What’s happening: Lefty Chris Lee, one of the top pitching prospects in the Orioles’ organization, gets his first Grapefruit League start tonight against the Philadelphia Phillies at Ed Smith Stadium. It’s a major stretch to call this an audition for the open spot in the rotation – one created by Chris Tillman’s...
What’s happening: Zach Britton is pitching again. That was the big news from Tuesday’s 9-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. The All-Star closer had not pitched in a game since Oct. 2, when he threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings in last year’s regular-season finale (he didn’t pitch...
What’s happening: Pedro Alvarez passed his physical, and his outfield adventure will begin. Manager Buck Showalter suggested to Alvarez last September that he could make himself more marketable as a major leaguer by trying the outfield, and Alvarez agreed. “I think that the fact that it was brought up to me showed...
What’s happening: Right-hander Chris Tillman was supposed to pitch for the Orioles for the first time this spring March 17. It won’t happen. Tillman had a subpar bullpen session Wednesday, and the Orioles blamed it on an antibiotic he was taking. They thought it caused joint pain. Giving Tillman an extra day...
What’s happening: Three key Orioles, Chris Tillman, Zach Britton and J.J. Hardy, have yet to play this spring. The good news is that all three could be playing within the next week. Tillman, who had a platelet rich plasma injection in December, won’t be ready to pitch Opening Day, but could be...
What’s happening: The always inventive Buck Showalter is at it again. When he managed the Texas Rangers, Showalter convinced R.A. Dickey to try life as a knuckleballer, and it worked brilliantly. Now, Showalter is experimenting with 28-year-old Dariel Alvarez. The Cuban defector, who signed with the Orioles for $800,000 in July 2013,...
What’s happening: The Orioles get back to normal after their one-day journey into international baseball. Tuesday’s game against Manny Machado, Welington Castillo, Nelson Cruz and the rest of the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic team was delightful for the first seven innings — until pitchers belonging to the Orioles ended up pitching...
What’s happening: The Orioles play the Dominican Republic’s entry in the World Baseball Classic this afternoon. Kevin Gausman pitches for the Orioles and he’ll face a star-studded lineup featuring his teammates Manny Machado and Welington Castillo, and former teammate Nelson Cruz, among others. Showalter isn’t worried about the Orioles being overly excited...
What’s happening: The Orioles are getting into their World Baseball Classic mode. They lost second baseman Jonathan Schoop on Tuesday as he left to play for the Netherlands. Third baseman Manny Machado and catcher Welington Castillo left Sunday to play for the Dominican Republic. Left-handed pitcher Vidal Nuno is with Team Mexico...
What’s happening: Right-hander Chris Tillman said he felt strong after his Wednesday session on a flat mound. Due to right shoulder soreness, Tillman has been ruled out for Opening Day, which will end his three-year streak of starting the Orioles’ season opener. But he remains on schedule to make his first Grapefruit...