Wondering what's next for the roster

Wondering what's next for the roster
Orioles manager Buck Showalter hinted that a roster move could be made following yesterday's game or later today. No announcement was forthcoming after a 4-1 loss to the Phillies. It must be happening while the team is in Boston. The bullpen is housing three left-handers, which is unusual in a season when Richard Bleier often has been the lone guy. Tanner Scott rejoined him on May 9 while Darren O'Day went on the disabled list with a hyperextended right elbow. Donnie Hart was called up on...

Updates on O'Day, Sunday starter, Tillman and more (O's down 4-1)

Updates on O'Day, Sunday starter, Tillman and more (O's down 4-1)
Darren O'Day threw another bullpen session this morning and could come off the disable list as early as Friday afternoon in Boston. The Orioles passed along that the session "went well" and it will check how he responds on Thursday. O'Day is recovering from a hyperextended right elbow. He was eligible to return today. Miguel Castro and David Hess are candidates to start Sunday afternoon in Boston. Hess currently is scheduled to start Sunday for Triple-A Norfolk, so he'd be staying on...

Can the rotation lead an O's turnaround? (Plus farm notes)

Can the rotation lead an O's turnaround? (Plus farm notes)
If there was ever a good time for a rainout, maybe last night was it for the Orioles. They were scheduled to begin a three-game series with Tampa Bay but got washed out at Camden Yards. The Orioles are trying to reverse a 6-17 start that has seen them lose nine of 10 and 11 of their past 13 games. They are just 3-7 at home, where they've scored only 19 runs in 10 games. Maybe a day away will be beneficial. With a 2-1 loss to Cleveland Monday night, the Orioles ended a stretch in which they...

Orioles need to leave their troubles on the road

Orioles need to leave their troubles on the road
What's next for the Orioles besides a 10-game homestand that starts with four against the Indians and the task of preventing a losing streak from reaching seven? Included among the losses should be the "it's still early" narrative, because seasons have imploded well before the break. A sense of urgency isn't misplaced. This is an important series. No one is recommending wide-spread panic, but the Orioles need to get on a roll and cleanse themselves of this mess. A roster move apparently is...

Donnie Hart joining Orioles in Boston

Donnie Hart joining Orioles in Boston
The Orioles will add left-hander Donnie Hart to their bullpen for Friday night's game against the Red Sox. Hart is meeting up with the team in Boston and will join Richard Bleier as the only southpaw relief options for manager Buck Showalter. He basically is going to replace Nestor Cortes Jr., though it took a few other moves since the Orioles designated the Rule 5 pick for assignment. The Orioles will continue to have an open spot on their 40-man roster after choosing Hart, who's allowed one...

Waiting for the next reliever to join the Orioles

Waiting for the next reliever to join the Orioles
With the Orioles coming upon the second open date on their schedule, I feel supremely confident that their streak of roster moves will end at five days in a row. Unless, of course, they decide to announce the corresponding move for pitcher Yefry Ramirez, optioned last night to Triple-A Norfolk, instead of waiting until Friday. So much for supremely confident. I was blindsided yesterday by the decision to recall utility infielder Engelb Vielma, but it made sense considering that Hunter Harvey...

Orioles bullpen about to undergo more changes

Orioles bullpen about to undergo more changes
The Orioles might be able to complete their series against the Blue Jays tonight without creating another wave in their 25-man roster. It could be stagnant until their charter lands in Boston. There's going to be more movement with the Orioles carrying only one left-hander in their eight-man bullpen. A second southpaw needs to be inserted and manager Buck Showalter eventually wants to get back to a four-man bench. Hunter Harvey and Yefry Ramirez would appear to be short-termers, the Orioles...

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...

Showalter on roster moves, Beckham and more (O's win 6-5)

Showalter on roster moves, Beckham and more (O's win 6-5)
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The two roster cuts that are coming following today's game involve players in the Orioles lineup and it's probably safe to assume that outfielder Cedric Mullins and infielder Luis Sardiñas will be reassigned to minor league camp. Outfielder Alex Presley is exploring opportunities via the opt-out clause in his contract, which explains why he isn't on today's lineup card. He could double back to the organization and begin the season at Triple-A Norfolk. Presley is...

Rodriguez and Edgin reassigned to minor league camp

Rodriguez and Edgin reassigned to minor league camp
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Orioles made two more roster cuts before today's game against the Phillies while providing clarity to their rotation and bullpen Left-handed relievers Joely Rodriguez and Josh Edgin were reassigned to minor league camp despite outstanding work in spring training, which appears to signal that Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. has made the team. Cortes is starting today, but he seems ticketed for a long relief role behind five right-handed starters. Mike Wright Jr. and Miguel...

