Nuño's departure and more on Orioles minor league free agents

Nuño's departure and more on Orioles minor league free agents
Vidal Nuño didn't give us much of a chance to become attached to him. Left camp for 10 days to pitch in the World Baseball Classic, spent a small portion of the summer with the Orioles, became a minor league free agent and found a new team. Nuño has signed a minor league deal with the Rays, as first reported by Baseball America's Matt Eddy. He elected free agency last month, joining pitcher Logan Verrett, catcher Francisco Peña and second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Infielder Rubén...

Orioles release Bourn again (O's down 4-1)

Orioles release Bourn again (O's down 4-1)
The Orioles released outfielder Michael Bourn from his minor league contract today, making him a free agent who can sign with any team. Bourn reached the opt-out date on his deal and the Orioles didn't have a spot for him on their four-man bench. He was batting .220/.373/.317 in 11 games. Bourn re-signed with the Orioles on Feb. 22, was released on March 27 after breaking his right ring finger in spring training and signed again on April 11. The broken finger occurred while Bourn was catching...

Jiménez's spot in rotation, alternatives (O's down 2-0)

Jiménez's spot in rotation, alternatives (O's down 2-0)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter knew it wouldn't take long today for reporters to deliver the first question about Ubaldo Jiménez's status in the rotation and on the roster. Asked whether he might tweak his rotation by skipping a starter due to Thursday's off-day, Showalter replied, "Are you talking about Jiménez?" Well, as long as you mention him ... "You brought it up, really, because that's where we're going," Showalter said. "I'm going to give these guys the extra day with...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
BOSTON - Trey Mancini is in left field tonight for the Orioles, while Joey Rickard gets the start in right. Mark Trumbo is serving as the designated hitter. Kevin Gausman is fighting to get on a roll, with only one quality start in six outings and a 7.50 ERA and 1.967 WHIP in 30 innings. His 42 hits allowed are tied for first in the majors and his 25 earned runs lead the American League and are tied for second in the majors. In his last three starts, Gausman has allowed 18 runs and 24 hits with...

Roster moves and wrapping up the final day of camp

Roster moves and wrapping up the final day of camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles closed the Grapefruit League portion of their exhibition schedule with a 7-3 loss to the Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium, leaving them with a 16-14-2 record that holds little significance. What counts are the current and pending roster moves. Wade Miley goes on the disabled list, but he still can make the April 9 start on the day that he's eligible to return. Kevin Gausman will get two starts in that period because of the off-days. The Orioles could send Miley to...

Roster intrigue attaches itself to O's on final camp day (updated)

Roster intrigue attaches itself to O's on final camp day (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Anyone seeking clarity on the Orioles' opening day roster may have to wait until Sunday's workout at Camden Yards. Manager Buck Showalter likes to use the "moving parts" analogy and it really applies in the final days of spring training. The Orioles could put Wade Miley on the disabled list and carry three starters until the veteran left-hander is needed on April 9. This scenario remains in discussion. Trey Mancini's outstanding spring seems to have lined him up for a trip...

Wrapping up a 15-6 loss (Tavárez on waivers)

Wrapping up a 15-6 loss (Tavárez on waivers)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter sensed that it was time to go home, and he knew it long before his team stumbled to a 15-6 loss to the Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. It got ugly in the sixth inning, when the Rays sent 15 batters to the plate and scored 12 runs off minor leaguers Jefri Hernandez and Brian Moran. A scoring change now tags Hernandez with six earned runs and one unearned and Moran with five earned. Shortstop J.J. Hardy committed his second error of the day in...

Gausman on the wild side in last spring start

Gausman on the wild side in last spring start
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Orioles gladly will accept having closer Zach Britton replace starter Kevin Gausman in games this season. Just not in the fourth inning. Gausman threw 75 pitches today in 3 2/3 innings, 41 for strikes, before exiting with the score tied 2-2. One run was unearned after Chris Dickerson's dropped fly ball in the third. Gausman allowed two hits, walked four batters, struck out five and threw two wild pitches. It wasn't the type of outing he wanted to carry into opening...

Orioles acquire pitcher Alec Asher from Phillies (O's win 5-4)

Orioles acquire pitcher Alec Asher from Phillies (O's win 5-4)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 5, Braves 4 Recap: Wade Miley allowed one run and five hits in four innings, with one walk and four strikeouts. ... Ryan Flaherty gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the second with a two-out triple that scored Caleb Joseph, who singled. ... Pedro Álvarez delivered a two-run single in the third off left-hander Jaime García. ... Cedric Mullins, in his first at-bat, had an RBI double in the seventh inning after Chris Dickerson walked and stole second base. ......

Pregame notes on Tillman, Miley, Smith, more (updated)

Pregame notes on Tillman, Miley, Smith, more (updated)
DUNEDIN, Fla. - Chris Tillman threw today from 60-90 feet without any discomfort in his right shoulder. He'll expand the distance on Tuesday and continue to throw every other day as long as there are no setbacks. Tillman will head north with the team instead of remaining back at extended spring training. Manager Buck Showalter wants him to be part of the opening day festivities and it also gives the club a chance to monitor his bullpen sessions. Left-hander Wade Miley had a good work day and...

