Springing ahead with more Orioles camp memories

Springing ahead with more Orioles camp memories
Until the lockout ends and major league spring training camps finally open, I'm left to reminisce about past stays in Florida. The many stories that unfolded, some of which never made it into print. The many mornings spent inside the clubhouse and on the back fields. The road trips, more grueling when the home site was down in Fort Lauderdale. The unexpected arrivals and departures. I'll share a few more today: Betemit's knee injury Media wanting to interview the starting pitcher or a...

Casilla talks about collision

Casilla talks about collision
The Orioles announced that they officially released infielder Wilson Betemit, who was designated for assignment on Sept. 16. Alexi Casilla remains with the team, but he may not play again this season. Casilla underwent a CT scan yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla., after slamming his head into right fielder Nick Markakis' leg while diving for a shallow fly ball. The Orioles held their bus in case Casilla was cleared to fly back to Baltimore. Casilla sat at his locker this afternoon and took...

Game update and more notes

Game update and  more notes
BOSTON - Dustin Pedroia led off the bottom of the first inning tonight with a home run to give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead over the Orioles. Pedroia's ball cleared the seats atop the Green Monster for the 17th home run allowed by Scott Feldman this season and the seventh with the Orioles in 78 innings. Pedroia has three career leadoff home runs, the last coming Oct. 3, 2009 against the Indians. Manny Machado reached on an infield single in the top of the first, tying him with Adrian Beltre for...

It's been a rocky ride for Chen in first three innings (Markakis homers)

It's been a rocky ride for Chen in first three innings (Markakis homers)
Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin retired the first two Yankees in the first inning tonight, allowed two singles and got the final out. Chen gave up a leadoff single to Eduardo Nunez and Mark Reynolds' two-run homer in the second inning, then struck out the next three batters. That's the good and the bad. Here's just the bad: Alex Rodriguez led off the third with a walk, Alfonso Soriano doubled, Robinson Cano walked and pitching coach Bill Castro strolled to the mound. Vernon Wells grounded...

Showalter confirms Chen as Sunday starter

Showalter confirms Chen as Sunday starter
BOSTON - Remove "TBA" from Sunday's starter at Yankee Stadium. Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed this afternoon that left-hander Wei-Yin Chen will take the mound in the series finale against the Yankees after being optioned earlier today. Chen will throw a bullpen session at 11 a.m. Thursday and meet up with the team over the weekend. Because he started last night, he will be working on normal rest in the Bronx. Chen already has left the team with his interpreter, Tim Lin....

It's Norris vs. Lackey tonight

It's Norris vs. Lackey tonight
BOSTON - Wilson Betemit is expected to make his first start tonight with the Orioles facing right-hander John Lackey at Fenway Park. Betemit replaced Chris Davis at first base last night and had one at-bat, resulting in a ground ball to second that completed a 13-2 loss to the Red Sox. Betemit is 1-for-8 with a double and three strikeouts lifetime against Lackey. In a strange twist, left-handers are batting .232 against Lackey this season, while right-handers are batting .275. Trust me,...

Showalter on roster move

Showalter on roster move
BOSTON - Wilson Betemit was all smiles today as he passed by reporters and headed to the trainers room inside the visiting clubhouse at Fenway Park. The horrific knee injury in late March that forced Betemit onto the 60-day disabled list is deep in the past. Now, he's ready to contribute at the plate. His first opportunity should come Wednesday night against Red Sox right-hander John Lackey. "It's exciting to get Wilson back. It's been a long road for him," said manager Buck...

Orioles option Flaherty (updated)

Orioles option Flaherty (updated)
BOSTON - The Orioles have optioned infielder Ryan Flaherty to Single-A Frederick to make room for Wilson Betemit on the 25-man roster. In 75 games for the Orioles this season, Flaherty hit .218 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs. He can return when rosters expand on Sept. 1. Betemit tore the PCL in his right knee during a March 25 exhibition game against the Red Sox, the team he's most likely going to start against on Wednesday. Betemit is on the bench tonight against left-hander Felix...

What's happening with the Orioles' roster this week?

What's happening with the Orioles' roster this week?
The Orioles are indulging in their next-to-last off-day of the regular season. The fifth in August, leaving them with one in September. Who made out this schedule? They were off Thursday and they're idle again today. Was that really necessary? The roster figures to undergo some changes this week, beginning with Wilson Betemit's arrival in Boston. Is Betemit ready? Probably not. He's not moving with 100 percent efficiency. But his rehab assignment ends today and the Orioles don't have...

Hammel completes another bullpen session, and other notes

Hammel completes another bullpen session, and other notes
Jason Hammel threw 60 pitches in the bullpen today and will report to Double-A Bowie for Thursday's game against Binghamton. "As of right now, everything is good to go," Hammel said. "I threw an extra inning's worth of pitches today. I probably threw 45 like I did yesterday, and then after that I did some sequences, throwing all pitches to simulated batters, stuff like that." The Orioles want Hammel to throw 45-50 pitches for Bowie on Thursday and are hoping to get him through three...

