Duquette on Bundy's surgery (game update)

Duquette on Bundy's surgery (game update)
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette met with reporters in the back of the press box to discuss pitcher Dylan Bundy's pending elbow surgery. Bundy will undergo ligament-reconstructive surgery Thursday morning in Gulf Breeze, Fla. The Orioles are hopeful that he will be cleared to pitch next summer. "The thinking was that Dylan is 20 years old, he's very young and it's early in his career, and after giving it two times of rest and significant rest, and the elbow not responding...

Notes and quotes before tonight's game (Chen update)

Notes and quotes before tonight's game (Chen update)
Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen threw in the bullpen today without any physical issues, and he remains scheduled to begin an injury-rehab assignment on Saturday. Double-A Bowie is his likely destination, according to manager Buck Showalter, but it hasn't been made official. Chen's assignment may last only one start before the Orioles activate him from the disabled list. Showalter said he wouldn't anticipate second baseman Brian Roberts and outfielder Nolan Reimold both coming off the disabled...

Jones breaks up perfect game (O's win 6-3)

Jones breaks up perfect game (O's win 6-3)
Adam Jones separated Justin Masterson from perfection tonight, lining a single into center field leading off the bottom of the fifth inning. The shutout also disappeared. Maybe it melted in this heat. Chris Davis singled to put runners on the corners with one out. Matt Wieters struck out - he's still scuffling as the No. 6 hitter in the lineup - and J.J. Hardy grounded into a force at second as Jones raced home. Indians 3, Orioles 0 Davis slid hard into the bag to prevent a throw that may...

Updates on tonight's game, Roberts and rotation (O's down 3-0)

Updates on tonight's game, Roberts and rotation (O's down 3-0)
Chris Tillman loaded the bases with one out in the top of the first inning tonight and received a visit from pitching coach Rick Adair. Not quite the way Tillman wanted to start this game. Michael Brantley lined to left field, scoring Mike Aviles and giving the Indians a 1-0 lead. Tillman allowed a hit and issued back-to-back walks to bring Adair out of the dugout. He threw 23 pitches in the inning, only 11 for strikes. Down on the farm, Brian Roberts doubled off the fence in left field in...

Casilla starting at second base for Orioles

Casilla starting at second base for Orioles
A six-game hitting streak isn't enough to get Ryan Flaherty in the Orioles' lineup tonight against the Cleveland Indians at Camden Yards. Alexi Casilla, who's 9-for-26 (.346) with a double, triple, home run and eight RBIs against Justin Masterson, is starting at second base. Catcher Matt Wieters is batting sixth after being lowered to seventh last night and hitting a home run. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters...

Quick hits before tonight's game

Quick hits before tonight's game
The Orioles are taking batting practice under a darkening sky. Looks like we could get some rain. Wei-Yin Chen threw his four-inning simulated game today in Sarasota, and he's going to board a 6 p.m. flight to Baltimore. Chen will throw a bullpen session here and report to an affiliate on Saturday to begin an injury-rehab assignment that should last only one or two starts. Second baseman Brian Roberts will join Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday to begin his rehab assignment. Manager Buck Showalter...

It's Gonzalez vs. Wang today

It's Gonzalez vs. Wang today
The Orioles have a quick turnaround today with their 1:07 p.m. game against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Again, I'm convinced that they lead the world in day games. Taylor Teagarden most likely will be behind the plate, which will appease the fans who are convinced that Matt Wieters cost the Orioles last night's game by calling for a cutter to Munenori Kawasaki with Tommy Hunter on the mound. Apparently, Hunter's head doesn't move from side to side and he can't shake off a sign. And...

Matthew Taylor: Approaching club record, no double trouble for Machado

Matthew Taylor: Approaching club record, no double trouble for Machado
One of the nice things about great individual performances are that they bring attention to past player accomplishments. Such is the case with Manny Machado and Brian Roberts. Machado hit his major league-leading 33rd double of the season this week, which tied Roberts' Orioles record for most doubles prior to an All-Star Game. Machado is likely to break that 2008 mark as soon as this weekend and has Roberts' single-season franchise record for doubles in his sights. After setting an Orioles...

How do you like them now?

How do you like them now?
The Orioles are off today, so they can savor being 11 games above .500 for the first time this season. More likely, they haven't given it a single thought. That's especially true of third baseman Manny Machado, who only gives double thoughts. (See what I did there?) This team doesn't obsess over records and streaks. It hasn't swept a series longer than two games, but it keeps winning them. Sixteen if you're counting at home, which leads the majors. I sensed some panic here when the...

Roberts approaching date for rehab assignment

Roberts approaching date for rehab assignment
Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts continues to take outdoor batting practice and will accompany the team to Detroit following Sunday's game. He may also go to Toronto and could begin his injury-rehab assignment when the Orioles begin a seven-game homestand on June 24. Roberts hasn't played since the third game of the season. Wei-Yin Chen threw off a regular mound today in Sarasota. He could pitch in a simulated game down there before coming to Baltimore. Orioles manager Buck Showalter...

