Orioles recall Phillips and Hart

Orioles recall Phillips and Hart
The Orioles have beefed up their bullpen while trying to piece together a rotation that's become heavy in rookies. Right-hander Evan Phillips and left-hander Donnie Hart have been recalled today from Triple-A Norfolk to bring the active roster to 35 players. The pitching staff has grown to 18. Manager Buck Showalter has saved rookies Josh Rogers and David Hess to back up rookies Luis Ortiz and Yefry Ramírez, who are starting the first two games of the series against the White Sox at Camden...

Alex Cobb finished what he started, plus farm notes

Alex Cobb finished what he started, plus farm notes
The Orioles have played two pretty solid games in Cleveland this weekend and they posted an impressive 4-2 win on Saturday afternoon to end the Indians' six-game win streak. Right-hander Alex Cobb had another strong start. In fact, he pitched a complete-game five-hitter to improve to 4-15 with a 5.09 ERA. Cobb posted his fourth career complete game and his first nine-inning complete-game since a shutout versus Oakland on Aug. 23, 2012. Cobb has posted five straight quality starts with a 2.06...

More on Gentry rejoining O's, tonight's game, Kline's candidacy

More on Gentry rejoining O's, tonight's game, Kline's candidacy
The Orioles begin their three-game series in Cleveland tonight with Craig Gentry replacing Adam Jones on the 25-man roster while the latter goes on the bereavement list. Gentry is out of minor league options, however, which brings uncertainty to the length of his stay. Jones will miss the entire series because he's required to be gone for a minimum of three days. He'll rejoin the club in Toronto. Paternity leave enables a player to return in fewer than three days. I'm not clear on why Major...

Orioles option Hart to make room for Gilmartin (O's down 4-0)

Orioles option Hart to make room for Gilmartin (O's down 4-0)
The Orioles optioned left-hander Donnie Hart to Triple-A Norfolk today to make roster room for southpaw reliever Sean Gilmartin, the former first-round pick whose contract was selected from the Tides. Gilmartin joins Tanner Scott and Paul Fry as lefties in an eight-man bullpen. Hart has registered a 5.79 ERA and 2.286 WHIP in 15 appearances this season. He's allowed nine earned runs (10 total) and 24 hits and walked eight batters in 14 innings. In 27 games with the Tides, Hart has allowed only...

Orioles selecting Gilmartin's contract

Orioles selecting Gilmartin's contract
The Orioles are selecting the contract of left-hander Sean Gilmartin from Triple-A Norfolk and he's going to be in the bullpen for Game 1 of today's doubleheader against the Red Sox. The corresponding move could involve left-hander Donnie Hart, who last night allowed three inherited runners and three of his own to score in only one-third of an inning. He's been recalled eight times this season. Gilmartin, 28 signed a minor league deal on July 13 and has gone 2-0 with a 3.14 ERA in seven...

Bumbry on Mullins: "He can run, he can field, he can throw"

Bumbry on Mullins: "He can run, he can field, he can throw"
The two biggest foolers in baseball tend to be spring training and September stats. What you see isn't necessarily what you get outside the confines of a small sample size. Manager Buck Showalter has issued the warning on multiple occasions. Not to keep picking on Jake Fox, but he was Babe Ruth in exhibition games. The media created an imaginary award in his honor. The plays that Cedric Mullins kept making in center field were real and didn't come with any warnings. The diving catches on...

Mullins debuts with three hits, but O's lose big (with Mullins quotes)

Mullins debuts with three hits, but O's lose big (with Mullins quotes)
The Orioles had a chance for a feel-good win on Cedric Mullins' first night in the majors, and with the kid making a major contribution. But Boston's potent offense and some very shaky Orioles pitching didn't allow it. The O's led 8-3 after the third inning but lost 19-12 tonight in front of 23,649 at Camden Yards in the opener of a four-game weekend series. The Orioles (35-81) have lost six of their past eight games. They are 2-11 versus Boston this year and 2-14 in the last 16 between...

Mullins' debut a bright spot in 19-12 loss (with quotes)

Mullins' debut a bright spot in 19-12 loss (with quotes)
As the Orioles ran onto the field tonight for the anthem at Camden Yards, Adam Jones found his mark and stood next to Trey Mancini with his back to the infield. Cedric Mullins trailed them, despite Jones' urging that he leave the dugout first, and stepped in between, finding his niche as the new center fielder. He wasn't too bad as the No. 9 hitter. Mullins lined an RBI double to right field off Nathan Eovaldi in his first major league at-bat in the second inning, bringing the Orioles'...

Rickard makes another statement but Rays get last word (with quotes)

Rickard makes another statement but Rays get last word (with quotes)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - While the buzz continues surrounding Triple-A center fielder Cedric Mullins and his anticipated arrival in Baltimore, perhaps on the upcoming homestand, maybe as early as the weekend, Joey Rickard is fighting to hold onto his roster spot. He's gotten used to it, his minor league options always placing him on the bubble. But give him more games against the Rays and he'd become immovable. Plucked from Tampa Bay's organization in the 2015 Rule 5 draft, Rickard appears to...

Orioles break out nicknames for "Players' Weekend"

Orioles break out nicknames for "Players' Weekend"
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Major League Baseball is holding another "Players' Weekend" on Aug. 24-26, and one of the perks is the unveiling of more nicknames that will appear on the backs of game jerseys. The Orioles made so many trades last month, fans need a program to learn the real names. But they can take a break and maybe learn a little more about the personalities. Infielder Tim Beckham is "Swaggy," dropping the "T" that accompanied it last year. Infielder Danny Valencia is...

