Two former Orioles sign minor league deals

Two former Orioles sign minor league deals
Former Orioles outfielder Chris Dickerson and catcher Taylor Teagarden are no longer on the free agent market. Dickerson signed a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Teagarden signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets. Both players will receive invitations to spring training. Dickerson batted .238/.266/.400 with five doubles, four homers and 13 RBIs in 56 games with the Orioles last season after they signed him in January. They had no interest in bringing him back and...

Teagarden clears waivers, and other notes

Teagarden clears waivers, and other notes
Catcher Taylor Teagarden has cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles designated Teagarden for assignment over the weekend in New York to create a 40-man roster spot for catcher Chris Snyder. Norfolk's season is over, but Teagarden could report to the minor league complex in Sarasota and participate in the instructional league. It's also possible that the Orioles decide to select his contract later this month and bring him back to the major...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
The Orioles rode another roller coaster of emotions yesterday. No height requirement. And keeping your hands inside at all times was purely optional. Manager Buck Showalter was saddened to learn that catcher Taylor Teagarden had been designated for assignment. Definitely not his call. Then, his team fell behind 3-0 and starter Wei-Yin Chen made another early exit. Nobody called for that scenario. The Orioles erupted for seven runs in the top of the seventh inning, beat the Yankees and...

Morse debuts with single (updated)

Morse debuts with single (updated)
NEW YORK - In Michael Morse's first at-bat with the Orioles today, he lined a 91 mph fastball into left field for a one-out single in the second inning. The game wasn't halted. He didn't keep the ball. Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte threw Morse a 90 mph fastball, an 87 mph cutter and 82 and 81 mph sliders before the single. Morse entered the game batting .293 lifetime against southpaws. The single makes Morse 1-for-1 as an Oriole. He closed his Mariners career in a 3-for-34 slump, so...

Orioles and Yankees lineups and more notes

Orioles and Yankees lineups and more notes
NEW YORK - Michael Morse will make his Orioles debut today in left field, with Danny Valencia serving as the designated hitter against Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte. Nick Markakis is leading off for the Orioles. Catcher Steve Clevenger and Chris Snyder are listed among the reserves. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Michael Morse LF Danny Valencia DH Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Brian Roberts 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the Yankees Brett...

No locker for Teagarden; Clevenger, Snyder headed to NY (updated)

No locker for Teagarden; Clevenger, Snyder headed to NY (updated)
NEW YORK - The Orioles wasted no time taking advantage of September call-ups. The Orioles have called up catcher Steve Clevenger, the Mount St. Joseph grad, and purchased the contract of catcher Chris Snyder from Triple-A Norfolk.. Taylor Teagarden does not have a locker in the clubhouse. Teagarden may have been designated for assignment. Update: Teagarden has been designated for assignment. Clevenger was acquired in the deal that brought Scott Feldman to the Orioles from the Cubs. Snyder...

Casilla in lineup, Wieters on bench (plus Yankees lineup)

Casilla in lineup, Wieters on bench (plus Yankees lineup)
NEW YORK - The Orioles have dropped six of their last 11 series. They get another chance beginning tonight at Yankee Stadium. Since the start of 2012 , the Orioles have gone 16-14 against the Yankees during the regular season. Taylor Teagarden is starting behind the plate tonight because the Orioles have a day game on Saturday and Matt Wieters is 7-for-40 lifetime against Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia. Alexi Casilla is starting at second base because he's 16-for-30 vs....

Orioles having a Teagarden party (O's lead 4-3)

Orioles having a Teagarden party (O's lead 4-3)
Before today, Orioles backup catcher Taylor Teagarden was 6-for-48 this season. Plenty of fans questioned why Matt Wieters needed a day off following last night's game, with an open date on the schedule Thursday. Manager Buck Showalter wants to give players back-to-back days off to freshen their legs. He also consulted with a psychic late last night who told him that Teagarden would collect three hits today. I made up the last part. Actually, Showalter is the psychic - except when it's time...

It's Norris vs. Cain today

It's Norris vs. Cain today
Bud Norris makes his third start for the Orioles this afternoon, and so far he's been a big hit because he hasn't allowed them. See what I did there? Norris has permitted three runs and nine hits in 12 innings, with four walks and 13 strikeouts. He's won both starts. Norris is 0-2 with a 3.52 ERA in four career starts against the Giants, including 0-2 with a 4.41 ERA in three career outings at AT&T Park. Buster Posey is 4-for-7 with a double against Norris. Marco Scutaro is 4-for-8 with...

Valencia and Teagarden in Orioles' lineup

Valencia and Teagarden in Orioles' lineup
Orioles manager Buck Showalter chose Danny Valencia over Henry Urrutia as his designated hitter for tonight's game against the Royals. Urrutia had three hits last night, but Valencia is 11-for-20 with seven RBIs lifetime against Royals left-hander Bruce Chen. Taylor Teagarden is behind the plate tonight. Matt Wieters will sit despite being 9-for-21 with two doubles, a home run, two RBIs, two walks and five runs scored during a five-game hitting streak. The Orioles are playing the fifth of...

