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Thursday, June 23, 2016

Game stories:  Orioles recap: Ubaldo Jimenez stabilizes and Birds surge in 7-2 win over Padres The Sun 6/22  Relentless O's deliver win for Ubaldo MLB.com 6/22  Orioles eager for Machado’s return after tonight (O’s win 7-2) MASNsports.com 6/22  Jimenez bounces back to help Orioles beat Padres 7-2 AP 6/23  Jimenez Wins Fans Over With Six Strong In Orioles Win CSN Mid-Atlantic 6/22

Columns:  As 's offense continues to improve, his spot in Orioles rises The Sun 6/22  Orioles doesn't commit to another start for Ubaldo Jimenez The Sun 6/22  Orioles Paul Janish will accept outright assignment to -A Norfolk The Sun 6/22  's longest slump as an Oriole starts to turn with home The Sun 6/22  Following tribute to fallen deputies, IronBirds roll over Auburn in home opener, 7-0 The Sun 6/22  Bowie a stop along the way for skippers, too The Sun 6/22  Orioles reliever Brian Duensing to have elbow surgery Friday; Ashur Tolliver recalled from Triple-A The Sun 6/22  Orioles on deck: What to watch Wednesday vs. Padres The Sun 6/22  Inbox: Will O's target starters at Deadline? MLB.com 6/23  Jimenez makes most of spot start MLB.com 6/22  Machado set to return for O's opener vs. Rays MLB.com 6/22  Orioles interested in acquiring left-handed starter MLB.com 6/22  Orioles place Duensing on DL, recall Tolliver MLB.com 6/22  Orioles sign 15 more Draft picks MLB.com 6/22  This, that and the other MASNsports.com 6/23  Showalter on Jimenez: “I would have signed up for that” MASNsports.com 6/22  Janish accepts outright assignment (plus other notes) MASNsports.com 6/22  Orioles lineup vs. Padres MASNsports.com 6/22  Orioles recall Ashur Tolliver MASNsports.com 6/22  O’s notes on the offense, Oliver Drake and the minors MASNsports.com 6/23  Ubaldo Jimenez on his outing tonight, plus other clubhouse quotes MASNsports.com 6/22  Ubaldo Jimenez records first quality start since May 7, O’s top Padres MASNsports.com 6/22  O’s game blog: Ubaldo Jimenez on the mound in series finale MASNsports.com 6/22  O’s Brian Duensing on heading to the DL, Ashur Tolliver on returning to team MASNsports.com 6/22  Zach Wilt: The numbers show Schoop continuing to progress MASNsports.com 6/23  Orioles’ Adam Jones kicked a piece of gum really far 6/23  MLB Rumor Central: Orioles eye ? ESPN 6/23  Adam Jones, wheels and all, getting job done as Orioles' leadoff hitter ESPN 6/23  Where is most valuable to the Orioles? ESPN 6/22  Showalter Wants To Keep Wright Starting At Norfolk CSN Mid-Atlantic 6/22  Needing Help In The Bullpen, Orioles Bring In A Pair Of Farmhands CSN Mid-Atlantic 6/22  Orioles Place Duensing On DL With Elbow Injury CSN Mid-Atlantic 6/22  Ubaldo Jimenez Plays Surprising Stopper, Beats Padres PressBoxOnline.com 6/23  Report: Orioles interested in NBC Sports 6/22  Orioles reliever Brian Duensing injured his elbow adjusting his bullpen chair NBC Sports 6/22  Myriad O’s Thoughts: Machado’s return; injury news; Jimenez’s next time on the mound BaltimoreBaseball.com 6/23  Prediction: Ubaldo throws quality start Wednesday (and other O’s notes) BaltimoreBaseball.com 6/22  Jimenez needed Wednesday’s win, but it was just one game BaltimoreBaseball.com 6/22  Former Diamondback Mark Trumbo finds a comfort zone in Baltimore Examiner 6/22

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-orioles-recap-ubaldo-jimenz-stabilizes-and- orioles-surge-in-7-2-win-over-padres-20160622-story.html

Orioles recap: Ubaldo Jimenez stabilizes and Birds surge in 7-2 win over Padres

By Peter Schmuck / The Baltimore Sun June 22, 2016

Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez probably knew he wasn't the Orioles' first choice to start Wednesday night's game against the , and the announced 23,785 at Camden Yards let him know he wasn't their first choice, either, when he allowed a run in the first .

He was booed as he struggled early on, but he settled down to pitch six strong innings and — wait for it — got a partial standing ovation when he walked off the field at the end of a four-, seven- performance that helped the Orioles score a 7-2 victory.

“Bent, didn't break,” manager Buck Showalter said. “What did he have, four walks? Stolen bases were a challenge, but he made some good pitches, got through six innings and gave our bullpen a rest. We didn't have many options out there tonight. He delivered what we needed. It's good to see him go home feeling good about himself.”

Picked to start because of a tired bullpen and the demotion of right-hander Mike Wright, Jimenez (4-7) later gave up just one more run, on a bloop RBI in the fifth, and got solid run support from throughout the Orioles lineup.

Adam Jones , Hyun Soo Kim and Jonathan Schoop each had multihit games at the top of the batting order, and Mark Trumbo broke a 13-game drought with his three-hit performance. drove in two runs, and hit his fourth home run of the season.

The struggling Padres (30-43) had entered the game riding a three-game winning streak after a comeback victory over the Orioles (41-30) on Tuesday night, but starting Erik Johnson (0-5) allowed the Orioles to score in every inning he pitched but the first.

Jimenez allowed three of the first four Padres batters he faced to reach base, which drew disapproval from the stands, but he bounced back after that to retire nine of the next 10 batters. He walked four but finished with a flourish, striking out the last four batters before turning the game over to reliever .

“It was big,” Jimenez said. “It felt really good finally being able to give the team a chance to win. To be able to pitch six innings, it felt good. I mean, there's no more you can do with that. That's probably the most exciting thing about baseball. They give you a chance to start, and it's a new game.”

The Orioles will need a fifth starter at least a couple of more times before the All-Star break, but Showalter wouldn't speculate on how Jimenez fits in with the rotation.

“We've got two more of that spot before the All-Star break,” Showalter said. “We'll take it each day and put our best foot forward. Tonight, he was it.”

The Orioles have today off before opening a four-game home series against the on Friday night.

Trumbo gets going: Trumbo had been struggling at the plate for the past couple of weeks, but he homered in his first at-bat, doubled his second time up and added a single in the seventh inning. The home run was his 21st and tied him with the ' for the major league lead. It was his first homer since June 7.

Win-win replay: Manager Buck Showalter really had nothing to lose when he appealed an apparent wild pitch that scored Jones from third base with the bases loaded in the fifth. Showalter contended — correctly — that had been hit by the pitch, which also forced Jones home and kept the bases loaded. The Orioles would go on to score three runs in the inning, the first on a solo homer by Flaherty and the last on a sacrifice fly by Wieters.

Padres lose appeal: Padres manager also appealed a play after Melvin Upton Jr.'s mammoth fly ball that sailed high over the left-field foul pole was called foul by third base Chris Conroy in the top of the fifth. The call was upheld, though everyone in Baltimore knows it would have been called fair had Mike Devereaux hit it.

Kim stays hot: Kim continued to crank out base hits. He had two more Wednesday and has eight in his past 18 at-bats. His single in the sixth inning drove in the Orioles' seventh run and raised his batting average to .339.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/185609340/relentless-os-deliver-win-for-ubaldo-vs-padres

Relentless O's deliver win for Ubaldo

By AJ Cassavell and Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com June 22, 2016

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles scored at least one run in five straight innings and right- handerUbaldo Jimenez notched a quality start as the O's earned a 7-2 win over the Padres on Wednesday night to split the two-game series. The victory ends a two-game skid for the Orioles and puts them two games ahead of the second-place Red Sox atop the American League East.

O's right fielder Mark Trumbo launched his first homer since June 7 to stay tied with White Sox Todd Frazier and Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado for the home run lead in the Majors (21). The blast was part of a 3-for-4 night that saw him fall a triple short of the cycle with two runs scored. Jimenez, making his first start since being demoted to the bullpen, lowered his season ERA from 7.34 to 6.97. The victory is just his second since May 7.

"It felt really good finally being able to give the team a chance to win, to be able to pitch six innings, it felt good," Jimenez said. "That's probably the most exciting thing about baseball. They give you a chance to start and it's a new game."

Padres right fielder Matt Kemp continued his hot June with San Diego's two RBIs, both scoring center fielder Travis Jankowski. Right-hander Erik Johnson lost his third straight start for the Padres since he was acquired June 4 from the White Sox. He allowed six runs on nine hits in four-plus innings.

"You catch the middle of the plate to any of these plus-power big league hitters with 88-91 [mph], you're typically going to pay the price," said Padres manager Andy Green. "There's stuff there that plays [for Johnson]. It just has to be a greater reliance on the offspeed in hitters' counts."

Said Johnson: "A lot of those one-run innings could've been quickly zeros that I throw up on the scoreboard. It definitely feels as though I'm on the cusp of breaking through and getting to the other side."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Quality spot start: O's manager Buck Showalter didn't name a starter for Wednesday until less than 20 hours before first pitch, selecting Jimenez essentially by process of elimination. The righty struck out seven, including the final four batters he faced, while allowing two runs over six innings. In his previous two appearances entering Wednesday, he'd surrendered 10 runs in 2 2/3 innings.

"We didn't have many options down there tonight, so he delivered what we needed," Showalter said. "It was good to see him go home and feel good about himself." More >

That's not fair: Melvin Upton Jr. was sure he'd given the Padres a fifth-inning lead with his towering blast into the left-field seats -- so sure in fact that he high-fived first-base Tarrik Brock and put his head down to start circling the bases. But third-base umpire Chris Conroy ruled it foul, and after review, his call would stand. The ball's flight path was higher than the top of the foul pole -- making it almost impossible to discern the point at which the ball passed the fence.

"I thought it was fair," Upton said. "Still think it's fair. I looked at it more than once on video, and I think it's fair. But apparently they didn't have enough video evidence to overturn it."

Fifth-inning insurance: After nearly surrendering the lead in the top of the fifth on Upton's bid for a homer, the O's added some insurance runs. Third baseman Ryan Flaherty, filling in for the suspended Manny Machado, led off the bottom of the inning with a homer to right-center, his third of the season. The Orioles' next four batters all reached with two more runs coming around to score in the inning. Instead of trailing, 4-3, entering the bottom of the frame, they ended up taking a 6-2 edge into the sixth.

QUOTABLE

"We play like we did last night, we can beat anybody in baseball. We play like we did tonight, anybody can beat us" -- Green on the Padres' two games in Baltimore

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

The Orioles' victory is their 1,000th win at Camden Yards since the ballpark opened in 1992. They are 1,000-959 all-time at Oriole Park.

AFTER REVIEW

Upton's blast was ruled foul, and after a crew-chief review, the call would stand. On the next pitch, Upton struck out swinging and hurled his helmet and bat toward the dugout in frustration, and the Orioles broke the game open with three runs later in the frame.

O's Jonathan Schoop scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, but Showalter challenged that Carlos Villanueva's pitch hit Chris Davis. After a review, the call was overturned and Davis was credited with an RBI and awarded first base.

FROM THE TRAINER'S ROOM

After throwing a side session Tuesday, reliever Vance Worley (groin strain) is scheduled to throw another Thursday. If that goes well, Showalter said he will pitch at -A Bowie on Saturday. Reliever Darren O'Day (strained right hamstring) is scheduled to throw off a half mound Thursday. Caleb Joseph (testicular injury) will catch at Class A Advanced Frederick on June 27, the first time behind the plate since suffering his injury.

WHAT'S NEXT

Padres: Looking to bounce back from his first poor start in the past month, Christian Friedrich gets the ball for the Padres as they open a four-game set against the Reds in Cincinnati. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. PT, with John Lamb taking the ball for Cincinnati.

Orioles: After a much-needed day off Thursday, the O's host the Rays for a four-game series spanning three days. Right-hander Yovani Gallardo (2-1, 6.26) will get the ball in the series opener Friday in his second start back from the disabled list.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/06/orioles-eager-for-machados-return-after- tonight.html

Orioles eager for Machado’s return after tonight (O’s win 7- 2)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com June 22, 2016

The Orioles are down to their last game tonight without third baseman Manny Machado, whose suspension ends after the final out. The roster goes back to 25 players. A team feels whole again.

The Orioles made another move today by placing Brian Duensing on the 15-day disabled list and recalling Ashur Tolliver from Triple-A Norfolk. They recalled Oliver Drake yesterday and outrighted infielder Paul Janish. Each day has led to another adjustment, whether the Orioles are comfortable with a shorter bullpen or one less infielder.

The ultimate work in progress.

“We’ll see what tomorrow brings. We’ll shuffle again,” said manager Buck Showalter, whose club is 1-2 without Machado going into tonight’s game against the Padres.

“Until we get through this 25, 24, just trying to take each day, play it and then see where you are at the end of the day and make the adjustments. Last night, John (Russell) and I talked a lot about different scenarios - who would play what position and how we would do that. Matt (Wieters) gets hurt here, who’s going to catch? You have to think about it every time you make a move.”

Another example came last night in the eighth inning when Showalter resisted pinch-running forJ.J. Hardy at second base as the potential tying run or pinch-hitting for Ryan Flaherty against a left-handed reliever.

“You could have pinch-run for somebody, pinch-hit for somebody, you’re going to have to play defense,” Showalter said. “Go extra innings. Even manage a game differently because you don’t want to play extra innings. You may take a chance with something that may give you the lead to stay away from the tie, because a tie game is going to hurt you for a long time.”

Duensing will miss an extended period after undergoing surgery Friday to remove two fragments from his left elbow.

“One larger than the other,” said Showalter, who saw the MRI yesterday. “Even I can see what the issue is,” Showalter said.

Ravens orthopedist Dr. Leigh Ann Curl will perform the surgery in Baltimore.

Duensing felt pain in the elbow Monday night from a seated position in the visiting bullpen in Arlington, Texas. He tried to push himself upward and the elbow flared up.

Showalter learned of the injury from bullpen coach , who tried to explain the situation. “That was a lot of fun,” Showalter said. “We were kind of short in pitching and get a call. That’s why all those things about being careful about telling truths that hurt innocent people. There are so many things you wear after a game that you can’t talk about. You aren’t dishonest about it. You just don’t bring it up until one of you all do, and then I have to tell you.

“We knew it was going to be a DL when we left Texas. We were trying to hold it to best use it because it kept those guys in that 10-day window if we wanted to go there. I’m not trying to lessen the injury, but of all the ones of the elbow, he’s got a chance to be with us in August if they find everything they think they’re going to find there.”

The Orioles chose Tolliver over a few other candidates, including Mike Wright.

“Rested, ready to pitch, doing OK down there,” Showalter said. “We had some options. Length, been up here before, done OK. I could go through all the options we had and critique him versus them.

“We ended up late last night knowing we needed a pitcher. The thought was whether or not we needed two or not. With the off-day tomorrow we’re going to try to get through tonight.” Wright is starting tonight at Norfolk.

“Mike needs to pitch down there,” Showalter said. “I don’t want to be yo-yoing him back and forth and thinking this and that just because of our needs. We could have taken him and put him in the bullpen or started him. Plus, that late in the game, get up today and travel. I think he needs to pitch down there and knows he needs to pitch better. He pitches better, he’ll get another opportunity.

“We had some options. We were looking in Bowie, too. A couple guys available there. The problem sometimes is you take a guy who’s non-roster and put him on, knowing that (Vance) Worley and (Darren) O’Day and these guys are going to be back, and then you send them back out, you lose them. There are a lot of variables involved.

“I think Worley’s going to make the 28th or very close after.”

Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com tweeted that the Orioles are interested in left-hander Francisco Liriano, but the Pirates are trying to compete for a playoff berth, indicating that they’re more inclined to hold onto him.

A left-handed starter would be a nice addition to a rotation that’s gone without one all season. The Orioles will be interested in anyone who can get them into the later innings with a chance to win.

