More memories from days covering Orioles spring training

More memories from days covering Orioles spring training
Because major league spring training remains delayed and I'm stuck at home for an indefinite period - I'd definitely like to know for how long - I must live vicariously through myself. Oh, the memories. I loved the city of Fort Lauderdale and the proximity to South Beach. I had my favorite spots to eat and drink and made lots of friends. I didn't care for the small complex, the flooded dugouts and clubhouse after heavy rains, the limited space, the ballpark lights that didn't work, the...

O's game blog: Tillman faces Bridwell in series finale

O's game blog: Tillman faces Bridwell in series finale
The Orioles have split two games this weekend with the Los Angeles Angels and they host the third and deciding game this afternoon. After they scored nine runs and won on Manny Machado's walk-off grand slam Friday, they scored one run and lost on Saturday with seven hits and a 1-for-10 performacne with runners in scoring position. Right-hander Chris Tillman (1-7, 7.83 ERA) makes a return to the rotation today for the first time since Aug. 3. On that date he allowed seven runs (five earned)...

O's game blog: Kevin Gausman gets start in series finale

O's game blog: Kevin Gausman gets start in series finale
ANAHEIM, Calif. - When the Orioles and Los Angeles Angels wrap up a three-game series this afternoon, right-hander Kevin Gausman will try to pitch another strong outing. He owned a 6.47 ERA in mid-June, but Gausman (8-7, 5.15 ERA) has been on a pretty good roll since then. Over his past four starts, he is 3-0 with a 0.65 ERA. Over 27 2/3 innings he has given up 19 hits and two runs with nine walks and 32 strikeouts. Going further back, Gausman is 5-0 with a 2.87 ERA over his last eight games....

Bridwell bests Hellickson as O's lose 3-2 (quotes added)

Bridwell bests Hellickson as O's lose 3-2 (quotes added)
ANAHEIM, Calif. - It came without much warning. Orioles right-hander Jeremy Hellickson, in his second start for the club, seemed to be rolling. He struck out six of the last seven batters to face him as he took the mound for the last of the seventh tonight. The game was tied 1-1. But Hellickson's effectiveness ended there. The Angels started the inning with four straight hits and went on to score twice to break the tie and post a 3-2 win over the Orioles tonight. The Orioles' three-game win...

Parker Bridwell talks about facing the Orioles tonight

Parker Bridwell talks about facing the Orioles tonight
ANAHEIM, Calif. - He was selected by the Orioles in the ninth round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of a Texas high school. He pitched at every level of their farm system, going 31-43 with an ERA of 4.71. He was ranked among the O's top 25 prospects not once or twice, but seven times. After all that time logged on the Orioles farm working to make the major leagues, right-handed pitcher Parker Bridwell is finally enjoying major league success. But not for the Orioles, but rather the...

Orioles trade Bridwell to Angels

Orioles trade Bridwell to Angels
BOWIE - The Orioles have traded reliever Parker Bridwell to the Angels for a player to be named later or cash, the latest transaction in a busy first few weeks of the season. Bridwell was designated for assignment on Friday night to make room on the 40-man roster for left-hander Paul Fry, obtained from the Mariners for international signing bonus slot No. 105. Bridwell, 25, made his major league debut on Aug. 21 against the Astros at Camden Yards. He appeared in two games and allowed five runs...

Orioles send Alec Asher to the mound today

Orioles send Alec Asher to the mound today
Alec Asher makes his Orioles debut this afternoon, with a corresponding roster move pending. They finally need a fifth starter. The Blue Jays lineup is loaded with right-handed bats, one of the reasons why the Orioles chose him over left-hander Jayson Aquino. He could be one and done or receive another start. The Orioles are flexible. They've also been busy, making their third trade last night in less than 24 hours. They obtained left-hander Paul Fry from the Mariners for their 2016-17...

O's add pitcher Paul Fry; Tillman on track for Monday at Bowie

O's add pitcher Paul Fry; Tillman on track for Monday at Bowie
TORONTO - It happened again. The Orioles have acquired yet another pitcher, this time adding 24-year-old lefty Paul Fry from Seattle. The Orioles acquired Fry in exchange for 2016-17 international signing bonus slot No. 105. To make 40-man roster room, right-hander Parker Bridwell was designated for assignment. Fry made one appearance this year for Seattle's Triple-A Tacoma club on April 10. He pitched two innings, allowing six hits and four runs. Last year for Tacoma, he made 48 appearances...

That escalated quickly: Ugly losses follow Orioles' 4-0 start

That escalated quickly: Ugly losses follow Orioles' 4-0 start
Well, the Orioles will wake up this morning tied for first place in the American League East. So there is some good news. But entering the sixth inning at home on Sunday, the Orioles led the Yankees 3-0 and seemed headed for a 5-0 start. What has followed that is a 13-inning stretch where the Orioles have been outscored 15-1. That has led to back-to-back losses after the 4-0 start. So some things could be better. In the last two games, we've seen Darren O'Day walk three batters in an inning...

The bullpen shuttle: Orioles have a lot of optionable pitchers

The bullpen shuttle: Orioles have a lot of optionable pitchers
As opening day approaches, we know that the Orioles will be relying heavily on their bullpen during the 2017 season. The Orioles bullpen pitchers posted an ERA of 3.40 last year and that led the American League. For most games this season, the Orioles will feature a seven-man bullpen. And we know that five of those spots will likely be filled by Zach Britton, Darren O'Day, Brad Brach, Mychal Givens and Donnie Hart. We don't yet know which pitchers will claim the sixth and seventh spots. But...

