Flores on Martin and the positive influence of Iglesias

Flores on Martin and the positive influence of Iglesias
The Orioles hadn't made a final decision on shortstop Richie Martin prior to baseball's shutdown in spring training. He remained on the camp roster, which is frozen at 50 players. The club could have placed him in a utility role or, more likely, assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk in an attempt to further develop his skills. They had the freedom to go in any direction with Martin no longer holding Rule 5 status. Now what? The minor league season is expected to be canceled due to the coronavirus...

Shepherd hoping for chance to pitch in return to Orioles

Shepherd hoping for chance to pitch in return to Orioles
NEW YORK - Chandler Shepherd lasted one day with the Orioles to close out the month of July. Joined them in San Diego and was optioned quicker than it takes to unpack a bag. The Orioles recalled Shepherd again today as Evan Phillips' bullpen replacement and he's hoping to do more than dig into the pregame and postgame meals. "It would be special," he said this afternoon while standing at his locker at Yankee Stadium. "My last time up here was a great experience for me and I've been ready...

O's senior director, international scouting Koby Perez on upcoming signing period

O's senior director, international scouting Koby Perez on upcoming signing period
For the first time in several years, the July 2 date coming up will be meaningful for Orioles fans. That is the start of a new signing period for international amateur players that can be signed when they turn 16. After years of signing a few international players, the Orioles are now making a major commitment moving forward to tapping into talent in places like the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. In an interview in May, executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said this July 2...

O's game blog: Dylan Bundy on the mound in homestand finale

O's game blog: Dylan Bundy on the mound in homestand finale
After they lost three straight to the Yankees and two of three to the Oakland Athletics in this current series, the Orioles host the A's again this afternoon. The game marks the end of this four-game series and seven-game homestand before a road trip begins in Boston Friday night. The Orioles beat Oakland 12-4 Monday, but lost the last two nights by 13-2 and 10-3 scores. During this homestand, O's pitching has allowed 23 homers and 56 runs. MLB leaders, homers allowed: 32 - Orioles23 -...

After allowing seven homers, O's pitchers try to get back on track against the A's

After allowing seven homers, O's pitchers try to get back on track against the A's
After allowing seven home runs and 15 runs Sunday, there is nothing, really, to do for the Orioles pitching staff and team as a whole but get back on the horse tonight versus Oakland. Try to ride their way to victory and put that mess from Sunday in their rear-view mirror. The O's were competitive and led the Yankees in the first two games of the series. They just didn't win. Sunday they were blown out and it felt like about 10 losses, but really only counted as one. Time to get back to...

Wrapping up a 10-5 loss

Wrapping up a 10-5 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - Hunter Harvey didn't flash a 98 mph fastball today, keeping it in Fort Myers, but he tossed a scoreless fifth inning with two strikeouts in an impressive outing. Harvey's heater was 95-97 mph and he used it to strike out Christian Arroyo and strand Kevin Kiermaier, who walked with one out and moved up on a wild pitch. Former major league closer Bryan Harvey watched as his son also struck out Mike Zunino in the Orioles' 10-5 loss to the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Guillermo...

Orioles put Tate on 40-man roster and DFA Vielma

Orioles put Tate on 40-man roster and DFA Vielma
The Orioles have adjusted their 40-man roster in preparation for the Rule 5 draft, which will be held on Dec. 13 on the final day of the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. Pitcher Dillon Tate was placed on the 40-man today, his contract selected from Double-A Bowie, to prohibit teams from taking him. With the roster already full, the Orioles created room by designating infielder Engelb Vielma for assignment. Another spot must be opened later to allow the Orioles to make a selection, which is...

Notes on 100 losses, stolen bases and the farm on Sunday

Notes on 100 losses, stolen bases and the farm on Sunday
With Sunday night's 5-3 loss to the New York Yankees, the Orioles were swept four straight and they fall to 37-94. The 2018 Orioles are closing in on becoming the third team in club history, which dates to 1954, to lose 100 or more. The 1954 Orioles went 54-100 and the 1988 Orioles went 54-107. There have been nine Orioles teams since 1954 that lost 95 or more in a season, and this club is one loss from becoming the 10th. The other nine teams are on this list: 107 losses - 1988100 losses -...

Wrapping up Tillman's outing and the O's 4-2 victory

Wrapping up Tillman's outing and the O's 4-2 victory
LAKELAND, Fla. - When the first two hitters in what could be the Detroit Tigers' opening day lineup singled today, Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman was in immediate trouble. But soon he would finish a scoreless first going through the heart of the Detroit batting order. It was the start of a good day for Tillman, one that produced better radar gun readings on the scoreboard and much better results in the box score. Tillman went five innings and allowed six hits and one run in the Orioles'...

Pregame notes from Lakeland (Tillman quotes, O's win 4-2)

Pregame notes from Lakeland (Tillman quotes, O's win 4-2)
LAKELAND, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Danny Valencia was scratched from today's lineup against Detroit due to a sore calf. He's being held out as a precaution. "Danny felt some soreness in his calf. Been playing a lot. Trainers felt like it would be a good idea to give him a day and not take any chances. I think he'll be fine," the skipper said. Valencia hit a two-run homer yesterday and is 6-for-29 (.207) with three doubles, two home runs and six RBIs in 11 games after...

