. There was a delay in the Orioles getting the necessary paperwork, which forced Tillman to miss yesterday's workout. The delay carried through the night. But nothing that threatened to nix the...

Orioles sign Alex Presley to minor league deal

Orioles sign Alex Presley to minor league deal
SARASOTA, Fla. - With a left-handed hitting outfielder on their shopping list and the first full-squad workout held later today, the Orioles announced that they've signed veteran Alex Presley to a minor league deal and invited him to camp. The Orioles have 62 players at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Presley is a career .263/.306/.388 hitter in eight major league seasons with the Pirates, Twins, Astros, Brewers and Tigers. He appeared in 71 games with the Tigers last season and batted...

Highlights from the first day of workouts (with video)

Highlights from the first day of workouts (with video)
SARASOTA, Fla. - With 35 pitchers in camp, the Orioles offered a heavy dose of bullpen sessions this afternoon on the first day of workouts. The group consisted of Dylan Bundy, Jayson Aquino, Jhan Mariñez, Donnie Hart, Richard Bleier, Miguel Castro, Nestor Cortes Jr., Jeff Ferrell, Stefan Crichton, Jimmy Yacabonis, Eddie Gamboa, Jason Gurka, Hunter Harvey, Joely Rodríguez, David Hess and Pedro Araujo. Michael Kelly stepped on the mound but didn't stay long. Manager Buck Showalter joked...