Orioles trade minor league catcher Chris Robinson (updated)

Orioles trade minor league catcher Chris Robinson (updated)
Though the Orioles are off today, they managed to swing a minor league trade involving Triple-A Norfolk catcher Chris Robinson. Robinson has been dealt to the San Diego Padres for a player to be named later. He was batting .241/.268/.278 with four doubles and five RBIs in 29 games. He hadn't played since June 9. Robinson will report to the Padres' Triple-A affiliate in Tucson. Update: The trade is for cash considerations. No PTBNL. The Orioles signed Robinson as a minor league free agent...

Orioles reassign Chris Robinson

Orioles reassign Chris Robinson
SARASOTA, Fla. - The third shoe dropped today in Orioles camp. Besides pitcher Kevin Gausman and first baseman Travis Ishikawa, the Orioles also reassigned catcher Chris Robinson to minor league camp. Manager Buck Showalter met with him following batting practice. The moves leave the Orioles with 34 players in spring training, including six non-roster invitees. They must get down to 25 by 3 p.m. Sunday. Robinson went 4-for-11 in 10 games. He left the team to play for Canada in the World...

Gausman starts Thursday, Matusz a strikeout machine, Robinson on WBC (updated)

Gausman starts Thursday, Matusz a strikeout machine, Robinson on WBC (updated)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Kevin Gausman will start Thursday afternoon's game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium, with Dylan Bundy pitching in relief. It's the reverse of how they were used against the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers. Chris Tillman will throw a bullpen session on Thursday and batting practice on Saturday. Miguel Gonzalez will make his next start on Friday at Twin Lakes Park. Wei-Yin Chen's next start is Monday at the same location. Manager Buck Showalter is limiting their...

Pregame Showalter and pitching notes

Pregame Showalter and pitching notes
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter offered his support of minor league catcher Chris Robinson, who was directly involved in yesterday's brawl between Canada and Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Robinson drew the ire of Mexico's players for bunting in the ninth inning with his team ahead 9-3, but run differential is a tie-breaker in the WBC. When someone joked about Robinson being in the middle of an international incident, Showalter replied, "And he was...

The WBC brawl, Machado, Canzler, Wada and the intrasquad game

The WBC brawl, Machado, Canzler, Wada and the intrasquad game
FORT MYERS, Fla. - So, anything interesting happen today in the World Baseball Classic? Reporters here were glued to the press box televisions as the brawl unfolded between Canada and Mexico, and Orioles farmhand Chris Robinson was directly involved in it. Robinson bunted for a hit with Canada leading 9-3 in the ninth. I'm pretty sure that's a violation of baseball's unwritten rule. Also, Robinson slid hard into second base earlier in the game, so Mexico's players already were irritated...

Orioles out on Swisher, sign Conor Jackson to minor league deal

Orioles out on Swisher, sign Conor Jackson to minor league deal
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette passed along a few nuggets of news during his eight-minute session with the media in his suite at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center and Resort. Duquette confirmed that he won't attempt to sign free-agent outfielder Nick Swisher, whose representatives met with the Orioles last night. Duquette said the Orioles have enough outfielders after re-signing Nate McLouth, and he dismissed the possibility that Swisher could play first...

Duquette on Brian Ward's suspension

Duquette on Brian Ward's suspension
NORFOLK, Va. - When Major League Baseball made the 50-game suspension of Orioles minor league catcher Brian Ward official today, Dan Duquette could comment on the situation with Ward for the first time. Here is the release from MLB: The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Baltimore Orioles Minor League catcher Brian Ward has received a 50-game suspension after a second violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program for a drug of abuse. The...