Injury updates, utility competition, Harvey and Cervenka

Injury updates, utility competition, Harvey and Cervenka
BRADENTON, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde broke out a sheet of paper this morning with the list of players who are recovering from injuries and illnesses and the next stages of their individual progressions. Too many names and tasks to memorize with so many other activities happening at the complex. Hunter Harvey, who's been able to shake his flu-like symptoms, threw a simulated game today in Sarasota. Kohl Stewart (biceps) and Alex Wells (oblique) are throwing in the bullpen Saturday....

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...

Wade LeBlanc on his two scoreless against Boston

Wade LeBlanc on his two scoreless against Boston
SARASOTA, Fla. - In his first shot to show the Orioles he's worthy of a starting rotation spot, veteran lefty Wade LeBlanc made a good opening impression this afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium. Two scoreless innings on 23 pitches against the Boston Red Sox. He retired six of the seven batters he faced, two on strikeouts, and pitched around a two-out single in the top of the first. LeBlanc got ahead of four of the seven hitters he faced. "For me, it's everything," he said of pitching ahead in...

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...

Notes on Means, Davis, Velazquez, Núñez, Mountcastle and more

Notes on Means, Davis, Velazquez, Núñez, Mountcastle and more
NORTH PORT, Fla. - Left-hander John Means is going to start one of Tuesday's split-squad games, when the Orioles host the Rays and travel to Fort Myers to play the Red Sox. He won't be shielded from a division opponent in the first week of the exhibition schedule. The Orioles are known to send pitchers to Twin Lakes Park or arrange simulated games as an alternative. "It's definitely not ideal," manager Brandon Hyde said. "But our guys are only going to go a couple of innings, so I'm not...

Notes on spring rotation, Davis, Cobb, Stewart and more

Notes on spring rotation, Davis, Cobb, Stewart and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde announced today that left-hander Wade LeBlanc will start Sunday afternoon against the Red Sox in Sarasota and Alex Cobb will start Monday versus the Phillies in Clearwater. We've already learned that Chandler Shepherd is starting Saturday's opener against the Braves in North Port. "I think a few days ago I was asked 'Are we ready yet? and I said, 'No.' Now I think we are," Hyde said, smiling. "It's going to be fun to watch a lot of our guys...

Hyde on illnesses, Milone and Carroll

Hyde on illnesses, Milone and Carroll
SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Pedro Severino had a light workout today, finally able to get on the field after reporting to Orioles camp with a stomach virus. Severino hit in the cage and threw, and he also watched the bullpen sessions while the other six catchers took their positions behind the plate. "He's getting better every day," said manager Brandon Hyde. Relievers Hunter Harvey and Mychal Givens were sent home again today, but Hyde said their health is improving. "They're still feeling a...

Notes on illnesses, Rodgers and Milone before today's workout

Notes on illnesses, Rodgers and Milone before today's workout
SARASOTA, Fla. - Hunter Harvey and Mychal Givens, who didn't throw yesterday due to illness, aren't scheduled for bullpen sessions this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Manager Brandon Hyde sent Harvey and Givens back home yesterday after they reported to the complex. They weren't in the clubhouse this morning during the media availability. Catcher Pedro Severino, who also has been under the weather, reappeared at his locker today without the surgical mask and appeared ready to work...

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...

Hyde on Cobb, LeBlanc, Lakins, position players and more

Hyde on Cobb, LeBlanc, Lakins, position players and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have completed their second day of workouts, with two players still unable to participate. Pitcher Brady Rodgers was supposed to throw in the bullpen with the second group, but he's being held back due to soreness in his right arm. Pedro Severino hasn't caught due to an illness. Severino arrived in camp yesterday wearing a mask. But not the kind he's going to use when he's behind the plate. Alex Cobb threw with the first group and manager Brandon Hyde remains...

Learning more about LeBlanc in Orioles camp

Learning more about LeBlanc in Orioles camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - Before the Orioles assigned Wade LeBlanc a uniform number, he already had done his research on another set of digits. LeBlanc turned 35 years old in August. Chris Davis celebrates his 34th birthday next month. There's no debating which player is the senior member of a rebuilding club. "I'm definitely the oldest," LeBlanc said this morning, clearing up any confusion. "I've got him beat. He's got more time, but I've got him beat in age." The next competition is going to...

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...

Orioles outright Kline and Wilkerson

Orioles outright Kline and Wilkerson
The Orioles are keeping pitcher Branden Kline and super-utility player Stevie Wilkerson in the organization. Kline and Wilkerson cleared waivers and have been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk after the club designated them for assignment last week. Wilkerson had the give his approval based on a previous DFA. The list of camp invites has grown to 66 players, with left-hander Wade LeBlanc also a recent inclusion. Kline, a Frederick native and second-round pick out of the University of Virginia in...

Orioles announce LeBlanc signing

Orioles announce LeBlanc signing
The Orioles' minor league deal with left-hander Wade LeBlanc has moved into its next phase of progression. It's been announced by the club. Official word came earlier today, including how LeBlanc receives an invitation to major league camp. News broke last week that the two sides had reached agreement. LeBlanc was expected to take his physical in Sarasota, Fla. Today's news is an indication that LeBlanc signed a contract. The deal wasn't done last week. The competition for rotation spots...

A LeBlanc check

A LeBlanc check
The first thing to know about Wade LeBlanc is that he's heard all of your "Friends" jokes. I've never asked him about it, but I'm playing a strong hunch. LeBlanc experienced a drop-off last summer after a solid 2018 season with the Mariners. His ERA climbed from 3.72 to 5.71 and his WHIP from 1.179 to 1.451. He averaged 2.1 home runs per nine innings, an increase from 1.3 in each of the two previous seasons. He'll be asked about the change in roles, where he made 27 starts in 2018 and...

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...

Another look at left-hander Wade LeBlanc

Another look at left-hander Wade LeBlanc
When the Orioles agreed to a minor league deal Tuesday with lefty Wade LeBlanc, they added a veteran with good command and an ERA that from 2016-2018 was just a bit better than league average. The Orioles assume little risk here with a minors deal and one that will reportedly pay LeBlanc $800,000 in the majors. The Athletic reported he has an opt-out clause for March 19. On that date he can ask for his release and the Orioles would have 48 hours to add him to the 40-man roster or release...

Orioles sign Wade LeBlanc to minor league deal (updated)

Orioles sign Wade LeBlanc to minor league deal (updated)
The Orioles may have found their veteran starting pitcher to toss into the spring training competition. An industry source confirmed tonight that left-hander Wade LeBlanc, 35, has agreed to a minor league contract and will be in camp when pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 11. The list of spring training invites released this afternoon by the club now includes LeBlanc, an 11-year veteran who's spent the past two seasons with the Mariners. LeBlanc went 9-5 with a 3.72 ERA and 1.179 WHIP in 32...