Orioles replacing Alvarez in GCL (and other notes)

Orioles replacing Alvarez in GCL (and other notes)
With less than a week remaining until the start of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League season, the Orioles are in the process of naming a new pitching coach after removing Wilson Alvarez. I've heard that Wilson was let go Thursday after six seasons with the GCL team. Minor league pitching coordinator Chris Holt is in Sarasota as the temporary replacement for Alvarez until the new hire is announced. Former Orioles pitcher and bullpen coach Alan Mills is beginning his first season as manager at...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
NEW YORK - The last visit for Richard Bleier at Yankee Stadium came on July 31 after his follow-up exam in the city. He provided a post-surgery update to the media and watched more teammates get traded at the non-waiver deadline, saying his goodbyes to pitcher Kevin Gausman and second baseman Jonathan Schoop. No one knew whether Bleier would be back for opening day. Bleier had no idea. He could only follow the steps in his rehab and hope that the work and patience would get him on the 25-man...

Stewart and Hays working to get into outfield competition

Stewart and Hays working to get into outfield competition
While revealing at FanFest that finding more pitching is the top offseason roster priority for the Orioles, executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias didn't deny that the outfield, infield and catching position also could be addressed before opening day. The Orioles remain in an infield frenzy as they increase the competition for starting and utility jobs. They selected Richie Martin with the first pick in the Rule 5 draft and traded for Drew Jackson, who also must remain on the...

Orioles claim Jack Reinheimer off waivers

Orioles claim Jack Reinheimer off waivers
The Orioles keep building infield depth and increasing their options as they move through the offseason. The latest utility candidate arrived today in Jack Reinheimer, claimed off waivers from the Rangers. Pitcher Austin Brice was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Reinheimer, 26, was a fifth-round pick of the Mariners in 2013 out of East Carolina University who appeared in 21 games with the Mets last summer and went 5-for-30 with five walks and nine strikeouts. He was...

Eighteen non-roster players invited to Orioles spring training

Eighteen non-roster players invited to Orioles spring training
The Orioles are inviting 18 non-roster players to spring training, with the possibility of further additions depending on other moves that could be made before pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 12. The group of invites includes eight pitchers - right-handers Dean Kremer, Gregory Infante, Gabriel Ynoa, Zach Pop, Josh Lucas and Bo Schultz, and left-handers Chris Lee and Sean Gilmartin. Also receiving lockers at the Ed Smith Stadium complex are catchers Martin Cervenka, Carlos Pérez and...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
As the Orioles continue making their final preparations for this weekend's FanFest event at the Baltimore Convention Center, they're also nearing the announcements on their major league and minor league coaching staffs and their non-roster invitees to spring training. One domino falls and others will tumble. The list of invitees could include infielders Ryan Mountcastle, Jace Peterson, Engelb Vielma, Sean Miller and Zach Vincej, outfielders Ryan McKenna, Yusniel Díaz and Christopher...

Orioles claim Austin Brice off waivers and DFA Breyvic Valera

Orioles claim Austin Brice off waivers and DFA Breyvic Valera
The Orioles have added a right-handed reliever to their 40-man roster while subtracting a player who was set up to compete for a utility job in spring training. Austin Brice has been claimed off waivers from the Angels, with infielder Breyvic Valera designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Brice, 26, is 2-4 with a 5.68 ERA and 1.262 WHIP in 70 relief appearances over the past three seasons. He registered a 5.79 ERA and 1.393 WHIP in 33 games with the Reds over the summer before the...

Orioles outright Vielma

Orioles outright Vielma
Elgelb Vielma might actually stick with one organization before spring training. The Orioles outrighted Vielma to Triple-A Norfolk this morning after designating him for assignment on Tuesday to create an opening for pitcher Dillon Tate on the 40-man roster. Tate's contract was purchased from Double-A Bowie to protect him in the Rule 5 draft that's going to be held on Dec. 13 at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. Engelb cleared waivers, a departure from his odyssey last offseason. The Giants...

Questions about Beckham, Joseph, Villar, pitching and 40-man

Questions about Beckham, Joseph, Villar, pitching and 40-man
The Orioles have moved back into the slow lane while navigating through the Thanksgiving holiday. They hired Sig Mejdal as an assistant to executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, which shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone. They selected pitcher Dillon Tate's contract from Double-A Bowie, which shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone. They signed four players to minor league contracts, including infielder Jace Peterson, which might have surprised some people. I...

Peterson returns to Orioles on minor league deal

Peterson returns to Orioles on minor league deal
The utility competition in Orioles camp next spring is going to include veteran Jace Peterson. The Orioles have re-signed Peterson to a minor league deal, according to an industry source, and he's likely to receive an invitation to spring training. Peterson was arbitration-eligible, cleared outright waivers earlier this month and elected free agency. The club has wanted to keep him in the organization, though there was an element of uncertainty attached due to the pending hire of a head of...

