"Orioles Classics" rewind: Oriole Park Classics Game No. 8

"Orioles Classics" rewind: Oriole Park Classics Game No. 8
It's finally here! Baseball's back! With Orioles pitchers and catchers set to report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex tomorrow, the 2017 baseball season has finally arrived! Be sure to check back regularly to MASNsports.com throughout the week as we bring you complete coverage of the Birds straight from Sarasota. Meanwhile, to really kick off spring training, also be sure to tune in to MASN tonight for the No. 8 selection in our countdown of the top games in Oriole Park history at 7 p.m. Your...

In weak pitching market, former Oriole Jason Hammel remains available

In weak pitching market, former Oriole Jason Hammel remains available
After the Orioles' re-signing of free agent Mark Trumbo, their payroll for 20 players now signed for 2017 is in the $154 million range. That would seem to make it unlikely the club would pursue former Oriole Jason Hammel, a right-handed starter still out there among the remaining free agents. That and the fact the Orioles would be back at six starters for five spots if they added Hammel. It seems strange in a year that was not robust in free agent starters that Hammel is still out there. In...

"Orioles Classics" rewind: Throwbacks to start the new year

"Orioles Classics" rewind: Throwbacks to start the new year
Happy New Year, Birdland! Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday and is enjoying today on their couches while resting from last night's festivities. I bring you tidings of great joy: With the flip of the calendar, we are now officially less than two months away from pitchers and catchers reporting to the Ed Smith Stadium Complex in Sarasota, Fla.! After last night's countdown to the new year, we're now helping you countdown to baseball's return with more "Orioles Classics" on MASN...

Nats and Cubs trade early runs (Werth wins it again in 12th)

Nats and Cubs trade early runs (Werth wins it again in 12th)
The Cubs raced out quickly against Stephen Strasburg. Ben Zobrist slammed a solo homer on a 1-2 pitch over the right field fence to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead. Strasburg then allowed a double to Jason Heyward on a drive that Ben Revere dove for but could not catch. Kris Bryant was called out on strikes. With Anthony Rizzo at the plate, Wilson Ramos caught Heyward attempting to steal third. Strasburg then struck out Rizzo. The Nationals counterpunched in the bottom of the first. Ben Revere led...

Game 66 lineups: Cubs at Nats

Game 66 lineups: Cubs at Nats
The Nationals and Cubs wrap up their regular season meetings today in D.C. The Cubs lead the season series 5-1, but the Nationals have the opportunity to win this three-game set with a victory today. The Cubs edged the Nationals 4-3 on Tuesday night. Center fielder Ben Revere knew it was going to be a battle. "It's just one of the games just got away from us," Revere said. "But hold our heads high, because we battled back, we got one more game to go, we win the series. Go on the road trip...

Hammel remains linked to Orioles

Hammel remains linked to Orioles
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Orioles' search for a veteran starter with an affordable contract could lead them back to Jason Hammel. I've heard that the Orioles maintain interest in Hammel, provided that he will accept a contract heavy in incentives. That's the latest buzz from the lobby of the Swan and Dolphin Resort. The Indians also have expressed interest in Hammel, according to FOX Sports. However, ESPN reports that the right-hander's price has gone up and the Indians are moving in...

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...

Which free agents will re-sign with the Orioles?

Which free agents will re-sign with the Orioles?
While wondering if Orioles manager Buck Showalter can relate to the heat that John Harbaugh is catching from Ravens fans this season ... I'm heading back home this morning after a weekend filled with love, laughs and calories. Nothing beats family. The Orioles will begin interviewing candidates this week for the vacant pitching coach position. I'm not going to anoint a favorite because we don't have the complete list and there are so many factors in play, including the impression made...

How much for Hammel?

How much for Hammel?
The Orioles' list of pending free agents includes right-hander Jason Hammel, who made $6.75 million in 2013. What's he worth in 2014? You could argue that the Orioles have gotten one really good half-season out of Hammel in the two years that he's spent in the organization following his arrival from the Rockies. Hammel was 8-5 with a 3.47 ERA in 17 starts before the 2012 All-Star break, and was named a finalist for the MLB Fan Vote in the American League. But he later went on the...

