Orioles acquire Lobstein from Pirates

Orioles acquire Lobstein from Pirates
The Orioles may have found their left-handed specialist in time to include him on the postseason roster if they qualify. Executive vice president Dan Duquette acquired reliever Kyle Lobstein from the Pirates for minor league lefty Zach Phillips. No word yet on how the Orioles envision using him, but the splits suggest that he'd be a good fit in the bullpen. To make room for Lobstein on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated Triple-A Norfolk southpaw Ashur Tolliver for...

More thoughts on the roster

More thoughts on the roster
Hunter Harvey has been playing catch at the Orioles' minor league complex while recovering from a mild groin strain. He's feeling much better and it shouldn't be too long before he's back on the mound. Harvey was forced out of Tuesday's start at Twin Lakes Park in the third inning. He hasn't pitched since 2014 due to a strained right flexor mass. And that's how I start off your morning with good news. The Orioles' camp roster is down to 29 players and we know that pitchers Kevin Gausman...

Orioles whittle down spring training roster to 29 players

Orioles whittle down spring training roster to 29 players
The Orioles made eight cuts tonight that put their opening day roster into sharper focus, unless they make any other changes before Sunday's deadline. It's still possible. The Orioles reassigned pitchers Todd Redmond and Pedro Beato, infielders Paul Janish and Steve Tolleson, and outfielder L.J. Hoes to minor league camp. They also optioned catcher Francisco Pena and confirmed that pitchers Chaz Roe and Zach Phillips cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. With these moves,...

Showalter pregame in Philadelphia on Kim, Gonzalez and more

Showalter pregame in Philadelphia on Kim, Gonzalez and more
PHILADELPHIA - There is still no resolution to the situation involving the Orioles and outfielder Hyun Soo Kim. The Orioles would like to send him to the minors to the start the season. But Kim, through his agency, informed the club last night he won't agree to the assignment. Kim is with the Orioles here tonight for the spring training finale in Philadelphia. "He's not starting. We'll see what the game brings," manager Buck Showalter said. Is Showalter now preparing for Kim to start the...

Ubaldo Jimenez on tonight's abbreviated start (O's win fourth straight, top Pirates)

Ubaldo Jimenez on tonight's abbreviated start (O's win fourth straight, top Pirates)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 5, Pirates 3 Recap: Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard led off the ninth with a single and scored the tie-breaking run from first base on Garabez Rosa's single off the scoreboard in left field. Rosa scored on Josh Hart's single. Ubaldo Jimenez, lined up to be the Orioles' No. 3 starter, retired only two batters and was charged with three runs and four hits. Pedro Alvarez and Nolan Reimold hit back-to-back home runs in the first. Alvarez was making his first...

Wrapping up an 11-10 10-inning win (plus other notes)

Wrapping up an 11-10 10-inning win (plus other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Five home runs almost weren't enough today for the Orioles. Then their game carried into the 10th inning, they fell behind by two runs and scored three to notch their second walk-off win in two days. Garabez Rosa, back here again from minor league camp, delivered a two-run single into center field off Matt Tracy to give the Orioles an 11-10 victory over the Yankees, who never recorded an out in the inning. The Yankees scored twice off minor league pitcher Stefan Crichton in...

Orioles hit three home runs in four innings (O's down 7-6)

Orioles hit three home runs in four innings (O's down 7-6)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles rotation didn't surrender a home run in the first inning today, the streak ending at three games. The damage came later. Chris Denorfia hit a three-run homer off Chris Tillman in the second after a pair of walks, and the Yankees tacked on two more runs in the third to build a 5-1 lead. Mark Trumbo, Caleb Joseph and J.J. Hardy have homered for the Orioles, who will try to pound the Yankees into submission. It may be the favored plan of attack this season. Hardy's...

Notes on Brian Matusz, pitching and music event

Notes on Brian Matusz, pitching and music event
SARASOTA, Fla. - Unable to determine whether he's headed to the disabled list, the best that Orioles reliever Brian Matusz can do today is pick up a ball, play catch and wait for a resolution. Matusz will throw for the first time since receiving a cortisone injection in his lower back following Sunday's outing, when he retired all three batters he faced but didn't appear comfortable on the mound. Asked for an update this morning on his condition, Matusz said, "I feel great." But is it too...

The importance of today's game

The importance of today's game
SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's game against the Pirates is important because Tyler Wilson gets the start, and he's in the running for a rotation spot with Miguel Gonzalez still unable to instill the proper level of confidence in the Orioles after yesterday's outing in Bradenton. Gonzalez is struggling with his command, as manager Buck Showalter noted after yesterday's 6-5 loss. He has a minor league option. Though he remains the favorite to break camp with the team, it's far from a...

Game update and lots from Buck Showalter

Game update and lots from Buck Showalter
BRADENTON, Fla. - Miguel Gonzalez got off to another rough start today against the Pirates, falling behind 3-0 after two innings. The Orioles right-hander served up a solo home run to Andrew McCutchen with the count full and one out in the first inning. He hit David Freese, who scored on Francisco Cervelli's two-out double down the left field line. Josh Harrison led off the second with a bloop double to right-center field, and he scored on Jordy Mercer's single into center. Two batters into...

