O's adjust rotation for Sunday and other notes (O's win 8-1)

O's adjust rotation for Sunday and other notes (O's win 8-1)
TORONTO - The Orioles have made an adjustment to their rotation for the final game before the All-Star break. Gabriel Ynoa was originally listed as the starter and while he is staying in the rotation, right-hander Asher Wojciechowski will get the start on Sunday against Toronto. "He's on regular rest and we kind of want to see him again," manager Brandon Hyde said today. "Got a lot of stuff after the break, the doubleheader and some others things. So just taking another look at him. Ynoa is...

Orioles recall David Hess

Orioles recall David Hess
The latest shuffling in the Orioles bullpen has slid David Hess back to the majors. The Orioles recalled Hess from Triple-A Norfolk this morning. He replaced Josh Lucas, who was optioned after last night's 4-1 win in Toronto. Manager Brandon Hyde will explain to the media at Rogers Centre how he envisions using Hess, but it's likely to be in long relief and other in-game spots, rather than in the rotation. Hess was moved to the bullpen and then optioned to Norfolk on June 16. He kept pitching...

Will Cashner continue with Orioles?

Will Cashner continue with Orioles?
Andrew Cashner is making his final start today before the All-Star break and it's interesting to consider whether there's another countdown to his last days with the Orioles. Not the last guaranteed year on his contract. His status as trade chip, perhaps the biggest on the club. Trey Mancini would rank first if we could determine his availability. The Orioles certainly would move Cashner, though creating another hole in the rotation might turn some stomachs queasy. Who's deserving of the...

Closer look at Orioles' roster usage

Closer look at Orioles' roster usage
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles made it through last night's game without calling upon a 47th different player. They managed to get by with the current group, covering nine innings and heading to Toronto for the final series before the All-Star break. Are 46 players a lot over the course of a season? How about in the first half? Spoiler alert: The first-half number is a club record. So, yes, it's a lot. Consider that the Orioles' record for a season is 56, set last year as they began to...

Santander's catch, Wojciechowski's start and Davis' home run

Santander's catch, Wojciechowski's start and Davis' home run
The play tends to get lost in a game where the Orioles again fall on the wrong side of the score. A catch that's marked in the book as exceptional and is minimized later because it didn't influence the outcome. Manager Brandon Hyde will remember it. So will first base coach Arnie Beyeler, who also serves as the outfield instructor. Anthony Santander charged Kevin Kiermaier's sinking liner last night with two outs in the fourth and made a diving grab, his belly flop getting starter Asher...

Wojciechowski goes 5 1/3 innings in 6-3 loss (updated)

Wojciechowski goes 5 1/3 innings in 6-3 loss (updated)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles have an opportunity to relax their rotation following tonight's 6-3 loss to the Rays. The next four starters are known and already with the team. No one is coming up from the minors or outside the organization. Asher Wojciechowski made his debut with the club tonight and worked into the sixth inning. He walked off the mound just as uncertain about his immediate future. Does he get the ball again after the break or is he headed to Triple-A Norfolk? Tom...

Hyde on Lucas, Kline, Wojciechowski and more (O's lose 6-3)

Hyde on Lucas, Kline, Wojciechowski and more (O's lose 6-3)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The bullpen has changed again for the Orioles tonight with Josh Lucas activated from the injured list and Branden Kline optioned last night to Triple-A Norfolk. There's less shuffling in a casino. Lucas hasn't pitched since working three innings on June 13 and trying to ignore the tightness in his shoulder. He didn't require an injury-rehab assignment. It isn't unprecedented, of course. Others have returned without joining an affiliate, including first baseman Chris...

Orioles lineup vs. Rays

Orioles lineup vs. Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Chris Davis is playing first base tonight and Trey Mancini is the designated hitter as the Orioles continue their series against the Rays. Chance Sisco is catching and batting cleanup. Anthony Santander is in right field. Stevie Wilkerson is the center fielder. Asher Wojciechowski makes his Orioles debut tonight. Right-hander Charlie Morton was named to the All-Star team after going 8-2 with a 2.43 ERA and 1.050 WHIP in 100 innings. He's allowed only seven home runs in...

