Orioles trade Monell to Dodgers

Orioles trade Monell to Dodgers
One day after optioning catcher Steve Clevenger to Triple-A Norfolk, the Orioles have traded Tides catcher Johnny Monell to the Dodgers for cash considerations. Monell, 28, was batting .209/.280/.286 with four doubles, one home run and seven RBIs in 30 games at Norfolk. He will report to the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque. The Orioles purchased Monell's contract from the Giants on Nov. 30. He lost the backup competition to Clevenger, who was optioned yesterday after first...

It's Yoon against Wilson today when the O's meet the Tides in Norfolk

It's Yoon against Wilson today when the O's meet the Tides in Norfolk
NORFOLK, Va. - The Orioles are scheduled to play the Norfolk Tides, their Triple-A affiliate, here today at Norfolk's Harbor Park. First pitch is set for 3:05 p.m. At this hour a light rain is falling and the tarp is on the field, but the Orioles are on their way here and they will try to get this game in. The forecast looks a little better as the day goes on in the Norfolk area. The Tides have sold around 9,000 tickets for the game. It would have been even more and a possible sellout had...

Showalter on moves and more

Showalter on moves and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't ready to declare a winner in the battle for the backup catching job. He did, however, point out the obvious. Steve Clevenger is the current leader inside the clubhouse after the Orioles optioned Johnny Monell to Triple-A Norfolk. "Stevie's presented himself well," Showalter said. "We'll see what happens between now and the end of spring, what other options present themselves. Caleb (Joseph) has had a good spring, but I'd categorize...

Orioles option Monell and reassign Paul (Yoon optioned)

Orioles option Monell and reassign Paul (Yoon optioned)
SARASOTA, Fla. - There's no longer any doubt that Steve Clevenger is the leading in-house candidate to back up catcher Matt Wieters. The Orioles optioned catcher Johnny Monell following today's 7-4 loss to the Rays. They also reassigned outfielder Xavier Paul to minor league camp and will make one more roster move. Clevenger hasn't won the job at this point in camp. The Orioles continue to check outside the organization. Left fielder David Lough passed his impact test and manager Buck...

Johnny Monell talks about the backup catcher roster battle

Johnny Monell talks about the backup catcher roster battle
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles catcher Johnny Monell looks at this spring training as a fresh start. He spent seven seasons in the San Francisco Giants organization until the Orioles acquired him for cash on Nov. 30. Soon he will find if his destination will be Baltimore or Norfolk come opening day. "Oh, it's a beautiful fresh start for me," Monell said this morning. "Just being able to get away from the situation in San Francisco and have the chance to come to the American League. Want to...

The catching situation and Johan Santana's role as mentor

The catching situation and Johan Santana's role as mentor
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are making another trip to Fort Myers this afternoon to play the Twins. Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen is on the mound for his third start after shutting out the Pirates on one hit over three innings in his previous appearance. Overall, Chen has permitted two earned runs and six hits in five innings, with one walk and three strikeouts. Zach Britton, T.J. McFarland and Tommy Hunter also will pitch for the Orioles. Britton, as I mentioned yesterday, will be working for...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles take the field to stretch at 9:30 a.m. today and the clubhouse is closed to the media until players return to it two hours later. No morning access due to a meeting. Miguel Gonzalez will make his first start since taking a comebacker off his left shin, spinning and landing behind the mound. The Red Sox are starting right-hander Allen Webster. The Orioles have scored 36 runs in their last four games over three days. Is that a lot? Outfielder Quintin Berry is...

Monell homers in five-run third (Orioles win 11-5)

Monell homers in five-run third (Orioles win 11-5)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 11, Twins 5 Recap: The Orioles entered the top of the third inning down 3-0 and left it leading 5-3. The last three runs scored on catcher Johnny Monell's long home run to right field. Monell went 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Chris Tillman allowed three runs in the second, but only one was earned. Need to know: Zach Britton was hit on the bottom of his glove hand by a Josh Willingham comebacker in the fifth inning. He picked up the ball and made the throw to...

Gonzalez will skip bullpen session

Gonzalez will skip bullpen session
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez will delay his next bullpen session until Monday or Tuesday due to the back spasms that forced him out of yesterday's workout. Gonzalez said his back tightened up while covering first base in a rundown drill. It feels much better today, but he won't throw as a precaution. "I haven't been stretching as much as I was used to the second day out, but I feel pretty good now," he said. "I feel a lot better than I did yesterday." Gonzalez said...