Hammel expected to start Thursday at Bowie

Hammel expected to start Thursday at Bowie
Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel is scheduled to make his first injury-rehab start on Thursday at Double-A Bowie. The club also discussed Wednesday as a possibility, but Hammel is expected to take the mound Thursday against Binghamton. The Orioles want Hammel to pitch in two minor league games before activating him from the disabled list and placing him on the expanded roster. He could be used as a reliever in the second game and remain in that role with the Orioles. Hammel, on the DL since...

Orioles sending out postseason invoices, and other notes

Orioles sending out postseason invoices, and other notes
While the Orioles fight to stay in playoff contention, the organization is mailing out postseason invoices to its season plan holders on Friday. The invoices will be delivered to fans with full-season, 29-game and 13-game packages. Full-season plan holders are entitled to purchase tickets for every postseason home game - a maximum of 11 possible - including four World Series and four American League Championship Series games. Fans with a 29-game plan are entitled to six games, and fans with...

Showalter on Hammel, Hardy, Betemit and call-ups (updated)

Showalter on Hammel, Hardy, Betemit and call-ups (updated)
Orioles starter Scott Feldman won the first battle today with Rockies first baseman Michael Cuddyer, retiring him on a force play to end the top of the first inning. Cuddyer began the day 7-for-13 with three doubles, two homers and five RBIs lifetime against Feldman. Manager Buck Showalter provided updates on some injured Orioles before today's series finale against the Rockies at Camden Yards. Showalter revealed that Jason Hammel will throw on flat ground Monday and Wednesday before moving...

A few injury updates

A few injury updates
Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel will throw on flat ground again on Monday and Wednesday before progressing to a mound on Friday, assuming there are no setbacks. Hammel already has played catch twice to test his right forearm. So far, so good. Hammel will need to make a few starts on an injury-rehab assignment before the Orioles activate him from the disabled list. They can find games for him, even if the affiliates are done playing. A few of the teams are in playoff contention, and Hammel could...

Notes on Britton and Reynolds (and Betemit)

Notes on Britton and Reynolds (and Betemit)
Triple-A Norfolk pitcher Zach Britton left tonight's game in Toledo after being hit on the side of the ankle by a hard one-hopper from Danny Worth. No updates are available at this time. Worth reached on an infield hit with two outs in the sixth inning as the ball rolled to Tides first baseman Steve Clevenger. Tim Alderson replaced Britton and stranded Worth by retiring former Orioles catcher Ronny Paulino. Britton allowed two runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings, with four walks and six...

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...

Davis hits No. 44 (Hardy hits No. 22)

Davis hits No. 44 (Hardy hits No. 22)
The Orioles had a runner on second base and two outs in the fourth inning tonight, and Diamondbacks starter Randall Delgado decided to challenge Chris Davis with a fastball. Delgado lost. Davis hit his 44th home run to give the Orioles a 2-0 lead. Nick Markakis walked with one out and moved up on a wild pitch. Adam Jones grounded out and Davis hit a big fly ball, allowing him to pass Rafael Palmeiro for the most single-season home runs in franchise history. Jim Gentile is next with 46,...

Domenic Vadala: Will Orioles make another move?

Domenic Vadala: Will Orioles make another move?
To say the least, a few waves were made around Birdland the other day when former Oriole Mark Reynolds was designated for assignment by Cleveland. A lot of fans felt that the Orioles should have looked to re-sign Reynolds, and the thought crossed my mind, as well. However, I'm not sure that Reynolds is precisely what the Orioles need right at this moment. We all know who Reynolds is on the field, so there's no use in going into it here. Last offseason, I said on Birds Watcher that I felt the...

Orioles and Giants lineups

Orioles and Giants lineups
Nate McLouth returns to the leadoff spot tonight, as the Orioles begin a three-game series in San Francisco. Nick Markakis is hitting third. Brian Roberts continues to bat eighth during interleague games, with pitcher Chris Tillman batting ninth. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Brian Roberts 2B Chris Tillman RHP For the Giants Marco Scutaro 2B Brandon Crawford SS Brandon Belt 1B Buster Posey C Hunter...

Betemit begins rehab assignment

Betemit begins rehab assignment
Wilson Betemit is in the Gulf Coast League Orioles lineup today, batting second and serving as the designated hitter. Betemit drew a walk in the top of the first inning against GCL Red Sox left-hander Gabe Speier, a 19th-round pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Dos Pueblos (Ca.) High School. This is Betemit's first game since he tore the PCL in his right knee in a March 25 exhibition game against the Red Sox and was carted off the Ed Smith Stadium field. He's batting from the...