Starting the early talk about the rotation

Starting the early talk about the rotation
Manny Machado will undergo surgery today at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles to repair a torn medial patellofemoral ligament in his left knee. I'll beat the rush and pass along that it's going to be a "successful" surgery and the time frame of a four- to six-month recovery period will remain unchanged. Five months would put Machado in the middle of March, still enough time to get ready for opening day at Camden Yards. In the meantime, he can work on his upper-body strength. Going...

The morning after the 2013 season

The morning after the 2013 season
The Orioles currently hold the 17th pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. Better to count down the days until pitchers and catchers report. Welcome to Day One of the offseason. It's going to be quiet for a while, with teams pretty much in shutdown mode during the playoffs. It seems like only yesterday that reporters were staking out Luis Ayala's locker in Sarasota, eagerly awaiting confirmation on whether he would pitch in the World...

Showalter speaks after 9-5 win

Showalter speaks after 9-5 win
With a bunch of their regulars planted on the bench tonight, the Orioles ended a six-game losing streak with a 9-5 victory over the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. So, same lineup tomorrow night? "Ah, no," said manager Buck Showalter. Not even tempted? "No." So much for that idea. "We've got some other things we need to accomplish," he said. The Orioles did accomplish something important tonight, guaranteeing their second straight winning season for the first time since 1996-97. Is...

Now what? (Britton and Belfiore recalled)

Now what? (Britton and Belfiore recalled)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles didn't arrive in Tampa until around 3 a.m. on Friday. They played an 18-inning game that night. They have a 1:05 p.m. game today. Sleep fast - if they can sleep at all. The Orioles are 2 1/2 games back and tied with the Royals in the wild card race. Last night's defeat, which became official on David DeJesus' walk-off single, was quite the dagger. Are their playoff hopes dead? Absolutely not. But the degree of difficulty in getting there has been raised...

The longest game in O's history ends with a loss in the 18th

The longest game in O's history ends with a loss in the 18th
It was the longest game in Orioles history, but it didn't end well for the O's. David DeJesus came up with an RBI single with one out in the last of the 18th as Tampa Bay beat the Orioles 5-4 at Tropicana Field. It was a bitter loss for the Orioles, who would have been one game back of both Tampa Bay and Texas for the AL's second wild card berth with a win. But they didn't get it. The Orioles bullpen kept the Rays off the board from the eighth through the 17th, but the O's offense came...

Orioles get within a run of the Rays (we're tied)

Orioles get within a run of the Rays (we're tied)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Both starting pitchers are out of tonight's game as we finish up the bottom of the sixth inning. Jason Hammel retired 12 of the last 14 batters he faced, but will remain winless since May 27. The Orioles have scored a run in each of the last two innings and trail the Rays 3-2. Hammel allowed three runs (two earned) and six hits in five innings, with no walks and three strikeouts. He threw 77 pitches, 52 for strikes. Troy Patton replaced Hammel, his first appearance...

Hammel's slow start and Valencia's reaction to batting cleanup (O's down 3-1)

Hammel's slow start and Valencia's reaction to batting cleanup (O's down 3-1)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel took the mound tonight at Tropicana Field in search of his first victory since May 27 in D.C. It took the Rays two batters to get on the scoreboard and three batters for pitching coach Bill Castro to visit Hammel while T.J. McFarland began to throw in the bullpen. It's September baseball, folks. David DeJesus and Ben Zobrist hit back-to-back doubles to give Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead. Evan Longoria followed with single to put runners on the...

A look at Jason Hammel, David Price and a poor stat from the Boston series

A look at Jason Hammel, David Price and a poor stat from the Boston series
Here is a stat the Orioles would like to, and probably need to change tonight: In the the first four innings of the Boston series, O's batters were 1-for-37 and the one hit was an infield hit. Talk about getting off to a slow start. I like the new-look lineup Buck Showalter broke out tonight with Manny Machado batting first and Adam Jones second. With this offense struggling, he needed to try something. The Orioles face David Price tonight, the 2012 American League Cy Young Award winner....

Showalter speaks after 3-1 loss

Showalter speaks after 3-1 loss
BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter still hasn't named a starter for Saturday afternoon at Tropicana Field, choosing to wait until Jason Hammel pitches on Friday. If Showalter needs a long reliever, he could end up using one of his candidates - Miguel Gonzalez or Bud Norris. "Ham hasn't exactly been throwing seven, eight (innings), 100-plus pitches, so if we have to get him early and use somebody else, I just want to leave our options open," Showalter said following tonight's 3-1 loss...

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....

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...