Reinheimer raking in reduced at-bats with Orioles

Reinheimer raking in reduced at-bats with Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jack Reinheimer can remember making one start for the Orioles this spring, though he might not be able to nail down the date. Reinheimer keeps coming off the bench, mainly to play shortstop or second base and to get his daily at-bat. And what often follows is a line drive that finds grass in the outfield. Is there a quieter .407/.429/.593 slash line in the Grapefruit League? Reinheimer has appeared in 20 games, one fewer than team leader Drew Jackson, and accumulated 27...

Today's cancellation delays outfield plans for Jackson (updated)

Today's cancellation delays outfield plans for Jackson (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - A steady rain and unfavorable forecast have caused the cancellation of today's game between the Orioles and Twins and delayed Drew Jackson's debut in left field. Jackson made his first professional appearance in right field yesterday in Lakeland and was set to play left today, but the Twins never left Fort Myers, didn't post a lineup and waited for the inevitable. The Orioles want to know whether Jackson can be a fourth outfielder along with his other utility duties. A sunny...

Checking on Orioles camp competitions

Checking on Orioles camp competitions
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde remains uncertain about numerous aspects of his opening day roster. The final rotation spots, the complete bullpen and outfield compositions, the two catchers heading north. The top three starters always have been Alex Cobb, Dylan Bundy and Andrew Cashner. The only drama involved which one would be on the mound March 28 at Yankee Stadium, with Cobb given the honor. Mychal Givens and Richard Bleier were locks for the bullpen, the latter just needing...

Cashner on his "big step in the right direction" (O's win 14-1, updated)

Cashner on his "big step in the right direction" (O's win 14-1, updated)
LAKELAND, Fla. - Andrew Cashner retired the last 12 batters that he faced today. The Orioles sent 11 to the plate in the fifth inning, with Dwight Smith Jr. collecting two singles. They received back-to-back triples from Jonathan Villar and Trey Mancini. Just another day in spring training. Cashner got on a nice roll after Mikie Mahtook singled to lead off the bottom of the second inning. He filled up the strike zone and did his finest work while holding the Tigers to one run in five...

Hyde on Jackson, roster decisions, Núñez's arm and more (O's up 8-1)

Hyde on Jackson, roster decisions, Núñez's arm and more (O's up 8-1)
LAKELAND, Fla. - Drew Jackson's ability to handle the outfield corners, with today marking his first game in right, could influence manager Brandon Hyde's roster construction prior to opening day. Jackson figures to make the club as a second Rule 5 infielder along with Richie Martin, but he's been used in a utility role in camp and the resume is expanding. "He's so versatile. He can play a lot of different positions," Hyde said this morning while the Orioles took batting...

Orioles lineup vs. Tigers

Orioles lineup vs. Tigers
SARASOTA, Fla. - Drew Jackson is making his first appearance in right field this afternoon as the Orioles travel to Lakeland to play the Tigers. Ryan Mountcastle is coming over from minor league camp to serve as the designated hitter. He's batting third. Trey Mancini is starting at first base, Chance Sisco is catching and Joey Rickard is in center field. Andrew Cashner makes his fourth spring start after allowing eight runs and 12 hits in 8 1/3 innings. He's walked four batters and struck out...

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
SARASOTA, Fla. - Alex Cobb, named the Orioles opening day starter, is on the mound for today's 1:07 p.m. game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. Cobb has made two starts this spring, allowing four runs in two-thirds of an inning and one run in three innings. Mark Trumbo is the designated hitter, his third appearance in the lineup. He's 0-for-4. Renato Núñez is back in the lineup at third base after fouling a ball of his left shin during Thursday's game. Stevie Wilkerson is starting at...

Twins bash six homers in 12-9 win over Orioles

Twins bash six homers in 12-9 win over Orioles
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Orioles right-hander David Hess began his outing today with a spring ERA of 3.48, a batting average against of .237 and with a WHIP of 1.06 through four spring games. But he leaves with an ERA of 9.00 as Minnesota beat the Orioles 12-9 at Hammond Stadium. The Orioles have lost five of six, two in the last two days to the Twins, and are 10-10-2. Minnesota improved to 12-9-2. Hess elevated some pitches and paid for it, allowing four homers among nine hits and nine runs over 2...

Martin navigating through first spring slump

Martin navigating through first spring slump
SARASOTA, Fla. - Richie Martin didn't figure to keep his average above .400 for an entire spring training. He was bound to cool off, baseball's odds catching up to the kid. Martin is handling his mini-slump or whatever it should be termed with the same poise and maturity that's gotten him this far. No hits in his last four games brings fewer worries, if that's possible. Don't overthink it. Martin isn't. "That's just how baseball goes," he said yesterday morning while relaxing at his...

Updates on Karns, Wynns and Núñez

Updates on Karns, Wynns and Núñez
SARASOTA, Fla. - Nate Karns and Mychal Givens are staying back at the Ed Smith Stadium complex this morning to pitch in a simulated game. They're no longer listed on the travel roster for today's Grapefruit League game against the Twins in Fort Myers. Karns didn't know exactly how many pitches he'd throw. He intended to incorporate his "slider/cutter" in order to judge whether it's game ready. "I've been leaving that one in the 'pen," he said. A slider/cutter? "Sometimes it's a...

