More from Duquette, Machado's fourth-place finish and the 40-man roster

More from Duquette, Machado's fourth-place finish and the 40-man roster
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette didn't reveal much yesterday on "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report" on MASN beyond confirming that the club remains interested in re-signing Chris Davis, Darren O'Day and Steve Pearce, three names that were floated during his interview. Is Duquette more or less confident now that he can retain Davis? "I don't know if I can handicap these things," he said. "Chris has had some good years in Baltimore and we like having him here. We're trying....

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Baseball Writers' Association of America will announce the Cy Young Award winners in both leagues tonight on MLB Network. My guess is Dallas Keuchel beats out Sonny Gray and David Price in the American League. Four Orioles have won the Cy Young Award, including three-time winner Jim Palmer (1973, 1975, 1976). Mike Cuellar and Denny McLain were co-winners in 1969, Mike Flanagan won it in 1979 and Steve Stone won it in 1980. Stone went 25-7 with a 3.23 ERA and nine complete games in 37...

One year after posting a career-best ERA, Miguel Gonzalez posted his career worst

One year after posting a career-best ERA, Miguel Gonzalez posted his career worst
So why did Miguel Gonzalez pitch so well in 2014, and for much of his first three years with the Orioles, only to struggle in 2015? Was it all about injuries? Did the league catch up to him? If so, why didn't that happen during the 2014 season? Is his stuff just not good enough? At one time, it seemed Gonzalez was the Orioles' most underrated and/or underappreciated starter. Now, after his 2015 campaign, there are certainly some that feel his spot in the 2016 Orioles rotation is far from...

Wondering about the composition of the bullpen in 2016

Wondering about the composition of the bullpen in 2016
It's apparently safe for me to resurrect my visions of an epic Royals-Blue Jays matchup in the American League Championship Series. Reports of their demise were greatly exaggerated. Love 'em or hate 'em - and I know where most of you stand on the topic - these are two special teams. It's hard to imagine the series ending in fewer than seven games. Which opponent is more challenged to bounce back on the road in Game 5 - the one that blew a four-run lead in the eighth inning (Astros) or the...

A look at a few pitchers that could make it onto the O's free agent radar

A look at a few pitchers that could make it onto the O's free agent radar
So the Orioles have said improving their pitching staff is their top priority for the 2016 season. But how will they be able to do that? Can the Orioles really afford to get in a bidding war for a David Price or Jordan Zimmermann level of talent in free agency? Maybe yes, maybe no. But I do think we will reach a point where, whether the Orioles get a frontline starter or not, they may pursue second- or third-level starters. They will need to add depth to the starting rotation. Here are three...

Toronto beats Orioles to clinch its first AL East title since 1993 (quotes added)

Toronto beats Orioles to clinch its first AL East title since 1993 (quotes added)
One team was recently eliminated from playoff contention. The other was a win away from its first division title in 22 years. It was not hard to tell which club was which this afternoon. Toronto hammered the Orioles 15-2 in Game 1 of a doubleheader to clinch the American League East championship for the sixth time and first time since 1993. Five of the Blue Jays runs were unearned thanks to Orioles errors from Manny Machado, Jason Garcia, Chris Davis and Junior Lake. According to STATS, the...

O's game blog: Miguel Gonzalez on mound in opener of doubleheader

O's game blog: Miguel Gonzalez on mound in opener of doubleheader
In the opening game of today's doubleheader, right-hander Miguel Gonzalez returns to the Orioles active roster, coming off the disabled list for the second time to make the start against Toronto. The Blue Jays have won five in a row, 12 of their last 17 games, and are 91-65 overall. They are closing in on the American League East championship with a magic number of one to eliminate the Yankees. Gonzalez is 9-11 with an ERA of 4.85 in 25 starts. His last start was Aug. 30 when he gave up four...

Looking ahead to two games

Looking ahead to two games
The Orioles can't win their division and they can't qualify as a wild card. They can, however, stay out of last place. Their positioning from third to fifth is still under their control. The suddenly hot Red Sox have moved ahead of the Orioles by a half-game for third place, defeating the Yankees again last night. Only a half-game separates the Orioles from the last-place Rays. Just win, baby. There's plenty to play for over these last six games. They just don't hang a banner on the...

Notes on the offense and quotes from Matt Wieters and Darren O'Day

Notes on the offense and quotes from Matt Wieters and Darren O'Day
The Orioles still have six games to play in the 2015 season. Hopefully the weather cooperates as the Orioles and Blue Jays have a doubleheader scheduled today beginning at 4:05 p.m after last night's rainout. The Orioles will look for some offense this afternoon. They have just 16 hits in the last four games. Starting with Friday's game at Boston, they have (in order) games with two, five, five and four hits. When the Orioles lost 4-3 to Toronto on Monday night, they had just one hit after...

Orioles-Blue Jays game postponed tonight

Orioles-Blue Jays game postponed tonight
Tonight's game between the Orioles and Blue Jays has been postponed due to rain and a forecast that offers no relief. The game will be made up on Wednesday as part of a single-admission doubleheader beginning at 4:05 p.m. The second game will begin approximately 30 minutes after the first game concludes, but no earlier than 7:05 p.m. All ballpark gates will open at 3 p.m. and parking lots will open at 2 p.m. Prepaid parking permits dated for either Sept. 29 or 30 are valid for the...

