Checking on Orioles minor leaguers who became free agents

Checking on Orioles minor leaguers who became free agents
The current offseason for the Orioles may not seem typical with hires pending in the front office, no manager in place and promises to revamp the entire scouting operation. This isn't business as usual across the board. However, there are certain tasks that await the club and aren't influenced by other circumstances. Building up minor league depth is one of the priorities. Trying to find hidden and inexpensive gems. The Orioles also might try to keep a few of their own. The list of Orioles...

O's game blog: Andrew Cashner scheduled to face Detroit in Game 2

O's game blog: Andrew Cashner scheduled to face Detroit in Game 2
After Chris Tillman's gem last night and a 6-0 win, the Orioles (7-19) host the Detroit Tigers (10-14) tonight in the second game of a weekend series. Tonight's game will not start on time. At around 6:30 p.m. the Orioles annouced a delayed start due to inclement weather. No start time has been announced. Update: Now we do have a start time. The Orioles announced tonight's game will start at approximately 7:30. Last night's win, as Tillman allowed one hit over seven scoreless, snapped...

Orioles acquire left-hander Luis Ysla from Dodgers

Orioles acquire left-hander Luis Ysla from Dodgers
It's been a busy transactional day for the Orioles before they open a three-game series in Houston. Already making two earlier moves involving outfielder Michael Saunders and pitcher Stefan Crichton, the Orioles announced early this evening that they acquired left-hander Luis Ysla from the Dodgers for pitcher Jesus Liranzo and assigned him to Double-A Bowie. Ysla, 25, went a combined 1-5 with a 5.28 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in 36 relief appearances at Double-A Portland and Tulsa. He walked 39 batters...

Orioles trade Stefan Crichton to Diamondbacks

Orioles trade Stefan Crichton to Diamondbacks
After designating four pitchers for assignment in order to create room on the 40-man roster prior to opening day, the Orioles have found closure with one of them by orchestrating a trade. Right-hander Stefan Crichton has been dealt to the Diamondbacks for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Crichton was optioned to Triple-A Reno. Crichton, 26, rode the shuttle hard between the majors and Triple-A Norfolk last summer, having six stints with the Orioles, and posted an 8.03 ERA and...

Showalter on roster moves, Davis leading off and more

Showalter on roster moves, Davis leading off and more
The Orioles set their 25-man roster today shortly before the noon deadline and the moves included the removals of pitchers Alec Asher, Stefan Crichton, Michael Kelly and Jesus Liranzo from the 40-man roster to accommodate Colby Rasmus, Danny Valencia, Pedro Álvarez and Craig Gentry. Four pitchers for four position players. "Our hope is that they clear and put them back in the system," said manager Buck Showalter. "If not them, then who? I know there was a lot of discussion back and forth....

Taking a guess at the minor league pitching rotations

Taking a guess at the minor league pitching rotations
SARASOTA, Fla. - On Friday we took a shot at projecting the rotation for Single-A Delmarva. It seems the Orioles have discussed using seven pitchers as starters with the Shorebirds. They would pitch as part of a five- or six-man rotation. The seven that we could see in Salisbury include include 2017 top draft pick left-hander DL Hall along with fellow 2017 picks Zac Lowther, Michael Baumann and Cameron Bishop. They would be joined by 2016 draft picks Matthias Dietz and Brenan Hanifee and 2015...

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...

Wrapping up a 7-1 loss

Wrapping up a 7-1 loss
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Kevin Gausman will have to play spring training stopper on Monday. The Orioles are winless in four exhibition games following today's 7-1 loss to the Red Sox at JetBlue Park. They stranded two runners in the top of the ninth and fell to 0-3-1. Remain calm. Erick Salcedo singled off the pseudo Green Monster in left field before Aderlin Rodriguez struck out to send everyone into Sunday afternoon traffic on Interstate 75. José Mesa Jr., one of the three Rule 5 pitchers in...

Colby Rasmus in Monday's starting lineup

Colby Rasmus in Monday's starting lineup
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Outfielder Colby Rasmus will make his Orioles debut Monday afternoon against the Tigers in Sarasota. Rasmus will play right field. "I had a good talk with him a couple days ago," said manager Buck Showalter. "I told him if he doesn't think so, I could wait until Wednesday, but that's what he wanted to do." Showalter views Rasmus as a platoon player at this point in camp. Rasmus is a career .211/.290/.366 hitter against left-handed pitching. "I think, looking at the...

