Steve Pearce had a nice run with the Orioles (plus other notes)

Steve Pearce had a nice run with the Orioles (plus other notes)
He often did things with little fanfare. He just wanted to play hard, give his all and see his team win. But there are no more baseball wins in the future for former Oriole Steve Pearce. He announced his retirement in a rather understated way. Boston radio station WEEI was replaying Game 1 of the 2018 World Series Monday night and had Pearce on as a guest. During that interview, he announced his career was over. "You know what? It has been a good run. I have 10 years in there. Right now, I am...

Long World Series game was more what's right than wrong with MLB

Long World Series game was more what's right than wrong with MLB
I've heard few complaints about the length of Game 3 of the World Series, but this being sports and this being 2018, no doubt someone griped about it. Sure it ended about 3:30 a.m. Eastern time and some who started watching at the beginning, over seven hours before that, could probably not make it to the end to see the walk-off homer to complete an 18-inning game won 3-2 by the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Boston Red Sox. But can we blame Major League Baseball for anything here? I don't think...

Do Orioles react to Sale news?

Do Orioles react to Sale news?
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - If you're counting on Dan Duquette to hit the panic button or go on a signing/trading rampage to counter what a division rival did at the Winter Meetings, I need to reintroduce you to the Orioles' executive vice president of baseball operations. This isn't how he operates. This isn't how former executive Andy MacPhail operated. The Orioles walked into the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center with a plan in place, though it's always wise to remain flexible....

Covering a lot of ground with Dan Duquette

Covering a lot of ground with Dan Duquette
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - One of the hottest rumors of the day centered on the Mets offering outfielder Curtis Granderson to the Orioles for reliever Brad Brach. However, there doesn't appear to be much traction. Granderson is owed $15 million next season and the Mets don't seem inclined to eat salary, according to reports. The Orioles don't seem inclined to add much payroll beyond raises for their arbitration-eligible players unless it's spent to re-sign Mark Trumbo, and the sides are far...

Orioles showing interest in Michael Saunders

Orioles showing interest in Michael Saunders
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Orioles have a hole in right field and filling it is one of their primary goals at this week's Winter Meetings at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Could Michael Saunders be the solution? The club has definite interest in Saunders, 30, who is a statistical mixed bag. He fits their profile as a versatile outfielder capable of playing all three spots who hits from the left side and could move atop the order. It also might be wise to get him on their...

Will the Orioles be left with Kim as the everyday left fielder?

Will the Orioles be left with Kim as the everyday left fielder?
Under the heading of "obvious needs" for the Orioles, you're going to find references to the hole in right field and at designated hitter. You're going to hear about a veteran catcher, though standing pat isn't the worst idea, according to some folks in the industry. Same with the bullpen. The one that is less obvious involves left field and the possibility of a right-handed hitter to platoon with Hyun Soo Kim. Is it necessary? The question is aimed in two directions. Kim may have earned...

"Orioles Classics" rewind: Home runs and history abound

"Orioles Classics" rewind: Home runs and history abound
Admit it, you love home runs. I mean, who doesn't? Whether it's a solo blast flying through the warm, summer air to stake the Orioles to a lead or a timely clout in the bottom of the ninth to guarantee a victory, few things beat a roundtripper to bring a baseball crowd to its feet. Even when you're seated comfortably in your recliner, you'll probably fist pump, high-five a family member or shout "Goodbye, home run!" with Gary Thorne when a no-doubter flies off an Oriole's bat. Well, if...

Talking qualifying offers, free agents and awards snubs

Talking qualifying offers, free agents and awards snubs
So Mark Trumbo got a qualifying offer and Matt Wieters did not. Buck Showater was an award finalist but Zach Britton was not. A rather newsworthy day involving the Orioles. I thought the Orioles should have extended Wieters the qualifying offer, maybe moreso this year than last. After a season where he proved that his right elbow is sound, throwing out 35 percent of attempted base stealers, Wieters should get a decent multi-year offer in a down year for free agent catchers. That would have led...

Gold Gloves, free agency and more

Gold Gloves, free agency and more
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners will be announced tonight on ESPN. The Orioles have two American League finalists, with Manny Machado at third base and Chris Davis at first. Machado is competing against the Rangers' Adrian Beltre and the Mariners' Kyle Seager. Davis is competing against the Royals' Eric Hosmer and the Rangers' Mitch Moreland. I'm not expecting the Orioles to bring home a winner this year. Machado won it in 2013 and 2015, and he also won a Platinum Glove in 2013....

Poised for the start of free agency

Poised for the start of free agency
I've been rooting for a Game 7 all along. Nothing beats it in sports and it delays the start of free agency, which extends my downtime a little bit longer. It's always about me. I've got five days before the free agent market is open for business once the World Series ends, and I'll only leave Twitter at my own risk. Five days before beat writers are challenged to separate fact from fiction as rumors surface of the Orioles' interest in ... insert any name. Let me get a head start by saying...