Wrapping up the series-ending 9-6 win at Texas

Wrapping up the series-ending 9-6 win at Texas
ARLINGTON, Texas - If you can show leadership for a team that won't have a winning record and might finish with the worst record in the majors, Mark Trumbo did today. He's not a vocal leader like Adam Jones, but seems to have embraced taking a bigger leadership role on the new-look Orioles - the team that remains after the trades. Today Trumbo hit two homers and drove in five as the Orioles beat the Rangers 9-6 to avoid a four-game sweep. Trumbo had two hits today that gave his team the lead...

Mark Trumbo homers twice, bullpen fans 12 in win

Mark Trumbo homers twice, bullpen fans 12 in win
ARLINGTON, Texas - On a steamy Texas Sunday when Orioles starter Yefry Ramírez struggled badly, the bullpen and the longball bailed him out and the Orioles escaped Globe Life Park with one win this weekend. The Orioles beat Texas 9-6 in front of 19,961 today to improve to 34-78 and avoid getting swept four straight. The Orioles are 2-4 on this trip and they are 14-43 away from Oriole Park. Texas falls to 48-64 with its second loss in eight games. Mark Trumbo, who got his 1,000th career hit...

David Hess knocked out early as Texas wins big (postgame quotes)

David Hess knocked out early as Texas wins big (postgame quotes)
ARLINGTON, Texas - The Orioles rotation had put together a run of five quality starts the previous six games. And then the O's arrived in Arlington, Texas. Right-hander Andrew Cashner gave up 10 runs last night, and right-hander David Hess allowed seven tonight as the Rangers beat the Orioles 11-3 at Globe Life Park. Hess went 3 1/3 innings and gave up five hits and those seven runs (five earned) with one walk and four strikeouts. He falls to 2-6 with a 6.58 ERA. Tonight was Hess' first major...

Checking back with scouts on recent acquisitions

Checking back with scouts on recent acquisitions
Multiple scouts who have chimed in on the Orioles' return for their July trades use the term "up and down guys," labeled for their lower ceilings but usefulness on a major league club. Guys who may be riding the Triple-A shuttle but can serve a purpose. Reliever Evan Phillips joined the club yesterday in Texas while the Orioles placed Jhan Mariñez on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring. He retired all six batters he faced and became the 49th player used this season after...

Showalter on roster additions, O'Day's departure and more

Showalter on roster additions, O'Day's departure and more
NEW YORK - Infielder Jonathan Villar, acquired from the Brewers yesterday in the Jonathan Schoop trade, is joining the Orioles on Thursday in Texas. Villar has been on the disabled list since July 15 with a thumb injury. Manager Buck Showalter hasn't crafted a set plan for how he's using Villar, who can play second base, shortstop and third base. "I'm going to look at it on the travel down," Showalter said. "Dan (Duquette) said we'd talk today. I'm sure we'll talk some about...

Orioles and Yankees lineups (Hart recalled)

Orioles and Yankees lineups (Hart recalled)
NEW YORK - The Orioles filled their open roster spot this morning by recalling left-hander Donnie Hart from Triple-A Norfolk. He serves as the replacement for starter Kevin Gausman, who was traded yesterday to the Braves. Hart has been recalled nine times this season. Alex Cobb is seeking his third win and the first since June 5. His 14 losses lead the majors. Cobb is 6-4 with a 2.99 ERA and 0.996 WHIP in 14 career starts against the Yankees and he has a 3.12 ERA and 0.865 WHIP in five starts...

Showalter on the lineup, bullpen and more (game update)

Showalter on the lineup, bullpen and more (game update)
TORONTO - Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is not starting today. But it has nothing to do with either an injury or a trade. When the Orioles played at Rogers Centre in June, Jones started all four games on the turf playing surface. But manager Buck Showalter didn't want him starting all three games in this series. "Just turf," he said. "He took a ball off his foot (on Friday). I figured he'd be as sore if not (more) sore today. We were contemplating (a day off) yesterday. Same with Chris...

Hart optioned again, Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Hart optioned again, Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
The Orioles activated Andrew Cashner from the 10-day disabled list to make today's start in Toronto that wraps up the three-game series. They optioned left-hander Donnie Hart for the eighth time this season to create room on the 25-man roster. The bullpen is down to eight relievers, including left-handers Zach Britton, Tanner Scott and Paul Fry, and the Orioles continue to carry a three-man bench. Adam Jones gets a break today from the Rogers Centre turf. Joey Rickard is in center field, Jace...

A few notes from the Orioles' second 1-0 win of 2018

A few notes from the Orioles' second 1-0 win of 2018
The Orioles are now 2-24 this year when they score one run or no runs. And yes, it is hard to win doing that. You pretty much have to win 1-0. In fact, you do have to win by that score, and they did last night over Texas. Right-hander Yefry Ramírez had another strong start going the first five innings, but he didn't get the win. Reliever Brad Brach did. Ramírez, Brach, Donnie Hart, Mychal Givens and Zach Britton teamed on a four-hitter with 12 strikeouts to give the Orioles their second...

Notes on rotation, Ramírez's next chance, Gilmartin (O's down 5-4)

Notes on rotation, Ramírez's next chance, Gilmartin (O's down 5-4)
Jimmy Yacabonis appears to be the choice to start Sunday afternoon's game against the Rangers, which closes out the first half. The Orioles are keeping him available and intend to recall him before the game. Meanwhile, Chris Tillman remains the starter at Triple-A Norfolk. The assignment will mark Yacabonis' third major league start. He's allowed a combined five runs and 12 hits over nine innings, with two walks and 10 strikeouts. Yefry Ramírez gets the start Saturday night and is...