The Orioles' minor league "break camp" rosters

The Orioles' minor league "break camp" rosters
Here are the Orioles' "break camp" rosters for their four full-season minor league affiliates. They are Triple-A Norfolk, Double-A Bowie, Single-A Frederick and Single-A Delmarva. These are preliminary rosters and not completely set for opening day in the minors on Thursday. These rosters are subject to some changes. NORFOLK Pitchers: Todd Redmond, Odrisamer Despaigne, Terry Doyle, Nick Additon, Oliver Drake, Pedro Beato, Richard Rodriguez, Andy Oliver, Jason Stoffel, Edgar Olmos, Cesar...

A look at the O's rotation and left field outlook

A look at the O's rotation and left field outlook
Here is a good question about the Orioles' starting rotation: How many jobs are available to be won right now? Are there two, one or none? For a while, and it still may hold true, Miguel Gonzalez's spot was shaky with his spring struggles. That meant pitchers like Tyler Wilson, Mike Wright, Odrisamer Despaigne and Vance Worley could be chasing one potential rotation opening. Then right-hander Kevin Gausman received a cortisone injection for shoulder tendinitis. So does that mean two spots are...

Matt Wieters leaves game with right elbow soreness

Matt Wieters leaves game with right elbow soreness
SARASOTA, Fla. - Matt Wieters came out of today's game against the Twins with right elbow soreness. The Orioles made the announcement a few minutes ago. We'll learn more about the severity of it after the final out. Henry Urrutia pinch-hit for Wieters in the bottom of the first inning. Wieters stayed in the dugout until the completion of the top of the second and walked alone to the clubhouse. Audry Perez replaced Wieters behind the plate. Eduardo Nunez singled with one out in the first and...

Matt Wieters leaves game in first inning (O's lead 4-1)

Matt Wieters leaves game in first inning (O's lead 4-1)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Matt Wieters was removed for a pinch-hitter today in the bottom of the first inning and we're waiting for the Orioles to provide an explanation. Wieters caught the top half of the inning and made a throw to second base that sailed as Eduardo Nunez slid in safely. Henry Urrutia pinch-hit for Wieters after Mark Trumbo's two-run single gave the Orioles a 3-1 lead. Twins right-hander Trevor May struck out Urrutia and J.J. Hardy. Audry Perez replaced Wieters behind the...

Orioles lineup vs. Twins (with McFarland update)

Orioles lineup vs. Twins (with McFarland update)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Trumbo is playing first base today and Chris Davis is serving as the designated hitter for todays' game against the Twins. Henry Urrutia is in right field. For the Orioles Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis DH Mark Trumbo 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Hyun Soo Kim LF Jonathan Schoop 2B Henry Urrutia RF Ubaldo Jimenez RHP Reliever T.J. McFarland will have his left elbow X-rayed this morning after experiencing discomfort in yesterday's game against the Red...

Orioles lineup vs. Braves

Orioles lineup vs. Braves
SARASOTA, Fla. - Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim is in today's lineup for the Orioles as they open their exhibition schedule against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista. Kim is starting in left field and batting fifth. The Cuban connection, Dariel Alvarez and Henry Urrutia, join Kim in the outfield, providing a nice international flavor to the game. Ryan Flaherty is leading off and playing second base. Christian Walker is playing first base and batting cleanup. Mike Wright is starting and Tyler...

Orioles sifting through right field possibilities

Orioles sifting through right field possibilities
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dexter Fowler won't be playing right field for the Orioles. Agent Casey Close won't be attending their next cookout. Tough day yesterday. The lingering question, besides trying to figure out why Close waited two days to deny the agreement and torch the Orioles and media, is who's joining Adam Jones and Hyun Soo Kim in the outfield on opening day? The Orioles are kicking around ideas, including just letting the in-house candidates fight for the job. Manager Buck Showalter...

#TBT: Henry Urrutia smacks walk-off homer for first career longball

#TBT: Henry Urrutia smacks walk-off homer for first career longball
This spring training will be a big one for outfielder Henry Urrutia, who will try to show that he deserves a spot on the Orioles' 25-man roster. While O's fans have only seen Urrutia in two short stints in the big leagues - one in 2013 and one in 2015 - he has made an impact. Last season, he hit .265 (9-for-34) in 10 games with the Orioles. Of those nine hits, none topped the throwback moment we're looking at today. The Orioles and Mets were tied at 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth when...

Out of the Park: An award winner, quick check-up and #NationalHatDay

Out of the Park: An award winner, quick check-up and #NationalHatDay
As the NFL's season continues, so does that of Tyler Wilson's Packers. After beating the Redskins 35-18 on Sunday, the Pack now heads to the desert to take on the Cardinals in the NFC divisional round. #GoPackGo -- Tyler Wilson (@t_willy18) January 11, 2016 Meanwhile, back here in the Old Line State, MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko won, too. On Monday, Roch was named a co-winner of the Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association for the...

Henry Urrutia on his illness, his trip to Cuba and maybe his final chance

Henry Urrutia on his illness, his trip to Cuba and maybe his final chance
SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Henry Urrutia is at minicamp this week without needing to swing a bat. It's more about getting stronger, gaining more weight and waiting for his next chance. Urrutia spent part of his winter playing in Venezuela, where he became ill and lost about 16 pounds. He also visited his family in Cuba for the first time since defecting. Otherwise, nothing much to see here. "I just started this week, Monday," he said this morning while standing at his locker at the Ed Smith...

