Showalter says Tillman "probably won't be an option" for opener

Showalter says Tillman "probably won't be an option" for opener
SARASOTA, Fla. - What was considered a mere formality has become an open competition. Chris Tillman figured to make his fourth consecutive opening day start for the Orioles, the only drama being how long it would take to get confirmation. However, a platelet-rich plasma injection in Tillman's right shoulder has pushed him back three weeks and made him a prime candidate for the disabled list. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed this afternoon that Tillman, 28, had a setback with his offseason...

Tillman may start season on disabled list

Tillman may start season on disabled list
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman isn't expected to be the Orioles' opening day starter on April 3 at Camden Yards after undergoing a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right shoulder in December. Tillman contacted head athletic trainer Richie Bancells two months ago to express his concerns over how the shoulder was responding to a throwing program. It's the same shoulder that forced him on the disabled list last season. If Tillman is placed on the new 10-day disabled list, the assignment...

Expectations running high for Gausman and Bundy

Expectations running high for Gausman and Bundy
The Orioles may break camp with only 10 or 11 pitchers due to having three open dates within the first eight days of the season. They can carry an expanded bench, perhaps including a Rule 5 pick and/or Trey Mancini, who's currently on the roster bubble. However the rotation unfolds, Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy will be in it. They're locks if healthy and carrying weighty expectations from teammates who were encouraged by their progress in 2016. "It's huge," first baseman Chris Davis said...

More on Seth Smith and what could come next

More on Seth Smith and what could come next
Immediately after the Orioles tweeted the news yesterday that they acquired outfielder Seth Smith from the Mariners for pitcher Yovani Gallardo and cash considerations, my first thought turned to how the club made the announcement before it leaked to the media. When does this happen anymore? There also was surprise that the Orioles traded one of their starters this month rather than later in the offseason. The math suggested that it eventually would happen, especially with the money committed...

A few ramifications of the Seth Smith trade

A few ramifications of the Seth Smith trade
The Orioles made a nice addition on Friday. They added a lefty-hitting corner outfielder with solid numbers against right-handed pitching and one that could upgrade their team on-base percentage. They acquired 34-year-old Seth Smith from the Seattle Mariners for right-handed starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo and cash considerations. So what happens now and how does that deal impact the outfield, lineup and rotation moving forward? Smith is a platoon player: Smith has clearly defined splits and...

O's add outfielder, subtract pitcher in Smith-for-Gallardo trade

O's add outfielder, subtract pitcher in Smith-for-Gallardo trade
In one trade this afternoon, the Orioles added a corner outfielder and solved their six-for-five starting rotation problem. They acquired Seth Smith from Seattle for right-hander Yovani Gallardo and cash considerations. Both players had one year remaining on their contracts, although the Orioles held a 2018 option on Gallardo. Smith signed an extension with Seattle in July 2014 that paid him $6 million in 2015 and $6.75 million last year. An option on his deal for 2017 was picked up for $7...

Orioles acquire Seth Smith from Mariners for Yovani Gallardo

Orioles acquire Seth Smith from Mariners for Yovani Gallardo
The Orioles found their left-handed hitting corner outfielder today without spending in free agency. The club announced that it acquired Seth Smith from the Mariners for pitcher Yovani Gallardo and cash considerations. Smith, 34, batted .249/.342/.415 (94-for-378) with 16 home runs and a career-high 63 RBIs over 137 games with the Mariners last season. He hit .326 (28-for-86) with runners in scoring position and was 6-for-11 with the bases loaded. Smith is signed through the 2017 season and is...

For starters, another look at the rotation

For starters, another look at the rotation
Stop me if you've heard this one before: The Orioles will go as far as their rotation will take them. We seem to say it about every year and it's pretty much true just about every year. So on the first day of 2017, let's say it here for the first of many times it will said and written, both before and during next season. Along those lines, can the O's rotation be better next season? Of course it can and maybe there were signs in the second half of last season that it actually will be. At...

Wondering about your worries in a new year

Wondering about your worries in a new year
Any headaches out there? Anyone popping Tums like they're Skittles? Anyone chugging Pepto like it's your job? I'm kinda/sorta on vacation through Tuesday. I've been scouting the Tampa/St. Petersburg area in case I need to alert the Orioles of any changes before their next series against the Rays. And there's that trip to George Steinbrenner Field when they play the Yankees in spring training. If I'm forced to sleep late or sit by a pool or watch football at a bar, so be it. The laptop is...

A statistical look at the Orioles' 2016 team pitching

A statistical look at the Orioles' 2016 team pitching
Yesterday, we took a statistical look at how the 2016 Orioles' team offense ranked against the rest of the American League. Today, we do the same with the team pitching stats. After each stat, the rank within the AL is listed along with the AL average, when available. * 4.22 team ERA (10th, 4.20)* 4.72 starter ERA (13th, 4.43)* 3.40 bullpen ERA (first, 3.84)* 1 complete game (tied for 11th, 3)* 69 quality starts (tied for 11th, 76)* .258 batting average against (ninth, .257)* 1,248 strikeouts...

