Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
The double play combination of shortstop Richie Martin and second baseman Jorge Mateo resurfaced last night at Camden Yards after a brief interruption. Martin was on the bench for the series opener, but Ramón Urías slid over to third base last night. Getting comfortable with a new middle infielder is a process, but Martin said it's gone smoothly. Not by accident, of course. They take ground balls and throws prior to batting practice. "He's super talented and super athletic and it's...

As bullpen finally settles down, Nats say no to Norris

As bullpen finally settles down, Nats say no to Norris
That minor league deal the Nationals were working on with Bud Norris? It isn't happening anymore. And that Nationals bullpen that had been a train wreck through the season's first eight games? It might be starting to come together. Norris had been invited to West Palm Beach earlier this week to work out at extended spring training as Nationals baseball and medical personnel determined whether they believed the veteran right-hander was worth signing right now as a potential Band-Aid for their...

Nats working to finalize minor league deal with Norris (updated)

Nats working to finalize minor league deal with Norris (updated)
PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals are working to finalize what will be a minor league contract with veteran right-hander Bud Norris, though the deal is not yet done, according to general manager Mike Rizzo. It's their latest attempt to patch together a viable bullpen after a disastrous start to the season. Norris will report to the Nationals' spring training headquarters in West Palm Beach and be evaluated by club officials before they determine a course of action, Rizzo said. If he checks out...

Caleb Joseph on facing Bud Norris (Orioles win 6-4)

Caleb Joseph on facing Bud Norris (Orioles win 6-4)
LOS ANGELES - The Orioles trail the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 this afternoon in the third inning against their former teammate, pitcher Bud Norris. Justin Turner hit a two-run homer in the first off Kevin Gausman. The dinger was No. 12 for Turner and it came on a 1-0, 94 mph fastball. The Orioles got one back in the second. Mark Trumbo was credited with a leadoff double when his high pop that should have been caught got lost in the sun by the left side of the Dodgers infield. Two batters later,...

O's game blog: Kevin Gausman on mound in L.A. series finale

O's game blog: Kevin Gausman on mound in L.A. series finale
LOS ANGELES - Back in late May, the Orioles had a three-city road trip with two series on the West Coast. They went 4-5 on that excursion to Anaheim, Houston and Cleveland. A win today at Dodger Stadium would make the Orioles 4-5 on this trip to San Diego, Seattle and Los Angeles. That would not be a winning trip, of course, but a respectable mark to finish 4-5. Of course, the trip got off to a 2-0 start at San Diego before five consecutive losses followed that. After Chris Tillman gave his...

O's game blog: Orioles have struggled this year against clubs with winning records

O's game blog: Orioles have struggled this year against clubs with winning records
As the Orioles push for a playoff spot in the remaining 54 games of their season, they are going to need to do a better job against good teams. The Orioles have played seven teams that started today with an over .500 record, and they are 15-29 in those games after their loss last night to the Angels. The Orioles are 5-9 in 14 series against the seven teams. It breaks down this way: 5-8 against the New York Yankees, 5-7 against Toronto, 0-3 versus Minnesota, 3-4 against Houston, 1-3 against the...

Orioles release Bud Norris (Chris Parmelee clears waivers)

Orioles release Bud Norris (Chris Parmelee clears waivers)
Unable to work out a trade, the Orioles have released pitcher Bud Norris. He's now free to sign with any club. Norris was designated for assignment on July 31 leading to the non-waiver trade deadline. Norris lost his spot in the rotation and didn't get on track as a reliever, finishing with a 2-9 record, 7.06 ERA and 1.643 WHIP in 18 games, including 11 starts. It was a disappointing transition from the 2014 season, when Norris set a career high with 15 wins and posted a career-low 3.65 ERA...

Zach Britton on Mychal Givens and Tommy Hunter, plus other notes

Zach Britton on Mychal Givens and Tommy Hunter, plus other notes
The Orioles scored two runs in a game twice in the series against Atlanta and won both games. They have scored eight runs on back-to-back nights against Detroit and they go 1-1. So, yeah, baseball. Hard to predict how it will go on any given night. But Friday was kind of Givens' night. Mychal Givens, the 25-year-old right-hander who began his pro career as a shortstop, got his first major league victory last night. It was his second major league appearance. Givens featured the solid mid-90s...

Chen exits in fourth inning, Showalter on today's trades

Chen exits in fourth inning, Showalter on today's trades
Wei-Yin Chen is done after 3 1/3 innings tonight, allowing a run in the first, another in the second, a two-run shot from J.D. Martinez in the third and back-to-back homers by James McCann and Jefry Marte in the fourth to fall behind the Tigers 6-0 at Camden Yards. Chen hadn't allowed more than three runs in a start since May 20 vs. the Mariners, when he surrendered a season-high four. The three home runs also are a season high. The 3 1/3 innings tied his career low. Mike Wright replaced Chen...

Hearing from Dan Duquette, Tommy Hunter and Chris Tillman

Hearing from Dan Duquette, Tommy Hunter and Chris Tillman
I'm still buried in pregame quotes and I'm trying to dig my way out. Let me present you with a sampler platter. More is on the way. Dan Duquette on today's trades: "We were able to make a couple of trades to help our team and try to get ready to get back to the playoffs. We're real happy and excited that we were able to pick up (Gerardo) Parra. He's one of the top hitters in the National League this year and he fits the profile of an everyday position player for us. Two-time Gold Glover,...