More Orioles notes and quotes from today's minicamp

More Orioles notes and quotes from today's minicamp
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter spoke briefly today with the players attending minicamp before turning it over to pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti. "I talked to them for about five minutes before Wally and Dom did their thing, congratulated them on being invited and appreciate them coming," Showalter said this afternoon while sitting in his office at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. "They didn't have to come. This is completely voluntary, but the...

Updates on Hunter Harvey and Dylan Bundy

Updates on Hunter Harvey and Dylan Bundy
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are holding their first minicamp meeting after opening the clubhouse to the media at 9 a.m. Players will take the field later this morning. Chris Tillman,and Zach Britton are here, sporting full beards. Miguel Gonzalez is at the Ed Smith Stadium complex and also bearded. Henry Urrutia also reported despite not being included on the roster. The health updates are positive on young pitchers Hunter Harvey and Dylan Bundy. Harvey said he's been throwing for the last 1...

Urrutia eager to prove he belongs in the majors

Urrutia eager to prove he belongs in the majors
Any discussion about the options at first base if Chris Davis doesn't re-sign always include Triple-A Norfolk's Christian Walker and Double-A Bowie's Trey Mancini. They're the in-house candidates - both expected to start out in the minors, but potential fits depending on what happens before opening day. The current in-house options in right field include L.J. Hoes, Nolan Reimold, Dariel Alvarez, Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard and maybe Mark Trumbo, if he isn't needed at first base or as the...

Notes on Henry Urrutia and Buck Showalter's comments on MLB Network

Notes on Henry Urrutia and Buck Showalter's comments on MLB Network
Orioles outfielder Henry Urrutia says he will begin playing again on Tuesday in the Venezuelan Winter League now that he's recovered from a virus that produced severe flu-like symptoms. Urrutia's last game for Leones del Caracas was on Wednesday, before he came down with a fever and felt pain throughout his body. Urrutia's 19-month-old son developed the same symptoms and was taken to the emergency room at a local hospital the following day. They're both doing fine now. You may recall that...

Miguel Tejada interested in coaching position with Orioles (and other notes)

Miguel Tejada interested in coaching position with Orioles (and other notes)
The first day of the general managers meetings concluded in Boca Raton, Fla., and nothing newsy developed with the Orioles. Again, that's how it's expected to be with a month remaining before the Winter Meetings in Nashville. It would go against the norm for executive vice president Dan Duquette to swing a major deal or sign a free agent this early in the process. But he'll continue to meet with other officials and get a feel for whether they could evolve into trade partners. Agent Scott...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles will be searching for a starting pitcher this winter who fits at the top of their rotation. They don't figure to stay in the bidding for left-hander David Price, however, since he's going to break the bank into millions and millions of pieces. Yes, there seems to be mutual interest here, with Price liking the idea of pitching for the Orioles, from what I've heard. They're not bothered by his postseason record, but let's take a quick look at it. Price lost again yesterday in...

Urrutia and Clevenger on Norfolk's strong year, plus other O's and minors notes

Urrutia and Clevenger on Norfolk's strong year, plus other O's and minors notes
While the Orioles were losing another game on Sunday, their Triple-A Norfolk affiliate picked up what was likely one of its biggest wins of the year. Playing the team that is trying to keep them from winning a division championship, Norfolk won 4-3 at Gwinnett. That gives the Tides a three-game lead over the Braves atop the division with nine games to play. Their lead would have been cut to one game with a loss Sunday. Norfolk had lost nine of 11 heading into this game. Norfolk is 75-60 with a...

Showalter on Jones' health, Urrutia's chances of returning next month (O's lose 4-1)

Showalter on Jones' health, Urrutia's chances of returning next month (O's lose 4-1)
ARLINGTON, Texas - Adam Jones remained in the Orioles' lineup tonight following batting practice, passing his final test that cleared him to play. Jones struck out to end the first inning. Manny Machado also struck out, as Rangers starter Cole Hamels retired the side in order on 13 pitches. Kevin Gausman retired the Rangers in order on 12 pitches in the bottom of the first, getting a pop-up and two groundballs. Jones had blurred vision yesterday after slamming into the fence at Kauffman...

Orioles option Henry Urrutia

Orioles option Henry Urrutia
ARLINGTON, Texas - The Orioles announced their roster moves this afternoon, which includes the decision to option outfielder Henry Urrutia to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles selected the contract of outfielder Dariel Alvarez from Norfolk and reinstated catcher Steve Clevenger from the paternity list. They optioned reliever Jorge Rondon to Norfolk after yesterday's game in Kansas City. Urrutia, 28, hit .265/.306/.382 (9-for-34) with a double, a home run and six RBIs in 10 games with the Orioles...

O's game blog: Twins look for first four-game sweep in Baltimore since 2007

O's game blog: Twins look for first four-game sweep in Baltimore since 2007
The Orioles host the Twins today, needing a win to avoid their first four-game sweep at home to Minnesota since Aug. 23-26, 2007. The Orioles are 0-6 against Minnesota in 2015. The Twins have outscored the Orioles 39-15, outhit them .303 to .229 and pitched better in the season series with an ERA of 2.45 to 6.54. The Birds have lost seven consecutive games to the Twins dating to Sept. 1, 2014. This is the Orioles' longest losing streak against Minnesota since dropping nine in a row from Sept....