A little bullpen banter

A little bullpen banter
As Zach Britton moves closer to his 2018 debut with the Orioles, his removal from the disabled list anticipated for June 15, the curiosity is how manager Buck Showalter will use him right out of the gate. Should he ease Britton back into the ninth inning rather than call upon the left-hander right away to record the last three outs and protect a slim lead? Is it wiser to give him, say, the sixth or seventh inning in those initial appearances? It's a question that Showalter has posed to the...

Showalter on Britton's strong outing (game update)

Showalter on Britton's strong outing (game update)
TORONTO - Orioles closer Zach Britton threw another scoreless inning today during his minor league rehab assignment. Britton has thrown scoreless ball over four games and today needed just seven pitches to pitch a scoreless sixth inning for Triple-A Norfolk at Columbus. Britton got a strikeout on four pitches and then got a groundout, allowed a single and induced a lineout - all on first pitches. Seven pitches, six strikes, not bad. In four rehab games for three affiliates, Britton has thrown a...

Latest update on Britton

Latest update on Britton
Orioles closer Zach Britton continues to move forward in his recovering from right Achilles surgery, the steps widening in length as he completes a rehab assignment. Britton spun another scoreless inning this afternoon for Triple-A Norfolk, allowing one hit and striking out one batter in Columbus. He hasn't surrendered a run in four combined appearances with the Tides, Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie. The weather and affiliate schedules have forced Britton to move around, but he's been...

O'Day staying on rehab assignment for another game (O's up 1-0)

O'Day staying on rehab assignment for another game (O's up 1-0)
FLUSHING, N.Y. - Orioles reliever Darren O'Day will stay with Single-A Frederick and pitch again on Thursday in Potomac. He could be activated a few days later. O'Day walked three batters last night in two-thirds of an inning and was charged with three runs after he left the game. "He felt good," said manager Buck Showalter. "One of them (walks) wasn't. He's going to have at least one more outing. But he felt good. Obviously, his command was off a little bit, but he felt good. "He's...

A few pregame hits from Citi Field

A few pregame hits from Citi Field
FLUSHING, N.Y. - Orioles reliever Darren O'Day and outfielder Colby Rasmus have joined Single-A Frederick tonight for a rehab game in Potomac. O'Day will work one inning in his first game since hyperextending his right elbow. He's been on the disabled list retroactive to May 6. The Orioles are hoping that O'Day is ready to come off the disabled list Thursday in Toronto. Meanwhile, O'Day has officially reached 10 years of service time in the majors. He's a 10-5 guy who can veto any...

Britton to continue rehab assignment next week with Norfolk

Britton to continue rehab assignment next week with Norfolk
Orioles closer Zach Britton needed only eight pitches last night to induce three ground balls for outs during his rehab outing at Double-A Bowie. He joked later that it took longer to arrange for the postgame spread. Britton has thrown twice during his assignment and is scheduled to pitch Tuesday and Thursday for Triple-A Norfolk in Columbus. He'll go back-to-back games on June 11-12. The Orioles will determine whether he's ready to come off the disabled list or needs another rehab...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
There will come a point later this month when the Orioles' bullpen includes Zach Britton and Darren O'Day. Together at the same time. Maybe it's not too late to produce dual bobbleheads for the occasion. Britton hasn't pitched this season after undergoing Achilles surgery back in December. O'Day's been on the disabled list since May 6 after a teammate ran into him in the bullpen and hyperextended his right elbow. (A perfect symbol of the 2018 season.) If the Orioles stick with a seven-man...

Orioles' losing streak reaches six games with 4-1 loss (updated)

Orioles' losing streak reaches six games with 4-1 loss (updated)
A shot up the middle deflects off Andrew Cashner's glove and finds the grass in center field. A fly ball to deep center hits the heel of Adam Jones' glove as he attempts a leaping catch, his face smacking into the padded fence as the tie-breaking run scores on a triple. Same inning. Same result at the end. The Orioles couldn't catch a couple of balls or any breaks. They also couldn't score much against struggling Yankees starter Sonny Gray, who held them to one run over six innings in a 4-1...

Today's roster move and more on injured players (O's down 4-1)

Today's roster move and more on injured players (O's down 4-1)
The Orioles optioned left-hander Donnie Hart to Triple-A Norfolk this afternoon to make room for infielder Danny Valencia's return from paternity leave. The bench is back to four players and the bullpen is down to two southpaws. Valencia is available to play tonight. "He'll take some swings, take some swings and get back in it," said manager Buck Showalter. "He's been away really for three days. Been a pretty lack of sleep three days, as some of you fathers know. You'll probably see him...

Hearing from Rasmus and Beckham

Hearing from Rasmus and Beckham
The Orioles' afternoon clubhouse had a reunion feel to it with outfielder Colby Rasmus and third baseman Tim Beckham at their respective lockers before batting practice. Rasmus was packing his oversized bag for the drive to Prince George's Stadium, where he begins his rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie. Closer Zach Britton will pitch for the Baysox tonight due to weather concerns in Norfolk. Britton will work an inning sometime after starter Hunter Harvey completes his three scheduled...

