Orioles expect the unexpected at spring training

Orioles expect the unexpected at spring training
One of the rules that the Orioles need to implement by spring training goes something like this: No surprises. Hard-throwing reliever Zach Pop, a favorite of the previous regime, experienced such a pronounced loss of velocity that the Orioles immediately shut him down after one appearance. Retiring all three batters, with one strikeout, didn't ease the concerns. Pop made eight appearances with Double-A Bowie, none of them after April 30, and allowed only one run with 11 strikeouts in 10 2/3...

Orioles replacing Alvarez in GCL (and other notes)

Orioles replacing Alvarez in GCL (and other notes)
With less than a week remaining until the start of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League season, the Orioles are in the process of naming a new pitching coach after removing Wilson Alvarez. I've heard that Wilson was let go Thursday after six seasons with the GCL team. Minor league pitching coordinator Chris Holt is in Sarasota as the temporary replacement for Alvarez until the new hire is announced. Former Orioles pitcher and bullpen coach Alan Mills is beginning his first season as manager at...

Revisiting the opener, camp roster decisions and more

Revisiting the opener, camp roster decisions and more
The Orioles made it through yesterday's workout without their tans fading or the front office tweaking the 25-man roster. The same group that flew out of Sarasota headed out to the field in stocking caps and hoodies, then retreated to a clubhouse that added new big screen televisions mounted from the ceiling, a leather sofa and a couple of recliners. Feel the cold outside and chill indoors. The final roster moves on Monday didn't include any mention of pitcher Gregory Infante, who never made...

Sisco and Scott among six players cut from Orioles camp

Sisco and Scott among six players cut from Orioles camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles apparently have decided to carry Jesús Sucre and Pedro Severino as their catchers on opening day. Chance Sisco posted a .382 average in spring training, collecting three more hits this afternoon, but he's included among six roster cuts. Sisco and left-handers Tanner Scott and Josh Rogers were optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Catchers Carlos Pérez and Andrew Susac and infielder Jace Peterson were reassigned to minor league camp. Manager Brandon Hyde confirmed...

Hyde on roster cuts, Wynns update and more (O's down 4-0)

Hyde on roster cuts, Wynns update and more (O's down 4-0)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brandon Hyde called them into his office one at a time. Eight players sent out of major league camp in the latest round of roster cuts. Always tough conversations for veteran and first-year managers. Outfielders Austin Hays and Anthony Santander, pitchers Yefry Ramirez, Cody Carroll and Branden Kline, and infielder Stevie Wilkerson were optioned to Triple-A Norfolk this morning. Pitcher Gabriel Ynoa and infielder Christopher Bostick were reassigned to minor league camp. "All...

O's roster undergoing more changes, Elias on potential additions

O's roster undergoing more changes, Elias on potential additions
SARASOTA, Fla. - The arrival of another Sunday signals a third round of roster cuts. A pattern has developed with reductions the past two Sundays. There could be four or five players optioned or reassigned this morning. Forty-six players remain in camp. Pitcher Gregory Infante never reported and continues to seek treatment in Miami for an undisclosed illness. The Orioles could hold onto all five of their catchers while Austin Wynns remains unavailable with an oblique injury, but he's hopeful...

Hearing from Rogers and Hyde before today's game (O's up 4-1)

Hearing from Rogers and Hyde before today's game (O's up 4-1)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde spent part of yesterday's postgame media session praising left-hander Josh Rogers for setting a rapid tempo rather than lulling everyone to sleep between pitches. Rogers isn't doing it by accident. He retired all six Rays that he faced in the blink of an eye. "I'm definitely conscious of it," he said. "It's something I feel like I use to my advantage. I don't think it's something you can just get up there and do. I've taught myself to do...

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...

Notes on rotation, Infante, Sucre, Sisco and defense (tied 4-4)

Notes on rotation, Infante, Sucre, Sisco and defense (tied 4-4)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Alex Cobb is making his Grapefruit League debut in Friday's split-squad game against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Nate Karns is making his second start in the night portion against the Yankees in Tampa. No way to shield them from a division opponent, especially with the Orioles returning to Fort Myers on Saturday to play the Red Sox. Cobb has been slotted ahead of Andrew Cashner after throwing live batting practice yesterday on Field 2 at the Sarasota complex. Cashner threw...

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...

Hyde on his debut, lineup, starters and more (O's up 3-1)

Hyde on his debut, lineup, starters and more (O's up 3-1)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The first game for Brandon Hyde as a major league manager has arrived today. Does a win or loss really matter to him? "No, not at all, zero," he replied while sitting in the home dugout at Ed Smith Stadium. Let's remember that it's spring training and other goals rank higher in the pecking order. "It's 100 percent about what we just did up until 11:30 and how we play," Hyde said. "We're going to evaluate that, we'll talk a little bit about a couple things that maybe...

