John Angelos, Gov. Wes Moore visit The Battery Atlanta

Earlier today, Orioles Chairman & CEO JOHN ANGELOS and Maryland Governor WES MOORE visited The Battery Atlanta to explore the 365-day entertainment experience around Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. Last month, Governor Moore and the Orioles announced a joint commitment to creating a long-term, multi-decade, public-private partnership that both develops and revitalizes the Camden Yards complex as a magnet for sports tourism and leverages Maryland taxpayers’ investment in the property. The full statement can be found here. The visit to Atlanta was part of the continued collaboration with the Orioles, the State of Maryland, and the greater Baltimore area to redevelop Camden Yards.

The Battery Atlanta is a 2,000,000-square-foot mixed-use destination, which offers an unprecedented entertainment experience including shops, restaurants, and a 4,000-seat venue for all genres of live music.

Oriole Park to host Navy-UMBC game on March 29

The Orioles today announced that Oriole Park at Camden Yards will host a NCAA Division I baseball game between the United States Naval Academy and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County baseball teams on Wednesday, March 29 at 6:00 p.m. ET.

Tickets are $10 for general admission in the lower level seating bowl. Current Navy and UMBC students will receive a free ticket by presenting a valid student ID at the Oriole Park Box Office. Members of the military in uniform can visit the Oriole Park Box Office to receive free admission. Additionally, Birdland Members interested in attending will receive two free tickets and can purchase additional tickets for $5 each through their My Orioles Tickets account. Parking will be available in Lots B and C for $5. All fans must enter through Gate C, which will open at 5:00 p.m. To purchase tickets and parking, visit Orioles.com/Navy.

A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit the Yellow Ribbon Fund. A 501(c)(3) veteran service organization, the Yellow Ribbon Fund provides housing, transportation, and caregiver and family support to severely wounded, ill, and injured post-9/11 service members from every branch of the United States Military, following unexpected medical crises. For more information, visit YellowRibbonFund.org

Fans in attendance will have the first opportunity to try new concessions items from Levy, Oriole Park’s recently announced hospitality partner. The market leader in creating unforgettable hospitality experiences at sports and entertainment venues, Levy crafted an elevated food and beverage experience for fans visiting Camden Yards.

All credential requests must be coordinated through the Navy Athletics Sports Information Department. If your media organization is interested in covering the event, please contact Marshal Filipowicz (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). In your email, please include your organization and the names of those covering the event, how many parking spots are needed, as well as any accompanying photo or video requests. All requests should be sent to Filipowicz by Thursday, March 23.

Orioles economic impact in Florida tops $600 million since 2015

Sarasota County Government’s annual economic report has found that the Orioles have generated $600.5 million in economic impact for the state of Florida since 2015, the first year that comprehensive data became available.

The county’s analysis measures the total impact created by the Orioles’ year-round operations in Sarasota, highlighted by the team’s Spring Training efforts, a state-of-the-art minor league training facility, and numerous corporate events at Ed Smith Stadium and the Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex. The most recent reporting period, which ran from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, found that the Orioles provided $45.6 million in economic benefits to Sarasota County and $55.3 million throughout the state of Florida, despite playing just nine home games at Ed Smith Stadium.

The Orioles have consistently over delivered in their economic impact in both Maryland and Sarasota. In 31 years at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the Orioles have welcomed more than 75 million fans, deriving over $10 billion in economic impact for the City of Baltimore and State of Maryland. By making it a priority to have all four Minor League affiliates located within the region, the Orioles have furthered their reach and increased their total economic impact across the region.

“31 years ago, the Orioles made a commitment to the state of Maryland and in that time, we have tremendously over delivered on our promise, generating more than $10 billion in economic impact for the City of Baltimore and State of Maryland,” said JOHN ANGELOS, Orioles Chairman and CEO. “14 years ago, the Orioles made a commitment to the State of Florida, and once again, we immensely over delivered on our promise, generating more than $600 million in economic impact for the State of Florida and Sarasota community. The Orioles have proven themselves to under promise and over deliver, and we will continue to do that as we renew our partnership with the State of Maryland and the greater Baltimore metropolitan community.”

Just in Sarasota County, the Orioles have generated nearly $512.5 million for the local economy since 2015. This impact is delivered through the club’s continual efforts to promote tourism in the region, including $1 million annually in marketing opportunities for Visit Sarasota during broadcasts on the Orioles Radio Network and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network. In addition to Spring Training operations, the Orioles bring people to Sarasota County by hosting a myriad of special events at Ed Smith Stadium and the Buck O’Neil Baseball Complex throughout the entire year. Ed Smith Stadium hosted numerous events throughout 2022 including the U-18 Baseball World Cup and the All-American Women’s Baseball Classic, both events bringing the top baseball players from around the world to Sarasota. 

