Orioles lineup vs. Rays (updated)

Orioles lineup vs. Rays (updated)
The Orioles have lost pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne on a waiver claim by the Marlins. Despaigne was placed on waivers a few days ago, after the Orioles were unable to complete a trade. They designated him for assignment on Sept. 5. Despaigne was 0-2 with a 5.60 ERA in 16 relief appearance with the Orioles, who acquired him from the Padres in February for short-season Single-A Aberdeen pitcher Jean Cosme. Despaigne averaged 4.9 walks per nine innings, an issue that kept him from cracking the...

Notes on O'Day, Pearce and Despaigne

Notes on O'Day, Pearce and Despaigne
BOSTON - Orioles reliever Darren O'Day threw his simulated game this afternoon and will do the same on Friday at Camden Yards. Manager Buck Showalter is hoping that O'Day can come off the disabled list on Sunday or Monday. The next simulated game may be a shorter version of today's, with O'Day mimicking an actual appearance out of the bullpen. O'Day is on the disabled list retroactive to Aug. 12 with a strained right rotator cuff. Steve Pearce isn't available to play tonight and is...

More on Miley and tonight's game

More on Miley and tonight's game
BOSTON - Anyone know what happened to Odrisamer Despaigne? I'm not campaigning for his return, just seriously wondering about him, since the Orioles designated him for assignment on Sept. 5 to make room for Brian Duensing on the 40-man roster. Duensing pitched last night and surrendered two runs in the seventh inning in a 12-2 loss to the Red Sox. Despaigne apparently is in baseball limbo. Wade Miley may no longer be in the Orioles rotation. His next turn in a six-man rotation would come...

Orioles designate Despaigne for assignment

Orioles designate Despaigne for assignment
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles designated pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne for assignment this morning to create a spot for left-hander Brian Duensing on the 40-man roster. The move isn't a surprise. The Orioles didn't recall Despaigne when 25-man rosters expanded this month and he clearly was in a vulnerable position. The Orioles acquired Despaigne, 29, from the Padres on Feb. 4 for minor league pitcher Jean Cosme. He went 0-2 with a 5.60 ERA in 16 relief appearances, registered a 1.720 WHIP...

More on yesterday's news and a few notes

More on yesterday's news and a few notes
The news on Adam Jones and Chris Tillman is encouraging, according to reports out of New York. It's mildly disturbing on Steve Pearce. It's quite confusing with T.J. McFarland. Jones remains day-to-day with a strained left hamstring, but manager Buck Showalter told reporters that the center fielder may have been in the lineup yesterday if the Orioles were playing at night. The quick turnaround led to a more cautious approach. My guess is we'll see Jones in center field tonight against the...

Orioles option Despaigne (plus Showalter quotes)

Orioles option Despaigne (plus Showalter quotes)
The Orioles optioned right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne to Triple-A Norfolk tonight after he worked three innings in relief in a 12-2 loss to the Astros at Camden Yards. Despaigne was set to stay for only one game if he needed to work multiple innings, and it became necessary after starter Chris Tillman failed to get an out in the third. A corresponding move will be announced Sunday morning. Manager Buck Showalter noted the challenge of getting a pitcher to Camden Yards with Triple-A Norfolk...

Chris Tillman makes early exit as Astros rout Orioles again

Chris Tillman makes early exit as Astros rout Orioles again
Chris Tillman's velocity was down early in his outing and his command was off later. It was not a good combination and Tillman lasted just two innings plus four batters tonight as the Astros beat the Orioles 12-2. After the Orioles beat the Astros 13-5 on Thursday night, they have been outscored 27-10 the past two nights. In losing for the 15th time in the last 24 games, the Orioles fall to 67-55 for the season. They are 3-7 in their past 10 home games. Orioles utility man Ryan Flaherty...

Tillman leaves early, Flaherty pitches, Orioles lose 12-2

Tillman leaves early, Flaherty pitches, Orioles lose 12-2
Chris Tillman couldn't locate his pitches tonight and his velocity was down, the fastball sitting in the upper 80s. These are disturbing signs for a pitcher who had to be pushed back due to a sore right shoulder. Also disturbing is the latest loss to the Astros, which included Ryan Flaherty's pitching debut in the ninth inning, and the threat of losing another home series. Tillman couldn't get an out in the third inning and was done after 67 pitches, only 33 of them strikes. He allowed six...

Notes on Wieters, Despaigne and more

Notes on Wieters, Despaigne and more
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he expects catcher Matt Wieters to remain on paternity leave at least through Sunday's game at Camden Yards. Wieters and wife Maria are at the hospital and doctors induced labor this morning. Wieters can stay away from the team for a maximum of three days. Showalter said reports on Odrisamer Despaigne, recalled today from Triple-A Norfolk, show that the right-hander is "throwing the ball well." Despaigne is the long reliever tonight if starter Chris...

Orioles roster moves and lineup

Orioles roster moves and lineup
The Orioles have placed catcher Matt Wieters on paternity leave and recalled pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne and catcher Francisco Pena from Triple-A Norfolk. Wieters is joining his wife for the birth of their second son. He can be away from the team for a maximum of three days. Despaigne, 29, registered a 3.48 ERA in 15 starts with Norfolk this season and allowed one earned run in his last two starts over nine innings. He's 0-2 with a 4.81 ERA in 15 relief appearances with the Orioles, who...

