O's game blog: Chris Tillman will try to stop another losing streak

O's game blog: Chris Tillman will try to stop another losing streak
He will certainly need some run support to do the job this afternoon, but once again Chris Tillman (14-4, 3.50 ERA) will try to stop an Orioles losing streak. The right-hander has proven very adept at halting streaks this year. In fact, he has helped the club snap five streaks of three consecutive losses or more. He's done this three times alone in the last 31 games, and all three streaks were of at least four straight losses. The rundown:April 27: Pitched 6 2/3 scoreless against Tampa Bay,...

Orioles need a win today to avoid four-game sweep

Orioles need a win today to avoid four-game sweep
OAKLAND - The Orioles are trying today to avoid their first four-game sweep in Oakland since August 2004. The Athletics rotation for that series consisted of Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, Rich Harden and Barry Zito. It's not quite the same level of talent this week, but the Orioles are allowing the A's do to a nice impression. The Orioles' losing pitchers in that 2004 series were Buddy Groom, Sidney Ponson, B.J. Ryan and Daniel Cabrera. The pitching this week can't be faulted. It's an offense...

Updating Pearce, McFarland and pitching matchups

Updating Pearce, McFarland and pitching matchups
OAKLAND - Steve Pearce's right arm is feeling much better today after the cortisone injection, the improvement more pronounced than Orioles manager Buck Showalter had anticipated. Pearce seems like a good bet to avoid the disabled list. Showalter said he'll have a better idea on Wednesday. "He's improved today," Showalter said. "I was talking to he and Richie (Bancells). A lot better than usually, so hopefully that's a good sign that he can stay off the DL." Pearce felt discomfort in...

Pedro Alvarez rips an RBI double in first Orioles at-bat (O's trail 6-3)

Pedro Alvarez rips an RBI double in first Orioles at-bat (O's trail 6-3)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - There will be no prolonged hitless streak for new Oriole Pedro Alvarez. He crushed a 1-1 pitch off the right-center field fence for an RBI double in the first inning here today against the Twins. Alvarez smoked the offering from Minnesota right-hander Ricky Nolasco to provide the Orioles a 1-0 lead during their three-run first inning at Hammond Stadium. Joey Rickard led off with an infield single to third base and one out later, Christian Walker singled ahead of the Alvarez...

Showalter on Wieters and Alvarez, plus pregame notes from Fort Myers

Showalter on Wieters and Alvarez, plus pregame notes from Fort Myers
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Orioles catcher Matt Wieters might have a sore right elbow, but for now it appears the concern level is low. Before today's game here, manager Buck Showalter said no MRI for Wieters is planned yet. Wieters spoke with reporters about his elbow in Sarasota. "There is a reason an MRI is not scheduled at this point," Showalter said. "If the next two or three days don't manage as we hope, that might happen. That is up to Richie (Bancells, head athletic trainer). He should be...

Orioles sign Pedro Alvarez and release Andrew Triggs (with B game lineup)

Orioles sign Pedro Alvarez and release Andrew Triggs (with B game lineup)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' deal with Pedro Alvarez became official today. He passed his physical, signed his contract and is expected on the field for workouts. Alvarez agreed to a one-year contract worth a guaranteed $5.75 million. It includes incentives that potentially could add another $1.25 million. Unable to secure another right fielder for their lineup, the Orioles intensified their pursuit of Alvarez as a left-handed bat that mostly fits in the designated hitter slot. He's hit 30...

Andrew Triggs waiting for his next chance to impress

Andrew Triggs waiting for his next chance to impress
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles hit the road again today, returning to Fort Myers to face the Red Sox, before playing back-to-back home games. They can't seem to get enough of I-75. Mike Wright will make his second spring start after holding the Braves to one hit over two scoreless innings in Lake Buena Vista. Andrew Triggs will return to the mound in a few days, confident that he'll produce better results after Friday's rough outing in Dunedin. The Blue Jays hit three home runs in the fourth...

Wrapping up a 4-3 loss (updated)

Wrapping up a 4-3 loss (updated)
DUNEDIN, Fla. - My rental SUV got a flat tire in Clearwater, causing me to arrive here less than an hour before first pitch, I'm headed to the airport to exchange vehicles and express my disappointment with the agency. Before I pack up, I'll pass along some comments from manager Buck Showalter following the Orioles' 4-3 loss to the Blue Jays, which lowered their exhibition record to 0-3-1. The outcome became official after Steve Tolleson struck out on three pitches from Chad Jenkins to...

Game update and Vance Worley on today's outing (Orioles lose 4-3)

Game update and Vance Worley on today's outing (Orioles lose 4-3)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Blue Jays 4, Orioles 3 Recap: Mark Trumbo singled and homered in his first two at-bats as the designated hitter. Vance Worley tossed two scoreless innings, with one walk and one strikeout. Andrew Triggs allowed four runs in 1 2/3 innings, including solo homers by Russell Martin, Justin Smoak and Dalton Pompey in the fourth. Oliver Drake retired all three batters he faced and Chris Jones struck out two in 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Christian Walker had a triple, walk and...

Wrapping up the ninth day of workouts

Wrapping up the ninth day of workouts
SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter still is deciding between Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson as Tuesday's starter in the first exhibition game against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista. They're both going to pitch. Yovani Gallardo threw his fastball, breaking ball and changeup in today's bullpen session. "He felt good," Showalter said. "He's going to take two days off and do it again." The Orioles will keep Gallardo on a schedule for now where he takes two days off between...