Update: The Padres took a 1-0 lead three batters into the game on singles by Travis Jankowski and Matt Kemp. Ubaldo Jimenez allowed two hits, walked a batter and struck out one. He threw 21 pitches.

Update II: Mark Trumbo led off the second inning with his 21st home run and his first since June 7.

Update III: Adam Jones scored all the way from first base on Jonathan Schoop’s two-out double to left-center field in the third inning. Orioles 2, Padres 1 Schoop has 11 hits in his last 20 at-bats. He’s collected at least one hit in 17 of 21 games this month.

Great baserunning by both players to break the tie, and an aggressive send by third base coach .

Update IV: Mark Trumbo doubled in the fourth inning and scored on Matt Wieters’ single to increase the lead to 3-1.

Update V: The Jankowski-Kemp combo strikes again in the fifth. Orioles 3, Padres 2

Update VI: The Orioles scored three runs in the fifth and got rid of Padres starter Erik Johnson while expanding their lead to 6-2.

Ryan Flaherty led off with his third home run of the season. The Orioles loaded the bases with no outs. Chris Davis was hit by a pitch and Wieters had a sacrifice fly.

Update VII: Flaherty reached on an error in the sixth and later scored on Hyun Soo Kim’s second hit of the night to increase the lead to 7-2.

Jimenez allowed two runs and four hits in six innings, with four walks and seven . He threw 104 pitches, 64 for strikes.

Update VIII: The Orioles got back in the win column and split their two-game series by defeating the Padres 7-2.

Brad Brach retired all six batters he faced and Zach Britton struck out two and stranded two after throwing 23 pitches last night.

Trumbo came within a triple of the cycle.

The Orioles are 41-30 overall and 27-13 at home.

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=360622101

Jimenez bounces back to help Orioles beat Padres 7-2

Associated Press / ESPN June 23, 2016

BALTIMORE -- Given a reprieve from his unwanted role as a long reliever, Ubaldo Jimenez wasn't necessarily looking to work his way back into the starting rotation.

He was more focused on survival.

Jimenez made the most of a spot start by pitching six effective innings, and the Orioles defeated the San Diego Padres 7-2 on Wednesday night for their 1,000th win at Camden Yards.

Mark Trumbo and Ryan Flaherty homered for first-place Baltimore, which also got two RBI from Matt Wieters in earning a split of the two-game series.

Jimenez (4-7) gave up two runs and four hits, walking four and striking out seven. The right- hander lost his spot in the rotation earlier this month after a series of poor outings, including a clunker in Toronto on June 12 in which he yielded five runs and got only one out.

But Jimenez received this start after Mike Wright was demoted to the minors, and he overcame a shaky first inning to show some of the prowess the Orioles expected when they signed him to a four-year, $50 million contract in 2014.

"I just wanted to get the job done, for sure. There's no more pressure than that," Jimenez said. "I was just trying to find a way to survive and get back on my feet."

Manager Buck Showalter approved of the performance, but offered no guarantees that Jimenez would be starting again in five days or so.

"We have two more (from) that spot before the All-Star break," Showalter said. "We're going to take it each day and put our best foot forward."

Baltimore recorded its 27th win at home -- most in the majors. The victory gave the Orioles a 1,000-959 record (including playoffs) at Camden Yards, their home since 1992.

Matt Kemp drove in two runs for the Padres, whose streak of scoring at least five runs in six straight games ended. Travis Jankowski had two hits, two steals and scored twice.

"We could have strung together better at-bats than we did tonight," manager Andy Green said. "I thought all-around it was not one of our better efforts."

Erik Johnson (0-3) allowed six runs and nine hits, including two homers, in four innings. He has surrendered 12 home runs in five starts this season, the first two with the White Sox.

"I'm on the cusp of breaking through and getting to the other side," Johnson insisted.

When Jimenez fell behind 1-0 after facing only three batters, many of the fans began to grumble and more than a few booed. After he struck out the side in the sixth, however, most in the crowd of 23,785 cheered.

"It was big," Jimenez said. "That's probably the most exciting thing about baseball. They give you a chance to start and it's a new game."

Trumbo tied it with his 21st home run leading off the second, and the Orioles finally took control when Flaherty homered to ignite a three-run fifth that made it 6-2.

PROTEST FILED

The agent for Padres has filed a protest to regarding a scoring decision in the ninth inning of Tuesday's game, Green said. A grounder that hit first base and went through the legs of was ruled a hit, and as a result Rodney missed setting a team record for the longest stretch at the outset of a season without allowing an earned run.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Padres: OF John Jay missed a second straight game with a bruised right forearm after being hit by a pitch Sunday night against Washington. "It's just one of those things where it's going to take a few days before he's ready to play baseball again," Green said.

Orioles: LHP Brian Duensing (elbow) was placed on the 15-day DL and the team recalled LHP Ashur Tolliver from Triple-A Norfolk. Duensing will have bone chips removed and will be sidelined at least into August.

UP NEXT

Padres: Christian Friedrich (3-2, 3.15 ERA) starts the opener of a four-game series in Cincinnati on Thursday night.

Orioles: Baltimore hopes to savor a day off Thursday after playing 29 games in 30 days. The Orioles then play four games in three days against visiting Tampa Bay.

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/baltimore-orioles/jimenez-wins-fans-over-six-strong-innings- orioles-win

Jimenez Wins Fans Over With Six Strong Innings In Orioles Win

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Mid-Atlantic June 22, 2016

BALTIMORE—Buck Showalter had few choices for a Wednesday night starter. He wanted Mike Wright to stay at Norfolk and last year’s Rule 5 draft choice Jason Garcia wasn’t really an option. Once he had to use Odrisamer Despaigne to rescue Zach Britton on Tuesday night, there was really only one way he could go.

That was Ubaldo Jimenez, who had been banished to the bullpen after a humiliating one-third of an inning start in Toronto when he allowed five runs to score.

Jimenez’s first outing in relief wasn’t inspiring He gave up five runs in 2 2/3 innings last Friday.

All that was forgotten by the time Jimenez finished his sixth inning, as he walked off with a start the Orioles sorely needed.

The Orioles ended up with a 7-2 win over the San Diego Padres before 23,785 at Oriole Park, and Jimenez gave up two runs on four hits, walking four and striking out seven.

“I just wanted to get the job done, for sure. There’s no more pressure than that. As a pitcher, I know how I was throwing before I got sent down to the bullpen. I was just trying to find a way to survive and get back on my feet,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez still has nearly a season-and-a-half remaining on his four-year, $50 million contract, and the Orioles want to get a return on that investment.

“Gave our bullpen a rest. We didn’t have many options down there tonight, so he delivered what we needed. It was good to see him go home and feel good about himself,” Showalter said.

Jimenez allowed a single to Travis Janikowski on his very first pitch. Two batters later, Janikowski scored on a single by Matt Kemp.

Eventually Jimenez got out of the inning, and retired the Padres (30-43) in order in the second.

He walked Travis Jankowski, who easily stole second, leading off the third, but no one else reached in the inning.

Jimenez (4-7) walked Brett Wallace and Christian Bethancourt with one out in the fourth, but again pitched out of trouble.

A second run scored in the fifth as the pesky Janikowski again led off with a single and stole second, scoring on Kemp’s single.

With two outs, Melvin Upton, Jr. hit a long drive to left that he thought was long gone, but it was ruled foul.

After a lengthy replay review, the call stood, and Upton struck out a pitch later.

Jimenez struck out the side in the sixth and left to a warm ovation, and it was something he heard.

“I did, I did. It’s always good. I know I’ve been in the Majors for almost nine years, so I know how things go. If you do good, they are going to be there for you,” Jimenez said.

Showalter didn’t commit to Jimenez starting again, but says that his spot in the rotation will come up twice before the All-Star break.

Mark Trumbo hit his 21st home run off Erik Johnson (0-3) to tie the score at 1 in the second. An inning later, the Orioles took a 2-1 lead when Adam Jones, who singled, took off for home when Jonathan Schoop tried for second base.

Jones took his cue from Bobby Dickerson, who was waving him home.

“I think just my aggression, how I run the bases,” Jones said. “I was coming hard, and as a baserunner you try and make the coaches make the difficult decision. If I slowed down a bit, he would have to stop me, but I didn’t slow down. Hey, good play. Just kept running.”

Matt Wieters’ single up the middle scored Trumbo, who had a leadoff double in the fourth.

The Orioles (41-30) took a 6-2 lead in the fifth when Ryan Flaherty led off with his third home run of the year. After they loaded the bases, Carlos Villanueva loaded the bases hit Chris Davis with a pitch to score Jones.

Initially, Jones appeared to score on a wild pitch, but the Orioles challenged the call and swiftly won the challenge.

Wieters’ sacrifice fly gave the Orioles a 6-2 lead.

Hyun Soo Kim’s RBI single in the sixth gave the Orioles their final run.

Brad Brach lowered his ERA to 1.11 with two perfect innings, and Zach Britton, who allowed three runs on Tuesday night, worked a scoreless ninth to close out the Orioles’ 1,000th win at Oriole Park.

NOTES: Manny Machado returns from his four-game suspension on Friday. The Orioles were 2- 2 in his absence. … Darren O’Day (hamstring) will throw off the half-mound on Thursday. … Vance Worley (groin) will pitch a rehab game at Bowie on Saturday. … After Thursday’s off day, the Orioles open a four-game series with Tampa Bay on Friday. Matt Moore (3-4, 4.90) faces Yovani Gallardo (2-1, 6.26).

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-padres-0623-20160622-story.html

As Jonathan Schoop's offense continues to improve, his spot in Orioles batting order rises

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun June 22, 2016

Jonathan Schoop has been too good recently to sneak up on anyone at the bottom of the Orioles lineup, hoping to ambush an unsuspecting pitcher.

In elevating him in the batting order Wednesday, even temporarily, and asking a little more of him, the Orioles are betting that Schoop's recent improvements at the plate signal a graduation for a player many pegged for a breakout season.

"He'll still have his ups and downs," manager Buck Showalter said. "That's part of it — are pretty good, too. But he, I think, little by little — you see it some with Manny [Machado] and you see it with a lot of young players — you start kind of figuring out who they are, who they're not."

Who Schoop has shown to be, at least this month, is a hitter more complete than he's been at any point in his young career. He's been a hitter worthy of filling in near the top of the Orioles lineup, something that, even if it's temporary, is well deserved.

Schoop has had strong stretches before, like the beginning of August, when he raised his batting average 50 percentage points in a week, but Showalter now believes Schoop is in a better position to sustain it.

Batting third for the first time in his career, Schoop opened the Orioles' unmerciful offensive display in Wednesday night's 7-2 win over the San Diego Padres with an opposite-field single in the first inning and an RBI double in the third, giving him 11 hits in his past 21 at-bats. He has four multihit games in his past five.

Schoop is hitting .333 (26-for-78) in June, bringing him to .285 on the season. And in what might be the biggest sign of his progress, he secured his sixth walk of the month Wednesday. He'd never had more than three in a month.

"It shows I know what I'm doing," Schoop said. "It shows I'm better than I was. That's all I want. I want to be better than I was yesterday. I want to be better than I was two years ago. And next year, I want to be better than I was this year. That's all it is. I've got a game plan, every game, and now I try to execute it."

According to Showalter, that game plan includes more of a willingness to go the opposite way, as he did in his first at-bat Wednesday for a single that dived in front of Padres right fielder Matt Kemp.

But that's not coming at the expense of Schoop's signature pull power, which he used on a double to left-center field that put the Orioles ahead in the third inning.

Schoop is one of several players Showalter has mentioned recently as having found a groove with second-year hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh, who also is getting credit for his work with Pedro Alvarez and Hyun Soo Kim.

"It's a process," Showalter said. "Where are you? I think you've got to coach yourself a little bit, and I think he and Scott really have hit a chord about what he has to do and when he gets away from it and is trying to get back into it. You try and stretch out the good times and shorten up the bad ones. I think they've kind of found a good process to shorten that up."

Said Schoop: "I feel I'm getting better every day. That's how you've got to be. That's how you've got to be every day, trying to get better and try to improve. I'm finding myself in a routine every day that prepares me better for the game. Even if I didn't have a good game, I still feel good. I do my routine, do my work, and try and go out there and compete and try to win."

Schoop said it's nothing different from what he did during , though he has emphasized the pregame studying of pitchers, their tendencies and how he tends to be attacked.

"You're usually careful about saying those things because, all of a sudden, he goes 10 days without being very productive," Showalter said. "You've got to be careful as a hitting coach or manager or a player saying, 'Oh, I've found the Holy Grail.' I've got the answer to everything. I'm perfect. And all of a sudden, the game knocks you back down."

It might not be the game that knocks Schoop back into the bottom half of the Orioles lineup, but the return of his running buddy, Machado, from suspension. Schoop has batted in the top third of the order only in two of the past five games. The return the Orioles have gotten, however, bodes well for what could be a second half in which they need every bit of offense they can get to scrape together enough victories for a playoff spot.

"Wherever you hit, I want to help this team win," Schoop said. "If it's the bottom of the lineup, top of the lineup, wherever they put me I will compete and I will do everything I can possibly to do help us win."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-manager-buck-showalter-on- ubaldo-jimenez-keeping-rotation-spot-we-ll-see-20160622-story.html

Orioles manager Buck Showalter doesn't commit to another start for Ubaldo Jimenez

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun June 22, 2016

It took a month and a half of underperformance for the Orioles to pull Ubaldo Jimenezfrom the starting rotation, so one strong start isn’t enough for him to win his spot back.

After Jimenez allowed two runs in six innings and picked up the win Wednesday in the Orioles’ 7-2 drubbing of the San Diego Padres, manager Buck Showalter didn’t commit after the game to letting him make his next start.

“We have two more of that spot before the All-Star break,” Showalter said. “We’re going to take it each day and put our best foot forward. Tonight, he was it. So we’ll see.”

Jimenez’s return to the rotation saw him strike out seven batters, walk four and allow four hits. Showalter said he “didn’t break.”

“I just wanted to get the job done,” Jimenez said. “There’s no more pressure than that. As a pitcher, I know how I was throwing before I got sent down to the bullpen. I was just trying to find a way to survive and get back on my feet.”

It started ominously for Jimenez, with leadoff batter Travis Jankowski singling on the first pitch and scoring two batters later on another single. Jimenez worked out of that jam and allowed just one more run, in the fifth inning, as he limited hard contact for most of the night.

“Like a lot of starting pitchers, if you can minimize the damage early when you’re trying to find it, they seem to come on the later they get into it,” Showalter said. “We’ve had a lot of times, I know, withChris [Tillman] and another one; sometimes their best inning is their last one. I thought he had a crisper fastball. There was a lot of crispness and intensity to his fastball tonight.”

Jimenez said he relished the chance to get back onto the mound at Camden Yards after being banished to the bullpen, a role not suited for his intricate delivery.

“It was big,” Jimenez said. “It felt really good finally being able to give the team a chance to win. To be able to pitch six innings, it felt good. I mean, there’s no more you can do with that. That’s probably the most exciting thing about baseball. They give you a chance to start, and it’s a new game.”

Both Showalter and Jimenez were glad for how the game ended, with four straight strikeouts and hearty applause from fans who earlier in the night were quick to boo him.

"I’ve been in the majors for almost nine years, so I know how things go," Jimenez said. "If you do good, they are going to be there for you."

The Orioles’ Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays means they’ll need a fifth starter again Wednesday against the Padres, which would allow Tillman and to get back on turn. Those are the two pitchers scheduled for Saturday’s games, with Yovani Gallardo scheduled to pitch Friday and Tyler Wilson set for the matinee Sunday.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-infielder-paul-janish-will-accept-outright- assignment-to-triple-a-20160622-story.html

Orioles infielder Paul Janish will accept outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun June 22, 2016

Infielder Paul Janish will accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and join the team this weekend in Charlotte, N.C.

Janish, 33, had the option of becoming a free agent — he previously had been outrighted to the minors — but instead chose to remain in the organization. He cleared outright waivers and was outrighted Tuesday.

Janish was off to a great start for the Tides, hitting .329/.364/.356 in 21 games before theOrioles called him up in early May to help overcome the injury to starting J.J. Hardy.

