Showalter says Tillman "probably won't be an option" for opener

Showalter says Tillman "probably won't be an option" for opener
SARASOTA, Fla. - What was considered a mere formality has become an open competition. Chris Tillman figured to make his fourth consecutive opening day start for the Orioles, the only drama being how long it would take to get confirmation. However, a platelet-rich plasma injection in Tillman's right shoulder has pushed him back three weeks and made him a prime candidate for the disabled list. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed this afternoon that Tillman, 28, had a setback with his offseason...

Bullpen sessions highlight first day of workouts

Bullpen sessions highlight first day of workouts
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles completed their first workout for pitchers and catchers. The usual fielding drills, including one on the Camden Yards replica field where players shift to each infield position during bunts. This is how manager Buck Showalter ensures that they know where each teammate will be in game situations. New catcher Welington Castillo caught Mychal Givens' bullpen session as part of Group 1. Castillo met with Givens halfway between the mound and plate to check how many...

More Ynoa and Mancini on possibility of playing outfield

More Ynoa and Mancini on possibility of playing outfield
With the Orioles completing another cash transaction with the Mets yesterday, acquiring young right-hander Gabriel Ynoa, is it safe to assume that executive vice president Dan Duquette is focused only on finding another outfielder? Don't get too comfortable with that notion. Duquette could add a veteran starter - the preference is still on a minor league deal, though it's not the only avenue - and strengthen the rotation's insurance in case of an injury. To project Triple-A Norfolk's...

Orioles acquire Ynoa from Mets

Orioles acquire Ynoa from Mets
The Orioles made a move today to improve their pitching depth while also eliminating a catcher from the 40-man roster. Depth added and subtracted. Executive vice president Dan Duquette acquired 23-year-old right-hander Gabriel Ynoa from the Mets for cash considerations. Catcher Francisco Pena was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. Ynoa (pronounced ya-know-ah) is 59-30 with a 3.36 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 136 minor league games, including 128 starts. He appeared in 10...

Garcia trying to stay in the majors in 2017

Garcia trying to stay in the majors in 2017
The 2016 season didn't go as Jason Garcia intended. Better to put it behind him and never look back. Except that he wants to keep it close to him. Sound confusing? Not when the Orioles' young right-hander explains it. The former Rule 5 pick was recalled on July 9, replacing Mike Wright in the bullpen, and optioned back to Double-A Bowie the following day. You won't find any stats on him beyond his 24 starts with the Baysox. "It was a little disappointing, but at the same time I took last...

Verrett on his return to the Orioles

Verrett on his return to the Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - After going through some morning stretching exercises on the first day of minicamp, Orioles pitcher Logan Verrett paired up with Jason Garcia for a game of catch on the replica Camden Yards field. Reunited Rule 5 picks getting reacquainted. The Orioles kept Garcia in the spring of 2015 and tried to pass Verrett through waivers, but the Rangers put in a claim. Verrett ended up back with the Mets, who traded him to the Orioles on Nov. 30 for cash considerations. "I think I got...

Left field lessons continue for Christian Walker

Left field lessons continue for Christian Walker
SARASOTA, Fla. - The first day of minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex includes a morning meeting before the Orioles take the field around 11 a.m. The clubhouse opened to the media for an hour. A few players, including reliever Mychal Givens and outfielders Christian Walker and Henry Urrutia, live in the area and decided to show up despite not receiving a formal invitation. Other players at minicamp include pitchers Mike Wright, Logan Verrett, Chris Lee, Jason Garcia, Brian Gonzalez, Joe...

More on Seth Smith and what could come next

More on Seth Smith and what could come next
Immediately after the Orioles tweeted the news yesterday that they acquired outfielder Seth Smith from the Mariners for pitcher Yovani Gallardo and cash considerations, my first thought turned to how the club made the announcement before it leaked to the media. When does this happen anymore? There also was surprise that the Orioles traded one of their starters this month rather than later in the offseason. The math suggested that it eventually would happen, especially with the money committed...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The new year began with another report that the Orioles are interested in re-signing designated hitter Pedro Alvarez. It still holds true. They've been open to the idea since he hit the free agent market. However, as I've written, he could be the type of late signing that brought him to Baltimore last spring and has become executive vice president Dan Duquette's signature move. Signing Alvarez would be a clear signal that the Orioles have moved away from Mark Trumbo unless they've suddenly...

Orioles invite top prospect Chance Sisco to minicamp

Orioles invite top prospect Chance Sisco to minicamp
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is finalizing his roster for next month's minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, with certain players requiring their approval. Catcher Chance Sisco will be part of it. Sisco, 21, is viewed as the eventual successor to Matt Wieters if the latter leaves via free agency. He's ticketed for Triple-A Norfolk to start the 2017 season, but could push for a promotion later in the summer. In the meantime, the Orioles want to take...

Orioles claim outfielder Adam Walker off waivers

Orioles claim outfielder Adam Walker off waivers
The Orioles exhibited their love of power again today, claiming minor league corner outfielder Adam Walker off waivers from the Brewers. Lots of power and contact issues. Walker, a 25-year-old right-handed hitter, led the minors this year with 202 strikeouts in 531 plate appearances with Triple-A Rochester in the Twins organization. He also had 22 doubles, five triples, 27 home runs and 75 RBIs to go with a .243/.305/.479 slash line in 132 games. Walker totaled 31 doubles, seven triples, 27...

