Cobb on pending free agency and a new offseason plan

Cobb on pending free agency and a new offseason plan
Alex Cobb has arrived back at a point in his career that looks the same in some aspects and completely foreign in others. The final year of his contract. Shuffled priorities as he stands on the deck and peers out again at free agency. Been there, but doing it differently. Cobb isn't in the hunt for another four-year deal, which the Orioles gave him at a cost of $57 million before the 2018 season to mark the largest for a pitcher in franchise history. He turned 33 in October, is entering a new...

Orioles return Bailey and Rucker to their former organizations

Orioles return Bailey and Rucker to their former organizations
SARASOTA, Fla. - The second round of roster cuts for the Orioles this afternoon includes Rule 5 pitchers Brandon Bailey and Michael Rucker, who are being returned to their respective organizations after clearing waivers. Bailey is headed back to the Astros and Rucker to the Cubs. Top prospect Adley Rutschman was reassigned to minor league camp within a series of moves that left the camp roster at 54 players. The Orioles optioned pitcher Dean Kremer and outfielder Ryan McKenna to Triple-A...

Phillips undergoes MRI on elbow (O's and Twins tie 3-3)

Phillips undergoes MRI on elbow (O's and Twins tie 3-3)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles reliever Evan Phillips underwent an MRI on his sore right elbow this week and was sent out today for a second opinion. Phillips struggled in his debut against the Rays on Feb. 23 with three runs and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. He registered a scoreless inning against the Braves three days later with a walk and strikeout. "We gave him an MRI. It showed OK. Mild," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He's seeing a second opinion and it's going on today. That's why...

Orioles lineup vs. Twins

Orioles lineup vs. Twins
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brandon Bailey no longer is starting today's game against the Twins in Sarasota, with a scheduling change putting left-hander Keegan Akin on the mound. We're told that Bailey is fine physically. The Orioles just made a switch. Hanser Alberto is starting at shortstop today. José Iglesias was scratched yesterday with cramping in his quadriceps muscle, but said he's fine and could have played this afternoon. Dilson Herrera is the second baseman. Ryan Mountcastle is in left...

Valaika homers, LeBlanc gets win, bullpen strong late as O's beat Miami

Valaika homers, LeBlanc gets win, bullpen strong late as O's beat Miami
JUPITER, Fla. - On a day when the Orioles got just three hits, they beat the Miami Marlins 5-3 to split two games on their swing through the east coast of Florida. They head back to Sarasota with a record of 7-5-1 after a loss to Washington and win over Miami. Today they scored two runs on Pat Valaika's third spring homer and two more on a throwing error. Four bullpen pitchers put up zeros from the sixth on to lock down the win. Non-roster invitee lefty Wade LeBlanc continued his bid for a...

Pitching market losing appeal for Orioles

Pitching market losing appeal for Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are on a rotation roll of late, with Asher Wojciechowski the latest starter to impress yesterday with three scoreless innings. They've got Tommy Milone throwing this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex and Wade LeBlanc prepping for Wednesday's start in Jupiter. John Means retired all nine batters he faced Sunday in Clearwater. Alex Cobb impressed in his simulated game and hasn't experienced any discomfort in his hip or knee. Other candidates are making their...

Hays and Mountcastle making spring statements (O's win 11-4)

Hays and Mountcastle making spring statements (O's win 11-4)
BRADENTON, Fla. - Austin Hays didn't have a seat on the team bus this morning, his workout schedule keeping him back in Sarasota while the Orioles made the 20-minute trek to play the Pirates. Ryan Mountcastle peeled away from his friend and handled first base and cleanup duties at LECOM Park. They both cleaned up yesterday at Ed Smith Stadium. Hays doubled twice and had two RBIs, made two diving catches and was on the front end of an 8-4-2 putout. Mountcastle doubled twice, hit a long home...

Orioles lineup vs. Pirates

Orioles lineup vs. Pirates
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 pick Brandon Bailey gets his first start today, as the Orioles travel to Bradenton to play the Pirates in a 1:05 p.m. game. Bailey pitched in relief in Sunday's home opener against the Red Sox and allowed one run and three hits with no walks and two strikeouts over two innings. Yusniel Diaz makes his spring debut today as the designated hitter. Dwight Smith Jr. is leading off, followed by Hanser Alberto. Ryan Mountcastle moves to first base after playing left field in...

Looking at the Orioles outfield (and other notes)

Looking at the Orioles outfield (and other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Anthony Santander continues to be used as the Orioles' designated hitter until manager Brandon Hyde feels comfortable easing him into the outfield. The spot waiting for him is becoming more clear. Hyde confirmed this morning that Santander is likely to play left field at Camden Yards while Trey Mancini returns to right, but they could reverse positions at select road venues. Mancini starts in left field at Fenway Park, entrusted to slay the Green Monster. "I think similar to...

LeBlanc puts up blanks and Orioles cruise to win (updated)

LeBlanc puts up blanks and Orioles cruise to win (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - One start won't move the needle much in the Orioles rotation competition. Two innings aren't a sufficient amount to begin placing odds. Three pitchers in the crowded field wanted to make an early impression this afternoon. Left-hander Wade LeBlanc shut out the Red Sox for the first couple of frames, allowing a single to Kevin Plawecki and striking out Tommy Joseph and Marcus Wilson. Both of them looking. (The Red Sox didn't bring their A team to Sarasota. I'm not sure the B...