Orioles select Wojciechowski contract, activate Lucas

Orioles select Wojciechowski contract, activate Lucas
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles no longer have Asher Wojciechowski on their taxi squad. He's in the rotation. Wojciechowski will become the 14th pitcher to start for the Orioles this season when he takes the ball tonight against the Rays at Tropicana Field. His contract was selected from Triple-A Norfolk after he joined the team yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla. Pitcher Matt Wotherspoon has been designated for assignment again to make room for Wojciechowski on the 40-man roster. The Orioles...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are poised to begin announcing a batch of international signings today as they move into a new era for the organization and try to gain ground on teams that have been doing this for a lot longer. The spectators are becoming serious participants. You won't recognize them. The total impact won't be felt overnight, but the July 2 market opening signals a brand new philosophy that actually had been revealed during last summer's trade deadline activity under...

Bundy pushed back in Orioles rotation (O's down 6-3)

Bundy pushed back in Orioles rotation (O's down 6-3)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are making another adjustment to their rotation that involves Dylan Bundy, but isn't due to an injury or other physical issue. Manager Brandon Hyde explained this afternoon that he wants Bundy to start the series opener Friday night in Toronto and be on the mound immediately after the break July 12 against the Rays at Camden Yards. The latest tweaking is tied in part to rookie John Means being the Orioles representative in the All-Star Game in Cleveland. A...

Wojciechowski joins Orioles at Tropicana Field

Wojciechowski joins Orioles at Tropicana Field
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles assigned right-hander Asher Wojciechowski to Triple-A Norfolk after today's trade with the Indians, but he never made it. Wojciechowski is in the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field, with the Orioles placing him on the 24-hour taxi squad. Dylan Bundy has been scratched from Tuesday's start against the Rays and Wojciechowski apparently is with the Orioles in case a roster move is necessary. Bundy also is in the clubhouse and manager Brandon Hyde will...

O's call up Eshelman, scratch Bundy, acquire Wojciechowski

O's call up Eshelman, scratch Bundy, acquire Wojciechowski
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are ready to name their starting pitcher for tonight's game against the Rays. Tom Eshelman had his contract selected today and is going to open the series at Tropicana Field in his major league debut. He's also going to become the 45th player used by the Orioles this season. In order to make room for Eshelman on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have moved left-hander Josh Rogers to the 60-day injured list. They optioned left-hander Tanner Scott to Norfolk...

Wojciechowski and Melville reassigned, another Britton update

Wojciechowski and Melville reassigned, another Britton update
DUNEDIN, Fla. - The Orioles have reduced their camp roster to 49 players this morning by reassigning right-handers Tim Melville and Asher Wojciechowski to the minor league complex. Melville allowed two runs and four hits yesterday in 1 1/3 innings after two scoreless appearances covering four frames. Wojciechowski also pitched yesterday against the Blue Jays and surrendered two runs and four hits in two innings. He allowed four runs and 12 hits over 6 2/3 innings in his three outings. Neither...

Bundy allows five runs in two innings (with quotes, O's up 10-7)

Bundy allows five runs in two innings (with quotes, O's up 10-7)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dylan Bundy filled the strike zone in the first inning and the bases in the second. The result was another outing that produced an ugly pitching line. The Pirates scored four runs off Bundy in the second inning to take a 4-1 lead, a powerful counterpunch following Manny Machado's RBI double in the bottom of the first. Colin Moran had an RBI double in the third and Bundy was charged with five runs and seven hits in 2 1/3 innings. Colby Rasmus homered to center field leading off...

Orioles announce five more minor league signings

Orioles announce five more minor league signings
The Orioles aren't done handing out minor league deals. And they're certainly not done addressing the pitching depth in their system. Another wave of signings were announced today with right-handers Christian Binford, Perci Garner and Asher Wojciechowski, and left-handers Jason Gurka and Luis Lugo. The Garner news broke late last night, with confirmation coming via the pitcher and his agency. Gurka, 29, is back with the organization that drafted him in the 15th round in 2008 from Angelina...