Orioles non-tender Vance Worley (with Duquette quote)

Orioles non-tender Vance Worley (with Duquette quote)
Though Vance Worley is valued for his contributions in a variety of roles, he won't be tendered a contract for the 2017 season. The Orioles decided to non-tender Worley, a much-anticipated move given his projected bump in salary and Wednesday's acquisition of pitcher Logan Verrett from the Mets. Infielder Ryan Flaherty and left-hander T.J. McFarland were tendered contracts - they were on the bubble - leaving the Orioles with 36 players on their 40-man roster. Worley posted a 3.53 ERA in 35...

Non-tender candidates, no increase in ticket prices and more

Non-tender candidates, no increase in ticket prices and more
We may have finally reached the end of the awards season in Major League Baseball, unless it sneaks another one past me, but the next big date is almost upon us. The deadline for teams to offer contracts to their arbitration-eligible players arrives on Friday. The Orioles have 10 of them. Perhaps you don't have the list memorized. Let me offer my assistance, complete with MLBTradeRumors.com's projected salaries: Chris Tillman - $10.6MM Ryan Flaherty - $1.7MM Zach Britton - $11.4MM Vance...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Life comes with few certainties beyond death, taxes and long lines for the men's room at football games. But you will be 100 percent correct if you predict that the Orioles will make at least one selection in the Rule 5 draft at next month's Winter Meetings. The final day is more predictable than the ending of a romantic comedy. Team meets minor leaguer, team falls in love and they wind up together. Roll the credits. The Orioles could try to stash a reliever in their bullpen, as they did with...

Should Orioles consider an eight-man bullpen?

Should Orioles consider an eight-man bullpen?
Watching how bullpens have been utilized in the postseason, especially by Indians manager Terry Francona, led to an interesting discussion yesterday on "Wall-to-Wall Baseball" on MASN. Will more teams consider breaking camp next year with eight relievers and only three bench players, or will a fresh season bring a return to normalcy? It would be tough to manage an entire season yanking your starters in the fourth or fifth innings and passing the baton, and bringing in set-up men in the middle...

Andrew Stetka: Masking an obvious weakness

Andrew Stetka: Masking an obvious weakness
The season is only two weeks old, but I've written a lot already in 2016 about the need for the Orioles to mask their weaknesses. There's no real secret what people are talking about when it comes to the O's and weakness - it's their starting pitching. These Birds, like the ones in recent past, are very good offensively. They can play defense with anyone. There are no real qualms about the bullpen. The starting pitching is an entirely different story. When it comes to Saturday night's game...

Dillon Atkinson: Rule 5 ritual has been successful for Duquette

Dillon Atkinson: Rule 5 ritual has been successful for Duquette
After being hired as the Orioles' executive vice president of baseball operations following the 2011 season, Dan Duquette has made little noise in the Winter Meetings each offseason. He hasn't been completely quiet however, as he always participates in the Rule 5 Draft. Duquette has selected six players in the major league portion of the Rule 5 Draft in his time with the Orioles, with four of those players breaking camp with the major league club in their respective year. Here are those...

Wondering about the bullpen's flexibility in 2016

Wondering about the bullpen's flexibility in 2016
One issue for the Orioles in 2015 involved a bullpen that didn't provide enough flexibility. Too many relievers without minor league options. Too many instances where the club was challenged to bring up a fresh arm. Tommy Hunter was shipped to the Cubs at the non-waiver deadline to free up a spot. It was a risky move for a team still in contention. A fan suggested Saturday on "Wall to Wall Baseball" on MASN that the Orioles could solve the problem by having seven good relievers, eliminating...

Wrapping up a 2-1 win

Wrapping up a 2-1 win
NEW YORK - The Orioles no longer are tied with the Red Sox for last place. They weren't sellers and they aren't in the cellar. Chris Davis' home run leading off the top of the ninth inning gave the Orioles a 2-1 win over the Yankees. The Red Sox lost to the Blue Jays 5-1 in 10 innings. Davis connected off left-hander Chasen Shreve, who had just replaced starter Masahiro Tanaka. Quite the greeting. Davis has 41 home runs this season, 10 against left-handers. He's 10-for-25 with six home runs...

All that Chaz ... (updated)

All that Chaz ... (updated)
MIAMI - The Orioles were expected to add a bullpen arm for today's series finale against the Marlins, and right-hander Chaz Roe has arrived in the visiting clubhouse. There's a No. 65 jersey in his locker stall, but the Orioles haven't announced a roster move to add Roe to the 25-man roster. Roe, signed as a free agent in December, is 3-1 with a 2.19 ERA and two saves in 17 games at Triple-A Norfolk. He spent much of last year at Miami's Triple-A New Orleans affiliate, posting a 3-3 record...

Wrapping up a 1-0 13-inning loss and Matusz's ejection

Wrapping up a 1-0 13-inning loss and Matusz's ejection
MIAMI - The Orioles lost a game tonight in 13 innings. They tried their hardest not to collectively lose their cool after returning to the clubhouse. It's obvious that the team is incensed that Marlins manager Dan Jennings asked umpires to check reliever Brian Matusz's right arm with two outs in the bottom of the 12th inning of a scoreless game. Matusz was ejected for having an illegal substance on his arm and could be facing a suspension. Matusz declined to talk about it, saying he would...