Quick hits before today's game

Quick hits before today's game
BRADENTON, Fla. - Kevin Gausman could be placed on the disabled list and still pitch on April 10, when the Orioles need a fifth starter. The confusion has dissipated. Gausman actually would be eligible to return the previous day. He doesn't need to miss the first 10 days of the season. Manager Buck Showalter said Gausman could pick up a ball for the first time on Friday. He's been shut down after receiving a cortisone injection in his right shoulder. Showalter left open the possibility that...

Updating Matt Wieters, more on today's game and Zach Phillips

Updating Matt Wieters, more on today's game and Zach Phillips
BRADENTON, Fla. - Catcher Matt Wieters stayed back in Sarasota this morning to catch bullpen sessions with Chris Tillman and Yovani Gallardo. He was a consideration to serve as the designated hitter here today against the Pirates. "I think tomorrow's on the table, too," Wieters said. "I think it came down to actually feeling like I can get a little bit more work in here than going and taking three at-bats. I'll get to catch Gallardo and Tillman's bullpen today and just get back behind the...

Orioles sign reliever Zach Phillips

Orioles sign reliever Zach Phillips
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have signed left-hander Zach Phillips to a major league deal and designated Chris Jones for assignment, providing an insurance policy for their bullpen. Phillips took his physical last night and was re-introduced to the media this morning in an informal interview session. This is a reunion for Phillips, who pitched for the Orioles in 2011 and 2012 after being acquired from the Rangers in July 2011. He went 0-0 with a 3.21 ERA in 16 appearances. Phillips, 29, elected...

Phillips declines outright assignment

Phillips declines outright assignment
Left-handed reliever Zach Phillips has declined his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, according to an Orioles official. Phillips is a free agent, but he already had that right with six years in the minors and having been designated previously. The Orioles outrighted Phillips, outfielder Lew Ford and infielder Steve Tolleson on Friday to create room on their 40-man roster. Phillips, 26, pitched to a 6.00 ERA in six games and six innings with the Orioles in 2012. He made 42 relief...

Quick Tillman update and more on Phillips (O's win 4-0)

Quick Tillman update and more on Phillips (O's win 4-0)
The Orioles are in the process of scheduling an MRI for Chris Tillman, who left yesterday's start at Yankee Stadium after three innings because of an "achy" and "dead" feeling in his right elbow. With today's holiday, it's more likely that Tillman will undergo the MRI on Tuesday morning at the earliest. Tillman retired the last four batters he faced yesterday and left with the Orioles trailing 2-0. He was 6-1 with a 3.67 ERA and five quality starts in his last eight outings. The...

Romero granted release

Romero granted release
One order of business for the Orioles during the All-Star break involved left-handed reliever J.C. Romero, who could have opted out of his contract with Triple-A Norfolk if he wasn't promoted to the majors. Romero requested and was granted his release earlier today after the Orioles decided not to purchase his contract. He's now a free agent and can sign with any team. Romero allowed four runs and 10 hits in 14 1/3 innings, with five walks and 13 strikeouts in 17 appearances. He was forced...

Phillips outrighted to Norfolk (with note)

Phillips outrighted to Norfolk (with note)
Left-hander Zach Phillips has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, creating another roster move for the Orioles' top affiliate. The Orioles designated Phillips for assignment on June 30 to make room for Jim Thome on the 40-man roster. In his only appearance for the Orioles this year, Phillips allowed two earned runs and three hits and walked two batters in two-thirds on an inning. The Orioles had recalled him on May 8 while optioning pitcher Jason Berken. Phillips is...

Duquette on Romero and rumors (Roberts update)

Duquette on Romero and rumors (Roberts update)
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette talked about the reasons why he signed veteran left-handed reliever J.C. Romero to a minor league contract earlier today and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. "He's a solid left-handed pitcher who can be a specialist, and he's done that job on a championship team," Duquette said. "He can run his fastball in on left-handed hitters' hands. He's had a lot of success with that." The Cardinals released

Orioles sign Romero (Phillips on DL)

Orioles sign Romero (Phillips on DL)
The Orioles just announced that they signed veteran left-handed reliever Armando Benitez, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Benitez, 39, last appeared in the majors with the Blue Jays in 2008. Update II: Now we know how the Orioles are making room for Romero at Norfolk. Left-hander

Zach Phillips talks about returning to the Orioles

Zach Phillips talks about returning to the Orioles
Lefty pitcher Zach Phillips was back in the Orioles clubhouse today. After being among the last roster cuts at the very end of spring training, Phillips has been activated tonight and recalled from Triple-A Norfolk in time for the game versus Texas with Jason Berken returning to Triple-A Norfolk. Phillips was acquired by the Orioles last July for minor leaguer Nick Green and pitched to an ERA of 1.13 in ten games last year. The 25-year-old had no record with an ERA of 4.15 and three saves...