Janish made 10 starts, nine at third base and one at shortstop, and hit .194/.286/.226 in 14 games. He was just 1-for-14 over his first six games but went .294/.368/.353 in the following eight games.

His decision to remain in the organization allows the Orioles to keep their most trusted utility infield option. The Orioles re-signed Janish, who was a free agent this past offseason, because he had given them a dependable veteran presence at shortstop at Triple-A, which they previously lacked.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-mark-trumbo-aiming-for-quick-end-to-his- longest-slump-as-an-oriole-20160622-story.html

Mark Trumbo's longest slump as an Oriole starts to turn with home run

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun June 22, 2016

Orioles outfielder Mark Trumbo entered Wednesday's game against the San Diego Padres in his worst slump of the season, but spoke before batting practice like a man with prior struggles who knew they'd be fleeting.

The downturn came after he hit his league-leading 20th home run two weeks ago, marring the best start of any season in his career. But the slides he's endured over seven major league seasons told him this one wouldn't last.

“You hope that the good times last forever, but this game is too hard to be unrealistic and think that you're not going to hit some rough stretches,” Trumbo said before the game. “I think I'm getting a few hits in there, but I'm not driving it like I know I can. That's part of the process of getting back — reinforcing some of my better habits, and get back to where you want to be.”

That assessment of his driving the ball ended Wednesday night. Trumbo hit his 21st homer of the season in the second inning, then doubled to left-center field in the fourth. He finished with a team-high three hits and scored twice.

The stretch between home runs was a difficult one for him, though. He'd been scuffling since hitting his 20th home run June 7. In the 13 games since, he hit .182 (10-for-55) without a home run. His average dropped from .299 to .276 in that span, with small things like vision and timing contributing to Trumbo's skid.

“It’s probably been a combination of anything,” Trumbo said. “I think the biggest indicator is fouling off the good pitches to hit. That’s always the kiss of death to me. If you’re getting good pitches and you’re not connecting, the confidence can get [down]. You try to keep it as high as you can. It’s inevitable. At times you’re going to wonder what’s going on. But that’s all part of it. There hasn’t been one season where I haven’t hit a skid. Hopefully, it doesn’t last that long, but sometimes you’ve got to wear it for a while.”

Historically, Trumbo also has been better earlier in the season than later, only bucking that trend last year with theSeattle Mariners. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he’s still the same player without the production at the plate.

“Mark’s been solid in a lot of ways — more than just hitting, obviously,” Showalter said. “It’s been pretty consistent, for the most part. He’s shown a lot of things that you really just don’t know about a guy completely until you have him every day. He runs the bases well, tries to run the bases well, throws OK. Mark’s engaged in every part of the game. He wants to be part of everything.”

Trumbo never got caught atop the wave of success that carried him to the top of the major league home run leader board, perhaps because he’s so often been through stretches where the opposite has happened. That level approach can only help as he looks to pull himself out of this slide.

“The thing is, it’s not the thinking that’s going to get you back,” Trumbo said. “It’s just things lock in in the weirdest times. It could be a two-strike count. It’s more a feeling than anything, and that feeling is what gives you the confidence. It’s perspective. It’s not the end of the world. We’ve still been playing great. Some other guys have been really hitting the ball. You just do what you can and try to work to keep improving in.”

Wright stays in Norfolk: Showalter said right-hander Mike Wright was a candidate to come up in Duensing’s place, but the Orioles want him to pitch consistently for the Tides. He started their game Wednesday.

“I don’t want to be yo-yo-ing him back and forth and this and that just because of our needs,” Showalter said. “We could have taken him, put him in the bullpen or even started him. … I think he needs to pitch down there, and that he needs to pitch better. If he pitches better, he’ll get another opportunity.”

Around the horn: Right-hander Vance Worley (groin) is on target to return from the DL on June 28, the day he’s eligible, Showalter said. Worley threw a bullpen session Tuesday and has another scheduled for Thursday. … The Orioles announced Wednesday that 15 draft picks have signed with the organization: shortstop Alexis Torres (fifth round), pitcher Zach Muckenhirn (11), pitcher Max Knutson (12), pitcher Ruben Garcia (14), pitcher Nick Jobst (15), pitcher Layne Bruner (18), center fielder Cole Billingsley (19), pitcher Zach Matson (24), third baseman Jaime Estrada (26), pitcher Matt De La Rosa (28), second baseman Garrett Copeland (30), center fielder Jake Ring (31), pitcher Lucas Brown (34), second baseman Tanner Kirk (35) and pitcher James Teague (37).

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/harford/aegis/sports/ph-ag-ironbirds-home- opener-2016-0624-20160622-story.html

Following tribute to fallen deputies, IronBirds roll over Auburn in home opener, 7-0

By Randy McRoberts / The Baltimore Sun June 22, 2016

After starting the 2016 New York-Penn League schedule 1-4 on the road, the Aberdeen IronBirds played Wednesday night like they were happy to be home.

The IronBirds (2-4) pounded the Auburn Doubledays, 7-0, behind a season-best, 13-hit attack at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium. The pitching was pretty good, too.

Austin Hays, a fourth-round pick in the MLB draft earlier this month, led Aberdeen in his professional debut. Hays had three hits, a run scored and a .

"I was just trying to come out and just have fun, not trying to do too much, just play the way I did this past season and the way I've played my whole life," Hays said. "These are the kind of wins that you look for. You hit, you play defense and you pitch all at the same time. That's the hardest thing to do in baseball."

A touching and emotional tribute preceded the first pitch of the game. All season, the IronBirds are honoring the life and service of Senior Deputy Patrick Dailey and Deputy First Class Mark Logsdon, who were both killed in the line of duty in February.

Both deputies' badge numbers will be displayed throughout the season on the grass at Ripken Stadium.

Logsdon's badge 578 is in front of the first base dugout, while Dailey's badge number, 186, is in front the third base dugout.

Both families were part of the first pitch ceremonies. Jennifer Logsdon, wife of DFC Logsdon, and Amy Grebe, fiance of Senior Deputy Dailey, met at the mound and after embracing each other, both threw a pitch.

"We work with the Harford County Sheriff anyway, during our season for our stadium security, so as soon as the events happened, we kind of reached out to say let us know what you need from us," IronBirds Assistant General Manager Brad Cox said. "We did an event for them in the offseason, kept it private. We opened up the club level, let them have an event here, they had it catered, so just doing something subtle, give them a break from there day-to-day. It was fitting that we kick the season off with doing some tribute to them."

As for the game, Aberdeen jumped on top with the long ball in the second inning. Designated hitter Jaylen Ferguson blasted a long solo home run to left field.

The IronBirds struck for single runs in the third and fourth innings with two-out rallies. Alejandro Juvier singled and scored with two away in the third when Hays tripled to the wall in left-center field.

In the fourth, Jason Heinrich singled to open the inning and two outs later, Stuart Levy doubled him home.

Ferguson drove in his second run in the fifth, lifting a sacrifice fly to plate Hays, who was aboard with a single.

The IronBirds blew the game wide open in the sixth, pushing across three runs, also with two outs. Chris Clare's first professional hit got the inning started with one out.

Following the second out, Ryan McKenna also singled and both came home on Juvier's double.

Juvier added the seventh run when Hays beat out an infield single for his third hit of the game. Hays was safe and the errant and late throw got by Auburn first baseman Ryan Ripken, allowing Juvier to score.

Auburn (4-2) had its chances early against Aberdeen starter and winner Alex Wells. Ripken, son of Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., beat out an infield single to lead off the second inning.

Two more singles loaded the bases, but Wells got a strikeout and groundout to get of the jam.

The Doubledays were at again in the third. Two singles to lead off the inning were followed by a fly ball out to center and Ripken's soft liner near the bag at second, where Juvier turned the unassisted .

Auburn put two runners on base two more times in an inning, but were unable to find the plate.

Wells pitched six innings, scattering six hits, to get his first win.

"It's a magic feeling and it hasn't quite sunk in yet, but probably about tonight, like 1 a.m. probably sink in," Wells said. "I pitched my butt off with good defense tonight and I handed it over to the bullpen. It was a good win."

Garrett Cortright threw two scoreless innings in relief and Daniel Ayers tossed a scoreless ninth.

Heinrich and Juvier added two hits each for the IronBirds and Daniel Johnson pace Auburn with three hits.

The teams will be back at Ripken Stadium Thursday night at 7:05 p.m.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/ph-ac-bb-baysox-skippers-20160622-story.html

Bowie a stop along the way for skippers, too

By David Driver / The Baltimore Sun June 22, 2016

The were playing a doubleheader against Trenton in 1994 when , then the Baysox manager, chatted between games with former Yankeescatcher .

New Jersey native Cerone asked Mackanin about Rick Forney, who was preparing to pitch the second game of the seven-inning twinbill against the host Thunder.

"I will tell you one thing. He is due to throw a no-hitter one of these days," Mackanin recalled telling Cerone before the second game.

The former Baysox skipper sold Forney short, as the right-hander threw the first perfect game in the history of the Baysox that night in an 8-0 victory. "I kept the lineup card. He was unbelievable," Mackanin said.

That was one of several memorable games for Mackanin, who in his only season guided the Baysox to a record of 84-58. That remains tied for the most regular-season wins in club history.

"I remember that we had to start the season playing in Annapolis, Frederick and all kinds of places" before Prince George's Stadium was ready, said Mackanin, now the manager of the . "We had some good players. (Armando) Benitez was my closer."

Mackanin, who managed at Class A Frederick in 1993, is one of several former Bowie managers who saw their coaching careers thrive after leaving the Baysox.

Dave Trembley, who managed Bowie in 2003-04, later was the skipper of the Baltimore Orioles and is now the director of player development for the .

"I would say the support of the Orioles front office was tremendous during my time in Bowie," Trembley wrote in an email. "The closeness to Baltimore was an attractive ingredient as our players could bypass the next minor league level and go straight to Baltimore – many of them did."

"Excellent working relationship with the Baysox front office and a very nice booster club which provided meals and housing for the players. A few years later when I was managing the Baltimore Orioles I would see and hear from many fans and season ticket holders in Bowie – a very loyal fan base and die-hard Oriole fans," he added. "Any managing experience — whether it be in the minor leagues or the big leagues affords one the opportunity to build relationships with many individuals. Those relationships develop into much more than I can describe to you – let it be said that the experience was special and I look back fondly at my time in Bowie."

Don Buford, the Bowie manager in 1993, later worked in the player development office of the Orioles and has been involved in the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities program (RBI) in Los Angeles.

Dave Stockstill (2002), who now lives in Missouri, also worked in player development and scouting for the Orioles while (2005-06) has been a catching instructor with Baltimore.

Former big leaguer later managed in the Eastern League with rival Richmond in the Giants system and is now a scout with the Orioles based in his native Michigan.

Former Dodgers catcher (1997-99) and (2000), a former Orioles catcher, both managed in the independent Atlantic League after leaving Bowie. Etchebarren is now retired and living in South Carolina, according to former Baysox radio announcer Dave Collins.

Brad Komminsk (2008-10) joins Mackanin as the other Baysox manager to win 84 games in a year. "Not bad company. We had a good team and we had good pitching," said Komminsk of the 2008 team. "It was a nice mix of guys. We had (Chris) Tillman, (Jason) Berken and (Brad) Bergesen. All of them made the big leagues."

The former big league outfielder is now a car buyer in Columbus, Ohio, about 90 minutes from where he grew up. "Coaching baseball was not a bad gig. I enjoyed it," said Komminsk, who has three children.

Chicago native Mackanin was drafted by the old Washington Senators in 1969 in the fourth round.

"I was in the Catholic League all-star game at Comiskey Park in Chicago," recalled Mackanin, sitting in the visiting clubhouse at Nationals Park during a recent road trip. "I had broken my thumb so I joined the team late. That was the same year Jeff Burroughs was drafted" by the Senators as the first overall pick.

Mackanin was roommates with the with pitcher David Clyde, the overall first pick in 1973 who went right from high school to the majors.

"Every time the phone rang it would be for him. He would never answer the phone," recalled Mackanin, who was called up to the majors the same day as Clyde in 1973.

Mackanin ended his big league playing career in 1981 with the and then worked his way into coaching. His first big league managerial post was with Pittsburgh in 2005 and he later managed the in 2007.

The Baysox, under Mackanin, began play at Prince George's Stadium in June of 1994. About a month later, Forney threw his gem.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-recall-reliever-ashur-tolliver-from- triple-a-norfolk-place-brian-duensing-elbow-on-dl-20160622-story.html

Orioles reliever Brian Duensing to have elbow surgery Friday; Ashur Tolliver recalled from Triple-A

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun June 22, 2016

The Orioles' bullpen shuffle continued Wednesday when they summoned left-hander Ashur Tolliver from Triple-A Norfolk and placed left-hander Brian Duensing on the disabled list with elbow inflammation.

Duensing said that he’ll have surgery on Friday to remove a pair of cartilage chips in his left elbow, which caused inflammation in a bizarre fashion on Monday as he sat in the bullpen during the game in Texas.

He played catch before the game, and said he didn’t have any issues, but instead suffered his injury in one of the Adirondack chairs in the Rangers’ visiting bullpen.

“To be honest, I just kind of rolled over on the chair, I just kind of rolled over and felt something kind of weird and next thing I know, it’s swollen and couldn’t move it,” Duensing said. “So, I was in the training room, and I didn’t even really do anything. That’s kind of also disappointing — a little freaky. I haven’t had any arm problems whatsoever since I had Tommy John in 2004, so for it to just kind of pop up like that just kind of seems a little out of the ordinary, but not much I can do about it other than take care of it and move on.”

Duensing said the elbow was structurally sound, according to scans, so the rehab process won’t be as arduous as it would be rehabbing ligament or tendon damage. He said the chips are around the back of his elbow, where the triceps connect, and are limiting his range of motion and creating tightness.

He was given a timetable of returning of about 4-8 weeks, he said, and set a rough target of Aug. 1 for a comeback

“It’s not too painful, it just kind of feels like there’s a lot of pressure there,” Duensing said. “I’m going to try to get it taken care of get it fixed, and be back in time to try and win the division."

Duensing had allowed four runs in 6 2/3 innings over seven appearances with the Orioles, who signed him to a minor league contract in mid-May and added him to the active roster a week later.

Tolliver, 28, debuted with the Orioles last month in and appeared in four games, allowing three earned runs in four innings. He made five appearances since being optioned back to Triple-A Norfolk. The first four were scoreless and the fifth, which came Sunday, was a 1 1/3- inning outing in which he allowed two runs.

Manager Buck Showalter said he was added back to the roster because he’s “rested, ready to pitch, and doing OK down there.”

“I’m really happy to be here,” Tolliver said. “I’m feeling good, just continuing to work with the staff down there. Everything’s going good.”

The bullpen has been under particular duress in recent days. With top set-up man Darren O’Day (hamstring) and long reliever Vance Worley (groin) on the disabled list, the Orioles have been stretched thin. They’ve also had to carry Wednesday’s starter, Ubaldo Jimenez, in the bullpen.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-on-deck-what-to-watch- wednesday-vs-padres-20160622-story.html

Orioles on deck: What to watch Wednesday vs. Padres

By Josh Land / The Baltimore Sun June 22, 2016

Orioles (40-30) vs. San Diego Padres (30-42)

Where: Camden Yards

First pitch: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MASN/105.7 The Fan

Starting pitchers: Orioles RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (3-7, 7.34 ERA) vs. Padres RHP Erik Johnson (0-4, 7.66 ERA)

What to watch

1. Another chance. After Mike Wright's one-day demotion and subsequent return to the rotation (and subsequent second demotion), it's impossible to call this Ubaldo Jimenez's last chance to show he belongs in the rotation, simply because the Orioles lack alternatives. But it's an important start for Jimenez nonetheless. If he has a solid one that isn't too reminiscent of the brief, hole-digging outings that cost him his starting job in the first place, he could have another start in store. Will Jimenez take advantage of the opportunity and show that he might be effective out of the rotation?