Trumbo on knee and debut, Cashner on latest start (O's win 6-4)

Trumbo on knee and debut, Cashner on latest start (O's win 6-4)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The process of trying to get Mark Trumbo ready for opening day accelerated this afternoon with his two at-bats in his spring debut against the Blue Jays. No more cages and simulated games. Trumbo batted for the first time with one out and nobody on base in the bottom of the first inning. He got ahead 3-1 in the count, swung through a Marcus Stroman fastball, stayed alive on a couple of foul tips and bounced to shortstop Richard Ureña. Eight pitches total and a sprint up the...

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Trumbo makes his spring debut this afternoon by serving as the designated hitter for the Orioles in their 1:05 p.m. game against the Blue Jays at Ed Smith Stadium. Trumbo is batting second behind leadoff hitter Jonathan Villar. Drew Jackson is starting in center field. Trey Mancini is the first baseman, with Chris Davis out of the lineup following last night's return. Jesús Sucre is catching. Pitchers available behind starter Andrew Cashner include Yefry Ramirez, Cody...

Jackson positioned to serve in utility role for Orioles

Jackson positioned to serve in utility role for Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Whatever stigma is attached to the designation of utility infielder can evaporate like a puddle in the Florida sun. Want to be a major league player? Accept any role handed to you. Are you a Rule 5 pick who wants to avoid going back to the minors? Embrace any role handed to you. Squeeze it like a popup - camping under it from whichever position you're assigned on a given day. Drew Jackson has an excellent chance of being introduced on opening day at Yankee Stadium because of...

Critiquing camp again as O's creep closer to opening day (updated)

Critiquing camp again as O's creep closer to opening day (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles get their first and only off-day of spring training, closing the Ed Smith Stadium complex and encouraging a mental and physical break from the grind. Cuts may not happen today, but more are coming now that the Orioles moved past Saturday's split-squad games. They can afford to continue thinning out the camp roster. Five catchers remain and fewer are needed as pitchers are optioned and reassigned. However, Austin Wynns is shut down, leaving only four who are...

Orioles and Rays lineups for split-squad game

Orioles and Rays lineups for split-squad game
SARASOTA, Fla. - Ryan Mountcastle is starting at first base today and Drew Jackson is at second for the Orioles' split-squad game against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Austin Hays is in center field and Jonthan Villar is playing shortstop. Dylan Bundy is making his third start. He's allowed four runs and nine hits with no walks and five strikeouts in five innings. Andrew Susac is catching Bundy today. For the Orioles Austin Hays CF Eric Young Jr. LF Jonathan Villar SS Rio Ruiz DH Joey Rickard...

Wrapping up a 4-2 win

Wrapping up a 4-2 win
SARASOTA, Fla. - Gabriel Ynoa became the first Orioles pitcher this spring to work four innings. Did anyone pick him in the pool? How many people remembered that he was still in camp? Ynoa was the fourth pitcher used by manager Brandon Hyde in today's 4-2 win and he blanked the Red Sox on one hit. He walked none and struck out three. "I was not really expecting to go four innings today," Ynoa said through interpreter Ramón Alarcón, "but they gave me the opportunity and I went ahead...

Many points to consider when trying to project 25-man roster

Many points to consider when trying to project 25-man roster
SARASOTA, Fla. - Before I can get a stronger grip on the 25-man roster that will be unveiled on opening day in the Bronx, I still need to know how many pitchers are heading north. Is it a 12- or 13-man pitching staff? Does manager Brandon Hyde envision carrying four starters until a fifth is needed on April 10? The mocks are murky without this information. The position battles continue in the outfield, at third base and behind the plate. I'm giving Rule 5 pick Richie Martin the starting job at...

Hart claimed by Dodgers, wrapping up 5-4 loss

Hart claimed by Dodgers, wrapping up 5-4 loss
BRADENTON, Fla. - Left-hander Donnie Hart, designated for assignment by the Orioles on March 1, has been claimed off waivers by the Dodgers. The Orioles designated Hart to make room for infielder Hanser Alberto. He posted a 5.59 ERA and 2.224 WHIP in 20 appearances with the Orioles last summer. In his only spring inning, Hart retired the side in order with two strikeouts. The former 27th round pick has a 3.43 ERA and 1.500 WHIP in 93 major league games. Branden Kline fell behind 2-0 to the...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
SARASOTA, Fla. - The lessons that are distributed in Orioles camp don't skip past the manager's office. Brandon Hyde is finding out a lot about his team, the layers of mystery peeled away as the days pass. "I'll tell you what, I just like our guys," Hyde said yesterday while standing in the visiting dugout at Charlotte Sports Park. "I like the way our guys work. I didn't know what kind of work ethic our guys had. I didn't know how guys prepared. I didn't know the makeup of our players...

Orioles lineup vs. Pirates

Orioles lineup vs. Pirates
SARASOTA, Fla. - Alex Cobb makes his second spring start today as the Orioles host the Pirates. Cobb was limited to 23 pitches in two-thirds of an inning Friday against the Rays, and manager Brandon Hyde will try to stretch him out to at least two innings. Jonathan Villar returns to the lineup after taking a spike in his pinky finger Sunday in Fort Myers. He's starting at shortstop. Trey Mancini remains absent with swelling in his left pinky finger. Drew Jackson is in center field while...