Notes on Sucre and Bleier before today's game

Notes on Sucre and Bleier before today's game
SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Jesús Sucre hasn't reported to Orioles camp, but his locker is back. Set up in the same spot before his nameplate disappeared and Cael Brockmeyer arrived from Twin Lakes Park. Sucre has been detained in Venezuela while trying to obtain his work visa. Manager Brandon Hyde's latest update this week included how the paperwork almost was finalized. The Orioles inked Sucre, 30, to a minor league deal on Feb. 1 and invited him to spring training, the idea to toss him...

Bleier: "I think that I'm ready to compete" (Alberto claimed)

Bleier: "I think that I'm ready to compete" (Alberto claimed)
SARASOTA - Richard Bleier has no idea when he's going to pitch in an exhibition game. The euphoria he felt after today's live batting practice session should carry him for a while. Facing hitters for the first time since June 13, prior to his lat surgery, Bleier broke out his entire arsenal and reported no discomfort or noticeable rust. "I'm very happy with how it went," he said. "Honestly, it was as good as it could have went. I felt great. I pitched very well. I made all my pitches. It...

More on Yacabonis' role in camp

More on Yacabonis' role in camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles held their annual Photo Day this morning at Ed Smith Stadium before taking the field for stretching and workouts. No media access until later today. The schedule doesn't show any bullpen or live batting practice sessions for the pitchers. Jimmy Yacabonis is on a starter's routine in camp, including two turns of live BP. Relievers were held to one. As I wrote yesterday, manager Brandon Hyde is open to using Yacabonis in the rotation or as a long reliever and will...

More from Hyde following today's rain-soaked workout

More from Hyde following today's rain-soaked workout
SARASOTA, Fla. - The rain and chill in the air didn't prevent the Orioles from having a productive first workout for their pitchers and catchers. It just had the beat crew scrambling to find warmth. I'll say it again: Florida cold is different than anywhere else. Same temperature in Baltimore and I'd be sleeveless. Richard Bleier broke out his cutter for his latest bullpen session. No one was electrocuted while working the video equipment. The Orioles have added catcher Cael Brockmeyer to...

Susac on second chance with Orioles

Susac on second chance with Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rain has been falling all morning in Sarasota and it could impact the first workout for Orioles pitchers and catchers at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. They'll attempt to head outdoors if the proverbial window opens. Former Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph has signed a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks worth a guaranteed $1.1 million. He turned down the Orioles' offer of a minor league contract, held out for something better and got it. The Orioles brought six catchers to camp,...

Catching up on an odd position battle

Catching up on an odd position battle
SARASOTA, Fla. - The report date for pitchers and catchers at Orioles camp yesterday didn't preclude a handful of position players from showing up. Mark Trumbo hit, threw and shagged fly balls on the Camden Yards replica field. Outfielder Ryan McKenna, utility candidate Chris Bostick, infielder Zach Vincej and Rule 5 infielder Richie Martin were in the clubhouse for media availability, and I heard that outfielders Trey Mancini and Mike Yastrzemski also were at the facility. What really stood...

Eyeing a few of the spring competitions at Orioles camp

Eyeing a few of the spring competitions at Orioles camp
The inviting storylines awaiting the media at spring training, less than a week before it begins, include the competitions at third base and right field and behind the plate. Other candidates can be tossed into the mix as executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias attempts to swing a few trades and/or snatches up a couple of free agents lingering on another sluggish market. One-year deals become more attractive to players as we move through February. Manager Brandon Hyde can figure...

Orioles sign Sucre to minor league deal

Orioles sign Sucre to minor league deal
The Orioles' search for a veteran catcher to toss into the spring training competition led them to Jesús Sucre, who has agreed to terms on a minor league deal. The announcement came this afternoon. Sucre's contract includes an invitation to major league camp and guarantees $850,000 if he makes the club. USA Today reported that the deal also includes a March 22 opt-out date. The 40-man roster still holds only two catchers - Austin Wynns and Chance Sisco, who were rookies in 2018. Non-roster...

Pondering a few questions as spring training gets close

Pondering a few questions as spring training gets close
The start of spring training is getting close for the Orioles. Pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 12, the first full-squad workout is Feb. 18 and the first game is set for Feb. 23. Opening day is March 28 at Yankee Stadium and a new season will be officially underway. With all this fast approaching there are still plenty of unanswered questions for the 2019 season. Here are a few of them. Who will fill out the starting rotation? In some order we know that Alex Cobb, Andrew Cashner and Dylan...