2. Aboard the Alvarez train. Pedro Alvarez has had a terrific month, batting .340 with six homers, 13 RBIs and an 1.117 OPS after Tuesday's two-homer, five-RBI assault on the Padres. Alvarez has turned his season around after batting .194 entering June. Can he keep it going to force Buck Showalter to keep him in the lineup regularly?

3. Bullpen bounce-back. Allowing seven runs (five earned) in three innings is quite uncharacteristic for the usually stout Orioles bullpen. One night after letting the Padres come back for a victory, will the Birds relief corps be able to shut them down to help avoid a two-game sweep?

Orioles lineup

CF Adam Jones LF Hyun Soo Kim 2B Jonathan Schoop 1B Chris Davis RF Mark Trumbo C Matt Wieters DH Pedro Alvarez SS J.J. Hardy 3B Ryan Flaherty

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/185671752/orioles-fans-ask-about-trade-deadline-action

Inbox: Will O's target starters at Deadline?

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com June 23, 2016

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles, who surrendered Monday's off-day due to a makeup game at home, will take Thursday's off-day to regroup, recharge and finally play at a full 25. WithManny Machado done serving his four-game suspension, Baltimore will head into the weekend series with Tampa Bay -- which includes Saturday's doubleheader -- with a little less roster stress.

But there's still plenty to wonder about regarding the O's, and I'm delving into your latest questions in today's Inbox.

With Ubaldo Jimenez and Mike Wright performing under expectations, do you see the Orioles making a trade or two for a as the Trade Deadline approaches? -- Anthony, Elkridge, Md.

Yes. This question -- or some version of it -- is by far the most common one I've gotten over the past week or two. I think they have to go out and add a starter. Even if one of those guys steps up and finds some consistency -- which is a big "if" right now -- they have no insurance for injury or underperformance elsewhere.

Look for the Orioles to be mentioned in a lot of starting pitching rumors. They were already linked Wednesday by MLB.com to lefty arms Francisco Liriano and Drew Pomeranz. And that's just the beginning. The O's are a first-place club and I don't know how they stay there if they don't get a little insurance in the rotation.

If the Yankees are sellers at the Deadline would the O's pick up Andrew Miller again? -- Patrick, York, Pa.

That's an interesting idea. It's a big "if" on the Yankees side, as that second Wild Card has really made it tough for a lot of teams to truly be sellers at the Deadline. But, let's pretend Miller is available for a second. Do the O's have what it takes to get him? They had to give up Eduardo Rodriguez to Boston just for a few months of Miller. And, I think most people would agree, the Orioles have traded away too much of their young pitching (Rodriguez,Josh Hader, Zach Davies) for a relief piece.

Adding another back-end reliever and shortening the game up is an interesting concept for an O's team that -- as we said above -- struggles in the rotation. But I still think they would benefit much more from just adding a dependable six-inning guy.

What is the status of amateur Draft signings? When is the deadline for signing all draftees? -- Alan R., Baltimore

The O's announced 15 more signings Wednesday, bringing their total to 21 so far (including top pick ).

The signing deadline is July 15, a date that, since being pushed up, has really helped some of these younger players get out there and get started at an affiliate.

Of the current Minor League pitchers, who are we most likely to see next in the rotation? -- Jesse, South Orange, N.J.

That's a tough one. I'm assuming you aren't including guys in the Minors now, like Wright. Lefty Chris Lee is probably the guy, though he's on the disabled list right now. The Orioles are pretty high on Lee and what he can do, so there's a chance he could make a start up here at some point this year.

No other names really jump to mind, which tells you about their startling lack of pitching prospects that are close to the Majors. Yet another reason why its imperative they add a starter at some point this season. http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/185671858/orioles-ubaldo-jimenez-solid-in-spot-start

Jimenez makes most of spot start

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com June 22, 2016

BALTIMORE -- Ubaldo Jimenez knew at some point he'd get another chance at the rotation. And, though there's no telling when his next outing could be, the right-hander turned in a quality start -- his first since May 7 -- in Wednesday's 7-2 win over the Padres.

"I just wanted to get the job done, for sure," said Jimenez, who was demoted to the bullpen after a career-low one-out outing on June 12. "There's no more pressure than that. As a pitcher, I know how I was throwing before I got sent down to the bullpen. I was just trying to find a way to survive and get back on my feet."

Jimenez -- who had allowed 48 earned runs in 62 2/3 innings coming in -- held San Diego to two runs over six innings. He picked up his second win since April 13 against the last-place Padres, allowing four hits and four walks with seven strikeouts.

"Bent, didn't break," manager Buck Showalter said of the outing. "What did he have, four walks? Stolen bases were a challenge, but made some good pitches and got through six innings. Gave our bullpen a rest. We didn't have many options down there tonight, so he delivered what we needed. It was good to see him go home and feel good about himself."

The 32-year-old Jimenez lowered his ERA from 7.34 to 6.97 and ended by striking out the side in the sixth inning. The key to his better outing was improved fastball command, and Jimenez said he didn't make any notable changes while in the 'pen.

"Not really," he said. "I think the approach was going back to the basics. Just see the target, hit the glove and try to get him out."

But will Jimenez get another chance to build off that start? Showalter wouldn't commit either way on Wednesday night.

"We have two more of that spot before the All-Star break," he said. "We're going to take it each day and put our best foot forward. Tonight, [Jimenez] was it. So, we'll see."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/185612536/machado-set-to-return-for-os-opener-vs-rays

Machado set to return for O's opener vs. Rays

By Ryan Baillargeon / MLB.com June 22, 2016

The Orioles welcome back Manny Machado for their four-game series over three days with Tampa Bay, which begins Friday. Machado finished serving his four-game suspension after Wednesday's game for his altercation with Royals righty , but the O's had Thursday off.

Machado has shined at the plate in his fifth season in the Majors. The 23-year-old is hitting .317 with 17 home runs, 42 RBIs and 50 runs scored in 67 games.

The third baseman has struggled against the Rays in his career, though, posting a .207 average with 42 strikeouts in 59 games. And he's fared even worse against Friday's Rays starter, Matt Moore, going 3-for-19 (.158).

During Machado's absence -- in which the club played with 24 men -- the O's went 2-2.

The O's will send right-hander Yovani Gallardo (2-1, 6.26) to the mound for the second time since he returned from the disabled list what the club termed "right shoulder bicep tendinitis." He allowed one run in five innings in his first start back against Toronto.

Moore (3-4, 4.90) is coming off back-to-back strong outings for the Rays. After tossing seven scoreless innings June 12, he allowed two runs in six innings Saturday.

Three things to know about this game

• The Orioles hold a 3-2 edge over the Rays in the season series, winning both games at Camden Yards against Tampa Bay this year.

• Moore is 4-5 with a 3.84 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) against the Orioles in his career. In his lone start against Baltimore this season, he gave up three runs in seven innings and took the loss.

• O's center fielder Adam Jones has enjoyed facing Moore in his career. His .407 average off the left-hander is his best batting average against any pitcher against whom he has at least 29 plate appearances.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/185609830/orioles-interested-in-acquiring-lefty-starter

Orioles interested in acquiring left-handed starter

By Jon Paul Morosi / MLB.com June 22, 2016

The Red Sox (5-6) and Blue Jays (10-12) entered Wednesday with losing records against left- handed starters.

The Baltimore Orioles -- the other entrant in what appears to be a three-team American League East race -- haven't used a left-handed starter all season.

Perhaps realizing they're missing out on a competitive advantage, sources say the Orioles have shown interest in trading for left-handed starters Francisco Liriano and Drew Pomeranz.

Of the two, Pomeranz is perhaps more likely to be dealt this summer; his Padres are last in the West and have indicated they will be sellers at the Aug. 1 non-waiver Trade Deadline.

Liriano's Pirates are in a different circumstance. They've earned an NL Wild Card berth in three consecutive seasons and aren't ready to trade veteran assets. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington told MLB.com this week: "Our focus remains to play good baseball and put ourselves in a position to make the postseason."

However, the Pirates entered Wednesday at 34-37, 13 1/2 games behind the Cubs in the NL Central. They also trail the Mets by 4 1/2 games for the second Wild Card. And the Pirates' hopes of gaining ground will be hampered as long as ace and starting catcher Francisco Cervelli remain on the disabled list.

Liriano, then, is worth monitoring as a trade candidate over the coming weeks. Because the Pirates' payroll ranks in the bottom half of Major League Baseball, they have a history of trading veterans as they near free agency. (Neil Walker last winter was one such example.) Liriano, 32, is set to earn $13 million in 2017 before becoming a free agent.

For Liriano to have much value on the trade market -- or for the Pirates, in the interim -- he needs to throw more strikes. Liriano leads the major leagues with 46 walks, and his 5.03 ERA is his worst since 2012, which he split with the Twins and White Sox.

Still, suitors will be intrigued by Liriano's ability to miss bats: He's averaging at least one strikeout per inning, as he has in every season since 2012.

• Amid reports of the Giants' interest in trading for Ryan Braun, it's worth noting that the Giants avoided expensive midseason acquisitions in their 2010, 2012, and 2014 championship runs. Here were their notable in-season additions in each of those seasons:

2010: Pat Burrell, Cody Ross, Javier Lopez, Ramon Ramirez, , Jose Guillen

2012: Hunter Pence, Marco Scutaro, Jose Mijares, Brad Penny

2014: Jake Peavy, Travis Ishikawa, Dan Uggla

Not one of those players was signed to a lucrative, multiyear contract at the time. Braun, meanwhile, has at least $76 million left on his deal after the end of the current season.

That's not to rule out Braun playing in the Bay Area, but it would mark a dramatic departure from how the Giants have (very successfully) done business this decade. If they decide an outfielder is needed, San Diego's -- a past World Series champion and current NL leader in doubles -- fits the Giants' mold.

• The Rangers have one of the top farm systems in baseball, even after parting with five prospects to acquire Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman last July. Over the coming weeks, they'll probably bid farewell to a few more top Minor Leaguers in the name of pitching upgrades.

The Rangers have the AL's best record, and they need outside help to retain it, now thatDerek Holland has joined on the 15-day disabled list. Both have shoulder woes, and the steady Colby Lewis exited his most recent start with an arm cramp. Texas general manager Jon Daniels has shown an ability to be decisive in big moments. The Holland news is a clear call to action, for a roster that Daniels knows is capable of winning the franchise's first World Series.

• As the industry wonders whether the Yankees will move relievers Aroldis Chapman andAndrew Miller by Aug. 1, Tuesday was the 27th anniversary of the team's most recent in-season "sell" trade: to Oakland for , , and Greg Cadaret.

See? The Yankees can be sellers . . . every quarter-century or so.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/185568316/orioles-pitcher-brian-duensing-goes-on-dl

Orioles place Duensing on DL, recall Tolliver

By Ryan Baillargeon / MLB.com June 22, 2016

BALTIMORE -- After manager Buck Showalter said late Tuesday that the Orioles would probably place left-hander Brian Duensing on the disabled list, they officially made the move Wednesday afternoon. The O's recalled lefty Ashur Tolliver to replace Duensing (elbow inflammation), the team announced.

Duensing, who had a 5.40 ERA in seven appearances with the Orioles, will have arthroscopic surgery Friday to remove two cartilage chips in his elbow. Doctors gave him a 4- to 8-week recovery timetable, and he's aiming for an Aug. 1 return.

"Try to get it taken care of and get it fixed and be back in time to try to help win the division," Duensing said.

Duensing called it a fluke injury as it didn't bother him while pitching or during his 120-foot toss before Monday's game in Texas. Instead, he felt it while sitting in the bullpen during the second inning and it began to swell.

"It's extremely disappointing," Duensing said. "I was kind of starting to feel comfortable, both here in the clubhouse and on the mound again. My stuff was starting to get sharp again. I felt confident on the mound and then this happens."

Tolliver, meanwhile, returns for his second stint with Baltimore this season. His contract was selected from Double-A Bowie on May 24 and he made four appearances before he was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on June 1.

"I was able to take some stuff with me, some stuff I learned from guys like Zach [Britton], and Darren [O'Day]," Tolliver said. "Just applying that while I was down there. Continued to work on some things and some suggestions they threw my way."

The 28-year-old allowed four runs (three earned) in his previous stint with the O's. He hasn't pitched in the Minors since Sunday, so he provides a fresh arm for Showalter. Struggling right- hander Ubaldo Jimenez made his return to the rotation Wednesday.

Duensing's injury allowed the Orioles a chance to bring back Mike Wright within the 10-day period after being optioned. He's scheduled to start at Norfolk on Wednesday and he could've been an option instead of Jimenez, but Showalter wanted to give Wright a chance to correct his struggles in the Minors.

"Mike needs to pitch down there," Showalter said. "I don't want to be yo-yoing him back and forth and thinking this and that just because our needs. …I just think he needs to pitch down there and know that he needs to pitch better. When he pitches better, he'll get another opportunity."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/185615622/orioles-sign-15-draft-picks-for-total-of-21

Orioles sign 15 more Draft picks

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com June 22, 2016

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles announced another wave of Draft signings on Wednesday, adding 15 players to the organization.

Baltimore has signed 21 players from this year's Draft, which should come as no surprise given scouting director Gary Rajsich's confidence that things would move quickly and the O's would get some of their new picks out playing.

The newest group included the O's fifth-rounder, shortstop Alexis Torres, and left-handed pitchers Zack Muckenhirn and Max Knutson, who were taken in the 11th and 12th rounds, respectively. Torres is a 6-foot, 183-pound shortstop from Colegio Angel David High School in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was the 151st overall pick.

Baltimore also signed right-handed pitchers Ruben Garcia (14), Nick Jobst (15), Matt De La Rosa (28), Lucas Brown (34) and James Teague (37); left-handers Layne Bruner (18) and Zach Matson (24); Cole Billingsley (19) and Jake Ring (31); and second basemen Garrett Copeland (30) and Tanner Kirk (35).

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/06/this-that-and-the-other-118.html

This, that and the other

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com June 23, 2016

Remember when the Orioles were clinging to that one-game lead over the Red Sox in the American League East? Well, now they’re clinging to a two-game lead.

Buckle up. It’s a long season.

The Orioles lost their off day on Monday when they were forced into a one-game makeup series in Texas. No wonder they want to dance all over the open date on today’s schedule.

Just take very small steps.

“We’re moving toward this off-day like it’s the All-Star break,” said manager Buck Showalter. “It’s one day. It’s been so long since we had an actual home off-day. Of course, we know it’s going to rain probably, right? Keeps me from cutting grass.”

If you had June 22 as the date that Oliver Drake and Ashur Tolliver would be in the same major league bullpen, go directly to the window and collect your money.

If you included Odrisamer Despaigne, good for you. The trifecta pays out more.

I’ll write again that no manager in baseball handles a bullpen with more skill than Buck Showalter, and he’s really been tested this season.

Losing Darren O’Day was a gut punch. It’s easy to dismiss the impact by referencing Brad Brachand Mychal Givens. It’s also wrong.

Brach should be in the All-Star game, but he’s not going to be worked to exhaustion. He wasn’t available for two straight nights after pitching Saturday and Sunday. Givens has been scuffling lately and it’s asking a lot of a guy who was a low Single-A shortstop four years ago to pick up the O’Day slack.

He’s done an admirable job, but let’s not put too much on his plate.

Dylan Bundy is better with extra rest, which Showalter is trying to provide as though the former first-round pick is on a starter’s schedule. Vance Worley and Brian Duensing are on the disabled list. Duensing wasn’t available Tuesday night.

Some fans blasted Showalter on Twitter for leaving in Givens “too long” Tuesday night. One fan said Givens should have come out three batters earlier, which would have meant he faced only two while the Orioles didn’t have everyone available and they were playing with a 24-man roster.

Drake needed time to warm up again. Givens wasn’t going to be on such a short leash that he could only turn in circles. We’re talking five batters before coming out.

Showalter wanted to keep Despaigne available as a starting candidate last night, but instead needed the right-hander to replace Zach Britton, who threw 23 pitches while being charged with three runs (one earned). Showalter wanted Britton available last night, and the left-hander recorded the last three outs.

