A Teagarden party

A Teagarden party
Does anyone know what happened to Ronny Paulino? What about his car? Paulino was the Orioles' backup catcher on opening day, but they optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk on July 15 to make room for catcher Taylor Teagarden, who was coming off the 60-day disabled list. And the rest is history of sorts. The Orioles re-signed Teagarden this winter, and he's going to be their backup catcher if he stays healthy. Not much drama behind the plate. Teagarden began the season on the disabled list...

Showalter on Hardy, Lindstrom, Saunders and trades

Showalter on Hardy, Lindstrom, Saunders and trades
Orioles manager Buck Showalter filled in for Dave Johnson yesterday as one of the co-hosts of "Wall to Wall Baseball" on MASN. He passed the audition. In case you missed it, I asked Showalter whether the Orioles would have to be overwhelmed by an offer in order to trade shortstop J.J. Hardy, who's coveted by the Detroit Tigers. "What's the word above overwhelmed? Stunned?" he said. "I like J.J. He's pretty good and he's going to have a big offensive year for us this year, I think....

This and that (updated)

This and that (updated)
The Orioles' coaching staff could be completed this week, though the holidays always complicate matters. As you've heard, the Orioles want to retain all six of their coaches and are expected to reach agreement with the two remaining unsigned members of the staff - hitting coach Jim Presley and third base coach DeMarlo Hale. Pitching coach Rick Adair signed last week. I've heard that the Marlins and Blue Jays were interested in Adair. Presley also has attracted interest from another club....

A little more on the Saunders trade

A little more on the Saunders trade
Yesterday qualified as a strange day at Camden Yards. The heavy lifting took place before the scheduled first pitch, with Matt Lindstrom being traded to the Diamondbacks for Joe Saunders, and Jake Arrieta being called up from Triple-A Norfolk. Lindstrom met with the media outside the clubhouse. Manager Buck Showalter met with the media in the auxiliary clubhouse. Executive vice president Dan Duquette met with the media in the back of the press box. We never saw Arrieta, who wasn't supposed...

Showalter talks about the trade (today's game postponed)

Showalter talks about the trade (today's game postponed)
Manager Buck Showalter was late arriving to today's media session because he was trying to wait until the Joe Saunders trade became official. Instead, he dropped hints to reporters until the news finally broke. In the blink of an eye, we received confirmation that Saunders was acquired, along with cash, for Matt Lindstrom and a PTBNL, and that Jake Arrieta had been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk as today's bullpen replacement. Arrieta could move into the rotation at some point. Saunders...

More talk and analysis from today's trade

More talk and analysis from today's trade
Joe Saunders is being placed today on baseball's version of a taxi squad. He won't officially join the team until Monday, at which point a corresponding roster move must be made. (CORRECTION): Saunders signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Diamondbacks over the winter. He can become a free agent after this season. The Orioles talked to Saunders' representative over the winter and to the Diamondbacks this summer as the non-waiver trade deadline approached. "We've liked Joe...

Orioles acquire Joe Saunders from Arizona for Matt Lindstrom (updated)

Orioles acquire Joe Saunders from Arizona for Matt Lindstrom (updated)
Eager to add a veteran starter to their rotation for the stretch run, the Orioles have acquired left-hander Joe Saunders from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed reliever Matt Lindstrom. The Orioles also acquired cash in the deal and will send a player to be named later to the D-backs. The 31-year-old Saunders was 6-10 with a 4.22 ERA in 21 starts for the Diamondbacks. He is 75-62 in 182 career starts with the Angels and D-backs. He graduated from West Springfield High School...

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...

Big Apple taking another big bite out of Tillman (O's win 11-5)

Big Apple taking another big bite out of Tillman (O's win 11-5)
NEW YORK - The Yankees don't have Mark Teixeira or Alex Rodriguez tonight, but they still have Chris Tillman's number. They grabbed a 3-0 lead only three batters into the game, and it took Tillman 15 pitches to record his first out. Two more runs scored, as the Yankees sent nine batters to the plate and Matt Lindstrom began to warm in the bullpen. Four of the five runs were earned. Tillman committed an error on Ichiro Suzuki's comebacker before Russell Martin's RBI single. Yes, it's...

While waiting for the lineups ... (updated)

While waiting for the lineups ... (updated)
Still no word on whether the Orioles will make a roster move today and bring up a fresh arm for their bullpen. I found it interesting that manager Buck Showalter mentioned Brian Matusz's impressive start at Triple-A Norfolk last night after I asked about the possibility of adding a reliever. Showalter might have been jumping topics, as he often does. It was the last sentence uttered before he left the interview room and returned to his office. The only other explanation is that the team has...

Matt Lindstrom with an update on his right knee injury

Matt Lindstrom with an update on his right knee injury
Orioles reliever Matt Lindstrom felt he was throwing the ball really well on Friday night in Cleveland. Then, he took a Johnny Damon liner off his left leg on his knee, his plant leg, and he hasn't pitched since then. But Lindstrom reports that his knee is feeling much better today and that he is available to pitch tonight if needed. "I'm available," Lindstrom said today in the Orioles' clubhouse. "I actually threw in the bullpen last night. So, I'm 100 percent ready to go. Little bit...