Showalter on Tillman's side session, outfield defense (updated)

Showalter on Tillman's side session, outfield defense (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Colby Rasmus is taking his physical in Sarasota today and his minor league deal won't be announced until the Orioles have the results in hand. Update: The Orioles announced the deal. Rasmus increases the camp total to 63 players. Rasmus opened the 2017 season on the Rays disabled list following surgery on his left hip and he developed tendinitis in June. The Orioles must be convinced that his head is all right. The Rays placed Rasmus on the restricted list in July...

José Mesa viewed as starter in camp (and other notes)

José Mesa viewed as starter in camp (and other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 pick José Mesa will be used as a starter in camp instead of working out of the bullpen. The Orioles added him to the mix earlier today, with the right-hander joining Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, Mike Wright, Gabriel Ynoa, Miguel Castro, Hunter Harvey and Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. Mesa, son of the former Orioles pitcher of the same name, has made nine starts among his 78 minor league appearances in the Yankees system. He's gone 12-4 with a 2.86 ERA and 1.15 WHIP...

Sifting through spring training storylines

Sifting through spring training storylines
One more day until Orioles pitchers and catchers are required to post at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Fla. The first workout is held the following day. My first trip to Publix will come later this afternoon after my flight lands in Tampa, I hop into a rental car and make the hour drive to the hotel. I can do it with my eyes closed, but local authorities keep issuing warnings. The offseason began with the Orioles needing three starting pitchers to fill out their rotation and more if...

One pitcher looks for a strong first impression, another for a new role

One pitcher looks for a strong first impression, another for a new role
When spring training begins this week, 25-year-old right-hander Michael Kelly enters camp as an Orioles newcomer that adds some pitching depth to the roster. He would like to end camp as someone that makes a strong enough first impression to get a shot at some point this year on the major league roster. Kelly has yet to pitch in the majors. The Orioles signed him in December when he was a minor league free agent. But he got a major league contract and heads to camp as a member of the 40-man...

More on starting pitching and Richard Bleier's refusal to relax

More on starting pitching and Richard Bleier's refusal to relax
The Orioles never were in the running to sign free agent right-hander Yu Darvish, and the six-year, $126 million contract he landed yesterday from the Cubs justified their distance. They weren't going to spend so lavishly on a starting pitcher. The sides had no reason to be linked in any reports. The Cubs are using Darvish to replace Jake Arrieta, who also is expected to move beyond the Orioles' financial reach. It's already been speculated that teams like the Dodgers, Twins and Brewers...

Michael Kelly on rotation chance, Austin Hays on building on 2017

Michael Kelly on rotation chance, Austin Hays on building on 2017
Right-hander Michael Kelly was a minor league free agent this winter, but now he may have a major opportunity. Signed by the Orioles to a major league contract in December on the day of the Rule draft 5, the 25-year-old right-hander is among a handful of in-house rotation candidates. Kelly had other teams showing interest in December, but signed with the Orioles because, like the rest of us, he knew the club had - and still has - just two established pitchers in its rotation. "I truly like the...

A look at some in-house rotation candidates

A look at some in-house rotation candidates
The assumption seems to be that the Orioles may leave spring training with at least one in-house pitcher winning a job in their starting rotation come April. And yes, we all know they have just two starters set right now in Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy. You know what that means, right? If they had to play today, they might need gloves (and I don't mean baseball gloves) first of all, but also they also would need three in-house starters in addition to Gausman and Bundy. Let's take a look at a...

Duquette not expecting immediate resolution to Machado talks

Duquette not expecting immediate resolution to Machado talks
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The trade talks involving Orioles third baseman Manny Machado will carry into the weekend, according to executive vice president Dan Duquette, eliminating the opportunity for immediate closure and the outpouring of sentimentality, outrage or whatever emotion sweeps over the fan base. It figures to be intense in nature. The latest edition of the Winter Meetings have come to a conclusion and the Orioles leave the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort without making a...

Orioles select three players in Rule 5 and sign Michael Kelly

Orioles select three players in Rule 5 and sign Michael Kelly
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - While the Manny Machado rumors gain steam and the likelihood that he's traded, perhaps later this week, continues to grow, the Orioles extended their streak of selections in the Rule 5 draft. They obliterated the field today by making three picks before finally passing in the fourth round. They also signed right-hander Michael Kelly to a major league deal and will assign him to Triple-A Norfolk, leaving their 40-man roster at 38. Seeking a left-hander for their staff,...