Aceves, Monell the only no-shows at first official spring workout (plus photo gallery)

Aceves, Monell the only no-shows at first official spring workout (plus photo gallery)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles took the field an hour earlier than scheduled for today's first official workout. Four of the back fields were used for pitchers fielding practice. Now it's time to hit. The only no-shows are pitcher Alfredo Aceves and catcher Johnny Monell, who had weather-related travel issues. Non-roster pitcher Fabio Castillo got a late flight last night out of the Dominican. Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman are throwing bullpen sessions. Earlier, Dylan Bundy played catch...

From The Bronx to Baltimore through San Francisco: Monell looks for backup catcher's job

From The Bronx to Baltimore through San Francisco: Monell looks for backup catcher's job
If Johnny Monell ever comes with up a big hit to lead the Orioles over the Yankees, he'll be beating his hometown team. The Orioles acquired the Bronx, N.Y., native in late November, sending cash to the San Francisco Giants for Monell, a player San Francisco had designated for assignment a few days earlier. Now, after seven minor league seasons in the Giants organization, Monell is going to try and make a big league opening day roster for the first time. He's out to win the backup catching...

Scouting report on catcher Johnny Monell from his winter league GM

Scouting report on catcher Johnny Monell from his winter league GM
CAGUAS, Puerto Rico - One of the Orioles not in mini-camp in Sarasota this week is catcher Johnny Monell, who was acquired in a trade with the San Francisco Giants on Nov. 30 in exchange for cash considerations. Monell, who got his first taste of the majors in 2013, is expected to compete for the role of Matt Wieters' backup in spring training. Monell is currently playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League - officially Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente - with los Criollos de Caguas,...

Clevenger ready to compete for backup job

Clevenger ready to compete for backup job
Now that Scott Feldman has signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Astros, catcher Steve Clevenger is all that remains for the Orioles from their July 2 trade with the Cubs. Pitchers Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop will report to spring training with the Cubs. Clevenger will be competing for the backup job in Baltimore. Clevenger, 27, was more than just a throw-in, but the Orioles had targeted Feldman as the veteran innings-eating starter who would allow them to make a more spirited run...

Looking back on a flurry of roster moves and at some catching split stats

Looking back on a flurry of roster moves and at some catching split stats
Taking time this morning to ponder that the Auburn player that ran back that missed field goal to beat Alabama yesterday was named Chris Davis. The baseball-playing Davis crushed baseballs while the football-playing Davis crushed the hopes of Alabama's fan base. In the last two weeks, the Orioles have added eight players to their 40-man roster with three coming from their own organization. Here is a recap: * Nov. 18 - Orioles sign left-handed pitcher Kelvin De La Cruz to a one-year...

More on Monell

More on Monell
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said newly acquired catcher Johnny Monell will compete for the backup job in 2014. The Orioles obtained Monell from the Giants tonight for cash considerations and placed him on the 40-man roster. Monell, 27, batted .275/.364/.494 with 27 doubles, two triples, 20 homers and 64 RBIs in 121 games with Triple-A Fresno this season. He's a career .267/.351/.456 hitter in seven minor league seasons in the Giants organization. Monell made his major...

Orioles acquire catcher Monell from San Francisco Giants

Orioles acquire catcher Monell from San Francisco Giants
The Orioles have acquired catcher Johnny Monell from the San Francisco Giants for cash considerations, according to a tweet from Andrew Baggarly of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. The 27-year-old Monell has spent his entire career in the Giants' minor league system, but was designated for assignment earlier this week. In 641 games over seven minor league seasons, the left-handed batter has posted a .267/.351/.456 line. He has spent most of the past four seasons at Double-A and Triple-A. He's...

Who's backing up Wieters?

Who's backing up Wieters?
Before rolling out of my house late yesterday afternoon, I looked up stats for a Sunday morning blog entry on backup catching candidates for the Orioles. I also was prepared to issue a warning against any snarky "slow news day" remarks. You know the rest. The Orioles acquired catcher Johnny Monell from the Giants for cash considerations and tossed him into the mix. Coincidence? Or did I make it happen? If it's the latter, I'll try to get you a frontline starting pitcher and a...