Showalter speaks after 8-4 Game 1 loss

Showalter speaks after 8-4 Game 1 loss
Left-hander T.J. McFarland, optioned to Triple-A Norfolk this morning to create room for infielder Paul Janish on the 25-man roster, has been "recalled" and will serve as 26th man for Game 2 of the doubleheader against the Athletics. McFarland will be sent down after the final out. The Orioles can hope only for a split of the doubleheader. Breaking even after some bad breaks in Game 1. Mike Wright allowed 10 hits in five-plus innings, but not many balls were hit hard in an 8-4 loss. It's a...

More on the second base situation (and notes)

More on the second base situation (and notes)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - J.J. Hardy has played 1,374 games at shortstop and none at any other position. Manny Machado has played 461 games at third base, nine at shortstop and none at any other position. Chris Davis has played 670 games at first base, 91 at third and 71 in the outfield. He's also made one relief appearance. Pedro Alvarez has played 554 games at third base, 129 at first and none at any other position. Caleb Joseph has caught in 180 games and played five at first base. In the...

Alvarez living up to BP billing, Gausman goes five innings (O's lose 2-0)

Alvarez living up to BP billing, Gausman goes five innings (O's lose 2-0)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter sat in the dugout during batting practice today and interrupted his own thought to marvel at a ball launched by slumping slugger Pedro Alvarez. He was scrambling for the right words, as if it were one of those "you had to be there" moments. Reporters had their backs turned to the field, but Showalter said the ball hit just below the scoreboard in center field. Upon further inspection, it's still perched in its landing spot. Showalter...

Yovani Gallardo will have an MRI on Sunday in Baltimore

Yovani Gallardo will have an MRI on Sunday in Baltimore
KANSAS CITY - When the Orioles put right-hander Yovani Gallardo on the disabled list this afternoon, they announced that he was dealing with right shoulder bicep tendinitis. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters today that was an initial diagnosis and the club will learn much more about the full extent of Gallardo's injury when he has an MRI tomorrow in Baltimore. "He'll have an MRI and then see Dr. (Michael) Jacobs around noon tomorrow," Showalter said. "You know, what did they put on it...

Orioles place Gallardo on DL and activate Matusz (updated)

Orioles place Gallardo on DL and activate Matusz (updated)
The Orioles have placed pitcher Yovani Gallardo on the 15-day disabled list with "right shoulder bicep tendinitis," according to the team. Gallardo's spot on the 25-man roster will be filled by reliever Brian Matusz, who comes off the disabled list. Gallardo worked only two innings last night in Kansas City and threw 45 pitches before exiting the game. He flew back to Baltimore and underwent an examination from team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs. An MRI will be performed tomorrow. The bicep...

How will the Orioles create spots for their returning pitchers?

How will the Orioles create spots for their returning pitchers?
The Orioles apparently are determined to make up for lost time after going 15 games without changing their opening day roster. Yovani Gallardo is expected to land on the disabled list after returning to Baltimore and undergoing an examination of his right shoulder. It would be a shock if he's simply day-to-day or pushed back one start after leaving last night's game before the bottom of the third inning. Gallardo told reporters in Kansas City that his shoulder "just didn't feel right." He...

Chris Davis on his defense

Chris Davis on his defense
Chris Davis knows what you're thinking. (Don't get embarrassed. It's baseball-related.) Big guy, big muscles, hits really long home runs, strikes out a lot, can't possess the athleticism to play first base at an elite level. This is why we have scouts and defensive metrics and, if blessed with it, the ability to see and comprehend. Davis is playing an outstanding first base. He's got to be averaging at least one play a night that warrants an asterisk on your scoresheet. Or whatever symbol...

O's to start Tyler Wilson on Saturday, Kevin Gausman on Monday

O's to start Tyler Wilson on Saturday, Kevin Gausman on Monday
KANSAS CITY - It has been a while, but some roster and rotation shuffling is about to begin for the Orioles. They have not had an in-season roster move through the season's first 14 games, but that will likely change tomorrow. So will the rotation. We know now which pitchers will be starting tomorrow and Monday. As expected, right-hander Kevin Gausman will come off the disabled list and start on Monday at Tampa Bay. Right-hander Tyler Wilson will come out of the bullpen and make the start for...

Orioles getting ready to make roster moves

Orioles getting ready to make roster moves
The Orioles embark on their second road trip of the season and are another day away from their first roster move. They're going to make it through 15 games and two postponements, destroying another Baltimore tradition. First Natty Boh and now a stagnant roster. Reliever Brian Matusz is expected to come off the disabled list on Saturday while the Orioles are in the middle of their three-game series in Kansas City. Kevin Gausman is expected to be activated on Monday when the Orioles begin a...

Showalter on Matusz, Jones and the rotation

Showalter on Matusz, Jones and the rotation
The Orioles did a nice job of bumping up Brian Matusz's innings total after he was limited to two in spring training due to a strained muscle in his lower back. Matusz worked 10 innings in his five appearances on his injury rehab assignment, including four last night at Single-A Frederick. He went three innings in his previous appearance with the Keys. "It's good for him to get stretched out two or three outings," said manager Buck Showalter. Matusz, drafted as a starter with the fourth...