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...

More on Davis and the catchers

More on Davis and the catchers
The Orioles aren't ready to announce their new coaching staff under manager Brandon Hyde, the assistant hitting coach believed to be the final piece. It's expected to happen soon, well in advance of the beginning of spring training. First baseman Chris Davis knows that Don Long is replacing Scott Coolbaugh as hitting coach. He hadn't heard any updates on the assistant hitting coach when we spoke a few days ago and didn't know whether Howie Clark, who held the job last summer, was assured of...

O's reach agreement with catcher Carlos Pérez on minors deal

O's reach agreement with catcher Carlos Pérez on minors deal
The Orioles have made a move to improve their catching depth in the organization. Carlos Pérez, 28, has agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training pending the completion of a physical. He can earn a guaranteed $650,000 if he makes the Orioles roster. Pérez is a native of Venezuela who appeared in eight games with the Braves and 20 with the Rangers last season and was 10-for-70 with two doubles and a home run. He hasn't done much offensively in the majors,...

Wynns' offseason includes instruction from Dempsey

Wynns' offseason includes instruction from Dempsey
A casual clubhouse conversation over the summer between a past and current Orioles catcher led to an offseason lunch, a lengthy workout and a relationship that could pay dividends on the field. Rick Dempsey, the former World Series Most Valuable Player and current MASN analyst who played in the majors for 24 seasons and owns two championship rings. Austin Wynns, a rookie at 27 trying to stick around as a backup with perhaps an opportunity to do more in the future. Too bad it wasn't caught on...

More on Joseph's non-tender and his letter to fans

More on Joseph's non-tender and his letter to fans
Catcher Caleb Joseph, non-tendered Friday night by the Orioles and a free agent for the first time in his career, is drawing interest from a handful of teams. It didn't take long. Plenty of clubs are checking on available catchers, but the market is flooded, with MLBTradeRumors.com providing the latest update: Drew Butera Robinson Chirinos A.J. Ellis Yasmani Grandal Chris Herrmann Nick Hundley Caleb Joseph Jose Lobaton Jonathan Lucroy Martín Maldonado Devin Mesoraco James McCann ...

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...

Looking at a few of the decisions awaiting Elias

Looking at a few of the decisions awaiting Elias
The hiring of Mike Elias as executive vice president and general manager doesn't remove all of the uncertainty attached to the franchise. It barely makes a dent. Elias was the biggest piece, of course, as the person who will run the baseball operations department. Who will assemble the rest of the front office, choose a manager and drag the scouting department into the 21st century. But having so many slots to fill is an example of the work that lies ahead. The 40-man roster must be set by...

Updating the 40-man roster and pending decisions

Updating the 40-man roster and pending decisions
A full 40-man roster has left the Orioles with another set of decisions to make while creating room for players leading into the Rule 5 draft and eventual outside acquisitions via trades and free agency. The deadline to non-tender players is Nov. 30 and the Orioles must figure out whether to give raises to infielder Tim Beckham and catcher Caleb Joseph. They're the ones who are at risk. Starter Dylan Bundy, reliever Mychal Givens and infielder Jonathan Villar obviously are staying on the...

More on Orioles' 40-man roster and personnel changes (updated)

More on Orioles' 40-man roster and personnel changes (updated)
The Orioles' 40-man roster continues to hold 39 players after the Mariners claimed outfielder John Andreoli yesterday afternoon. However, it's going down to 36 with pitcher Sean Gilmartin and infielders Jace Peterson and Corban Joseph also on outright waivers, their names appearing on the wire. Pitcher Gabriel Ynoa is on the 60-day disabled list, but he won't be activated and placed on the 40-man. None of the moves were unexpected. Ynoa didn't pitch for the Orioles this season, opening the...

More roster talk, Lee update and former Orioles in October

More roster talk, Lee update and former Orioles in October
Setting the 40-man roster prior to the Rule 5 draft won't necessarily be the first order of business for the Orioles' reconstructed front office, with the non-tender deadline set for Nov. 30, but it's going to involve more heavy lifting. The roster is full and the Orioles need to create room for pitchers Dillon Tate and Branden Kline, who are assured of making it. Catcher Martin Cervenka and left-hander Luis Gonzalez also are expected to have spots open to them. As I've pointed out in the...