Friday, March 17, 2017

Home , Anthony Santander, Jameson Taillon, Keegan Akin, Logan Ondrusek, Rule 5 draft results, Sean Coyle (baseball)

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Game Stories:  Orioles avoid being no-hit as Chris Lee makes first spring start in tie with Phillies The Sun 3/16  Dickerson's single snaps no-hitter in 9th inning MLB.com 3/16  Chris Lee on how starting “just felt right” (O’s rally for 2-2 tie) MASNsports.com 3/16

Columns:  Pedro Alvarez dives into outfield work during first game in right field The Sun 3/17  Chris Tillman improving after cortisone shot, but still has long-term health in mind The Sun 3/17  Orioles release right-hander Logan Ondrusek The Sun 3/17  Orioles minor leaguer Sean Coyle healthy and impressing when called to big league camp The Sun 3/17  Anthony Santander set for elbow scan as Orioles' Rule 5 outfielders face uncertain futures The Sun 3/16  Tillman feels stronger after cortisone shot MLB.com 3/17  O's release Ondrusek, open 40-man spot MLB.com 3/17  Machado's brilliant 'D' on display in Classic MLB.com 3/17  O's still have plenty of roster decisions to make MLB.com 3/16  Lee makes case to fill in for injured Tillman MLB.com 3/16  Smith being cautious with strained hamstring MLB.com 3/16  Ondrusek clears release waivers MASNsports.com 3/17  Álvarez at the plate and in field highlights B game win (updated) MASNsports.com 3/17  Tillman on his shoulder, Ondrusek released, B game lineup MASNsports.com 3/17  Orioles lineup vs. Pirates MASNsports.com 3/17  Tyler Wilson on his recent struggles MASNsports.com 3/17  Wrapping up a 2-2 tie MASNsports.com 3/16  Chris Lee goes three scoreless tonight MASNsports.com 3/16  Showalter on Rule 5 picks and more MASNsports.com 3/16  Santander undergoing MRI on right elbow (and more notes) MASNsports.com 3/16  Ynoa on his outing, Britton with scoreless inning MASNsports.com 3/17  Ynoa on the mound, Mancini homers for O’s in Bradenton (updated) MASNsports.com 3/17  Prospect profile: Keegan Akin made a strong pro debut MASNsports.com 3/17  “Go Green” cap auction to benefit Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota MASNsports.com 3/17  Logan Ondrusek released by O's ahead of visit with Dr. James Andrews AP 3/17  The Orioles’ Season Ticket Tag Day Is March 25 CBS Baltimore 3/17  Orioles’ ‘Go Green’ Auction To Benefit Botanical Gardens CBS Baltimore 3/15  Orioles' Chris Tillman Feeling Good After Cortisone Shot PressBoxOnline.com 3/17  Buck Showalter On Chris Lee: 'Stuff Wise, He Can Pitch Here' PressBoxOnline.com 3/17  Seth Smith Expects To Be Ready For Regular Season Despite Hamstring Strain PressBoxOnline.com 3/16  Buck Showalter: Pedro Alvarez Knows Cracking Orioles Roster Will Be Tough PressBoxOnline.com 3/15  Chris Tillman To Have Cortisone Injection On Right Shoulder PressBoxOnline.com 3/15  To Welington Castillo, Communication Is Key PressBoxOnline.com 3/15  Zach Britton Has Forgettable Inning In First Spring Outing PressBoxOnline.com 3/14  Orioles Still Undecided On Leadoff Hitter PressBoxOnline.com 3/14  MLB Network Radio's Steve Phillips Expresses Concern About Orioles Pitching Staff PressBoxOnline.com 3/14  Kevin Gausman: Orioles Have 'A Lot Of Good Arms' PressBoxOnline.com 3/13  Buck Showalter's Suggestion Led To Pedro Alvarez Conversion PressBoxOnline.com 3/13  With Chris Tillman Still Ailing, Is Dan Duquette Fiddling? PressBoxOnline.com 3/13  Dylan Bundy Struggles Through Two Innings In Orioles' Win PressBoxOnline.com 3/12  Chris Tillman Unlikely To Start Season With Orioles; Who Steps In? PressBoxOnline.com 3/12  Orioles Agree To Minor League Deal With Pedro Alvarez PressBoxOnline.com 3/11  If Chris Tillman Is Not Ready To Start Season, Will Mike Wright Be There? PressBoxOnline.com 3/11  Orioles Still Hoping Chris Tillman Won't Start Season On Disabled List PressBoxOnline.com 3/10  Pedro Alvarez has an uneventful debut in right; smacks a homer, two doubles in B game BaltimoreBaseball.com 3/17  Tillman explains the decision to get a cortisone shot (Ondrusek released) BaltimoreBaseball.com 3/17  Spring Training Primer: Alvarez to get first OF action; Lee’s nervous night; a dramatic tie BaltimoreBaseball.com 3/16  Santander is getting his elbow checked out — why that might help him remain with the Orioles BaltimoreBaseball.com 3/16  Myriad Orioles Thoughts: Right-field roulette; starters not going deep; handling the WBC guys BaltimoreBaseball.com 3/16  Tillman to have cortisone shot in shoulder BaltimoreBaseball.com 3/16  Spring Training Primer: Britton makes spring debut; Flaherty sidelined; Heim hits old team BaltimoreBaseball.com 3/16  Thoughts on Orioles re-signing Pedro Alvarez to a minor league deal: Really? And, why not? BaltimoreBaseball.com 3/16  Spring Training Primer: Alvarez ready for right; Hardy is back; Gausman wants to pitch deeper BaltimoreBaseball.com 3/15  Spring Training Primer: Tillman’s shoulder discomfort remains; potential Tillman replacements; Bundy only lasts two innings BaltimoreBaseball.com 3/15  Spring Training Primer: What’s happened so far in Sarasota, and what’s on the horizon BaltimoreBaseball.com 3/14  Spring Training Primer: Alvarez switches to pitching; Mancini keeps hitting; Gentry homers BaltimoreBaseball.com 3/14

