Notes on Sucre, the Núñez-Ruiz battle and Trumbo (O's up 5-3)

Notes on Sucre, the Núñez-Ruiz battle and Trumbo (O's up 5-3)
BRADENTON, Fla. - Catcher Jesús Sucre appears to have won a job with the Orioles. The opt-out date on Sucre's minor league deal arrives Friday and manager Brandon Hyde said the veteran has "a good shot to make the team." "I've been playing him every other day," Hyde said this morning before heading to Bradenton. "He went down and took a bunch of minor league at-bats a couple days ago to try to catch up on the at-bats. He's catching great, he throws great, does a really nice job...

Sucre getting more comfortable in camp as opt-out date nears

Sucre getting more comfortable in camp as opt-out date nears
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles education of Jesús Sucre continued last night as he caught starter Dylan Bundy for the first time in camp beyond a couple of bullpen sessions. A late arrival following a prolonged work visa issue had Sucre scrambling to learn the staff and make his bid for a roster spot after agreeing to a minor league deal on Feb. 1. "It's going really well," he said. "I've been working in the 'pen with a lot of guys. They're mostly here. And even in the games I've been...

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...

Wynns: "I'm trying to get back as fast as I can"

Wynns: "I'm trying to get back as fast as I can"
LAKELAND, Fla. - Austin Wynns remains hopeful that he can get back in the lineup within a few days and continue his fight for a spot on the opening day roster as the Orioles wind down the exhibition portion of their spring training. Wynns hasn't been able to play due to a strained left oblique. He did some defensive work yesterday on one of the back fields and has been hitting in the cage, but he's set to ramp up his activities. "I'm like full-go defensive, throwing running," he said....

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...

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chance Sisco is the designated hitter for the Orioles and Carlos Pérez is catching in tonight's split-squad game against the Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. Chris Davis remains out of the lineup with a sore left hip. Jace Peterson is starting at first base. Richie Martin is the shortstop and Hanser Alberto is playing second base. Cedric Mullins is leading off and playing center field, Trey Mancini is in left field and Anthony Santander is in right. David Hess is coming off...

Orioles and Pirates lineups

Orioles and Pirates lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Davis and Austin Wynns remain out of the Orioles' lineup for today's game against the Pirates in Bradenton. Davis is nursing a sore left hip and Wynns underwent tests on his sore oblique. Stevie Wilkerson is playing first base today and Carlos Pérez is catching. Jesús Sucre's debut is put off for at least one more day. Jonathan Villar is leading off and playing second base. Austin Hays is in center field. Mike Wright hasn't allowed a run in seven innings and...

Notes on Mountcastle, Young, Yacabonis, catching and coaches

Notes on Mountcastle, Young, Yacabonis, catching and coaches
SARASOTA, Fla. - With so much attention given to Ryan Mountcastle's repetitions and game experience at first base, his slow start at the plate barely drew notice. One hit in 13 at-bats from an upper-tier prospect who usually can roll out of bed and square up a fastball. But what about the glove? How does he look at first? Is he really changing positions again? Talent wins out again. Mountcastle entered yesterday's game with four hits in his last six at-bats. Driving the ball into the gap and...

Wrapping up a 10-4 loss

Wrapping up a 10-4 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - The level of concern emanating from manager Brandon Hyde today following reliever Mychal Givens' second spring appearance didn't register. Nothing above a zero. The needle didn't move. Givens again lasted only two-thirds of an inning and was charged with five runs and four hits. He surrendered a leadoff home run to J.B. Shuck in the fourth and a three-run shot to Josh Bell with two outs in the Orioles' 10-4 loss to the Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium. A spring ERA of 40.50 was...

Cobb, Karns and Givens talk about outings (O's lose 10-4)

Cobb, Karns and Givens talk about outings (O's lose 10-4)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Alex Cobb didn't make a quick and unexpected exit today. The veteran right-hander finished what he started, completing his scheduled three innings against the Pirates. He gave up one run and two hits, with a walk and strikeout. Cobb threw 43 pitches, 20 more than he totaled in only two-thirds of an inning in Friday's spring debut versus the Rays. He felt better about his outing "just from a comfort level," a calmness allowing him to proceed through the lineup. "First time...

Sucre is safe away from home and trying to win a job with Orioles

Sucre is safe away from home and trying to win a job with Orioles
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Nate Karns will pitch in his second spring training game Tuesday while coming out of the bullpen against the Pirates in Sarasota. Karns didn't experience any discomfort in his right arm following Saturday's bullpen session and will get back on the mound after Alex Cobb makes the start. The Orioles backed off Karns, skipping him Friday night in Tampa in favor of left-hander John Means, after he felt that he didn't bounce back in normal fashion following last Monday's debut...