Brach retired all six batters he faced last night after replacing Ubaldo Jimenez. Because Showalter rested him. Because he was fresh.

Think any of this is easy?

“There are so many things you wear after a game that you can’t talk about,” Showalter said. “You aren’t dishonest about it. You just don’t bring it up until one of you all do, and then I have to tell you.”

Such as guys who aren’t available due to injury or being at risk of one. We’re often left to speculate before the games. Showalter isn’t going to broadcast it to the opposing manager. At least the Orioles possess more flexibility in the bullpen with four relievers who have options. It’s like finding a unicorn out there.

Mark Trumbo may be finding his stroke after enduring an 8-for-46 slump over 11 games before last night. He homered in the second inning, his 21st of the season and the first since June 7, and later doubled and singled to raise his average from .276 to .283.

“Mark’s been solid in a lot of ways, more than just hitting, obviously,” Showalter said. “He’s been pretty consistent for the most part. Shown a lot of things you just really don’t know about a guy completely until you have him every day. He runs the bases well, throws OK. Mark’s engaged in every part of the game. He wants to be good at everything. He’s been a good teammate, fit in seamlessly. Sharp guy. Likes to compete, always engaged.

“He’s always on, so to speak. Kind of like Adam (Jones). I was thinking the other day in Texas, we travel all day, it’s hot. Adam’s on. He doesn’t have an off. During the course of a long season, you really come to appreciate that. You really do. Just like Trum.

“The guys that have their on switch at the right times, you come to really appreciate them.”

Slumps like the one that attached to Trumbo can’t automatically be blamed on the hitter.

“If everybody’s carrying all their stuff, the pitcher wins. They always win,” Showalter said. “The pitcher’s right and the hitter’s right, the pitcher wins. That’s why it’s such a premium to get pitching.”

Ryan Flaherty homered in the fifth inning, but his finest moment may have come in the sixth when he reached on a misplayed pop up on the left side of the infield and reached second base. Plenty of guys would have been slow out of the box, assuming the easy out. Flaherty ran hard and made it halfway around the diamond.

“How many of you would have been on second base on a pop up that the third baseman didn’t catch?” Showalter asked, causing my head to lower because I would have slammed down my bat and walked toward the dugout. My jersey may or may not have come off.

Jones hustles home from first base on Jonathan Schoop’s hustle double. Flaherty hustles to second on a pop up. These things matter.

“If you’re on the other team, you don’t feel good about that,” Showalter said. “Those are two things you can do to separate yourself from a lot of people who aren’t willing to do that. We talk all the time, what are you really willing to do to separate us? Those are the things we have to do.”

Flaherty no longer is the starting third baseman with Manny Machado’s suspension ending. It’s back to a super utility role.

Flaherty’s three home runs this season have come this month. He’s hit safely in 14 of his last 19 games, batting .288/.358/.508 (17-for-59) with three home runs, four doubles, 12 RBIs, seven walks and 12 runs scored.

Schoop hadn’t batted third in the majors before last night. Twenty-nine of his 74 hits this season have gone for extra-bases - 16 doubles, one triple and 12 home runs. He’s collected 11 hits in his last 21 at-bats and is batting .320/.366/.560 (24-for-75) in his last 21 games, with seven doubles, four home runs, 14 RBIs, six walks and 16 runs scored.

Jones has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games, batting .306/.333/.592 (15-for-49) with six extra- base hits, 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored.

The San Diego native is batting .432/.447/.622 (16-for-37) with a double, two home runs, seven RBIs and nine runs scored in nine career games against the Padres.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/06/showalter-on-jimenez-i-would-have-signed- up-for-that.html

Showalter on Jimenez: “I would have signed up for that”

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com June 22, 2016

Orioles reliever Vance Worley will throw a bullpen session on Thursday, report to Double-A Bowie on Saturday and pitch in the first game of his injury rehab assignment.

Reliever Darren O’Day will throw off a half-mound on Thursday.

Caleb Joseph will catch at Single-A Frederick on Monday.

“Hopefully, we’ve got some guys moving in a good direction,” said manager Buck Showalter. Ubaldo Jimenez didn’t get lost tonight.

Jimenez completed six innings for the first time since getting through the eighth on May 7. It’s fair to consider the opponent, the last-place Padres, but the guy turned in a quality start and left the mound for the final time to a standing ovation. Don’t precipitate on his parade.

Jimenez held the Padres to two runs over six innings, striking out the last four batters, and the Orioles split the series with a 7-2 win before 23,785 at Camden Yards.

Brad Brach retired all six batters he faced to lower his ERA to 1.11 in 40 2/3 innings.

Zach Britton, after throwing 23 pitches last night, struck out two batters and stranded two, as the Orioles posted their 1,000th win at Camden Yards.

Jimenez allowed a run after facing only three batters. He threw 21 pitches in the first inning while also surrendering two hits and walking a batter. However, he recorded his fourth quality start of the season.

Who knows whether Jimenez stays in the rotation? Tonight was about getting another chance in it and not falling on his face. Or someplace softer.

Here’s a sampling from Showalter:

On Jimenez: “Bent, didn’t break. What did he have, four walks? Stolen bases were a challenge, but made some good pitches and got through six innings. Gave our bullpen a rest. We didn’t have many options down there tonight, so he delivered what we needed. It was good to see him go home and feel good about himself.

“Started to take him out with two outs in that last inning, let him feel some good ... what’s a good word? I don’t know. But I kind of like the thought of him getting the next guy out and not having to use somebody. I wanted to have (Ashur) Tolliver as a backup if there was an issue physically with somebody. Brad was good, obviously. I wanted to get Zach back out there.”

On how Jimenez finished: “Like a lot of starting pitchers, if you can minimize the damage early when you’re trying to find it, they seem to come on the later they get into it. We’ve had a lot of times I know with Chris (Tillman) and another one, sometimes their best inning is their last one. I thought he had a crisper fastball. There was a lot of crispness and intensity to his fastball tonight.”

On whether Jimenez gets another start: “We have two more of that spot before the All-Star break. We’re going to take it each day and put our best foot forward. Tonight, he was it. So we’ll see. We get to add a pitcher for both games of the doubleheader on Saturday. We got through this four-game stretch without Manny (Machado).”

On what Jimenez did to improve: “He had better command of his fastball. He got some counts in his favor. He went from 0-2 to 3-2 with some guys, which you don’t like to see. When you throw some uncompetitive pitches at 0-2, 1-2, they’re balls right out of your hand, you get back into a count you have to throw a fastball. That’s been something that’s been a challenge.

“He didn’t execute the pitchout. Between the four walks and the hits, that’s almost like it’s 90 feet we could have kept from happening. But I’ll take the end product. I would have signed up for that and hopefully he can take it and build on it.”

On Adam Jones scoring from first on Jonathan Schoop’s hustle double: “Adam is always on. He doesn’t have an off or down day. How many of you would have scored on that ball? That’s a third base coach’s dream. Adam does a lot of things that create a lot of cache with me because of his effort and because he’s engaged.

“They have to do something to keep you from continuing to go. Maybe half the people are still at first base. You can’t assume anything. Bobby (Dickerson) made a good read. He was looking for that read because of the baserunner he had coming to him. If you’re on the other team, you don’t feel good about that.”

On Mark Trumbo breaking out of slump with home run, double and single: “It’s fun to watch him hit a line drive. You talk about hanging laundry on that line. You can do a whole month’s worth of laundry. Some of the same pitches he was missing, he squared up tonight. That was good.”

Down on the farm, Mike Wright allowed one run and five hits in six innings, with two walks and three strikeouts in Triple-A Norfolk’s 2-1 loss to Lehigh Valley. He threw 96 pitches, 58 for strikes.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/06/janish-accepts-outright-assignment-plus- other-notes.html

Janish accepts outright assignment (plus other notes)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com June 22, 2016

Infielder Paul Janish accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, according to industry sources. He is expected to join the team this weekend.

Janish had the right to refuse the assignment based on a previous designation. He cleared waivers and was outrighted yesterday to make room for reliever Oliver Drake, giving him three days to make a decision.

The Orioles have signed 15 more of their 2016 draft picks, bringing their overall total to 21.

The newest players to sign are shortstop Alexis Torres (fifth round), left-hander Zach Muckenhirn (11th), left-hander Max Knutson (12th), right-hander Ruben Garcia (14th), right- hander Nick Jobst (15th), left-hander Layne Bruner (18th), center fielder Cole Billingsley (19th), left-hander Zach Matson (24th), third baseman Jaime Estrada (26th), right-hander Matt De La Rosa (28th), second baseman Garrett Copeland (30th), center fielder Jake Ring (31st), right- hander Lucas Brown (34th), second baseman Tanner Kirk (35th) and right-hander James Teague (37th).

Vance Worley, on the disabled list with a strained right groin, threw a bullpen session yesterday and will throw another one during Thursday’s off-day.

The Orioles also want Worley to perform some fielding drills and go on a short rehab assignment. They remain confident that he’ll be ready to come off the disabled list when eligible on Tuesday.

Reliever Brian Duensing will undergo surgery on Friday to remove two fragments from his left elbow. The Orioles are hoping that he’s ready to come off the disabled list by early August.

Manager Buck Showalter said one reason the Orioles chose to recall Ashur Tolliver as Duensing’s bullpen replacement is linked to Mike Wright, who “needs to pitch down there” at Norfolk. Wright was a consideration, but the Orioles don’t want him shuttling back and forth. Wright is starting tonight for the Tides.

Showalter mentioned how Tolliver is rested - he worked 1 1/3 innings on Sunday - and ready to pitch. Showalter also said the Orioles considered a couple of pitchers at Double-A Bowie.

The Orioles now have four optionable relievers in their bullpen. It’s been a long time since they had that much flexibility. But as Showalter said, “The bad news is how did we get there?”

By putting Duensing, Darren O’Day and Worley on the disabled list.

Caleb Joseph still should be cleared to catch on Monday at one of the minor league affiliates.

Showalter said Odrisamer Despaigne would have been a “stronger candidate to start” tonight if he wasn’t needed to record the final out last night in the top of the ninth inning.

Brad Brach is available tonight out of the bullpen after resting the past two nights. Showalter isn’t sure about Mychal Givens, who failed to retire any of the five batters he faced last night and took the loss.

For the Padres

Travis Jankowski CF Wil Myers 1B Matt Kemp 1B Yangervis Solarte 3B Melvin Upton LF Brett Wallace DH Christian Bethancourt C Ryan Schimpf 2B Alexei Ramirez SS Erik Johnson RHP

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/06/orioles-lineup-vs-padres-1.html

Orioles lineup vs. Padres

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com June 22, 2016

Jonathan Schoop is batting third tonight as the Orioles try to gain a split of their two-games series against the Padres.

Hyun Soo Kim continues to start in left field against right-handers.Pedro Alvarez is serving as the designated hitter.

Ryan Flaherty is playing third base. He was on the field earlier today taking ground balls.

For the Orioles

Adam Jones CF Hyun Soo Kim LF Jonathan Schoop 2B Chris Davis 1B Mark Trumbo RF Matt Wieters C Pedro Alvarez DH J.J .Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty 3B Ubaldo Jimenez RHP

Left-hander Brian Duensing, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list today with left elbow inflammation, will undergo surgery Friday to remove cartilage chips from the elbow. Duensing said that he could return by Aug. 1.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/06/orioles-recall-ashur-tolliver.html

Orioles recall Ashur Tolliver

By Roch Kubatko / MASNports.com June 22, 2016

The Orioles have placed reliever Brian Duensing on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow inflammation and recalled left-hander Ashur Tolliver from Triple-A Norfolk.

The DL move is retroactive to Monday.

Duensing, 33, posted a 5.40 ERA (4 ER/6.2 IP) over seven games with the Orioles this season, allowing four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings. Manager Buck Showalter revealed yesterday that Duensing was undergoing an examination on the elbow.

Tolliver, 28, allowed two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings for a 2.70 ERA in five games with the Tides this season. Over 23 minor league games this season between Norfolk and Double-A Bowie, Tolliver has gone 1-1 with a 2.48 ERA and two saves by allowing nine earned runs in 32 2/3 innings.

Tolliver made his major league debut on May 26 at Houston. He surrendered three earned runs in four innings over four games with the Orioles before they optioned him to Norfolk.

By bringing up Tolliver, the Orioles still have a second left-hander in the bullpen besides closerZach Britton.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/06/os-notes-on-the-offense-oliver-drake-and- the-minors.html

O’s notes on the offense, Oliver Drake and the minors

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com June 23, 2016

It was a much-needed win and a much-needed solid outing by Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez. He gave up two runs over six innings last night as the Orioles beat the Padres 7-2 to split a two-game series.

The win improved the Birds to 41-30 and, with Boston’s loss to the White Sox, the Orioles opened a two-game lead atop the American League East over Boston.

For the first time since June 5-6, O’s starting pitchers have recorded back-to-back quality starts.Tyler Wilson and Jimenez allowed five runs in 12 innings in the series.

Meanwhile, the O’s offense is percolating quite well right now. They scored 14 runs the last two nights. Over the past four games, they have a team batting average of .364 with 28 runs, 55 hits, 11 doubles and six homers.

Mark Trumbo began last night in a 4-for-26 slump and without a homer since June 7. He then ended a 13-game homerless run with a solo blast in the second inning. It was part of a 3-for-5 night for Trumbo with a single, double and homer. In 21 games in June, Trumbo is batting .282 with six homers, 15 RBIs, a .553 and an OPS of .883.

The Orioles hit two homers last night as Ryan Flaherty also connected on a solo shot. They’ve hit 24 the last 13 games, 31 in 16 games and 42 home runs in their last 20 games. The Orioles get an off day today and begin a four-game, three-day series at Camden Yards with Tampa Bay on Friday night.

The Drake returns to Baltimore: The right-hander that pitched for eight seasons in the Orioles minor leagues until getting his first big league shot last year is now back with the Orioles.

Oliver Drake, the 43rd round draft pick in 2008 out of the Naval Academy, joined the team on Tuesday. He jumped right into the fire, coming in during the eighth inning with the bases loaded against San Diego. While he pitched two scoreless innings on 35 pitches, he did allow two inherited runners to score on a wild pitch and a groundout.

But having been with the team last year can help him now, Drake said.

“Everything is not so new. You kind of know what to expect coming up here. That experience from last year definitely helps. That is probably the biggest thing,” he said.

Drake pitched to an ERA of 2.03 in with 42 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings at Triple-A Norfolk. He left that team on a run of 14 straight appearances without allowing an earned run with 25 strikeouts over 14 innings.

“Was just trying to get ahead and stay ahead and then put people away when you get into counts you want to be in. Just really tried to focus on being consistent every time out there,” Drake said of his strong recent run of games with the Tides.

O’s manager Buck Showalter said Drake needs to improve on his pitch efficiency at times to allow him to pitch multiple innings for the Orioles. Drake is working on it.

“You try to attack hitters right away and work on getting ahead,” Drake said. “Starts from the first pitch, get that strike. You can do more then and put the batter in a vunerable position.”

I asked Drake about his season with Norfolk. The team has struggled and is in last place with the International League’s worst record at 26-47. At the same time players are looking to put their best foot forward to get to the majors. Kind of a unique situation.

“A little bit,” Drake said. “But at the same time, everyday you go out there to win and do your best. Everyone’s individual success contributes to the team’s success. That is what everyone is trying to do down there,” Drake added.

On the farm last night: Right-hander Mike Wright pitched well as Lehigh Valley beat Norfolk 2-1. Wright gave up five hits and one run over six innings with two walks and three strikeouts. He threw 96 pitches, 58 for strikes.

Trey Mancini singled in four at-bats and has now hit .316 in June. He has hit safely in eight of his past nine games, batting .371 (13-for-35). Right-hander Chaz Roe worked a scoreless eighth inning, his 12th consecutive scoreless appearance.

Double-A Bowie split a doubleheader at home last night, losing Game 1, 3-0 to Trenton and winning Game 2, 4-3. O’s catcher Caleb Joseph played both games on a rehab assignment, going 4-for-5 with a double, three singles, a run scored, an RBI and a hit by pitch.

