Orioles lose C.J. Riefenhauser on waiver claim

Orioles lose C.J. Riefenhauser on waiver claim
C.J. Riefenhauser is on the move again. The Cubs claimed Riefenhauser off waivers today after the Orioles designated him for assignment last week. They designated left-hander Edgar Olmos for assignment to make room for Riefenhauser. In a strange twist, the Cubs had claimed Olmos from the Orioles on Dec. 23. The Rays traded Riefenhauser to the Mariners on Nov. 5. The Orioles acquired Riefenhauser and first baseman/outfielder Mark Trumbo on Dec. 2 for catcher Steve Clevenger. Now comes today's...

Duquette on adding a starting pitcher: "We're still working on it"

Duquette on adding a starting pitcher: "We're still working on it"
While the Orioles continue discussions with the agent for right-hander Yovani Gallardo, they're not expected to reach agreement tonight. More works remains as the Orioles attempt to sign Gallardo to a three-year deal. They've made progress, but they're still short of the finish line. Executive vice president Dan Duquette wouldn't comment on Gallardo or any other free agent or trade targets. However, when asked whether a move could be made later today, he replied, "I doubt it." "We're...

About yesterday and last night ...

About yesterday and last night ...
I can't promise that the Orioles will make news again today, but executive vice president Dan Duquette continues to work the phones in an attempt to finalize the roster by the start of spring training. If it takes a little longer, so be it. They completed a trade with the Padres for right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne. You can spell "San Diego Padres" using the letters in his name and still have a few left over. Anyone got a Scrabble board? They designated left-hander C.J. Riefenhauser for...

Former Orioles pitcher Steve Johnson signs with Rangers

Former Orioles pitcher Steve Johnson signs with Rangers
Former Orioles pitcher Steve Johnson, the local product who made his major league debut four years ago at Camden Yards, has signed a minor league deal with the Rangers that includes an invitation to spring training. The Orioles designated Johnson for assignment on Dec. 2 while making a flurry of roster moves at the deadline to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players. They needed to create a spot for left-hander C.J. Riefenhauser on the 40-man roster. Johnson, 28, allowed six...

Wrapping up the last day of Orioles minicamp

Wrapping up the last day of Orioles minicamp
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dylan Bundy threw 15 fastballs off the half mound today at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. A few feet away, Hunter Harvey threw a full bullpen session off the regular mound. The Orioles' top two prospects simultaneously in action, raising hopes as the minicamp drew to a close. "It's great to know that they're on schedule, they're part of the group. They're, for lack of another term, normalized. It is nice," said pitching coach Dave Wallace. "You're happy for them....

Riefenhauser happy to be closer to home with Orioles

Riefenhauser happy to be closer to home with Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Welcome to Day 2 of Orioles minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, where you'd find frost on the pumpkins if they were part of the décor. The temperature is supposed to soar into the low 60s today as a group of pitchers throw bullpen sessions in front of manager Buck Showalter and his staff. I'll provide injury updates later on pitcher Jeff Beliveau and catchers Jonah Heim and Chris O'Brien. Spoiler alert: They're all good. O'Brien's father, Charlie, played 15...

Bridwell healthy and eager for spring training

Bridwell healthy and eager for spring training
SARASOTA, Fla. - Not only did right-hander Parker Bridwell refuse to stress over the possibility of being added to the Orioles' 40-man roster, he had no idea when teams were required to protect players from the Rule 5 draft. The deadline could have been hours or months away for all he knew. The Orioles shocked Bridwell on Nov. 20 by including him on the roster, along with pitchers Andrew Triggs and Chris Lee. "I was very surprised," said Bridwell, 24, who's in Sarasota to attend minicamp....

Taking a look at the minicamp roster (updated)

Taking a look at the minicamp roster (updated)
Dylan Bundy and Hunter Harvey are two of the more intriguing names among the Orioles minor league pitchers attending next week's minicamp in Sarasota. Manager Buck Showalter, pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti want to check on the organization's top prospects. Bundy was shut down in the Arizona Fall League due to tightness in his right forearm. Harvey was shut down in the fall instructional league with discomfort in his right elbow. Bundy is out of minor league options...

Orioles back home and still trying to do business

Orioles back home and still trying to do business
The Winter Meetings are being held in suburban Washington D.C., next year. If I'm still on the beat and haven't gone completely insane, it will be nice to hop in my car after the Rule 5 draft and walk through my front door in about an hour. I might volunteer to drop off the new player at Camden Yards, though it's out of my way. The Orioles left Nashville yesterday with only a Rule 5 pick, as if visited by the ghost of Winter Meetings past. They later claimed left-hander Edgar Olmos off...