Early thoughts on spring training

Early thoughts on spring training
The release of the spring training schedule this week made me flash back to past players who occupied so much space in this blog and never made it to Baltimore. There seems to be one every year. I also celebrated how we're making only one trip to Dunedin while lamenting the upcoming drives to Orlando and Lakeland, but I digress ... There needs to be an award for whichever player is the big spring tease. Left-hander Jeff Beliveau (pronounced BELL-uh-voh) would have received it this year after...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Steve Pearce has returned to the Orioles lineup tonight as the designated hitter against Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. Chris Davis has been lowered again to sixth. Jonathan Schoop is batting second. Left-hander Jeff Beliveau has been promoted from Single-A Frederick to Double-A Bowie. For the Orioles Adam Jones CF Jonathan Schoop 2B Manny Machado 3B Mark Trumbo RF Steve Pearce DH Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Nolan Reimold LF Yovani Gallardo RHP For the Red Sox Dustin...

Taking a look at a few spring performances

Taking a look at a few spring performances
SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Jeff Beliveau made his spring debut yesterday at Twin Lakes Park and threw a scoreless inning against low Single-A Bowling Green. He walked one batter. Beliveau hadn't pitched since undergoing labrum surgery in April. I wondered yesterday why the Orioles hadn't brought over first baseman/outfielder Mike Carp from minor league camp. Well, I've got my answer. He's sidelined with a right rotator cuff strain. We're less than two weeks away from opening day at...

Wrapping up an 8-8 tie

Wrapping up an 8-8 tie
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles reassigned left-hander Jeff Beliveau and outfielder Alfredo Marte to minor league camp today, leaving 43 players in major league camp, including eight non-roster invitees. Beliveau will pitch in his first game on Monday at the minor league complex. Marte was 7-for-25 with a home run and four RBIs. "Good swing," manager Buck Showalter said of Marte. "You can see he's a professional hitter. A little better defensively than I was led to believe. That's why you...

Orioles game cancelled due to rain (updated)

Orioles game cancelled due to rain (updated)
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Rays starter Chris Archer threw his first pitch this afternoon to Orioles center fielder Julio Borbon and rain began to fall. The dark clouds and flashes of lightning weren't a tease. Borbon flied to center, Nolan Reimold struck out swinging and the grounds crew unrolled the tarp. Two batters and the Orioles had their first delay of spring training. A few minutes later, they had their first cancellation. Archer threw six pitches, five for strikes. Yovani Gallardo never...

Pregame notes on Matt Wieters, Jeff Beliveau, Miguel Gonzalez and more

Pregame notes on Matt Wieters, Jeff Beliveau, Miguel Gonzalez and more
TAMPA - It was a small step, but a step nonetheless for Orioles catcher Matt Wieters. "He swung the bat some today," manager Buck Showalter said this afternoon at Steinbrenner Field. "When I was walking through the hall (in Sarasota), he came back in and had a sweat going." Showalter didn't see Wieters take those swings and later checked to let reporters know that he hit against a pitching machine. Still no timetable for Wieters to play a game, but the O's remain confident he'll be ready...

Notes on Wieters, Matusz, Britton and more

Notes on Wieters, Matusz, Britton and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews examined Matt Wieters' MRI and concurred with team physicians who said there were no signs of structural damage. More good news for the Orioles, who held obvious concerns about Wieters after he exited Saturday's game with right wrist soreness. Left-hander Brian Matusz could get into a game this weekend after being sidelined with a strained muscle in his lower back. He hasn't pitched since making his only appearance on March 2. Manager...

Jeff Beliveau: "As of right now, everything's been going great"

Jeff Beliveau: "As of right now, everything's been going great"
SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Jeff Beliveau continues to make impressive strides in camp after undergoing labrum surgery in April. Beliveau, signed as a minor league free agent, has thrown live batting practice four times. He took only one day off after Saturday's session before throwing in the bullpen yesterday. He previously had waited two days, but is recovering at a quicker pace. The Orioles haven't decided whether to get Beliveau in an exhibition game before they break camp. The primary...

Caleb Joseph on Matt Wieters: "My heart dropped for him"

Caleb Joseph on Matt Wieters: "My heart dropped for him"
SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz will try to throw off a mound today in the next step in his recovery from a strained muscle in his lower back. Matusz has made only one appearance, allowing a run and two hits in one inning against the Braves on March 2. Matusz session comes one day after left-hander T.J. McFarland threw about 25 pitches in the bullpen. McFarland had some inflammation in his elbow. Jeff Beliveau played long toss yesterday after throwing live batting practice Saturday...

Hearing from Buck Showalter before today's game

Hearing from Buck Showalter before today's game
SARASOTA, Fla. - Still no word on the next round of cuts as we wait for first pitch. "We'll have some more between now and the end of the day," manager Buck Showalter said during batting practice. "Do some at lunch, maybe some after the game. Hopefully, by the end of Sunday I think we'll have a lot of those out of the way." Caleb Joseph looked fine while performing early drills and taking batting practice, the flu-like symptoms no longer holding him back. "He's OK," Showalter said....

