Gausman gone by the fifth in 6-2 loss (updated)

Gausman gone by the fifth in 6-2 loss (updated)
BOSTON - The numbers didn't lie. Mookie Betts was 12-for-29 against Orioles starter Kevin Gausman heading into tonight's game. He led off the bottom of the first inning with a sharp single into left field. J.D. Martinez was 4-for-7 against Gausman. He drove a splitter into the center field seats. The lopsided nature of the inning also held true, along with the Orioles' futility on the road. Gausman couldn't get out of the fifth inning or stop the Red Sox from running wild, David Price went...

Showalter on today's roster move and more (O's down 6-0)

Showalter on today's roster move and more (O's down 6-0)
BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter explained today's roster move, with catcher Andrew Susac recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and Caleb Joseph optioned to the Tides, as being "best for everybody concerned." Susac is in tonight's lineup and Joseph will be reporting to Norfolk after batting .182/.203/.325 in 24 games and going 4-for-19 throwing out runners attempting to steal. He also had four errors and two passed balls. "Andrew has been doing well," Showalter said. "Caleb, I think,...

Susac talks about his return to the majors

Susac talks about his return to the majors
BOSTON - As Andrew Susac sets the target tonight for Kevin Gausman, he'll be making his first start in a major league game since Aug. 12, 2017 with the Brewers. He received six more at-bats spread over six games in September, his only hit coming in his final plate appearance on Sept. 30 in St. Louis. Susac wasn't expecting the Orioles to recall him. He found out late last night and grabbed a flight to Boston. "Kind of out of nowhere," he said this afternoon while standing outside the...

Orioles option Joseph and recall Susac (tonight's lineup)

Orioles option Joseph and recall Susac (tonight's lineup)
BOSTON - The Orioles have made a surprising change to their 25-man roster today, optioning catcher Caleb Joseph to Triple-A Norfolk and recalling Andrew Susac to replace him. Susac is in tonight's lineup against the Red Sox. Joseph broke camp as the projected starter behind the plate, but rookie Chance Sisco has been kept busy by appearing in 30 games. Joseph has played in 24 and is batting .182/.203/.325 with four doubles, two triples, one home run and three RBIs in 77 at-bats. He's thrown...

Latest Jones milestone, Lee's debut and minor league awards

Latest Jones milestone, Lee's debut and minor league awards
OAKLAND, Calif. - Adam Jones has reached another milestone with the Orioles. Assuming that he's in tonight's lineup for the start of a three-game series, Jones will play in his 1,500th game since coming to the Orioles in a February 2008 trade with the Mariners. Jones will be the eighth player in club history to reach the mark, joining Cal Ripken, Jr. (3,001 games), Brooks Robinson (2,896), Mark Belanger (1,962), Eddie Murray (1,884), Boog Powell (1,763), Brady Anderson (1,759) and Paul Blair...

Sisco's collision, Brach's slump and other observations

Sisco's collision, Brach's slump and other observations
The Orioles announced after last night's game that rookie catcher Chance Sisco was day-to-day following a collision with Pedro Álvarez's forearm, the equivalent of running face-first into an oak tree. Sisco sustained a "facial contusion," according to the club, but wasn't showing symptoms of a concussion. He just looked that way while lying flat on his back after a failed pursuit of a pop up in foul territory. It doesn't appear that the Orioles are going to summon another catcher to...

Beckham undergoes surgery (and other notes)

Beckham undergoes surgery (and other notes)
Tim Beckham underwent core muscle surgery today in Philadelphia and he's projected to be out for six to seven weeks, leaving the Orioles without half of their starting infield. Beckham is expected back at Camden Yards on Friday to begin rehabbing. He'll walk with head athletic trainer Brian Ebel and gradually increase activities. Manager Buck Showalter said Beckham had surgery "on both sides." "He's resting as comfortably as he can be," Showalter said. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop will...

O's game blog: O's Alex Cobb faces his former Tampa Bay teammates

O's game blog: O's Alex Cobb faces his former Tampa Bay teammates
Orioles right-hander Alex Cobb (0-2, 15.43 ERA) makes his first start as an Oriole at home and he will do so against his former team. For the first time ever Cobb pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays as the clubs open a rain-shortened, two-game series. Cobb has failed to complete the fourth inning in his first two starts, which came at Boston and Detroit. He went a combined seven innings allowing 20 hits and 15 runs (12 earned). He has allowed a .500 batting average (20-for-40) in those...

Can the rotation lead an O's turnaround? (Plus farm notes)

Can the rotation lead an O's turnaround? (Plus farm notes)
If there was ever a good time for a rainout, maybe last night was it for the Orioles. They were scheduled to begin a three-game series with Tampa Bay but got washed out at Camden Yards. The Orioles are trying to reverse a 6-17 start that has seen them lose nine of 10 and 11 of their past 13 games. They are just 3-7 at home, where they've scored only 19 runs in 10 games. Maybe a day away will be beneficial. With a 2-1 loss to Cleveland Monday night, the Orioles ended a stretch in which they...

Hess optioned to Norfolk

Hess optioned to Norfolk
BOSTON - The Orioles are preparing to make another adjustment to their roster in Detroit, where they begin a three-game series Tuesday night. Unable to play today due to rain, the Orioles announced that they optioned right-hander David Hess to Triple-A Norfolk one day after recalling him. No word on the corresponding move. Hess arrived in Boston yesterday while the Orioles optioned Donnie Hart to Norfolk. Hart wasn't going to be available for a few days after pitching in back-to-back games and...