Right-hander David Hess (3-5, 3.96 ERA) gets the start for Bowie tonight. He had a start skipped recently and has not pitched since June 12. Hess pitched to an ERA of 2.33 in his first seven starts for the Baysox but his ERA is 6.48 his past five starts. So it looks like the Orioles gave him a break, skipped that start and can better control his season innings total by skipping a turn. Before the 2016 season, Hess was ranked as the Orioles’ No. 18 prospect by .

Short season Single-A Aberdeen beat Auburn 7-0 last night in its home opener at Ripken Stadium. The IronBirds are 2-4. In his first pro game, O’s third round draft pick, right fielder Austin Hayes, went 3-for-4 with an RBI triple. Jaylen Ferguson hit a solo homer and drove in two runs for Aberdeen, which had 13 hits. Right-hander Alex Wells pitched six scoreless innings and is 1-1 with a 1.64 ERA through two starts.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/06/ubaldo-jimenez-on-his-outing-tonight-and- other-clubhouse-quotes.html

Ubaldo Jimenez on his outing tonight, plus other clubhouse quotes

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com June 22, 2016

After all his recent struggles - struggles that sent him to the Orioles bullpen for an outing - right- hander Ubaldo Jimenez badly needed to pitch well tonight. He did, allowing two runs in six innings in the Orioles’ 7-2 win over San Diego.

Did he feel pressure to pitch well tonight?

“I just wanted to get the job done for sure,” Jimenez said. “There is no more pressure than that. As a pitcher, I know I have been struggling before I got sent down to the bullpen. But I always try to find a way to survive and get back on my feet.

“It was big. It felt really good to finally give the team a chance to win. Being able to go six innings, it felt good. One of the most exciting things about baseball is you get a chance to start a new thing.”

With an ERA of 11.47 over his past seven games, Jimenez took the mound tonight and quickly allowed a run three batters into the game. But he got out of that first inning without any more runs scoring. Then he ended his outing striking out the last four batters he faced.

“It gave me confidence (to finish the first well),” he said. “The first run, I think I made a couple of good pitches, but they were able to find a hole. I just kept my head up and just kept going. Yeah, that was really good (to finish strong). I was able to throw the pitches where I wanted to and (Matt) Wieters was calling a great game. It was good to finish that way.”

Jimenez had allowed 10 runs in 2 2/3 innings in his two most recent appearances. Did he making any tweaks or changes coming into this start?

“Not really. The approach was going back to basics. See the target, get the ball and go after hitters,” he said.

Jimenez improves to 4-7 with an ERA of 6.97 on the season. In 14 career starts versus San Diego, he is now 8-4 with an ERA of 3.87.

Here’s more from the clubhouse:

Jonathan Schoop on Jimenez: “He attacked the zone and threw strikes. It was really big, I’m happy for him. This is big, every win is a big win.”

Schoop on his recent hot hitting:“Just trying to get better. Trying to get a routine going and be better than I was last year. He (hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh) has helped me a lot and kept me on my routine. Got to focus more and don’t back off on it.”

Adam Jones on Padres starter Erik Johnson: “He was aggressive and he was in the strike zone. We were able to square some balls up. He didn’t run away from anybody. Tip my cap to him. He came out and threw strike after strike.”

Jones on what Jimenez did better tonight: “Strike one - most important pitch in baseball. When you get strike one, it allows your defense to be with you. He was aggressive, making them put the ball in play. Use this good defense that we have and chances are good things will happen. Couldn’t be happier. He went out there and competed. That’s all we ask.”

Zach Britton on pitching with a five-run lead in the ninth: “We talked about it. I’ve been kind of sporadic. Three days, four days off. Hadn’t thrown back-to-back in maybe a month. So I’d definitely felt kind of rusty the last few outings. So I’d like to get a back-to-back. I didn’t go and tell him (manager Buck Showalter) I wanted to throw, but he and Dom (Chiti) and Dave (Wallace) talked about it and I felt like I was a little bit sharper today. Still some room to kind of knock off the rust a little bit, but a lot better going forward. It was nice to get back out there and I’ll be ready for this Tampa series.”

Tonight’s win was the 1,000th for the Orioles in Camden Yards history, counting the playoffs. They are now 1,000-959 (.510) all-time at Oriole Park. Schoop is 11-for-21 his last five games and batting .320 with four homers and 14 RBIs in June. Mark Trumbo went 3-for-4 with his 21st homer after batting just .154 (4-for-26) his previous eight games.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/06/ubaldo-jimenez-records-first-quality-start- since-may-7-os-top-sd.html

Ubaldo Jimenez records first quality start since May 7, O’s top Padres

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com June 22, 2016

When he gave up two singles and a run to the first three batters in the first inning, it looked as itOrioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez might be on his way to yet another poor outing. But tonight he wrote a different script.

Jimenez allowed just two runs and four hits over six innings as the Orioles beat San Diego 7-2 at Camden Yards to split a two-game series.

The victory was the Orioles’ 1,000th in Camden Yards history, counting the postseason. They are now 1,000-959 at Oriole Park since 1992.

Jimenez had allowed 10 runs over 2 2/3 innings in his last two outings and was 1-4 with an ERA of 11.47 his past seven games. Fans were not expecting him to record his first quality start since May 7, but he did, providing a lift for himself and his team.

Now 4-7 with an ERA of 6.97, Jimenez walked four and fanned seven, throwing 104 pitches. San Diego went 2-for-10 against him with runners in scoring position. He ended his outing by striking out the last four batters he faced and he left the mound after the top of the sixth to a partial standing ovation.

O’s starting pitchers had worked five innings or less in four of five and in seven of the last 10 games.

The O’s backed Jimenez by scoring runs in five straight innings starting in the second. Mark Trumbo’s solo homer in the second tied it 1-1 and his 21st tied him for the major league lead. He had gone 13 games without a homer since June 7.

Jonathan Schoop, starting in the third spot in the order for the first time in his career, went 2-for- 3 with a walk. His double in the third made it a 2-1 O’s lead that became 3-1 when Matt Wieterssingled home a run in the fourth.

An O’s three-run fifth featured a Ryan Flaherty solo homer (his third), an RBI for Chris Daviswhen he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Wieters’ sac fly. Flaherty reached on an error and scored the seventh run in the O’s sixth on Hyun Soo Kim’s single to left.

The Orioles improved to 41-30 overall and to 27-13 in home games. They still have lost just one home series all year and that was to Seattle.

After Thursday’s off-day, the Orioles host Tampa Bay for four games over three days starting Friday night when Yovani Gallardo (2-1, 6.26 ERA) faces left-hander Matt Moore (3-4, 4.90 ERA). http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/06/os-game-blog-ubaldo-jimenez-on-the- mound-in-series-finale.html

O’s game blog: Ubaldo Jimenez on the mound in series finale

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com June 22, 2016

Can a struggling pitcher turn it around and pitch the Orioles to a win tonight? Right- handerUbaldo Jimenez (3-7, 7.34 ERA) makes his 14th start and tries to pitch the Orioles past San Diego to gain a split of this two-game series.

Jimenez’s last two appearances came against Toronto - one as a starter and one out of the bullpen. He gave up 10 runs over 2 2/3 innings in those games. Over his past seven games, he is 1-4 with an ERA of 11.47. He has allowed five or more runs in five if his past six starts. So, yeah, struggling indeed.

When he went 12-10 with an ERA of 4.11 last year, Jimenez allowed 8.9 hits per nine innings and that mark is 12.9 now. His walks per nine innings have jumped from 3.3 to 5.1 and his WHIP has jumped from 1.359 to 2.000.

Facing him tonight is right-hander Erik Johnson. He was traded from the White Sox to the Padres on June 4 in the James Shields deal. In four starts this year between both teams, he is 0-4 with a 7.66 ERA. Over 22 1/3 innings, he has allowed 30 hits, including 10 homers. A second- round pick in the 2011 draft, Johnson is 0-2 with an ERA of 8.44 in his first two starts for San Diego. He has allowed 16 hits and five homers over 10 2/3 innings.

So neither pitcher brings a strong 2016 resume to the mound tonight. That means it will be a 2-1 final, right?

Over the last three games, the Orioles have 21 runs on 44 hits with a team batting average of .373. The O’s have hit 22 homers the past 12 games and 40 in the last 19 games. They’ve scored 121 runs their past 20 games.

San Diego has also been a hot-hitting team. In going 10-9 this month, the Padres’ team batting average is .290’ which is best in the National League and second in the majors. San Diego is scoring 5.6 runs per game in June.

Getting the jewelry: When the Orioles are off tomorrow, two of their players will be at a game. Pitchers Mychal Givens and will head to Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie to be presented with their 2015 Eastern League championship rings. Both players were a part of Bowie’s first championship last season and they get the rings that prove that sometime during Thursday’s game in Bowie.

More draft pick signings: The Orioles today announced the signings of 15 more draft picks. That brings to 21 the number of players signed so far from the 2016 First-Year Player Draft. The latest to sign:

Round 5 - SS Alexis Torres Round 11 - LHP Zach Muckenhirn Round 12 - LHP Max Knutson Round 14 - RHP Ruben Garcia Round 15 - RHP Nick Jobst Round 18 - LHP Layne Bruner Round 19 - CF Cole Billingsley Round 24 - LHP Zach Matson Round 26 - 3B Jaime Estrada Round 28 - Matt De La Rosa Round 30 - 2B Garrett Copeland Round 31 - CF Jake Ring Round 34 - RHP Lucas Brown Round 35 - 2B Tanner Kirk Round 37 - RHP James Teague

At Triple-A Norfolk, first baseman Trey Mancini went 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs in yesterday’s contest. Mancini has hit safely in seven of his last eight games, batting .387 (12-for- 31) with a walk, two doubles, a home run, five runs and three RBIs in that span.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/06/os-brian-duensing-on-heading-to-the-dl- ashur-tolliver-on-returning-to-team.html

O’s Brian Duensing on heading to the DL, Ashur Tolliver on returning to team

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com June 22, 2016

Orioles lefty reliever Brian Duensing went on the 15-day disabled list this afternoon, retroactive to June 20, with left elbow inflammation, and lefty Ashur Tolliver was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk.

Duensing said he will have an arthroscopic procedure on Friday that will likely keep him out four to eight weeks. He is hoping for an Aug. 1 return. He said there are what he described as cartilage chips in the elbow that got irritated over the years and will be removed. How he discovered the issue was in a rather bizarre fashion. It didn’t happen when he was throwing or even after he had been throwing.

“It was in Texas (Monday),” he said. “About the second inning. I was sitting on a chair and I just kind of rolled over and felt something weird. Next thing you know it was swollen and I couldn’t move it. Next thing you know, I was in the training room and didn’t really do anything. I did nothing to it. Wasn’t throwing. I had played catch earlier that day and felt fine. I was just sitting there. I don’t know what happened.

“That is disappointing and kind of freaky. I hadn’t had any arm problems since I had Tommy John (surgery) in 2004. For it to just pop up like that seems a little out of the ordinary. Just have to take care of it and move on. The fact that nothing is torn is a positive. It could be worse.

“There are some floating bodies around where the tricep meets the elbow that got inflamed. Now my elbow is full of fluid and I can’t really bend it. It is not too painful, it just feels like there is a lot of pressure in there.

“Anywhere between four to eight weeks (to get back). Probably looking around six, I’m guessing. Hopefully around Aug 1 or so I’ll be ready to go. That date should not be unattainable to get back.”

Duensing recorded a 5.40 ERA over seven games with the Orioles after they selected his contract from Norfolk on June 2. In 6 2/3 innings, he allowed nine hits and four runs.

Now he’ll get this injury taken care of and he hopes to return for the final weeks of the season. “It’s extremely disappointing,” he said. “I was kind of starting to feel comfortable, both in the clubhouse and here on the mound again. My stuff was starting to get sharp again so that is disappointing. Hopefully when I get back there will be plenty of baseball left and I can help out.”

Meanwhile, the 28-year-old Tolliver returns for his second stint with the team. He made his major league debut May 26 at Houston. He has an ERA of 6.75 in four games. He joined the Orioles from Double-A Bowie and was optioned out to Triple-A Norfolk on June 1. In five games with the Tides, he gave up two runs and seven hits over 6 2/3 innings with two walks, seven strikeouts and a 2.70 ERA.

“It was good, feeling good,” Tolliver said of his time with the Tides. “Just was continuing to work with the staff down there and everything was good. There is not much different (from Double-A to Triple-A). I know most of those guys, a lot of familiarity there. Just a new ballpark and new league.”

Tolliver said he can draw on that earlier time in the majors as he returns now.

“Yeah, I was able to take some stuff with me, things I learned from Zach (Britton) and Darren (O’Day),” he said. “Just applying that while I was down there and just continued to work on things with some suggestions they threw my way.

“I was talking to (Bowie pitching coach) Alan Mills. I caught up with him on the way and hadn’t talked with him in awhile. He said, ‘Hey, just do what you do. Don’t try to be somebody you’re not and everything else will take care of itself.’ It’s the same game here.”

http://www.masnsports.com/orioles-buzz/2016/06/zach-wilt-the-numbers-show-schoop- continuing-to-progress.html

Zach Wilt: The numbers show Schoop continuing to progress

By Zach Wilt / MASNsports.com June 23, 2016

On April 30, Jonathan Schoop was hitting a lowly .218 after a week-long stretch in which he went 4-for-23. The first month of the season wasn’t kind to the Orioles second baseman, as he had just eight extra-base hits in 82 plate appearances, a .679 OPS, and a .256 on-base percentage, the lowest of any qualified Orioles starter in April. Schoop has been a career .234/.269/.446 hitter in the first month of the season and his .220 batting average on balls in play this April was enough to know that he’d snap out of that early-season funk.

Boy, has he. In the second month of the season, Schoop hit .298/.308/.481 with five doubles, a triple and four home runs. He had the same batting average that month as Manny Machado (.298) and drove in 17 runs, more than any other Oriole. The best part is, he’s been even better this month. In June, Schoop leads qualified O’s in batting average (.333), doubles (7) and is tied in wRC+ (156).

Besides the obvious, a .368 BABIP, I attempted to dig in deep and figure out what has made Schoop so good over the last two months compared to what he was doing in April. Here’s what I discovered about his approach at the plate:

To my surprise, Schoop actually has a higher ground ball/fly ball rate in May and June than he did in April (1.32, 1.08). He’s hit a few more line drives (17.7 percent) the last two months and has tripled his infield hitting percentage (9.1 percent). As far as his spray chart goes, it’s roughly the same in May and June as it was in April. Schoop is mostly a pull hitter, 44.7 percent the last two months, but works center field 34 percent and opposite field 21.3 percent of the time.

A lot of times a BABIP hike can be explained by more solid contact. Schoop’s numbers in April compared to May and June have remained relatively the same. Exactly 15.9 percent of his contact was soft in April compared to 23.4 percent in May and June. Medium contact went from 49.2 percent to 47.5 and hard contact from 34.9 percent to 29.1. He actually made more medium and hard contact in April, when he hit .234 than he has the past two months of the season, when he’s hit .313.

What about plate discipline? Schoop has to have a better eye in May and June than he did in April, right? That’s why he’s picking up more hits. Wrong. It’s almost exactly the same. In April, Schoop swung at 37.8 percent of the pitches he saw outside of the strike zone, the last two months he swung at 39.8 percent of them. He made contact with 56.5 percent of those pitches in April, 57.8 percent of them in May and June. The same similarities hold true for Schoop’s in the strike zone swinging percentage and contact rate and overall swinging percentage and contact rate. The numbers make it seem as though he hasn’t changed his approach at all at the plate.

The biggest change that I could find for Schoop was that he seems to have improved his whiff percentage against fastballs and offspeed pitches in June compared to how he fared in April. Against fastballs, Schoop whiffed 15.88 percent of the time according to PitchF/X data from BrooksBaseball.net. That number is down to 10.23 percent in June. He whiffed 31.48 percent of the time against offspeed pitches and that number has dipped to 22.22 percent this month.

