O's game blog: It's Dylan Bundy against Chris Sale at Fenway Park

O's game blog: It's Dylan Bundy against Chris Sale at Fenway Park
The Orioles have been outscored 17-6 in the first two games of their series at Fenway Park in Boston. Today in frigid conditions, they'll send right-hander Dylan Bundy (0-1, 1.35 ERA) to the mound in search of victory. At 5-10, the Orioles are off to their worst 15-game start since the 2010 team began the season 2-13. The Orioles have lost five in a row to Boston, dating to last season. The Red Sox are 12-2, the best record they've ever had at this point in the year in their 118-year history....

Orioles recall Hess and option Hart

Orioles recall Hess and option Hart
BOSTON - The Orioles have recalled pitcher David Hess from Triple-A Norfolk today and optioned left-hander Donnie Hart to the Tides in the latest adjustment to the bullpen. Hart was used in the last two games, allowing an unearned run in 2 2/3 innings, and wouldn't be available for the rest of the series. And the need for a second southpaw isn't as pronounced for the three-game set against the Tigers that begins on Tuesday at Comerica Park. Hess, 24, was scratched from yesterday's start in...

Wondering again about the Orioles roster

Wondering again about the Orioles roster
BOSTON - The Orioles' streak of roster moves on game days is up to seven with Jonathan Schoop going on the disabled list yesterday and Alex Cobb getting his official recall from Double-A Bowie. Will it grow to eight? The bullpen is the usual suspect, so let's go there first. Donnie Hart threw 17 pitches Friday night after being recalled and 22 yesterday while working twice in less than 24 hours. He retired four of five batters in his debut and allowed an unearned run yesterday over 1 1/3...

Cobb's career with Orioles begins today

Cobb's career with Orioles begins today
BOSTON - The wait is over. The plastic comes off Alex Cobb today and the Orioles are allowed to play with their new toy. Cobb finally gets to make his 2018 debut after simulated and extended spring training games. And he'll try to give the Orioles their fourth quality start in the last five games. This will be Cobb's first major league outing since Sept. 22 at Camden Yards, when he allowed three runs over six innings in an 8-3 win. Chris Davis homered off him in the fourth inning. The Orioles...

Tillman toppled in two-plus in Orioles 7-3 loss

Tillman toppled in two-plus in Orioles 7-3 loss
BOSTON - If the antiquated ballpark in Boston couldn't fix Chris Tillman, what's left for the Orioles to do? A 2.39 ERA in nine career starts at Fenway Park meant nothing tonight. It didn't enable Tillman to locate the plate, to lower his pitches into the strike zone, to gain velocity on his fastball, to properly defend himself. Tillman faced three batters in the third inning without recording an out and was charged with six runs in the Red Sox's 7-3 victory over the Orioles. His ERA rose...

Injury updates and more on Hart's promotion

Injury updates and more on Hart's promotion
BOSTON - On a relatively slow news day so far, here are a few injury updates related to the Orioles: * Pitcher Gabriel Ynoa, on the disabled list with a right shin stress reaction, is undergoing an MRI today on his right shoulder. His condition hasn't spread. This is something unrelated. "The shin seems to be doing well," said manager Buck Showalter, "but he's had some shoulder issues." * Left-hander Chris Lee, who sustained an oblique injury while facing his only batter in spring...

Trumbo update and Hart's return

Trumbo update and Hart's return
BOSTON - Mark Trumbo sat at his usual locker this afternoon inside the cramped visiting clubhouse at Fenway Park, ready to work out but unsure when his right quadriceps muscle will heal to the point where he can play gain. The Orioles removed Trumbo from his injury rehab assignment after one game at Double-A Bowie. Manager Buck Showalter said it wasn't a setback that led to the decision and Trumbo confirmed it today. "I think it's accurate," he said. "The timeline that kind of roughly was...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
BOSTON - The Orioles made their roster move official this afternoon by recalling left-hander Donnie Hart from Triple-A Norfolk to take Yefry Ramirez's spot in the bullpen. Ramirez was optioned to Norfolk following Wednesday night's game. Trey Mancini stays in the lineup after being hit on the right hand Wednesday night and undergoing an X-ray that came back negative. Danny Valencia is the designated hitter tonight and Chris Davis is batting sixth. Craig Gentry is in right field with the Red...

Donnie Hart joining Orioles in Boston

Donnie Hart joining Orioles in Boston
The Orioles will add left-hander Donnie Hart to their bullpen for Friday night's game against the Red Sox. Hart is meeting up with the team in Boston and will join Richard Bleier as the only southpaw relief options for manager Buck Showalter. He basically is going to replace Nestor Cortes Jr., though it took a few other moves since the Orioles designated the Rule 5 pick for assignment. The Orioles will continue to have an open spot on their 40-man roster after choosing Hart, who's allowed one...

Waiting for the next reliever to join the Orioles

Waiting for the next reliever to join the Orioles
With the Orioles coming upon the second open date on their schedule, I feel supremely confident that their streak of roster moves will end at five days in a row. Unless, of course, they decide to announce the corresponding move for pitcher Yefry Ramirez, optioned last night to Triple-A Norfolk, instead of waiting until Friday. So much for supremely confident. I was blindsided yesterday by the decision to recall utility infielder Engelb Vielma, but it made sense considering that Hunter Harvey...