Showalter on Bleier, plus other notes

Showalter on Bleier, plus other notes
SARASOTA, Fla. - With the first off-day now behind us, we're ready for the first night game and another opportunity to catch up on sleep. No alarms are set unless you enjoy watching the sun rise. The clubhouse opens to the media at 1 p.m., followed by the traditional posting of the lineup and the drive to Fort Myers for a 6:05 p.m. game against the Red Sox. Ubaldo Jiménez makes his third start after allowing one run in two innings against the Yankees and no runs in three innings against the...

Wrapping up a 6-4 win (plus roster moves)

Wrapping up a 6-4 win (plus roster moves)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles reduced their camp roster to 51 players today by optioning pitchers Parker Bridwell and Jason García to Triple-A Norfolk and reassigning left-hander Jed Bradley and catcher Yermin Mercedes to minor league camp. Bridwell allowed three runs and five hits over four innings in four appearances, with one walk, four strikeouts and two home runs. García was much better in his last outing, but he allowed five runs and six hits with five walks over 5 2/3 spring...

Showalter, Machado and Castillo on WBC and 3-2 win

Showalter, Machado and Castillo on WBC and 3-2 win
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles scored twice in the seventh inning today to take the lead, with Paul Janish lifting a sacrifice fly and Logan Schafer lining into a fielder's choice that plated the go-ahead run, and the bullpen shut out the Phillies down the stretch in a 3-2 win at Ed Smith Stadium. Darren O'Day and Donnie Hart each retired the side in order in their respective innings, and Parker Bridwell stranded a runner in the ninth after a two-out walk to record his first save. Mike Wright...

Showalter on Bridwell and Scott

Showalter on Bridwell and Scott
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are on the road again after two straight home games, making the long drive to Clearwater to play the Phillies at 1:05 p.m. Mike Wright is on the mound after working the first inning in the first intrasquad game and retiring all three batters he faced. He struck out Rule 5 pick Aneury Tavárez, retired Johnny Giavotella on a ground ball and retired Ryan Flaherty on a fly ball to left field. Tavárez is supposed to play left field and bat leadoff today. Flaherty...

Wrapping up a 6-2 loss

Wrapping up a 6-2 loss
BRADENTON, Fla. - The Orioles will play their spring home opener on Sunday with a .500 record. The Pirates hit back-to-back home runs off Parker Bridwell in the bottom of the eighth inning and cruised to a 6-2 win at LECOM Park. The Orioles got a run back in the ninth on Robert Andino's fielder's choice grounder. The Pirates failed to turn a double play on three tries in the inning. Bridwell struck out the first two batters before an infield hit and Chris Bostick's two-run shot gave the...

Orioles re-sign Logan Ondrusek

Orioles re-sign Logan Ondrusek
In their usual quest to improve their pitching depth, the Orioles have re-signed right-hander Logan Ondrusek. A team official confirmed the signing tonight, which brings Ondrusek back into the organization. Ondrusek, 31, agreed to terms on a contract for $650,000 that also includes a club option in 2018. He became a free agent last month after the Orioles declined his option. The Orioles signed Ondrusek out of Japan on July 29 and designated reliever Chaz Roe for assignment. He appeared in...

Tonight's MVP, the "Hot Stove Show" and AFL notes

Tonight's MVP, the "Hot Stove Show" and AFL notes
The Baseball Writers' Association of America has reached the end of its awards season tonight with ballots revealed for Most Valuable Player in both leagues. The Orioles don't have a dog in the fight, but we'll find out where third baseman Manny Machado placed in the voting. The final three is comprised of the Astros' Jose Altuve, the Red Sox's Mookie Betts and the Angels' Mike Trout. Machado wasn't cracking this group. Will closer Zach Britton get some love? He finished fourth in Cy...

Are the Orioles looking at an active winter?

Are the Orioles looking at an active winter?
In a preview of the Orioles offseason, MLBTradeRumors.com yesterday started a write-up on the club this way: "With some key position players hitting free agency and a still-unsettled rotation, the Orioles are looking at another busy offseason." Is that really true? With six starters under contract for 2017 and a solid bullpen already on hand, this could be a quiet winter on the pitching front. Plus, the club is set with at least five of the eight spots on the diamond. They could retain Mark...

Duensing coming off disabled list Monday (and other notes)

Duensing coming off disabled list Monday (and other notes)
The Orioles will make another roster move before Monday afternoon's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Left-hander Brian Duensing is headed to Baltimore today and will fly with the team to Tampa. He's currently on the 60-day disabled list after undergoing elbow surgery. Duensing had cartilage chips removed from his left elbow in June. He appeared in seven games with the Orioles before the surgery and allowed four runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings. Duensing allowed one run in seven...

Orioles will summon Ondrusek for tonight's game

Orioles will summon Ondrusek for tonight's game
The Orioles are prepared to make another roster move this afternoon, recalling right-hander Logan Ondrusek from Double-A Bowie to provide a fresh arm for the bullpen. Parker Bridwell will be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after making his first two major league appearances. Ondrusek appeared in six games with the Orioles and allowed four runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. They optioned him to Bowie on Aug. 11 and gave him time to regain the feel for his splitter. They also expected him to be...