Two roster moves and wrapping up a 5-4 win

Two roster moves and wrapping up a 5-4 win
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles optioned outfielder Dariel Álvarez to Triple-A Norfolk this afternoon and reassigned pitcher Richard Rodriguez to minor league camp. They now have 55 players in major league camp, including 16 non-roster invitees. Álvarez went 0-for-7 this spring and the Orioles want to convert him into a pitcher, but he's been resisting the change. Rodriguez allowed a run and two hits and retired only two batters in the eighth inning today while pitching for the Dominican...

Wade Miley on today's outing (O's win 8-3)

Wade Miley on today's outing (O's win 8-3)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 8, Pirates 3 Recap: Adam Jones hit the Orioles' first Grapefruit League home run by launching the first pitch he saw from Jameson Taillon in the first inning. ... Manny Machado lined a home run to right field. ... Rule 5 pick Aneury Tavárez broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh with an RBI single and stole two bases. ... Wade Miley allowed one run, on Eric Wood's home run, in two innings. He gave up two hits, hit a batter and struck out one. Need to know: Miley...

Appreciating Matt Wieters and scouting Richard Rodríguez

Appreciating Matt Wieters and scouting Richard Rodríguez
The team's first-round draft pick (fifth overall) in the 2007 draft, he came amid plenty of hype to the major leagues for the first time in May 2009. Heck, then team exec Andy MacPhail even announced his promotion from Triple-A live on MASN days in advance. It became an event and must-see TV. Baseball's No. 1-rated prospect was coming to the Orioles. He would throw out runners like Johnny Bench. On offense, he would be "Mauer with power." On off-days, he would probably drive around the...

Bullpen sessions highlight first day of workouts

Bullpen sessions highlight first day of workouts
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles completed their first workout for pitchers and catchers. The usual fielding drills, including one on the Camden Yards replica field where players shift to each infield position during bunts. This is how manager Buck Showalter ensures that they know where each teammate will be in game situations. New catcher Welington Castillo caught Mychal Givens' bullpen session as part of Group 1. Castillo met with Givens halfway between the mound and plate to check how many...

Orioles invite top prospect Chance Sisco to minicamp

Orioles invite top prospect Chance Sisco to minicamp
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is finalizing his roster for next month's minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, with certain players requiring their approval. Catcher Chance Sisco will be part of it. Sisco, 21, is viewed as the eventual successor to Matt Wieters if the latter leaves via free agency. He's ticketed for Triple-A Norfolk to start the 2017 season, but could push for a promotion later in the summer. In the meantime, the Orioles want to take...

Showalter reacts to Britton's exclusion from Cy Young finalists

Showalter reacts to Britton's exclusion from Cy Young finalists
The exclusion of Orioles left-hander Zach Britton from the Cy Young Award finalists in the American League struck a nerve with manager Buck Showalter, who didn't care about his own honor nearly as much as the one that eluded his closer. Showalter, the Indians' Terry Francona and the Rangers' Jeff Banister are finalists for Manager of the Year. Showalter's night wasn't made. "It's shocking," Showalter said after Britton was omitted by the Baseball Writers' Association of America in...

Orioles acquire minor league pitcher Richard Rodriguez (and more)

Orioles acquire minor league pitcher Richard Rodriguez (and more)
The Orioles made a minor league trade this afternoon, acquiring right-handed reliever Richard Rodriguez from the Astros for a player to be named later or cash. Rodriguez, 25, was 5-0 with a 2.57 ERA in 23 appearances at Triple-A Fresno. He allowed 32 hits in 42 innings, with 10 walks (two intentional) and 36 strikeouts. Opponents batted .204 against him. Rodriguez is 15-5 with a 3.60 ERA in six minor league seasons, with 49 walks and 204 strikeouts in 202 1/3 innings. He's made only 12 starts...