Branden Kline experiencing more elbow discomfort (plus other notes)

Branden Kline experiencing more elbow discomfort (plus other notes)
A light rain is falling at Camden Yards and the tarp is on the field. No batting practice. Orioles pitching prospect Branden Kline left yesterday's fall instructional league game with tightness in his right elbow. Team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs will examine Kline, and the Orioles also will set up an appointment with Dr. James Andrews. Kline, a second-round pick in 2012 out of the University of Virginia, was shut down after a May 20 game due to elbow soreness and received a platelet-rich...

Tyler Wilson starting on Thursday

Tyler Wilson starting on Thursday
Orioles rookie Tyler Wilson will get the start Thursday night in the series finale against the Blue Jays. The Orioles are listing Wilson as their starter rather than wait until Miguel Gonzalez's outing tonight. Manager Buck Showalter indicated that a final decision might not come until he knew how many relievers were needed tonight, with Gonzalez coming off the disabled list to make his first start since Aug. 30. There are plenty of extra arms to cover Gonzalez if needed, including rookie Mike...

More on the coaching staff and tonight's game

More on the coaching staff and tonight's game
If the Orioles are going to offer contracts to their entire coaching staff, they shouldn't wait too long on pitching coach Dave Wallace. Wallace could be one of the more attractive free agents on the market this winter. A few teams already are checking on his availability. Executive vice president Dan Duquette told me in Boston that the club was still in "the process" of working on new deals. He hoped to have everyone back for 2016. Manager Buck Showalter said earlier this month that he...

Game update and more on rotation (O's lose 2-0)

Game update and more on rotation (O's lose 2-0)
BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter won't commit to a five- or a six-man rotation for the final week of the season. It's a work in progress. Chris Tillman is the confirmed starter for Monday night's series opener against the Blue Jays that begins the last homestand of the season. He's 0-4 with a 15.50 ERA in five starts against Toronto this season, but he's getting another shot. Miguel Gonzalez starts Tuesday in his first outing since Aug. 30 in Texas. He's 2-5 with a 6.04 ERA and...

Gonzalez gets the start Tuesday, and other notes (O's lose 8-0)

Gonzalez gets the start Tuesday, and other notes (O's lose 8-0)
BOSTON - Miguel Gonzalez will be activated from the disabled list and start Tuesday night against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. He also would be able to start the season's final game on Oct. 4 versus the Yankees. Gonzalez hasn't pitched since Aug. 30 because of a sore right shoulder and elbow. "It's great," Showalter said. "We were really hopeful at the time that he'd be able to get back for a couple of starts. Hopefully, more than that. But it's good for him and the organization to...

Notes on Sunday starter, coaches, suspension, injured players (O's lose 7-0)

Notes on Sunday starter, coaches, suspension, injured players (O's lose 7-0)
BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed this afternoon that Ubaldo Jimenez will stay in turn and start Sunday's series finale against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The Red Sox are sending left-hander Henry Owens to the mound, the third southpaw to face the Orioles in the series. None of the Orioles coaches are under contract beyond the 2015 season. Executive vice president Dan Duquette said today the club still is in the process of working out new deals and he expects the staff to...

Showalter on Berra: "He's as much as everything we try to be about in America"

Showalter on Berra: "He's as much as everything we try to be about in America"
WASHINGTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter spent the majority of today's pregame media session reflecting on the life of Yankees great Yogi Berra, who passed away early this morning at 90. This is a rough day for Showalter. He lost a friend and mentor, and today would have been his father's 92nd birthday. Showalter learned of Berra's passing from the Hall of Famer's granddaughter, Lindsay Berra, who called him with the news. He didn't sleep much last night. I'll pass along Showalter's...

Ryan Flaherty's start, Miguel Gonzalez's sim game and Zach Britton's status

Ryan Flaherty's start, Miguel Gonzalez's sim game and Zach Britton's status
WASHINGTON - Ryan Flaherty didn't know that he was starting in right field tonight until bench coach John Russell posted the lineup next to his locker. "I just saw it right there," Flaherty said. Flaherty is no stranger to the position, but they need to get reacquainted. He appeared in one game in right last season and 17 in 2012, including nine starts. "It's been a while," he said, adding that he needed to find a glove. "You're always messing around out there. Spring training a lot and...

Orioles and Nationals lineups

Orioles and Nationals lineups
WASHINGTON - Center fielder Adam Jones remains out the Orioles lineup for tonight's game against the Nationals. He's been battling back spasms.Gerardo Parra will start in center field and Ryan Flaherty will play right field.Jones tweeted the following after the lineup was posted: Feeling better. Not quite there yet #StayHungry. -- 10 (@SimplyAJ10) September 23, 2015 Chris Tillman is 0-for-10 lifetime with a run scored and three strikeouts. He gets to face Max Scherzer tonight. Miguel...

Taking another look at Machado and Jimenez milestones (updated)

Taking another look at Machado and Jimenez milestones (updated)
WASHINGTON - The traffic getting into D.C. today was the same as the previous two days despite the arrival of Pope Francis. No reason to leave the house any earlier, but I'm already seated in the Nationals Park press box while the grounds crew waters the infield and Paul Janish chats with Reed Johnson in shallow center field. The Orioles will take early batting practice beneath a blue sky, with hardly a trace of clouds overhead. The nicest day so far since the Orioles arrived here. How's that...