This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Bill Castro most likely will be out of baseball next season after spending 37 years with the Brewers as a player, scout and coach, and the last two with the Orioles as bullpen coach. Here's hoping that the man has hobbies. Castro replaced Rick Adair as pitching coach on Aug. 15. The Orioles offered him a scouting position, which he turned down, and he didn't bother to seek a major league job. Castro says he found out too late that the Orioles weren't going to retain him as bullpen coach...

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox (plus Boston lineup)

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox (plus Boston lineup)
Jason Pridie is in left field again tonight against a left-hander, Boston's Jon Lester, and Steve Pearce is serving as the Orioles designated hitter. Anyone seen Michael Morse? For the Orioles Brian Roberts 2B J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Danny Valencia 3B Nick Markakis RF Steve Pearce DH Jason Pridie LF Wei-Yin Chen LHP For the Red Sox Shane Victorino CF Stephen Drew SS Dustin Pedroia 2B Mike Napoli DH Jonny Gomes LF Daniel Nava RF Brandon Snyder 1B David Ross...

Pridie, Gonzalez and Markakis in a 1-1 tie (O's win 3-2)

Pridie, Gonzalez and Markakis in a 1-1 tie (O's win 3-2)
Miguel Gonzalez was charged with an unearned run in the first inning tonight when left fielder Jason Pridie dropped a routine fly ball with two outs and Munenori Kawasaki on second base. Pridie was camped under the ball and it popped out of his glove. Very strange. The Orioles tied the game in the bottom of the second on Matt Wieters' 22nd home run, and his 11th from the right side of the plate. Pridie followed Steve Pearce's one-out double in the second with a single to put runners on the...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles didn't play split-squad games last night. The regulars didn't head over to Dunedin. Manager Buck Showalter rested some regulars, went with a makeshift lineup and ended a six-game losing streak. It won't be the same lineup tonight. Showalter dismissed that idea. I'd expect Adam Jones in center field and Matt Wieters behind the plate. Jonathan Schoop brings the most intrigue. Does he stay at second base tonight against Blue Jays left-hander Mark Buehrle, with Brian Roberts...

A night of firsts for the Orioles (Flaherty homers twice, O's win 9-5)

A night of firsts for the Orioles (Flaherty homers twice, O's win 9-5)
It figures that the lineup chosen tonight by manager Buck Showalter would produce a bunch of firsts. Jonathan Schoop collected his first major league hit and scored his first run in the third inning. He later hit into his first double play. And yes, this is his first game with the Orioles. Ryan Flaherty followed Schoop's hit with his ninth home run, and his first onto Eutaw Street. It's the 77th Eutaw Street home run in Camden Yards history and the 31st by an Oriole. It's the 11th this...

Pridie makes debut, Davis sets club strikeout record (updated)

Pridie makes debut, Davis sets club strikeout record (updated)
Jason Pridie, starting in center field tonight, is the 54th player to suit up for the Orioles this year, tying the 1955 team for most in a season. They dressed 53 last year. I don't have a list available of the ones who declined to wear clothes. Pridie grounded out to end the second inning, with Jays second baseman Ryan Goins making a lunging stop and throw. Chris Davis struck out in the second inning, breaking Mark Reynolds club record of 196 set in 2011. He doesn't lead the majors,...

A few pregame notes

A few pregame notes
Outfielder Chris Dickerson underwent an MRI on his sore right hamstring and hasn't been available. That's why Jason Pridie's contract was selected from Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles placed third baseman Manny Machado on the 60-day disabled list to make room for Pridie on the 40-man roster. Machado will meet with reporters at 6:15 p.m. Pridie was expected to arrive at Camden Yards around 4 p.m. Showalter has talked to Chris Tillman about Sunday's start against the Red Sox. Showalter told...

Orioles remove Canzler and Pridie from camp roster

Orioles remove Canzler and Pridie from camp roster
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made two more roster cuts today, optioning infielder Russ Canzler to Triple-A Norfolk and reassigning outfielder Jason Pridie to minor league camp. The moves leave the Orioles with 38 players in major league camp. Canzler was 9-for-34 (.265) with two RBIs in 23 games. Pridie was 13-for-42 (.310) with four doubles, two homers and eight RBIs in 19 games. Canzler also homered twice against Team Spain, but those stats weren't official. The Orioles selected Canzler...

Showalter talks about Markakis and intrasquad games

Showalter talks about Markakis and intrasquad games
SARASOTA, Fla. - Nick Markakis is expected back in camp on Friday after flying to Baltimore today for a funeral. As I mentioned earlier, Markakis underwent the same acid reflux test administered to Manny Machado and Zach Braddock. That's why he didn't play today. "He had it this morning, 7 o'clock," said manager Buck Showalter. "He had to have a little anesthesia to do it. That's why he didn't participate today. "What happens is they have this acid reflux and they mention it in the...

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...