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...

Because You Asked - Revenge of the Fallen

Because You Asked - Revenge of the Fallen
The Orioles will activate Miguel Gonzalez from the 15-day disabled list this afternoon and hand him the ball tonight at Camden Yards. Nobody is asking me about Gonzalez, but I'm getting plenty of inquires about other players. And I keep getting them. The same ones. On this blog and via Twitter (@MASNroch). That's why I created "Because You Asked" and all of the sequels. You ask, I answer. You ask again, I answer again. It's the School of Roch dance. And as always, please keep your hands...

Eveland, Paulino elect free agency (and notes)

Eveland, Paulino elect free agency (and notes)
Pitcher Dana Eveland and catcher Ronny Paulino, among the 52 players who appeared in games with the Orioles this season, have filed for free agency. Eveland, acquired from the Dodgers on the last day of the Winter Meetings for Jarret Martin and Tyler Henson, went 0-1 with a 4.73 ERA in 14 appearances with the Orioles, including two starts. He cleared waivers twice this summer - he didn't pitch for the Orioles after July 13 - and accepted outright assignments rather than forfeit the rest of...

Paulino on getting outrighted and Eveland on being DFA

Paulino on getting outrighted and Eveland on being DFA
The Orioles today outrighted catcher Ronny Paulino to Triple-A to make roster room for the addition of catcher Taylor Teagarden. Paulino could refuse the assignment and become a free agent. "I have a couple of days to decide what I'm going to do," he said this afternoon in the O's clubhouse. "It's tough because you want to be here in the big leagues. But I'm not playing much here so, if you have to go down somewhere and play to get more at-bats, you definitely have to think about...

Markakis leading off again today (plus roster moves)

Markakis leading off again today (plus roster moves)
Nick Markakis remains atop the order for today's game against the Tigers. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Jim Thome DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis LF Mark Reynolds 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Robert Andino 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP Ronny Paulino is listed among the reserves. No sign of Taylor Teagarden. Update: Teagarden is at Camden Yards, so a roster move could be coming. Update II: The Orioles have activated Teagarden from the 60-day disabled list and selected the...

Markakis leading off, Davis in left field

Markakis leading off, Davis in left field
Orioles manager Buck Showalter just answered two pressing questions regarding the lineup: Who's batting leadoff and who's playing left field. That would be Nick Markakis and Chris Davis, respectively. Markakis has never batted first in the majors before tonight. Davis has never played left field. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Jim Thome DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis LF Mark Reynolds 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Robert Andino 2B Jason Hammel RHP For the...

Avery optioned to Norfolk

Avery optioned to Norfolk
The Orioles just announced that they've optioned outfielder Xavier Avery to Triple-A Norfolk. No corresponding move was included in the tweet and press release, but outfielder Endy Chavez is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list before tomorrow night's game against the Tigers at Camden Yards. Chavez has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. Avery has batted .233/.317/.356 in 24 games over three stints with the Orioles. Chavez completed his injury-rehab assignment...

Another 40-man move coming (and notes)

Another 40-man move coming (and notes)
If the Orioles stick to their current plan and activate catcher Taylor Teagarden from the 60-day disabled list before Friday night's game at Camden Yards, they will have to create room for him on the 40-man roster. One solution would be to designate catcher Ronny Paulino for assignment. Luis Exposito, who underwent surgery to remove part of a broken hamate bone in his right wrist - it's all the craze in this organization - has been playing for the Gulf Coast League Orioles and seems to be...

Andino at third base

Andino at third base
Robert Andino is starting at third base today against Nationals left-hander Ross Detwiler. Wilson Betemit is on the bench. Matt Wieters is catching a day game following a night game. Ronny Paulino is the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Steve Pearce RF Ronny Paulino DH Steve Tolleson LF Robert Andino 3B Jake Arrieta RHP

Hammel having hard time (Tolleson ties game, Hammel done)

Hammel having hard time (Tolleson ties game, Hammel done)
Jason Hammel hasn't walked more than three batters in his first 11 starts. He matched that total today after 1 2/3 innings. Hammel has allowed three runs and five hits, walked three, struck out one and hit a batter in two innings. He's already thrown 51 pitches, including 27 for strikes. The Phillies loaded the bases in the first inning without scoring. They loaded the bases twice in the second and received a two-run single by Hunter Pence on a ground ball that scooted up the middle. Jim...

Orioles and Phillies lineups

Orioles and Phillies lineups
Matt Wieters is serving as the designated hitter today, with Ronny Paulino settling behind the plate. Paulino is batting fifth for the 18th time in his major league career. He's 2-for-5 lifetime against Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters DH Ronny Paulino C Mark Reynolds 1B Steve Pearce LF Steve Tolleson 3B Endy Chavez RF Jason Hammel RHP For the Phillies: Jimmy Rollins SS Juan Pierre LF Hunter Pence RF Jim...