Leftovers from the first week of Orioles spring training

Leftovers from the first week of Orioles spring training
SARASOTA, Fla. - With veteran infielder Alcides Escobar expected in the clubhouse this morning, the Orioles media will have an easy note or main story teed up on the second day of full-squad workouts. Escobar was traveling yesterday, his arrival increasing to 60 the number of players in camp. The roster holds 62, including catcher Jesús Sucre and pitcher Gregory Infante, who remain in Venezuela. Infante is a long shot to make the club, but Sucre has a legitimate chance if he can obtain his...

Relievers left to wonder whether there's room for them in 'pen

Relievers left to wonder whether there's room for them in 'pen
SARASOTA, Fla. - The first full-squad workout today will feature 14 pitchers throwing live batting practice spread over four fields. Andrew Cashner, Dylan Bundy and Sean Gilmartin will throw off the Ed Smith Stadium mound. Nathan Karns, David Hess, Hunter Harvey and Cody Carroll are grouped together. So are Luis Ortiz, Dillon Tate, Evan Phillips and Tanner Scott. Gabriel Ynoa, Branden Kline and Jimmy Yacabonis are together on another back field. Left-hander Richard Bleier will throw another...

Reviewing the first week of Orioles camp

Reviewing the first week of Orioles camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have reached another spring mile marker today with the first full-squad workout. Every player is in camp except for infielder Alcides Escobar, who's expected to report later today, catcher Jesús Sucre and pitcher Gregory Infante - the latter two stuck in Venezuela for visa and health reasons. "(Today) definitely does step it up a notch. There's no doubt," said manager Brandon Hyde. "There are going to be balls flying all over the place. We're going to have...

Hyde: "I'm excited about the mix of middle infielders we have"

Hyde: "I'm excited about the mix of middle infielders we have"
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles aren't suffering from a shortage of infielders in camp. Major league and minor league deals. Guys come off the 40-man roster, clear waivers and receive invites. Bringing in Alcides Escobar raises the infield total to 14 and most of them can man the middle. No one has been anointed as the starter at third base, shortstop or second base. "I think it keeps the competition going in camp," said manager Brandon Hyde. "I'm excited about the mix of middle infielders we...

Hearing from Hyde and Díaz following the latest Orioles workout

Hearing from Hyde and Díaz following the latest Orioles workout
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he anticipates having everyone in camp Sunday besides catcher Jesús Sucre and pitcher Gregory Infante, who remain in Venezuela. The first full-squad workout will be held Monday. Jonathan Villar, Steve Wilkerson, Eric Young Jr. and Hanser Alberto haven't reported. An illness is preventing Infante from boarding a flight to the United States. "What I just heard this morning is all signs are getting positive, he's feeling better," Hyde said....

Davis in camp and other notes from Orioles spring training

Davis in camp and other notes from Orioles spring training
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Davis is in camp and he'll speak with the media in a few minutes. There seems to be an obsession over his report date. Position players aren't due until Sunday. "We've talked on the phone a few times, got to see him in person at FanFest, talked to him this morning. So it's been all positive," said manager Brandon Hyde. "I think he looks great and he sounds great and I'm ready to watch him work out." Outfielder Austin Hays has reported early and he took batting...

Kremer unable to throw due to oblique strain

Kremer unable to throw due to oblique strain
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dean Kremer, the Orioles right-hander who led the minors in strikeouts last summer, is unable to work out in camp due to a strained left oblique. Kremer sustained the injury two weeks ago while working out at home and expects to be out for two more weeks. "I've got a slow recovery coming back, but I should be back in a couple of weeks," said Kremer, 23, who was obtained from the Dodgers in the Manny Machado trade. "I'm obviously not happy that it happened, but happy that...

Brice claimed off waivers by Marlins

Brice claimed off waivers by Marlins
The Austin Brice era with the Orioles was fleeting. It lasted about a month. The Marlins have claimed Brice off waivers after the Orioles designated him for assignment on Jan. 28 to create a spot for infielder Jack Reinheimer on the 40-man roster. Reinheimer was claimed off waivers from the Rangers. The Orioles claimed Brice from the Angels on Jan. 4 and designated infielder Breyvic Valera for assignment. They traded Valera to the Giants the following day for cash considerations. Brice, 26, is...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
As the Orioles continue making their final preparations for this weekend's FanFest event at the Baltimore Convention Center, they're also nearing the announcements on their major league and minor league coaching staffs and their non-roster invitees to spring training. One domino falls and others will tumble. The list of invitees could include infielders Ryan Mountcastle, Jace Peterson, Engelb Vielma, Sean Miller and Zach Vincej, outfielders Ryan McKenna, Yusniel Díaz and Christopher...