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-left-hander-chris-lee-not-as- efficient-but-still-effective-in-his-first-spring-start-20170316-story.html

Orioles avoid being no-hit as Chris Lee makes first spring start in tie with Phillies

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun March 16, 2017

Left-hander Chris Lee’s first career Grapefruit League start wasn’t as efficient as his previous outing, but it still produced similar results.

In some way, the fact that Lee managed to throw three scoreless innings against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night despite struggling with his control throughout was impressive enough in the Orioles’ 2-2 nine-inning tie at Ed Smith Stadium.

Lee was scheduled to throw four innings Thursday, but his high pitch total – his night included six full-count at-bats -- allowed him only three frames. He allowed five base runners – two singles, two walks and one J.J. Hardy fielding error – but escaped without allowing a run.

Lee acknowledged he was nervous going into the start, saying he had trouble sleeping the previous night.

“It was an amazing feeling,” said Lee, who threw strikes on just 34 of his 66 pitches. “It was definitely a little different from waiting so long to start, the injury last year and coming back from it and being in the bullpen the first couple games. Starting just felt right. It felt like I was getting back to it and I feel like overall the first start was pretty good. It threw up some zeros and was happy with the results.”

Lee earned the opportunity to start after throwing three scoreless innings in his prior spring training outing Friday against the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers. His start Thursday, as well as right-hander Gabriel Ynoa’s start Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton are serving as a mid-March audition for a possible rotation opening with right-hander Chris Tillman’s return uncertain.

Lee might have received a big league opportunity last season – the team was desperate for left- handed relief help until Donnie Hart emerged as the club’s situational lefty – had a lat muscle injury not ended his season after just eight outings with Double-A Bowie.

After Thursday’s outing, Lee has allowed just two runs over 11 innings in four Grapefruit League appearances for a 1.64 ERA, and has now logged back-to-back scoreless outings.

"He’s got a good arm, good stuff," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "He pitched through it. ... I think sometimes his ball moves so much that he has to almost locate a little too much instead of attacking the middle of the plate and letting the natural life take over."

Lee ran into trouble early, allowing the first two runners he faced to reach base on Cesar Hernandez’s leadoff single and Roman Quinn’s sharp grounder that got past Hardy. But as he has throughout spring training, Lee was able to get key groundouts, inducing a 6-4-3 double play from Howie Kendrick to help get him out of the first. Two batters later, he stranded runners at the corners with another groundout.

