Minor, Manto among latest dismissals from Orioles (updated)

Minor, Manto among latest dismissals from Orioles (updated)
The changes in various departments in the Orioles organization, reaching down to the lower levels of the minors, continued today with the firings of at least eight more employees. According to sources, the Orioles are parting ways with minor league hitting coordinator Jeff Manto, minor league catching coordinator Don Werner, special assignment pitching instructor Ramón Martinez, Single-A Frederick manager Ryan Minor, Keys pitching coach Justin Lord and hitting coach Bobby Rose, short-season...

Yacabonis could be joining Orioles on Monday (O's down 6-2)

Yacabonis could be joining Orioles on Monday (O's down 6-2)
MINNESOTA - David Hess will make his next start for Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday afternoon in Durham, the turn that belonged to Jimmy Yacabonis before today's roster maneuvering. With Yacabonis no longer scheduled to take the mound, the Orioles have made him an option to join the club for Monday's doubleheader against the Yankees at Camden Yards. He could be the 26th player. Hess was optioned today while Dylan Bundy came off the disabled list. "David's going to start Sunday, get the ball back...

Dariel Álvarez nearing return to mound

Dariel Álvarez nearing return to mound
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dariel Álvarez no longer is resistant to making the switch from outfielder to pitcher. He's embracing the idea with a surgically repaired elbow and a new attitude. Álvarez is playing catch at minicamp, which wraps up later today, and said via translator Ramon Martinez that he's scheduled to throw off a flat mound by the end of the month. "I've been doing the rehabilitation and I feel pretty good so far," said Álvarez, who had the procedure in April, was released...

Hunter Harvey: "I feel like I'm ready to go"

Hunter Harvey: "I feel like I'm ready to go"
SARASOTA, Fla. - The first day of Orioles minicamp wrapped up this morning with Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. completing a bullpen session, pitchers running sprints and Dariel Álvarez playing catch on flat ground as he recovers from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. Álvarez is converting from outfielder to reliever. Manager Buck Showalter is joined by pitching coach Roger McDowell, bullpen coach Alan Mills, bench coach John Russell, special assignment pitching instructor...

The Dariel Álvarez pitching experiment will continue

The Dariel Álvarez pitching experiment will continue
The Orioles will resume their attempts to transform Dariel Álvarez from an outfielder to a pitcher. They haven't bailed on the idea. Álvarez is rehabbing his right elbow following ligament-reconstructive surgery in April. Don't forget about him. The Orioles remain committed to seeing this experiment through. "He's doing great," said director of player development Brian Graham. "He's coming back to spring training. And by the end of spring training, he'll be close to being able to...

More notes before tonight's game

More notes before tonight's game
If you're trying to keep track at home, Edwin Jackson is at extended spring training in Sarasota, left-hander Andrew Faulkner is on Triple-A Norfolk's roster and Miguel Castro, today's acquisition from the Rockies, has been optioned to Double-A Bowie. Jackson eventually will be assigned to Norfolk, where he's expected to work out of the bullpen. He could be used as a starter later if he stays in the organization, his contract including a June 1 opt-out clause, but for now he's viewed as a...

Orioles re-sign Chris Johnson, plus Roger McDowell on pitchers

Orioles re-sign Chris Johnson, plus Roger McDowell on pitchers
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Orioles re-signed infielder Chris Johnson this morning and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. The move comes two days after he was released. Johnson will play for his father, Tides manager Ron Johnson, now that he's agreed to a restructured deal. He's primarily a third baseman but also can move across the infield. Johnson batted .269 (18-for-67) with six doubles, three home runs, 11 RBIs and 17 strikeouts in 24 games this spring. Orioles pitching coach Roger McDowell...

A look at Ubaldo Jiménez and the pitching instructor that helped him

A look at Ubaldo Jiménez and the pitching instructor that helped him
SARASOTA, Fla. - Inconsistent and erratic would be two words to describe right-hander Ubaldo Jiménez and his three years with the Orioles. But when he is good, he can be really good and we've seen that, too. Late last season, for instance. From Aug. 25 on, Jiménez pitched to an ERA of 2.45 in his last seven regular season starts with a WHIP of 0.86. That was at the end of a year where he went 8-12 overall with an ERA of 5.44 in 142 1/3 innings. One member of the organization that has...

