This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Tommy Hunter didn't record an out in the fourth inning last night, giving the Orioles their shortest outing of the season and raising serious questions about his immediate future. Hunter hasn't won since April 24 and his ERA's up to 5.59. He's surrendered 13 home runs in 58 innings. The Orioles can go in a variety of directions with Hunter. They can leave him in the rotation, move him to the bullpen, option him to Triple-A Norfolk today while activating outfielder Endy Chavez from the...

Orioles going for the sweep on little sleep

Orioles going for the sweep on little sleep
Manager Buck Showalter most assuredly told reporters in Kansas City to "sleep fast." The Orioles have a day game after a night game that ended in the early morning. That's a quick turnaround. The Orioles were down by two runs in the top of the ninth inning, but they tied the game and won it in the 15th on Adam Jones' 12th home run of the season. The Orioles are 11-1 when Jones hits a home run. Nine of those homers have tied the game or given them a lead. Cha-ching! Didn't Tommy...

Showalter speaks after 8-5 loss

Showalter speaks after 8-5 loss
The Orioles' starters haven't completed six innings in the last three games, which is taxing the bullpen, which is giving manager Buck Showalter additional challenges that he'd rather avoid. Jason Hammel was done after five-plus innings tonight, failing to record an out in the sixth in the Orioles' 8-5 loss to the Yankees. "I would have rather not have pitched certain guys, but the game calls for it," Showalter said. "What bodes well for us in the future is we were able to give some...

Hunter scheduled to pitch Wednesday

Hunter scheduled to pitch Wednesday
Manager Buck Showalter believes tonight's game will start on time, but he'll know more when representatives from both teams, the umpires and head groundskeeper Nicole Sherry meet in the "rain room." There's a light rain falling and the tarp's on the field. Both teams will have to hit indoors. Tommy Hunter is scheduled to start Wednesday night's game in Kansas City. He'll probably fly out tomorrow afternoon. Left-hander Dana Eveland is available in the bullpen tonight after starting...

Eveland now

Eveland now
Any Barry Manilow fans out there? OK, anyway... Left-hander Dana Eveland said he didn't think much of his performance tonight. "I was very fortunate to have awesome defense behind me today," he said. "It was one of the worst games I have had all year. I've been throwing the ball pretty well down there. I haven't been walking people. Just did not have command today. Could not find my off-speed pitches. Fastball wasn't really there. I had to grind through it. Fortunately for me, those...

Showalter speaks after 4-3 win

Showalter speaks after 4-3 win
Manager Buck Showalter enjoyed talking about Nick Johnson for a change without having to dissect a hitless streak or explain why he kept putting the veteran in his lineup. It was all good tonight, with Johnson singling, walking, stealing a base and hitting a decisive two-run homer in the Orioles' 4-3 victory over Tampa Bay. "Nick had a lot of good at-bats tonight, the type he's capable of putting together that we saw in the spring," Showalter said. "I think you can tell what everybody in...

Wieters survives nasty collision; O's down 3-2 after Markakis HR

Wieters survives nasty collision; O's down 3-2 after Markakis HR
Dana Eveland is littering the bases and running up his pitch count, so he's not likely to stick around for the late innings of tonight's game. Eveland has allowed three runs and four hits, walked five (one intentional), struck out two and hit two batters in four innings. He's thrown 71 pitches, only 37 for strikes. Eveland retired the side in order in the first, but it's been a massive struggle otherwise. The Rays loaded the bases with no outs in the second and settled for one run on...

From Norfolk to Baltimore: Eveland making O's debut tonight

From Norfolk to Baltimore: Eveland making O's debut tonight
Dana Eveland is making his Orioles debut tonight in the series opener between the O's and Tampa Bay. The Orioles are Eveland's seventh major league team since he was drafted in the 16th round of the 2002 draft by Milwaukee. Last September, Eveland went 3-2 with an ERA of 3.03 with the Los Angeles Dodgers after spending most of the 2011 season at Triple-A. Tonight, he will making his 60th career major league start but his first ever on three days' rest. He last started on Monday for...

Lindstrom to DL; Wheeler DFA (updated)

Lindstrom to DL; Wheeler DFA (updated)
The Orioles created room on the 25-man roster for tonight's starter, left-hander Dana Eveland, by placing reliever Matt Lindstrom on the 15-day disabled list with a right middle finger injury. Lindstrom, 32, has posted a 1.29 ERA in 13 games, allowing two earned runs in 14 innings. Both runs scored last night. Three unearned runs also have scored while he's pitched. Lindstrom, acquired from the Rockies along with Jason Hammel in the Jeremy Guthrie trade, has walked four and struck out 14....

A few pregame notes

A few pregame notes
The Orioles will wait to announce how they created room for starter Dana Eveland on the 25-man roster until team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens arrives at the ballpark around 5 p.m. The feeling here is Tommy Hunter could be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk if Jason Hammel is cleared to start on Monday. Otherwise, manager Buck Showalter will have to tweak his rotation again. On the other hand, the Orioles could option Hunter if Hammel unexpectedly can't make the start, knowing Hunter can be...

