Hearing from Matusz and Showalter before tonight's game

Hearing from Matusz and Showalter before tonight's game
Orioles reliever Brian Matusz arrived in the clubhouse today around the same time that the media was allowed inside. He joked about not getting a tan in Sarasota so teammates wouldn't tease him about being on vacation instead of serving an eight-game suspension that ends before Sunday's game. Matusz chose his words carefully when asked about Major League Baseball's decision to uphold his suspension. Brewers reliever Will Smith had his suspension reduced from eight to six games for the same...

Orioles release Everth Cabrera (plus other notes)

Orioles release Everth Cabrera (plus other notes)
The Orioles released infielder Everth Cabrera, who was designated for assignment on June 5 as one of six roster moves made in Cleveland. Cabrera batted .208/.250/.229 in 29 games while filling in at shortstop and second base. The Orioles signed him to a $2.4 million contract on Feb. 25. Cabrera had a minor league option when the Orioles signed him, but his service time kicked in toward the end of April. He couldn't be sent to the minors without his consent. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed...

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
The Orioles will attempt to run their winning streak to six games tonight and move above .500 for the first time since May 3. They've won seven of their last eight games. Left-hander Brian Matusz's suspension ends on Sunday. The Orioles are 6-1 while playing with a 24-man roster. One more to go. Nolan Reimold remains in left field tonight against Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia. Delmon Young is in right field and batting cleanup. Chris Davis is serving as the designated hitter, with Steve...

Domenic Vadala: Getting a grip on a slippery situation

Domenic Vadala: Getting a grip on a slippery situation
A few weeks ago, Brian Matusz and the Orioles became part of a league-wide discussion about foreign substances used by pitchers on the baseball. That kind of started up again late last week when it was announced that Matusz's eight-game suspension was being upheld (never mind the fact that Milwaukee's Will Smith had his shortened to six games for the same offense). I come at this from various angels. First off, I'm not a fan of opposing managers asking umpires to check guys. At a time when...

Showalter on Reimold: "We think he's got a chance to help us"

Showalter on Reimold: "We think he's got a chance to help us"
The Orioles will wait until after batting practice today to announce their roster move. Nolan Reimold is playing left field tonight, but the club must create room for him on the active roster. They have an opening on the 40-man roster. I'm still predicting that the Orioles option a reliever to Triple-A Norfolk and go with a six-man bullpen - a risky decision with the Red Sox and Yankees in Baltimore during the homestand. Reimold is in the Orioles' lineup for the first time since July 13, 2013...

Brady Anderson updates Brian Matusz, Jonathan Schoop and more

Brady Anderson updates Brian Matusz, Jonathan Schoop and more
Winning three of their last four games doesn't make the Orioles wish they could skip today's off-day. It's not even close. They're embracing it the way Sidney Ponson treats "National Doughnut Day." The Orioles hadn't found an open date on their schedule since May 18, giving them 22 games over the past 21 days, including the makeup doubleheader on May 28 against the White Sox. A reminder that left-hander Brian Matusz is serving an eight-game suspension, not an eight-day suspension. He's...

Navarro optioned (Orioles and Indians lineups)

Navarro optioned (Orioles and Indians lineups)
The Orioles have optioned infielder Rey Navarro to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for today's starter, Bud Norris, who comes off the disabled list for the series finale against the Indians. Navarro, 25, batted .276/.276/.448 (8-29) with two doubles, a home run, three RBIs and five runs scored in 10 games with the Orioles this season. The Orioles are going with a three-man bench as left-hander Brian Matusz continues to serve his suspension. Matt Wieters is catching and batting cleanup today. For...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles are trying today to match their longest winning streak of the season at three games. The Orioles are 15-12 at home and 10-17 on the road. They're 13-8 during the day and 12-20 at night. In five games on the current trip, the Orioles are batting .228 and their pitchers have registered a 3.86 ERA. The team has committed only one error. Center fielder Adam Jones has hit a home run in back-to-back games after going 83 at-bats without one. Jones broke a 2-2 tie Thursday with an...

Notes on Tillman, Jones and Britton, plus Duquette on Cabrera and Cabral

Notes on Tillman, Jones and Britton, plus Duquette on Cabrera and Cabral
That's two wins in a row for the Orioles. How long does it need to stretch before it constitutes a streak? Chris Tillman continues to ride the roller coaster. A good outing followed by a poor one followed by a good one. Let's check the earned runs allowed in his starts this season: One, seven, one, seven, two, four, five, one (in three innings), two, five and two. Tillman isn't the model of consistency, but he provides reason to be optimistic. He just needs to cut down on the walks. Tillman...

Duquette disappointed Matusz's suspension is upheld (Orioles win 5-2)

Duquette disappointed Matusz's suspension is upheld (Orioles win 5-2)
The Orioles remain perplexed and frustrated by the eight-game suspension handed down to reliever Brian Matusz and Major League Baseball's refusal to remove or reduce it. Brewers pitcher Will Smith had his eight-game suspension lowered to six, but Matusz still must serve all eight games beginning tonight in Cleveland. MLB doesn't announce the results of the hearings or offer explanations for reducing or upholding the suspensions. "Obviously, we're disappointed," said executive vice...