Another quality start for Gonzalez and RBI for Teagarden (O's lose 4-2)

Another quality start for Gonzalez and RBI for Teagarden (O's lose 4-2)
The only thing missing from Miguel Gonzalez's start today was run support. And maybe a better plan against Blue Jays third baseman Maicer Izturis. Gonzalez allowed only three hits in 7 1/3 innings - Adam Lind's single in the first, Izturis' first-pitch home run in the fifth and Munenori Kawasaki's bouncer up the middle with one out in the eighth. The Jays led 2-1 before Taylor Teagarden launched his second home run of the season in the top of the eighth to tie the game. Gonzalez walked...

It's Gonzalez vs. Wang today

It's Gonzalez vs. Wang today
The Orioles have a quick turnaround today with their 1:07 p.m. game against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Again, I'm convinced that they lead the world in day games. Taylor Teagarden most likely will be behind the plate, which will appease the fans who are convinced that Matt Wieters cost the Orioles last night's game by calling for a cutter to Munenori Kawasaki with Tommy Hunter on the mound. Apparently, Hunter's head doesn't move from side to side and he can't shake off a sign. And...

Looking back and ahead

Looking back and ahead
Yesterday's game at Camden Yards ended with Alexi Casilla standing on third base with a confused look on his face, first base coach Wayne Kirby holding his arms in the air and Chris Dickerson standing in the on-deck circle. Dickerson was pinch-hitting for catcher Taylor Teagarden, except he never got to home plate. Manager Buck Showalter was willing to give up his designated hitter if the game went into extra innings. Matt Wieters most likely would have moved behind the plate. I doubt that...

Patton's progress

Patton's progress
The Orioles will break out a different lineup tonight with Nick Markakis missing his first game this season to attend his grandmother's funeral. The Orioles will be facing a left-hander, Houston's Dallas Keuchel, who's 2-2 with a 5.10 ERA. Steve Pearce could start in the outfield, with Danny Valencia again serving as the designated hitter. Right-handers are batting .315 against Keuchel, compared to .283 for left-handers. Taylor Teagarden will catch Thursday afternoon's game after being...

Orioles DFA Snyder to make room for Teagarden

Orioles DFA Snyder to make room for Teagarden
The Orioles finally made their roster move official tonight, activating Taylor Teagarden from the 15-day disabled list and designating Chris Snyder for assignment in a swap of backup catchers. Teagarden, 29, went on the DL on April 28 with a dislocated left thumb after appearing in four games and going 0-for-13. He threw out one of two runners attempting to steal. Teagarden appeared in three injury-rehab games at Triple-A Norfolk, catching twice and serving as the designated hitter. Snyder,...

A scout's take on Arrieta and the catchers (Hader note)

A scout's take on Arrieta and the catchers (Hader note)
The Orioles' quiet off-day made plenty of noise yesterday. Wei-Yin Chen will start doing some light throwing today in Sarasota, according to interpreter Tim Lin. The first round of American League All-Star voting was announced, and Chris Davis ranked first among first basemen and Adam Jones ranked second among outfielders. Davis was named AL Player of the Week for the second time this season, but Miguel Cabrera beat him out for monthly honors. Dylan Bundy was cleared to begin a throwing...

Who knows what tomorrow brings?

Who knows what tomorrow brings?
The Orioles are off today and it should be relatively quiet, but Tuesday figures to bring more than just a game against the Houston Astros and right-hander Lucas Harrell, who leads the majors with 37 walks in 63 2/3 innings. As if I need to provide Lucas Harrell's walk total. Who doesn't know about this guy? Anyway, Pedro Strop will pitch a simulated game and Taylor Teagarden could be activated from the disabled list, which would likely remove Chris Snyder from the 25-man roster, unless the...

Updates on Strop, Teagarden, Reimold and Chen

Updates on Strop, Teagarden, Reimold and Chen
Pedro Strop will accompany the Orioles to Houston and pitch in a simulated game Tuesday. Strop, on the disabled list with a strained lower back, has thrown two bullpen sessions and performed a drill off a mound over the past four days. He will throw another bullpen session following the simulated game before the Orioles decide whether to send him on an injury-rehab assignment. Taylor Teagarden caught eight innings last night in his second injury-rehab game at Triple-A Norfolk. He will serve...

Orioles sign Rauch to minor league deal

Orioles sign Rauch to minor league deal
The Orioles have signed 6-foot-11 pitcher Jon Rauch to a minor league deal and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. He will report to the Tides on Monday. Rauch, 34, was 1-2 with a 7.56 ERA in 15 relief appearances with the Miami Marlins this season, with 23 hits allowed, seven walks and 15 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings. Rauch has played for eight major league teams, including Montreal/Washington, over parts of 11 seasons. He's 43-40 with a 3.90 ERA. He posted a 3.59 ERA in 73 games with the...

Notes on Dickerson, Strop, Teagarden, Britton and the rotation (updated)

Notes on Dickerson, Strop, Teagarden, Britton and the rotation (updated)
Orioles outfielder Chris Dickerson has been receiving treatment for a sore left wrist, which limited him to one at-bat since his last start on May 23. Dickerson was a candidate to go on the disabled list last weekend before the Orioles decided to put reliever Pedro Strop on the DL while recalling pitcher Steve Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk. Manager Buck Showalter had mentioned that there were two or three players being considered. Dickerson is batting .318/.333/.568 with two doubles, three...