Bud Norris: "I was looking way too much into distractions this year"

Bud Norris: "I was looking way too much into distractions this year"
Bud Norris, designated for assignment by the Orioles this afternoon, said he knew that his days with the club were numbered and most likely would end at the non-waiver deadline. Not that it was any easier for him upon receiving confirmation. "Part of me said it was probably coming and the other part was hoping not," Norris said today in a phone interview. "I was looking way too much into distractions this year, and they were eating at me," said Norris, a pending free agent. "It's probably...

Orioles designate Bud Norris for assignment (trade official)

Orioles designate Bud Norris for assignment (trade official)
The Orioles have designated pitcher Bud Norris for assignment to create room for outfielder Gerardo Parra on the 25-man roster. The trade is official. Parra comes to Baltimore for Triple-A pitcher Zach Davies. The medicals checked out. Norris allowed four runs and six hits in 2 2/3 innings last night to conclude a brutal 2015 season with the Orioles. He lost his spot in the rotation and didn't get on track as a reliever, finishing with a 2-9 record, 7.06 ERA and 1.643 WHIP in 18 games,...

Orioles have move to make and game to play (updated)

Orioles have move to make and game to play (updated)
The 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline is within view and the Orioles, as far as we know, didn't make any moves while you were sleeping. But at least one is coming, according to people inside and outside the organization. A rumor surfaced last night that they acquired Brewers outfielder Gerardo Parra in exchange for Triple-A pitcher Zach Davies. Parra was in Milwaukee's lineup. The deal wasn't close to being done, but talks are hot. As I wrote, Davies alone probably won't get you Parra, but...

Is recent lack of runs masking bigger issue for Orioles?

Is recent lack of runs masking bigger issue for Orioles?
After winning 96 games and a division title last year, a .500 finish for the 2015 Orioles would surely be seen as extremely disappointing by players and fans alike, not to mention team management. A .500 record will not be good enough. But while we have all been focusing on an offense that recently is underperforming, there may be a bigger issue holding this team back. But first ... since you have heard this theory 1,000 times, let's make it 1,001. The Orioles didn't do enough this offseason;...

Twins get two homers in sixth off Bud Norris to beat O's, complete sweep

Twins get two homers in sixth off Bud Norris to beat O's, complete sweep
The Orioles again struggled to score. Their starting pitching kept the other team from doing so, but Ubaldo Jimenez's pitch count elevated quickly. And with two big swings in the last of the sixth today, the Minnesota Twins surged to a victory. Brian Dozier hit a two-run homer off struggling right-hander Bud Norris and Joe Mauer followed with a solo shot as the Twins beat the Orioles 5-3 to complete their first three-game sweep of the Orioles in Minnesota since April 2-4, 2007. The slumping...

Andrew Stetka: Important trading deadline looming for Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Important trading deadline looming for Orioles
As the Orioles hike their way through July, the end of the month looms as one of the more crucial periods in the franchise's recent history. The July 31 non-waiver trade deadline could provide a good sense of where the team is going the rest of the season, and perhaps over the next few seasons. The Orioles have eight pending free agents on the roster. Many have questioned the team's ability to re-sign certain players like Matt Wieters, Chris Davis and Wei-Yin Chen. Those are what I would...

Manny Machado hits game-tying homer, but O's lose at Chicago (Rowen opts out)

Manny Machado hits game-tying homer, but O's lose at Chicago (Rowen opts out)
The Orioles scoreless streak came to an end today, but their losing streak did not. Moments after a game-tying homer in the eighth by Manny Machado, Chicago got the lead back in their half of the inning to beat the Orioles 3-2 this afternoon. The Orioles have lost three in a row and five of six, and reach the season's midpoint at 42-39. The Orioles went to the top of the eighth down 2-0 and had not scored a run over their last 26 innings since Wednesday night. But Sox starter Jeff Samardzija...

Orioles and White Sox lineups

Orioles and White Sox lineups
Chris Davis continues to play right field for the Orioles, who are hoping to locate their offense today in Chicago. Matt Wieters is behind the plate after serving as the designated hitter last night. Travis Snider is playing left field and Chris Parmelee is starting again at first base. Bud Norris is listed among the relievers. The Orioles have slipped into second place in the American League East, one game behind the Yankees. The Rays and Blue Jays are two games back. For the Orioles Manny...

A few notes and Showalter's ranking in poll

A few notes and Showalter's ranking in poll
Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed last night that Miguel Gonzalez would start Sunday afternoon's game in Chicago, and the right-hander is officially listed in that spot. It's no longer TBD. Bud Norris' role still needs to be determined. The starters for next week's series in Minnesota haven't been revealed. According to STATS, the Orioles' 36-0 record when leading after seven innings is tied for the best mark in the majors. The Orioles are 39-0 when leading after the eighth,...

Jonathan Schoop comments after his night in Frederick and a take on Kevin Gausman

Jonathan Schoop comments after his night in Frederick and a take on Kevin Gausman
Jonanthan Schoop doesn't hit a homer in every rehab game he plays in. It just seems like it. After homering in three of his last four games while with Double-A Bowie, Schoop played at Single-A Frederick last night. He went 2-for-4 and hit a solo homer over all three levels of billboards in the eighth inning at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium. "I am always going up there looking for a pitch to drive. If I get it, I hope to put a good swing on it and it can go out of the ballpark," Schoop...