Bullpen won't provide many options for Orioles

Bullpen won't provide many options for Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Whatever combination of relievers makes up the Orioles bullpen on opening day, it's not going to offer much flexibility for manager Buck Showalter. The desire for an optionable 'pen has to be muted. Of the pitchers assured of breaking camp with the team, only Mychal Givens and left-hander Richard Bleier can be sent down and they aren't the typical candidates to ride the Triple-A shuttle. Brad Brach is out of options. Rule 5 picks Nestor Cortes Jr. and Pedro Araujo can't be...

Araujo makes Orioles roster (and other notes)

Araujo makes Orioles roster (and other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 reliever Pedro Araujo will head north with the Orioles and be part of their bullpen on opening day, news that came to him earlier today via bullpen mates Darren O'Day, Mychal Givens and Brad Brach. The smile on his face looks like it might have a shelf life of six months. Araujo allowed two runs and four hits in 8 2/3 innings, with only the Blue Jays scoring off him in a March 9 game. He walked two batters, struck out eight and kept gaining the organization's trust...

Beckham update and Orioles lineup

Beckham update and Orioles lineup
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles third baseman Tim Beckham said he expects to play again in Florida after leaving yesterday's game with tightness in his groin. Beckham was removed after homering in the bottom of the second inning, but he said it was done as a precaution. He actually tweaked the groin in the morning while stretching and felt it again while fielding a ground ball near the line in the top of the second. "It just tightened up on me and didn't want to make it worse than what it is," he...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
SARASOTA, Fla. - Because Alex Cobb won't be able to break camp with the Orioles, his signing this week doesn't do much to clear up the pitching picture as opening day approaches. A fifth starter is needed, same as before. It wasn't going to be José Mesa Jr., designated for assignment yesterday, and Hunter Harvey was more of a temptation than a realistic consideration. Does Cobb actually increase the chances of Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. making the club and staying with it? The Orioles...

Taking another look at camp competitions

Taking another look at camp competitions
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis built up his spring at-bats yesterday at Twin Lakes Park, where the spectators included executive vice president Dan Duquette, and he should remain in the lineup for tonight's game against the Rays in Sarasota. MASN is carrying it live, so pull up a sofa and enjoy baseball under the lights. The forecast is calling for rain, of course, because the Orioles are playing at home and we're nearing the start of the regular season. Left-hander Nestor...

Hart optioned, Showalter on backup catchers (O's down 5-1)

Hart optioned, Showalter on backup catchers (O's down 5-1)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles reduced the competition among left-handed relievers in camp this afternoon by optioning Donnie Hart to Triple-A Norfolk. Hart allowed three runs and 10 hits in eight innings, with three walks and 11 strikeouts. He appeared in 51 games with the Orioles last summer and was 2-0 with a 3.71 ERA and 1.397 WHIP in 43 2/3 innings. Joely Rodriguez and Josh Edgin are vying for a spot and their chances could be influenced by Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr., who might work out...

What's left for Orioles to consider in bullpen?

What's left for Orioles to consider in bullpen?
SARASOTA, Fla. - The composition of the Orioles bullpen on opening day hinges on a variety of factors. Which candidate for the fifth starter's job slips into a relief role? How many Rule 5 picks make the roster? How many left-handers will manager Buck Showalter choose to carry? Showalter doesn't appear to have a set number of southpaws in mind. "All scenarios are in play right now," he said. "If you look at an all right-handed rotation, the potential for that, then it's something that you...

Brach on bullpen, Britton's progress and more

Brach on bullpen, Britton's progress and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles return home today after two games on the East Coast to face the Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m. Mike Wright Jr. is on the mound and first baseman Chris Davis wants to be in the lineup. Manager Buck Showalter could make him wait until Sunday, also in Sarasota, but the return is coming. Reliever Brad Brach threw two innings Thursday afternoon against the Red Sox's Triple-A team at Twin Lakes Park, the first time he's gone more than one this spring. He didn't allow a run or...

Cortes still making his pitch for rotation spot

Cortes still making his pitch for rotation spot
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles clubhouse didn't have many occupants this morning with most of the team headed to Jupiter for today's game against the Cardinals. Chris Tillman and Brad Brach played table tennis, and Richard Bleier and Joely Rodriguez had the next game. Chris Davis made a brief appearance at his locker, but not long enough for two reporters to reach him. Andrew Cashner headed out to the field to play catch with Bleier. Zach Britton, Dylan Bundy, Donnie Hart, Mychal Givens, Mike...

Hart on his quest to make the club, O's negotiations with Lynn

Hart on his quest to make the club, O's negotiations with Lynn
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' spring training strikeout leader heading into yesterday's game was left-hander Donnie Hart, a reliever with five innings under his belt. He was scored upon in just his first outing. Surface stuff that presents an argument for his inclusion in the opening day bullpen. However, Hart still can be optioned to the minors and the Orioles continue to sort through their choices for left-handed relief beyond Richard Bleier. Rule 5 Nestor Cortes Jr. could be a bullpen...