Orioles option Hart and cross fingers for extended Ramirez start

Orioles option Hart and cross fingers for extended Ramirez start
The Orioles spent the morning and part of the afternoon deciding on the corresponding roster move for pitcher Yefry Ramirez, debating the wisdom of removing a reliever and finding themselves undermanned in the bullpen with a rookie making his first major league start. Risky business, for sure. Left-hander Donnie Hart has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after spending one day with the club. He worked a scoreless inning last night, though he allowed two hits and walked a batter and needed a 9-2...

Roster move, next starter, Araujo on elbow (O's down 6-2)

Roster move, next starter, Araujo on elbow (O's down 6-2)
The Orioles made their roster move official about an hour before first pitch by placing Andrew Cashner on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to Saturday with a strained muscle in his lower back. Left-hander Donnie Hart was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Hart is available in the bullpen tonight. He's allowed one earned run (two total) and six hits in 5 2/3 innings with the Orioles over five appearances as he continues to ride the shuttle between Norfolk and the majors. He's registered a...

Andrew Cashner headed to disabled list

Andrew Cashner headed to disabled list
The Orioles are placing Andrew Cashner on the 10-day disabled list later today with soreness in his lower back. A reliever will be added to the roster to expand the bullpen, and Cashner's replacement as Wednesday afternoon's starter will be confirmed later. Donnie Hart and Yefry Ramirez are headed to Baltimore from Triple-A Norfolk, confirming an earlier tweet from The Virginian-Pilot's David Hall. Ramirez could start Wednesday in his major league debut or back up Miguel Castro, the in-house...

Today's roster move and more on injured players (O's down 4-1)

Today's roster move and more on injured players (O's down 4-1)
The Orioles optioned left-hander Donnie Hart to Triple-A Norfolk this afternoon to make room for infielder Danny Valencia's return from paternity leave. The bench is back to four players and the bullpen is down to two southpaws. Valencia is available to play tonight. "He'll take some swings, take some swings and get back in it," said manager Buck Showalter. "He's been away really for three days. Been a pretty lack of sleep three days, as some of you fathers know. You'll probably see him...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Last night's postponement pushes the Orioles' starters back a day in the series and bumps Dylan Bundy from facing the Yankees. Andrew Cashner gets the ball tonight - weather permitting, of course - followed by Kevin Gausman on Saturday and Alex Cobb on Sunday. The Orioles are off Monday, other than working the First-Year Player Draft, which keeps Bundy waiting until Tuesday night against the Mets at Citi Field. Bundy is 2-3 with a 5.34 ERA and 1.582 WHIP in seven career games against the...

Showalter on Schoop, Peterson, Britton and more (postponed)

Showalter on Schoop, Peterson, Britton and more (postponed)
Jonathan Schoop will try to bust out of his slump tonight against Yankees right-hander Sonny Gray. He's batting fifth for the first time this season after occupying the cleanup spot in 21 games. Manager Buck Showalter also used Schoop once as the leadoff hitter and batted him third in 14 games. Nothing is working for Schoop while he's gone 3-for-20 with seven strikeouts in his last five games. Three of the strikeouts came last night against Nationals starter Max Scherzer. He's getting good...

Notes on Valencia, Hart and more (O's down 2-0)

Notes on Valencia, Hart and more (O's down 2-0)
The decision on Danny Valencia's return to the Orioles rests entirely with the player and his family. Valencia went on paternity leave today following the birth of his first child, Oliver, early this morning. He can be away from the club for a maximum of three days, but is allowed to come back sooner. It's a different rule if a player goes on bereavement leave. He has to be gone for the three full days. "That's completely up to Danny and his wife (Jocelyn)," said manager Buck Showalter....

Valencia on paternity leave, Hart joining Orioles

Valencia on paternity leave, Hart joining Orioles
The Orioles will recall left-hander Donnie Hart for tonight's game as the replacement for infielder Danny Valencia, who's been placed on the paternity list. Valencia is the proud father of a baby boy, Oliver, born a little after 6 a.m. Though Valencia can be away from the club for a maximum of three days, he's allowed to come back sooner if he chooses. Meanwhile, Hart gives the Orioles a fresh left-hander after Tanner Scott pitched in two of the last three games. Hart hasn't pitched in four...

Hart's "aggression" could get him back to the majors

Hart's "aggression" could get him back to the majors
The same changes that enabled left-hander Donnie Hart to experience some success in spring training also got him back to the majors. One of the nicest guys in the clubhouse has widened his mean streak. It's not a personality disorder. He isn't undergoing anger-management classes. Hart just slipped into more of an attack mode on the mound. Hart has made four appearances with the Orioles during two stints - he was optioned before Sunday's game in Boston - and allowed one earned run with no...

