Williams exhibiting patience again while in holding pattern

Williams exhibiting patience again while in holding pattern
Mason Williams had a chance to audition for the Orioles in September until crashing into a wall and injuring his knee. He made it through only 11 games. Williams had an opportunity in spring training to convince the Orioles that he should make the club as an extra outfielder, and perhaps the starter in right until Trey Mancini returns, but exhibition games were stopped and camps closed down due to the coronavirus pandemic. The importance of baseball competitions and roster decisions shrank as...

Mancini has malignant tumor removed from colon

Mancini has malignant tumor removed from colon
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles announced this afternoon that outfielder Trey Mancini underwent "successful" surgery earlier today to remove a malignant tumor from his colon. The tumor was discovered last week during a colonoscopy. The team's statement also said lab results and the timetable for his recovery won't be known until next week. "The outpouring of love and support I have received has made an extremely tough week so much better," Mancini, 27, said in the statement. "I have the...

Eshelman picks bad time for poor start (O's lose 14-2)

Eshelman picks bad time for poor start (O's lose 14-2)
DUNEDIN, Fla. - The auditions for jobs in Orioles camp moved this afternoon to the Blue Jays' newly renovated spring training complex. Thomas Eshelman made another start while trying to convince the Orioles to keep him as a fifth starter or long reliever. Mason Williams led off and played center field, hopeful that he'll head north in a bench role or perhaps as Trey Mancini's replacement in right if needed. Utility candidates Pat Valaika, Stevie Wilkerson and Dilson Herrera landed in the...

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
SARASOTA, Fla. - Mason Williams is leading off and playing center field as the Orioles travel to Dunedin this afternoon to play the Blue Jays. Williams is 7-for-20 this spring. Pat Valaika is playing first base and Ryan Mountcastle is the left fielder and cleanup hitter. Yusniel Diaz, who had an RBI triple last night, is in right field. Thomas Eshelman gets the start while left-hander John Means throws a simulated game in Sarasota. Means is lined up to make the opening day start on March...

Orioles' opening day roster remains unsettled as they reach an off-day

Orioles' opening day roster remains unsettled as they reach an off-day
SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's much-needed and celebrated break in the exhibition schedule should have provided a little more clarity to the 26-man roster for opening day. It doesn't always work out that way. Trey Mancini could begin the season on the injured list, which creates an unexpected vacancy in right field. Manager Brandon Hyde didn't want to talk about possible alternatives yesterday while meeting with the media. He doesn't know and he doesn't want to be disrespectful to Mancini,...

Orioles lineup vs. Rays

Orioles lineup vs. Rays
SARASOTA, Fla. - Trey Mancini remains out of the Orioles lineup today as he tries to shake the flu-like symptoms that have bothered him for much of the camp. Mason Williams is playing right field for the 1:05 p.m. game against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Andrew Velazquez is the center fielder. Austin Hays, Chris Davis and José Iglesias are staying back in Sarasota. Dilson Herrera is playing first base and Pat Valaika is the shortstop. Ryan Mountcastle gets another start in left field. Chance...

Some Orioles observations halfway through spring training

Some Orioles observations halfway through spring training
SARASOTA, Fla. - Watching the Orioles play the back nine in spring training allows the observers - tanned unevenly from hours spent on the field and in outdoor media scrums - to draw their own conclusions on a few important subjects and others that might not warrant a mention. Including those that should have been obvious before the first workout. Here are a few: The Orioles are serious about evaluating Renato Núñez again at third base. They don't want to surrender to a lineup that...

Slow day on offense as Orioles lose to Nationals

Slow day on offense as Orioles lose to Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - After scoring 36 runs in a three-game stretch last Thursday through Saturday, the Orioles have been held to exactly three runs in each of the last three games. Today they lost for the first time in a week, 5-3 to the Washington Nationals at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. The Orioles did not score after the fourth inning and the last 10 batters were retired in order by Nats' pitchers. The last losses before today for the Orioles were a week ago in split-squad...

Orioles lineup vs. Nationals

Orioles lineup vs. Nationals
SARASOTA, Fla. - Trey Mancini, who was removed yesterday after two at-bats because of some lingering effects from his illness, isn't in today's lineup against the Nationals in West Palm. Austin Hays also is sitting out the game, with Yusniel Diaz getting the start in center field. Diaz tripled yesterday for his first spring hit. Hanser Alberto is leading off and playing second base. Mason Williams is in right field. Anthony Santander continues to serve as the designated hitter. Ryan...

Orioles lineup vs. Phillies

Orioles lineup vs. Phillies
SARASOTA, Fla. - Ryan Mountcastle is in left field today against the Phillies and Stevie Wilkerson is playing first base as the Orioles attempt to run their winning streak to five games in a row. Dilson Herrera keeps moving around, with today's game putting him in right field. Hanser Alberto is leading off and Rio Ruiz is batting cleanup. Mason Williams gets the start in center field. Regulars who are staying back in Sarasota include Austin Hays, Trey Mancini, Anthony Santander, Chris Davis...