Brian Roberts talks about returning to Camden Yards and the next step in his rehab

Brian Roberts talks about returning to Camden Yards and the next step in his rehab
Brian Roberts was back in the home clubhouse at Camden Yards today. It has been a while. He hasn't played in a game since the third day of the season and underwent surgery May 9 to repair his right hamstring. He made it clear how important it was to rejoin the team over the weekend during the Tampa series and how that provides him a nice mental lift in the final stages of his latest rehab. "It's great to be back," Roberts said. "You feel kind of isolated on an island down there (in...

Casilla out of lineup with finger injury (with more quotes added)

Casilla out of lineup with finger injury (with more quotes added)
Alexi Casilla most likely would have started again tonight at second base, but he jammed his right index finger yesterday while sliding into second base at Tropicana Field and he has a bandage wrapped around it. Casilla may be available tonight off the bench. It depends how the finger feels while he plays catch this afternoon. Casilla reached base three times yesterday, drove in two runs and made a sensational tag on Desmond Jennings' stolen-base attempt. "He's OK, but a little sore,"...

Hearing from Betemit and Showalter before today's game

Hearing from Betemit and Showalter before today's game
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Infielder Wilson Betemit also made the trip from Sarasota to Tropicana Field today to visit with teammates and provide an injury update. Betemit remains on the 60-day disabled list with a Grade 2/3 PCL tear in his right knee. He's hitting in the cage, running and throwing, but his return isn't expected until after the All-Star break. Betemit will begin participating in fielding drills next week. "I feel a lot better," he said. "Before, I couldn't run. Now I can...

Roberts will be "highly disappointed" if he isn't playing by the break

Roberts will be "highly disappointed" if he isn't playing by the break
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Brian Roberts sat at a table in the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field after last night's game, a plate of food in front of him and first baseman Chris Davis sitting to his right. Roberts smiled, nodded and dug his fork into a late dinner as Davis engaged him in conversation. Once again, Roberts was part of the team, even though he wore a sweater and jeans instead of a uniform. Roberts took a break from his rehab in Sarasota to visit teammates, walk around the...

Notes on Strop, Chen, Jurrjens, Wada, Reimold and more

Notes on Strop, Chen, Jurrjens, Wada, Reimold and more
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said reliever Pedro Strop is "a consideration" to be activated from the 15-day disabled list before Saturday afternoon's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Strop threw an indoor bullpen session yesterday in Sarasota - heavy rains washed away his outdoor plans - and said his back feels good. He's eager to rejoin the bullpen. Wei-Yin Chen, who hasn't pitched since May 12 because of a strained oblique, threw from 90 feet today...

Injury updates and more (rain delay)

Injury updates and more (rain delay)
WASHINGTON - Orioles backup catcher Taylor Teagarden caught five innings yesterday at extended spring training and served as the designated hitter today. He will catch seven innings on Wednesday and head out on an injury rehab assignment. "He's coming along real well, so that's encouraging," said manager Buck Showalter. Teagarden could be activated from the 15-day disabled list next week. Second baseman Brian Roberts is hitting off a tee and increasing his baseball activity in Sarasota,...

Showalter provides updates on Roberts and Gonzalez (7:35 p.m. start)

Showalter provides updates on Roberts and Gonzalez (7:35 p.m. start)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter exchanged text messages today with second baseman Brian Roberts, who underwent surgery on his right hamstring in Dallas. Roberts will fly back to Sarasota on Friday. "Everything went well today," Showalter said. "Very positive. The doctors felt good about getting it done after getting in there. It will speed up the process. I've got marked off what X-number of weeks is from today, so we'll see what happens." Roberts is expected to endure a six-week...

Showalter speaks after 5-3 win

Showalter speaks after 5-3 win
Orioles manager Buck Showalter spoke to second baseman Brian Roberts for about 20 minutes today, going over the upcoming hamstring surgery and looking ahead to his eventual return to the lineup. "He's very frustrated by it, as we are, but Brian Roberts is going to come back and make a contribution to this club this year," Showalter said. "I've got a good feeling about that." Roberts will undergo surgery Thursday in Dallas to repair a muscle in his hamstring. His recovery time is an...

Roberts to undergo hamstring surgery Thursday

Roberts to undergo hamstring surgery Thursday
Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, limited to 118 games over the past four seasons because of various injuries, will undergo surgery Thursday on his right hamstring. Roberts, 35, will undergo a procedure to repair one of the muscles in his hamstring - it's a "semitendinosus release" - and the recovery time is expected to be approximately six weeks. Dr. Daniel Cooper will perform the surgery at Carrell Clinic in Dallas. Roberts will eventually report to Sarasota to begin his...

Showalter provides updates on Gonzalez and Roberts

Showalter provides updates on Gonzalez and Roberts
The sun is trying to peek through the gray clouds hovering over Camden Yards. The tarp is on the field, but it's no longer raining. The forecast isn't good, but the Orioles will attempt to play tonight. Kansas City has already been subjected to five postponements and had 10 days off in April, and the Royals don't come back to Baltimore after this series. Also, there's more rain in the forecast Wednesday, which increases the urgency to play tonight. The Orioles will hold another weather...