Orioles add infielder Gilbert Lara on minor league deal

The Orioles have agreed to terms on a 2023 minor league contract with INF Gilbert Lara.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band to play at Camden Yards

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have announced additional North American dates on their 2023 international tour in 18 cities, with newly-added shows beginning at Chicago's Wrigley Field on August 9 and running through December 8 at San Francisco's Chase Center. Multiple nights have been scheduled for Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park (August 16 and 18), New Jersey's MetLife Stadium (August 30 and September 1), Toronto's Scotiabank Arena (November 14 and 16) and Los Angeles' Kia Forum (December 4 and 6). Tickets for the 22 added North American shows will go on sale over the course of the next two weeks, with the first onsale beginning this Friday February 19 at 10am local time (full details below). 

 “As a lifelong fan of Bruce Springsteen and of my hometown, it’s an honor to announce that on September 9, 2023, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will play their first ever outdoor stadium show in Baltimore at Oriole Park at Camden Yards,” said Orioles Chairman and CEO, John Angelos. 

The 2023 international tour began February 1 in Tampa, Florida with Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band's first North American show in seven years. Opening night featured a high-energy 28-song set which included rocking fan favorites like "Born To Run," "Prove It All Night," and "Wrecking Ball," with The E Street Band effortlessly shifting to soul and R&B while complemented by a horn section and backing vocalists. Rolling Stone called the band's return "ecstatic and emotional," and SPIN added it was a "must-see." USA Today said they "rocked like their lives depended on it" and the Associated Press noted the "energy was as high as ever...every song seemed epic.”

For many cities, the tour will be using Verified Fan via Ticketmaster. Verified Fan requires pre-registration at https://verifiedfan.ticketmaster.com/springsteen and is open through Sunday February 19 at 11:59pm ET. Verified Fan is intended to make it easier for fans to get tickets, and harder for resellers and bots.

For more information about Verified Fan visit: https://blog.ticketmaster.com/bruce-springsteen-e-street-band-2023/.

Orioles announce minor league coaching staffs and player development assignments for 2023

The Orioles today announced the club’s minor league coaching staffs and player development assignments for the 2023 season. The coaching staffs of Triple-A Norfolk, Double-A Bowie, High-A Aberdeen, and Low-A Delmarva are listed below, along with the Florida Complex League and Dominican Summer League Orioles.

The Orioles return the following managers to their same posts from the 2022 season: BUCK BRITTON (Norfolk), KYLE MOORE (Bowie), ROBERTO MERCADO (Aberdeen), FELIPE ROJAS ALOU, JR. (Delmarva), CHRISTIAN FRIAS (FCL Orioles), and ELBIS MOREL and CHRIS MADERA (DSL Orioles).

Britton returns for his second season as Manager of the Tides. In his Triple-A managerial debut season last year, two No. 1 overall prospects – ADLEY RUTSCHMAN and GUNNAR HENDERSON – were promoted from the Tides to the Orioles to make their Major League debuts. In total, 35 players appeared on both the Tides’ and Orioles’ active rosters during the 2022 season. Britton will be joined once again by Pitching Coach JUSTIN RAMSEY, who enters his fifth season in the organization and second with Norfolk. Ramsey will continue to serve as Upper-Level Pitching Coordinator in addition to his position with the Tides. BRINK AMBLER joins Norfolk as the Tides’ Hitting Coach after serving in the same role with the Shorebirds in 2022. Fundamentals Coach RAMÓN SAMBO and Development Coach JOSHUA RODRIGUES each return in their roles, with Sambo entering his fourth season in Norfolk and 17th in the Orioles’ system, and Rodrigues entering his second season in the organization. Athletic Trainer ALAN RAIL, ATC and Strength and Conditioning Coach JON MEDICI also return to Norfolk. GRIFFIN PYOTT, ATC has been named Assistant Athletic Trainer after serving in the same role with Delmarva in 2022, his first season in the organization. ADAM SEHLMEYER returns as Norfolk’s Clubhouse Manager.

