A look at a much younger O's 'pen, plus other notes

A look at a much younger O's 'pen, plus other notes
ARLINGTON, Texas - The Orioles bullpen is in a major transitional phase. No longer are there leaders like Darren O'Day and Zach Britton on the team. And the end-of-the-game trio of Brad Brach, O'Day and Britton have all been traded. Lefty Richard Bleier is injured and will miss the rest of the season. So what is left? Well, a bunch 20-somethings with talent and promise who have to do some on-the-job learning and training while pitching in roles they are not accustomed to. Among the eight...

Tillman on signing with Texas, plus Showalter pregame (game update)

Tillman on signing with Texas, plus Showalter pregame (game update)
ARLINGTON, Texas - At a time when six veteran players have left the Orioles via trades, a former Orioles veteran was in the ballpark today as the team arrived at Globe Life Park. Right-hander Chris Tillman, designated for assignment by the Orioles on July 20 and released five days later, today signed a minor league deal with Texas. He is going to report to their Triple-A Round Rock club. Tillman went on a minor league rehab assignment for the Orioles and recorded a 6.75 ERA in six starts on the...

Tillman signs minor league deal with Rangers

Tillman signs minor league deal with Rangers
Former Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman has signed a minor league contract with the Rangers and will report to Triple-A Round Rock, the team announced earlier today. Tillman declined the Orioles' offer to stay in the organization and pitch for Triple-A Norfolk. He was released on July 25. The Orioles had to make a decision on Tillman after he completed an injury rehab assignment. He posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in six starts in the minors after going 1-5 with a 10.46 ERA and 2.21 ERA in seven...

Hess on returning, Showalter on Britton leaving

Hess on returning, Showalter on Britton leaving
The Orioles announced today that they recalled right-hander David Hess from Triple-A Norfolk and he's headed to the bullpen, filling the roster spot that belonged to closer Zach Britton. And Chris Tillman has been released, which allows him to become a free agent and attempt to latch on with another team. Left-hander Donnie Hart wasn't eligible to rejoin the Orioles because he hadn't been down for the minimum 10 days. Tides manager Ron Johnson told Hess late last night about his promotion....

Chris Tillman to elect free agency

Chris Tillman to elect free agency
Given the option of staying in the organization and resuming his career in the minors, right-hander Chris Tillman has declined the Orioles' offer and will become a free agent. An official confirmed Tillman's decision, which allows the veteran right-hander to sign with any club later this week. The Orioles designated Tillman for assignment on Friday following the All-Star break and selected the contract of third baseman Renato Núñez from Triple-A Norfolk. Tillman was told that he could...

O's game blog: Dylan Bundy on mound in Boston series finale

O's game blog: Dylan Bundy on mound in Boston series finale
After Monday's 5-3 loss and Tuesday's 7-6 win, the Orioles and Boston wrap up their three-game series tonight at Camden Yards. The Orioles seven-game homestand will run through Sunday. The Orioles (29-73) ended a four-game losing streak last night with their first win since the All-Star game. Over longer stretches, they have lost 14 of 19 and 21 of 27. The Orioles went 4-for-7 with runners in scoring position in Tuesday's win. They were batting just .153 in their previous 18 games with...

Showalter on Britton, Jones, left side of the infield (O's down 5-2)

Showalter on Britton, Jones, left side of the infield (O's down 5-2)
The tarp is off the field again at Camden Yards after more rain fell in the afternoon. The sun comes out, dark clouds return, the sun comes back out and rain starts and stops. It's been a maddening pattern. The forecast isn't favorable, but the Orioles as always will try to play tonight and avoid a doubleheader or losing an off-day. They've checked the schedule for alternate dates, just in case. Manager Buck Showalter didn't use Zach Britton yesterday in Toronto while a 4-1 lead dissolved...

Orioles injury updates

Orioles injury updates
Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop has relocated to the locker formerly used by Manny Machado at the end of the row, with third baseman Renato Núñez setting up next to him. Zach Britton, Adam Jones and Brad Brach are at their same lockers. They still haven't been traded. Reliever Darren O'Day returned to Camden Yards today to begin treatment following his hamstring surgery. He's out for the rest of the season. Reliever Richard Bleier will meet the team in New York on July 31 for a...

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox
Jace Peterson moves over to right field tonight and Adam Jones returns to center field for the Orioles as they begin a three-game series against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Trey Mancini is in left field and Chris Davis is at first base. Renato Núñez continues to play third base. He's 2-for-11 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored since the Orioles selected his contract from Triple-A Norfolk. Jonathan Schoop is the fourth second baseman to have at least 600 hits, 300 runs and 100...

Showalter on the lineup, bullpen and more (game update)

Showalter on the lineup, bullpen and more (game update)
TORONTO - Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is not starting today. But it has nothing to do with either an injury or a trade. When the Orioles played at Rogers Centre in June, Jones started all four games on the turf playing surface. But manager Buck Showalter didn't want him starting all three games in this series. "Just turf," he said. "He took a ball off his foot (on Friday). I figured he'd be as sore if not (more) sore today. We were contemplating (a day off) yesterday. Same with Chris...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Outfielder Yusniel Díaz was the jewel in the package of players that the Orioles acquired from the Dodgers for shortstop Manny Machado. No other suitor offered up anyone of that caliber. But scouts like the potential of reliever Zach Pop, a 21-year-old right-hander assigned to Double-A Bowie. Pop, a seventh-round pick in the 2017 draft out of the University of Kentucky, registered a 0.93 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 35 career relief appearances before the trade. He projects as a potential set-up...