Should the Orioles trade one of their veteran starters?

Should the Orioles trade one of their veteran starters?
The Orioles have six starters for five spots. That we know. We also know there have been reports about the club being open to trading one of its veteran arms. While the club is excited about what Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy could do at the top of the rotation, what about Yovani Gallardo, Wade Miley and Ubaldo Jimenez after that? The Orioles have hopes that a healthy Gallardo in 2017 could pitch more like he did in 2015 with the Rangers, when he went 13-11 with a 3.42 ERA....

More from Showalter and another look at new labor agreement

More from Showalter and another look at new labor agreement
The Orioles will attempt to improve their pitching depth before opening day, no matter how long it takes. The rotation and the bullpen. They're always interested in arms. In the meantime, manager Buck Showalter likes his much-maligned rotation and expects other teams to exhibit interest in his starters. And he doesn't care if the folks doing the projections disagree with him. "Very quietly, I think our pitching actually is in a lot better shape than people think, especially our bullpen,"...

Orioles add McDowell and Mills to coaching staff

Orioles add McDowell and Mills to coaching staff
Bullpen teammates with the 1996 Orioles are reuniting in Baltimore. The Orioles announced today that they've hired Roger McDowell as pitching coach and Alan Mills as bullpen coach. McDowell replaces Dave Wallace, who will serve in an advisory/instructional role with the Braves. Mills replaces Dom Chiti, who will serve as Atlanta's senior director of pitching. McDowell, 55, spent 11 seasons as Braves pitching coach. He previously worked as pitching coach of the Single-A South Georgia Waves in...

In looking at the rotation, are O's fans hopeful or fearful?

In looking at the rotation, are O's fans hopeful or fearful?
While this has the potential to be a quieter offseason than most for the Orioles, it also seems like it will be an offseason without the pursuit of a starting pitcher. At least one that can step right in on the big league level. Right now, the Orioles have six starters for five spots. Some feel the rotation gets off to a good start with Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy. But then it falls off a cliff with the veterans Yovani Gallardo, Ubaldo Jimenez and Wade Miley. Let's start with...

Notes on general managers meetings and coaching candidates

Notes on general managers meetings and coaching candidates
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette flew home last night from the general managers meetings in Arizona with a clearer read on the free agent and trade markets, holding firm to the same desires. Duquette wants to upgrade the outfield defense. He's searching for a left-handed bat, the need amplified with Matt Wieters and Pedro Alvarez potentially lost to free agency. He wants to improve the catching and bullpen depth. "We got an idea of what some other clubs are looking to deal in the...

Will a starter move to the bullpen?

Will a starter move to the bullpen?
Should the Orioles hold onto their six starters through spring training or consider trading one? Teams say you never can have enough pitching and the Orioles are thinking of making it their slogan in 2017. And yet, it's worth debating today whether they might want to deal from their "excess." We're talking about only six starters, so maybe calling their supply "excess" is, well, excessive. But there's room for only five. It's simple math. Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy are...

Orioles' 2017 rotation: Turning six into five

Orioles' 2017 rotation: Turning six into five
The Orioles have one starter too many. Or maybe they have two fewer than they really need. Or maybe it is something in between. In terms of players under contract for their 2017 rotation, they have six pitchers for five spots with Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy, Ubaldo Jimenez, Yovani Gallardo and Wade Miley. Of that group, only Gausman could pitch in the minors unless it was on an injury rehab assignment. And sending Gausman out is not an acceptable answer or solution for having six...

Wondering about the rotation

Wondering about the rotation
The Orioles remain in the market for a starting pitcher, working the same aisles every winter. They aren't expected to spend big beyond new deals for their arbitration-eligible players. They'd bypass the pricey pitchers anyway. They want healthy arms, but they're not going to Whole Foods. The free agent market isn't appetizing to everyone. Check it out, courtesy of MLBTradeRumors.com: Henderson Alvarez (27) Brett Anderson (29) Clay Buchholz (32) - $13.5MM club option with a $500K buyout...

Wrapping up an 8-1 win

Wrapping up an 8-1 win
NEW YORK - The Orioles sit atop the wild card mountain again. The Blue Jays lost to the Red Sox 5-3 and enabled the Orioles to take sole possession of the top wild card. A rainy, windy night never looked so good to a team that refuses to be counted out. The Tigers won and are now a half-game behind for the second wild card. Manager Buck Showalter said he accidentally checked the scoreboard, but never on purpose. "Not much at all until I had no choice because it was right behind the pitcher's...

A few notes on the Orioles' series-opening win at New York

A few notes on the Orioles' series-opening win at New York
When the Orioles started their series at Rogers Centre on Tuesday night, they were 2-5 in that ballpark this year and then won two of three games. They need to do that or better this weekend at Yankee Stadium, where they began this series with a 2-5 record. On a rainy and miserable night in the opener of this final series of the regular season, the Orioles took care of business in the Bronx. They hit three homers, all in one inning. And Yovani Gallardo pitched a strong game. The Orioles beat...