Playoffs begin with Frederick looking for an upset (updated)

Playoffs begin with Frederick looking for an upset (updated)
FREDERICK, Md. - When the Carolina League playoffs begin tonight at Frederick's Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, there is a clear favorite. It's not the home team. In what has now been reduced to a best-of-three series, the Single-A Frederick Keys (68-71) host the Lynchburg Hillcats (87-52) in Game 1 of the Northern Division Championship Series. With the impending threat of Hurrican Irma, the Carolina League today announced that both semifinal series are now best-of-three, reduced from...

O's game blog: Notes on Austin Hays, Alex Wells and more

O's game blog: Notes on Austin Hays, Alex Wells and more
Tonight's Orioles-Yankees game will not start on time. As of about 6:40 p.m. it was raining steadily at Oriole Park and the tarp is on the field. No start time was announced and we'll keep you posted when we hear any updates. Earlier today, the Orioles announced that Single-A Delmarva lefty Alex Wells has been named their minor league Pitcher of the Year, winning the Jim Palmer Award. The 20-year left-hander from Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia finished 11-5 with a 2.38 ERA for the...

Orioles DFA Aquino, Showalter talks about Hardy (O's win 7-6)

Orioles DFA Aquino, Showalter talks about Hardy (O's win 7-6)
The Orioles selected outfielder Austin Hays' contract from Double-A Bowie today and designated left-hander Jayson Aquino for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Hays will wear No. 18. Aquino went 1-2 with a 7.43 ERA in four games (two starts) with the Orioles. He was 3-10 with a 4.24 ERA in 21 starts with Triple-A Norfolk. In case you missed it, here's what I wrote earlier today about Hays' promotion. Meanwhile, the Orioles' grounds crew unrolled the tarp around 5 p.m. today in...

Trumbo still expects to come off disabled list in Anaheim

Trumbo still expects to come off disabled list in Anaheim
Mark Trumbo threw today on the field and soon will be cleared to take batting practice and go on a short injury rehab assignment as he nears a return to the active roster. The Orioles still seem confident that Trumbo will be ready to come off the disabled list when he's eligible on Wednesday in Anaheim. "First time felt pretty much pain-free today," said manager Buck Showalter. "He'll start with some trunk and rotational stuff. Hopefully, headed toward BP and stuff soon. Try to work it out...

A rally falls short and some prospects talk

A rally falls short and some prospects talk
We've seen the script play out a few too many times in the 2017 season. O's fall behind by a lot of runs early. O's battle back. But the rally comes up short. It did again last night when Tampa Bay scored five runs off left-hander Wade Miley in the second inning and got nothing after that. The Orioles rallied, and when Welington Castillo singled in two runs with two outs in the eighth they were down by just 5-4. But the Orioles left two runners on in the eighth and two on in the ninth, and...

Davis out of lineup, Schoop on Player of Week honor (O's up 4-0)

Davis out of lineup, Schoop on Player of Week honor (O's up 4-0)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is out of tonight's lineup due to an illness. One of the Rays physicians is examining Davis, who could be available later tonight. Left-hander Blake Snell's splits apparently don't factor into the decision to sit Davis, who was held out of batting practice today. "Obviously, he's under the weather," said manager Buck Showalter. "Hopefully, he'll be OK by gametime." Asked whether the illness is stomach-related, Showalter said,...

Flying under the radar on the farm (plus other notes)

Flying under the radar on the farm (plus other notes)
We write here often about some of the top players in the O's minors. Often they are players well-known because they were high draft picks and/or have played well for a long time. Today let's take a look at a few players flying under the radar. This is by no means a complete list but some of these players should start getting noticed more. At Single-A Frederick, young outfielder Ademar Rifaela from Curacao has had a solid season. He is putting up better numbers than in his previous four...

O's game blog: Bundy faces Boston (Bundy and O's beat Boston)

O's game blog: Bundy faces Boston (Bundy and O's beat Boston)
The Orioles begin a four-game series tonight at Boston's Fenway Park. The Orioles won all three series there last season, going 6-3. They went 1-1 this year in a two-game series on April 11-12, losing the series opener 8-1 and then winning the next night 12-5. Since the 2012 season, the Orioles are 57-42 (.576) against the Red Sox. Since that season in Boston, the Orioles have a record of 30-19 (.612). After splitting that series in Boston and taking two of three from the Red Sox earlier at...

That escalated quickly: Ugly losses follow Orioles' 4-0 start

That escalated quickly: Ugly losses follow Orioles' 4-0 start
Well, the Orioles will wake up this morning tied for first place in the American League East. So there is some good news. But entering the sixth inning at home on Sunday, the Orioles led the Yankees 3-0 and seemed headed for a 5-0 start. What has followed that is a 13-inning stretch where the Orioles have been outscored 15-1. That has led to back-to-back losses after the 4-0 start. So some things could be better. In the last two games, we've seen Darren O'Day walk three batters in an inning...

A look at the PECOTA projection and O's infield depth

A look at the PECOTA projection and O's infield depth
Death, taxes and PECOTA projecting the Orioles for a losing season. The Orioles may have two promising young pitchers to join Chris Tillman heading up their rotation and a bullpen that led the American League in ERA last year. Despite that, PECOTA predicts that they will give up the most runs in baseball this season and finish with the third-worst record in the majors as they finish last in the AL East. The annual PECOTA projection from Baseball Prospectus is out and a tradition continued with...