Orioles sign Andy Oliver, Dana Eveland to Triple-A deals

Orioles sign Andy Oliver, Dana Eveland to Triple-A deals
The Orioles signed a pair of veteran left-handers to minor league contracts this week. Andy Oliver and former Oriole Dana Eveland agreed to deals and were assigned to Triple-A Norfolk, according to a club official. Oliver exercised his opt-out clause after going 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 25 relief appearances with Triple-A Durham, the Rays' top affiliate. He walked 24 and struck out 32 in 28 innings. Oliver, 27, is 0-5 with a 7.11 ERA and 1.832 WHIP in seven career starts with the Tigers in...

Notes on Eveland and minor league signings

Notes on Eveland and minor league signings
Left-hander Dana Eveland, who appeared in 14 games with the Orioles this season, has signed with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Professional Baseball League. Confirmation came via a tweet from @bicycleyoun. Eveland is guaranteed $675,000 from Hanwha after making $750,000 with the Orioles in 2012. Eveland actually signed with the Eagles a few weeks ago, but the team didn't announce it until today. The Orioles acquired Eveland, 29, from the Dodgers during the 2011 Winter Meetings for pitcher...

As the Winter Meetings approach ...

As the Winter Meetings approach ...
Exactly one week from today will be the second official day of baseball's Winter Meetings, which are being held in Nashville. I'll get my cardio workout from chasing false rumors and power-walking through the lobby of the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, which I'm told is roughly the length of 72,000 football fields. Anyone want to trade places with me? I'm taking offers. Last year's meetings in Dallas yielded a Dana Eveland trade and Ryan Flaherty claim in the Rule 5...

Eveland, Paulino elect free agency (and notes)

Eveland, Paulino elect free agency (and notes)
Pitcher Dana Eveland and catcher Ronny Paulino, among the 52 players who appeared in games with the Orioles this season, have filed for free agency. Eveland, acquired from the Dodgers on the last day of the Winter Meetings for Jarret Martin and Tyler Henson, went 0-1 with a 4.73 ERA in 14 appearances with the Orioles, including two starts. He cleared waivers twice this summer - he didn't pitch for the Orioles after July 13 - and accepted outright assignments rather than forfeit the rest of...

Zach Wilt: Praising the 'pen

Zach Wilt: Praising the 'pen
Ten years ago, baseball experts would say that winning one- or two-run games was what defined a great a team. Good teams find a way to win close games, bad teams lose them. Sabremetrics and advanced baseball statistics have changed the way we think about the game today and now many would say that the Orioles' 42-18 record in games decided by one or two runs this season is a fluke. Doubters see this as the stat that will ultimately lead to another collapse and say this trend is too historical...

Eveland designated for assignment, prepares to head back to Triple-A

Eveland designated for assignment, prepares to head back to Triple-A
Orioles lefty Dana Eveland is packing his bags. Again. For the third time this year, he has been designated for assignment. It happened again today so the Orioles could add Miguel Socolovich back to the active roster. Eveland was added to the O's roster just yesterday and was here this time for just one game that he never pitched in. "I didn't know what was going to happen," Eveland said this afternoon. "I was happy when I found out I was coming up yesterday. I wasn't sure if I'd be...

Orioles pregame notes and quotes (O's lead 5-0)

Orioles pregame notes and quotes (O's lead 5-0)
The Orioles had an opening on their 40-man roster after designating outfielder Steve Pearce for assignment, so they only had to make one move today when purchasing left-hander Dana Eveland's contract from Triple-A Norfolk. Eveland takes the 25-man roster spot previously occupied by infielder Steve Tolleson, leaving the Orioles with a three-man bench. It could expand to four before tomorrow night's game. Tolleson has an illness in the family and will stop in North Carolina before reporting...

O's lineup vs. Rays' Shields (Eveland added, Tolleson optioned)

O's lineup vs. Rays' Shields (Eveland added, Tolleson optioned)
Still waiting to see which player - likely a reliever - walks into the Orioles clubhouse and is placed on the roster. In the meantime, here's today's starting lineup against James Shields and the Rays: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Jim Thome DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis LF Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Omar Quintanilla 2B Chris Tillman RHP Update: Dana Eveland has arrived and will be activated before today's game. Update: The Orioles have selected Eveland's...

Eveland outrighted again (updated)

Eveland outrighted again (updated)
Left-hander Dana Eveland has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk for the second time this year. Eveland was designated for assignment on Saturday to make room for reliever Miguel Socolovich on the 25- and 40-man rosters. He went through the same process on March 29 after the Orioles claimed infielder Zelous Wheeler off waivers from the Brewers. Coincidentally, Wheeler moved up today from Double-A Bowie to Norfolk. Eveland, acquired from the Dodgers during the winter...

Paulino on getting outrighted and Eveland on being DFA

Paulino on getting outrighted and Eveland on being DFA
The Orioles today outrighted catcher Ronny Paulino to Triple-A to make roster room for the addition of catcher Taylor Teagarden. Paulino could refuse the assignment and become a free agent. "I have a couple of days to decide what I'm going to do," he said this afternoon in the O's clubhouse. "It's tough because you want to be here in the big leagues. But I'm not playing much here so, if you have to go down somewhere and play to get more at-bats, you definitely have to think about...