Notes on Joseph, McFarland, Tillman and more

Notes on Joseph, McFarland, Tillman and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Caleb Joseph is back in the clubhouse this morning after experiencing flu-like symptoms that swept through his spring training home. Joseph wasn't on yesterday's trip to Tampa due to his illness. "They wanted me to come in today because I'm feeling more normal," he said. "Yesterday, I probably could have come in, but still kind of speculating in terms of contagiousness. It was a bad case. Me, my wife, my son and my mother-in-law all got it within hours. That entire house...

Gallardo update and more notes (O's down 3-2)

Gallardo update and more notes (O's down 3-2)
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Yovani Gallardo's first inning with the Orioles this spring didn't go as planned, unless it's mostly about getting in his work. It's mostly about getting in his work. Gallardo allowed three runs and four hits to the Phillies at Bright House Field. He threw 23 pitches, 14 for strikes. Gallardo will return for the second inning before the Orioles go to their bullpen. Vance Worley most likely will replace him. Peter Bourjos doubled on Gallardo's first pitch and scored with...

Game update and notes on Tillman, Wilson, Beliveau, Paredes and Rickard

Game update and notes on Tillman, Wilson, Beliveau, Paredes and Rickard
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Christian Walker delivered a two-out, two-run double today in the top of the first inning and L.J. Hoes followed with an RBI single. The Orioles are jumping on Clay Buchholz early, tagging him with three unearned runs. Ryan Flaherty walked with one out, Nolan Reimold reached on an error and they executed a double steal. Hyun Soo Kim struck out on a pitch in the dirt, making him 0-for-14 with two strikeouts, but Walker and Hoes delivered in the clutch. Walker is 4-for-10 with...

Wrapping up the eighth day of workouts

Wrapping up the eighth day of workouts
SARASOTA, Fla. - Yovani Gallardo will throw his first bullpen session with the Orioles on Saturday. The intrasquad game on Saturday has been moved to 12:30 p.m. on the Camden Yards replica field. It's open to the public. Same as the workouts. The pitchers listed for the game include Zach Britton, Brian Matusz, Parker Bridwell, Mychal Givens and Andy Oliver for one team, and Ubaldo Jimenez, Odrisamer Despaigne, Chaz Roe, Dale Thayer and Andrew Triggs for the other team. The Sunday intrasquad...

Wrapping up the sixth day of workouts

Wrapping up the sixth day of workouts
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles aren't commenting on pitcher Yovani Gallardo's physical or their agreement with outfielder Dexter Fowler. These are sensitive issues that manager Buck Showalter, a smile on his face, danced around again this afternoon. The club has discussed a restructure of its three-year, $35 million agreement with Gallardo, according to multiple sources. The question is whether Gallardo would be receptive to it or if the Orioles would be sifting through their other rotation...

Wrapping up the fifth day of workouts (updated)

Wrapping up the fifth day of workouts (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter made a couple of veiled (and comical) references to the Yovani Gallardo physical today while meeting with reporters and other assorted media. He didn't address it specifically. It was the elephant in the room. Showalter isn't going to say much about Gallardo until he's on the team. Gallardo won't attend tonight's meeting unless he passes the physical, and there's some doubt that it's going to happen. There's been a strange vibe in camp all...

Wrapping up the second day of workouts (with photos)

Wrapping up the second day of workouts (with photos)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Everyone scheduled to throw a bullpen session today took the mound to conclude the second official workout at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Todd Redmond is expected back in camp on Sunday after leaving for a few days to attend to a family matter. Center fielder Adam Jones is expected to report on Sunday. Hunter Harvey impressed this afternoon, displaying a smooth, repeatable delivery and popping the catcher's mitt. Manager Buck Showalter noted how Harvey's arm slot is higher...

Time for the first official workout

Time for the first official workout
SARASOTA, Fla. - The first official workout of spring training will be held later today after players take their physicals. You can't be on the field without one. Stay tuned for photos of pitchers running and throwing; of catchers running and throwing; of at least a few position players running and throwing - and maybe hitting in the cage. We'll find out later if anyone has work visa issues. It's a frequent occurrence in camps and manager Buck Showalter is bracing for it. The physicals...

Orioles invite 17 non-roster players to spring training

Orioles invite 17 non-roster players to spring training
The Orioles released the names of their 17 non-roster invitees to spring training, a list that includes seven pitchers, three catchers, four infielders and three outfielders. There are no real surprises in the group except that infielder Joey Terdoslavich didn't receive an invitation after being designated for assignment and outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Keep in mind that everyone on the 40-man roster also will report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex. They don't need invitations. Also be...

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....