Moore returns to Bowie for the second season and his sixth as a manager in Baltimore’s farm system. In Moore’s first season skippering the Baysox, Bowie went 68-70, including posting a 41-28 record in the second half. Pitching Coach FORREST HERRMANN makes the jump to Double-A for his second season in the organization, having most recently served in the same role with Aberdeen in 2022. SHERMAN JOHNSON makes his coaching debut as Bowie’s Hitting Coach. A former infielder, Johnson appeared in 10 games for the Los Angeles Angels in 2018 and played in parts of nine minor league seasons in the Angels, Cincinnati Reds, and Minnesota Twins organizations, as well as a stint with the independent league Kane County Cougars in 2022. He played two seasons at Florida State University. TIM DeJOHN returns for his second season as Fundamentals Coach with the Baysox. In addition to his role with Bowie, DeJohn has also been promoted to Minor League Infield Coordinator for all affiliate levels. Development Coach RYAN GOLL and Athletic Trainer ALLYSE KRAMER, ATC have been promoted from Aberdeen. Goll has also been promoted to Offseason Camp Coordinator. JON WEINBERG returns as Bowie’s Clubhouse Manager.

After making his professional coaching debut last year, Mercado returns as the Manager of the IronBirds. He led Aberdeen to a 78-54 record and a South Atlantic League championship appearance in his first season. Pitching Coach AUSTIN MEINE joins the Orioles from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he had served as Pitching Coordinator since 2021. Hitting Coach ZACH COLE enters his second season with the IronBirds and third in the organization. CHASE SEBBY, a former all-conference catcher at Ball State (IN), has been promoted to serve as Aberdeen’s Fundamentals Coach after joining the Orioles in 2022 as FCL Development Coach. BILLY FACTEAU will serve as Aberdeen’s Development Coach, a role he held with the Baysox last season. Athletic Trainer TORI ATENCIO, ATC joins the organization after serving as Athletic Trainer for the Pioneer League Billings Mustangs and as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Montana State University Billings. SAM SAUER will serve as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the IronBirds, moving up from the FCL. ROSS STOVALL returns as Aberdeen’s Clubhouse Manager.

Orioles announce single game tickets on sale Feb. 8

The Orioles today announced that single game tickets for the 2023 season at Oriole Park at Camden Yards will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, February 8, beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET at Orioles.com/Tickets. Fans who subscribe to the free Orioles email newsletter will receive an invitation to participate in a pre-sale opportunity beginning on Monday, February 6, at 10:00 a.m. Fans can subscribe online at Orioles.com/Newsletter.

This year as part of the on sale, a limited number of tickets will be available to purchase for Opening Day on Thursday, April 6, when the Orioles host the New York Yankees at 3:05 p.m.

Birdland Reserved and Flex Members can guarantee access to the best inventory for Opening Day by calling the Orioles at 888-848-BIRD or purchasing through Orioles.com/Memberships.

Major League Baseball’s new balanced schedule will see all 30 teams play each other for at least one series during the season. For the complete schedule, visit Orioles.com/Schedule. A complete list of current 2023 promotions and special events can also be found online at Orioles.com/Promotions. Additional initiatives will be announced at a later date.

Orioles announce spring training non-roster invitees

The Orioles today announced that they have invited 30 non-roster players to Major League Spring Training in Sarasota, Fla. The list includes one left-handed pitcher, 10 right-handed pitchers, four catchers, 10 infielders, and five outfielders. As of today, a complete list of the Orioles’ 30 non-roster players for 2023 Spring Training is below:

PITCHERS (11)

RHP Eduard Bazardo

RHP Wandisson Charles

RHP Kyle Dowdy

Orioles sign 1B Curtis Terry to minor league deal

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

  • Agreed to terms on a 2023 Minor League contract with 1B Curtis Terry.

Orioles agree to terms with five players

The Orioles have made the following transactions:

  • Agreed to terms with OF Austin HaysSS Jorge MateoCF Cedric MullinsOF Anthony Santander, and RHP Dillon Tate on one-year contracts for the 2023 season, avoiding arbitration.

Orioles acquire Ryan O'Hearn from Royals

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired infielder/outfielder RYAN O’HEARN from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for cash considerations.

 O’Hearn, 29, slashed .239/.290/.321 (32-for-134) with six doubles, one triple, one home run, 14 runs scored, 16 RBI, and eight walks in 67 games with the Royals last season. He spent the entire year on the active roster and led all Major League players with 11 hits as a pinch-hitter, becoming the seventh Royal in team history with 10-or-more pinch-hit hits in one season. In 342 career MLB games, all with Kansas City, he has batted .219/.293/.390 (210-for-960) with 40 doubles, five triples, 38 home runs, 99 runs scored, 131 RBI, and 98 walks. He was originally selected by the Royals in the eighth round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of Sam Houston State University (TX).

