Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox
Hanser Alberto is back in the Orioles lineup and in the leadoff spot today after leaving last night's game with an illness. Trey Mancini is playing first base, Anthony Santander is in right field and Stevie Wilkerson is in left. Chris Davis sits against Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale. Pedro Severino moves up to third in the order. He continues to rake against lefties. Keon Broxton is in center field and Richie Martin is the shortstop. For the Orioles Hanser Alberto 3B Trey Mancini 1B Pedro...

Brandon Hyde on Sunday's starter and more (game update)

Brandon Hyde on Sunday's starter and more (game update)
CLEVELAND - The Orioles won't bring a starting pitcher back on short rest after Wednesday's doubleheader in New York, so they will turn to right-hander Yefry Ramirez out of their bullpen to start the series finale here on Sunday afternoon. Ramirez is 0-1 with an ERA of 5.14 in three games and seven innings since he was called up from Triple-A on April 29. He was 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA in four Norfolk starts with 24 strikeouts in 18 innings. "Well, we need a starter. And Yefry, it's a good...

Dylan Bundy throws strong game as O's top Indians (quotes added)

Dylan Bundy throws strong game as O's top Indians (quotes added)
CLEVELAND - For one night at least, Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy quieted any talk about his velocity. He picked up his second win of the year, pitching the Orioles past the Cleveland Indians. As usual he wasn't lighting up the radar gun - his velocity average was 90.6 mph, up from 89.8 mph in his last game - but he threw a solid game as the Orioles beat Cleveland 5-1 to even the four-game series at a game apiece. Bundy's fastball usage was at a season-low 41 percent as he threw 5 2/3...

A few Orioles thoughts heading into the Boston series

A few Orioles thoughts heading into the Boston series
A few Orioles thoughts and takes after Sunday's rainout at home with Tampa Bay. The Orioles are 12-22 and the homestand continues tonight with Boston in town for three games. Let's see more of Stevie Wilkerson in center field: He's made just four starts out there in pro ball, two this year in Triple-A with Norfolk and Friday and Saturday for the Orioles. He held his own out there and made a nice catch in deep center on Friday night and a nice throw home as well. Not nearly enough of a sample...

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
SARASOTA, Fla. - Alex Cobb, named the Orioles opening day starter, is on the mound for today's 1:07 p.m. game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. Cobb has made two starts this spring, allowing four runs in two-thirds of an inning and one run in three innings. Mark Trumbo is the designated hitter, his third appearance in the lineup. He's 0-for-4. Renato Núñez is back in the lineup at third base after fouling a ball of his left shin during Thursday's game. Stevie Wilkerson is starting at...

Orioles lineup vs. Phillies

Orioles lineup vs. Phillies
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jesús Sucre makes his second start for the Orioles today in a 1:05 p.m. game against the Phillies at Ed Smith Stadium. Austin Hays is back in center field and Yusniel Diaz is the designated hitter. Stevie Wilkerson continues to move around, starting at first base today, and Rio Ruiz is at third. Jonathan Villar is leading off and playing second base, with Alcides Escobar at shortstop. Dwight Smith Jr. isn't in the lineup, but he could come off the bench today. Left-hander...

Orioles lineup vs. Rays

Orioles lineup vs. Rays
SARASOTA, Fla. - The versatility of Stevie Wilkerson will be on display again today when he starts in left field against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Wilkerson made his only four career starts in left field last year with Triple-A Norfolk. Austin Hays is leading off and playing center field and Yusniel Diaz is in right. Joey Rickard is the designated hitter. Rio Ruiz gets another start at third base and Chance Sisco is catching. They each hit three-run homers in the first inning over the...

Trumbo on projected debut (and other notes)

Trumbo on projected debut (and other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Trumbo said he isn't expecting to make his Grapefruit League debut this spring for a few more weeks, the process of recovering from September knee surgery continuing to play out. Trumbo has intensified his workouts in spring training, but the Orioles are being careful with him. "There's going to be a few tests to pass before. A safe bet would probably be two weeks from now," Trumbo said. "We still haven't totally ramped up. The full-speed sprint and kind of the...

Steve Wilkerson's hitting help, AL East odds, Eastern League change

Steve Wilkerson's hitting help, AL East odds, Eastern League change
When he began to prepare for the 2019 season, Orioles infielder and utility candidate Steve Wilkerson went beyond just working out and getting in some swings and throws. He went to a swing coach who has a strong reputation. Wilkerson spent some time in Santa Clarita, Calif., with Craig Wallenbrock, who has worked with several major leaguers. A coach some feel turned around the career of J.D. Martinez. Wilkerson, an eighth-round draft pick in 2014 out of Clemson, was not looking for anything...

Notes on Mountcastle, Cobb and more to wrap up latest workout

Notes on Mountcastle, Cobb and more to wrap up latest workout
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde continues to rotate players at different positions in camp. Heads can spin trying to track them. Ryan Mountcastle, Chris Bostick and Jace Peterson worked out at third base this morning on the Earl Weaver "Little" Field. Rio Ruiz and Steve Wilkerson moved to first base. Rule 5 picks Richie Martin and Drew Jackson were stationed at shortstop. Zach Vincej and Jack Reinheimer took ground balls at second base. Hyde is new to the organization and...

