Orioles extend Brian Matusz's injury rehab assignment

Orioles extend Brian Matusz's injury rehab assignment
BOSTON - The Orioles have extended Brian Matusz's rehab assignment, with the left-hander scheduled to pitch multiple innings Friday night at Single-A Frederick. Matusz will follow Kevin Gausman to the mound. The Orioles would like to get five innings out of Gausman and perhaps three out of Matusz. The assignment was extended after Matusz allowed six runs and seven hits last night in the first inning at Double-A Bowie. He threw 30 pitches before Chris Lee replaced him in the second...

A look around the minors and the Birdland Passport program is back

A look around the minors and the Birdland Passport program is back
Let's take a look around the Orioles' minor league affiliates, as Triple-A Norfolk, Double-A Bowie, high Single-A Frederick and low Single-A Delmarva have combined for an 8-11 start. NORFOLK After an 0-3 start, Norfolk has won back-to-back games, scoring 16 runs. Norfolk scored three runs in the seventh last night and two in the eighth to rally past Charlotte 7-6 after trailing 6-2. Former Oriole Miguel Gonzalez started against his former organization last night. Against the Tides, Gonzalez...

Wrapping up a 9-7 win

Wrapping up a 9-7 win
BOSTON - The Orioles are 6-0 for the first time in club history, a milestone that doesn't seem to be a hot topic inside the clubhouse or the manager's office. No one is ordering a cake or thumbing through the display of Hallmark cards. It's just six wins in six games. "Our guys are very reality based, understand it doesn't mean much of anything," manager Buck Showalter said following a 9-7 win over the Red Sox. "It's just six games we don't have to win now. There's not much...

Showalter speaks after latest sweep

Showalter speaks after latest sweep
Darren O'Day battled, Zach Britton breezed and the Orioles matched the best start in club history. O'Day struck out Hank Conger today on his 33rd pitch to escape a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning and Britton retired the Rays in order to record his second save in a 5-3 win at Camden Yards. The Orioles matched their best start at 5-0. Move over 1970 team. And try not to block the World Series trophy. Hyun Soo Kim made his major league debut and went 2-for-3 with two infield singles. He...

Hearing from Showalter, Hardy and Matusz (game postponed)

Hearing from Showalter, Hardy and Matusz (game postponed)
The Orioles are the only undefeated team left in the majors. The '72 Dolphins have champagne on ice in case the streak ends. The Rays hit in the indoor cage this afternoon while the Orioles took batting practice outside. Ryan Flaherty was in short sleeves. The sky is darkening again, but the Orioles feel good about their chances of playing. "We take a lot of things into consideration to make sure it's OK for the fans," said manager Buck Showalter. "You look at a lot of different factors. I...

Notes on Jones, Hardy, Matusz, Gausman, Worley and more

Notes on Jones, Hardy, Matusz, Gausman, Worley and more
The Orioles are taking batting practice this afternoon on a sun-splashed field, though the temperature continues to drop. "It's going to be cold, but we play games," said manager Buck Showalter. "That's what we do." Showalter added that the wind is going to be "a challenge." Center fielder Adam Jones and shortstop J.J. Hardy may have played tonight if the temperature wasn't supposed to dip into the 20s. They could return to the lineup on Sunday. Left-hander Brian Matusz, eligible to...

Wieters on his 10-pitch at-bat and more, plus Matusz on pitching in Bowie

Wieters on his 10-pitch at-bat and more, plus Matusz on pitching in Bowie
The Orioles have their first 4-0 start since 2011. They have now won four or more consecutive games to begin a season for the eighth time in franchise history. The club's best-ever start was 5-0 in 1970. They have outscored their opponents 17-7, allowing two, two, two and one run in those games. Their team ERA is 1.50 and the starters' ERA is 1.42. They've out-homered their opponents 7-3 and outhit them 37-26. The Orioles had just one homer in their first two games and then hit three in the...

Move must be made for Matusz

Move must be made for Matusz
Freezing rain, snow, high winds, temperatures in the 20s. Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack - plus a scarf, mittens, hot chocolate and a set of jumper cables shoved up my nose to keep me functioning. (Nose was my second choice. I was advised by a friend that my first choice probably would get me fired.) Let's play snow ball tonight at Camden Yards while also pausing ever so briefly to appreciate Tropicana Field and all of its climate-controlled goodness. And I do mean briefly. The Orioles'...

Quick hits from the clubhouse

Quick hits from the clubhouse
It didn't take long for the Orioles to make the first adjustment to their rotation. Chris Tillman will start Friday night against the Rays on three days' rest after working only two innings on opening day. Mike Wright will be pushed back to Saturday night. The Rays are starting Chris Archer, Drew Smyly and Jake Odorizzi. Manager Buck Showalter is withholding the identity of his No. 5 starter until making sure the weather doesn't impact any games this week. Brian Matusz will pitch one inning...

Bowie media day: Gausman to pitch, Mancini on Baysox

Bowie media day: Gausman to pitch, Mancini on Baysox
BOWIE - The defending Double-A Eastern League champion Bowie Baysox will open a new season at Prince George's Stadium on Thursday night. Orioles reliever Brian Matusz may pitch during that game for the Baysox. And right-hander Kevin Gausman, who like Matusz is also on the O's disabled list, is slated to start on Saturday night for Bowie, according to manager Gary Kendall. Gausman, who got a cortisone injection on March 20 for shoulder tendinitis, is working his way back to the O's rotation...