Orioles sign outfielder Logan Schafer (plus other notes)

Orioles sign outfielder Logan Schafer (plus other notes)
The Orioles acquired a left-handed hitting outfielder today as the Winter Meetings approach, though it involves a minor league deal. The club announced that it signed Logan Schafer, 30, to a minor league contract. He will receive an invitation to spring training. Schafer is a career .214/.292/.318 hitter in 318 games over parts of six major league seasons, the first five spent with the Brewers. He batted .238/.342/.317 this year in 26 games with the Twins. A former third-round pick, Schafer...

Notes on Logan Verrett, Roger McDowell and the CBA

Notes on Logan Verrett, Roger McDowell and the CBA
The Orioles have acquired pitcher Logan Verrett again. They took the right-hander as one of two Rule 5 picks they added in December 2014. Verrett was selected from the Mets. He eventually made it back to New York and the O's added him in a deal yesterday from the Mets for cash considerations. In this space Wednesday, we wondered if the Orioles could part with right-hander Vance Worley, who is arbitration-eligible, and Verrett's addition would seem to make it tougher for the O's to now keep...

Orioles acquire Logan Verrett from Mets

Orioles acquire Logan Verrett from Mets
The Orioles are bringing back one of their former Rule 5 picks. The club announced this afternoon that it acquired right-hander Logan Verrett from the Mets in exchange for cash considerations. Verrett, 26, was chosen from the Mets at the 2014 Winter Meetings, exposed to waivers in spring training and claimed by the Rangers, who later returned him to his original organization. The Orioles kept their other Rule 5 acquisition, right-hander Jason Garcia, regarded as less polished but having a...

Reimold stays hot, Showalter on Verrett

Reimold stays hot, Showalter on Verrett
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold led off tonight's game with a single on the first pitch thrown by Braves starter Alex Wood, a broken-bat liner into center field. Reimold is 15-for-45 (.333) this spring with two home runs, eight RBIs and eight walks. He's earned a spot on the 25-man roster, but is there room for him? David Lough is going on the disabled list, but the Orioles seem inclined to keep Jimmy Paredes, who's out of options. Reimold signed a minor league deal and can be...

Markakis in Braves lineup and more on bullpen

Markakis in Braves lineup and more on bullpen
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Former Oriole Nick Markakis is on the field playing catch today before batting practice. Extra coach Einer Diaz walked over and gave him a hug, and Ryan Flaherty called out to him while heading to the batting cage. Markakis, who still has a full beard, is batting third today and playing right field. For the Braves Eric Young Jr. CF Joe Benson LF Nick Markakis RF Freddie Freeman 1B Jonny Gomes DH Chris Johnson 3B Christian Bethancourt C Alberto Callaspo 2B Andrelton...

Verrett claimed off waivers by Rangers

Verrett claimed off waivers by Rangers
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - According to multiple industry sources, the Rangers have claimed Rule 5 right-hander Logan Verrett off waivers from the Orioles. Selected from the Mets in the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings in San Diego, the 24-year-old Verrett had impressed in spring training, posting a 1.93 ERA in 14 innings. He walked two and struck out 12. He was one of two Rule 5 pitchers in major league camp. The Orioles acquired right-hander Jason Garcia from the Astros, who selected him...

More Rule 5 talk, Jones and Snider homer (O's down 4-3)

More Rule 5 talk, Jones and Snider homer (O's down 4-3)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' cuts later today won't include Rule 5 pitchers Logan Verrett and Jason Garcia. The evaluations continue, along with the brainstorming on how to keep both of them. Asked if there's a scenario where the Orioles could carry both right-handers in their bullpen, manager Buck Showalter replied, "Sure. I had one brought up to me a couple days ago. And if you know us ... Trying to find a way legally to keep all the pieces." I'll say that it's an incredible long shot...

Two games and more cuts are coming for Orioles

Two games and more cuts are coming for Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are playing two games today at the same time, leaving me to chose between the Ed Smith Stadium complex and Dunedin. Give me a half-second to decide. I'll be watching Miguel Gonzalez in Sarasota. The Twins are countering with Ricky Nolasco. I'll watch him, too. Gonzalez has allowed six runs in 12 2/3 innings, with no walks and 11 strikeouts. He'll try to complete five innings today. Ubaldo Jimenez makes his sixth start, all of them on the road. The Blue Jays are...

Showalter on Rule 5 pitchers (Chen goes five innings)

Showalter on Rule 5 pitchers (Chen goes five innings)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Logan Verrett tossed another scoreless inning yesterday, retiring the Pirates in order in the bottom of the ninth. Jason Garcia is scheduled to pitch today against the Blue Jays in his fourth spring training appearance. One Rule 5 right-hander following another for the Orioles. Can they keep both pitchers in a bullpen that's already crowded? Can they hold onto at least one? Let's start with the least likely scenario, that a contender can carry two Rule 5...