Notes on Jones, Hart, Flaherty, Britton and Harvey (updated)

Notes on Jones, Hart, Flaherty, Britton and Harvey (updated)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter will reveal the identity of Friday night's starter following today's batting practice session at Camden Yards. "We want to make sure that a couple things to well today," Showalter said. Showalter indicated yesterday that the choice came down to Alec Asher or Ubaldo Jiménez. Asher lasted only two innings Sunday in Houston and gave up six runs. Jiménez relieved him, allowed two runs in the third and retired 16 of the last 18 batters while covering the rest...

Jiménez: "I have a lot of faith that things change" (O's down 5-2)

Jiménez: "I have a lot of faith that things change" (O's down 5-2)
HOUSTON - Ubaldo Jiménez is back in the Orioles bullpen tonight, unsure if his latest demotion will bring better results when he's on the mound. Unsure exactly when he'll get on a mound. This is a confusing time for Jiménez, who says that his mechanics aren't an issue this season. If not, where did he go wrong? Asked whether he can work on anything specific, Jiménez replied, "Not really, because I don't think my mechanics were bad. I was just getting hit. That's pretty much what...

Orioles recall Hart, Jones out of starting lineup

Orioles recall Hart, Jones out of starting lineup
HOUSTON - The Orioles added and subtracted a left-hander from the bullpen before tonight's game against the Astros at Minute Maid Park. Donnie Hart has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and Jayson Aquino has been optioned to the Tides. Hart was optioned on May 17. He became eligible today to return following the required 10-day period. Hart is 1-0 and a 3.95 ERA in 19 appearances, with six runs and 19 hits in 13 2/3 innings. He's walked four batters and struck out 16. Left-handers are...

Orioles recall Castro and option Hart (O's down 5-4)

Orioles recall Castro and option Hart (O's down 5-4)
DETROIT - The Orioles had another roster move in them before tonight's game against the Tigers. Pitcher Miguel Castro has been recalled from Double-A Bowie, with left-hander Donnie Hart optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Castro will wear No. 50. Castro made one relief appearance with the Baysox after leaving extended spring training and allowed one run and six hits over four innings. He didn't walk a batter. The Orioles acquired Castro, 22, from the Rockies on April 7 for a player to be named or...

O's kept blowing leads, but kept scoring in wild win over Detroit

O's kept blowing leads, but kept scoring in wild win over Detroit
The Orioles had a 7-1 lead and lost it. The Tigers had an 8-7 lead with two outs in the ninth inning and lost it. The Orioles had an 11-8 lead in the 12th and lost it. The Orioles had a 13-11 lead in the 13th and held it. In a bizarre and crazy game that saw the Orioles bullpen allow seven more runs, including a grand slam, they somehow won over the Tigers. It started last night but ended this morning. After the midnight hour. It was the longest game of the year by both innings (13) and in the...

Orioles fight back for 13-11 13-inning win over Tigers (updated)

Orioles fight back for 13-11 13-inning win over Tigers (updated)
DETROIT - The Orioles can't seem to avoid testing the resiliency of their short bullpen. Even if it means running out of arms. Wade Miley became the latest starter tonight who didn't work into the late innings, coming out after failing to retire a batter in the sixth, and the bullpen fumbled two more leads. A game stretched to 13 innings before the Tigers convinced everyone that they, indeed, have the worst bullpen in baseball. Chris Davis hit his second home run of the night, a two-run shot...

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...

Can Orioles sustain a six-man bullpen?

Can Orioles sustain a six-man bullpen?
The Orioles head into tonight's game in Kansas City maintaining their six-man bullpen, which isn't always going to be fully stocked. There have been empty spaces of late, which is impacting games and bringing into question how much longer the Orioles can go with their expanded five-man bench. Manager Buck Showalter indicated to reporters last night that he didn't want to use two relievers and was holding back a third for a save situation. Showalter mentioned in D.C. that he wanted to rest...

Showalter, Bundy and Joseph after O's loss in series opener

Showalter, Bundy and Joseph after O's loss in series opener
KANSAS CITY - A team that plays a lot of close games is going to need its key bullpen pitchers late in the game. Already without All-Star closer Zach Britton, the Orioles tried to get through tonight without using at least two bullpen pitchers. With two lefties due up, left-hander Vidal Nuño took the mound in the last of the eighth of a 2-2 tie. He gave up three hits, including a tie-breaking double by Eric Hosmer, as Kansas City beat the Orioles 3-2 in front of 25,467 at Kauffman...