Orioles need Mike Wright to be the right choice

Orioles need Mike Wright to be the right choice
If there's a silver lining in the Orioles' rotation woes, it's the wealth of candidates who can fill the vacancies. It may not seem like an abundance of arms, but consider the past. Remember how the Triple-A roster was littered with journeymen and failed prospects? How a pitcher needed one decent outing and proper rest to earn serious consideration for a promotion? Sometimes, all it took was a pulse. Hold a mirror under their noses to make sure they're still breathing and hand them a plane...

Matt Kremnitzer: On Orioles roster, expect the unexpected

Matt Kremnitzer: On Orioles roster, expect the unexpected
You already know the Orioles will need help from familiar names like Manny Machado, Matt Wieters and Chris Davis after Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis departed via free agency. National writers and reporters repeated that line of thinking often during the preseason, and it isn't wrong. But things rarely go as expected, and the Orioles are likely going to need more than that over the course of a long season. It's also a bit simplistic - of course the O's could use strong performances from their...

Reimold informed that he's not making roster

Reimold informed that he's not making roster
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla - Outfielder Nolan Reimold has been told that he's being reassigned to minor league camp unless the Orioles make a trade that creates a spot on the roster. Manager Buck Showalter wouldn't confirm other moves because executive vice president Dan Duquette is engaged in talks with multiple teams. However, Reimold is headed to Triple-A Norfolk barring a late deal. The opening day roster must be set by 3 p.m. Sunday. "Nolan knows what the deal is. He'll start the season in...

A few pregame notes (Orioles lose 5-3)

A few pregame notes (Orioles lose 5-3)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Braves 5, Orioles 3 Recap: Zach Davies allowed four runs (three earned) and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings, with two walks and one strikeout. Freddie Freeman hit a solo home run off Davies in the first, and Pedro Ciriaco and Phil Gosselin had RBI singles in the second. Glynn Davis' throwing error in right field allowed a run to score with two outs in the third. Christian Walker got the Orioles on the board with an RBI single in the fifth. Chris Parmelee had a pinch-hit...

Last spring game, Gonzalez as No. 3, roster ramblings

Last spring game, Gonzalez as No. 3, roster ramblings
SARASOTA, Fla. - We've reached the final game of the exhibition schedule. Nothing left after today except a workout that proceeds the opening day festivities at Tropicana Field. Raise the roof. The Orioles are breaking camp but they're not heading north, unless you count the drive from Sarasota to St. Petersburg. And if you really want to get technical, they're heading south from Lake Buena Vista following today's game against the Braves. Minor leauger Zach Davies gets the start and he's...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles don't have a game scheduled today. The complex is closed. The media also is discouraged from wandering over to Twin Lakes Park. This, my friends, is the one off-day of spring training. Too bad the forecast calls for an 80 percent chance of thunderstorms. We haven't had rain all spring and it arrives today. Back in my Fort Lauderdale days, I'd pick up friend and colleague David Ginsburg at his hotel by 9 a.m. and head down to South Beach under what always managed...

More notes before today's home exhibition opener

More notes before today's home exhibition opener
SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander T.J. McFarland and right-hander Dylan Bundy will follow starter Kevin Gausman to the mound today in the Orioles' home exhibition opener against the Tigers. Mike Wright is listed as the Orioles' starter Friday against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. Toronto is starting knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Another reminder that left-hander Wei-Yin Chen and Miguel Gonzalez are starting the two split-squad games on Thursday. The Rays are starting Nathan Karns in Port Charlotte and...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette was succinct yesterday when asked about pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez. "The only thing, his walk total was up this year," Duquette said, "so obviously we'd like to see him throw a few more strikes." Or a lot more, since his 77 walks ranked second in the American League behind C.J. Wilson's 85. Wilson threw 175 2/3 innings. Jimenez threw 125 1/3, spent time on the disabled list and was moved to the bullpen. Jimenez went 6-9 with a 4.81 ERA in 25...

Duquette on playoff loss, roster decisions and more

Duquette on playoff loss, roster decisions and more
Dan Duquette, the Orioles' executive vice president of baseball operations, delivered a message to fans this afternoon while standing in front of the home dugout at Camden Yards. The gates were closed, but he wanted them to hear it. "I think what I want our fans to know is that we took a big step forward this year," he said. "We won the division. We won 99 games and we aim to be competitive year in and year out." Duquette was just getting started. "We had several players that we didn't...

Matusz added to ALCS roster (with K.C. roster)

Matusz added to ALCS roster (with K.C. roster)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter made a small adjustment to his roster for the American League Championship Series. Showalter is keeping 11 pitchers. The only change is the addition of left-hander Brian Matusz and the removal of right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez. Left-hander T.J. McFarland has been excluded again, with Showalter choosing to add only one southpaw to his bullpen. The position players remain the same. Jimmy Paredes and Kelly Johnson stay on the roster. Infielders/Outfielders (12) Cruz,...