Orioles exploring trade options with Pearce (and Urrutia note)

Orioles exploring trade options with Pearce (and Urrutia note)
Believe it or not, there isn't much news to report here today. I've talked to a few people in the organization who are seriously downplaying the possibility of the Orioles trading for Marlins third baseman Hanley Ramirez. I'm not saying it definitely won't happen, but I'm not rearranging my schedule for his introductory press conference. I've heard that the Orioles still haven't placed outfielder Steve Pearce on waivers. They're exploring trade possibilities first, so his situation...

Pearce designated for assignment

Pearce designated for assignment
The Orioles created space for middle infielder Omar Quintanilla on their 25-man roster today by designating outfielder Steve Pearce for assignment. The decision came down to Pearce or Steve Tolleson. The Orioles decided they wanted to keep Tolleson, who has options remaining, so they would have a right-handed hitting infielder to share at-bats with Quintanilla and Ryan Flaherty. The Orioles could have placed reliever Matt Lindstrom on the disabled list after he took a Johnny Damon line drive...

Lindstrom leaves with injury (O's win 10-2)

Lindstrom leaves with injury (O's win 10-2)
Orioles reliever Matt Lindstrom took a Johnny Damon line drive off the inside portion of his left knee, forcing him out of the game with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Lindstrom bent at the waist a few times and kept grimacing as manager Buck Showalter and assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel checked on him. He didn't bother to throw a few warmup tosses. His night was over. Kevin Gregg replaced Lindstrom with the bases loaded and retired Casey Kotchman on a fly ball to center...

Tolleson optioned, Orioles lineup

Tolleson optioned, Orioles lineup
The Orioles have optioned Steve Tolleson to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for reliever Matt Lindstrom, who's coming off the disabled list. Dana Eveland also has rejoined the team after flying to California for the birth of his son, Asher Perry. Tolleson was called into manager Buck Showalter's office shortly before the lineup was posted. He's not listed among the reserves, and he later confirmed the roster move, which leaves the team with a three-man bench. "It was a lot shorter meeting...

Lindstrom will be activated tomorrow

Lindstrom will be activated tomorrow
Reliever Matt Lindstrom is in the clubhouse, but he's not on the 25-man roster. The Orioles have decided to activate Lindstrom from the disabled list tomorrow. They want him to do some long-tossing today. Left-hander Dana Eveland is expected to rejoin the team later tonight, but the Orioles aren't short-handed in the bullpen because Tommy Hunter is available in relief. Eveland's wife gave birth to a boy, Asher Perry, late Saturday night. Adding Eveland and Lindstrom to the 'pen will...

Back in the O's clubhouse, Matt Lindstrom hopes to get activated today (update)

Back in the O's clubhouse, Matt Lindstrom hopes to get activated today (update)
After a stay on the disabled list since May 11, Matt Lindstrom could be back on the Orioles' active roster officially at some point today. He has pitched four times in the minors on an injury-rehab assignment and is back in the Orioles' clubhouse today waiting to find out if he's getting activated in time for tonight's game. "I'm in here being evaluated by the doctor and training staff, just to make sure everything's good," Lindstrom said. "I don't know anything other than that....

What Hammel's bringing to the table tonight (draft signings)

What Hammel's bringing to the table tonight (draft signings)
Jason Hammel gets another chance tonight to strengthen his case for inclusion on the American League's All-Star team. That's not his priority, of course. He won't be standing on the mound wondering if each baserunner allowed has ruined his chances. But he deserves serious consideration with a 7-2 record, 2.87 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 81 2/3 innings. Hammel has lost once since April 30 and is coming off his dazzling one-hit shutout in Atlanta, the second time in his last three starts that...

Lindstrom's rehab continues with GCL team

Lindstrom's rehab continues with GCL team
Orioles reliever Matt Lindstrom pitched another inning today with the Gulf Coast League team in Sarasota. Used again as the starter, he allowed one run and two hits, walked none and struck out one. Lindstrom tossed a scoreless first inning on Monday. Lindstrom, on the disabled list with a slightly torn ligament in his right middle finger, is expected to continue his rehab assignment at Double-A Bowie. The Orioles are hopeful that he'll be activated before the All-Star break, which would...

Lindstrom nearing return to mound

Lindstrom nearing return to mound
Reliever Matt Lindstrom, on the disabled list since May 11 with a slightly torn ligament in his right middle finger, played catch from 60 to 100 feet today at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. He's scheduled to throw batting practice on Saturday and pitch in at least two Gulf Coast League games. He also could report to Double-A Bowie before finally being activated. The Orioles are hopeful that he returns before the All-Star break that begins July 9. Joel Pineiro (shoulder) threw four innings...