Orioles and Astros lineups

Orioles and Astros lineups
HOUSTON - Adam Jones remains out of the Orioles lineup today due to soreness in his left ankle and hip. He also missed last night's loss, the sixth in a row. Joey Rickard is playing center field and batting eighth. Jonathan Schoop moves up to second in the order. Paul Janish is playing shortstop, with J.J. Hardy taking a seat next to Jones. Hyun Soo Kim is in left field for the series finale. The Orioles have recalled right-handed pitcher Logan Verrett from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned...

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...

Here today, gone tomorrow: The Norfolk-Baltimore shuttle is active

Here today, gone tomorrow: The Norfolk-Baltimore shuttle is active
We have seen it happen several times this year to young Orioles pitchers with minor league options remaining. Pitch well one day and get sent back to the minors the next. It doesn't really seem a fair reward for a job well done. But for now, as the Orioles stay with a six-man bullpen and five-man bench, the Triple-A Norfolk to Baltimore shuttle has been on overdrive. Right-hander Logan Verrett pitched scoreless 10th and 11th innings in an important extra-inning win at Yankee Stadiuim on April...

Logan Verrett came up big last night (plus other O's notes)

Logan Verrett came up big last night (plus other O's notes)
The Orioles just keep finding ways to win and they have used their whole roster and then some to do it. They faced the Nationals' Gio Gonzalez on Monday. He took the mound leading the National League in ERA. They faced Max Scherzer last night. He looked like he was on the way to a third career no-hitter. But the Orioles won both games. The Nationals have won three NL East titles since 2012, but they just can't beat the Orioles. The O's are 8-1 in the last nine games between the teams and...

Miley on the mound, more from Britton, roster rumblings

Miley on the mound, more from Britton, roster rumblings
Left-hander Wade Miley gave up three hits in his last start and was hit twice, which explains the 12 total pitches and the inability to complete one inning. Miley is taking his regular turn tonight in D.C. after the White Sox used him for target practice. His bruised left wrist has healed. So has his pride after the second line drive knocked him on his butt. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Miley took his normal workday and stayed in his routine despite the abbreviated start. There was some...

Showalter on a 5-4 12-inning win

Showalter on a 5-4 12-inning win
The Orioles' streak of scoring in the first inning ended tonight at four games, but they had much bigger issues. They couldn't buy a hit off Nationals ace Max Scherzer, the two-time Cy Young Award winner. Walks were cause for celebration, the only way that the Orioles could get on base. Seth Smith walked to lead off the bottom of the first and Scherzer retired 14 in a row before Jonathan Schoop walked with two outs in the fifth. J.J. Hardy ran the count full and struck out on a nasty...

Last night's gamble and thoughts on Bourn, Kim and more

Last night's gamble and thoughts on Bourn, Kim and more
Orioles manager Buck Showalter wasn't certain last night whether the Orioles would regret leaving their bullpen intact with the Nationals in town. Alec Asher wasn't available after working 3 1/3 innings the previous day and another early exit from Kevin Gausman could bring serious complications. It's not like the Nationals have many soft spots in their lineup. They led the majors in average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, hits, doubles and runs scored and were second in home runs....

Notes on Schoop, Tillman, Britton, Peña, Asher and more

Notes on Schoop, Tillman, Britton, Peña, Asher and more
Orioles manager Buck Showalter won't post his lineup today until second baseman Jonathan Schoop takes batting practice. Schoop has missed the last two games with swelling and discomfort in his right hand after being hit by a pitch Friday night against the White Sox. He played catch with Manny Machado this afternoon and will hit and perform infield drills. Showalter said Chris Tillman feels good after working five scoreless innings yesterday in his season debut. Closer Zach Britton's...

Tillman taking the mound for first time in 2017

Tillman taking the mound for first time in 2017
The Orioles lost two pitchers to the disabled list yesterday, but they get back their ace this afternoon. Perhaps there will come a day when everyone is together on the roster. Dare to dream. Chris Tillman is making his first start since Sept. 28, 2016 in Toronto. The right shoulder bursitis that forced him onto the disabled list on March 30 has cleared and he's finally ready to debut after five rehab starts in the minors. Tillman went 0-3 with a 7.16 ERA in 16 1/3 innings with three...

Orioles acquire Kipper from Angels, Ynoa may go on DL

Orioles acquire Kipper from Angels, Ynoa may go on DL
The Orioles acquired right-hander Jordan Kipper from the Angels this afternoon for pitcher Damien Magnifico, who was designated for assignment last week to make room for catcher Francisco Peña on the 40-man roster. Kipper, 24, will be assigned to Triple-A Norfolk. He was 2-1 with 1.74 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 18 strikeouts in 31 innings at Double-A Mobile. Kipper is 23-22 with a 4.02 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 70 minor league games, including 56 starts, and 338 1/3 innings. The Angels chose him in the...