Is it too late for Orioles to sign a starter? (plus other notes)

Is it too late for Orioles to sign a starter? (plus other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - As the pages of the calendar flip to a new month on Sunday, the chances of the Orioles bringing in a veteran starter could be moving further away from reality. Time is running out to get a pitcher ready for opening day and the preferred scenario doesn't include innings and arms built up in extended spring training. Manager Brandon Hyde must proceed as though he's got to choose from among the pitchers already in camp. "I think you have to," he said. "We go on the mindset...

Shepherd on today's start against the Braves (O's lose 5-0)

Shepherd on today's start against the Braves (O's lose 5-0)
NORTH PORT, Fla. - Chandler Shepherd got in his work this afternoon and that's the main point of an exhibition start on Feb. 22. Shepherd, vying for a spot in the backend of the Orioles rotation, completed two innings against the Braves before Ty Blach replaced him. He allowed three runs and two hits with two walks and no strikeouts. The Braves filled their lineup with regulars, though they removed Freddie Freeman after one at-bat. "Obviously, there's a lot of names in that lineup that I've...

Harvey and Givens unable to throw due to illness (Milone update)

Harvey and Givens unable to throw due to illness (Milone update)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles aren't worried about running out of innings for their pitchers in camp. They're more liable to run low on hand sanitizer. Hunter Harvey and Mychal Givens didn't throw bullpen sessions in their respective groups this morning after reporting to camp with the same illness that's beginning to spread through the clubhouse. Manager Brandon Hyde said both relievers were "a little under the weather" and left the complex. "They came in yesterday not feeling real...

Improvement ideas related to Smith, Scott and Armstrong

Improvement ideas related to Smith, Scott and Armstrong
The report date countdown for Orioles pitchers and catchers has reached five days. Or the amount of time it takes a call to be confirmed or overturned. Which Orioles have something to prove in camp? Plenty of them, but here are a few ideas: Dwight Smith Jr. is viewed within the organization as a left fielder and nothing more. It's the only position he played last summer and his major league body of work includes a mere three starts in right and one in center with the Blue Jays. The metrics and...

Looking at an Orioles lineup that could be more settled

Looking at an Orioles lineup that could be more settled
The Orioles used a club-record 58 players last season and the lineup was built with moving parts. Injuries were only partly to blame. Nine players made starts in left field, eight in center and seven in right. Joey Rickard, Jace Peterson, Keon Broxton and Drew Jackson are gone. DJ Stewart is recovering from offseason ankle surgery and won't be ready for opening day. Stevie Wilkerson won't repeat as the leader in appearances in center unless something unforeseen happens. Really unforeseen,...

Orioles invite 23 non-roster players to camp

Orioles invite 23 non-roster players to camp
The Orioles released their list of 23 non-roster invites to spring training earlier today, headlined by catcher Adley Rutschman, their top prospect and the first-overall selection in last year's First-Year Player Draft. Rutschman is joined by pitching prospects Zac Lowther, Alex Wells and Bruce Zimmermann, infielders Rylan Bannon and Mason McCoy and outfielder Yusniel Diaz. The future will be illuminated by the Florida sunshine. Other non-roster invites to camp are pitchers Cristian Alvarado,...

Wondering about Orioles' outfield alignment

Wondering about Orioles' outfield alignment
The days are dwindling until Orioles pitchers and catchers report, and the intrigue and curiosity are building as more storylines begin to develop. Others will surface with the front office continuing to explore the free agent and trade markets, but we're already off to a good start. The various competitions will provide copy, including the rotation, bullpen and bench. Someone is bound to get hurt, which requires daily updates and the hope that it's anything except a groin. And there's...

Taking stock of the club's position players heading into camp

Taking stock of the club's position players heading into camp
With the Orioles report date for spring training fast approaching, today we take a look at the club's position players heading into camp. Certainly, this could change pending any further roster moves. O's pitchers and catchers are due to report to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla., on Feb. 11 and the first full-squad workout is Feb. 17. The spring training opener is Feb. 22 against Atlanta and the 2020 season opener is March 26 at home versus the New York Yankees. Here is a look at the...

Taking the latest look at the Orioles roster (Castro update)

Taking the latest look at the Orioles roster (Castro update)
Does the José Iglesias signing, which was announced yesterday, remove some of the uncertainty over the Orioles roster on opening day? Of course. A new shortstop was a high priority and projections with Richie Martin at the position felt like he had become an offseason placeholder. He's going to play at Camden Yards in 2020. Maybe it's in April, maybe it's later. Maybe it's in a utility role. But it's going to happen. The Orioles had to decide which shortstop to sign and how much to give...

Orioles are bound to get busy

Orioles are bound to get busy
I began the decade covering the Orioles for MASN and MASNsports.com and I closed it covering the Orioles for MASN and MASNsports.com. Thanks for indulging me. We've entered a new year and the first of many headaches that make blinking a new experience in pain. I tried to type softly, in case you're still paying the price for last night's celebrating. And I don't mean the cost of the chips and party hats. Will the Orioles be noise-makers in the coming months? They enter 2020 with basically...