Orioles lineup vs. Kansas City (Wieters now catching)

Orioles lineup vs. Kansas City (Wieters now catching)
Ronny Paulino gets the start behind the plate today, with Matt Wieters resting after catching the first two games of this series. Wieters caught Brian Matusz's last start, the first time they were paired up since May 1. For the Orioles: Xavier Avery LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Nick Johnson DH Ronny Paulino C Robert Andino 2B Brian Matusz LHP Update: Forget what I wrote above. The lineup has changed, and Wieters' name is in it. Paulino...

Showalter tackles a variety of pregame topics

Showalter tackles a variety of pregame topics
Manager Buck Showalter explained why the Orioles optioned backup catcher Luis Exposito to Triple-A Norfolk and replaced him with Ronny Paulino. He didn't mention Exposito being 1-for-17 since joining the club. "We're trying to get him catching consistently," Showalter said. "Young guy. I think at the time we sent Ronny out, we had some pitching things. "A lot of these moves aren't just as simple as one-for-one. You've got options, you've got certain guys who can come back with...

Orioles lineup against Royals; Paulino is here

Orioles lineup against Royals; Paulino is here
It looks like the Orioles are switching backup catchers. Stu Pomeranz is sitting at his locker, but he's not yet listed among the available relievers. Pomeranz said he was pulled off the field yesterday and given the news of his promotion from Triple-A Norfolk. Update II: The moves are official. Pomeranz and Paulino have been recalled from Norfolk. Infielder/outfielder

This and that (and more)

This and that (and more)
In case you don't recognize it, the Orioles are experiencing what is commonly known as an "off-day." No reason to report to the ballpark. No workout, no game, no interviews. The rainout that proceeded the doubleheader against the Rangers doesn't count in manager Buck Showalter's book. Players still had to show up at Camden Yards. They hit in the indoor cage and watched video and dressed in front of each other. That's not an "off-day." I'm going to have one of those, too, but not...

More from Showalter, Snyder starting at third base for Rangers

More from Showalter, Snyder starting at third base for Rangers
The Orioles were expected to option third catcher Luis Exposito to make room for a reliever, but baseball can be unpredictable. Exposito is now the second catcher. Ronny Paulino, who won the backup job in spring training while Taylor Teagarden dealt with a lower-back injury, will be the primary starter at Triple-A Norfolk. Didn't see that one coming. "They both had options," manager Buck Showalter said. "Ronny, we just want to get him catching for a period of time, get him back there...

Hunter optioned, Exposito in lineup

Hunter optioned, Exposito in lineup
The Orioles are making room for reliever Jason Berken by optioning starter Tommy Hunter to Triple-A Norfolk. Hunter is 2-1 with a 5.00 ERA. He lasted only 4 1/3 innings yesterday in Boston, allowing five runs and eight hits, walking one and striking out two. He's allowed nine home runs in 36 innings. Hunter said his toe and back are fine. His issues aren't related to his health. He just needs to pitch better. Catcher Luis Exposito is in tonight's lineup, so he hasn't been optioned. It...

Chavez in left field, Paulino behind the plate

Chavez in left field, Paulino behind the plate
CHICAGO - Nolan Reimold takes a seat on the bench today, with Endy Chavez starting in left field. That's a bit of a surprise, since manager Buck Showalter indicated that Reimold would start the last three games of the series. Ronny Paulino will do the catching in a day game following a night game. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Nick Johnson DH Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Davis 1B Ronny Paulino C Robert Andino 2B Jason Hammel RHP

Paulino serving as DH tonight

Paulino serving as DH tonight
Ronny Paulino will get another chance tonight to collect four hits as the Orioles' designated hitter. If he can do it once ... No major changes to the lineup, unless you consider Wilson Betemit at first base a major change. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Ronny Paulino DH Wilson Betemit 1B Robert Andino 2B Jake Arrieta RHP You'd already know the lineup if you followed me on Twitter:...

Postgame comments from Hunter, Andino and Paulino

Postgame comments from Hunter, Andino and Paulino
For Tommy Hunter, it was just a matter of doing what he is expected to do. "Starting pitchers are supposed to go deep into the game, give your team a chance to win," he said after a strong seven-plus innings as the Orioles beat Minnesota 8-2 to improve to 2-0. "Just throw strikes and let the defense play. They made some plays all night behind me," he said after giving up six hits and two unearned runs. Hunter and Jake Arrieta have combined to pitch 14 innings without allowing an earned...