“I had too many deep counts as I would have liked, but I just tried to trust my stuff and stay down in the zone and [be] more efficient and the results came out and I got my ground balls,” Lee said. “Once the runners got on base, my main focus was to not let them score and try to get a ground ball and get out of it.”

Orioles end no-hit bit in ninth, tie game

The Orioles were two outs away from being no-hit, but rallied in the ninth to tie the game.

Chris Dickerson had the Orioles’ first hit of the night with a single to right off Phillies reliever Michael Mariot, and then minor leaguer Sean Coyle sent the first pitch he saw over the left-field fence for a game-tying home run.

Coyle -- who has played in 11 Grapefruit League games, mostly in the late innings – has hit two homers this spring and has driven in five runs in eight plate appearances. A former third-round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox, Coyle battled injuries the past two seasons.

The Orioles drew seven walks on the night, including two by Hardy, but entered the ninth still without a hit.

Davis searching for hits

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis was struck out in all three of his plate appearances Thursday and is now 0-for-10 over his past four spring games.

Davis, who will get additional at-bats playing in Friday’s B game in Sarasota, is now 3-for-21 this spring. He recently missed five days between games because he was sidelined with bronchitis.

Drake allows homer

Right-hander Oliver Drake allowed a leadoff homer to Phillies first baseman Andrew Knapp, the first batter he faced in his two-inning outing, marking the fourth time he has been scored upon in seven spring outings.

Drake threw his first multiple-inning outing of the spring, allowing four hits while striking out two, but has now allowed eight runs in eight Grapefruit League innings for a 9.00 ERA.

The Phillies' other run came on Ryan Hanigan’s two-out RBI single in the fourth off minor league pitcher Ryan Meisinger.

Gentry’s hustle worth mentioning

Right fielder Craig Gentry’s hustle on the first play of the game likely saved Lee’s scoreless first inning, and put his outfield range on display.

Gentry cut off Hernandez’s leadoff single into the right-center-field gap with a sliding stop to prevent the ball from rolling to the wall, holding it to a single. Hernandez was eventually stranded at third.

“That’s one of those things that analytics will never be able to capture,” Showalter said. “If you want to look back, a play in the first inning won a ballgame. People talk about infielders diving for balls and knocking them down with a man on second even though he can’t make a play at first. That’s an example of a play that an athletic guy dives and keeps a ball from going in the gap. If he doesn’t they score a bunch of runs [in the first].”

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219619410/orioles-end-phils-no-hitter-tie-game-in-9th/

Dickerson's single snaps no-hitter in 9th inning

By Rich Dubroff and Todd Zolecki / MLB.com March 16, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Phillies manager Pete Mackanin looked legitimately disappointed that his team did not throw a no-hitter to beat the Orioles on Thursday night in a Grapefruit League game at Ed Smith Stadium.

"What a shame," he said after a 2-2 tie.

The Phillies did not allow a hit through 8 1/3 innings, when Phillies right-hander Michael Mariot gave up a single to Chris Dickerson and a two-run home run to Sean Coyle, who went to Germantown Academy High School, just outside Philadelphia. Vince Velasquez pitched 3 2/3 hitless innings, walking four and striking out six. Jake Thompson followed with 2 1/3 perfect innings with two strikeouts. Colton Murray walked one batter in 1 2/3 innings and Mariot retired the last batter of the eighth and one batter in the ninth before losing the no-no.

It is believed the last Phillies no-hitter in Spring Training came on April 4, 1952, when Steve Ridzik threw one against the Cardinals in Savannah, Ga. Ridzik never pitched in the big leagues.

Baltimore rookie left-hander Chris Lee, who was making his first Grapefruit League start, pitched three scoreless innings, allowing two hits. Lee, who has never pitched above Double-A, has allowed two runs on seven hits in 11 innings this spring.

"I had [more] deep counts than I'd like, and I was trying to trust my stuff and stay down in the zone," Lee said.

The Phillies scored on Ryan Hanigan's RBI single in the fourth and Andrew Knapp's home run in the sixth, his first of the spring.

