Hearing from Pearce, Gonzalez and Wada following 2-1 loss

Hearing from Pearce, Gonzalez and Wada following 2-1 loss
CHICAGO - If not for Steve Pearce, the Orioles would have been no-hit today. They would have been shut out. They would have more reason to feel bad about today's loss at Wrigley Field. That is, if you believe that the rest of the game would have played out the exact same. Pearce homered off Tsuyoshi Wada leading off the top of the seventh. Otherwise, Wada dominated the Orioles. "He kept us off-balance today," Pearce said. "He was throwing everything for a strike and he was working quick. He...

Orioles won't attempt to re-sign Wada

Orioles won't attempt to re-sign Wada
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed today that the club won't attempt to re-sign free-agent pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada after declining to pick up his $5 million option for 2014. Wada, 32, never pitched for the Orioles after signing a two-year, $8.15 million contract on Dec. 14, 2011. He was injured in spring training, made one start with Triple-A Norfolk - allowing six runs in 2 2/3 innings - and underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery on his left elbow on May 11, 2012. Wada...

Orioles decline option on Wada's contract

Orioles decline option on Wada's contract
The Orioles made the anticipated roster move official tonight, declining the $5 million option on left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada's contract. Wada, 32, is removed from the 40-man roster and becomes a free agent. Wada signed a two-year, $8.15 million deal on Dec. 14, 2011, but he never pitched for the Orioles after undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery on his left elbow on May 11, 2012. The Orioles kept Wada at Triple-A Norfolk this season and sent him to Sarasota in September rather than...

Showalter talks pitching, free agency and more (O's decline option on Wada)

Showalter talks pitching, free agency and more (O's decline option on Wada)
As the Orioles look to improve their pitching for 2014, manager Buck Showalter wonders if the club has some answers now or looking to the future already within their organization. Last night, Showalter indicated the Orioles are open to adding pitching this winter via free agency while at the same time expressing some optimism for some of the current pitchers in the minor leagues. Showalter recently spent some time checking out O's prospects in person in the Arizona Fall League. "I went out...

Wondering whether Wada re-signs with Orioles

Wondering whether Wada re-signs with Orioles
While handing out candy to the trick-or-treaters Thursday, I had a neighbor ask which Red Sox player I'd take if I were in charge of the Orioles. He happened to be wearing a Red Sox jersey, and he wasn't in costume. He's a big fan of the World Series champions. After pausing for a few seconds to consider my options, I chose second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Fills a need, gets on base, has won three Gold Gloves. And who wouldn't want a player with the nicknames Laser Show and The Muddy...

Let the free agent frenzy begin

Let the free agent frenzy begin
Anyone remember who the Orioles play on opening day next season? Oh, yeah, right. If one kid shows up at my door for Halloween tonight wearing a beard and a Red Sox cap, he's getting a treat from the crappy bag of candy. No mini Snickers or Kit Kat or Hershey bar or Reese's. Enjoy your Dum Dum. Consider yourselves lucky that I'm not handing out dental floss or pocket combs. I actually picked the Red Sox to win the World Series before the playoffs started, but I wasn't going out on a...

What happens once the playoffs are off the table?

What happens once the playoffs are off the table?
The Orioles begin the next phase of the 2013 season and it's down to only five games. For the first time, they will arrive at the ballpark today knowing they won't return to the playoffs. They've been mathematically eliminated. It went from improbable after leaving Florida to impossible after the 10th inning. Five more games and they will clean out their lockers and scatter across the country. Five more games, and manager Buck Showalter may be in more of a reflective mood. Same...

Andrew Stetka: A look ahead to the O's 2014 rotation

Andrew Stetka: A look ahead to the O's 2014 rotation
Even though the 2013 regular season is still a little over a week away from its conclusion, it's not too early to start looking forward to the 2014 campaign and what lies ahead. There's always lots of speculation about the construction of a team's 25-man roster and the Orioles will be no different. The difference for the Birds going into next season is that most of their roster will likely be set. Starting position players are mostly under contract aside from second base and left field....

What will the Orioles do with Wada?

What will the Orioles do with Wada?
While the Orioles continue to gradually expand their roster, left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada remains in Sarasota. Away from the team. His major league debut still an uncertainty. Other players have hopped on planes to join the Orioles. For Wada, only his future is up in the air. Here's what I know: There are people in the organization who would like for Wada to pitch for the Orioles this month in some capacity. There also are some folks who don't think it's a good idea to experiment in a pennant...

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...

Wada turns in another impressive outing (Betemit note)

Wada turns in another impressive outing (Betemit note)
Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada made another push for a major league promotion today, holding Triple-A Rochester to one run over seven innings and leaving with Norfolk ahead 3-1. Wada allowed five hits, walked one and struck out three. He threw 90 pitches, 62 for strikes. The only run off him scored in the seventh. Wada has limited opponents to one run and 14 hits in his last three starts covering 18 2/3 innings. He's walked three and struck out 20. If nothing else, Wada will be added to the...

