The latest spin on the Orioles rotation

The latest spin on the Orioles rotation
The minor league rotations are taking shape, which leaves the Orioles to figure out what to do with their own. Rookie Bruce Zimmermann has been removed from it, with the club optioning him Monday night. A very similar move to the one executed with another rookie, Dean Kremer, following his start on April 17 in Texas. Kremer was coming off his finest outing. The first start after the Orioles recalled him was his worst, with six runs and 10 hits allowed in 4 1/3 innings, but he was outstanding...

Norfolk beat writer remembers Ron Johnson, plus other notes

Norfolk beat writer remembers Ron Johnson, plus other notes
The news of the death of former Triple-A Norfolk manager Ron Johnson this week hit hard throughout the Orioles organization and beyond. He managed the Tides for seven years through 2018 and sent many a player to help the O's during a period when they made the playoffs three times from 2012 through 2016. Johnson served the Orioles very well. Players were made better having played for him. His last Norfolk team in 2018 included the likes of DJ Stewart, Cedric Mullins, Austin Wynns, Chance Sisco,...

Ex-Tides manager Ron Johnson dies of COVID-19 complications

Ex-Tides manager Ron Johnson dies of COVID-19 complications
Former Triple-A Norfolk manager Ron Johnson, who spent seven years in the Orioles organization and became one of its most popular members, died today in Tennessee of complications from COVID-19. He was 64. Family members confirmed the news to The Virginian-Pilot. Johnson is Norfolk's all-time winningest manager with a 491-511 record, an impressive accomplishment given the large turnover in personnel and constant shuttling of players between the majors and minors. He was named International...

Elias addresses managerial search and other topics

Elias addresses managerial search and other topics
The search for a new Orioles manager remains the top priority for executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias. No other task at the moment supersedes it. And while Elias is hesitant to offer too many specifics, he spoke tonight of progress made through the narrowing of his list. Elias, a call-in guest to the "Orioles Hot Stove" radio show on 105.7 The Fan, said the staff has sifted through an impressive number of possibilities. He noted the input from assistant Sig Mejdal and...

Ron Johnson won't return as Norfolk manager (updated)

Ron Johnson won't return as Norfolk manager (updated)
The changes coming to the Orioles organization will affect the minor league system, including the decision to bring in a new Triple-A manager. Ron Johnson won't return for an eighth season with the Norfolk Tides, with multiple sources confirming the Orioles' decision to move in another direction. Johnson is free to accept any offer that appeals to him. Also, special assistant Matt Haas, East Coast scouting supervisor Kirk Fredriksson, area scout Dana Duquette and director of Dominican...

Brooks Robinson was in the house to highlight the minor league awards

Brooks Robinson was in the house to highlight the minor league awards
Outfielder Cedric Mullins called being named the winner of the Brooks Robinson Award as the Orioles' minor league Player of the Year "top tier." But having Mr. Oriole himself there might have taken it a few tiers beyond that. When Brooks Robinson is around, is it possible to have a bad day? The Orioles Hall of Famer, legend, all-time great and current team special advisor and community liaison was seated in the second row during a press conference last night to honor the minor league award...

Norfolk's Ron Johnson with big props for O's skipper (O's win 7-6)

Norfolk's Ron Johnson with big props for O's skipper (O's win 7-6)
NORFOLK, Va. - We've heard it before, but two managers that greatly like and respect each other are the Orioles' Buck Showalter and his Triple-A counterpart, Norfolk's Ron Johnson. Johnson is the winningest manager in Tides history with 422 victories in six seasons. Showalter has often praised Johnson and appreciates his opinions on players over the years as he and the club decide which players to call up from the Tides. "We speak a lot during the season and I value his opinion," Showalter...

Hearing from Buck Showalter and Dan Duquette in Norfolk

Hearing from Buck Showalter and Dan Duquette in Norfolk
NORFOLK, Va. - Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini is not expected to play in today's exhibition finale against the club's Triple-A Norfolk affiliate. It's precautionary. He tweaked his hamstring yesterday and will skip today's game in chilly Norfolk. He is expected to be ready for opening day. So is third baseman Tim Beckham, who will play in a simulated game tomorrow in Florida. Outfielder Austin Hays will bat third today in right field for Norfolk, but he is still expected to start the minor...

More on Saturday's starter and Giavotella's arrival (O's down 6-4)

More on Saturday's starter and Giavotella's arrival (O's down 6-4)
MINNESOTA - The Orioles will remove Chris Tillman from the paternity list on Saturday, but manager Buck Showalter could put him in the bullpen before the break. Showalter seems to be leaning toward starting Wade Miley in the third game of the series, keeping the left-hander on his normal turn. Tillman had a work day this afternoon at Double-A Bowie under the guidance of pitching coach Kennie Steenstra. He's been away from the team since Monday for the birth of his daughter Charlotte. "We'll...

Showalter on Jackson's arrival and Hart's departure

Showalter on Jackson's arrival and Hart's departure
Paul Janish has cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, allowing the Orioles to maintain their infield depth. The Orioles designated Janish for assignment yesterday while selecting Rubén Tejada's contract from Norfolk. Edwin Jackson spoke at his locker for about six minutes today, happy to be back in the majors after finding out about an hour after last night's game at Gwinnett that the Orioles were selecting his contract. Jackson can be used in many ways,...

