Hart optioned, Showalter on backup catchers (O's down 5-1)

Hart optioned, Showalter on backup catchers (O's down 5-1)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles reduced the competition among left-handed relievers in camp this afternoon by optioning Donnie Hart to Triple-A Norfolk. Hart allowed three runs and 10 hits in eight innings, with three walks and 11 strikeouts. He appeared in 51 games with the Orioles last summer and was 2-0 with a 3.71 ERA and 1.397 WHIP in 43 2/3 innings. Joely Rodriguez and Josh Edgin are vying for a spot and their chances could be influenced by Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr., who might work out...

Mark Trumbo gets an MRI, plus other pregame notes

Mark Trumbo gets an MRI, plus other pregame notes
JUPITER, Fla. - Mark Trumbo was scheduled to be on this two-day trip with the Orioles to the East Coast of Florida. But he stayed back in Sarasota. Trumbo went 0-for-3 as the designated hitter yesterday in his first game since March 6. He was out with a sore right quad muscle. After playing Wednesday, he felt more soreness and stiffness. "He went and got an MRI this morning and we haven't gotten the results on that yet. That is why he's not here. That was a little discouraging," manager...

Wrapping up an 8-5 win

Wrapping up an 8-5 win
BRADENTON, Fla. - The spring stats meant nothing to manager Buck Showalter. The runs and hits allowed by Dylan Bundy didn't reflect his readiness to break camp. Improvement today? For Showalter, Bundy has always been on his game. The numbers just didn't support it. Bundy today became the first Orioles starter to go five innings this spring. He allowed one run and seven hits, walked none and struck out five. He was done after 84 pitches. Bundy had surrendered 10 runs and 11 hits over 4 1/3...

Dylan Bundy talks about his start today against Pittsburgh

Dylan Bundy talks about his start today against Pittsburgh
BRADENTON, Fla. - Considering he had yielded 10 runs and 11 hits in 4 1/3 in his first two Grapefruit League starts, Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy produced much better results this afternoon at LECOM Park against Pittsburgh. Bundy became the first O's pitcher to throw five innings this spring and he allowed seven hits and one run with no walks and five strikeouts. He did not have a strikeout in those first two games. But this afternoon, he had a nice pitch mix working, throwing 84 pitches,...

Upcoming starters and wrapping up an 8-5 loss

Upcoming starters and wrapping up an 8-5 loss
DUNEDIN, Fla. - Chris Tillman will make his first Grapefruit League start on Tuesday against the Twins in Fort Myers. He's thrown a couple of simulated games. Manager Buck Showalter has been shielding his main starters from division teams and the Twins, who provide the opposition on opening day at Camden Yards. With Tillman taking the mound on Tuesday, it's safe to assume that he won't debut in the regular season until the Orioles travel to Houston. Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman and Andrew...

Wrapping up a 9-3 loss

Wrapping up a 9-3 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will make two or three roster cuts Friday morning before their game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. There's no update on Gabriel Ynoa's MRI because it isn't scheduled until 5 p.m. He's bothered by shin splints. Kevin Gausman will throw a simulated game Friday morning on Field 4, just as Andrew Cashner, Dylan Bundy and Chris Tillman have done the past three days. The home-and-home series began today with the Orioles losing 9-3 at Ed Smith Stadium. Catcher...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
SARASOTA, Fla. - The competition for backup catcher with the Orioles appears to be a two-man race between Chance Sisco and Austin Wynns, though Andrew Susac remains in camp and is trying to make a push after a staph infection led to a brief hospital stay. Wynns was in the lineup yesterday against the Rays and had a single and walk before striking out with the bases loaded to end the fifth. Susac replaced him and singled in his only at-bat. Susac is 2-for-2 and has walked twice in limited...

Orioles B game lineup vs. Pirates

Orioles B game lineup vs. Pirates
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles clubhouse is closed to the media today while the players have another one of their annual spring meetings. However, the lineup has been posted for the 10:30 a.m. B game on Field 4. Miguel Castro gets the start, as you read again this morning. Pedro Álvarez is playing first base, Engelg Vielma is at shortstop, Ryan Mountcastle is playing third base, Andrew Susac is behing the plate and Anthony Santander is in right field. For the Orioles (B game): Jaycob Brugman...