Orioles outright Ureña and return him to camp roster

Orioles outright Ureña and return him to camp roster
SARASOTA, Fla. - Richard Ureña exited the utility competition in Orioles camp and has been dragged back into it. Just when a player thinks he's out ... The club announced that Ureña cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. He gets an invitation to spring training that bloats the camp roster to 69 players. It was inevitable. The Orioles designated Ureña for assignment after claiming Anthony Velazquez off waivers from the Indians. Velazquez is waiting to appear in...

Notes on LeBlanc, Rule 5 guys, Davis, Velazquez and more

Notes on LeBlanc, Rule 5 guys, Davis, Velazquez and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles left-hander Wade LeBlanc will try to go two innings this afternoon, as Chandler Shepherd and Ty Blach did yesterday in North Port. Manager Brandon Hyde has watched the left-hander in bullpen and live batting practice sessions, but today's game provides a truer evaluation. "He's just a veteran guy that knows how to pitch, that can command pitches," Hyde said. "He's had a good changeup and a good cutter for years. His first outing in a game and I'm sure he's...

Wynns on Rule 5 picks: "They have great big league stuff"

Wynns on Rule 5 picks: "They have great big league stuff"
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Internet makes pitching statistics easily accessible to the public and there are multiple sites offering full scouting reports. Video can be found in only a couple of keystrokes. It's reached the point where leaving your couch no longer is a prerequisite. Then there are those opportunities to hang out at a catcher's locker and pick his brain. Still one of my favorite activities, and especially in spring training with so many arms in camp. Austin Wynns turned 29 in...

Brandon Bailey's to-do list: Get to know teammates, make O's roster

Brandon Bailey's to-do list: Get to know teammates, make O's roster
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right-hander Brandon Bailey admits he has spent his first few days of spring training with his new team getting to know all of his teammates' names. That is understandable, with so many players new to him. But he's slowly starting to settle in at O's spring training and looking forward to the best opportunity of his young career. He wasn't drafted by the Houston Astros, but an Astros front office that included Mike Elias and Sig Mejdal traded for him not long after...

Orioles agree to terms with Milone on minor league deal

Orioles agree to terms with Milone on minor league deal
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles found a veteran pitcher to compete for a spot in their rotation and it didn't cost them a major league contract. Left-hander Tommy Milone has agreed to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training, according to an industry source. Milone, who turns 33 later this month, has pitched for six teams since debuting with the Nationals in 2011. Primarily a starter for the first five years, Milone has transitioned into more of a relief/bulk guy role. Only six...

DJ Stewart making progress from ankle surgery (plus notes)

DJ Stewart making progress from ankle surgery (plus notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The workout held today for Orioles outfielder DJ Stewart looked simple in nature. He did some light running on the dirt cart path along one of the practice fields, increasing his speed and intensity as the minutes passed. For a player coming off ankle surgery in October and unwilling to surrender the hope of being ready for opening day, each step taken by Stewart is an important achievement. Stewart, the former first-round draft pick out of Florida State University, underwent a...

How will Orioles make room for Triple-A starters?

How will Orioles make room for Triple-A starters?
While the Orioles work in spring training to round out a rotation that so far holds John Means, Alex Cobb, most likely Asher Wojciechowski and a bunch of questions, they also need to figure out what to do at Triple-A Norfolk. They can't finish that task until they know which starters are heading north with them. There could be some cuts due to overflow. And we know that executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias is trying to sign one more veteran. The Tides rotation has the potential...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
By the time that the media descends upon the Ed Smith Stadium complex for spring training, three new coaches on manager Brandon Hyde's staff will be familiar with every corner of it. The coaches' retreat that's folded into the annual January minicamp in Sarasota enabled Fredi González, Anthony Sanders and Darren Holmes to become acclimated with the spacious facility. No need to waste valuable time later. Drills will run more smoothly. This isn't the old Fort Lauderdale complex with its...

Can the Orioles bullpen provide more relief in 2020?

Can the Orioles bullpen provide more relief in 2020?
Will reliever Travis Lakins break camp with the Orioles in late March, be optioned to the minors, be designated for assignment, clear waivers and stay in the organization or disappear? Those are the choices. How you rank them in order is entirely up to you. Lakins is on the 40-man roster after the Orioles claimed him off waivers Friday from the Cubs and designated utility player Stevie Wilkerson for assignment. He can be viewed now as bullpen depth and a pitcher with a shot at making the club...

How LeBlanc could adjust rotation projections

How LeBlanc could adjust rotation projections
The reaction is the same each time that the Orioles announce the signing of a starting pitcher. Are they done? The minor league deal with Brady Rodgers didn't end their search. The minor league deal earlier this week with Wade LeBlanc didn't end their search. They aren't done. A major league contract remains available to a veteran starter if the price is right, which can further increase the camp competition and make a crowded field almost suffocating. The Orioles are up in arms. They have...