Where there's a Will...
Where there's a Will...
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I bet you thought I was going to say Will Ohman. According to a tweet (there's that word again) from FoxSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi, the Orioles have signed left-handed reliever Will Startup to a minor league contract. No word on whether he'll receive a spring training invite, but I'd ship him in bubble wrap. Startup, 25, missed the entire 2008 season and most of 2009 with injuries - he reportedly underwent Tommy John surgery - but he's posted a 2.70 ERA in four minor league seasons....
Start Me Up
Start Me Up
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Darren in GB and Tom McAllister beat me to it. Will Startup's intro music has to be "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones. No arguments. As a reminder to the terminally negative on this blog, Startup is a minor league signing who gives the Orioles another left-hander for their farm system. He isn't being trumpeted as the free agent who will push them ahead of the Yankees and Red Sox. He's organizational bullpen depth, and his numbers were pretty good before the Tommy John surgery. What's...
Where there's another Will (w/Hendrickson news)
Where there's another Will (w/Hendrickson news)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
It's official: The Orioles have re-signed Mark Hendrickson and designated reliever Armando Gabino for assignment. Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail just confirmed that the club has signed pitcher Will Ohman to a minor league deal. Ohman receives an invitation to spring training, with the chance to win a spot in the bullpen as a situational lefty. That should put a little more heat on Alberto Castillo, who appeared in 48 games with the Orioles over the past two...
Washburn & Wang
Washburn & Wang
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Separate reports on FoxSports.com linking the Orioles to Jarrod Washburn and Chien-Ming Wang have got a few readers stirred up here, which is understandable to a degree. I didn't sense that a lot of fans were brushing the snow off their cars and racing out to purchase Ohman and Startup jerseys - though there's nothing wrong with updating your Wills. See what I did there? Anyway, I've been asked about Washburn and Wang quite a bit over the last few days, mostly because they remain on the...
Catching up with Devo
Catching up with Devo
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Did it really snow overnight? I'm afraid to look out the window. Actually, I've shoveled the sidewalk and dug out my car three times since the first flakes fell yesterday afternoon. Just trying to keep up with it. Apparently, more snow is in the forecast for Sunday and Monday. I have this strange feeling that I'll be reporting to the Sarasota complex after pitchers and catchers unpack their bags and take their physicals. Maybe I can make the first exhibition game. Will Ohman should keep...
My turn to vent
My turn to vent
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Looks like I'm back to babysitting a few fans who think it's cute or entertaining to post the same criticisms and complaints multiple times a day, hoping that I'll react and then becoming upset and confrontational when I do. You figure it out. I've given up. Make your same, tired point and find another topic. Repetition won't be tolerated around here when the sole purpose is to hijack this blog and ruin it for everyone else. Sorry if that seems unfair or heavy-handed. I shouldn't wake...
Sad news regarding Phil Itzoe (updated)
Sad news regarding Phil Itzoe (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Longtime Orioles traveling secretary Phil Itzoe passed away earlier today after a long illness. He was 72. Itzoe spent 45 seasons with the Orioles, including 41 coordinating the team's travel plans, the longest tenure of any traveling secretary in any of the four major sports. During his final season in 2008, Itzoe received the Herb Armstrong Award and a spot in the Orioles' Hall of Fame for non-uniformed personnel who made a significant contribution to the organization. Itzoe was born...
Rumor East
Rumor East
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
With pitchers and catchers reporting in six days, perhaps it's time to post our favorite Orioles rumors from the off-season. It's my way of getting nostalgic for the hot stove season. You could choose anything related to Matt Holliday. There must have been a dozen of them. My personal favorite is how the Orioles were arranging a meeting in Texas with the free-agent outfielder, president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and majority owner Peter Angelos. I never did get the name of the...
Gabino gamble pays off
Gabino gamble pays off
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Reliever Armando Gabino cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles designated Gabino for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster for left-hander Mark Hendrickson. That's not all. Gabino also received an invitation to spring training. That's not all. Gabino will wear No. 61. That's all.
Where in the Yard? (Updated w/ Answer)
Where in the Yard? (Updated w/ Answer)
Josh Land
Orioles
It's officially a new year for Orioles baseball, but the slates haven't been wiped clean here in the Orioles Buzz. We're already two weeks into the new weekly feature, 'Where in the Yard?' and a few of you are two-for-two. Whether this will be your first attempt or you've been here before, add another to your tally by guessing where the photo below was taken in or around Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Want to know where you rank with other fans? Check back to the Orioles Buzz following...