A look at the longest O's at-bat of the year, plus farm notes

A look at the longest O's at-bat of the year, plus farm notes
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - On Monday for the Orioles at Tropicana Field, there was a comeback by Baltimore from a 4-0 deficit, there was a starter going seven innings, there was some gas thrown late in the game by bullpen pitchers. But in the end there was an extra-innings loss as the Orioles fell 5-4 in 10 to Tampa Bay. There was also a clutch 13-pitch at-bat in the top of the sixth that was the longest this year by any Oriole. In the sixth, with the O's down a run and Mark Trumbo at second base,...

A few takes on Orioles' 11-2 win over Red Sox

A few takes on Orioles' 11-2 win over Red Sox
So the Orioles went six games recently scoring 13 runs total in that span. Now they've scored 20 runs their last two games in beating Washington 9-2 and Boston 11-2. The Orioles have 28 hits, including four home runs, in the two games. A few thoughts on last night's win over Boston: * If you worried that John Means would turn into a pumpkin at midnight, forget it. Means slowed down a Boston team that was 14-2 in its last 16 road games, 19-10 in its last 29 overall and led the majors in runs...

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...

Orioles make more cuts, Smith continues to impress

Orioles make more cuts, Smith continues to impress
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made two more roster cuts this morning, reassigning infielder Jack Reinheimer and pitcher Josh Lucas to minor league camp. Reinheimer follows Alcides Escobar out the door after the veteran was released yesterday, further reducing the competition for a utility job. Reinheimer was 11-for-28 (.393) with two doubles and a home run while mostly coming off the bench later in games. Lucas had a 5.06 ERA in six games with three runs and four hits allowed in 5 1/3 innings....

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...

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...

Wrapping up a 9-6 win

Wrapping up a 9-6 win
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - What else must Richie Martin do in order to make the Orioles roster on opening day besides stay healthy? Plenty of games remain on the docket before they break camp, but Martin seems to be doing everything right. The slick fielding. The speed and hustle on the basepaths. The hits that keep coming following his breakout offensive year at the Double-A level that didn't motivate the Athletics to protect him in the Rule 5 draft. Given another start at shortstop today, Martin...

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...

Sisco: "I feel really good up there"

Sisco: "I feel really good up there"
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The two home runs created the loudest sounds and the most buzz. Chance Sisco muscling up again this afternoon, terrorizing two Red Sox pitchers who have been lauded this spring by their manager for their improvement. But Sisco lit up - as much as he's capable with his quiet personality - when asked about the opposite-field single in his final at-bat that scored Rule 5 pick Richie Martin in the Orioles' 7-6 win at jetBlue Park. "I love that," he said. "That's one of the...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - Cedric Mullins is leading off again today as the Orioles return to Fort Myers to play the Red Sox. Eric Young Jr. is in left field and Anthony Santander is in right. Rule 5 pick Richie Martin is starting at shortstop, Chance Sisco is the designated hitter and Jack Reinheimer is playing second base. Rio Ruiz has moved across the diamond and is starting at first base. For the Orioles Cedric Mullins CF Eric Young Jr. LF Renato Núñez 3B Anthony Santander RF Rio Ruiz 1B Richie...

Wrapping up a 7-1 loss

Wrapping up a 7-1 loss
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Orioles returned to Sarasota this afternoon without any updates on the medical chart. No one got hurt. They'll take the victories that don't show up in the Grapefruit League standings, which no longer list them as unbeaten. Nate Karns and Hunter Harvey felt good physically while allowing two earned runs in the Orioles' 7-1 loss to the Twins at Hammond Stadium. Karns surrendered three runs overall in 1 2/3 innings. Byron Buxton hit a two-run shot off Harvey in the...

Peterson hopes moving around keeps him in one place

Peterson hopes moving around keeps him in one place
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will play their second exhibition game later today, giving manager Brandon Hyde more opportunities to show off the versatility of his roster and do a little more experimenting. Stevie Wilkerson hasn't played first base in the majors? Run him out there in the Grapefruit League opener against the Twins. Wilkerson came off the bag to glove Renato Núñez's throw from across the diamond and slap the tag on Ronald Torreyes. But he also couldn't make the clean...

Ramírez to make start in exhibition opener (and other notes)

Ramírez to make start in exhibition opener (and other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Yefry Ramírez has been tabbed to start the Orioles' first exhibition game Saturday afternoon against the Twins at Ed Smith Stadium. "I feel great. Very excited when I was told about the news," Ramirez said via translator Ramón Alarcón. "It makes he feel really good having this opportunity, so I feel there's a priority in order and I'm looking to try to take advantage of that." Manager Brandon Hyde didn't say it, but you shouldn't read too much into it....

Notes on Mountcastle, Cobb and more to wrap up latest workout

Notes on Mountcastle, Cobb and more to wrap up latest workout
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde continues to rotate players at different positions in camp. Heads can spin trying to track them. Ryan Mountcastle, Chris Bostick and Jace Peterson worked out at third base this morning on the Earl Weaver "Little" Field. Rio Ruiz and Steve Wilkerson moved to first base. Rule 5 picks Richie Martin and Drew Jackson were stationed at shortstop. Zach Vincej and Jack Reinheimer took ground balls at second base. Hyde is new to the organization and...

Orioles sign Alcides Escobar to minor league deal

Orioles sign Alcides Escobar to minor league deal
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made a move this afternoon that intensified the shortstop and utility competition. Alcides Escobar agreed to terms on a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training as the first full-squad workout unfolds on Monday. He can earn $700,000 if playing for the Orioles. The rebuild doesn't preclude executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias from bringing a 32-year-old infielder into the fold. "Alcides Escobar will add a great veteran option to...

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...

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...

Stewart and Hays working to get into outfield competition

Stewart and Hays working to get into outfield competition
While revealing at FanFest that finding more pitching is the top offseason roster priority for the Orioles, executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias didn't deny that the outfield, infield and catching position also could be addressed before opening day. The Orioles remain in an infield frenzy as they increase the competition for starting and utility jobs. They selected Richie Martin with the first pick in the Rule 5 draft and traded for Drew Jackson, who also must remain on the...

Orioles claim Jack Reinheimer off waivers

Orioles claim Jack Reinheimer off waivers
The Orioles keep building infield depth and increasing their options as they move through the offseason. The latest utility candidate arrived today in Jack Reinheimer, claimed off waivers from the Rangers. Pitcher Austin Brice was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Reinheimer, 26, was a fifth-round pick of the Mariners in 2013 out of East Carolina University who appeared in 21 games with the Mets last summer and went 5-for-30 with five walks and nine strikeouts. He was...