Showalter on Davis' exclusion from lineup (O's down 5-0)

Showalter on Davis' exclusion from lineup (O's down 5-0)
BOSTON - The Orioles are closing out the Boston portion of their three-city road trip today without Chris Davis in the lineup. Davis' average is down to .166 with a .241 on-base percentage and .272 slugging percentage. He's gone 2-for-24 with 12 strikeouts in his last six games. The Red Sox are starting Eduardo Rodriguez, making it an easier call for manager Buck Showalter to sit Davis, who's 5-for-36 against left-handers this season. Davis is 5-for-27 with 14 strikeouts against Rodriguez,...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
BOSTON - Left-hander Donnie Hart isn't listed on the Orioles lineup card today and has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for starter David Hess. First baseman Chris Davis, on pace for a record 231 strikeouts this season, is on the bench against Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. Trey Mancini is playing first base. Craig Gentry is in left field. The Orioles have homered in 12 straight games. Their 24 home runs since May 6 lead the majors. The Orioles are hitting .210 in the...

Gausman gone by the fifth in 6-2 loss (updated)

Gausman gone by the fifth in 6-2 loss (updated)
BOSTON - The numbers didn't lie. Mookie Betts was 12-for-29 against Orioles starter Kevin Gausman heading into tonight's game. He led off the bottom of the first inning with a sharp single into left field. J.D. Martinez was 4-for-7 against Gausman. He drove a splitter into the center field seats. The lopsided nature of the inning also held true, along with the Orioles' futility on the road. Gausman couldn't get out of the fifth inning or stop the Red Sox from running wild, David Price went...

Wondering what's next for the roster

Wondering what's next for the roster
Orioles manager Buck Showalter hinted that a roster move could be made following yesterday's game or later today. No announcement was forthcoming after a 4-1 loss to the Phillies. It must be happening while the team is in Boston. The bullpen is housing three left-handers, which is unusual in a season when Richard Bleier often has been the lone guy. Tanner Scott rejoined him on May 9 while Darren O'Day went on the disabled list with a hyperextended right elbow. Donnie Hart was called up on...

Wrapping up a 17-1 win

Wrapping up a 17-1 win
Dylan Bundy walked the leadoff hitter today and whatever thoughts had drifted away from his last start came rushing back to it. This afternoon's outing wouldn't be a duplicate. Bundy retired the next three batters on a ground ball and two strikeouts. He didn't surrendered a hit until two outs in the fourth. He wouldn't make history against the Rays. He'd simply go back to being Bundy. The Orioles would become the '27 Yankees, which was far more unpredictable. Danny Valencia, Joey Rickard...

Showalter on today's roster moves (O's lead 3-0)

Showalter on today's roster moves (O's lead 3-0)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter apologized this morning for his late arrival to the daily media briefing. He's had a busy day. Showalter didn't want the roster moves revealed until the arriving players reported to Camden Yards. Outfielder Joey Rickard and left-hander Donnie Hart walked through the doors and the transactions were official. Rickard appeared in two games with the Orioles on April 28-29 and went 1-for-5 with three walks and two runs scored. He's batting .301/.424/.462 in 27 games...

Santander, Yacabonis optioned; Hart and Rickard recalled

Santander, Yacabonis optioned; Hart and Rickard recalled
The Orioles optioned pitcher Jimmy Yacabonis to Triple-A Norfolk and outfielder Anthony Santander to Double-A Bowie prior to today's game against the Rays. As replacements, left-hander Donnie Hart and outfielder Joey Rickard have been recalled from Norfolk. Rickard is starting today in right field. Santander lost his Rule 5 status yesterday and will play left and right field at Bowie. The Rays are starting left-hander Blake Snell today and the manager Buck Showalter wanted another right-handed...

O'Day goes on disabled list

O'Day goes on disabled list
Orioles manager Buck Showalter mentioned the possibility earlier today of a roster move involving the bullpen and it was announced after batting practice, with reliever Darren O'Day going on the 10-day disabled list and left-hander Tanner Scott recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. O'Day has a hyperextended right elbow. The DL move is retroactive to Sunday. Showalter used O'Day in Friday night's game in Oakland and the right-hander allowed one run and two hits in 1 2/3 innings. He also struck out...

During another winless road trip, O's offense came up way short

During another winless road trip, O's offense came up way short
The Orioles seem like a boat taking on water right now and every hole that gets plugged just seems to open another. Or two others. The rotation has been inconsistent, the bullpen worse than expected, the defense has been at times just terrible and other times very mediocre. Good has not been part of the equation many nights on defense. But the Orioles offense has under-performed in a big way. For several years the Orioles have been around or just above a league-average run-scoring offense in...

Orioles need to leave their troubles on the road

Orioles need to leave their troubles on the road
What's next for the Orioles besides a 10-game homestand that starts with four against the Indians and the task of preventing a losing streak from reaching seven? Included among the losses should be the "it's still early" narrative, because seasons have imploded well before the break. A sense of urgency isn't misplaced. This is an important series. No one is recommending wide-spread panic, but the Orioles need to get on a roll and cleanse themselves of this mess. A roster move apparently is...

Hess optioned to Norfolk

Hess optioned to Norfolk
BOSTON - The Orioles are preparing to make another adjustment to their roster in Detroit, where they begin a three-game series Tuesday night. Unable to play today due to rain, the Orioles announced that they optioned right-hander David Hess to Triple-A Norfolk one day after recalling him. No word on the corresponding move. Hess arrived in Boston yesterday while the Orioles optioned Donnie Hart to Norfolk. Hart wasn't going to be available for a few days after pitching in back-to-back games and...