Thinking about today's roster moves and next month's First-Year Player Draft

Thinking about today's roster moves and next month's First-Year Player Draft
The Orioles didn't hit a home run in Game 2 last night, the first time they failed to clear the fences since April 30 at New York. They hit 20 homers in their previous eight games and were 6-2 in that span. No need to worry that the Orioles will deprive you of a roster move today. Dana Eveland is here to make tonight's start against the Rays, as the Orioles return to the safe confines of the American League East. Someone has to vacate the 25-man roster, and someone has to vacate the 40-man...

Showalter speaks after 7-3 loss in Game 2

Showalter speaks after 7-3 loss in Game 2
Manager Buck Showalter asked reporters whether they saw enough baseball today. We've seen enough to last a lifetime, considering how many innings this team has played since it arrived in Boston last week. Tommy Hunter gave the Orioles six innings and 91 pitches while working on three days' rest. "Tommy made a lot of quality pitches down, which you have to do with that club, and he kept us in that ballgame," Showalter said. "Had a changeup that he's trying to throw off the plate away...

Orioles must make room for Eveland

Orioles must make room for Eveland
Dana Eveland will arrive in Baltimore later today and make tomorrow night's start against the Rays at Camden Yards. That much we know. In fact, we knew about it yesterday, but manager Buck Showalter confirmed it this afternoon and joked about how the reporters staring back at him already figured it out. Here's what we don't know: How the Orioles will make room for Eveland on the 25-man and 40-man rosters. That's a much more complicated mystery. The Orioles could open a spot on the 40-man...

Updates on Hammel, Chavez, Eveland, Britton and more

Updates on Hammel, Chavez, Eveland, Britton and more
Jason Hammel, who isn't making today's start because of a sore right knee, is tentatively scheduled to pitch Monday night against the Yankees at Camden Yards. Hammel could be pushed back one more day and start Tuesday. The Orioles will more strongly consider placing him on the disabled list if he remains unavailable. Manager Buck Showalter stressed that Hammel could have pitched today under different circumstances, but the club isn't taking any chances this early in the season. Endy...

Eveland could join rotation Friday (with Rangers lineup)

Eveland could join rotation Friday (with Rangers lineup)
The Orioles removed left-hander Dana Eveland from last night's start with Triple-A Norfolk so he can start here Friday night. Eveland tossed five scoreless innings and threw 63 pitches before coming out of the game. He's allowed nine earned runs in 36 2/3 innings this season, and only two in his last 13 innings. Eveland isn't on the 40-man roster, so the Orioles would have to make room for him. One possibility is transferring second baseman Brian Roberts to the 60-day disabled list. His...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
For fans and media types who are freaking out over the rotation's poor showing the past two games, second baseman Robert Andino offers a little reminder. "Our pitchers aren't machines, either," he said. "It's a grind. You're going to have your ups and downs, but we'll come back out tomorrow and play again. You can't stress one game." Baseball doesn't offer mulligans, but I'm giving one to the Orioles last night after their 17-inning game on Sunday. "No one here is going to make...

Eveland accepts outright assignment, other random notes (updated)

Eveland accepts outright assignment, other random notes (updated)
The workout hasn't started and I'm not sure whether manager Buck Showalter will share his opening day lineup, but here's the Twins lineup that will oppose right-hander Jake Arrieta: Denard Span CF Jamey Carroll SS Joe Mauer C Justin Morneau DH Josh Willingham LF Ryan Doumit RF Danny Valencia 3B Chris Parmelee 1B Alexi Casilla 2B Carl Pavano RHP So who starts in left field for the Orioles? Endy Chavez is 4-for-18 lifetime against Pavano. Reimold is 1-for-6. Wilson Betemit is...

Orioles DFA Eveland, claim Z. Wheeler from Brewers (NY lineup)

Orioles DFA Eveland, claim Z. Wheeler from Brewers (NY lineup)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have designated left-hander Dana Eveland for assignment to make room for infielder Zelous Wheeler, who was claimed off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers. Eveland allowed three runs and six hits in four innings during yesterday's start against the Blue Jays. He was 1-2 with a 3.46 ERA and 17 hits allowed in 13 spring innings. The Orioles acquired Eveland from the Dodgers at the winter meetings for minor league left-hander Jarret Martin and outfielder Tyler...

Postgame chatter after 9-3 loss

Postgame chatter after 9-3 loss
DUNEDIN, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter refused to dismiss Dana Eveland from the rotation competition despite today's results, but he conceded that it would probably be "a push" for Alfredo Simon to make it. Eveland allowed three runs and six hits in four innings. He hadn't gone more than three innings this spring and tossed one each in his last two outings. "He was OK," Showalter said. "Seen him better. We've seen him better." Eveland pretty much dismissed his chances of...

Orioles lineup vs. Twins

Orioles lineup vs. Twins
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman and Dana Eveland take the mound today, though not at the same time, when the Orioles travel to Fort Myers to play the Minnesota Twins. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B Wilson Betemit LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Ronny Paulino DH Jai Miller RF John Hester C Chris Tillman RHP