Wada improvement

Wada improvement
Tsuyoshi Wada is scheduled to make his next start for Triple-A Norfolk on Monday afternoon against Rochester. He hasn't allowed a run in his last two outings, walking two and striking out 17 in 11 2/3 innings, and the reports on him indicate that his stuff is good enough now to get out major league hitters. Tides pitching coach Mike Griffin is in total agreement. "I'm really happy with what he's doing right now. Oh my goodness," Griffin said yesterday. "Where he was when he first got...

Because You Asked - The Squeakquel

Because You Asked - The Squeakquel
I'm asked and I answer. I'm asked again and I answer again. And so it goes. I created the "Because You Asked" series, with all of its cheesy sequels, to provide one-stop shopping for fans who keep bringing the same questions to my doorstep. This way, I can answer everyone simultaneously. Let's get started. Have you got any updates on Dylan Bundy? This one puzzles me. Bundy underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. There's nothing to update beyond what he ate for breakfast and...

Jones graded on the curve tonight (Jones homers, O's win 4-1)

Jones graded on the curve tonight  (Jones homers, O's win 4-1)
Padres starter Edinson Volquez was determined to retire Orioles center fielder Adam Jones on a curveball tonight. Maybe he was following the scouting report. Maybe he was being stubborn. Volquez threw six curveballs to Jones in the first inning, including four in a row to begin the at-bat. He mixed in a changeup, threw another curve, tried a 94 mph fastball and went back to the curve. Jones didn't have trouble with the curve, grounding an RBI single up the middle to give the Orioles a 1-0...

This and that

This and that
Chris Tillman must be living a charmed life when he gives up six runs and still registers his 14th win of the season. As manager Buck Showalter said, the Orioles probably owed Tillman after the way he's pitched for them this season. Tillman is 14-3, which currently ranks as the highest winning percentage (.824) in franchise history for a pitcher with at least 15 decisions. He's ahead of Dave McNally (21-5, .808 in 1971), Jim Palmer (16-4, .800 in 1969), Wally Bunker (19-5, .792 in 1964) and...

Wada takes giant step backward today

Wada takes giant step backward today
Just as it appeared that left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada was getting close to being a consideration for the Orioles pitching staff, he turned in a dreadful start today for Triple-A Norfolk against the Gwinnett Braves. Wada was charged with seven runs and 13 hits in five-plus innings, with one walk, three strikeouts and two home runs. He faced one batter in the sixth without recording an out, and Mark Hendrickson let the inherited runner score. Wada threw 78 pitches, 52 for strikes. In his four...

Notes before tonight's game

Notes before tonight's game
Outfielder Steve Pearce underwent an MRA on his left wrist today in Sarasota to determine whether there's any structural damage. Hand specialist Dr. Brian Schofield examined Pearce in Sarasota. He performed the surgery on Nick Markakis' left thumb last year. An MRA involves dye being injected in the wrist. Infielder Jonathan Schoop, on the minor league disabled list with a stress fracture in his lower back, will begin his rehab assignment Thursday in the Gulf Coast League. The assignment...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
NEW YORK - Manny Machado turns 21 today. No more jokes about not being able to legally order a beer. Machado's nine-game hitting streak ended last night. Has nothing to do with his age. Jim Johnson has walked 14 batters this season. He walked 15 in 2012. He's not getting the ball down, he's falling behind in the count and he's either walking batters or giving up hits. Anyone who's waiting for manager Buck Showalter to publicly criticize Johnson - say, during O's Xtra - knows nothing...

Gonzalez escapes jam in fifth to hold lead (O's lose 3-2)

Gonzalez escapes jam in fifth to hold lead (O's lose 3-2)
NEW YORK - Miguel Gonzalez threw 92 pitches in the first five innings tonight at Yankee Stadium. Not the most efficient outing, but he continues to hold a 2-1 lead. Gonzalez walked the No. 9 hitter, David Adams, leading off the bottom of the fifth. Ichiro Suzuki doubled with one out, and the Orioles walked Robinson Cano intentionally with first base open. Cano was 0-for-2 tonight and 2-for-17 lifetime against Gonzalez, but the walk is pretty much an automatic move. It also proved to be the...

Orioles sign undrafted free agent Tanner Rust, and other notes

Orioles sign undrafted free agent Tanner Rust, and other notes
The Orioles have signed New Mexico State infielder Tanner Rust, an undrafted free agent whose .375 average this year led the Western Athletic Conference and ranked ninth in the country. Rust, who's listed at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, had 15 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 54 RBIs this season. He led the Aggies with 54 runs scored and 24 multiple-hit games. His .481 on-base percentage led the league and his 79 hits were third. He had 34 walks and 43 strikeouts in 216 at-bats. Rust...