Kevin Gausman headed to DL, Odrisamer Despaigne optioned

Kevin Gausman headed to DL, Odrisamer Despaigne optioned
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed this morning that Kevin Gausman will begin the season on the disabled list after being shelved by tendinitis in his right shoulder. Gausman, who went on the DL last May with the same condition, still could be available to start on April 10 against the Rays in Baltimore. His assignment will be backdated to March 25. Otherwise, Showalter said Gausman could start April 13 against the Red Sox at Fenway Park "or later." The DL move is...

Talking rotation, Rickard and the roster

Talking rotation, Rickard and the roster
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles begin a stretch tonight when they'll play four of their last six Grapefruit League games at 6:05 p.m. Nothing like being under the lights to get you ready for the regular season. The Orioles travel to McKechnie Field in Bradenton to face the Pirates, which is more like playing under the flashlights. Ubaldo Jimenez will take the mound after making his last two starts at Twin Lakes Park. Jimenez allowed a combined one run and five hits over 10 2/3 innings against...

Notes on Brian Matusz, pitching and music event

Notes on Brian Matusz, pitching and music event
SARASOTA, Fla. - Unable to determine whether he's headed to the disabled list, the best that Orioles reliever Brian Matusz can do today is pick up a ball, play catch and wait for a resolution. Matusz will throw for the first time since receiving a cortisone injection in his lower back following Sunday's outing, when he retired all three batters he faced but didn't appear comfortable on the mound. Asked for an update this morning on his condition, Matusz said, "I feel great." But is it too...

Wrapping up a 5-1 loss

Wrapping up a 5-1 loss
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Dylan Bundy stranded three inherited runners today and shut out the Twins in the sixth inning in his latest impressive outing for the Orioles, who lost 5-1 at Hammond Stadium. Bundy walked one and struck out one in the sixth. He's allowed one unearned run and one hit in his last four appearances covering 5 1/3 innings. "I thought Bundy pitched well again. We're really happy with where Dylan is. It's good to see," said manager Buck Showalter. "I'll tell you, the last...

Caleb Joseph out sick again today (and other postgame notes)

Caleb Joseph out sick again today (and other postgame notes)
TAMPA - The first round of cuts for the Orioles are coming later today. They'll probably arrive while the beat crew is back on the road after the Orioles' 7-1 loss to the Yankees. The cuts will continue through Sunday. "It's a pretty good number," said manager Buck Showalter. "Same (list) I've been carrying around for three or four days. "The innings are going away for the pitchers. You see a guy get stretched out three or four innings now. The relief innings for guys aren't...

Mike Wright: "As far as I'm concerned, I felt pretty positive" (O's lose 7-1)

Mike Wright: "As far as I'm concerned, I felt pretty positive" (O's lose 7-1)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Yankees 7, Orioles 1 Recap: Mike Wright was charged with five runs in 2 2/3 innings, the last two scoring after he left the game. Mitch Horacek allowed two inherited runners to score and two of his own without retiring a batter. Odrisamer Despaigne threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing only one hit. Mychal Givens threw two scoreless innings. Christian Walker's sacrifice fly in the seventh scored Nolan Reimold, who led off with a single. Hyun Soo Kim reached on...

Despaigne gets second chance to make an impression

Despaigne gets second chance to make an impression
SARASOTA, Fla. - There's no doubt that Ubaldo Jimenez would like a do-over after his first exhibition start on Wednesday, but what about Odrisamer Despaigne? Almost forgotten is how Despaigne followed Jimenez to the mound and allowed three inherited runners to score and two of his own in a 11-4 loss to the Braves at Ed Smith Stadium. Despaigne was charged with two runs and three hits, with three walks, in 1 2/3 innings. No one is overreacting to a single spring training appearance, and that...

Pitching notes and Braves lineup

Pitching notes and Braves lineup
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are performing some early drills on the Ed Smith Stadium field before taking batting practice. Ubaldo Jimenez is starting today's home opener. Didn't he make most of his starts on the road last spring? Other pitchers listed for the Orioles include Zach Britton, Odrisamer Despaigne, Mychal Givens, Brian Matusz, Andy Oliver, Todd Redmond and Dale Thayer. Miguel Gonzalez opposes the Rays' Erasmo Ramirez Thursday afternoon in Port Charlotte. Vance Worley opposes the...