Machado set for Saturday lineup return (and more notes)

Machado set for Saturday lineup return (and more notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Third baseman Manny Machado is taking batting practice this afternoon with the Orioles, his cap spun backward and his hips gyrating to the music filtering through Ed Smith Stadium. Machado returns to the lineup Saturday night against the Twins in Sarasota. Welington Castillo also is back from the World Baseball Classic, and manager Buck Showalter is deciding whether to have him catch relievers Zach Britton and Brad Brach tonight against the Rays. Castillo will catch Kevin...

Dickerson day-to-day with sore shoulder (plus other notes)

Dickerson day-to-day with sore shoulder (plus other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles outfielder Chris Dickerson is day-to-day with a sore left shoulder, the latest setback in his attempt to break camp with the team. "Hopefully, it's only a day or two. He kind of tweaked it on a throw yesterday," said manager Buck Showalter. It's been a difficult spring health-wise for Dickerson, 34, who also missed time after fouling a ball off his right shin - the swelling moving down to his foot - and after being hit by a pitch on his right elbow. Dickerson is...

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox
SARASOTA, Fla. - Pedro Álvarez gets another look in right field today, as the Orioles travel to Fort Myers to play the Red Sox. Rule 5 pick Aneury Tavárez is in left field and Chris Dickerson is starting in center. Chance Sisco is catching starter Wade Miley. For the Orioles Aneury Tavarez LF Johnny Giavotella 2B Hyun Soo Kim DH Pedro Alvarez RF Trey Mancini 1B Chris Dickerson CF Chris Johnson 3B Chance Sisco C Robert Andino SS Wade Miley LHP

Wrapping up a 2-2 tie

Wrapping up a 2-2 tie
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles were being no-hit tonight until Chris Dickerson singled with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning. They were being shut out until Sean Coyle, back over from minor league camp, drilled a two-run homer off Michael Mariot. A 2-0 deficit became a 2-2 tie, and that's how it ended. The Orioles (10-8-2) sent minor league pitcher Stefan Crichton back out to the mound for the top of the 10th, but the Phillies walked off the field, confusing their opponent, the umpires,...

Jiménez walks five batters while pitching into fifth (O's lose 6-5)

Jiménez walks five batters while pitching into fifth (O's lose 6-5)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Pirates 6, Orioles 5 Recap: Ubaldo Jiménez was the first Orioles pitcher to retire a batter in the fourth inning and he lasted 4 2/3, charged with three runs, two hits, five walks and five strikeouts. ... Zach Stewart replaced Jiménez and let two inherited runners score on David Freese's RBI double and Phil Gosselin's grand slam. ... Paul Janish and Aneury Tavárez had RBI singles in a four-run seventh. ... Pedro Álvarez went 0-for-4 with two...

Wrapping up a 9-6 loss

Wrapping up a 9-6 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Chris Dickerson homered in the ninth inning today, but the Orioles lost to the Rays 9-6 at Ed Smith Stadium. Paul Janish came off the bench and had an RBI single and solo home run. Richard Bleier tossed two scoreless innings. Logan Schafer was 1-for-22 this spring before going 2-for-2 today. A scout from another organization was checking on Schafer again today, noting two nice defensive plays in yesterday's game. Vidal Nuño will return to Sarasota tonight after...

Tillman update and whether Orioles stay in-house (updated)

Tillman update and whether Orioles stay in-house (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will meet again on Wednesday to discuss the condition of Chris Tillman's right shoulder and whether he might make another attempt at a bullpen session. "Chris feels better today. That's encouraging," said manager Buck Showalter, delivering the news without prompting from the media. "Yesterday it was better than the day before and today he said it was better than yesterday. Will talk with Richie (Bancells) and the doctors and see if we want to throw again or...

Tillman shoulder improving, Flaherty shut down (and more notes)

Tillman shoulder improving, Flaherty shut down (and more notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said pitcher Chris Tillman has reported improvement in his right shoulder for the past two days, leading to cautious optimism within the organization. The club is expected to meet again on Wednesday to discuss the next course of action, including whether Tillman is close to getting back on a mound. Showalter repeated that he expects Tillman to pitch at some point in the 2017 season. Infielder Ryan Flaherty received a cortisone injection in his...

Gentry back in lineup and continuing to impress

Gentry back in lineup and continuing to impress
SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Caleb Joseph isn't in today's lineup against the Rays and he's wearing a protective sleeve over his left elbow. However, he said that he's available to play and his seat on the bench isn't due to the Mark Appel pitch that slammed off his arm. Francisco Peña is getting the start today against the Rays. Chris Dickerson did some early hitting today, his first swings since being nailed on the right elbow Sunday against the Twins and leaving the game in the third...

Gausman goes three innings, Mancini fine in right field (updated)

Gausman goes three innings, Mancini fine in right field (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Kevin Gausman didn't break the three-inning barrier today against the Phillies, with Logan Verrett replacing him to start the fourth. However, Gausman got his pitch count up to 62 and was charged with one earned run. Chris Coghlan poked a leadoff double past first base on an 0-2 count, took third on a fly ball and scored on Howie Kendrick's grounder to shortstop J.J. Hardy. Catcher Caleb Joseph dropped Hardy's throw for an error. The ball easily beat Kendrick to the...