So, is that all it took to turn a .218 hitter into a guy hitting in the three hole last night whose average is up to .285 after picking up two more hits? Certainly not. I’m sure if you talked to Schoop or hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh, they’ve got a perfectly good explanation for the turnaround. But Schoop’s numbers are an important lesson in patience in baseball. Sometimes a player has a bad month just because he runs into some tough luck. Often times, all it takes is a few more at-bats to even out the numbers a bit.

http://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/06/23/orioles-adam-jones-gum-kick-video

Orioles’ Adam Jones kicked a piece of gum really far

By Brendan Maloy June 23, 2016

Adam Jones is very good at baseball, which requires a tremendous amount of athletic skill, so it really should not be surprising that he can easily pull off a feat requiring speed, strength and coordination. But the distance he kicks this piece of gum after spitting it out is very impressive.

Jones was angrily running out a pop fly when he spit out his gum and punted it into the outfield, in all in one deft maneuver.

The Baltimore outfielder would have rather gotten a hit of course, but lots of people have gotten hits in baseball games before. How many of them have drop kicked a piece of Dubble Bubble to the moon?

http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mlb/rumors/post/_/id/24943/mlb-rumor-central-orioles-eye- drew-pomeranz

MLB Rumor Central: Orioles eye Drew Pomeranz?

By Doug Mittler / ESPN June 23, 2016

The Baltimore Orioles are looking to add a left-handed starter and have shown an interest in Drew Pomeranz of the Padres, reports Jon Paul Morosi for MLB.com.

Baltimore’s current rotation is exclusively right-handed and ranks 13th in the American League with a 4.93 ERA.

Morosi reports the Orioles also are interested inFrancisco Liriano of the Pirates, but Pomeranz is more likely to be dealt this summer given the Padres are in rebuilding mode.

San Diego GM A.J. Preller would love to unload the bloated contract of outfielder Matt Kemp and find a new home for right-hander Andrew Cashner, but the most coveted Padre may be Pomeranz, reports Jon Heyman of TodaysKnuckleball.com.

“Pomeranz is with his fourth team, but he’s still only [27]. For him, the price would be suitably steep; three young players is the word,” writes Heyman.

Pomeranz owns a 3.00 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP in 14 starts. His 10.67 K/9 ratio ranks sixth in the National League.

http://espn.go.com/blog/baltimore-orioles/post/_/id/1021/adam-jones-wheels-and-all-getting-the- job-done-as-orioles-leadoff-hitter

Adam Jones, wheels and all, getting job done as Orioles' leadoff hitter

By Eddie Matz / ESPN June 23, 2016

BALTIMORE -- If you look up “leadoff hitter," you will not find a picture ofAdam Jones staring back at you. But that hasn’t prevented him from spending the past four weeks at the top of the Baltimore Orioles’ batting order. The way things are going, he might be there a while longer.

In Wednesday’s 7-2 win over the San Diego Padres, Jones went 2-for-4 and scored two runs. It was his 10th multihit game in 26 contests since manning the 1-hole; that’s two more than he had in 41 games before the switch.

What stood out on Wednesday, though, wasn’t Jones’ lumber but his legs. With two outs in the bottom of the third and the score tied 1-1, Jones laced a ground ball single up the middle and into center field. After Hyun Soo Kimlined out to left field, Jonathan Schoop hit a rope to the gap in left center. With outfielders Melvin Upton Jr. and Travis Jankowski converging on the ball, it looked like Schoop would be held to a single and Jones would go from first to third. Apparently somebody forgot to give Jones the memo.

Going hard on contact, the speedy 30-year-old veteran took a page right out of the Little League playbook and just kept right on running. So what if it looked like a single off the bat. So what if Jankowski had the ball in his hand well before Jones got to third. So what if reigning home run champ Chris Davis and current American League home run leader Mark Trumbo were the next two batters due up. Jones cared not. Instead, all he cared about was burning rubber.

“Run 'til they stop you,” Jones said. “It's not about what I think the hitter's gonna get. It's about what I'm going to do. And I kept running.”

He hoofed it so hard that by the time he got back into the dugout 270 feet later, he was running on fumes.

“I needed oxygen,” joked Jones, who scored easily on the play because Jankowski, assuming Jones would stop at third, threw toward second instead of hitting the cutoff man. In the scorebook, with Schoop reaching second on the play, it looked like nothing more than a guy scoring from first on a double. Happens all the time, right?

“You’re making more out of it than it was,” said Jones, trying to diminish the importance of his sprint. “I scored on a hustle play with two outs. That’s just my style.”

But in the moment, when it happened, it had that undeniable oh-no-he-didn’t feel to it. And to hear Buck Showalter tell it, it was a turning point in the game.

“It’s a big play,” Baltimore’s bench boss said. “If you're on the other team, you don't feel good about that.”

If you’re on the O’s, you feel great.

“I wasn’t surprised because I know that Jonesy plays hard all the time,” Schoop said. “That’s why he’s the captain of our team.”

Added Showalter: “Adam does a lot of things that create a lot of cache with me because of his effort and because he's engaged.”

Maybe a little too engaged at times: One of the arguments against moving Jones to the leadoff spot was that when it comes to taking pitches, he’s about as selective as a sumo wrestler at Golden Corral. This season, he’s averaging 3.56 pitches per plate appearance, fewest on the Orioles. He has swung at 47 percent of first pitches, the second-highest rate in the majors behind the Tampa Bay Rays's Steven Souza Jr. Not exactly what you'd called a textbook table setter. While Jones has speed and hustle befitting a leadoff man -- as Wednesday’s mad dash demonstrated - that’s not why his manager made the move.

“I wish I could claim all that,” said Showalter, whose Orioles haven’t had a true leadoff hitter since in 2009. “Just trying to give him a little different look and a little different toy. Just something different when he comes to the park. Throw him a whole new soup bone. It's worked out pretty well so far.”

Prior to May 27, when Jones assumed leadoff duties, he was mired in a season-long slump. Batting primarily in the 3-hole, he was slashing .223/.282/.357.

Since the switcheroo, those numbers have ballooned to .282/.311/.545. Even though his on-base percentage (.311) would never cause anyone to mistake him for Rickey Henderson, it’s an improvement over what Baltimore’s leadoff hitters were doing prior to the change (.302). As an added benefit, moving Jones up in the order allowed Showalter to finally plant Manny Machado in the No. 3 spot, where he belongs.

Most importantly, the Birds are winning.

Since the change, Baltimore has gone 15-11 to remain atop the American League East. And as long as that’s the case, you can expect Adam Jones to remain atop the O’s order.

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/16400679/where-manny-machado-most- valuable-baltimore-orioles

Where is Manny Machado most valuable to the Orioles?

By Scott Spratt / ESPN June 22, 2016

There are several ways one can second-guess the Orioles about how they handled J.J. Hardy's six-week stint on the disabled list with a hairline fracture in his foot.

First, it was unusual that the team decided to move third baseman Manny Machado -- a two-time Gold Glove winner and one-time winner -- to shortstop while Hardy was out. Then, once it became clear that Machado could comfortably handle his new position, it also seemed strange that the team would move him back to third base once Hardy returned from his injury, which he did over the weekend.

While it seems to go against common sense to yo-yo an MVP candidate between two positions, defensive numbers suggest that the Orioles made the right decision, and Machado's success at shortstop shows that he has the skills to stick there long term, which gives the Orioles a lot of flexibility to try to improve their team both this season and in the future.

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/baltimore-orioles/showalter-wants-keep-wright-starting-norfolk

Showalter Wants To Keep Wright Starting At Norfolk

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Mid-Atlantic June 22, 2016

BALTIMORE---After Thursday’s off-day, the Tampa Bay Rays arrive for a four-game series that begins Friday. On Saturday there will be a day/night doubleheader to make up for the rainout of Apr. 8.

Yovani Gallardo starts Friday, Kevin Gausman and Chris Tillman are Saturday’s starters and Tyler Wilson pitches Sunday.

The Orioles will be able to add a 26th man for one of the games on Saturday. T.J. McFarland, who started Monday for Norfolk, is a prime candidate for that spot.

Mike Wright, who is starting tonight for Norfolk could have been a candidate to start on Wednesday instead of Ubaldo Jimenez. Wright could have been brought back even though he hadn’t spent the required 10 days in the minors because he would have been replacing Brian Duensing, who was placed on the disabled list.

“Mike needs to pitch down there. I don’t want to be yo-yoing him back and forth…just because of our needs,” manager Buck Showalter said. “We could have taken him and put him in the bullpen…He needs to pitch better. If he pitches better, he’ll get another opportunity.”

Showalter said that the Orioles considered pitchers from Bowie, too.

NOTES: Paul Janish, who was outrighted to Norfolk, has accepted his assignment, and will report to the Tides this weekend. … Vance Worley (groin) could be ready to pitch when he’s eligible on Tuesday. He may have a rehab assignment.

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/baltimore-orioles/needing-help-bullpen-orioles-bring-pair- farmhands

Needing Help In The Bullpen, Orioles Bring In A Pair Of Farmhands

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Mid-Atlantic June 22, 2016

BALTIMORE—Brian Duensing’s injury has brought back Ashur Tolliver for his second stint with the Orioles. Tolliver was recalled from Norfolk and gives the Orioles a second left-hander in the bullpen.

Tolliver joins Oliver Drake, who was recalled on Tuesday. Drake pitched two scoreless innings.

In four games with the Orioles, Tolliver had a 6.75 ERA.

Tolliver, who has been in the Orioles organization since 2009, finally reached the big leagues on May 24 when his contract was purchased from Bowie.

Strangely, Tolliver had skipped over Triple-A, and the last three weeks were his initial experience at that level.

“I know all those guys,” Tolliver said. “A lot of familiarity there. It’s a new ballpark, new league, but it wasn’t much difference than what I experienced in the other levels.”

Drake, who was the International Pitcher of the Week last week, pitched in 13 games with the Orioles in 2015.

“Everything is not so new. I know what to expect coming up here. That definitely helps, having experience from last year,” Drake said.

Drake and Tolliver are two of the four current Orioles in the bullpen who have options. Odrisamer Despaigne and Mychal Givens are the others.

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/baltimore-orioles/orioles-place-duensing-dl-elbow-injury

Orioles Place Duensing On DL With Elbow Injury

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Mid-Atlantic June 22, 2016

BALTIMORE—Brian Duensing was sitting in a chair in the Orioles bullpen during the second inning of their game on Monday night in Texas when something didn’t feel right in his elbow.He had first felt it when he adjusted the chair.

Duensing reported the discomfort, and on Friday he’ll undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove some cartilage in his elbow.

The surgery will be performed by Ravens orthopedist Dr. Leigh Ann Curl.

He was placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Monday.

Duensing, who rehab in Sarasota, Fla., hopes to return around Aug. 1.

“It’s extremely disappointing. I was starting to feel comfortable here in the clubhouse and the mound again,” Duensing. “Hopefully, I get back and plenty of baseball left.”

Duensing had Tommy John surgery in 2004, and this is the first issue since then.

“I just kind of rolled over and felt something weird. Next thing I know, it was swollen and I couldn’t move it,” Duensing said.

“The fact that nothing’s torn is obviously a positive.”

NOTES: The Orioles signed 15 additional draft choices.SS Alexis Torres (5), LHP Zach Muckenhirn (11), LHP Max Knutson (12), RHP Ruben Garcia (14), RHP Nick Jobst (15), LHP Layne Bruner (18), CF Cole Billingsley (19), LHP Zach Matson (24), 3B Jaime Estrada (26), RHP Matt De La Rosa (28), 2B Garrett Copeland (30), CF Jake Ring (31), RHP Lucas Brown (34), 2B Tanner Kirk (35), and RHP James Teague (37).

They have signed 21 of their 41 draft choices.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2016/06/23/orioles-ubaldo-jimenez-plays-surprising-stopper- beats-padres

Ubaldo Jimenez Plays Surprising Stopper, Beats Padres

By Paul Folkemer / PressBoxOnline.com June 23, 2016

Baseball is a game full of surprises.

Never was that more apparent than at Oriole Park at Camden Yards June 22, when embattled right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez delivered one of the most unexpected outings of the season, a six- inning quality start against the San Diego Padres. Jimenez's solid performance led the Birds to a 7-2 win, giving them a split of the brief two-game interleague series.

Jimenez entered the game carrying a 7.34 ERA to the mound amidst the groans and protestations of many fans, who chalked up the game as a guaranteed loss. In fairness, fans had plenty of reasons to think the night wouldn't go well for Jimenez and the Birds. Jimenez was recently bounced from the Orioles' rotation after allowing five runs in .1 innings during his previous start June 12. He made one relief appearance afterward and was little better, surrendering another five runs in 2.1 innings June 17. Yet he found himself making a spot start against the Padres June 22 mainly because the O's ran out of alternatives.

Early on, it looked like the outing might be more of the same for Jimenez, who gave up a scalding single on his first pitch and allowed an RBI single to the third batter he faced, right fielder Matt Kemp. Already, boo birds began to descend on Jimenez from the crowd of 23,785. But by the time he walked off the mound five innings later, fans were on their feet, cheering.

Jimenez wasn't dominant during his six-inning performance, but he was plenty good enough, holding the Padres to two runs to deliver a quality start, his first since May 7. Jimenez mixed four pitches -- fastball, changeup, slider and curveball -- to avoid prolonged Padres rallies, despite walking four batters.

"I was able to throw all the pitches exactly where I wanted to," Jimenez said. "The approach was going back to basics. Just see the target, get the ball and go after hitters and get them out."

Jimenez did get a bit lucky at times. In the top of the fifth, left fielder Melvin Upton Jr. crushed a towering shot to deep left that would've been a go-ahead two-run homer if it had stayed fair. In fact, Upton thought it was fair, rounding the bases as if he'd homered, but third base umpire Chris Conroy ruled it foul. The Padres challenged, but the call stood. On the next pitch, Jimenez struck out Upton to end the inning.

Jimenez ended his night in style, striking out all three batters he faced in the sixth to give him seven total. Fans gave him a standing ovation as he left the mound, which didn't go unnoticed by Jimenez.

"It was good," Jimenez said. "I've been in the majors for almost nine years, so I know how things go. If you're doing good, they're going to be there for you. So it was great."

Overall, manager Buck Showalter was encouraged by Jimenez's effort, if not blown away.

"He had better command of his fastball," Showalter said. "He got some counts in his favor. He went 0-2 to 3-2 on some guys, which you don't like to see. He threw some uncompetitive pitches 0-2, 1-2, that were balls right out of his hand. … But I'll take the end product. I would've signed up for that. Hopefully he can take it and build on it.

"He got through six innings, gave our bullpen a rest. We didn't have many options out there tonight, so he delivered what we needed. It was good to see him go home and feel good about himself."

Jimenez was glad to be able to contribute to a victory amidst his otherwise ugly 2016 season.

"It was big," Jimenez said. "It felt really good to finally be able to give the team a chance to win. … I just wanted to get the job done, for sure."

Showalter was noncommittal when asked if Jimenez had earned another start.

"We've got two more of that spot before the All-Star break," Showalter said. "We're going to take it each day and put our best foot forward. Tonight, he was it. So we'll see."

Meanwhile, the O's offense supported Jimenez with seven runs, which included contributions from up and down the batting order. The first three hitters in the lineup -- Adam Jones, Hyun Soo Kim and Jonathan Schoop (making his first career start in the No. 3 hole) -- combined for six hits, three runs and two RBIs. No. 5 hitter Mark Trumbo went 3-for-4 and mashed his league- leading 21st home run, No. 6 hitter Matt Wieters drove in two runs and No. 9 hitter Ryan Flaherty homered.

With the victory, the O's remained in first place in the American League East heading into their June 23 off day. They went 2-2 during Manny Machado's suspension, and Machado will rejoin the lineup June 24 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/06/22/report-orioles-interested-in-francisco-liriano/

Report: Orioles interested in Francisco Liriano

By Bill Baer / NBC Sports June 22, 2016

Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the Orioles have interest in Pirates starterFrancisco Liriano. However, the Pirates, who enter Wednesday night’s game 34-37 in third place in the NL Central, are still focusing on contending.

