Home runs haunt Orioles again in 10-3 loss (Rogers optioned)

Home runs haunt Orioles again in 10-3 loss (Rogers optioned)
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde had the plan set up in his mind, with little chance that he'd stray from it. Dan Straily would make his first start since last September, with rookie Josh Rogers backing him up. Use the veteran right-hander against an Athletics lineup heavy in right-handed hitters before turning to the young lefty. The leash on Straily would be shorter than usual due to his inactivity since late in spring training, the Marlins releasing him on March 25 and the Orioles signing him...

Running risks with Rule 5 players

Running risks with Rule 5 players
The Orioles tried to keep two Rule 5 pitchers in their bullpen last season and also carry outfielder Anthony Santander, who couldn't shed his status for 44 days. They tried to keep two Rule 5 infielders this year and also carry reliever Pedro Araujo, who needed 17 days in the majors before he could be optioned. One of baseball's conditioning drills should include lifting such a heavy burden. Nestor Cortes Jr. didn't make it past April last year. Araujo was designated for assignment this...

Hyde on Straily, Jackson, Wynns, Davis and more (O's down 6-4)

Hyde on Straily, Jackson, Wynns, Davis and more (O's down 6-4)
Dan Straily will begin his Orioles career in the bullpen before he's deemed ready to enter the starting rotation. It shouldn't take long, and his inclusion will give the club five starters and slam the brakes on the opener experiment. "He's a guy who eats innings, has a really good slider, knows how to pitch, just a competitor and so we're really excited to have him," said manager Brandon Hyde. "We're going to work him into (starting). He hasn't pitched in a competitive situation in a...

Orioles sign Straily, DFA Jackson, trade for Araujo

Orioles sign Straily, DFA Jackson, trade for Araujo
The Orioles have brought in a veteran starting pitcher that could end their use of an opener and ease the burden on their bullpen. Right-hander Dan Straily, 30, has signed a major league deal with the Orioles, who created room on the 25-man roster by designating Rule 5 pick Drew Jackson for assignment. The Orioles can attempt to trade Jackson or offer him back to the Dodgers if he clears waivers. The Phillies selected Jackson in the Rule 5 draft and dealt him to the Orioles for international...

Early impressions of the Orioles

Early impressions of the Orioles
What did we learn about the Orioles through their first series of the 2019 season? Besides how the players were overjoyed that Brandon Hyde earned his first win as manager, the outpouring of affection coming from 12-ounce cans. They want to get all of the firsts out of the way as quickly as possible. Hyde's first win. Richie Martin's first hit. Mike Wright's first save. John Means' first win. All of it happening in the Bronx. What's next, Andrew Cashner's first shave? Hyde won't be a...

Notes on Carroll injury, pending roster move, Jackson and Davis

Notes on Carroll injury, pending roster move, Jackson and Davis
NEW YORK - Reliever Cody Carroll, cut from the Orioles' camp roster on March 17 and optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, is headed to the injured list. Carroll is dealing with some soreness in his lower back that's keeping him off the break-camp roster. There didn't appear to be any health issues with Carroll before he reported to Twin Lakes Park. He recorded his third save in his final exhibition outing on March 16 and allowed two runs and five hits with one walk and nine strikeouts over seven...

Orioles get aggressive, opener works in 5-3 win

Orioles get aggressive, opener works in 5-3 win
NEW YORK - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde wants aggression from his team. On the mound and on the basepaths. He's been preaching it since the first day of camp and the start of the regular season doesn't alter the message. If they're going to make a mistake, don't let it come from being too passive. The Orioles took the lead over the Yankees this afternoon by sticking with that exact approach. Jesús Sucre tagging up and going second to third on a line drive to center. A double steal...

Hyde on lineup decisions and opener (O's ahead 5-1)

Hyde on lineup decisions and opener (O's ahead 5-1)
NEW YORK - The reverse splits that Yankees left-hander James Paxton brings into today's start couldn't convince Orioles manager Brandon Hyde to include Chris Davis in his lineup. Davis and Cedric Mullins are on the bench as the Orioles continue their opening series at Yankee Stadium. Davis struck out in all three at-bats Thursday, and Renato Núñez batted for him in the ninth inning against left-hander Aroldis Chapman. Mullins is a switch-hitter with much better numbers from the left...

Orioles lineup excludes Davis and Mullins

Orioles lineup excludes Davis and Mullins
NEW YORK - Chris Davis is out of the Orioles lineup today against Yankees left-hander James Paxton. Trey Mancini is playing first base and Renato Núñez is the designated hitter. Davis struck out in all three at-bats on opening day and Núñez pinch-hit for him in the ninth inning. Dwight Smith Jr. is in left field again and Joey Rickard is in right. Drew Jackson is the center fielder instead of Cedric Mullins. Jonathan Villar is leading off. For the Orioles Jonathan Villar 2B Dwight...

Wrapping up the Orioles' 7-2 loss on opening day

Wrapping up the Orioles' 7-2 loss on opening day
NEW YORK - Signs that it wasn't going to be the Orioles' day included a ground ball headed to right field that struck a runner's leg and the moment when four pitchers began to do stretching exercises in the bullpen while in a rush to get loose. David Hess was included in the group. He's supposed to start Monday night in Toronto, but plans can be blown up with one rally and a game already slipping away. The 2019 season begins with a 7-2 loss to the Yankees in the Bronx, the first game for...

