Kimball, Accardo cut from Nats camp (plus Young note)

Kimball, Accardo cut from Nats camp (plus Young note)
VIERA, Fla. - First pitch in the Tigers-Nationals game is 20 minutes way, but the Nats have made two more cuts. Right-hander Cole Kimball has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, while right-hander Jeremy Accardo has been reassigned to minor league camp. Kimball, in his first camp since right shoulder surgery performed in July 2011, pitched to a 2.84 ERA in seven relief appearances this spring. He hasn't pitched since March 13 because of tightness in his back and was scheduled to throw a...

Soriano has his visa, plus workout notes

Soriano has his visa, plus workout notes
VIERA, Fla. - Rafael Soriano has obtained his visa and is expected to be at Nationals camp in the next day or two, according to a team source. The deadline for pitchers and catchers to report to spring training was Tuesday, but Soriano was unable to arrive on time due to an issue with his visa. A native of the Dominican Republic, Soriano should be here shortly and will get with manager Davey Johnson and pitching coach Steve McCatty to discuss how he'll be used early in camp. The Nationals...

Accardo becomes free agent

Accardo becomes free agent
In case you were wondering or thought I forgot, reliever Jeremy Accardo refused his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk last week and elected to become a free agent. Add him to your list of available relievers. Accardo went 3-3 with a 5.73 ERA in 31 appearances with the Orioles. He allowed 43 hits, walked 18 and hit a batter in 37 2/3 innings. His WHIP was 1.619. Yes, that's too many baserunners. Accardo was 1-1 with a 2.16 ERA in 26 games at Norfolk. The Orioles also outrighted...

Pregame Showalter

Pregame Showalter
WASHINGTON - The sun is out, the game has started and Adam Jones has launched his 10th home run deep into the left field seats, but I wanted to pass along a few comments from manager Buck Showalter. On Jeremy Accardo: "He was trying to make some adjustments to get a little more movement, get guys off him. I mean, he had a lot of balls squared up off him that were at people, too. His numbers were actually, going into last night, a little better than he actually pitched. We keep a thing about...

Showalter speaks after 8-4 loss

Showalter speaks after 8-4 loss
WASHINGTON - Manager Buck Showalter completed his postgame interview session with the media in under three minutes. It's the only thing that didn't take long. The game lasted 3 hours, 20 minutes and followed a 56-minute rain delay. Showalter clearly wanted to attend to more pressing matters afterward, which included designating reliever Jeremy Accardo for assignment. The Orioles made four roster moves, which I detailed in my last entry. Busy night. Showalter held his temper, but he clearly...

Accardo DFA as part of roster moves

Accardo DFA as part of roster moves
WASHINGTON - The Orioles designated reliever Jeremy Accardo for assignment after tonight's game. They also recalled pitcher Brad Bergesen, optioned infielder Ryan Adams to Triple-A Norfolk and purchased infielder Blake Davis' contract. Accardo allowed 55 baserunners in 32 1/3 innings - 37 hits, 17 walks and one hit batter. Signed as a free agent over the winter, he's 3-3 with a 5.29 ERA. Accardo took the loss tonight after allowing three runs and one hit, and walking two batters, in...

Berken comes full circle, Guthrie tweets update

Berken comes full circle, Guthrie tweets update
Jason Berken picked up his first win of the season with two scoreless innings in relief. He struck out two batters. Welcome back, Jason. The Orioles won in Toronto for the first time since Aug. 7, 2009. The winning pitcher that day was Berken, who started and allowed three runs in six innings before Matt Albers replaced him.

Hearing from Guthrie, Gregg, Accardo and Reynolds

Hearing from Guthrie, Gregg, Accardo and Reynolds
Jeremy Guthrie talked about: His outing: "I think it turned out that the big home runs by Mark (Reynolds) made it so, yeah, we were in the game. Any other night, David (Price) is throwing the ball so well throughout his career that three runs could have been considered not keeping us in the game. But we had good at-bats all night, the offense took some good swings and even hit some long outs, so the credit's to the offense. That's why we were in the game. Ultimately, we're trying to win...

Accardo keeps bases clean (O's load them and can't score)

Accardo keeps bases clean (O's load them and can't score)
Kevin Gregg left the bases loaded in the 10th inning. He stole Jeremy Accardo's move. Accardo entered in the 11th with the score tied, 5-5. In 21 2/3 innings before today, he allowed 25 hits, walked 14 and hit one batter. That's almost two baserunners an inning. The first batter today, Mike Aviles, hit a line drive that almost decapitated second baseman Robert Andino, who gloved the ball before it passed through him. Brayan Pena flied to left field for the second out, and Chris Getz lined...

Accardo with the great escape (updated)

Accardo with the great escape (updated)
So much for a rested bullpen. Manager Buck Showalter has used six relievers again tonight, as he did Monday night at Fenway Park. Jeremy Accardo's turn came up in the top of the 13th, which isn't exactly going with the hot hand. Accardo had allowed runs in five straight appearances and six of seven. He permitted five runs and 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings over those five games. And the Yankees pressured him tonight. Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira singled to open the 13th, putting runners...

Gonzalez and Accardo continue to struggle (O's lose 8-7)

Gonzalez and Accardo continue to struggle (O's lose 8-7)
A 6-0 lead wasn't passed to steady hands. Michael Gonzalez replaced Chris Tillman in the bottom of the sixth and allowed four runs (one earned) and three hits in one-third of an inning. Jeremy Accardo replaced him and let two inherited runners score, along with one of his own. Gonzalez has allowed runs in his last three outings and hits in his last five. In five appearances covering four innings, he's surrendered seven runs (four earned) and 10 hits. Accardo has allowed runs in five...

Having just one bullpen lefty should not be a problem

Having just one bullpen lefty should not be a problem
I am not concerned in the least that the Orioles will begin the season with just one left-hander in the bullpen. First of all, pitchers like Mark Hendrickson, Clay Rapada, Troy Patton and Chris George all may start on the Triple-A staff and will be a phone call away if needed. Also, there is this big reason not to be concerned: The stat sheet says it won't be an issue. Of the six right-handed hurlers in the O's pen, all but Koji Uehara have better statistics either recently and/or in their...

Accardo reaches agreement; Gregg rumor

Accardo reaches agreement; Gregg rumor
A team official confirmed this afternoon that the Orioles have reached agreement with former Blue Jays reliever Jeremy Accardo on a one-year deal worth $1.08 million. The Sun quotes Accardo's agent, Damon Lapa of All Bases Covered Sports Management (catchy name.) The deal is official pending a physical. The Blue Jays non-tendered Accardo, making him a free agent. He's eligible for arbitration again after 2011, so the Orioles could retain his rights for another season. Accardo registered...