O's begin life without Manny with a tough loss at Rogers Centre

O's begin life without Manny with a tough loss at Rogers Centre
TORONTO - The so-called second half of the season - the post All-Star part - began for the Orioles in similar fashion to much of their first half. They suffered a brutal loss, one where the winning hit kicked off or under the gloves of both left-side infielders. Tim Beckham was at short and Renato Núñez at third. They couldn't make the play and Toronto produced an 8-7, 10-inning win. The Orioles are 0-5 this season at Rogers Centre and three of those losses were walk-off losses in the...

Britton on trade talks, Machado reaction and more (updated)

Britton on trade talks, Machado reaction and more (updated)
TORONTO - Manny Machado has been traded and Orioles closer Zach Britton could be next, with multiple teams seeking relief help at a time when Britton is gaining velocity and has put together seven straight scoreless appearances. I asked Britton if he or his agent have been seeking information from the club on the state of trade talks. "Scott Boras kind of lets them do their thing," said Britton. "If there is anything important, they normally reach out. But we've had enough conversations...

Orioles DFA Chris Tillman, Renato Núñez in tonight's lineup

Orioles DFA Chris Tillman, Renato Núñez in tonight's lineup
With Chris Tillman's injury rehab assignment completed and the Orioles needing a spot on their 40-man roster, they chose to designate the veteran right-hander for assignment today while selecting the contract of infielder Renato Núñez from Triple-A Norfolk. Tillman returned to the organization after testing free agency, agreeing to a $3 million contract in spring training that included a possible $7 million in bonuses based on innings. However, he lasted only seven starts before going on...

The rotation, health updates and the break (O's up 6-5)

The rotation, health updates and the break (O's up 6-5)
As manager Buck Showalter and pitching coach Roger McDowell line up the post-break rotation, they're cognizant of the need to give right-hander Kevin Gausman an extended break before his next outing. Gausman won't pitch again until July 23 against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. His most recent start came in Thursday night's makeup game against the Phillies, when he allowed five runs and a career-high 12 hits over five innings to leave his ERA at 4.33 in 112 1/3 innings. "Trying to give...

Wrapping up a 1-0 win

Wrapping up a 1-0 win
Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't ready to announce his starter for Sunday's series finale against the Rangers, which also closes out the season's first half. He's going to let everyone know in the morning, with the likely choices Miguel Castro and Mike Wright Jr. Showalter seems intent on taking someone out of the bullpen and leaving Chris Tillman at Triple-A Norfolk. Wright logged 1 1/3 innings and threw 39 pitches on Wednesday. Castro worked a scoreless inning the following night...

Ramirez throws five scoreless innings in Orioles' 1-0 win

Ramirez throws five scoreless innings in Orioles' 1-0 win
The Orioles didn't plan on sending down Yefry Ramírez after tonight's game, no matter how he pitched. They need a starter for Sunday and were ready to recall Jimmy Yacabonis before an illness nixed those plans, but Ramírez wasn't going to be the corresponding move. Filling out the rotation after the All-Star break includes keeping Ramírez in it, a byproduct of the team falling out of contention early and a spot remaining open after Chris Tillman was placed on the disabled list. They...

Yacabonis won't start Sunday (and other notes)

Yacabonis won't start Sunday (and other notes)
The Orioles need a starter for Sunday's series finale. Jimmy Yacabonis is unavailable due to an illness - he was tested yesterday for strep throat - and manager Buck Showalter might resort to a bullpen game against the Rangers. His options depend on which relievers are needed tonight to back up rookie starter Yefry Ramírez. Showalter mentioned Chris Tillman again as a "possibility," but the club prefers to keep him at Triple-A Norfolk for Sunday's game against Gwinnett at Harbor...

Orioles option Sisco, Yacabonis illness jeopardizes Sunday start

Orioles option Sisco, Yacabonis illness jeopardizes Sunday start
The Orioles are swapping out catchers again tonight by returning rookie Chance Sisco to Triple-A Norfolk. They made the announcement following a 5-4 loss to the Rangers at Camden Yards. The corresponding move will become official on Saturday with rookie Austin Wynns recalled from Norfolk. Sisco also was sent down on June 17, and returned 11 days later. He's batting .195/.306./.289 with eight doubles, two home runs and 16 RBIs in 58 games. Since rejoining the Orioles, Sisco has collected only...

Notes on rotation, Ramírez's next chance, Gilmartin (O's down 5-4)

Notes on rotation, Ramírez's next chance, Gilmartin (O's down 5-4)
Jimmy Yacabonis appears to be the choice to start Sunday afternoon's game against the Rangers, which closes out the first half. The Orioles are keeping him available and intend to recall him before the game. Meanwhile, Chris Tillman remains the starter at Triple-A Norfolk. The assignment will mark Yacabonis' third major league start. He's allowed a combined five runs and 12 hits over nine innings, with two walks and 10 strikeouts. Yefry Ramírez gets the start Saturday night and is...