Could Trumbo become trade chip later?

Could Trumbo become trade chip later?
The number of Orioles free agents is miniscule, with only Adam Jones and Colby Rasmus representing - and the latter feels like a mere technicality after the club placed him on the restricted list and he headed home to be with his family. Mark Trumbo will be eligible after next year's World Series, with the team he's leaving to be determined. Though he's currently with the Orioles, recovering from surgery on his right knee, he's a potential trade chip at the non-waiver deadline if healthy...

Orioles re-sign Gilmartin to minor league deal

Orioles re-sign Gilmartin to minor league deal
Sean Gilmartin's exit from the Orioles organization lasted one day. The Orioles have re-signed the left-hander to a minor league contract after including him yesterday among four players outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Gilmartin and infielder Jace Peterson declined the assignment and elected free agency. Pitcher Gabriel Ynoa and infielder Corban Joseph agreed to terms on minor league deals for 2019. All four players cleared outright waivers and came off the 40-man roster, with the spots filled...

What's on today's agenda? (updated)

What's on today's agenda? (updated)
The important offseason dates in Major League Baseball include today's 5 p.m. deadline for teams to extend the qualifying offer to their own free agents, which reportedly has grown to $17.9 million. The Orioles will pass on Adam Jones and Colby Rasmus. A front office that remains under construction also will remove pitchers Richard Bleier and Pedro Araujo and outfielders Mark Trumbo and Austin Hays from the 60-day disabled list. Bleier underwent surgery in June to repair a Grade 3 tear in his...

The free agent market is open for business

The free agent market is open for business
The end of the World Series opened the gates yesterday to free agency and Orioles outfielder Adam Jones is included among the 145 players initially on the market. Outfielder Colby Rasmus also is listed with the Orioles, but it's a technicality. Rasmus left the team on July 3 and was placed on the restricted list, removing him from the 40-man roster. Rasmus made the same move the previous year while playing for the Rays and it's doubtful that he'll take another crack at landing a major league...

About last night ...

About last night ...
Zach Britton began to warm in the Orioles' bullpen last night as they tried to rally in the bottom of the eighth inning. Manny Machado singled with one out and his club down by a run, and a save situation loomed. And then it was gone. Adam Jones flied to center field, the Phillies brought in left-hander Adam Morgan and Chris Davis struck out for the third time. (It might have seemed like a bold move to pinch-hit Danny Valencia, but if the club was willing to ignore the contract and sit Davis...

Wondering where Tillman's rehab starts eventually lead him

Wondering where Tillman's rehab starts eventually lead him
MINNESOTA - The next step in Chris Tillman's injury rehab assignment takes him down to the Carolina League, his fourth level of the minors, while the Orioles figure out exactly what to do with him. There doesn't appear, at least on the surface, to be a clear plan with Tillman beyond deciding the location of his starts. He's pitched for short-season Single-A Aberdeen, low Single-A Delmarva and Triple-A Norfolk. The Single-A Frederick Keys get a turn Tuesday night because they're home. It's...

A few thoughts on Rasmus and a logical replacement

A few thoughts on Rasmus and a logical replacement
I'm rejoining the Orioles later this afternoon in Minnesota and will experience the Colby Rasmus void up close and personal for the first time since he left the team. Rasmus' comeback lasted 18 games. It started with him going 2-for-21 with 13 strikeouts, continued with a stop on the disabled list and ended with him batting .133 and informing manager Buck Showalter that he was done. Showalter is keeping the conversation private and it's risky to poke fun at Rasmus or the situation without...

Showalter pregame with some trade deadline talk (game update)

Showalter pregame with some trade deadline talk (game update)
PHILADELPHIA - Earlier today Manny Machado was not ready to say much about possibly being an ex-Oriole before this month is out. Later, during his pregame press conference, manager Buck Showalter wasn't ready to answer whether he will be happy, sad and/or relieved when this month is over. "You can ask me then," Showalter said. "I can't project my emotions that far away. I know what they are now. We've talked about it. Manny and I talked about it and he understands what is going on. Good...

Orioles lineup vs. Phillies

Orioles lineup vs. Phillies
The Orioles made the anticipated move this afternoon and recalled outfielder Joey Rickard from Triple-A Norfolk as the roster replacement for Colby Rasmus, who left the team yesterday and went on the restricted list. Rickard is 16-for-79 (.203) with five home runs and eight RBIs in 29 games with the Orioles.r The two-game series in Philadelphia closes with Tim Beckham leading off again, Mark Trumbo in right field, Chris Davis batting fifth and Chance Sisco behind the plate. Yefry Ramirez is...

Teammates support Rasmus as Cobb rethinks results

Teammates support Rasmus as Cobb rethinks results
PHILADELPHIA - Before last night's game we found out that outfielder Colby Rasmus had left the Orioles, but no specific reason was given for that. After the game, two of his Orioles teammates expressed support for Rasmus. The Orioles placed him on the restricted list, which means he will forfeit his remaining salary and that he comes off both the 25-man and 40-man rosters. This is the second year in a row that Rasmus has walked away from a team in the month of July. He went on the Tampa Bay...

