Notes on rotation, Velázquez, Santander, Holaday and more

Notes on rotation, Velázquez, Santander, Holaday and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde held his daily pregame scrum this afternoon outside the dugout and at arm's length from the media. Not the way he wanted it to happen, but he was going along with the increased safety measures around the ballpark that also eliminate autographs and handshakes for fans. "People know a lot more than I do that are higher up," he said. "I'm going to follow the regulations that MLB put out for us and just hoping for the best going forward. But it's...

Orioles' opening day roster remains unsettled as they reach an off-day

Orioles' opening day roster remains unsettled as they reach an off-day
SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's much-needed and celebrated break in the exhibition schedule should have provided a little more clarity to the 26-man roster for opening day. It doesn't always work out that way. Trey Mancini could begin the season on the injured list, which creates an unexpected vacancy in right field. Manager Brandon Hyde didn't want to talk about possible alternatives yesterday while meeting with the media. He doesn't know and he doesn't want to be disrespectful to Mancini,...

Hyde on Mancini, K. Stewart, Milone, DJ Stewart and more

Hyde on Mancini, K. Stewart, Milone, DJ Stewart and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - The job of a major league manager can expand in unexpected and unfortunate ways. Brandon Hyde, in his second season with the Orioles, is learning about it with Trey Mancini away from the team and facing a non-baseball surgical procedure later this week. Hyde is trying to comfort players and also keep them focused on the task at hand. The business side of spring training. "When you're in this role, you never know what's going to happen, what's going to come to your desk on a...

Leftovers from Elias

Leftovers from Elias
SARASOTA, Fla. - No matter what happened last night in Tampa, the Orioles were keeping their exhibition record above .500. A 5-1 win over the Yankees left them with an 8-5-2 mark heading into today's game against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Does it really matter? Absolutely not, except that winning is more enjoyable than losing, and a team going through the painful steps of a rebuild shouldn't have to apologize for feeling good. "I think it's just fun for the atmosphere," said executive...

Phillips undergoes MRI on elbow (O's and Twins tie 3-3)

Phillips undergoes MRI on elbow (O's and Twins tie 3-3)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles reliever Evan Phillips underwent an MRI on his sore right elbow this week and was sent out today for a second opinion. Phillips struggled in his debut against the Rays on Feb. 23 with three runs and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. He registered a scoreless inning against the Braves three days later with a walk and strikeout. "We gave him an MRI. It showed OK. Mild," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He's seeing a second opinion and it's going on today. That's why...

Injury updates on Milone, Iglesias and Wynns

Injury updates on Milone, Iglesias and Wynns
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles left-hander Tommy Milone played catch on flat ground yesterday and is waiting to be cleared to throw a simulated game. Milone was supposed to start Tuesday against the Nationals in West Palm, but the Orioles kept him back in Sarasota. He would have worked the equivalent of three innings at the complex. Discomfort in the trapezius/neck area is preventing Milone from pitching. His only start came on Feb. 27 against the Pirates and resulted in two scoreless innings. "We...

Orioles lineup vs. Twins

Orioles lineup vs. Twins
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brandon Bailey no longer is starting today's game against the Twins in Sarasota, with a scheduling change putting left-hander Keegan Akin on the mound. We're told that Bailey is fine physically. The Orioles just made a switch. Hanser Alberto is starting at shortstop today. José Iglesias was scratched yesterday with cramping in his quadriceps muscle, but said he's fine and could have played this afternoon. Dilson Herrera is the second baseman. Ryan Mountcastle is in left...

Pregame injury/illness notes and lineup changes (O's win 5-3)

Pregame injury/illness notes and lineup changes (O's win 5-3)
JUPITER, Fla. - The Orioles changed their original lineup today ahead of this game with the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Catcher Austin Wynns and shortstop José Iglesias were scratched. Wynns took a foul ball in the groin area the other day, so the Orioles left him back in Sarasota. "He (Iglesias) has a little cramp in his upper quad, we just pulled him out precautionary and hopefully he'll be in there tomorrow," manager Brandon Hyde said in the visitors dugout. "Wynns...

Orioles lineup vs. Nationals

Orioles lineup vs. Nationals
SARASOTA, Fla. - Trey Mancini, who was removed yesterday after two at-bats because of some lingering effects from his illness, isn't in today's lineup against the Nationals in West Palm. Austin Hays also is sitting out the game, with Yusniel Diaz getting the start in center field. Diaz tripled yesterday for his first spring hit. Hanser Alberto is leading off and playing second base. Mason Williams is in right field. Anthony Santander continues to serve as the designated hitter. Ryan...

Pitching market losing appeal for Orioles

Pitching market losing appeal for Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are on a rotation roll of late, with Asher Wojciechowski the latest starter to impress yesterday with three scoreless innings. They've got Tommy Milone throwing this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex and Wade LeBlanc prepping for Wednesday's start in Jupiter. John Means retired all nine batters he faced Sunday in Clearwater. Alex Cobb impressed in his simulated game and hasn't experienced any discomfort in his hip or knee. Other candidates are making their...