Wilson optioned to Norfolk

Wilson optioned to Norfolk
The Orioles optioned right-hander Tyler Wilson to Triple-A Norfolk following tonight's 15-8 loss to the Astros at Camden Yards. They need a long reliever after using three tonight, including Wilson, who was charged with four runs and five hits in two innings. He also let an inherited runner score and surrendered two home runs. Wilson's ERA has risen to 5.38 in 20 games (13 starts) spanning 90 1/3 innings. Repeating what I posted earlier, Wilson retired all 12 Rockies he faced on July 26, but...

Orioles' early power display wasted in 15-8 loss (with quotes)

Orioles' early power display wasted in 15-8 loss (with quotes)
Wade Miley's reputation for working fast unfortunately expanded tonight to include being done after only 44 pitches. The Orioles became the first team to hit four home runs before making an out, according the STATS. Their first inning was epic. The collapse that ensued wasn't far off. Miley allowed five runs in the second as the Astros also batted around and manager Buck Showalter removed him after 1 2/3 innings with his team behind 6-5. The Orioles lost 15-8 before 34,422 at Camden Yards,...

Pregame notes on Tyler Wilson and success at home

Pregame notes on Tyler Wilson and success at home
Orioles pitchers took batting practice this afternoon in preparation for their interleague series against the Giants in San Francisco. Manager Buck Showalter hasn't announced his starters for the series. He didn't base his decisions on their batting averages. "If you have that much in advance, but it's more about creating the best consistency in pitchers," he said. "We've done that some when we had the opportunity and there wasn't much separator, but now it's about the pitchers and...

Orioles and Rangers lineups

Orioles and Rangers lineups
Steve Pearce makes his 2016 Orioles debut tonight, starting in right field and batting sixth against Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels. Pearce is 1-for-6 with a double and three strikeouts lifetime against Hamels. Nolan Reimold is in right field and Mark Trumbo is the designated hitter. Trumbo, batting cleanup tonight, is 3-for-34 in his last nine games. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Dylan Bundy is only the second Orioles rookie to go at least seven innings and allow no more than one hit...

More on Miley, the rotation and roster (O's win 5-1)

More on Miley, the rotation and roster (O's win 5-1)
An examination yesterday on outfielder Joey Rickard's right thumb didn't reveal anything that should push back the timetable for his return. Rickard actually may be ahead of schedule after going on the disabled list retroactive to July 21. "The four-to-six weeks was a pretty loose guideline," he said. "It's pretty average just given that I'm still pretty young and they expect me to heal sooner than later." The checkup didn't show anything "specific" or "crazy," Rickard said. "I'm...

Quick hits from Camden Yards

Quick hits from Camden Yards
Wade Miley is expected to make his Orioles debut on Thursday against the Rangers at Camden Yards. Miley would be working on normal rest after working seven innings on Saturday and throwing 92 pitches. Yovani Gallardo would be pushed back to Friday night in Chicago. Miley's wife is eight months pregnant, which will make him the latest Oriole headed to the paternity list. Catcher Matt Wieters' wife is due on Aug. 23. Steve Pearce will be in Wednesday's lineup against Rangers left-hander Cole...

Orioles option Despaigne and Wilson

Orioles option Despaigne and Wilson
The Orioles have optioned relievers Odrisamer Despaigne and Tyler Wilson to Triple-A Norfolk before tonight's game against the Rangers at Camden Yards. The moves were made to create spots for pitcher Wade Miley and infielder/outfielder Steve Pearce on the 25-man roster. The Orioles have a four-man bench to open their series against the Rangers. Despaigne, 29, went 0-2 with a 4.81 ERA in 15 games with the Orioles, allowing 13 earned runs in 24 1/3 innings. Wilson, 26, went 4-6 with a 4.98 ERA...

Jimenez allows one run, but bullpen falters in loss to Twins

Jimenez allows one run, but bullpen falters in loss to Twins
On the night that struggling right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez pitched well, those that followed him to the mound in Minnesota could not say the same. The Twins scored four times in the seventh to break a 2-2 tie and beat the Orioles 6-2 at Target Field. The Orioles fall to 58-43 with three straight losses that have followed a five-game winning streak. They were trying for a season sweep of the Twins, but must settle for a 5-1 mark. Pitching for the first time since July 8, Jimenez was shaky in a...

Showalter on Davis: "I have a lot of confidence he'll get it going"

Showalter on Davis: "I have a lot of confidence he'll get it going"
The Blue Jays and Red Sox lost this afternoon. It's your move, Orioles. A win tonight would give the Orioles a three-game lead over the Jays and a 3 ½-game lead over the Red Sox. Chris Davis continues to bat cleanup despite being hitless in his last 24 at-bats. He's 9-for-66 (.136) this month with a double, three home runs, seven RBIs, 12 walks and 28 strikeouts. Manager Buck Showalter knows how Davis can heat up in an instant and how he still can influence decisions made in the other...

Wrapping up 5-1 win

Wrapping up 5-1 win
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said rookie outfielder Joey Rickard will miss four to six weeks with a ligament injury in his right thumb. However, the Rule 5 pick won't require surgery. The club is confident that Rickard will be part of the expanded September roster. Outfielder Hyun Soo Kim had a good work day. He's eligible to come off the disabled list on Tuesday. Showalter was aware that reliever Darren O'Day threw a scoreless first inning tonight at Double-A Bowie, allowing one hit and...