Phillies Up Next: The Phillies return to Clearwater, Fla., on Friday to play the Blue Jays in a Grapefruit League game at 1:05 p.m. at Spectrum Field. Right-hander Aaron Nola (0-0, 6.14 ERA) makes his fourth start of the spring. Watch live on MLB.TV.

Orioles Up Next: The Orioles play the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park in Bradenton at 1:05 p.m. on Friday. Gabriel Ynoa, who has pitched only once since March 1, will get the start. Watch live on MLB.TV. The Orioles and Pirates will play a "B" game in Sarasota at 10 a.m.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/chris-lee-on-how-starting-just-felt- right.html

Chris Lee on how starting “just felt right” (O’s rally for 2-2 tie)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com March 16, 2017

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP

Score: Orioles 2, Phillies 2

Recap: Chris Dickerson’s one-out single in the ninth prevented the Phillies from recording a spring no-hitter. Sean Coyle followed with a game-tying two-run homer. ... Left-hander Chris Lee tossed three scoreless innings, but he threw 66 pitches and only 34 for strikes. He allowed two hits, walked two and struck out one ... Ryan Meisinger gave up a run in the fourth on Ryan Hanigan’s two-out RBI single ... Oliver Drake gave up a solo home run to Andrew Knapp in the sixth and also allowed a single and double ... Thirteen Orioles in a row were retired before Craig Gentry walked with two outs in the seventh.

Need to know: Lee threw 26 pitches (12 strikes) in the first ... J.J. Hardy committed an error on a ground ball after Lee surrendered a leadoff single in the first ... Hardy walked twice and Chris Davis struck out twice in the first three innings ... The Orioles didn’t have a hit in 3 2/3 innings against Phillies starter Vince Velasquez, but he walked four batters.

On deck: Friday, at Pirates in Bradenton, 1:05 p.m. ______SARASOTA, Fla. - Andrew Knapp hit a solo home run off Oliver Drake in the top of the sixth inning to increase the Phillies’ lead to 2-0.

The Orioles still don’t have a hit going to the top of the eighth. Craig Gentry walked with two outs in the seventh to snap a streak of 13 in a row retired, but Caleb Joseph lined to center field.

Phillies starter Vince Velasquez walked four and struck out six in 3 2/3 innings. He walked the bases loaded in the first, but Chris Johnson flied to left.

Ryan Meisinger, who came over from minor league camp, allowed an RBI single to Ryan Hanigan in the fourth that broke a scoreless tie. Brad Brach gave up a single and struck out a batter in the fifth.

Drake turned in a scoreless seventh and Jesus Liranzo is now working the eighth.

Left-hander Chris Lee admitted to having some nerves before making his first start tonight since May 2016 with Double-A Bowie.

“But it was good nerves,” he said smiling.

“I have a little butterflies once in a while. Last night, it was hard for me to sleep because I knew I had my first start in a little while. I was pretty pumped up and ready to get out there.”

Lee ran up his pitch count to 66 over three innings, only 34 for strikes, but he kept the Phillies from scoring. Damage control was one of his specialties.

“Once the runners were out on base, my main focus was don’t let them score and try to get a ground ball to get out of it,” he said.

“I had too many deep counts than I’d like and I was trying to trust my stuff and stay down in the zone, more efficient. The results came out, got my ground balls.”

One grounder turned into a 6-4-3 double play in the first following J.J. Hardy’s fielding error. The first inning closed with, yes, a ground ball, and the first two outs in the third also were balls hit into the grass.

Lee made seven starts with Bowie last season among his eight appearances before the Orioles shut him down with a lat injury. He’s slowly been working his way back to the mound, and now he’s returned to a starter’s role.

“It was definitely an amazing feeling,” he said. “Definitely a little different from waiting so long because of the injury last year and coming back from it. Being out of the bullpen the first couple of games, starting just felt right. I felt like I was just getting back into it.

“Overall the first start was pretty good. Put up some zeros and was happy with the results.”

The Orioles have placed Lee in the competition for the fifth starter’s job while Chris Tillman is on the disabled list. He’s not regarded as the favorite, but it’s impressive that he’s in the discussion.