Jackson, Martin and Means on first opening day experiences

Jackson, Martin and Means on first opening day experiences
NEW YORK - The day has finally arrived. On the road, in the cold, but filled with excitement for players experiencing their first opener in the majors. The Orioles have two Rule 5 infielders on the roster, with Richie Martin starting at shortstop and Drew Jackson waiting his turn on the bench at Yankee Stadium. "Right now I'm super excited and obviously there's nerves, but I think once I go out there, that's when it will really hit me. I'll look up and see everyone," Jackson said. "This...

Some Orioles opening day notes and quotes

Some Orioles opening day notes and quotes
Well, we know one Orioles opening day streak will end today. They have won the last three opening days in walk-off fashion, the last two in extra innings. Adam Jones' leadoff homer in the 11th last year at Camden Yards provided a 3-2 win over Minnesota. But as the visitors, the Orioles cannot get a walk-off today in the Bronx. The Orioles, who went 47-115 last year, open their 66th season this afternoon in New York versus the Yankees, who went 100-62 in 2018. The Orioles have won on opening...

Will the glovework improve this season?

Will the glovework improve this season?
One area where the Orioles need to improve this year is on defense. Once a solid defensive team that played fundamentally sound baseball, the Orioles have gotten away from that in recent years. They need to get back to it this year. When he met with reporters before yesterday's spring training finale, executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said: "One of our big goals among many goals was to, in the immediate term, upgrade the athleticism and defense and flexibility of the...

After strong springs, some Orioles will still start in the minors

After strong springs, some Orioles will still start in the minors
SARASOTA, Fla. - As the Orioles 2019 spring training camp comes to a close today, it's been a camp where many young players have shown some real talent. They thrived under the relaxed, yet intense atmosphere that manager Brandon Hyde and his coaches created. Frankly, some of the same young players, for whatever reason, could not play as relaxed last year. The new staff gets solid grades in this regard. We saw players like Austin Hays, Chance Sisco, Yusniel Diaz, Anthony Santander, Cody...

Trumbo on knee, Cashner on start (game ends 1-1, updated)

Trumbo on knee, Cashner on start (game ends 1-1, updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Trumbo will back off baseball activities for a while as part of the reset in his recovery from right knee surgery and, he hopes, eventual return to the lineup. The Orioles will place Trumbo on the injured list and keep him back in Sarasota while they break camp and get ready for opening day at Yankee Stadium. Trumbo met with executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde and they came to an agreement. "The realistic part about it is I...

Orioles release Eric Young Jr.

Orioles release Eric Young Jr.
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have released veteran outfielder Eric Young Jr. in the latest spring training cut, a move made despite his impressive showing at the plate and defensively. Young was 10-for-31 (.323) with a double, home run, seven walks, nine strikeouts and two stolen bases after joining the Orioles at the beginning of camp. "Eric has looked and played great this spring," executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said in a statement. "Once we determined he was...

More roster rumblings as Orioles near some important decisions

More roster rumblings as Orioles near some important decisions
SARASOTA, Fla. - The latest roster cuts yesterday, condensed and earlier than usual, left the Orioles with 35 players in camp. Manager Brandon Hyde has to remove 10 more before opening day while knowing that the waiver wire is a potential complication. In a good way, of course. Mark Trumbo is a wild card because he could go on the injured list. Hyde will be asked about it again in a day or two and repeat that the decision is on hold. It's going down to the wire. The Orioles need Trumbo healthy...

Orioles and Pirates lineups

Orioles and Pirates lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he wants to get an extended look at outfielder Dwight Smith Jr., who's leading off today and playing left field against the Pirates in Bradenton. Smith hit his second home run last night and is 6-for-14 since joining the Orioles. Trey Mancini is playing first base and Chris Davis is the designated hitter. Renato Núñez remains out of the lineup with biceps soreness and Rio Ruiz gets another start at third base. Hanser Alberto is the...

Orioles release Escobar, Núñez still out and other notes (tied 1-1)

Orioles release Escobar, Núñez still out and other notes (tied 1-1)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have granted infielder Alcides Escobar his outright release this afternoon, a move coinciding with the opt-out date on the veteran infielder's minor league deal. Escobar, 32, is free to sign with another team and drops out of the competition for a utility infield job in camp. The Orioles reached agreement with Escobar on Feb. 16 and he would have earned $700,000 if placed on the 25-man roster. Appearing in 13 exhibition games, Escobar went 7-for-32 with two doubles...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - Trey Mancini is in left field tonight instead of Drew Jackson for the Orioles' game against the Red Sox in Sarasota. Jackson was supposed to make his debut in left before yesterday's cancellation. Rio Ruiz is still getting the start at third base instead of Renato Núñez. Jesús Sucre is catching Dylan Bundy for the first time this spring. Mark Trumbo is the designated hitter and Chris Davis is batting fourth and playing first base. Rule 5 pick Richie Martin is the...