Orioles put Tate on 40-man roster and DFA Vielma

Orioles put Tate on 40-man roster and DFA Vielma
The Orioles have adjusted their 40-man roster in preparation for the Rule 5 draft, which will be held on Dec. 13 on the final day of the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. Pitcher Dillon Tate was placed on the 40-man today, his contract selected from Double-A Bowie, to prohibit teams from taking him. With the roster already full, the Orioles created room by designating infielder Engelb Vielma for assignment. Another spot must be opened later to allow the Orioles to make a selection, which is...

Notes on rotation, Cervenka, tonight's game and more

Notes on rotation, Cervenka, tonight's game and more
While the Orioles were deciding to start Evan Phillips last night and monitoring the weather in case their rotation plans had to be altered again, they had John Means and Dillon Tate throwing side sessions down in Sarasota to remain options for Wednesday night. Lots of balls in the air, lots of moving parts. "We've got that well underway," said manager Buck Showalter. "Trying to make sure that we're covered there." Means and Tate must be protected in the Rule 5 draft and eventually will...

Orioles injury updates

Orioles injury updates
Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop has relocated to the locker formerly used by Manny Machado at the end of the row, with third baseman Renato Núñez setting up next to him. Zach Britton, Adam Jones and Brad Brach are at their same lockers. They still haven't been traded. Reliever Darren O'Day returned to Camden Yards today to begin treatment following his hamstring surgery. He's out for the rest of the season. Reliever Richard Bleier will meet the team in New York on July 31 for a...

More thoughts on the bullpen and roster

More thoughts on the bullpen and roster
The Orioles broke camp with two Rule 5 picks in their bullpen. Nestor Cortes Jr. and Pedro Araujo are gone, the latter still in the organization but on the disabled list. The dip in experience now comes from rookies Ryan Meisinger and Paul Fry, who made their major league debuts on the same night. Miguel Castro has appeared in 110 games with three teams, but he's only 23 and striving to gain consistency and a better relationship with the strike zone. Tanner Scott has appeared in only 23 games...

Hart's "aggression" could get him back to the majors

Hart's "aggression" could get him back to the majors
The same changes that enabled left-hander Donnie Hart to experience some success in spring training also got him back to the majors. One of the nicest guys in the clubhouse has widened his mean streak. It's not a personality disorder. He isn't undergoing anger-management classes. Hart just slipped into more of an attack mode on the mound. Hart has made four appearances with the Orioles during two stints - he was optioned before Sunday's game in Boston - and allowed one earned run with no...

Updates on Britton, Tillman, O'Day and more

Updates on Britton, Tillman, O'Day and more
Orioles closer Zach Britton faced a hitter today for the first time since his Achilles surgery in December and will throw a simulated game early next week in Chicago. Outfielder Craig Gentry stood in the cage while Britton threw 15 pitches. His audience included manager Buck Showalter, pitching coach Roger McDowell, bullpen coach Alan Mills, team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs, head athletic trainer Brian Ebel and special assignment pitching instructor Ramon Martinez. "I just faced Gentry,...

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...

Injury updates on Álvarez, Tillman, Rasmus and others

Injury updates on Álvarez, Tillman, Rasmus and others
Pedro Álvarez tested his right hamstring this morning with some light running on the field, but he remains out of the lineup for Game 1 of today's doubleheader against the Rays. The Orioles will use Mark Trumbo as their designated hitter. Álvarez came out of Thursday's game against the Royals after experiencing spasms and some cramping in the hamstring. "He moved around," said manager Buck Showalter. "We just got through doing some things. I was waiting on the lineup for a while to...

Notes on Vielma surgery, bullpen and Mancini (O's down 6-3)

Notes on Vielma surgery, bullpen and Mancini (O's down 6-3)
Triple-A Norfolk infielder Engelb Vielma, who's played in six games with the Orioles this season, will undergo surgery Tuesday morning on his fractured patella. Vielma sustained the injury last night in Durham in his first game with the Tides after the Orioles optioned him earlier this week. He was chasing a foul ball, stumbled on one of the bullpen mounds and banged his kneecap into a portion of exposed concrete. He was carted off the field. "Have you guys seen the video of Vielma's injury?...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Is it too early to wonder which player would represent the Orioles at the All-Star Game if Manny Machado is traded before July 17? Kevin Gausman could make it if he stays on his roll. Otherwise, left-hander Richard Bleier has earned consideration by anyone's standards. There are still plenty of games left before the break, but look at Bleier today. He's 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA in 17 appearances. One run allowed in 22 2/3 innings, and it happened on April 2 in Houston. Only three walks, and one...