More Orioles notes and quotes from Day 2 of minicamp

More Orioles notes and quotes from Day 2 of minicamp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles contacted pitcher Gavin Floyd about a tryout at minicamp this week, but he turned down the offer. Floyd, a Severna Park native and graduate of Mount St. Joseph High School, is playing long toss after undergoing surgery on his right elbow for a second consecutive year. He hasn't thrown off a mound. The Orioles could try again later this winter. Hunter Harvey is the only Orioles pitcher scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday before the conclusion of minicamp...

A look to see if Orioles farm system depth is better than advertised

A look to see if Orioles farm system depth is better than advertised
Is it possible that the Orioles farm system is in better shape than some believe it to be? If you look at the recent Baseball America top 10 O's prospects list, you find some pretty good prospects that did not even make that top 10. To review, here is the O's top 10 per BA that was released Dec. 14: 1) RHP Dylan Bundy 2) RHP Hunter Harvey 3) C Chance Sisco 4) 3B Jomar Reyes 5) RHP Mychal Givens 6) LHP Chris Lee 7) SS Ryan Mountcastle 8) 1B Trey Mancini 9) OF DJ Stewart 10) RHP Mike...

Prospect profile: Now on 40-man, Andrew Triggs could help O's 'pen next year

Prospect profile: Now on 40-man, Andrew Triggs could help O's 'pen next year
The Orioles added three pitchers to their 40-man roster on Nov. 20 when they selected the contracts of right-handers Parker Bridwell and Andrew Triggs and left-hander Chris Lee. The additions kept the trio from being taken in the Rule 5 draft and moved them one step closer to the big leagues. Of the three, Triggs might have the best chance to impact the Orioles roster in 2016 as he is a reliever and the other two are starters. They could certainly be moved to the bullpen to help, but Triggs is...

Another look at how three O's pitchers got added to the 40-man roster

Another look at how three O's pitchers got added to the 40-man roster
On his way to making the Orioles' 40-man roster, 24-year-old right-hander Parker Bridwell may have found some consistency. He has heard the criticism often. Some nights, he has electric stuff and then a week later he gets rocked. He was called inconsistent. It is a label he'd like to leave in the rear-view mirror. Added to the 40-man roster yesterday along with pitchers Chris Lee and Andrew Triggs, Bridwell went 4-5 with an ERA of 3.99 in 18 starts for Double-A Bowie this season. But it was...

Hunter Harvey update and reports on Chris Lee, Andrew Triggs and Parker Bridwell

Hunter Harvey update and reports on Chris Lee, Andrew Triggs and Parker Bridwell
After being shut down in September due to discomfort in his right elbow, Orioles pitching prospect Hunter Harvey has been cleared to do some light throwing. Harvey is back home in North Carolina, but he figures to report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota later this winter. Dr. James Andrews recommended on Oct. 5 that Harvey rest for four to six weeks before resuming a throwing program. His diagnosis matched the one that came earlier from team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs. Harvey...

It's an exciting day for the newest members of O's 40-man roster

It's an exciting day for the newest members of O's 40-man roster
That first call-up to the major leagues is always a very special day in any player's career. But a big day that comes before that is when a player is added to the organization's 40-man roster for the first time. It happened to three Orioles minor league pitchers today as the club added left-hander Chris Lee and right-handers Parker Bridwell and Andrew Triggs. This means none of the three can be lost in next month's Rule 5 draft and that all three will report with the rest of the big league...

Orioles add Lee, Triggs and Bridwell to 40-man roster

Orioles add Lee, Triggs and Bridwell to 40-man roster
The Orioles purchased the contracts of left-hander Chris Lee and right-handers Andrew Triggs and Parker Bridwell from Double-A Bowie today, adding three pitchers to the 40-man roster and protecting them before the Rule 5 draft on Dec. 10 in Nashville. The roster is now full, but the Orioles can clear room prior to the Rule 5 draft. Count on it. They also can remove players to open spots for trade and free agent acquisitions. Today's deadline prevents other players from within the organization...

Some Chris Davis and 40-man roster talk

Some Chris Davis and 40-man roster talk
Are the Orioles facing a possible either/or scenario with first baseman Chris Davis? Are they looking at a situation where they can either sign him, or not sign him and add two or more players with that money? Recently, we looked at an early projection for an Orioles 2015 payroll. With the club looking for starting pitching and outfield help, not to mention possibly re-signing Davis and maybe more of their own free agents, it seems it will be hard to do all of that and still keep the payroll in...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Pirates claimed reliever Jorge Rondon off waivers yesterday, according to Major League Baseball's transactions page. The Orioles haven't confirmed it. It basically works out as a swap of pitchers. The Orioles designated Rondon for assignment last week after claiming Vance Worley off waivers from the Pirates. Rondon allowed 11 earned runs (15 total) and 20 hits in 13 1/3 innings with the Orioles. He walked six batters and struck out eight. * The question remains whether the Orioles should...

Miguel Gonzalez with a bounceback outing, plus some Bowie banter

Miguel Gonzalez with a bounceback outing, plus some Bowie banter
With Chris Davis and Miguel Gonzalez playing co-starring roles, the Orioles ended their four-game losing streak and won for just the sixth time in 21 games on Saturday night. They improved to 47-49 for the season. Davis hit his fifth career grand slam to back a much-needed strong outing by Gonzalez, who had pitched to an ERA of 6.75 over his previous five starts. But he gave up just one run in 7 2/3 innings to help the Orioles end the losing streak with a 5-1 win over Tampa Bay. Gonzalez and...