Orioles select Goudeau off waivers and outright Wynns

Orioles select Goudeau off waivers and outright Wynns
The Orioles made their first virtual Winter Meetings move this afternoon by claiming right-hander Ashton Goudeau off waivers from the Pirates and outrighting catcher Austin Wynns to Triple-A Norfolk. The 40-man roster still holds 38 players heading into Thursday's Rule 5 draft. Goudeau, 28, made his major league debut this summer with the Rockies. He allowed seven runs and 15 hits in four relief appearances covering 8 1/3 innings. The Royals selected Goudeau in the 27th round of the 2012...

Reviewing the weekend's activity

Reviewing the weekend's activity
The past two days have been productive for the Orioles and media covering the team. An announcement was made Saturday afternoon on the signings of draft picks Jordan Westburg, their Competitive Balance Round A selection and the 30th overall pick, and outfielder Hudson Haskin, their second-rounder and the 39th overall. And yesterday brought confirmation on 44 of the 60 players who will be tossed in the pool for spring training 2.0. More players will be announced later in the week. The Orioles...

Checking the catching competition in Orioles camp

Checking the catching competition in Orioles camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are down to five catchers in spring training after the latest round of cuts. The group that held a realistic chance of making the team. None who have been waiting for the inevitable reassignment to minor league camp. Adley Rutschman and Martin Cervenka weren't jogging down the orange carpet on opening day and they knew it. Pedro Severino still appears to be a lock, but the backup job is up for grabs, with Chance Sisco holding favorite status upon reporting to the...

Orioles lineup vs. Rays

Orioles lineup vs. Rays
SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Hunter Harvey is making his exhibition debut today with the Orioles hosting the Rays. Harvey is recovered from his illness and threw a simulated game to pass his final test. Pat Valaika is playing shortstop today and Andrew Velazquez is the second baseman. Martin Cervenka is the designated hitter. Chris Davis is batting third and playing first base and Renato Núñez is getting another start at third base. Chance Sisco is catching Asher Wojciechowski. Available...

Injury updates, utility competition, Harvey and Cervenka

Injury updates, utility competition, Harvey and Cervenka
BRADENTON, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde broke out a sheet of paper this morning with the list of players who are recovering from injuries and illnesses and the next stages of their individual progressions. Too many names and tasks to memorize with so many other activities happening at the complex. Hunter Harvey, who's been able to shake his flu-like symptoms, threw a simulated game today in Sarasota. Kohl Stewart (biceps) and Alex Wells (oblique) are throwing in the bullpen Saturday....

Wynns on Rule 5 picks: "They have great big league stuff"

Wynns on Rule 5 picks: "They have great big league stuff"
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Internet makes pitching statistics easily accessible to the public and there are multiple sites offering full scouting reports. Video can be found in only a couple of keystrokes. It's reached the point where leaving your couch no longer is a prerequisite. Then there are those opportunities to hang out at a catcher's locker and pick his brain. Still one of my favorite activities, and especially in spring training with so many arms in camp. Austin Wynns turned 29 in...

Spring training leftovers for breakfast

Spring training leftovers for breakfast
SARASOTA, Fla. - The snapshots from yesterday morning's media clubhouse availability included No. 1 prospect Adley Rutschman locked into separate conversations with catchers Bryan Holaday and Taylor Davis. Always a smile on his face. Appearing to be comfortable in his new surroundings. No one treating him like a hotshot superstar fresh out of college who doesn't belong here. The lockers on catchers row are occupied, in order, by Chance Sisco, Austin Wynns, Pedro Severino, Davis, Holaday,...

What to expect at spring training

What to expect at spring training
Pitchers and catchers are reporting to the Orioles' spring training complex in exactly one week. The first full-squad workout is Feb. 17. I've been asked about leaving for "spring break" since December. There's a difference, including how you won't find me dancing poolside on MTV. It isn't all fun and exhibition games. It actually qualifies as work - with only one day off in six weeks - but the sunshine kills the pity factor. I won't be penning a love letter to Sarasota because it...

More on Rodgers and Davis signings and Elias in Delmarva

More on Rodgers and Davis signings and Elias in Delmarva
Does the signing of right-hander Brady Rodgers to a minor league deal end the Orioles' search for starting pitching? The short answer is "no." The longer answer is "definitely no." Rodgers, 29, is one of those depth moves that flood the offseason transactions wire. He's going to be invited to spring training, just like the majority of the players signed to minor league deals. But the Orioles would like to land a veteran and are willing to offer a major league contract. The money has to be...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Before the Orioles could sign pitcher Kohl Stewart and give him a shot at their rotation in 2020, he had to choose which sport to play after high school and attempt to make it a career. Stewart was an Under Armour All-American quarterback in high school who earned a football scholarship to Texas A&M. The Twins made him the fourth overall selection in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft and gave him a $4.5 million bonus. Decision made. "When I was an 18-year-old kid, it was a tough call just...