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...

Duensing coming off disabled list Monday (and other notes)

Duensing coming off disabled list Monday (and other notes)
The Orioles will make another roster move before Monday afternoon's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Left-hander Brian Duensing is headed to Baltimore today and will fly with the team to Tampa. He's currently on the 60-day disabled list after undergoing elbow surgery. Duensing had cartilage chips removed from his left elbow in June. He appeared in seven games with the Orioles before the surgery and allowed four runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings. Duensing allowed one run in seven...

O's to start Tyler Wilson on Saturday, Kevin Gausman on Monday

O's to start Tyler Wilson on Saturday, Kevin Gausman on Monday
KANSAS CITY - It has been a while, but some roster and rotation shuffling is about to begin for the Orioles. They have not had an in-season roster move through the season's first 14 games, but that will likely change tomorrow. So will the rotation. We know now which pitchers will be starting tomorrow and Monday. As expected, right-hander Kevin Gausman will come off the disabled list and start on Monday at Tampa Bay. Right-hander Tyler Wilson will come out of the bullpen and make the start for...

Orioles trying to remain perfect at home (Machado homers)

Orioles trying to remain perfect at home (Machado homers)
Ramon Martinez is serving as Orioles pitching coach for the three-game series against the Blue Jays while Dave Wallace attends to a family matter. Martinez is in his second season as special assignment pitching instructor. The Orioles are the only team in the majors to remain unbeaten at home with a 5-0 record. The Nationals are 5-1 and the Royals are 4-1. When does a team gain a psychological advantage? "Not yet," said manager Buck Showalter. "Think about it. If we go 81-0, I think that...

Hearing from Showalter after 3-1 win over Yankees

Hearing from Showalter after 3-1 win over Yankees
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have agreed to terms with 16 players on one-year contracts. All players currently on the 40-man roster are now signed for 2015. The list includes pitchers Brad Brach, Jason Garcia, Kevin Gausman, Logan Verrett, Tyler Wilson, Mike Wright, Tim Berry and T.J. McFarland, catchers Steve Clevenger and Caleb Joseph, infielders Manny Machado, Jimmy Paredes, Jonathan Schoop and Christian Walker, and outfielders David Lough and Henry Urrutia. Machado has his contract renewed...

Orioles preparing for two games today in latest scheduling challenge

Orioles preparing for two games today in latest scheduling challenge
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles haven't been allowed to ease into their exhibition schedule this spring. Rather than stick their toe in the water, they basically have to get a running start and cannonball into the pool. The first day required a trip to Lakeland to play the Tigers. The Orioles already have split-squad games on tap today against the Rays in Port Charlotte and the Blue Jays in Sarasota, and they travel to Dunedin on Friday. If they had to rate their least favorite trips on the...

Orioles hire Ramon Martinez, game update, Gausman quotes (O's lose 5-4)

Orioles hire Ramon Martinez, game update, Gausman quotes (O's lose 5-4)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Tigers 5, Orioles 4 Recap: J.J. Hardy had both Orioles hits before leaving the game for a pinch-runner in the sixth inning. Ryan Flaherty singled in the seventh. The Orioles scored three runs in the eighth on Dariel Alvarez's RBI single and Nolan Reimold's two-run single. Jayson Nix hit a two-out homer in the ninth, the Orioles' first longball of the spring. Kevin Gausman faced three batters in a scoreless first inning, allowing a leadoff single to Anthony Gose,...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are down to their final day of strictly workouts before their first exhibition game on Tuesday against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. Players have reached the point in camp where they're ready for the competition, ready to do something different besides going field to field for various drills, throwing off practice mounds and hitting in the cage. They want to face an opponent and reduce the distance between themselves and opening day. Yesterday's intrasquad game...

Everth Cabrera, the 40-man roster and Ramon Martinez

Everth Cabrera, the 40-man roster and Ramon Martinez
SARASOTA, Fla. - The last few Orioles position players are due to report today, and they should be joined by infielder Everth Cabrera, who was headed to Sarasota last night. We may never run out of players to interview. Cabrera might not be made available to the media before the deal becomes official, but we're getting real close. The Orioles already know that Cabrera can play shortstop and they assume that he can make a smooth transition to second base. They also will put him in the outfield...