J.J. Hardy: "There could be worse spots to be in" (O's down 5-1)

J.J. Hardy: "There could be worse spots to be in" (O's down 5-1)
For anyone asking about the mood or the vibe inside the Orioles clubhouse this afternoon, it falls somewhere below panic. Far, far below. The Orioles understand the significance of this series and the impact of losing the first two games. They've tumbled into third place, five games behind the Red Sox, and barely hold onto the second wild card. They don't need Captain Obvious pointing out how they're moving in the wrong direction. "You don't want to say 'desperation,' " said shortstop...

Early notes from Camden Yards

Early notes from Camden Yards
The tarp is off the field and the Orioles don't expect any issues tonight with the weather. Steve Pearce will undergo surgery Wednesday in New York to repair his flexor tendons, a procedure not to be confused with "Tommy John." Pearce will head to Tampa later for his recovery and rehab, which is projected at four-to-six months. Wade Miley threw today and reported that his back much better. He left yesterday's game after four innings with a mild muscle strain. Reliever Darren O'Day said his...

Orioles with gains and losses in injury department

Orioles with gains and losses in injury department
The Orioles were late posting their lineup compared to most days because they needed to check on Mark Trumbo's back. It was fine during pregame drills with first base/outfield coach Wayne Kirby. But what about later in the morning? "Kirb and him went out and ran around in the outfield," said manager Buck Showalter. "I wanted to make sure that didn't all of a sudden 20 minutes later tighten up on him. In order to get (Pedro Alvarez) in the lineup, (Trumbo) has got to play right field. I...

Pearce to undergo surgery (and other notes)

Pearce to undergo surgery (and other notes)
You want news? We've got news. Steve Pearce will undergo surgery after being placed on the 60-day disabled list today with a strained right flexor mass. It's not ligament-replacement surgery, according to manager Buck Showalter, but tears will be repaired and the rehab will last four to six months. Pearce wants to be ready by April and made the decision, after consulting with a doctor and his agent, to have the procedure done right away. The Orioles understood and will move forward without...

Trey Mancini talks about his first callup to the major leagues

Trey Mancini talks about his first callup to the major leagues
When Trey Mancini got a text from a club official last night saying to keep his phone nearby, he figured something was up. Not long after, Mancini got a call telling him he was headed to the big leagues for the first time. "It is a dream come true," Mancini said this morning in the Orioles clubhouse. "The reason I have been playing baseball since I was 4 years old is to one day make the major leagues. It hasn't all really hit me yet because it all happened really fast. I found out last...

Can Gallardo give the Orioles a clean first inning? (O's lose 7-6)

Can Gallardo give the Orioles a clean first inning? (O's lose 7-6)
Whether Yovani Gallardo gives the Orioles a quality start tonight may hinge on how smoothly he comes out of the gate. Not the bullpen gate. Tripping on the warning track isn't the concern. It's his tendency to get ambushed in the first inning. Gallardo has surrendered 18 runs in the opening frame this season, his largest total, and has posted an 8.10 ERA. Opponents are batting .321. He's surrendered 26 hits, including six home runs, and walked 15 batters. If there were a simple solution, the...

Steve Pearce on his PRP injection, Britton on Gausman's outing

Steve Pearce on his PRP injection, Britton on Gausman's outing
The Orioles' Steve Pearce said he cannot take part in baseball activities for 10 days after getting a platelet-rich plasma injection to alleviate discomfort in his right elbow/forearm area. Pearce received the injection yesterday following an exam in New York with Dr. David Altcheck. With just 17 games remaining, can Pearce even make it back to play at all in the final games? "I don't know. That is going to be we go on feel and see what I can do. For now, I got the PRP shot and we're going...

Notes on roster moves, Miley, injuries and more

Notes on roster moves, Miley, injuries and more
The Orioles made space on the 40-man roster for infielder Paul Janish by recalling left-hander Chris Lee from Double-A Bowie and placing him on the 60-day disabled list with a strained shoulder. Lee, 24, has been on the minor league disabled list with a strained lat muscle. A player must be placed on the major league roster before he can be transferred to the 60-day DL. One of the Orioles' top pitching prospects, Lee registered a 2.98 ERA in 51 1/3 innings this season at Bowie. He appeared in...

Showalter on Pearce, roster, lineup and rotation (updated)

Showalter on Pearce, roster, lineup and rotation (updated)
BOSTON - Steve Pearce still had a locker inside the visiting clubhouse today at Fenway Park. The player wasn't anywhere to be found. Just his uniforms and lingering questions about his availability for the remainder of the season. Pearce received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right forearm near the elbow following an exam in New York. "Got an issue in there," said manager Buck Showalter. "He was injected with PRP and we'll let it run its course and see if he's going to be...

Updates on Pearce, Janish and the roster

Updates on Pearce, Janish and the roster
BOSTON - Steve Pearce received a platelet-rich plasma injection today in his right elbow area and is shut down indefinitely. Manager Buck Showalter didn't provide much detail, saying only that Dr. David Altchek found what the Orioles were anticipating. Showalter added that Pearce could return later this month "in some capacity." Meanwhile, the Orioles will select infielder Paul Janish's contract from Triple-A Norfolk before Thursday night's game against the Rays at Camden Yards. Janish is...