At challenging time for pitching staff, the depth has come up big

At challenging time for pitching staff, the depth has come up big
In just the last few days, the Orioles have had Kevin Gausman ejected in the second inning and Wade Miley knocked out after being hit by two line drives in the first inning. Nothing like a few challenges during a long season. The Orioles seem to be getting a new test nightly. Right now, they'd probably give their kingdom for a routine and comfortable 6-2 win where nobody gets thrown at, ejected, or takes a liner off the wrist or butt. Since Gausman's early ejection on Wednesday, O's starters...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
NEW YORK - The Orioles made it through the month of April with a 15-8 record, their best start since the 2005 season. Didn't have their No. 1 starter, lost their closer and tied with the Yankees for the best winning percentage in the American League. Only one day without at least a share of the division lead. Six wins, one loss and one tie in eight series while compensating for injuries and testing the flexibility of their roster. "Our team is really good," said catcher Welington Castillo....

Wrapping up a 7-4 11-inning win

Wrapping up a 7-4 11-inning win
NEW YORK - Players were challenged to remember a stranger game in their careers. Reporters were challenged to make sure every detail got into their stories, with so many key moments and bizarre twists and turns that led to the Orioles' 7-4 11-inning win over the Yankees. Everyone inside the visiting clubhouse seemed to be in agreement that reliever Darren O'Day didn't commit a balk in the ninth inning, as ruled by plate umpire Stu Scheurwater. Logan Verrett threw to the wrong base to...

Orioles recover from blown lead to win in 11 innings

Orioles recover from blown lead to win in 11 innings
NEW YORK - Given the chance for redemption today, the Orioles bullpen couldn't cover the last four innings of regulation without unraveling. It happened again. A late lead lost and a game forced into extra innings. Unwanted drama better saved for Broadway. What didn't happen was another defeat that tears at the gut. The Orioles overcame the loss of their lead and their manager to avoid being swept and move back into a first-place tie in the American League East. Mark Trumbo delivered an RBI...

Elbow issues, roster moves and more (extra innings)

Elbow issues, roster moves and more (extra innings)
NEW YORK - Jonathan Schoop is hit on the elbow yesterday and remains in today's lineup. Chris Davis is hit on the elbow Friday night, plays yesterday and is scratched from today's lineup. This is today's elbow news. Schoop came out of yesterday's game, but he's batting seventh today against Yankees rookie left-hander Jordan Montgomery. "Where is hit him right above the elbow, it compresses the nerve and he had a lot of weakness there," said manager Buck Showalter. "I just didn't like...

Davis scratched from lineup (plus other notes)

Davis scratched from lineup (plus other notes)
NEW YORK - First baseman Chris Davis has been scratched from the Orioles lineup due to a sore right elbow after being hit by a pitch in the fourth inning on Friday. He was in manager Buck Showalter's office earlier this morning. Davis wanted to play, but Showalter made the decision to sit him. Here's the new lineup: Joey Rickard LF Adam Jones CF Manny Machado 3B Mark Trumbo DH Welington Castillo C Trey Mancini 1B Jonathan Schoop 2B Craig Gentry RF J.J. Hardy SS Wade Miley LHP Chris Tillman is...

Orioles recall Bleier and Verrett

Orioles recall Bleier and Verrett
NEW YORK - The Orioles redesigned their bullpen today by recalling left-hander Richard Bleier and right-hander Logan Verrett from Triple-A Norfolk. They optioned left-handers Jayson Aquino and Vidal Nuño following yesterday's 12-4 loss to the Yankees. Bleier has allowed one earned run and seven hits in nine innings, with no walks and 11 strikeouts. He's made back-to-back appearances on Thursday and Friday after coming off the disabled list. Bleier worked three innings on April 9. He's...

Gausman struggles big in series opener (plus minor league results)

Gausman struggles big in series opener (plus minor league results)
Coming off a start at Toronto where he allowed just one run over six innings, the Orioles felt right-hander Kevin Gausman could get their series in Cincinnati off to a good pitching start. No one figured he'd give up more runs in 2 2/3 innings last night than he had allowed in his first three starts combined. But he did. Gausman tied his career-worst night, allowing eight runs while getting just eight outs in a 9-3 loss to the Reds. In his first three starts, he had given up seven runs over 16...

Projecting the minor league rotations and a look at today's game

Projecting the minor league rotations and a look at today's game
NORFOLK, Va. - The minor league seasons for the Orioles' four full-seaon affiliates at Triple-A Norfolk, Double-A Bowie, Single-A Frederick and Single-A Delmarva begin next Thursday, April 6. It should not be too long before the break-camp rosters are announced. For now, we can speculate on what the rotations could look like starting next Thursday, so let's take some (hopefully) educated guesses: Norfolk: With right-hander Tyler Wilson expected to start the year in the Orioles bullpen, news...

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...