Game update and Tillman on his start (O's, Pirates end in tie)

Game update and Tillman on his start (O's, Pirates end in tie)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 3, Pirates 3 Recap: Chris Tillman allowed two runs and three hits in five innings, with no walks and eight strikeouts. He retired 11 of the last 12 batters. Pedro Alvarez hit a two-run homer off Tillman in the second inning to break a scoreless tie. Everth Cabrera hit his first spring home run in the third inning, and he got all of it. He tied the game in the seventh with an RBI triple and scored on Alejandro De Aza's infield hit. Brian Matusz allowed four...

Duquette on whether O's need shortstop: "We signed one just before camp opened"

Duquette on whether O's need shortstop: "We signed one just before camp opened"
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette indicated tonight that he's not in the market for another shortstop despite losing J.J. Hardy to a strained muscle in his left shoulder. An MRI arthrogram this morning revealed the injury, termed a "subscapularis strain," and Hardy can't perform baseball activities for a minimum of 10 days. Everth Cabrera, signed as a free agent on Feb. 25, started at shortstop today against the Rays in Port Charlotte and reached base four times...

The rotation, the bullpen and the questions surrounding both

The rotation, the bullpen and the questions surrounding both
SARASOTA, Fla. - Less than two weeks remain before opening day and there are still so many questions regarding the composition of the Orioles' 25-man roster. One complication arises from the one game remaining on first baseman Chris Davis' suspension. Manager Buck Showalter seems intrigued by the idea of carrying a player who's out of minor league options, then attempting to sneak him through waivers while other teams already have set their rosters. Could this be a strategy with Jimmy...

Game update and Chen on Chen (O's lose 5-2)

Game update and Chen on Chen (O's lose 5-2)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Blue Jays 5, Orioles 2 Recap: Wei-Yin Chen joined Ubaldo Jimenez as the only Orioles to go five innings in a Grapefruit League game. He threw 62 pitches, 39 for strikes. Chen allowed two runs (one earned) and four hits, with no walks and one strikeout. Former Oriole Steve Tolleson hit a solo homer off Chen in the third. Caleb Joseph had an RBI double in the second after Blue Jays starter Daniel Norris hit Nolan Reimold with a pitch. Delmon Young homered in the seventh....

Wrapping up Orioles' 11-5 win over Boston

Wrapping up Orioles' 11-5 win over Boston
FORT MYERS, Fla. - As the reserves entered this game, it got wild over the final innings. The Orioles scored nine runs in the last three innings to beat Boston 11-5 at JetBlue Park. The Orioles won for the fourth time in five games and improved to 7-12 in front of a sellout crowd of 9,981. No cuts were announced after the game. Manager Buck Showalter said he wants to talk to some players before the moves are made. There could be more announced tonight, but tomorrow seems more likely at this...

Brian Matusz on trade rumors and his outing today (O's win 11-5)

Brian Matusz on trade rumors and his outing today (O's win 11-5)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 11, Boston 5 Recap: Brian Matusz had another strong spring outing, pitching four scoreless innings and allowing just two hits in his second spring start. He has allowed just one run this spring. The O's took a 3-1 lead to the last of the seventh, but Boston scored four runs to lead 5-3. The O's got the lead back, scoring six runs in the eighth. Rusney Castillo hit a three-run homer off Steve Johnson. In the O's big inning, Jonathan Schoop had an RBI single,...

Brian Matusz pitches four scoreless innings against Boston (updated)

Brian Matusz pitches four scoreless innings against Boston (updated)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Brian Matusz may be the subject of trade rumors, but it certainly hasn't hurt his pitching today. The left-hander pitched four scoreless innings as the Orioles lead Boston 1-0 at JetBlue Park. Chaz Roe came on to pitch in the last of the fifth for the Orioles. Matusz allowed baserunners to lead off the first two innings, but pitched around a Jimmy Paredes error at third base in the first and a Shane Victorino single in the second. Facing a lineup filled with Boston regulars,...

Another Brian Matusz start, another road game, the latest on Henry Urrutia

Another Brian Matusz start, another road game, the latest on Henry Urrutia
SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz is making another start today for the Orioles after throwing three scoreless innings with no walks on March 14 against the Rays. Matusz hasn't issued a walk in 6 1/3 innings this spring. He's allowed one run and five hits and struck out eight batters. Whether he stays in the organization is another matter. The trade rumors continue to swirl. I'll be at Twin Lakes Park today, where Kevin Gausman and Wei-Yin Chen are pitching in separate Single-A...

More morning Orioles notes and Twins lineup

More morning Orioles notes and Twins lineup
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Orioles continue to list left-hander Brian Matusz as the starter for Friday's game against the Red Sox in Fort Myers. Boston is sending Justin Masterson to the mound. Saturday's starter against the Twins in Fort Myers is listed as TBA, but it would be Miguel Gonzalez's turn. Matusz is the subject of intense trade speculation. The Orioles are willing to move him, which has been reported many times since the 2014 season ended, and scouts are getting a prolonged look at...

Mark Hendrickson released and other Orioles notes (Davis homers)

Mark Hendrickson released and other Orioles notes (Davis homers)
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Lots of newsy nuggets from today's media session with manager Buck Showalter. The Orioles have released veteran left-hander Mark Hendrickson, who allowed six runs in 3 1/3 innings this spring, including two yesterday against the Pirates with the score tied 2-2 in the eighth. Showalter met with Hendrickson this morning before coming to Clearwater. The Orioles want to keep Hendrickson in the organization and believe he would make a good pitching instructor, but the lefty would...

