Hyde and Elias on the catching situation and more (tied 6-6)

Hyde and Elias on the catching situation and more (tied 6-6)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's news of the likely placement of three Orioles on the injured list finally brings the opening day roster into clear focus unless a late waiver claim or trade muddies the picture again. Splatters happen. Jesús Sucre should be told later that he's on the club, making his opt-out date insignificant and finalizing the composition of the catching tandem. Sucre, signed to a minor league deal on Feb. 1 with a guarantee of $850,000 if he made the team, will be paired with...

Orioles roster close to completion

Orioles roster close to completion
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will host the Mets this afternoon and bolt Sarasota as if their hair is on fire. They have commitments on Tuesday, including a workout at Camden Yards followed by a train to New York. Final roster cuts could come this morning. The catching picture cleared up last night with Jesús Sucre and Pedro Severino avoided the chopping block. Only another waiver claim can break up the duo. I never thought it made sense to bump Sucre for Severino - one plus-defender for...

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...

Peterson scratched from lineup

Peterson scratched from lineup
SARASOTA, Fla. - Infielder Jace Peterson has been scratched from the Orioles lineup today for their split-squad game against the Pirates in Sarasota. Zach Vincej has come over from minor league camp and is starting at second base. Peterson may be the latest roster cut following today's news that the Orioles optioned reliever Evan Phillips. Or it could be injury related. Peterson was hit twice by pitches last night, but he stayed in the game. The utility competition has been one of the more...

Hyde on Severino and catching situation (Cobb update)

Hyde on Severino and catching situation (Cobb update)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde isn't able to provide much clarity to the catching situation following the Pedro Severino waiver claim earlier this afternoon. Chance Sisco is starting tonight and the club is discussing whether he'd benefit from another stint at Triple-A Norfolk. Jesús Sucre still hasn't been told whether he's made the club. And it's possible that the Orioles attempt to pass Severino through waivers after the Nationals failed, a move former executive Dan...

Orioles claim Pedro Severino off waivers

Orioles claim Pedro Severino off waivers
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have tossed another competitor into the catching mix today, claiming Pedro Severino off waivers from the Nationals and designating infielder Stevie Wilkerson for assignment. Severino, 25, is out of options and the Nationals were trying to pass him through waivers. The move gives the Orioles six catchers in camp and 35 players overall. Wilkerson already had been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk and was on the minor league side. A defense-first player in his four major...

Wright goes four innings, O's bats muted (O's lose 4-0, updated)

Wright goes four innings, O's bats muted (O's lose 4-0, updated)
DUNEDIN, Fla. - The Orioles didn't get their first baserunner tonight until Chris Davis drew a walk against Aaron Sanchez leading off the top of the fifth inning. They didn't have a hit until Jesús Sucre singled up the middle with one out - their only hit through seven innings. They still haven't scored. Mike Wright turned in a decent outing tonight, but he was playing second fiddle to Sanchez, who retired the first 12 batters and shut out the Orioles on the one hit over six...

Notes on Sucre, Wynns, roster, Rogers and more (O's down 4-0)

Notes on Sucre, Wynns, roster, Rogers and more (O's down 4-0)
DUNEDIN, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde isn't ready to confirm that Jesús Sucre has made the team as a non-roster invite. Not before he actually meets with the veteran catcher. Sucre is in tonight's lineup against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. He could have opted out of his minor league deal this morning. Shortly before boarding the bus this morning, Sucre said he still hadn't heard from the club or his agent regarding his status and joked with reporters that he'd flash a signal if...

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups

Orioles and Blue Jays lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles get to again experience the sheer joy of making a trip to Dunedin to play the Blue Jays, and it's in an extremely rare night game. Under the lights. Hasn't happened, I'm told, in a very long time. Perhaps the traffic going back to Sarasota will be a little more tolerable. Mike Wright makes his final spring start before learning his fate, which is more likely whether he's in the rotation or bullpen. He opposes Aaron Sanchez tonight. Wright had followed 10...

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...

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...

Mullins and Bundy with big nights for Orioles (O's lose 6-4, updated)

Mullins and Bundy with big nights for Orioles (O's lose 6-4, updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Cedric Mullins collected his sixth hit of spring training tonight while leading off the bottom of the first inning. His fifth for extra bases and third home run. And the odd count would continue. Mullins also reached on a bunt single and doubled for his most productive game of the spring, his average climbing to .186. Always at his most dangerous from the left side, Mullins pulled a two-strike off-speed pitch from Red Sox starter Rick Porcello down the right field line to give...

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...

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...

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...

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....

Early notes on catchers, Rickard, Araujo and Davis

Early notes on catchers, Rickard, Araujo and Davis
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles catcher Austin Wynns provides the latest example of how an oblique injury isn't a day-to-day situation. Players can't rush back from them. Can't test them early without risking a setback. Wynns seems confident that he'll return this week, but he still has to take live batting practice. He's been hitting in the cage, which is where the injury happened. Life as a catcher certainly has its risks, though most of them occur behind the plate. Andrew Susac took a beating...

Wright: "Got to keep the ball in the park" (O's lose 5-3)

Wright: "Got to keep the ball in the park" (O's lose 5-3)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Mike Wright's late push to be included in the Orioles rotation needs more muscle. Wright finished strong today by retiring the split-squad Yankees in order in the fifth inning, but he served up three home runs and the Orioles trail 4-1 in the seventh at Ed Smith Stadium. Luke Voit hit a two-run homer to left-center field with the count full in the first inning and flied to the right field fence in the fifth. Miguel Andújar and Zack Zehner led off the third and fourth,...

Elias explains roster decisions on Hays, Santander and Carroll

Elias explains roster decisions on Hays, Santander and Carroll
SARASOTA, Fla. - The message delivered by the Orioles this spring regarding the importance of camp competitions and fighting for available jobs clashed this morning with a round of roster cuts that included outfielders Austin Hays and Anthony Santander and reliever Cody Carroll. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias explained the decisions and more while meeting with the media for about 10 minutes inside the home dugout at Ed Smith Stadium. "I don't think competition in the...