Norfolk's Ron Johnson with big props for O's skipper (O's win 7-6)

Norfolk's Ron Johnson with big props for O's skipper (O's win 7-6)
NORFOLK, Va. - We've heard it before, but two managers that greatly like and respect each other are the Orioles' Buck Showalter and his Triple-A counterpart, Norfolk's Ron Johnson. Johnson is the winningest manager in Tides history with 422 victories in six seasons. Showalter has often praised Johnson and appreciates his opinions on players over the years as he and the club decide which players to call up from the Tides. "We speak a lot during the season and I value his opinion," Showalter...

Reflections on spring training as Orioles break camp

Reflections on spring training as Orioles break camp
Minor league signings in November tend to be forgotten as spring training nears its conclusion. They provide copy during the offseason's dead zone. Players given generous amounts of space on websites and in newspapers are footnotes later as camp cuts are announced. There are exceptions, of course, which brings us to left-handed relievers Joely Rodriguez and Josh Edgin. I've covered past spring trainings when the decision to take guys of this caliber north would be a no-brainer. The Orioles...

Chance Sisco on making the club

Chance Sisco on making the club
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' spring tradition of leading a player in one roster direction before throwing him a curve and breaking good news resumed yesterday with catcher Chance Sisco. Sisco found out that he made the club as the backup to starter Caleb Joseph, but only after wondering what he did wrong. It began with third base coach Bobby Dickerson and continued with manager Buck Showalter and bench coach John Russell. And it ended with smiles and a roster spot on opening day. "Bobby...

Araujo makes Orioles roster (and other notes)

Araujo makes Orioles roster (and other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 reliever Pedro Araujo will head north with the Orioles and be part of their bullpen on opening day, news that came to him earlier today via bullpen mates Darren O'Day, Mychal Givens and Brad Brach. The smile on his face looks like it might have a shelf life of six months. Araujo allowed two runs and four hits in 8 2/3 innings, with only the Blue Jays scoring off him in a March 9 game. He walked two batters, struck out eight and kept gaining the organization's trust...

Susac and Vielma optioned, Sisco wins job (O's win 6-1)

Susac and Vielma optioned, Sisco wins job (O's win 6-1)
SARASOTA, Fla. - If the Orioles stick with their camp roster, Chance Sisco will serve as the backup catcher on opening day. The Orioles announced today that they've optioned catcher Andrew Susac and infielder Engelb Vielma to Triple-A Norfolk. They already sent out Austin Wynns, leaving Sisco as the last catching reserve standing. Sisco had a two-run double and two-run homer yesterday in a 10-7 win over the Red Sox and is batting .419/.471/.839 (13-for-31) with five doubles, one triple, two...

Wynns on being cut: "It was definitely a shock" (game cancelled)

Wynns on being cut: "It was definitely a shock" (game cancelled)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles and Rays won't play baseball tonight at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The game has been cancelled due to rain and a tornado watch in the area. There's no makeup date in the Grapefruit League. Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. and Miguel Castro were supposed to pitch tonight, but instead will make the trip to Tampa for Wednesday night's game against the Yankees and work in relief behind starter Hunter Harvey. Fans holding paid tickets for tonight's game purchased...

Taking another look at camp competitions

Taking another look at camp competitions
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis built up his spring at-bats yesterday at Twin Lakes Park, where the spectators included executive vice president Dan Duquette, and he should remain in the lineup for tonight's game against the Rays in Sarasota. MASN is carrying it live, so pull up a sofa and enjoy baseball under the lights. The forecast is calling for rain, of course, because the Orioles are playing at home and we're nearing the start of the regular season. Left-hander Nestor...

Wrapping up Tillman's outing and the O's 4-2 victory

Wrapping up Tillman's outing and the O's 4-2 victory
LAKELAND, Fla. - When the first two hitters in what could be the Detroit Tigers' opening day lineup singled today, Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman was in immediate trouble. But soon he would finish a scoreless first going through the heart of the Detroit batting order. It was the start of a good day for Tillman, one that produced better radar gun readings on the scoreboard and much better results in the box score. Tillman went five innings and allowed six hits and one run in the Orioles'...

Susac on his time with the Orioles and the catching competition

Susac on his time with the Orioles and the catching competition
LAKELAND, Fla. - The competition to serve as the Orioles' No. 2 catcher is now down to two after Austin Wynns was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday. It includes Chance Sisco and Andrew Susac, who was acquired by the club on Feb. 2 from the Milwaukee Brewers for a player to be named or cash considerations. Susac has played in 11 Orioles spring games, going 3-for-10 with a homer and four RBIs. He'll turn 28 on Thursday and has played parts of the last four seasons in the majors for San Francisco...

Wynns optioned and wrapping up a 5-4 loss

Wynns optioned and wrapping up a 5-4 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made a bold statement about their backup catching situation today by optioning Austin Wynns to Triple-A Norfolk. The remaining candidates are down to Chance Sisco and Andrew Susac. Wynns batted .222/.391/.556 (4-for-18) with two home runs, three RBIs, five walks and seven strikeouts. His work behind the plate earned him high marks, but couldn't prevent him from heading to minor league camp. "The way Austin is, he's just pushing all the time," said manager Buck...