Hart warming to idea of broader role

Hart warming to idea of broader role
Losing Zach Britton to another left forearm strain has given the Orioles an altered bullpen look in multiple ways. It's not just about having someone else close. Going with six relievers also factors into it, of course. There are times when someone is warming in a certain situation, like Alec Asher in the eighth inning or Vidal Nuño in the ninth, and a second peek through the binoculars is needed for confirmation. But anything goes at the moment. Donnie Hart doesn't want to be cast as a...

Wrapping up a 7-6 loss

Wrapping up a 7-6 loss
WASHINGTON - The challenge was immense and hardly discreet. To beat the Nationals, the Orioles would have to go through Gio Gonzalez, Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg in the first three games. This is baseball's equivalent of swimming through the shark cage with a salami hanging from your neck. With three outs to go tonight, the Orioles appeared to have made it to the other side without a scratch. Strasburg was positioned for the loss. Brad Brach just needed to hold a two-run lead with...

Castillo: "I think this weekend would be good"

Castillo: "I think this weekend would be good"
WASHINGTON - Catcher Welington Castillo anticipates that the Orioles will activate him from the disabled list over the weekend, only a few days past the date that he became eligible. Castillo technically could come off the DL for Thursday's series finale against the Nationals, but the Orioles want him to continue with his throwing progression and make certain that the discomfort doesn't return to his right shoulder. Castillo threw yesterday for the first time since the Orioles put him on the...

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...

Britton on exam and expectations for return (O's win 5-4 in 12th)

Britton on exam and expectations for return (O's win 5-4 in 12th)
Orioles closer Zach Britton said he expects to be back on the active roster no later than 45 days following yesterday's examination in Los Angeles. Britton flew down to Sarasota and will begin his throwing progress in about 10 days, the only timeline that's been presented to him. "Go from there and feel my way through it," said Brittton, who returned to the disabled list with a strained left forearm and underwent another MRI yesterday during his exam with Dr. Neal ElAttrache. "He had...

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...

Showalter speaks after 6-5 win

Showalter speaks after 6-5 win
The Orioles got back to their series-winning ways this weekend after a loss and split in their two previous tries. Manny Machado and Trey Mancini hit home runs, and Dylan Bundy ran his streak of quality starts to seven in a 6-5 victory over the White Sox before an announced crowd of 28,718 at Camden Yards. Machado delivered a solo shot in the second inning off White Sox rookie Dylan Covey and Mancini launched a two-run shot in the fifth. Covey left the game with the Orioles ahead...

Miley expects to make his next start, Hart on loss of Britton

Miley expects to make his next start, Hart on loss of Britton
After last night's game, Orioles left-hander Wade Miley felt his left wrist contusion was not going to be much of a problem. And today, even though he had a wrap on his left wrist, he said he fully expects to make his next start on Wednesday. "Yeah, I feel fine," Miley said. "I could pitch tonight if they needed me. I feel like my wrist is fine. I think it is one of those things where they are trying to be cautious. "I've never been hit twice. I've never seen it. I wrapped it last night...

Orioles rally to gain split over the Red Sox (with quotes)

Orioles rally to gain split over the Red Sox (with quotes)
BOSTON - The Orioles left the bases loaded in the first inning last night and came up empty after working Red Sox starter Drew Pomeranz for 34 pitches. They had two runners in scoring position in the first inning tonight and again couldn't put a run on the board. If the lack of clutch hitting wasn't enough of an irritant, the Orioles allowed three straight two-out singles tonight in the bottom of the first, botched a rundown and fell behind by two runs. This is how a losing streak can stretch...

Benches warned, a triple play executed and a game lost

Benches warned, a triple play executed and a game lost
BOSTON - Adam Jones heard his name announced tonight over the public address system at Fenway Park and the polite round of applause that accompanied his stroll to the plate in the first inning steadily grew into a standing ovation, fans reaching out to a rival player who was subjected last night to racial taunts and a bag of peanuts thrown in his direction. Red Sox starter Chris Sale recognized the significance of the moment, stepped off the mound and let it build. Jones took a step out of the...

Britton's return and tonight's game

Britton's return and tonight's game
BOSTON - The Orioles are back in first place and ready to activate their closer from the disabled list. A strong bullpen is adding more muscle. We'll find out how much flexing it does tonight with Alec Asher making his second start for the Orioles. Zach Britton will be available to the Orioles for the first time since allowing his only run in six appearances on April 14 in Toronto. No more discomfort in his forearm area. No more concerns that it might be a sign of an elbow injury. Britton has...