More Orioles notes and quotes from Day 2 of minicamp

More Orioles notes and quotes from Day 2 of minicamp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles contacted pitcher Gavin Floyd about a tryout at minicamp this week, but he turned down the offer. Floyd, a Severna Park native and graduate of Mount St. Joseph High School, is playing long toss after undergoing surgery on his right elbow for a second consecutive year. He hasn't thrown off a mound. The Orioles could try again later this winter. Hunter Harvey is the only Orioles pitcher scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday before the conclusion of minicamp...

Orioles sign Alex Liddi to minor league deal (plus minicamp notes)

Orioles sign Alex Liddi to minor league deal (plus minicamp notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have signed Alex Liddi to a minor league deal. A team official confirmed it earlier this morning. Liddi, 27, appeared in 49 games with Triple-A Norfolk in 2013. He spent the 2015 season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas in the Royals system, batting .287/.324/.474 with 39 doubles, six triples, 13 home runs and 56 RBIs in 128 games. Liddi, a native of Italy, batted .208/.266/.370 in 61 games with the Mariners over parts of three seasons, the last in 2013. Ashur...

More Orioles notes and quotes from today's minicamp

More Orioles notes and quotes from today's minicamp
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter spoke briefly today with the players attending minicamp before turning it over to pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti. "I talked to them for about five minutes before Wally and Dom did their thing, congratulated them on being invited and appreciate them coming," Showalter said this afternoon while sitting in his office at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. "They didn't have to come. This is completely voluntary, but the...

Orioles again expressing interest in Gavin Floyd (plus other notes)

Orioles again expressing interest in Gavin Floyd (plus other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter said the Orioles are discussing whether to invite pitcher Gavin Floyd to minicamp and give him a tryout. Injuries have limited Floyd, a Severna Park native, to five starts with the White Sox in 2013, nine starts with the Braves in 2014 and seven relief appearances with the Indians last season. He's currently a free agent. Floyd, who turns 33 later this month, was teammates with Mark Teixeira at Mount St. Joseph High School. Floyd's appearances with the...

This, that and the other (updated)

This, that and the other (updated)
The Orioles haven't named a replacement for Ned Rice, formerly their director of major league administration who accepted a job as assistant general manager in Philadelphia. It appears that they will stay inside the organization, though nothing is final. Rice's loss is a big one for the front office. What are the chances that free agent outfielder/first baseman Steve Pearce follows Rice to Philadelphia? The Orioles could reach out to Pearce later in the month, since he's a favorite of...

Brach on O'Day: "Darren's leadership is second to none"

Brach on O'Day: "Darren's leadership is second to none"
There's a pretty good chance today that the Orioles will announce their four-year deal with reliever Darren O'Day. Do it quick before he checks Twitter. O'Day agreed to terms last Monday. He took and passed his physical. I believe there was an insurance issue that needed to be worked out. This is one of the more complicated deals with its deferred money and partial no-trade clauses, but the sides finally may have reached the finish line. "Darren's been huge for my career personally, just...