Not Manny, but one Boras client signs (Taillon signs)
Not Manny, but one Boras client signs (Taillon signs)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Maybe Scott Boras is working his way up the first-round ladder. He is the representative for four players in the first-round that were unsigned to start today, including O's pick shortstop Manny Machado. Tonight, there are reports that one of his players, outfielder Gary Brown of Cal-State Fullerton, taken 24th overall by the Giants, has agreed to terms. It's reported to be a deal worth 1.45 million. Boras also represents the seventh overall pick, pitcher Matt Harvey who was taken by the...
The decision (& the decision II)
The decision (& the decision II)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Manager Buck Showalter removed Koji Uehara after two consecutive strikeouts in the eighth inning. He brought in left-hander Michael Gonzalez to face Ichiro Suzuki with runners on the corners and the game tied. He could have let Uehara face Ichiro. He could have ordered an intentional walk and let Uehara face Chone Figgins. He could have ordered the intentional walk and brought in Gonzalez. Showalter let Gonzalez pitch to Ichiro, and his faith was rewarded. Gonzalez recorded the strikeout and...
A scout's take on Matt Bywater
A scout's take on Matt Bywater
Steve Melewski
Orioles
O's scout Gil Kubski was the area scout for O's third-round draft pick Dan Klein of UCLA and also for seventh-round pick pitcher Matt Bywater, who agreed to terms with the club tonight. Here is Kubski's take on Bywater: "He's a 6'3", 6'4" left-hander, real lean. I think he's going to get bigger and stronger when it's all done. He's not a flame thrower, about 87 and will touch 90. "But he's got an outstanding change-up. If there's a better change-up in the country this year...
Nationals Agree to Terms with Lefthander Sammy Solis
Nationals Agree to Terms with Lefthander Sammy Solis
Lindsay Rykiel
Nationals
University of San Diego Product was Washington's Second Pick in '10 Draft The Washington Nationals tonight agreed to terms on a professional contract with left-handed pitcher Sammy Solis, the Nationals' second-round selection (51st overall) in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Nationals Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Personnel Roy Clark and Nationals Director of Scouting Kris Kline made the joint...
Tonight's version of Bergy (updated)
Tonight's version of Bergy (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
We're not seeing the same Brad Bergesen who threw the complete-game two-hitter in his last start. Or the same Bergesen who allowed four runs in his last three starts covering 23 innings. Tonight, Bergesen has given up three runs and seven hits - including back-to-back homers by Russell Branyan and Jose Lopez in the third that tied the game. Branyan's ball traveled 436 feet. Bergesen has thrown 79 pitches through four innings. The Orioles twice failed to turn double plays in the fourth that...
Nationals Agree to Terms with 12th Rounder, LHP Robbie Ray
Nationals Agree to Terms with 12th Rounder, LHP Robbie Ray
Lindsay Rykiel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms on a professional contract with left-handed pitcher Robbie Ray, the Nationals' 12th-round selection in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Nationals Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Personnel Roy Clark and Nationals Director of Scouting Kris Kline made the joint announcement. Ray went 7-1 and posted a 7.3/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio en route to a 0.50 ERA as a...
VandenHurk speaks (w/game update)
VandenHurk speaks (w/game update)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Newest Oriole Rick VandenHurk is wearing No. 54. VandenHurk found out yesterday that the Orioles were calling him up to the majors - about two weeks after they traded for him. "You never know when it's going to happen, but I was happy getting traded, to come over here," he said. "There's going to be opportunities for me. It's going to be good. I'm going to try to make the most out of it." VandenHurk will be used in relief, but he could make some starts before the season...
Orioles Place RHP Jason Berken on 15-Day DL; Recall RHP Vandenhurk from Triple-A Norfolk
Orioles Place RHP Jason Berken on 15-Day DL; Recall RHP Vandenhurk from Triple-A Norfolk
Lindsay Rykiel
Orioles
The Orioles today announced that they have placed RHP Jason Berken on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 13, with right shoulder inflammation. RHP Rick Vandenhurk has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to take Berken's place on the roster. Berken was 3-3 with a 3.03 ERA (62.1IP, 21ER) in 41 games for the Orioles this season. His 62.1 innings pitched leads American League relievers. Acquired from the Florida Marlins in exchange for LHP Will Ohman on July 31, VandenHurk was 1-1...
Orioles now confirm:  Bywater comes to terms
Orioles now confirm: Bywater comes to terms
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles have now confirmed that they have come to terms with pitcher Matt Bywater, their seventh-round draft pick out of Pepperdine. The 6'3", 195-pound lefty went 6-5, 2.40 as a junior this past season. Over 97 2/3 innings, he allowed 88 hits with 30 walks and 83 strikeouts. The 21-year-old Bywater, from Thousand Oaks, California, pitched five complete games for Pepperdine with four shutouts. Early last season, he pitched a four-hit shutout with ten strikeouts vs. then 4th-rated...
Berken MRI reveals tear
Berken MRI reveals tear
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The news on Jason Berken is more discouraging than we believed. Berken told reporters that the MRI revealed a tear in his labrum and some inflammation in his rotator cuff. Surgery still hasn't been considered and Berken didn't completely dismiss the possibility of pitching again this season, but it seems more unlikely. "There's time enough for some good rest, and hopefully that kind of calms everything down, and at some point start a rehab process," he said. "It could have been a lot...