Sarfate stays in organization (with quotes)
Sarfate stays in organization (with quotes)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Dennis Sarfate has cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week, and the Orioles outrighted him to Triple-A Norfolk. Sarfate received an invitation to spring training and will attempt to make the club as a non-roster pitcher. I would expect to see Sarfate back in Baltimore at some point this summer if he remains in the organization. His primary competition in Sarasota will come from Matt Albers, Cla Meredith and Kam Mickolio. The Orioles also could move David Hernandez or...
Caleb Joseph's perspective on API
Caleb Joseph's perspective on API
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I've had a few readers wonder why a growing number of players are spending their winters at the Athletes' Performance Institute in Arizona, rather than working out at their local gym or hiring a personal trainer who makes house calls. Minor league catcher Caleb Joseph lived with Brian Matusz for part of the offseason, and they joined Brian Roberts and Adam Jones for daily sessions at API that concentrated on fitness and nutrition. I'm told Joseph returned home in better condition, and...
Shameless plug alert
Shameless plug alert
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I'll be joining Tom Davis and Phil Wood today for a special edition of "Wall to Wall Baseball" on MASN. The show runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and includes a call-in segment with manager Dave Trembley around 4:15 p.m. I'll torture him and ask for his Opening Day lineup and rotation. The latest on Erik Bedard includes a blog out of Seattle from MLB.com's Jim Street that implies, but doesn't confirm, that the Mariners have prepared an offer to the left-hander. Maybe they've made an...
Parker suspended
Parker suspended
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles minor league pitcher Brian Parker has received a 50-game suspension from the office of the commissioner after a second positive test for a "drug of abuse" that violates the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension for Parker, currently on Double-A Bowie's roster, will begin at the start of the 2010 season. Parker led Single-A Frederick with 35 appearances last season, going 4-3 with a 4.31 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings.
Where Markakis hits
Where Markakis hits
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I've made the assumption that three spots in the Orioles' batting order are set. Brian Roberts leads off, Nick Markakis hits third and Cesar Izturis hits ninth. It's the rest of the lineup that's been a mystery. I still believe you'll it see play out that way on most nights, but manager Dave Trembley suggested yesterday that only two spots are locked up. "I would say one and nine," Trembley said yesterday during his call-in segment on Wall to Wall Baseball. "I wouldn't say three is...
A few updates and notes
A few updates and notes
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Logistical issues and some follow-up testing have caused a delay in Mark Hendrickson's new contract becoming official. We probably won't get an announcement before Monday, but it's coming. The Orioles haven't dismissed the idea of signing another starting pitcher before spring training, but they're focused only on non-roster deals at the moment. Unless something comes up unexpectedly that makes sense, they won't be offering a major league contract to a starter or reliever. The Orioles...
Digging out and pitching in
Digging out and pitching in
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
A polar bear knocked on my door this morning and asked when pitchers and catchers report. Is that weird? I've shoveled my sidewalk and dug out my car five times, once rising out of bed at 5 a.m., and I still can't keep ahead of this storm. And I did it with my fingers crossed, hoping and praying that my power doesn't go out. I couldn't get my door open earlier this morning, and then I couldn't get it to close behind me. I decided to leave it ajar and not risk being stuck in a...
This, that and the other
This, that and the other
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Erik Bedard deal makes more sense now that the Seattle media has determined that it includes a mutual option for 2011. Initial reports mentioned only the $1.5 million base salary and incentives. Why would any team sign him for one season when he might not be available for at least the first two months, and will be less than a year removed from labrum surgery? Does anyone really think that Bedard is going to blow away hitters this summer after undergoing such a serious medical procedure...
Getting in position
Getting in position
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
By this time next week, I'll be tossing clothes in a suitcase and wondering how much AirTran will charge me for the privilege of checking in for my flight to Sarasota. Southwest doesn't fly into that city, which is one strike against the Orioles' spring training relocation. But I'm sure another airline can provide me with the same travel issues that hound me each year. It's a tradition of sorts and I'd hate to see it end. The Orioles' camp roster isn't set, since they continue to...
Staff injections (with update)
Staff injections (with update)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Keep your hands off my mama, keep your hands off my Doritos. Consider yourselves warned. Since we examined the 13 available spots for position players earlier today, let's shift to the 12-man pitching staff. Keep in mind, of course, that performances and potential late acquisitions will influence the list. We're tackling this issue on Feb. 8 (and doing a much better job of it than the Colts' secondary). Kevin Millwood, Jeremy Guthrie, Brad Bergesen and Brian Matusz are expected to break...