Because You Asked - "Back to the Minors"

Because You Asked - "Back to the Minors"
The non-waiver trade deadline alone can fill up a mailbag. When the Orioles are connected to it, we're talking about a major overflow. You could paper the streets. The same five or six questions, but still ... There's a burning desire to separate fact from fiction, which is as complicated as splitting the atom - or knowing whether the Orioles will split from Adam. Let's get to it and check off another blog-entry sequel. Which team is the favorite to sign Manny Machado? I don't understand...

Rasmus leaves Orioles, goes on restricted list (start delayed)

Rasmus leaves Orioles, goes on restricted list (start delayed)
PHILADELPHIA - Outfielder Colby Rasmus is no longer on the Orioles. He has decided - at least for now - to stop playing Major League Baseball. The Orioles have placed him on the restricted list and they will work to get another player here for Wednesday's game. They will take on the Phillies tonight with a 24-man roster. "Colby talked to me this afternoon and said he made a decision to go home and discontinue playing," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. "We're going to honor that and...

Six-run inning and Gausman's mastery end losing streak (updated)

Six-run inning and Gausman's mastery end losing streak (updated)
A simple popup can leave the biggest mark on a game. Especially when it slams into the infield dirt instead of a glove. Who knew that Adam Jones would reach to lead off the fourth inning on a ball arcing above the area between first and second base? Certainly not Jones, who spiked his bat in disgust and headed up the line, expecting to take a hard right to the dugout. Jones blew a bubble, the Angels blew a one-run lead, and the Orioles ended their losing streak at seven games and beat an...

Orioles and Angels lineups

Orioles and Angels lineups
Jonathan Schoop is out of the Orioles lineup again today, but manager Buck Showalter said the second baseman will start Tuesday night's series opener in Philadelphia. Rookie Steve Wilkerson gets another start at second base. Outfielder Colby Rasmus is out of the lineup due to illness. Reliever Darren O'Day said he'll undergo surgery on his left hamstring "as soon as possible" in Baltimore. Making his third injury rehab start last night, Chris Tillman allowed five runs and eight hits with...

Orioles lineup vs. Angels

Orioles lineup vs. Angels
Adam Jones and Tim Beckham are back in the Orioles lineup tonight for their series opener against the Angels at Camden Yards. Chance Sisco is catching again. Mark Trumbo is the designated hitter and he's batting fourth. Chris Davis, who's homered in back-to-back games, is batting fifth. Danny Valencia is in right field. Colby Rasmus isn't in the lineup against right-hander Felix Pena Rookie David Hess will try to get back on track tonight. He's allowed five runs in each of his last three...

Two Orioles errors in 10th inning lead to 4-2 loss (with quotes)

Two Orioles errors in 10th inning lead to 4-2 loss (with quotes)
A former reliever making the switch to starter and trying it at the major league level is going to arrive wrapped in uncertainty. Multiple layers of it. The Orioles figured that Jimmy Yacabonis' ceiling today against the Mariners would be the fifth inning. They were prepared to begin passing the baton in the sixth with the few fresh arms at their disposal. Yacabonis faced two batters in the fifth without recording an out, back-to-back singles ending his day at 67 pitches. Three innings were...

Orioles lineup vs. Mariners

Orioles lineup vs. Mariners
Adam Jones is getting a rest day as the Orioles close their four-game series against the Mariners and try to avoid a sweep. Colby Rasmus is in center field and batting second. Chance Sisco is behind the plate and Steve Wilkerson is starting at third base. Danny Valencia is in right field. He's batting .351 (27-for-77) in 23 home games. David Hess isn't listed as Friday night's starter against the Angels - the spot is TBD - but he'll take the mound if not needed today in relief. Andrew...

Beckham's return doesn't bring win to Orioles

Beckham's return doesn't bring win to Orioles
The Orioles have surrendered any hope of structuring their preferred 25-man roster moving forward in the 2018 season. Can't be done after left-hander Richard Bleier underwent surgery to repair a Grade 3 tear in his latissimus dorsi muscle. And no one is certain whether Chris Tillman, signed for the back end of the rotation, will complete a successful rehab assignment and rejoin the club. But manager Buck Showalter could sit in the dugout tonight, scan the field and find his projected starters...

Orioles and Braves lineups

Orioles and Braves lineups
ATLANTA - Mark Trumbo is out of the Orioles' lineup today due to some soreness in his knee, but he's expected to play Monday night against the Mariners at Camden Yards. Trey Mancini is back in the lineup, no longer bothered by neck stiffness. Colby Rasmus is in right field and leading off. Danny Valencia is in the cleanup spot. Rookie Austin Wynns is behind the plate. Prior to Trumbo's grand slam yesterday, the last time that the first three Orioles in a game reached base before a home run...

Trumbo, Davis power Orioles to 7-5 win (with quotes)

Trumbo, Davis power Orioles to 7-5 win (with quotes)
ATLANTA - The Orioles are getting run production from Mark Trumbo and Chris Davis in the middle of their order. And it's 2018. No one has ventured back in time. Trumbo stayed hot today with a grand slam, Davis continued to celebrate his return with a bases-clearing double and the Orioles took care of business in regulation with a 7-5 victory over the Braves before a sellout crowd of 40,333 at SunTrust Park. An offense that hibernated for most of the season has produced seven runs or more in...