Because You Asked - The Final Destination

Because You Asked - The Final Destination
The Orioles have removed a lot of the uncertainty that hung in the air after their final game of the season. However, there are questions that always linger like the aroma of a hard-boiled egg. And that's no yolk. This is why mailbags exists. This is why I continue to do sequels to the original. I don't have all the answers, but I'll keep pretending. Forgive the snark. What's your ideal rotation for the Orioles? Palmer, McNally, Dobson and Cuellar. Trying this again, what's your ideal...

Which minor league signings could vie for jobs in camp?

Which minor league signings could vie for jobs in camp?
The batches of minor league signings that are completed throughout the offseason are aimed to increase depth and competition in the organization. Very little to get fans excited, but a necessity that unfolds all over baseball. The winners and the rebuilders. No one is immune. The Orioles announced a dozen names yesterday, including nine who are returning after a brief dalliance with free agency. Mason Williams was an early target after refusing his outright assignment and he's back to compete...

Mason Williams among 12 players signed to minors deals

Mason Williams among 12 players signed to minors deals
With center field depth an offseason priority for the Orioles, they agreed to terms with Mason Williams on a minor league contract that's certain to include an invitation to spring training in February. Williams is included among a dozen names tweeted earlier today by the club. And he's arguably the most important given the position and impression he made at Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles also agreed to terms with pitchers Cristian Alvarado, Hunter Cervenka, Francisco Jiménez and Rob...

Taking another look at Orioles' roster needs

Taking another look at Orioles' roster needs
As the Orioles move through another month of their offseason and draw closer to the start of the Winter Meetings on Dec. 9, they haven't ventured far from predictability. This team needs at least one starting pitcher and reliever to improve their depth and allow their prospects to develop at the proper pace without being rushed. They're willing to talk trades and one-year deals and delve into the minor league free agent market. Nothing splashy. Nothing that deviates from the previous...

Catching up on the Orioles' catching situation

Catching up on the Orioles' catching situation
The five questions that I posed about the Orioles last week were just a launching point. We can't stop at Chris Davis, the Rule 5 draft, protected players, non-tender candidates and the shortstop position. Let's move behind the plate. Without the risk of taking a foul ball off the groin. Do the Orioles bring in another veteran catcher? They signed Jesús Sucre as a free agent on Feb. 5, finally got him into camp after some work visa issues in Venezuela and brought him north. He didn't make...

Wynns caught in logjam behind plate

Wynns caught in logjam behind plate
Another game passed last night with Austin Wynns unable to swing the bat beyond the usual cage work. He's healthy and he's ready, but the life of a third catcher on an expanded September roster can be filled with idle time. There's the fast lane and then the cell phone lot. Wynns hasn't received a plate appearance with the Orioles since Game 1 of a June 1 doubleheader against the Giants. He caught an inning on July 19, two in the nightcap of Tuesday's doubleheader and one last night after...

Updating injuries, Sisco's slump, Tate's relief and more (O's down 4-2)

Updating injuries, Sisco's slump, Tate's relief and more (O's down 4-2)
The Orioles are down to one healthy reserve tonight, their short bench reduced further after Stevie Wilkerson and Hanser Alberto took foul balls last night off the right knee and left shin, respectively. José Rondón needs to avoid injury tonight or the Orioles are in a major bind. Wilkerson said the knee feels "OK," which isn't a ringing endorsement. "It's pretty sore, as expected, but I think if they need me tonight I could go in there and play. I think over the next couple of days...

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...

McCoy making major impression

McCoy making major impression
The Orioles prospect talk doesn't usually bring infielder Mason McCoy into the conversation. Pitching is the area that warrants the most attention, and fans are waiting for first baseman Ryan Mountcastle and outfielders Austin Hays and Yusniel Diaz to be thrust into the rebuild. Catcher Chance Sisco made it back and DJ Stewart got the call before landing on the injured list with a sprained ankle. There aren't many cries for McCoy, 24, but I sense that there's been gradual notice. McCoy is...

Talking homers allowed with a catcher, plus farm notes

Talking homers allowed with a catcher, plus farm notes
Whenever an Orioles pitcher gives up a homer - and they've allowed the most in the majors this year - there is always a catcher on the other end waiting for a pitch that never gets to his mitt. The catcher can be just as frustrated as anyone that the pitch went out and Pedro Severino has been there, done that this year for the Orioles. "We all feel really bad because we don't want to miss (the location of) pitches," he told me recently. "This is the big leagues man, we are making mistakes...