Updating MRIs on Chris Lee and Austin Hays (plus more notes)

Updating MRIs on Chris Lee and Austin Hays (plus more notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - An MRI administered this morning confirmed that Orioles left-hander Chris Lee sustained an injury to his right oblique muscle and he's expected to be sidelined at least four weeks. Lee wasn't expected to break camp with the team, but the injury totally eliminates the possibility. The MRI on Austin Hays was more favorable. Hays has some inflammation behind his right shoulder, but he could be available to hit. The Orioles will prevent him from throwing for about three days,...

Orioles lineup vs. Cardinals

Orioles lineup vs. Cardinals
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles reliever Darren O'Day will make his spring debut in today's 1:05 p.m. game against the Cardinals at Ed Smith Stadium. Pedro Álvarez is listed among a group of reserves that also includes outfielder Jaycob Brugman, catcher Andrew Susac and infielder Éngelb Vielma. Outfielder Austin Hays is counted, too, though he was scheduled to receive an MRI today on his right shoulder/lat. Colby Rasmus is leading off and playing right field. Tim Beckham is batting...

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...

Gausman making start Monday (and other notes)

Gausman making start Monday (and other notes)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Kevin Gausman is making his Grapefruit League debut on Monday afternoon against the Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium. Gausman will oppose right-hander Michael Fulmer, the American League's Rookie of the Year in 2016. Chris Tillman hasn't been notified of his first start since signing a one-year deal last week. Tillman will throw batting practice on Tuesday and should be ready, considering that he's been working out and completing bullpen sessions at the complex. Dylan Bundy said...

Susac returns to Orioles clubhouse after hospital stay

Susac returns to Orioles clubhouse after hospital stay
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are catching Caleb Joseph and Austin Wynns in today's intrasquad game and they're using Audry Perez and Chance Sisco as designated hitters. Andrew Susac will settle for being in the clubhouse instead of a hospital bed. Susac returned to the facility earlier this week after missing Sunday's workout and being treated for a staph infection. Today marked the first time that the media saw him at his locker. "Way better," he said. "Two days ago really was a big...

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...

Cashner throws first bullpen session with O's (and other notes)

Cashner throws first bullpen session with O's (and other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman spent this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, but he hasn't been cleared to join workouts until his new contract becomes official. Both sides are in a holding pattern, but an announcement could come later today. The Orioles are waiting to hear back from Tillman's representative. Tillman has agreed to a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $3 million. He can earn another $7 million in incentives. Catcher Andrew Susac will be released from the hospital today...

Gausman, Bundy and O'Day on Tillman's return (and other notes)

Gausman, Bundy and O'Day on Tillman's return (and other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - While the Orioles are staying quiet about Chris Tillman today, with no announcement made on their agreement, executive vice president Dan Duquette isn't necessarily done with the pitching market. Duquette will continue to check on available starters despite the Orioles guaranteeing Tillman $3 million with a chance to increase the overall value to $10 million, and Andrew Cashner $16 million with a chance to max out at $41 million. The club would like to insert a left-hander...

Notes on Susac, catching options and split-squad starters (update)

Notes on Susac, catching options and split-squad starters (update)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles catcher Andrew Susac could miss at least three or four days with "a possible staph infection," according to manager Buck Showalter, who met with the media following the fifth workout of spring training. Susac's condition worsened overnight and he wasn't on the field this morning, the latest health issue to strike the former Giants and Brewers catcher. "Something we're concerned about," Showalter said. "We're not sure if it's a staph infection yet, but we want...

Susac missing from today's workout due to health issue

Susac missing from today's workout due to health issue
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles held an abbreviated workout this morning with no bullpen sessions on the agenda. Manager Buck Showalter ran various fielding drills, including bunt coverage. However, catcher Andrew Susac wasn't a participant due to an undisclosed physical issue. Showalter will meet with the media at 12:30 p.m. and provide an update on Susac, who came to the Orioles in a Feb. 2 trade with the Brewers. Hindered by injuries in the past - he went on the disabled list last year with a...

Joining Orioles a breath of fresh air for Susac

Joining Orioles a breath of fresh air for Susac
SARASOTA, Fla. - Andrew Susac has a plan. And a color scheme. Susac feels right as home with the Orioles, who acquired him on Feb. 2 to compete for a job as backup catcher. It isn't strictly his welcoming teammates or a hankering for grouper. Orange and black work for him. "I think it's awesome," he said. "It seems like I can't get out of an orange and black jersey. Ever since Little League. I played for the Orioles in Little League. Funny story. From there to Oregon State and then the...

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...