Orioles make six roster moves, Matusz suspension remains eight games

Orioles make six roster moves, Matusz suspension remains eight games
The Orioles made six roster moves today, including reinstating catcher Matt Wieters from the 60-day disabled list. They also recalled infielder Rey Navarro from Triple-A Norfolk and selected the contract of left-handed reliever Cesar Cabral. In corresponding moves, the Orioles optioned catcher Steve Clevenger and pitcher Mike Wright to Norfolk, and designated infielder Everth Cabrera for assignment. The Orioles have 10 days to waive or trade Cabrera, who reached five years service time in late...

Orioles recall McFarland and option Drake

Orioles recall McFarland and option Drake
Needing another left-handed reliever in their bullpen, the Orioles have recalled T.J. McFarland from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned Oliver Drake to the Tides. McFarland will join the Orioles tonight in Houston. McFarland, 25, will begin his second stint with the Orioles this season. He went 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA in five appearances, allowing two earned runs (six total) and striking out eight over five innings. In seven starts with Norfolk this season, McFarland went 2-2 with a 3.99 ERA in 29 1/3...

Thoughts on Matusz, M. Wright, fundamental breakdowns and more

Thoughts on Matusz, M. Wright, fundamental breakdowns and more
Brian Matusz's suspension appeal hearing will take place later today in Houston. The Orioles reliever is seeking a reduction of the eight games handed down by Major League Baseball. I doubt that the entire suspension will melt away, but perhaps he can whittle it. The club will have to decide whether to go with a six-man bullpen or three-man bench in Matusz's absence. It could do both, of course, on a game-by-game basis. They're likely to start with a short bench. * Bud Norris could return to...

Notes on Matusz, Chen, Gausman, Norris and more

Notes on Matusz, Chen, Gausman, Norris and more
Left-hander Brian Matusz's hearing on his appeal of an eight-game suspension will be held on June 3 while the Orioles are in Houston. Matusz was ejected on Saturday night in Miami and later suspended for having a foreign substance on his right forearm. The Orioles can't replace Matusz on the roster if he serves a suspension. The Orioles are listing two of their three starters for the weekend series against the Rays at Camden Yards. Miguel Gonzalez will oppose Nathan Karns on Friday and Chris...

Game update and more Miranda (Davis homers twice, O's win 5-4)

Game update and more Miranda (Davis homers twice, O's win 5-4)
Ubaldo Jimenez made fast work of the Astros in the top of the first inning tonight, retiring the side on only six pitches following a rain delay of 1 hour, 11 minutes. It wasn't that easy in the second inning. Jimenez allowed one run on three hits, including Chris Carter's RBI double that followed singles by Evan Gattis and Colby Rasmus. However, Jimenez stranded two runners in scoring position with a strikeout and foul pop. Rasmus is 11-for-28 lifetime against Jimenez. Jimmy Paredes reached...

Updates on Bundy, De Aza and Miranda

Updates on Bundy, De Aza and Miranda
Today's game will start at approximately 5:45 p.m. The rain has stopped again and the tarp is coming off the field. Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed that pitcher Dylan Bundy underwent an MRI today on his right shoulder and it didn't reveal any structural damage. The MRI confirmed that Bundy has tendinitis in the shoulder. He's been prescribed rest and anti-inflammatory medication. Bundy was scratched from last night's start after experiencing discomfort in his...

Showalter on roster move and more

Showalter on roster move and more
Orioles manager Buck Showalter met with reporters earlier today and explained the Orioles' decision to designate outfielder Alejandro De Aza for assignment to clear a spot for infielder Ryan Flaherty on the 25-man roster. De Aza batted .293/.341/.537 with five doubles, three triples, three home runs and 10 RBIs in 20 games with the Orioles last season after coming over in a trade with the White Sox. He also gave the Orioles plus-defense in left field, which was a primary reason why they made...

Wrapping up a 4-1 loss

Wrapping up a 4-1 loss
Any critique of Orioles starter Chris Tillman tonight must come with the addendum that the Orioles scored one run and have tallied seven in their last 40 innings. The offense isn't leaving any margin for error - or poorly located pitch. Tillman remained winless since April 18 after allowing two runs in the seventh inning to squander a lead in the Orioles' 4-1 loss to the Astros at Camden Yards. "Good, real good," said manager Buck Showalter when asked about Tillman's performance. "Had a...

Game update and Duquette on Matusz suspension (O's lead 4-3)

Game update and Duquette on Matusz suspension (O's lead 4-3)
Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen gave up singles to George Springer and Jose Altuve on his first two pitches this afternoon, but he escaped the jam with a pop-up, strikeout and fly ball. Altuve was in a 3-for-32 slump over his last eight games. Preston Tucker and Jonathan Villar opened the second inning with singles to create another jam, but Hank Conger bunted into a 1-5-3 double play. So this is Chen's plan against the Astros? Two quick singles followed by three outs? Apparently not....

Showalter talks about Matusz suspension

Showalter talks about Matusz suspension
The news today from Major League Baseball that Orioles reliever Brian Matusz received an eight-game suspension came as no surprise considering that Milwaukee's Will Smith was handed the same punishment for the same infraction. "Everything is based off precedent," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. Matusz is appealing the suspension, also as expected, and remains in the bullpen this afternoon. "Each case is different and that's why you have the appeal process to make sure it's not just...