Hearing from Showalter and Russell

Hearing from Showalter and Russell
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles aren't expected to make any cuts until Sunday. Manager Buck Showalter hustled into the prep room to meet with reporters following today's 3-2 loss to the Rays. He wanted to get over to Field 4 to catch the remainder of the game against the Puerto Rico Development Program. Speaking of catching, Matt Wieters was behind the plate for six innings against Puerto Rico. More on that later. Left-hander Brian Matusz shut out the Rays for three innings, allowing two hits,...

Matusz on today's start (Rays beat Orioles 3-2)

Matusz on today's start (Rays beat Orioles 3-2)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Rays 3, Orioles 2Recap: The Orioles offense was stagnant again, with the first 14 batters being retired before Manny Machado reached on an error and Delmon Young walked in the fifth inning. Rey Navarro bounced a single up the middle off Steve Geltz leading off the sixth, and he scored on J.J.Hardy's one-out double. Steve Pearce hit his first home run leading off the seventh. Brian Matusz allowed two hits in three scoreless innings, with no walks and three strikeouts....

Another Orioles lineup and updating today's game vs. Rays

Another Orioles lineup and updating today's game vs. Rays
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are allowed to play fast and loose with the rules for today's game against the Puerto Rico Development Program on Field 4. Manager Buck Showalter's lineup card includes 10 players overall and three designated hitters - Paul Janish, Caleb Joseph and Ryan Lavarnway. Janish also is listed as the shortstop for later in the game. Matt Wieters will catch, in case you somehow missed it. For the Orioles Paul Janish DH/SS Caleb Joseph DH Ryan Lavarnway DH Matt Wieters C...

Orioles lineup vs. Rays

Orioles lineup vs. Rays
SARASOTA, Fla. - Steve Clevenger gets the start behind the plate today for the Orioles in their 1:05 p.m. game against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. The game will be broadcast on MASN HD. Alejandro De Aza is leading off. Rey Navarro is starting at second base and batting ninth. The bullpen behind starter Brian Matusz includes Darren O'Day, Steve Johnson, Wesley Wright, Tim Berry and Chaz Roe. For the Orioles Alejandro De Aza LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Steve Pearce RF Manny...

Matusz has blood pressure under control as he readies for start

Matusz has blood pressure under control as he readies for start
SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz is making his first spring start on Saturday against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. He may have flashbacks to his rotation days. Matusz has allowed one run and three hits in 3 1/3 innings, with no walks and five strikeouts, over two relief appearances. Why is he starting? Manager Buck Showalter said he wanted to stretch out Matusz this spring so the lefty could work on his changeup. Fans keep asking me whether he's being showcased for a possible trade,...

Showalter speaks after 1-0 loss to Phillies

Showalter speaks after 1-0 loss to Phillies
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have scored one run in their last two games, losing 1-0 to the Phillies today at Ed Smith Stadium. Manager Buck Showalter was impressed again with his pitching. Brian Matusz allowed the only run on Andres Blanco's homer in the fifth. Matusz threw two scoreless innings before coming back out. Chris Tillman and Tyler Wilson each registered two scoreless innings. Darren O'Day retired the Phillies in order in the ninth. "Tyler was really good again," Showalter...

Game update and quotes from Chris Tillman (O's lose 1-0)

Game update and quotes from Chris Tillman (O's lose 1-0)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Phillies 1, Orioles 0 Recap: Chris Tillman threw 32 pitches in two scoreless innings and headed to the bullpen to increase his count. He allowed one hit, walked one and struck out one. Brian Matusz followed with two scoreless innings before coming back out in the fifth and serving up a home run to Andres Blanco. Matusz struck out four batters in 2 1/3 innings. Zach Britton allowed his first two baserunners of the spring in the sixth on a hit batter and a single, but he...

Showalter on Yoon: "He's going to be fine"

Showalter on Yoon: "He's going to be fine"
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't have much to say about pitcher Suk-min Yoon, who has returned to Korea and apparently won't come back to Sarasota. Yoon has two years left on his contract and is unhappy that he wasn't invited to major league camp after the Orioles removed him from the 40-man roster in August. Asked for his reaction, Showalter said, "I can't. We've all got a reaction to everything." Told that Yoon is disappointed about not being in camp,...

Showalter on Matusz, Rays starters, Arencibia and Jones (with photos)

Showalter on Matusz, Rays starters, Arencibia and Jones (with photos)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman and Bud Norris aren't scheduled to pitch in an exhibition game before the weekend due to the amount of innings they logged last season as the Orioles reached the American League Championship Series. Showalter said he pushed them back and provided extra work days because of the "extra load in October last year." Tillman told me that he's starting on Monday against the Phillies in Sarasota, but the Orioles haven't confirmed it. Norris could start this weekend....

Health updates on Matusz and Janish

Health updates on Matusz and Janish
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles reliever Brian Matusz had a cortisone injection in his right shoulder on Monday to alleviate the discomfort caused by a strained AC joint. The concern is minimal because it's Matusz's non-throwing arm. However, the pain was affecting his ability to work out. Matusz said the strain occurred about six weeks ago while he was bench pressing as part of his offseason conditioning program. "It's something that hasn't affected anything on the baseball field, but in the...