Notes and videos from today's workout

Notes and videos from today's workout
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are completing their latest workout today, with exhibition games starting on Tuesday. Manager Buck Showalter ran a popup drill on the main field that included crowd noise piped through the sound system. Same as last spring. Hopefully, the neighbors won't complain again. Chaz Roe threw a bullpen session. His left knee must be fine. Other pitchers throwing today included Zach Britton, Darren O'Day, Brian Matusz, Ubaldo Jimenez, Odrisamer Despaigne, Mychal Givens,...

Wrapping up the ninth day of workouts

Wrapping up the ninth day of workouts
SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter still is deciding between Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson as Tuesday's starter in the first exhibition game against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista. They're both going to pitch. Yovani Gallardo threw his fastball, breaking ball and changeup in today's bullpen session. "He felt good," Showalter said. "He's going to take two days off and do it again." The Orioles will keep Gallardo on a schedule for now where he takes two days off between...

What's going on today

What's going on today
SARASOTA, Fla. - Let's sort of play ball. We've reached the point in spring training when the Orioles will hold intrasquad games over the next two days. It's a controlled environment, with strict pitch counts and rules that are looser than my pants on Thanksgiving. Manager Buck Showalter can order the stoppage of innings, no matter the number of outs, or he can instruct his pitcher to stay on the mound after the third one. He may create situations for his players, taking workout drills to a...

Orioles roster comes more into focus with Gallardo and Fowler

Orioles roster comes more into focus with Gallardo and Fowler
SARASOTA, Fla. - It's time to revisit the Orioles' offseason grades. Revisit and revise. The lineup is set with Dexter Fowler expected to take his physical this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The rotation is set with Yovani Gallardo agreeing to a restructured two-year deal that includes an option for 2018. Hyun Soo Kim is projected as the left fielder. Mark Trumbo is projected as the regular designated hitter, capable of filling in at first base and the outfield corners. Matt...

More on Gallardo, plus today's side sessions

More on Gallardo, plus today's side sessions
SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitcher Yovani Gallardo is expected to arrive in Sarasota on Monday to take his physical after agreeing to a three-year, $35 million contract that includes a $13 million option for 2019. There wasn't enough time for Gallardo to get to the Ed Smith Stadium complex this afternoon. The Orioles are confident that Gallardo will pass his physical. They've already done extensive homework on him and have no concerns. Efforts continue to sign outfielder Dexter Fowler, who has become a...

Out of the Park: Friends Day and Truck Day as spring training nears

Out of the Park: Friends Day and Truck Day as spring training nears
We are just under two weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Sarasota, Fla., marking the return of baseball! With that in mind, Caleb Joseph is taking in his last remaining days of the offseason to enjoy himself by going to the NHL All-Star Game in his hometown of Nashville this past weekend. Had an amazing time at #NHLAllStarWeekend with my cousin. My hometown of Nashville put on a GREAT show. Skill level of players was unreal! -- Caleb Joseph (@EutawBackstop) February 1,...

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...

Still talking about starting pitching

Still talking about starting pitching
Are the Orioles stockpiling fifth starter candidates? And not just fifth starter candidates, but rotation options that can be optioned. If the Orioles cannot add a more established starting pitcher to their staff, could it be that they intend to have a revolving door of sorts with optionable pitchers in the fifth starter's role? Maybe take a look at several pitchers and/or go with the hot hand in that spot? That list could include Mike Wright, Tyler Wilson, Chris Jones and now Odrisamer...

L.J. Hoes outrighted to Norfolk (plus other notes)

L.J. Hoes outrighted to Norfolk (plus other notes)
Outfielder L.J. Hoes has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, the latest roster move made today by the Orioles. Hoes was designated for assignment on Jan. 26 to create room for outfielder/first baseman Efren Navarro. The Orioles acquired Hoes from the Astros on Nov. 25 for cash considerations, bringing back a player they drafted in the third round in 2008. He batted .295/.383/.400 in 99 games with Triple-A Fresno and .267/.313/.267 in eight games with the Astros last...

Orioles acquire Odrisamer Despaigne from Padres (updated)

Orioles acquire Odrisamer Despaigne from Padres (updated)
The Orioles have acquired right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne from the Padres for minor league pitcher Jean Cosme, according to industry sources. Despaigne, 28, went 9-16 with a 4.74 ERA in parts of two major league seasons. He went 5-9 with a 5.80 ERA in 34 appearances, including 18 starts, in 2015. Despaigne is a native of Cuba. He signed as an amateur free agent in 2014. The Orioles selected Cosme in the 17th round of the 2014 draft. A native of Puerto Rico, the right-hander was 3-5 with a 4.74...