 Additionally, right-handed pitcher CHRIS VALLIMONT has been designated for assignment. The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.

Orioles trade Tyler Nevin to Tigers for cash

The Orioles have traded Tyler Nevin to the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations.

Nevin was designated for assignment on Dec. 21.

Orioles name Cal Perry Senior Vice President and Chief Content Officer

The Orioles today announced that CAL PERRY has joined the organization as Senior Vice President and Chief Content Officer. Perry will oversee the Orioles’ creative content efforts and be responsible for integrating the team’s content throughout the organization and with club partners. In this role, he joins the club’s Senior Leadership Team that manages all aspects of the organization’s business and baseball operations, consisting of seven veteran executives each holding decades of industry experience.

“Today, I am extremely proud to announce that yet another highly sought-after, world-class executive from the entertainment, sports, or media industries has accepted my invitation to join the Orioles, as the Club continues to recruit the most talented, forward-thinking individuals inside or outside of MLB and the media space,” said Orioles Chairman and CEO JOHN ANGELOS. “During his two decades covering the world’s biggest stories for the most prestigious media organizations, including CNN, MSNBC, and Al Jazeera, Cal Perry’s reputation as a master storyteller and journalist who brings his audience to the front lines of generational news and human-interest stories, from middle America to the Middle East, is unmatched. Cal joins the Orioles’ Senior Leadership Team at a transformational moment, when there are countless stories to tell, memories to make, and visitors to attract to this community as we expand the Club’s on-field progress and important leadership role in helping the City of Baltimore reach its full potential.”

Perry began his journalism career at CNN as an assignment editor on the International Desk before being promoted to Baghdad-based producer, where he served as an embedded reporter during the Iraq War. At CNN, he gained experience as both a Bureau Chief and correspondent, serving in posts around the world and covering a variety of stories. Perry also spent time with Al Jazeera Media Network as a Senior Correspondent in the Middle East. He later worked as an executive at Voice of America before joining MSNBC. There, Perry has served both as the Global News Editor, Digital Content and most recently as an on-air network correspondent.

A native of Washington, D.C., Perry received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Orioles agree to terms with right-handed pitcher Mychal Givens

The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher MYCHAL GIVENS on a one-year contract for the 2023 season with a mutual option for 2024. 

Givens, 32, appeared in a combined 59 games between the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs in 2022, pitching to a 7-3 record with two saves, a 3.38 ERA (23 ER/61.1 IP), and 71 strikeouts. His seven wins were tied for third among NL relievers and tied for fifth among MLB relief pitchers. He began the season in Chicago, where he went 6-2 with a 2.66 ERA (12 ER/40.2 IP) in 40 games, including recording his 500th career strikeout in his 387th career game on June 22 at Pittsburgh. He did not allow an earned run in 16 consecutive outings (17.1 IP) from June 16 to July 29, a career best. After he was acquired by the Mets in exchange for right-handed pitcher Saúl González on August 2, Givens appeared in 19 games and went 1-1 with a 4.79 ERA (11 ER/20.2 IP), including pitching to a 1.23 ERA (2 ER/14.2 IP) in his final 12 games of the season, which ended with 11.1 scoreless innings.

A native of Tampa, Fla., Givens was selected by the Orioles as a shortstop in the second round (No. 54 overall) of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of H.B. Plant (FL) High School. He played three minor league seasons as a position player before converting to a pitcher prior to the 2013 season. Givens was named the named the Orioles’ 2015 Jim Palmer Minor League Co-Pitcher of the Year. He made his Major League debut with Baltimore on June 24, 2015. In 419 career appearances over eight Major League seasons with the Mets (2022), Cubs (2022), Cincinnati Reds (2021), Colorado Rockies (2020-21), and Orioles (2015-20), Givens has gone 32-23 with 31 saves, a 3.40 ERA (173 ER/457.2 IP), and 537 strikeouts. His 537 strikeouts since 2015 are the 10th-most by a relief pitcher during that span. 

Additionally, infielder LEWIN DÍAZ has been designated for assignment. The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.

Orioles sign Franchy Cordero, claim Lewin Díaz, plus other roster moves

The Orioles have made the following roster moves: 

  • Claimed INF Lewin Díaz off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates 
  • OF Daz Cameron cleared outright waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk 
  • OF Jake Cavae was claimed off outright waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies
  • Agreed to terms on a 2023 Minor League contract with 1B/OF Franchy Cordero 

The 40-man roster currently sits at 37 players.