Triple-A rotation needs to turn around a rough start

Triple-A rotation needs to turn around a rough start
The Orioles and Rays didn't let the weather stop them last night. Cold and rainy conditions are just part of the gig. The affiliates didn't have it so good - if we've lowered our standards to the point where last night's weather is acceptable. Triple-A Norfolk, Single-A Frederick and Single-A Delmarva were rained out. Double-A Bowie was in Richmond and gave up two runs in the ninth, stranded 14 runners and lost 2-1. Norfolk left-hander Chris Lee is starting today against Buffalo. He's 0-1...

Showalter on Tillman, Rickard, Mancini in left and more

Showalter on Tillman, Rickard, Mancini in left and more
BOSTON - Chris Tillman could make his next start on Monday at Double-A Bowie following this morning's positive outing at extended spring training. "Chris went well," said manager Buck Showalter. "Two innings today, 30 pitches. In fact, they had to stretch the first inning. Velocity ticked up a little bit. "He'll take a work day there and then we'll decide where his three-inning stint will be. It could potentially be Monday at Bowie, but we'll see how his work day goes. That was...

Gausman talks about his start against the Dominican Republic

Gausman talks about his start against the Dominican Republic
SARASOTA, Fla. - Kevin Gausman's second exhibition start this spring won't mirror the first. Not in planned duration and certainly not in opponent. Gausman takes the mound Tuesday afternoon against the Dominican Republic team that's preparing for the World Baseball Classic. This isn't the Twins, his first opponent, or a bunch of reserves and minor leaguers that piled into a bus. "Anytime you face a lineup like that, it's pretty much an All-Star stacked lineup," Gausman said. "Definitely...

Schoop on WBC, Peña on return, Johnson on being an Oriole

Schoop on WBC, Peña on return, Johnson on being an Oriole
SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Trumbo, Adam Jones and Jonathan Schoop reported to camp this morning, the biggest names among position players to enter the facility during the media's hour-long clubhouse access. Schoop will leave camp on Feb. 28 to join Team Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic. "The thing I'm concerned with is going to Korea. It's far to go over there. I think I'm going to go anyways to help my country a little bit," Schoop said. "To be honest, it was 50/50. It was far to...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
SARASOTA, Fla. - While the Orioles remain focused on finding another outfielder who is more glove than bat, they also want to take an extended look at Rule 5 picks Auneury Tavárez and Anthony Santander. The at-bats and reps will be plentiful, assuming that Santander is recovered from his shoulder surgery. Tavárez is assured of staying busy. "We'd like to add to the depth of our outfield. It's a possibility," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. "There are some guys who are...

Notes on the WBC, catchers, Givens and more

Notes on the WBC, catchers, Givens and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Hyun Soo Kim also is an early arrival at spring training. He's been working out at the Ed Smith Stadium complex and the media saw him walk down the hallway this morning toward the weight room. How's that for confirmation? The Orioles added infielder Chris Johnson today on a minor league deal and they're expected to sign a few more players this week, though not necessarily with invitations to spring training. They could go directly to the minor league complex at...

More Ynoa and Mancini on possibility of playing outfield

More Ynoa and Mancini on possibility of playing outfield
With the Orioles completing another cash transaction with the Mets yesterday, acquiring young right-hander Gabriel Ynoa, is it safe to assume that executive vice president Dan Duquette is focused only on finding another outfielder? Don't get too comfortable with that notion. Duquette could add a veteran starter - the preference is still on a minor league deal, though it's not the only avenue - and strengthen the rotation's insurance in case of an injury. To project Triple-A Norfolk's...

Wrapping up 11-4 loss with Showalter, Jimenez, Wieters and Worley

Wrapping up 11-4 loss with Showalter, Jimenez, Wieters and Worley
CLEVELAND - What's next for Ubaldo Jimenez? The question hangs in the air like the dark clouds that spread across Progressive Field by the middle innings in the Orioles' 11-4 loss to the Indians. Jimenez was charged with six runs (three earned) and five hits in 1 2/3 innings, with three walks and a strikeout. The Indians stole four bases off him. Going back to his last four starts, Jimenez has surrendered 19 earned runs (23 total) and 27 hits in 16 2/3 innings. He's also walked 14...

Orioles announce minor league managers and staffs for 2016

Orioles announce minor league managers and staffs for 2016
The Orioles have named their minor league managers and coaching staffs for the 2016 season. Ron Johnson returns for his fifth season as manager at Triple-A Norfolk after guiding the Tides to the International League South Division title and earning Manager of the Year honors in 2015. The 2016 season will be Johnson's 23rd as a minor league manager. He has compiled 1,555 career victories (1,555-1,544 overall) and became the winningest manager in Tides franchise history last season, going...

Leftovers on Jake Arrieta, Rick Adair and Ron Johnson

Leftovers on Jake Arrieta, Rick Adair and Ron Johnson
Jake Arrieta threw a complete-game shutout last night to lead the Cubs to a 4-0 win over the Pirates in the National League wild card game. Of course he did. This guy can do no wrong. His stuff is nasty and he's got confidence oozing out of his pores. Arrieta always had his chest puffed out with the Orioles, but as one official noted, he came across as a guy trying too hard to mask his insecurities. He'd run into trouble in the first inning and the confidence melted away. You could see it...