Notes on Sucre and Bleier before today's game

Notes on Sucre and Bleier before today's game
SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Jesús Sucre hasn't reported to Orioles camp, but his locker is back. Set up in the same spot before his nameplate disappeared and Cael Brockmeyer arrived from Twin Lakes Park. Sucre has been detained in Venezuela while trying to obtain his work visa. Manager Brandon Hyde's latest update this week included how the paperwork almost was finalized. The Orioles inked Sucre, 30, to a minor league deal on Feb. 1 and invited him to spring training, the idea to toss him...

Early notes and updates before Orioles-Rays game

Early notes and updates before Orioles-Rays game
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles left-hander Richard Bleier threw live batting practice this morning on Field 2, with Cedric Mullins and Carlos Pérez serving as the hitters. Manager Brandon Hyde said Bleier will pitch in a "situational-type game" before debuting in six or seven days. The Orioles are being careful with Bleier, who underwent lat surgery in June and is an important part of their bullpen. Mychal Givens pitched a simulated game yesterday in Sarasota and also is getting closer to making...

Carlos Pérez looking to stand out among crowded catcher competition

Carlos Pérez looking to stand out among crowded catcher competition
SARASOTA, Fla. - With six catchers in the Orioles' spring camp, it can be hard to stand out among the group this early. But veteran Carlos Pérez took advantage of the one chance he's gotten so far here on Sunday afternoon. He batted in the last of the fourth against Toronto with the Orioles down 5-4. He hit a booming two-run double to center for the lead and the Orioles never trailed again in a 9-8 win over the Blue Jays. That provided them a 2-0 start before Monday's loss to...

Orioles acquire pitcher David Lebron (O's win 9-8)

Orioles acquire pitcher David Lebron (O's win 9-8)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles brought over three pitchers this afternoon from minor league camp to pad the bullpen in case of an unexpected mid-inning departure, and they also managed to send someone over to Twin Lakes Park with an in-game trade. The club announced during the third inning that it acquired right-hander David Lebron from the Rangers in exchange for international signing bonus slots. (I've already heard how this is Lebron's team now, and other NBA-related jokes, but keep 'em...

More from Hyde following today's rain-soaked workout

More from Hyde following today's rain-soaked workout
SARASOTA, Fla. - The rain and chill in the air didn't prevent the Orioles from having a productive first workout for their pitchers and catchers. It just had the beat crew scrambling to find warmth. I'll say it again: Florida cold is different than anywhere else. Same temperature in Baltimore and I'd be sleeveless. Richard Bleier broke out his cutter for his latest bullpen session. No one was electrocuted while working the video equipment. The Orioles have added catcher Cael Brockmeyer to...

Catching up on an odd position battle

Catching up on an odd position battle
SARASOTA, Fla. - The report date for pitchers and catchers at Orioles camp yesterday didn't preclude a handful of position players from showing up. Mark Trumbo hit, threw and shagged fly balls on the Camden Yards replica field. Outfielder Ryan McKenna, utility candidate Chris Bostick, infielder Zach Vincej and Rule 5 infielder Richie Martin were in the clubhouse for media availability, and I heard that outfielders Trey Mancini and Mike Yastrzemski also were at the facility. What really stood...

Eyeing a few of the spring competitions at Orioles camp

Eyeing a few of the spring competitions at Orioles camp
The inviting storylines awaiting the media at spring training, less than a week before it begins, include the competitions at third base and right field and behind the plate. Other candidates can be tossed into the mix as executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias attempts to swing a few trades and/or snatches up a couple of free agents lingering on another sluggish market. One-year deals become more attractive to players as we move through February. Manager Brandon Hyde can figure...

Orioles sign Sucre to minor league deal

Orioles sign Sucre to minor league deal
The Orioles' search for a veteran catcher to toss into the spring training competition led them to Jesús Sucre, who has agreed to terms on a minor league deal. The announcement came this afternoon. Sucre's contract includes an invitation to major league camp and guarantees $850,000 if he makes the club. USA Today reported that the deal also includes a March 22 opt-out date. The 40-man roster still holds only two catchers - Austin Wynns and Chance Sisco, who were rookies in 2018. Non-roster...

Pondering a few questions as spring training gets close

Pondering a few questions as spring training gets close
The start of spring training is getting close for the Orioles. Pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 12, the first full-squad workout is Feb. 18 and the first game is set for Feb. 23. Opening day is March 28 at Yankee Stadium and a new season will be officially underway. With all this fast approaching there are still plenty of unanswered questions for the 2019 season. Here are a few of them. Who will fill out the starting rotation? In some order we know that Alex Cobb, Andrew Cashner and Dylan...