Orioles bullpen about to undergo more changes

Orioles bullpen about to undergo more changes
The Orioles might be able to complete their series against the Blue Jays tonight without creating another wave in their 25-man roster. It could be stagnant until their charter lands in Boston. There's going to be more movement with the Orioles carrying only one left-hander in their eight-man bullpen. A second southpaw needs to be inserted and manager Buck Showalter eventually wants to get back to a four-man bench. Hunter Harvey and Yefry Ramirez would appear to be short-termers, the Orioles...

Bullpen won't provide many options for Orioles

Bullpen won't provide many options for Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Whatever combination of relievers makes up the Orioles bullpen on opening day, it's not going to offer much flexibility for manager Buck Showalter. The desire for an optionable 'pen has to be muted. Of the pitchers assured of breaking camp with the team, only Mychal Givens and left-hander Richard Bleier can be sent down and they aren't the typical candidates to ride the Triple-A shuttle. Brad Brach is out of options. Rule 5 picks Nestor Cortes Jr. and Pedro Araujo can't be...

Wynns optioned and wrapping up a 5-4 loss

Wynns optioned and wrapping up a 5-4 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made a bold statement about their backup catching situation today by optioning Austin Wynns to Triple-A Norfolk. The remaining candidates are down to Chance Sisco and Andrew Susac. Wynns batted .222/.391/.556 (4-for-18) with two home runs, three RBIs, five walks and seven strikeouts. His work behind the plate earned him high marks, but couldn't prevent him from heading to minor league camp. "The way Austin is, he's just pushing all the time," said manager Buck...

Hart optioned, Showalter on backup catchers (O's down 5-1)

Hart optioned, Showalter on backup catchers (O's down 5-1)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles reduced the competition among left-handed relievers in camp this afternoon by optioning Donnie Hart to Triple-A Norfolk. Hart allowed three runs and 10 hits in eight innings, with three walks and 11 strikeouts. He appeared in 51 games with the Orioles last summer and was 2-0 with a 3.71 ERA and 1.397 WHIP in 43 2/3 innings. Joely Rodriguez and Josh Edgin are vying for a spot and their chances could be influenced by Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr., who might work out...

What's left for Orioles to consider in bullpen?

What's left for Orioles to consider in bullpen?
SARASOTA, Fla. - The composition of the Orioles bullpen on opening day hinges on a variety of factors. Which candidate for the fifth starter's job slips into a relief role? How many Rule 5 picks make the roster? How many left-handers will manager Buck Showalter choose to carry? Showalter doesn't appear to have a set number of southpaws in mind. "All scenarios are in play right now," he said. "If you look at an all right-handed rotation, the potential for that, then it's something that you...

Brach on bullpen, Britton's progress and more

Brach on bullpen, Britton's progress and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles return home today after two games on the East Coast to face the Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m. Mike Wright Jr. is on the mound and first baseman Chris Davis wants to be in the lineup. Manager Buck Showalter could make him wait until Sunday, also in Sarasota, but the return is coming. Reliever Brad Brach threw two innings Thursday afternoon against the Red Sox's Triple-A team at Twin Lakes Park, the first time he's gone more than one this spring. He didn't allow a run or...

Cortes still making his pitch for rotation spot

Cortes still making his pitch for rotation spot
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles clubhouse didn't have many occupants this morning with most of the team headed to Jupiter for today's game against the Cardinals. Chris Tillman and Brad Brach played table tennis, and Richard Bleier and Joely Rodriguez had the next game. Chris Davis made a brief appearance at his locker, but not long enough for two reporters to reach him. Andrew Cashner headed out to the field to play catch with Bleier. Zach Britton, Dylan Bundy, Donnie Hart, Mychal Givens, Mike...

Tillman walks six of 14 batters in debut (O's win 7-5)

Tillman walks six of 14 batters in debut (O's win 7-5)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Jorge Polanco had just let go of his bat after drawing the Twins' latest walk, this one with the bases loaded, and Orioles manager Buck Showalter was out of the dugout and signaling to his bullpen. Chris Tillman's first Grapefruit League start after a couple of simulated games ended with no outs in the third inning and the bases still full. Tillman never could find the plate with any consistency and was done following his sixth walk among 14 batters faced. Left-hander...

Hart on his quest to make the club, O's negotiations with Lynn

Hart on his quest to make the club, O's negotiations with Lynn
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' spring training strikeout leader heading into yesterday's game was left-hander Donnie Hart, a reliever with five innings under his belt. He was scored upon in just his first outing. Surface stuff that presents an argument for his inclusion in the opening day bullpen. However, Hart still can be optioned to the minors and the Orioles continue to sort through their choices for left-handed relief beyond Richard Bleier. Rule 5 Nestor Cortes Jr. could be a bullpen...

Wrapping up a 13-5 win

Wrapping up a 13-5 win
SARASOTA, Fla. - Pick your favorite Orioles home run in the first inning. Manager Buck Showalter issued the challenge to the intimate media gathering following today's 13-5 win over the Pirates, then pointed out how Trey Mancini's two-run homer was hit into the wind in left-center field and bounced on the platform tower next to the batter's eye. A big-boy shot for sure. Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop launched balls into the left field picnic area off Pirates starter Chad Kuhl and the...