Orioles and Indians lineups

Orioles and Indians lineups
CLEVELAND - The top of the Orioles lineup has a different look tonight, with center fielder Adam Jones leading off and Hyun Soo Kim batting second and playing in left field. Jones is in a 3-for-39 slump. He's struck out seven times in his last three games. Kim is 5-for-7 in his last two games. Left-hander Ashur Tolliver became the 15th Orioles reliever last night to strike out three batters in his major league debut. He worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings. The Orioles are listing Chris Tillman as...

Orioles sign Brian Duensing to minor league deal

Orioles sign Brian Duensing to minor league deal
The Orioles have signed left-hander Brian Duensing to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed the deal. Duensing exercised the opt-out clause in his contract with the Royals last week and they subsequently released him. They signed him as a free agent in February, released him in March and re-signed him four days later. It just wasn't meant to be. Duensing, 33, was 1-0 with a 3.10 ERA and two saves in 12 relief appearances...

Early notes from Camden Yards

Early notes from Camden Yards
The tarp just came off the field at Camden Yards, and this time it's not about dumping water. The grounds crew is raking the infield while the mound and batter's box remain covered. A light rain continues to fall, however, and we're still unsure about the status of tonight's game. There's talk of a window around 7 p.m. and the Orioles are hoping to play. They've discussed various makeup scenarios if a postponement becomes necessary. "What's the saying? April showers bring May flowers?...

Today's pitching matchup and an assortment of notes

Today's pitching matchup and an assortment of notes
Mike Wright continues to be linked to Tyler Wilson, no matter where they are and what roles they handle. Wright is starting today's series finale in Kansas City after Wilson allowed three runs in five innings last night and picked up the win. Wright faced the Royals once last year and surrendered four runs and four hits over five innings in a Sept. 11 start at Camden Yards. Lorenzo Cain homered twice in three at-bats against Wright, who's 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA in two starts this...

Orioles whittle down spring training roster to 29 players

Orioles whittle down spring training roster to 29 players
The Orioles made eight cuts tonight that put their opening day roster into sharper focus, unless they make any other changes before Sunday's deadline. It's still possible. The Orioles reassigned pitchers Todd Redmond and Pedro Beato, infielders Paul Janish and Steve Tolleson, and outfielder L.J. Hoes to minor league camp. They also optioned catcher Francisco Pena and confirmed that pitchers Chaz Roe and Zach Phillips cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. With these moves,...

Morning notes on Wieters, Gausman, Tolleson and Matusz

Morning notes on Wieters, Gausman, Tolleson and Matusz
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles catcher Matt Wieters will throw to the bases today in potentially the final step before he's cleared to move back behind the plate. Manager Buck Showalter and bench coach John Russell met with Wieters yesterday to formulate a plan. Wieters hasn't caught since March 12, leaving the game after the first inning with right elbow soreness. "We're moving towards it quickly," Wieters said. "We're going to throw to bases today, see how it goes and go from there. Right...

Wrapping up an 11-10 10-inning win (plus other notes)

Wrapping up an 11-10 10-inning win (plus other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Five home runs almost weren't enough today for the Orioles. Then their game carried into the 10th inning, they fell behind by two runs and scored three to notch their second walk-off win in two days. Garabez Rosa, back here again from minor league camp, delivered a two-run single into center field off Matt Tracy to give the Orioles an 11-10 victory over the Yankees, who never recorded an out in the inning. The Yankees scored twice off minor league pitcher Stefan Crichton in...

Game update and Ubaldo Jimenez on today's outing (O's win 8-1)

Game update and Ubaldo Jimenez on today's outing (O's win 8-1)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 8, Twins 1 Recap: The Orioles won their first game and are 1-10-2, but Matt Wieters left after the top of the first inning with right elbow soreness. Ubaldo Jimenez allowed one run and four hits in 3 1/3 innings, with one walk and two strikeouts. Manny Machado had two doubles, an RBI and a run scored through two innings. Mark Trumbo delivered a two-run single in the first. Audry Perez, who replaced Wieters, singled and hit a two-run homer. Steve Tolleson added...

Orioles invite 17 non-roster players to spring training

Orioles invite 17 non-roster players to spring training
The Orioles released the names of their 17 non-roster invitees to spring training, a list that includes seven pitchers, three catchers, four infielders and three outfielders. There are no real surprises in the group except that infielder Joey Terdoslavich didn't receive an invitation after being designated for assignment and outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Keep in mind that everyone on the 40-man roster also will report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex. They don't need invitations. Also be...

Orioles again expressing interest in Gavin Floyd (plus other notes)

Orioles again expressing interest in Gavin Floyd (plus other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter said the Orioles are discussing whether to invite pitcher Gavin Floyd to minicamp and give him a tryout. Injuries have limited Floyd, a Severna Park native, to five starts with the White Sox in 2013, nine starts with the Braves in 2014 and seven relief appearances with the Indians last season. He's currently a free agent. Floyd, who turns 33 later this month, was teammates with Mark Teixeira at Mount St. Joseph High School. Floyd's appearances with the...