MASN launches Orioles "Hot Stove Show"

With the Orioles a contender in the American League East, there’s a flurry of off-season activity. Fans can catch up on the latest Orioles news in a special new series: “The Hot Stove Show.”  

It airs Fridays at 9 p.m. on MASN. Special segments will also be available on masnsports.com and the MASN app. The series will focus on analyzing the roster, trades, and free agent signings.

MASN’s Paul Mancano and MASN Insiders Roch Kubatko and Steve Melewski will host the weekly 30-minute program. The MASN Hot Stove Show features interviews with Orioles front office executives, big league players and top prospects, and exclusive insights provided by MASN broadcasters and analysts as the Orioles and Major League Baseball prepare their rosters for the 2023 season.

Contact:  Adam Martiyan amartiyan@masnsports.com

Orioles tender contracts to all arbitration-eligible players

The Orioles made the following roster moves:

  • Tendered 2023 contracts to OF Austin Hays, SS Jorge Mateo, OF Cedric Mullins, OF Anthony Santander, RHP Dillon Tate, and RHP Austin Voth, as well as all pre-arbitration 40-man players.

Ramón Urías wins first career Rawlings Gold Glove

Rawlings today announced that RAMÓN URÍAS has been named the 2022 American League Gold Glove Award recipient at third base. The award is voted on by Major League managers and coaches, which accounts for 75 percent of the selection process. The other 25 percent is based on the SABR Defensive Index™ (SDI).

Urías, 28, led AL third basemen and finished third among all AL fielders with an 11.1 SDI. He was 3.9 SDI better than the next qualified AL third baseman. Urías’ SDI is the best by an Orioles fielder since J.J. HARDY’S 11.9 in 2016 and the best by a Baltimore third baseman since MANNY MACHADO’S 11.8 in 2015. SDI is a measure of the number of runs saved by a player's defensive performance over the course of a season, compared to the average defensive player at that position. The SDI combines measures from six different defensive data sources and includes factors that rate a defender’s arm strength and accuracy, range and sure-handedness, and the number of “excellent” and “poor” fielding plays made.

He also led AL third basemen with 14 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), per Sports Info Solutions, and with a 10.9 Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR), per FanGraphs. Urías’ DRS is the best in a single season by an O’s third baseman since Machado’s 18 in 2015. His UZR is the best by an Orioles defender since Hardy’s 11.4 in 2014 and the best by a Baltimore third baseman since Machado’s 20.8 in 2013. Both DRS and UZR take a variety of game situations into account including infielders’ performance on balls hit in the air, range, throwing success, double play ability, fielding bunts, and the impact of good plays/misplays that are not accounted for in other components.

Urías tied for the AL lead among third basemen with seven Outs Above Average (OAA), per Statcast. Since MLB began tracking in 2016, his OAA are tied with Machado for the most by an Orioles third baseman. OAA is a range-based metric of skill that shows how many outs a player has saved.

This season, he finished with eight errors in 259 total chances at third base for a .969 fielding percentage and nine errors in 350 combined total chances between second base, third base, and shortstop for a .974 overall fielding percentage.

Orioles make pair of waiver claims from Reds

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

  • Claimed C Aramis Garcia off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.
  • Claimed C Mark Kolozsvary (COLES-very) off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.
  • Designated RHP Louis Head for assignment.
  • Designated RHP Beau Sulser for assignment. 

The 40-man roster remains at 40 players.

Game with Blue Jays postponed, twinbill set for Wednesday

Tonight’s scheduled game between the Orioles and Blue Jays has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a traditional (single-admission) doubleheader on Wednesday, October 5. The first game will begin at 12:35 p.m. ET, followed by game two approximately 30 minutes after the first game concludes. Gates will open to fans at 12:00 p.m.

Tickets for the October 5 game will be valid for both games of the doubleheader. 

Tickets for tonight’s postponed game will not be valid for the October 5 doubleheader. Fans can exchange the value of their ticket toward Wednesday’s doubleheader or for any 2023 regular season April home game, excluding the Orioles home opener, after 2023 single game tickets have become available for purchase. For more information and updates about ticket options for games impacted by weather, please visit Orioles.com/Weather

Complimentary tickets are non-exchangeable.

Fans who purchased tickets on StubHub for tonight’s game will need to contact StubHub regarding their policy for postponed events.