The Orioles have the third worst starting rotation ERA in the American League at 4.96. Only the Twins (5.71) and Athletics (5.12) have had worse production from their starters.Chris Tillman has turned in a 3.11 ERA over 15 starts, but Ubaldo Jimenez has been an unmitigated disaster with a 7.34 ERA, as has the recently-optioned Mike Wright (6.12).

Liriano might not provide much of an upgrade. The lefty owns an uninspiring 5.03 ERA with a 74/46 K/BB ratio in 73 1/3 innings this season. No one has walked more batters than Liriano. In fact, his control was why he was mostly unsuccessful with the Twins. He was able to get his walk rate below 10 percent in 2013 and ’15, helping to explain some of his recent success, but it’s currently at 13.7 percent which would be a career-high if the season were to end today.

Liriano, 32, is owed $13 million this season and $13 million for the 2017 season. The Pirates, however, would presumably have to cover some portion of his remaining salary in order to facilitate a trade that would bring back a meaningful return.

http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/06/22/orioles-reliever-brian-duensing-injured-his-elbow- adjusting-his-bullpen-chair/

Orioles reliever Brian Duensing injured his elbow adjusting his bullpen chair

By Bill Baer / NBC Sports June 22, 2016

Orioles reliever Brian Duensing will undergo surgery on Friday to remove loose cartilage chips in his left elbow, which will keep him out of action for the next four to eight weeks, per Dan Connolly of BaltimoreBaseball.com.

How did Duensing suffer the injury? He said on Wednesday it happened after adjusting his bullpen chair on Monday, when the Orioles were in Texas to make up a rained out game against the Rangers from April 17.

Duensing signed a minor league deal with the Royals in February, then signed a new one in March, and opted out last month. The Orioles then snapped him up on a minor league contract shortly thereafter. The lefty had appeared in only seven games, but yielded four runs on nine hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings at the big league level.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2016/06/23/myriad-os-thoughts-machados-return-injury- news-jimenezs-next-time-mound/

Myriad O’s Thoughts: Machado’s return; injury news; Jimenez’s next time on the mound

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com June 23, 2016

The walk through the wilderness has ended. The wait is over.

Third baseman Manny Machado has returned.

Or he will return Friday when the Orioles begin a three-day, four-game series against the battered Tampa Bay Rays.

This is a series the Orioles have to win. The Rays have dropped seven straight and are reeling from key injuries, including one to former Oriole , who was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with a strained right hamstring.

There’s another reason they need to do well against the last-place Rays. Things don’t get easier. After Sunday’s game, the Orioles will embark on a three-city, nine-game trip to the West Coast.

But at least they’ll do it with Machado, who served his suspension this week for charging Kansas City right-hander Yordano Ventura on June 7. The Orioles split those four games, which included a one-run loss at Texas in which the Orioles had 15 hits and only three runs.

You can make the argument that they might have won that one-game road trip if they had Machado. You could also make the argument they could have done worse without their best hitter. So 2-2 and the stretch being over provides some relief for the Orioles. (Strangely, they were actually 4-1 when he was suspended in 2014, but he is now the best player on the team.)

“We got through this four-game stretch without Manny,” Showalter made a point of saying during his post-game conference Wednesday night.

You almost expected him to sigh and light a cigarette.

The roster not only will be back to 25 players – actually 26 for Saturday’s doubleheader — but it should have some veteran reinforcements coming back in the near future.

The Orioles have four players on the disabled list currently, but three are nearing a return. Reliever Darren O’Day is throwing from a half-mound Thursday. If that goes well, he’ll step it up to a full mound and could progress fairly quickly from there.

Reliever Vance Worley (groin) will throw a side session Thursday and then likely will pitch for Double-A Bowie on Saturday. He could be activated Tuesday.

Catcher Caleb Joseph (testicular surgery) will catch at High-A Frederick on Monday. He needs to do that a couple times before being reinstated.

If all three return soon, the Orioles will be left with only one player on the DL: lefty Brian Duensing, who was put on the list Wednesday with elbow inflammation and is expected to miss roughly six weeks following surgery Friday to remove chips from his left elbow.

Ubaldo Jimenez likely bought himself another turn in the rotation with his performance Wednesday in a 7-2 win against the San Diego Padres.

That one likely will come Tuesday in San Diego against those same Padres, whom he is now 8-4 with 10 quality starts against in 14 career games.

You’d think he gets the call because the Orioles don’t have an obvious alternative. But given how Jimenez’s season has gone – his ERA is at 6.97 – Showalter wasn’t saying yes yet. He simply stated Wednesday night that that spot in the rotation will come up twice before the All Star Break.

“We’re going to take it each day and put our best foot forward,” Showalter said. “Tonight, he was it. So, we’ll see.”

Not making a call is the right call here. Jimenez didn’t earn Wednesday’s start, but he did well with the opportunity. That should be the deal going forward; if he struggles, he’s got to go back to the bullpen and earn his way back.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2016/06/22/prediction-ubaldo-throws-quality-start- wednesday-os-notes/

Prediction: Ubaldo throws quality start Wednesday (and other O’s notes)

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com June 22, 2016

Get the limb ready. I’m climbing on it. And it ain’t gonna look pretty if it cracks.

Ubaldo Jimenez is going to post a quality start tonight against the San Diego Padres.

There, I’ve said it and written it.

My reputation – hey, stop laughing – is on the line here.

I think Jimenez will go at least six innings and allow three earned runs or fewer. In fact, that’s almost exactly what I think he is going to do (I didn’t make up the quality start stat, and I’m not sure a 4.50 ERA per start is quality, but that’s an argument for another day.)

I also think he’ll get the win – his second since May 8.

Here’s my projected line for Ubaldo: 6 innings, 5 hits, 3 earned runs, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts, one homer, one wild pitch. And the W.

Is this just a cheap attempt at getting website hits?

No, or not really anyway.

So why would I predict that a guy with a 7.34 ERA, a guy who has allowed 10 runs in his last 2 2/3 innings, would pitch well after being ripped out of the rotation last week?

Because this is baseball. And unexpected things happen all the time. It’s what I love about it.

Besides, if you get to the majors leagues, you have to be a heck of a competitor. And to stick for as long as Jimenez has, the talent has to be there, too. He also understands that this is a reprieve, that he is getting a chance to redeem himself, and it is human nature to step it up and produce your best. Same reason Mike Wright excelled in his “do- over” start against Kansas City after being sent to the minors.

And these are the Padres; they have some major league hitters, but are not exactly a juggernaut. He’s had success against them before; Jimenez is 7-4 with a 3.94 ERA versus San Diego in 13 career starts (nine quality starts).

Let’s be clear: I’m not advocating for Jimenez to be in the rotation. They needed to get him out, and he didn’t earn his way back in. However, I’ve advocated keeping him with the team for now, because his track record says he turns things around – every which way – during a long season. And eating roughly $21 million through next year is not palatable, especially if he ends up pitching well for someone else on the Orioles’ dime.

Anyway, I’m taking an educated guess here, mixed in with my voodoo belief in the baseball gods, who have a heck of a sense of humor.

So my guess is by the end of the night the Ubaldo mob has put its pitchforks on ice for a night.

And if I’m wrong — it’s happened before, ask my wife – leave at least part of the pitchfork open for yours truly.

Some other O’s notes:

Lefty Brian Duensing was placed on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow inflammation, which was caused by pieces of cartilage floating around his elbow. He’ll have surgery Friday to remove those chips and will be sidelined four to eight weeks. Duensing, who had a 5.40 ERA in seven games, said his goal is to be back with the Orioles by Aug. 1, which he has been told is attainable.

Duensing, 33, said he had been feeling fine, but then felt some discomfort during Monday’s game in Texas while he was watching from the bullpen.

“I was sitting in a chair, and I just kind of rolled over and felt something weird,” he said. “Next thing I know, it was swollen and I couldn’t move it.”

Tests were taken and the floating chips were found, causing the inflammation. Duensing had elbow ligament (Tommy John) surgery in 2004, but said he hasn’t had elbow trouble since.

Catcher Caleb Joseph likely will be able to catch Monday in a rehab assignment, his first action behind the plate since testicular surgery in May.

Reliever Vance Worley (right groin) threw a bullpen Tuesday and will throw another one Thursday. He is eligible to come off the DL Monday (the Orioles don’t have a game until Tuesday) and Showalter thinks Worley will be ready – though he’d like to get him one rehab outing first.

Showalter said the Orioles were not going to bring Wright back up again to pitch Wednesday after demoting him to the minors. The manager said he wants Wright to stay at Triple-A Norfolk and earn his way back instead of filling a need for the big-league club.

The Orioles list have listed Chris Tillman and Kevin Gausman as the starters for Saturday’s doubleheader. That could change, but it looks like the 26th man that the Orioles recall for the day will be a reliever – perhaps T.J. McFarland.

Lefty Ashur Tolliver has been recalled to take Duensing’s place. It’s the rookie’s second stint with the Orioles. He had a 2.70 ERA in his first five games this year.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2016/06/22/jimenez-needed-wednesdays-performance-just- one-game/

Jimenez needed Wednesday’s win, but it was just one game

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com June 22, 2016

Ubaldo Jimenez needed Wednesday night’s performance, no doubt. And the Orioles – and their fans — needed to see it.

Jimenez pitched six innings, allowed just two runs and four hits as the Orioles beat the San Diego Padres 7-2.

It was his second win in his last eight starts. It was his first quality start since May 7 versus Oakland.

And it was his first start, period, since the $50 million man was removed from the rotation last week.

“I just wanted to get the job done, for sure. There’s no more pressure than that,” Jimenez said. “As a pitcher, I know how I was throwing before I got sent down to the bullpen. I was just trying to find a way to survive and get back on my feet.”

There was a sense that things could line up well for Jimenez and this could be a good start for him – but he had to prove it.

“I couldn’t be happier (for Jimenez),” Orioles center fielder Adam Jones said. “He went out there and competed. That’s all we ask.”

Before we give Jimenez the AL Cy Young Award, let’s understand some things: He did walk four batters in six innings – though he also fanned seven.

He did throw 104 pitches, and that’s not particularly efficient.

And the San Diego Padres, though they have been hitting better of late and scored 10 runs Tuesday night, are not typically a good offensive team.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn’t gush over Jimenez’s performance, noting the number of walks and the times he was slow to the plate – he actually almost overthrew Matt Wieters on a pitchout – to allow Travis Jankowski to steal two bases.

“He had better command of his fastball. He got some counts in his favor — he went from 0-2 to 3-2 with some guys, which you don’t like to see,” Showalter said about Jimenez. “He didn’t execute the pitchout. Between the four walks and the hits, that’s almost like it’s 90 feet we could have kept from happening. But I’ll take the end product. I would have signed up for that and hopefully he can take it and build on it.”

That’s the bottom line here. There’s nothing in Jimenez’s performance Wednesday to suggest he has turned the corner and is about to go on a roll. But he also pitched adequately and gave the Orioles a chance to win. He even struck out the side in the sixth to leave on a tremendous note.

That’s got to be what is taken away from this game. There were some good moments that show that he can be effective. But there were also times when he was on shaky ground.

Unfortunately, being adequate is a victory for Jimenez and the Orioles right now.

And the fans, who have been upfront with their displeasure of Jimenez’s performances this season, seemed to get that. They gave Jimenez a nice ovation after the sixth inning.

“I’ve been in the majors for almost nine years, so I know how things go,” he said of the fans’ cheers. “If you do good, they are going to be there for you.” http://www.examiner.com/article/former-diamondback-mark-trumbo-finds-a-comfort-zone- baltimore

Former Diamondback Mark Trumbo finds a comfort zone in Baltimore

By Mark Brown / Examiner June 22, 2016

For a player with a transient past, Mark Trumbo seems to have found a home here. Discarded by the Angles, the Mariners and the Diamondbacks, Trumbo appears to be in a good place these days, and he’s the first to admit that his past is far behind in that rear-view mirror.

Of these previous three teams, Trumbo appeared to fit nicely into the Diamondbacks plans. Part of a three-team deal in December, 2013, Trumbo arrived in the desert from the of Anaheim, and the expectation had Trumbo driving balls to the gap and reaching the Chase Field bleachers. At the start of the 2014 season, Trumbo lit up the Sydney, Australia sky with home runs and tied an Arizona franchise record with homers in four straight games. By the end of April, a stress fracture to his left foot placed Trumbo on the disabled list, and compromised a strong start.

That appeared to only exacerbate his attempt to regain a spot in the outfield. After a strong recovery following the All-Star game, the Diamondbacks still did not seem enamored with his ability to produce. In that regard, Ken Kendrick, the Diamondbacks’ managing general partner, opened his checkbook and gave Yasmany Tomas, an unknown from Cuba, a six-year $68 million contract. That effectively pushed Trumbo out the door, and a statement that the Diamondbacks decided to move in another direction.

“I was not surprised by the trade,” Trumbo said Wednesday afternoon before the Orioles took on the San Diego Padres at Oriole Park in Camden Yards. “But, I moved on and made some adjustments. Things now are really good.”

In June of last year, Trumbo was caught in a numbers games, and the Diamondbacks could not renege on their unrealistic commitment to pay Tomas a boatload of cash for simply for potential. So, Trumbo was packaged in a deal to Seattle, and the Diamondbacks were able to acquire catcherWelington Castillo, a player long on their radar screen.

After nine home runs in 46 games for the Diamondbacks, Trumbo moved to the Pacific northwest, adjusted a few mechanics and proceeded to bang out 13 bombs in 96 games. Still, his value did not appear to be appreciated. Over the past off-season, the M’s dealt Trumbo to Baltimore for catcherSteve Clevenger, who is hitting .230 (14-for-61 coming into Wednesday’s game at Detroit), and, as he did two years ago, Trumbo broke out of the gate on fire.

At the start of this season, Trumbo became to the first player in Baltimore history to hit five home runs in his first 10 games with the franchise, and went 4-for-5 in the Orioles’ opener April 4 against the Twins. Coming into play Wednesday, Trumbo was tied with with Todd Frazier of the White Sox (each with 20) for the American League home run lead. On the first pitch he saw Wednesday night from Padres' starter Erik Johnson, Trumbo broke the tie with Frazier, and lifted his 21st of the season into the right field bleachers. For the night, Trmbo went 3-for-4, and drew praise for his continued production.

"(Trumbo) is now hitting pitches he missed earlier," said Buck Showalter, the Baltimore manager. "The ones he missed before he's squared off on those, and he's fun to watch."

Once he returned to the American League from the Diamondbacks, pundits believed Trumo was best suited for the DH role. Instead, Showalter has played him essentially in right field and used Dariel Alvarez as the DH Wednesday nigh.

“(Trumbo) has been solid for us,” said Buck Showalter, the Baltimore manager. “He’s really engaged in every aspect of the game. He is a great teammate, and you really don’t get to know a player rally well until he’s on your team.”

Coming into Wednesday’s game with the Padres, Trumbo was hitting .276 for the season, and that’s the highest of any season batting average in his career. His career high is .268 with the Angeles in 2012.

For now, Trumbo say he’s in a great place and praises the Orioles' management for putting a competitive team in place. Coming into Wednesday’s game, the Orioles were in first place in the , and that was one game ahead of the .

ALL-STAR BALLOTING UPDATE

Diamondbacks’ first baseman Paul Goldschmidt moved into third place among National League first basemen, but trails the Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo by a wide margin. In the latest tabulation, Goldschmidt has 681,773 and is behind Rizzo (2,202,494) and the Giants’ Brandon Belt (839,188).

One player who could gain consideration from NL manager Terry Collins is Wil Myers. The Padres first baseman is hitting .380 in the month of June. That includes, eight doubles, nine homers, 23 RBIs and 19 runs scored. Still, he faces an up-hill battle against Rizzo and Goldschmidt and lack of fan recognition.

“(Rizzo and Goldschmidt) are good, but so it Myers,” said San Diego manager Andy Green before Wednesday’s game. “I wish the fans would pick him up.”

Among players listed, the MLB figures include only the top five in each position, Behind Rizzo, Goldschmidt and Belt are the Dodgers’ Adrian Gonzalez, who is fourth, and Brandon Moss of the Cardinals is fifth.