Orioles sign eight players to minor league contracts

Orioles sign eight players to minor league contracts
The Orioles announced the signings of eight players to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training. Most of the agreements already have been reported, including the deal with Korean first baseman Ji-Man Choi, who spent the last five years in the Mariners organization. Also signed were right-handers Pedro Beato and Todd Redmond, left-handers Cesar Cabral and Ashur Tolliver, infielders Steve Tolleson and Ozzie Martinez, and catcher Audry Perez. Choi is the only player with no...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles are expected to announce later today that they signed Korean first baseman Ji-Man Choi to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. I've been told that the club is waiting for "confirmation" following a report over the weekend by South Korean media outlet Ilgan Sports that the deal was done. Look for it to arrive today. Choi, a switch-hitter, will earn $650,000 if he makes the club, and his contract includes a possible $350,000 in incentives. He's a career...

Orioles sign Tolleson to minor league deal (updated)

Orioles sign Tolleson to minor league deal (updated)
The Orioles signed infielder Steve Tolleson to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. A team official confirmed the move, which first appeared in Baseball America's minor league free agent tracker. I'm told that Tolleson actually signed a few weeks ago, but it must have slipped under the radar. He's always wanted to return to them and finally got his wish. Tolleson appeared in 29 games with the Orioles in 2012 and has always been a favorite of manager Buck Showalter,...

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....

Tolleson signs with White Sox, Showalter talks about Manager of the Year voting

Tolleson signs with White Sox, Showalter talks about Manager of the Year voting
Infielder Steve Tolleson has agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox that includes an invitation to spring training. The Orioles attempted to re-sign Tolleson, who is out of options, but the White Sox view him as a potential super-utility player, which seems to provide a wider path to the majors. The Orioles recently signed infielder Alexi Casilla off waivers from the Minnesota Twins and currently have Ryan Flaherty, Robert Andino and Omar Quintanilla on their...

Ford listed among minor league free agents (and note)

Ford listed among minor league free agents (and note)
Outfielder Lew Ford, outrighted by the Orioles on Friday, has elected to become a minor league free agent, according to this list provided by Baseball America. The Orioles signed Ford, 35, out of the independent Atlantic League this summer and he batted .183/.256/.352 with three home runs in 25 games, his first major league action since 2007 with the Minnesota Twins. Left-hander Zach Phillips and infielder Steve Tolleson also refused their outright assignments. You can read more here and...

Tolleson refuses outright assignment

Tolleson refuses outright assignment
Infielder Steve Tolleson has refused his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and elected to become a free agent. The Orioles designated Tolleson on Friday to open a spot on the 40-man roster. Tolleson, 29, batted .183/.227/.310 with three doubles, two homers and six RBIs in 29 games over four stints with the Orioles in 2012. He hit a game-tying three-run homer off the Phillies' Cliff Lee on June 10 at Camden Yards. Tolleson played second base, shortstop, third base and left field for...

Tillman's bullpen session pushed back

Tillman's bullpen session pushed back
Chris Tillman was scheduled to throw a bullpen session today, but the Orioles decided to wait another day or two. The delay is a precaution. Tillman says his elbow feels good and he's ready to throw off a mound, but the Orioles want to make certain that the inflammation is gone. "Probably going to slow down a little bit and make sure the anti-inflammatories, make full use of that," said manager Buck Showalter. "I think he's on his fifth day with them. He's done two things. He's played...

Tolleson makes another trip to the majors (Hammel and Hunter updates)

Tolleson makes another trip to the majors (Hammel and Hunter updates)
NEW YORK - Jason Hammel gave up an infield hit and walked a batter in his first inning tonight at Single-A Frederick. The Orioles want him to go five innings and to get his pitch count to 70-75 before they decide whether to activate him. If Hammel stays on the disabled list, he'll be assigned to Double-A Bowie and pitch in the Eastern League playoffs. Otherwise, he could make a Sept. 6 start for the Orioles at Camden Yards. UPDATE: Hammel shut out the Carolina Mudcats on three hits over five...

A few things about Wolf (with lineup and call-up updates)

A few things about Wolf (with lineup and call-up updates)
NEW YORK - Randy Wolf will officially become a member of the Orioles this afternoon at Yankee Stadium. His debut could come this weekend as the second left-hander in the bullpen. Wolf has made only five relief appearances in his 371 major league games - allowing six runs and 10 hits, and striking out 11 in nine innings - but he figures to stay in the bullpen unless there's an injury or two in the rotation. Manager Buck Showalter keeps saying that both roles are options for Wolf, which is...