Britton and Rasmus updates and tonight's lineup

Britton and Rasmus updates and tonight's lineup
Zach Britton is heading to Double-A Bowie tonight to pitch an inning in the continuation of his injury rehab assignment. Outfielder Colby Rasmus packed his bag and also left for Bowie, where he's beginning his assignment. Baysox starter Hunter Harvey will work three innings before turning over the game to the bullpen. Third baseman Tim Beckham was in the clubhouse this afternoon. As for the Orioles' lineup, it's the same as last night before the postponement. Jace Peterson is leading off...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Last night's postponement pushes the Orioles' starters back a day in the series and bumps Dylan Bundy from facing the Yankees. Andrew Cashner gets the ball tonight - weather permitting, of course - followed by Kevin Gausman on Saturday and Alex Cobb on Sunday. The Orioles are off Monday, other than working the First-Year Player Draft, which keeps Bundy waiting until Tuesday night against the Mets at Citi Field. Bundy is 2-3 with a 5.34 ERA and 1.582 WHIP in seven career games against the...

Showalter on Schoop, Peterson, Britton and more (postponed)

Showalter on Schoop, Peterson, Britton and more (postponed)
Jonathan Schoop will try to bust out of his slump tonight against Yankees right-hander Sonny Gray. He's batting fifth for the first time this season after occupying the cleanup spot in 21 games. Manager Buck Showalter also used Schoop once as the leadoff hitter and batted him third in 14 games. Nothing is working for Schoop while he's gone 3-for-20 with seven strikeouts in his last five games. Three of the strikeouts came last night against Nationals starter Max Scherzer. He's getting good...

Orioles silenced by Scherzer in 2-0 loss (updated)

Orioles silenced by Scherzer in 2-0 loss (updated)
Orioles rookie David Hess struck out Bryce Harper on three pitches tonight in the top of the first inning, freezing him on a slider and sending him back to the Nationals dugout. He got ahead of Harper 0-2 in the third inning, watched the count go full and then saw a changeup disappear into the left field seats. It would be one of only two mistakes from Hess, who retired the last 10 batters he faced and worked through the sixth inning with only one run against him. The other mistake was pitching...

Notes on Valencia, Hart and more (O's down 2-0)

Notes on Valencia, Hart and more (O's down 2-0)
The decision on Danny Valencia's return to the Orioles rests entirely with the player and his family. Valencia went on paternity leave today following the birth of his first child, Oliver, early this morning. He can be away from the club for a maximum of three days, but is allowed to come back sooner. It's a different rule if a player goes on bereavement leave. He has to be gone for the three full days. "That's completely up to Danny and his wife (Jocelyn)," said manager Buck Showalter....

Britton on trade talk, Mancini on his struggles and more

Britton on trade talk, Mancini on his struggles and more
When Orioles closer Zach Britton pitches for a minor league affiliate tonight, it will be his first game action this year, and first since his December Achilles surgery. It will be a nice step forward for Britton. But Britton also knows that while it will be a big step toward his return to the Orioles, it could also lead to his being traded by the Orioles at some point this summer. The players see the reality of the situation. They understand as they look around their clubhouse these days, some...

Lineup change and more on Britton rehab (O's down 3-2)

Lineup change and more on Britton rehab (O's down 3-2)
Third baseman Danny Valencia has been scratched from tonight's lineup. Jace Peterson is playing third base and Joey Rickard goes to left field and bats seventh in Valencia's slot. Bryce Harper homered off Dylan Bundy in the top of the first inning to give the Nationals a quick 1-0 lead. Zach Britton didn't know today whether he'd start or work a later inning in the first game of his rehab assignment. He felt confident only in his travel itinerary. Britton was headed to Triple-A Norfolk...

Quick hits during batting practice

Quick hits during batting practice
Closer Zach Britton had his bags packed for tonight's drive to Triple-A Norfolk, where he was supposed to begin his injury rehab assignment Wednesday night. However, the weather forecast may create an unexpected detour. Britton might join Single-A Frederick in Wilmington, Del., instead of pitching for the Tides. The Orioles are finalizing the decision and how it could impact his schedule. Sitting at his locker earlier today, Britton said he'd likely pitch twice at Norfolk before the Orioles...

Orioles complete road trip with 8-3 loss (with quotes)

Orioles complete road trip with 8-3 loss (with quotes)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles come off their 11-game road trip with more bumps and bruises as they reach the Memorial Day marker. The seventh loss was especially painful today with an early three-run lead and Kevin Gausman on the mound against a team that gives the impression of having more interest in cutting costs than deficits. The Rays sent 12 batters to the plate in the third inning and scored six runs, and the Orioles lost 8-3 at Tropicana Field to remain stuck on one road series...

Showalter on Trumbo, Britton, O'Day and more (O's down 5-1)

Showalter on Trumbo, Britton, O'Day and more (O's down 5-1)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles will wait at least one more day on Mark Trumbo before deciding whether he needs to go on the disabled list. Trumbo continues to report that his knee is much better since yesterday's cortisone injection and the Orioles think he could be ready as early as Monday afternoon against the Nationals at Camden Yards. "Trum's a lot better," said manager Buck Showalter. "We're going to wait on him. Not going to get into his availability for today, but obviously...