Pregame notes and Showalter quotes before the opener

Pregame notes and Showalter quotes before the opener
Left-hander Brian Matusz is scheduled to pitch at Double-A Bowie on Thursday and the Orioles want to activate him three days later. Kevin Gausman will throw a 35-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday. He will make starts covering three and five innings before coming off the disabled list. Gausman remains targeted to start on April 19. Infielder Jimmy Paredes is taking dry swings with a fungo bat. That's as far as he's progressed from his left wrist injury. Manager Buck Showalter said he considered...

Andrew Stetka: O's opener marks start of strangest possible season

Andrew Stetka: O's opener marks start of strangest possible season
The Orioles embark on the 2016 season following what is quite possibly one of the strangest offseasons in recent memory. There were more ups and downs over the last five months than on a roller coaster. Entering the offseason, no one expected the O's to bring back their free agents. There was no chance they were paying Matt Wieters, Chris Davis and Darren O'Day. Yet, here we are and all three remain on the roster. After an offseason where the franchise spent more money than ever, we're left...

Quick hits before today's workout

Quick hits before today's workout
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he expects the 25-man roster to go unchanged on opening day. Last year, the Orioles designated reliever Ryan Webb for assignment and purchased catcher Ryan Lavarnway's contract after setting the roster the previous day. Duquette said the club looked at 10 or 12 available players this spring before setting its roster. Manager Buck Showalter said Xavier Avery will play center field at Triple-A Norfolk and Julio Borbon will play center field at...

Orioles set 25-man roster (updated)

Orioles set 25-man roster (updated)
The Orioles have set their 25-man roster for opening day, and it includes outfielders Hyun Soo Kim and Nolan Reimold. Xavier Avery has been reassigned to minor league camp and will report to Triple-A Norfolk. Kim wouldn't give his consent to a minor league assignment and the Orioles wouldn't cut him and eat $7 million. The bullpen currently holds eight pitchers, including Tyler Wilson and Vance Worley. Manager Buck Showalter will announce a fifth starter for the April 10 game against the...

Chaz Roe placed on waivers (updated)

Chaz Roe placed on waivers (updated)
Sitting on the roster bubble at the beginning of spring training, reliever Chaz Roe has been placed on waivers as the Orioles break camp and head to Philadelphia for tonight's exhibition game. Roe appeared in 10 games this spring and allowed three runs and 12 hits in 11 2/3 innings, with five walks, nine strikeouts and a hit batter. He left camp for a few days for the birth of his second daughter. Roe is out of minor league options. The Orioles have two openings in their bullpen with...

Can Joey Rickard produce what the Orioles need? (Plus a look at homegrown pitchers)

Can Joey Rickard produce what the Orioles need? (Plus a look at homegrown pitchers)
If Joey Rickard gets the chance to start in left field for the Orioles, he could bring the team two very needed elements - speed and on-base capability. This spring, through Thursday's games, Rickard was batting .387 to rank seventh among all American League players during spring training. He ranked third with a .465 OBP and was 22nd in slugging at .565. Rickard also has played solid defense. Ironically, Rickard could bring some things to the table the Orioles thought they were getting when...

Early notes on Hyun Soo Kim, Joey Rickard, Paul Janish and more

Early notes on Hyun Soo Kim, Joey Rickard, Paul Janish and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Hyun Soo Kim, through his interpreter, declined an interview request today from the media. Kim sat at his locker with about 10 minutes remaining before the clubhouse closed to the press. The Orioles are waiting for Kim's decision on whether to accept an assignment to the minors. His contract stipulates that he must give his consent. Meanwhile, Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard hasn't been told by the Orioles that he's made the club. However, he's been given some pretty strong hints,...

Hyun Soo Kim out of lineup, Matt Wieters catching

Hyun Soo Kim out of lineup, Matt Wieters catching
SARASOTA, Fla. - Hyun Soo Kim is out of the Orioles lineup again for tonight's game against the Braves, which is in doubt due to heavy rain. Kim also was held back from the last two games in Bradenton and Fort Myers. He was in the clubhouse this afternoon and spent a few minutes with his interpreter checking the lineup card after it was posted. Ryan Flaherty is in left field tonight. Matt Wieters is catching and batting second. Wieters remains confident that he will be ready opening day. An...

Notes on Brian Matusz, pitching and more

Notes on Brian Matusz, pitching and more
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Getting to JetBlue Park is a relatively easy task. Getting into the parking lot is much more complicated if you arrive an hour before first pitch. David Ortiz, who has announced his retirement following the 2016 season, is playing his final game here today. The Orioles are braced for whatever delays are forthcoming, including an on-field ceremony that just started a few minutes ago. Left-hander Brian Matusz sounded encouraged by his outing yesterday in an intrasquad game at...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard is in right field and Pedro Alvarez is at first base for today's game against the Red Sox in Fort Myers. The Orioles lineup also includes Garabez Rosa at second base and Julio Borbon in left field. Both players came over from minor league camp. Tyler Wilson and Brad Brach will pitch in relief today. Left-hander Brian Matusz said he feels good after throwing 18 pitches yesterday in an intrasquad game at Twin Lakes Park. He's scheduled to pitch again on...