Updating Matusz, Gausman, Jones, Lohse and more

Updating Matusz, Gausman, Jones, Lohse and more
Left-hander Brian Matusz is expected to be activated from the disabled list on Saturday while the Orioles are in Kansas City. Matusz allowed one hit and struck out nine batters over four scoreless innings last night at Single-A Frederick. He's made five appearances on his minor league rehab assignment. "It felt good to be able to get extended to four innings," Matusz said today. "Threw all four pitches. It was a positive outing. "The strikeouts are great. But I think ultimately the key was...

Showalter speaks after 4-3 loss

Showalter speaks after 4-3 loss
The Orioles no longer are unbeaten at home or on a nice early roll. Though they got six innings out of starter Mike Wright and the first home run from Matt Wieters, the Orioles lost again tonight, 4-3 to the Blue Jays before an announced crowd of 16,783 at Camden Yards. The Orioles have dropped four of their last five games, tonight's defeat coming after they stranded two runners in the eighth and went down quietly in the ninth. They had a 10-game home winning streak that dated to the second...

Jones leaves tonight's game with stomach virus (O's lose 4-3)

Jones leaves tonight's game with stomach virus (O's lose 4-3)
Orioles center fielder Adam Jones left tonight's game after the bottom of the sixth inning with a stomach virus, according to the team. Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard moved to center field and Nolan Reimold was inserted into left. Jones grounded to short for the second out in the sixth inning. He hit into a double play and singled in two previous at-bats. The news tonight is good, considering that Jones wasn't in the lineup for six games due to soreness in his rib area. He was used twice as a...

Showalter on Gausman, Matusz and Paredes

Showalter on Gausman, Matusz and Paredes
The Orioles rotation could include Kevin Gausman as early as Monday, or he could remain out of it next week. It's anybody's guess at this point. Gausman is starting Wednesday night for Triple-A Norfolk, putting him in line to pitch Monday unless manager Buck Showalter wants to keep Ubaldo Jimenez on his normal turn. And unless the Orioles decide Gausman would benefit from another start in the minors. We know now that Jimenez starts Wednesday and Chris Tillman starts Thursday, with Yovani...

Gausman starting Wednesday for Norfolk (plus other notes)

Gausman starting Wednesday for Norfolk (plus other notes)
The Orioles are keeping Kevin Gausman on his injury rehab assignment. Gausman will report to Triple-A Norfolk and start Wednesday night in Charlotte. He could be activated and start for the Orioles when his turn comes up again, but the decision is pending. Gausman, on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis, has allowed three runs (one earned) and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings at Double-A Bowie and Single-A Frederick. The Orioles want to get him up to 90 pitches with Norfolk, preferably...

Mike Wright finally gets a second chance

Mike Wright finally gets a second chance
The Orioles should be able to play tonight's game without any delays, without the sky opening and the tarp unrolling. The forecast calls for temperatures in the upper 70s during the day and dipping to 47 in the evening. No chance of precipitation. Rain doesn't return until Friday when the Orioles are in Kansas City. The Blue Jays arrive at Camden Yards with a 7-7 record that puts them 2 1/2 games behind the Orioles in the American League East. They're 3-3 at home and 4-4 on the road. The...

Pregame notes on Matusz, Gausman, Alvarez and more

Pregame notes on Matusz, Gausman, Alvarez and more
ARLINGTON, Texas - Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz will make another rehab appearance at Single-A Frederick following last night's three-inning stint at Harry Grove Stadium. Matusz is expected to pitch on Tuesday and work three to four innings if he's able. He allowed one run last night, on a solo home run, over three innings. The Orioles could activate Matusz next weekend while they're in Kansas City. His rehab assignment runs through Wednesday. "He was better last night," said manager...

Kevin Gausman and Brian Matusz talk about their night in Frederick (plus other notes)

Kevin Gausman and Brian Matusz talk about their night in Frederick (plus other notes)
FREDERICK - The Single-A Frederick Keys have long been a team that draws well at the gate. But last night's attendance produced a big crowd even for the Keys, as 5,712 came to Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium. They came to see two Orioles pitch on injury rehab assignments. The Keys lost 4-0 to Lynchburg, but the fans got to see right-hander Kevin Gausman and left-hander Brian Matusz pitch. It was the largest April crowd in Frederick in four years, except for when Manny Machado played here in...

Kevin Gausman, Brian Matusz and No. 42

Kevin Gausman, Brian Matusz and No. 42
ARLINGTON, Texas - Kevin Gausman and Brian Matusz remain scheduled to pitch tonight at Single-A Frederick, perhaps their final appearances in the minors before coming off the disabled list. Team executives Dan Duquette and Brady Anderson will be in attendance, along with special assignment pitching instructor Ramon Martinez. Manager Buck Showalter wants more than good health from Gausman and Matusz. He expects good results, too. He won't accept ugly pitching lines and elevated pitch counts in...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
BOSTON - The recent and more distant pasts of Ubaldo Jimenez will collide tonight in the series finale against the Red Sox. Jimenez held the Twins to one earned run over seven innings on April 7, walking none and striking out nine. Manager Buck Showalter extended him to 106 pitches and it paid off. No other Orioles starter has gone more than five innings. Jimenez stands tallest in the rotation. He's been chopped at the knees when facing the Red Sox. Jimenez is 2-4 with a 7.26 ERA and 1.781...