Orioles lineup vs. Rays

Orioles lineup vs. Rays
SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Hunter Harvey is making his exhibition debut today with the Orioles hosting the Rays. Harvey is recovered from his illness and threw a simulated game to pass his final test. Pat Valaika is playing shortstop today and Andrew Velazquez is the second baseman. Martin Cervenka is the designated hitter. Chris Davis is batting third and playing first base and Renato Núñez is getting another start at third base. Chance Sisco is catching Asher Wojciechowski. Available...

Hays dazzles in Milone debut (O's win 13-0)

Hays dazzles in Milone debut (O's win 13-0)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Tommy Milone is new to the Orioles after agreeing to a minor league deal earlier this month. He's learning about his teammates, and his comfort zone has been expanded in workouts and clubhouse conversations. Today's start enabled Milone to confirm what he already knew about Austin Hays. Anything hit in his general vicinity is likely to be caught. And the kid can hit, too. Milone retired the Pirates in order in the top of the first inning because Hays raced into right-center...

Orioles lineup vs. Pirates

Orioles lineup vs. Pirates
SARASOTA, Fla. - Austin Hays is leading off again today and Ryan Mountcastle is back in left field as the Orioles host the Pirates in a 1:05 p.m. game. Anthony Santander is the designated hitter again. He had a sore shoulder last September and manager Brandon Hyde remains cautious with him. Renato Núñez gets another start at third base, Chris Davis returns to the lineup at first and Bryan Holaday is behind the plate for left-hander Tommy Milone. Milone is scheduled to go two innings in...

Are Orioles starting to feel settled with their rotation candidates?

Are Orioles starting to feel settled with their rotation candidates?
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles no longer appear to be in an aggressive mode to find a starting pitcher as the first full-squad workout is held later today. They'll keep checking the market, but it's possible that left-hander Tommy Milone is the last candidate to join the fray. One phone call can swing the momentum. However, the Orioles seem satisfied with their pitching numbers in camp - the grand total has reached 36 - and there hasn't been any progress made toward a major league deal that...

Hyde on illnesses, Milone and Carroll

Hyde on illnesses, Milone and Carroll
SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Pedro Severino had a light workout today, finally able to get on the field after reporting to Orioles camp with a stomach virus. Severino hit in the cage and threw, and he also watched the bullpen sessions while the other six catchers took their positions behind the plate. "He's getting better every day," said manager Brandon Hyde. Relievers Hunter Harvey and Mychal Givens were sent home again today, but Hyde said their health is improving. "They're still feeling a...

Notes on illnesses, Rodgers and Milone before today's workout

Notes on illnesses, Rodgers and Milone before today's workout
SARASOTA, Fla. - Hunter Harvey and Mychal Givens, who didn't throw yesterday due to illness, aren't scheduled for bullpen sessions this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Manager Brandon Hyde sent Harvey and Givens back home yesterday after they reported to the complex. They weren't in the clubhouse this morning during the media availability. Catcher Pedro Severino, who also has been under the weather, reappeared at his locker today without the surgical mask and appeared ready to work...

Harvey and Givens unable to throw due to illness (Milone update)

Harvey and Givens unable to throw due to illness (Milone update)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles aren't worried about running out of innings for their pitchers in camp. They're more liable to run low on hand sanitizer. Hunter Harvey and Mychal Givens didn't throw bullpen sessions in their respective groups this morning after reporting to camp with the same illness that's beginning to spread through the clubhouse. Manager Brandon Hyde said both relievers were "a little under the weather" and left the complex. "They came in yesterday not feeling real...

Kline relieved to remain with Orioles

Kline relieved to remain with Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Branden Kline joined the first group of Orioles pitchers yesterday morning for an 11:25 a.m. bullpen session, his initial appearance on a mound since arriving in camp. And since he came off the 40-man roster and was lumped in with the other invitees. Kline was designated for assignment on Jan. 30 after the Orioles claimed infielder Pat Valaika on waivers for a second time. The Orioles outrighted Kline on Feb. 5 when he cleared waivers. "I knew it was something that could...

Orioles agree to terms with Milone on minor league deal

Orioles agree to terms with Milone on minor league deal
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles found a veteran pitcher to compete for a spot in their rotation and it didn't cost them a major league contract. Left-hander Tommy Milone has agreed to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training, according to an industry source. Milone, who turns 33 later this month, has pitched for six teams since debuting with the Nationals in 2011. Primarily a starter for the first five years, Milone has transitioned into more of a relief/bulk guy role. Only six...

Dominican winter league update: Robles, Soto and others

Dominican winter league update: Robles, Soto and others
Here is an update of Nationals players' progress in the Dominican winter league, which has played nine games: OF Victor Robles Robles is the second-leading hitter for Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican winter league. Robles is batting .480 (12-for-25) in six games with two doubles and 14 RBIs. He has walked one time, struck out three times and stolen one base. His OPS is 1.060 and he has not committed an error in the field. He went 3-for-4 on Oct. 16 and has gone 2-for-4 in each of his last two...