Great start to day, rough beginning for Eveland (O's down 2-1)

Great start to day, rough beginning for Eveland (O's down 2-1)
It's only 91 degrees at first pitch. Anyone have a sweater I can borrow? I had to keep reminding myself that the Orioles were playing a game today. I've been a bit distracted by all the Hall of Famers roaming around Camden Yards. I braved the stifling heat to watch the unveiling of Earl Weaver's statue in the picnic area, and I wasn't alone. You may recognize a few of the names: Frank Robinson, Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, Paul Blair, Al Bumbry, Don Buford, Scott McGregor, Rick...

Orioles and Indians lineups

Orioles and Indians lineups
Now it's Ryan Flaherty's turn to start at third base. He's handling the hot corner for today's game against the Indians after starting in right field last night. Wilson Betemit stays at first base. Matt Wieters is batting seventh again after homering in that spot last night. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Xavier Avery LF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Wilson Betemit 1B Chris Davis RF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds DH Ryan Flaherty 3B Dana Eveland LHP For the Indians: Shin-Soo Choo...

Taking his rotation shot: Eveland starts today against Tribe

Taking his rotation shot: Eveland starts today against Tribe
Left-hander Dana Eveland will make his 12th Orioles appearance and second start today when he takes the mound this afternoon against Cleveland. Eveland has been pitching well, allowing just one earned run on five hits over his past four games, covering 8 2/3 innings. He has walked just one and fanned five in that time, lowering his ERA to 3.00 on the year. Is he excited to get the start today? "Yeah, I guess," Eveland said. "I love being here and love being a part of this team on either...

Lefties against the Tribe and Bowie's All-Stars

Lefties against the Tribe and Bowie's All-Stars
Buck Showalter admitted today that at least one reason he selected Dana Eveland to start Saturday here against Cleveland is because he is left-handed. The Orioles will start three lefties in this series including Wei-Yin Chen, who is on the mound tonight. Cleveland has a record of 5-16 this year against left-handed starters and 32-21 against right-handers. Against southpaws, the Tribe bats .216 as a team with a slugging percentage of .326. Those numbers are .264 and .407 against right-handed...

Eveland will start Saturday

Eveland will start Saturday
Left-hander Dana Eveland will make Saturday's start against the Indians at Camden Yards. Eveland's name appeared among the starters on the magnetic board outside the clubhouse, and manager Buck Showalter confirmed the assignment while meeting with reporters. Eveland has posted a 3.00 ERA in 11 games, with 23 hits allowed, 11 walks and 13 strikeouts in 27 innings. In his only start on May 11, he allowed three runs and five hits, and walked six batters, in six innings against the...

Eveland going on paternity leave Tuesday

Eveland going on paternity leave Tuesday
The Orioles will place left-hander Dana Eveland on paternity leave Tuesday as he joins his wife, Ashley, for the birth of their second son in California. Under Major League Baseball rules, Eveland can be away from the team for three days. In his absence, the Orioles could choose to activate reliever Matt Lindstrom from the disabled list. Lindstrom is scheduled to pitch one inning today at Double-A Bowie before completing his injury-rehab assignment. He allowed three runs (one earned) and...

More on Moyer from Showalter and Duquette

More on Moyer from Showalter and Duquette
Manager Buck Showalter is convinced that 49-year-old Jamie Moyer will be pitching for a major league team in the near future. It just won't be the Orioles. Moyer requested and was granted his release today. He had an opt-out clause in his contract after three starts with Triple-A Norfolk, and the Orioles weren't ready to make room for him in their rotation. Timing was one factor. The Orioles don't need a fifth starter until Saturday because they're off on Monday. However, they also...

Bullpen's production has been a huge relief

Bullpen's production has been a huge relief
The Orioles began last night's game against the Pirates with the lowest bullpen ERA in the majors at 2.40. Darren O'Day gave them a scoreless seventh inning, retiring the side in order. Dana Eveland allowed a run in two innings, which the Orioles didn't mind conceding in a 12-6 victory. Tommy Hunter collected his first win since April 24 because the Orioles showered him with runs and the 'pen protected his lead. The unit hasn't fallen out of step without Matt Lindstrom, who posted a 1.29...

The O's bullpen has been mighty indeed (draft update)

The O's bullpen has been mighty indeed (draft update)
The Orioles have now won nine extra-innings games in a row for the first time in team history. Here is what Matt Wieters said after yesterday's game when asked the key reason for the streak: "You know, it's the bullpen. The bullpen is doing a great job of just keeping teams where they are at. If you keep the other team from scoring, eventually someone will get the run. The bullpen has been great keeping us in games." If there is one segment of this team that has been rock solid...

Matusz runs up pitch count in first (O's lose 7-0)

Matusz runs up pitch count in first (O's lose 7-0)
BOSTON - Brian Matusz threw 97 pitches in 7 1/3 innings against Tampa Bay on Saturday, one of the keys to a 2-1 victory. He was able to go deeper in the game, and the bullpen wasn't needed until later. Tonight, Matusz threw 37 pitches in the bottom of the first and fell behind, 2-0, on Adrian Gonzalez's bases-loaded double down the right field line. Matusz walked Dustin Pedroia and Will Middlebrooks and gave up a single to Kevin Youkilis. The Red Sox kept fouling off pitches and getting...