Hyde: "I'm excited about the mix of middle infielders we have"

Hyde: "I'm excited about the mix of middle infielders we have"
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles aren't suffering from a shortage of infielders in camp. Major league and minor league deals. Guys come off the 40-man roster, clear waivers and receive invites. Bringing in Alcides Escobar raises the infield total to 14 and most of them can man the middle. No one has been anointed as the starter at third base, shortstop or second base. "I think it keeps the competition going in camp," said manager Brandon Hyde. "I'm excited about the mix of middle infielders we...

Eric Young Jr. on his opportunity and leadership role

Eric Young Jr. on his opportunity and leadership role
SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Eric Young Jr. and infielders Hanser Alberto and Steve Wilkerson reported to Orioles camp this morning, leaving infielders Jonathan Villar and Alcides Escobar as the only position players who haven't arrived. Escobar signed a minor league deal yesterday and might not get here until Monday's first full-squad workout. Young, who's been assigned No. 28, also received a minor league contract with a spring invite. He's a career .245/.312/.332 hitter in 10 major league...

Orioles sign Alcides Escobar to minor league deal

Orioles sign Alcides Escobar to minor league deal
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made a move this afternoon that intensified the shortstop and utility competition. Alcides Escobar agreed to terms on a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training as the first full-squad workout unfolds on Monday. He can earn $700,000 if playing for the Orioles. The rebuild doesn't preclude executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias from bringing a 32-year-old infielder into the fold. "Alcides Escobar will add a great veteran option to...

Hearing from Hyde and Díaz following the latest Orioles workout

Hearing from Hyde and Díaz following the latest Orioles workout
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he anticipates having everyone in camp Sunday besides catcher Jesús Sucre and pitcher Gregory Infante, who remain in Venezuela. The first full-squad workout will be held Monday. Jonathan Villar, Steve Wilkerson, Eric Young Jr. and Hanser Alberto haven't reported. An illness is preventing Infante from boarding a flight to the United States. "What I just heard this morning is all signs are getting positive, he's feeling better," Hyde said....

Davis on his health, workouts and hushing the skeptics

Davis on his health, workouts and hushing the skeptics
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Davis knew it was coming. He hadn't reported to Orioles camp, at least according to the media's unofficial count, after vowing to arrive early. The most critical of fans had more ammunition. Talk radio came after him, too. Davis said he's been in Sarasota since Saturday afternoon, but an illness kept him away from his teammates. He didn't want to be at the complex while contagious. His equipment arrived ahead of him. "We got in around 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon...

One year after O's debut, Steve Wilkerson hoping for return trip

One year after O's debut, Steve Wilkerson hoping for return trip
For the Orioles' versatile Steve Wilkerson, the 2017 season was a very solid one. He was hoping 2018 would find him competing for a job as the club's utility infielder who can also play some outfield. That didn't happen and 2018 was a real challenge for him, even though he will always remember it as the year he made his major league debut and checked off a few firsts. The Orioles selected Wilkerson in the eighth round in 2014 out of Clemson. Mostly a second baseman for his first three years...

Eyeing a few of the spring competitions at Orioles camp

Eyeing a few of the spring competitions at Orioles camp
The inviting storylines awaiting the media at spring training, less than a week before it begins, include the competitions at third base and right field and behind the plate. Other candidates can be tossed into the mix as executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias attempts to swing a few trades and/or snatches up a couple of free agents lingering on another sluggish market. One-year deals become more attractive to players as we move through February. Manager Brandon Hyde can figure...

Pondering a few questions as spring training gets close

Pondering a few questions as spring training gets close
The start of spring training is getting close for the Orioles. Pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 12, the first full-squad workout is Feb. 18 and the first game is set for Feb. 23. Opening day is March 28 at Yankee Stadium and a new season will be officially underway. With all this fast approaching there are still plenty of unanswered questions for the 2019 season. Here are a few of them. Who will fill out the starting rotation? In some order we know that Alex Cobb, Andrew Cashner and Dylan...

Stewart and Hays working to get into outfield competition

Stewart and Hays working to get into outfield competition
While revealing at FanFest that finding more pitching is the top offseason roster priority for the Orioles, executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias didn't deny that the outfield, infield and catching position also could be addressed before opening day. The Orioles remain in an infield frenzy as they increase the competition for starting and utility jobs. They selected Richie Martin with the first pick in the Rule 5 draft and traded for Drew Jackson, who also must remain on the...

Orioles claim Jack Reinheimer off waivers

Orioles claim Jack Reinheimer off waivers
The Orioles keep building infield depth and increasing their options as they move through the offseason. The latest utility candidate arrived today in Jack Reinheimer, claimed off waivers from the Rangers. Pitcher Austin Brice was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Reinheimer, 26, was a fifth-round pick of the Mariners in 2013 out of East Carolina University who appeared in 21 games with the Mets last summer and went 5-for-30 with five walks and nine strikeouts. He was...