“Yeah, I feel ready,” he said. “Whatever role they give me during the season, I’m ready to go out there and just do my best and try to put up zeros and try to get us into the playoffs.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-pedro-alvarez-dives-into-outfield-work- during-first-game-in-right-field-20170317-story.html

Pedro Alvarez dives into outfield work during first game in right field

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun March 17, 2017

Pedro Alvarez only got one defensive chance Friday during his outfield cotillion in the Orioles’ B game, but his handling of it showed there was little apprehension about the move that could resurrect his career.

Alvarez had one defensive chance, a sinking line drive in the right-center field gap. It landed a few steps from him, but Alvarez dove and snared it to hold the runner to a single.

Dive and miss, and all the worst fears about the Orioles taking a player who was defensively challenged on the infield dirt and making him an outfielder would be emblemized in one play. But in making the play, Alvarez’s first impression on the outfield grass wasn’t a bad one.

“He handled that in-between ball alright,” manager Buck Showalter said. “Really, you’re better off keeping coming, because if you step back you take that short-hop. … Once you start going and commit, you’ve got to keep going."

“It’s just one of those things where you let the game kick in, instincts kick in and it just happens,” Alvarez said. “That’s a testament to that, and it’s always nice to be diving around on the field.”

Overall, Alvarez said it was a “different” look at his new position than he was used to.

“I’ve been going out there as much as possible to get a comfortable look and a comfortable feel, and I felt pretty good,” Alvarez said. “I’m happy with where I’m at and obviously when it’s games, it’s a little different. I’m glad I was able to feel comfortable, and I know I’m only going to feel more and more comfortable with each rep that I get.”

Of course, the reason for all this change in Alvarez’s life is to get his bat in the lineup. And in the B game, when Showalter got Alvarez, Chris Davis, Mark Trumbo, and J.J. Hardy lots of at-bats, it was Alvarez who shined. He homered in his first at-bat and doubled on either side of a strikeout to finish his day.

Davis had a double as well, but that was the only at-bat of note from the major leaguers. Cedric Mullins, an outfielder who spent all of last season at Class-A Delmarva, hit a home run high off the batter’s eye in center field in the fourth inning.

Mike Wright started and got four innings of work in, with Darren O’Day pitching two frames and left-handers Keegan Akin and Tanner Scott getting an inning of work apiece.

“Mike was good,” Showalter said. “A little adjustment he and Roger made, he carried it out in the game. And Darren got his two-inning stint under his belt.”

Santander exam complete: Showalter said the team was still “taking in” the results of Rule 5 outfielder Anthony Santander’s MRI-arthogram, where dye is injected to give a clearer picture, on his right elbow. Santander is only just resuming outfield work after offseason shoulder surgery. He had his elbow, which Showalter said there were previous issues with, examined to see if there was anything structural they needed to know about.

Either way, Santander will miss a few days while waiting for the dye that was injected into his elbow to dissipate.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-chris-tillman-improving-after-cortisone- shot-but-still-has-long-term-health-in-mind-20170317-story.html

Chris Tillman improving after cortisone shot, but still has long-term health in mind

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun March 17, 2017

Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman, in the face of what outwardly seemed like a setback with his aching right shoulder, was optimistic Friday that a cortisone shot earlier this week will get him back on a path toward a return and hasn’t altered his outlook that he wants to do the recovery right the first time.

“Part of the shot is it buys you time to take off,” Tillman said. “So you do the shot, and then you take five, six, seven days off. Obviously, we can do the exercises. I’m not sitting around for that amount of time. But when do we start exercises? Probably in the next two or three days is my guess. Then we kind of get a feel from there about where we’re at. As of right now, it’s feeling pretty good. I feel like I can do it right now, but it’s not something I’d rather do. I’d rather do it right.”

Tillman had the shot on Wednesday as the coda to a whirlwind week that saw him thrown back into uncertainty as he reached the precipice of pitching in games for the first time this week. He was supposed to make his Grapefruit League debut, but instead was explaining how he got off that track.

Tillman was set for his third and final full-mound bullpen session on his way back from shoulder soreness last Saturday, but it was pushed a day because of suspected side effects from antibiotics he was taking that caused soreness. Then, when he was warming up for the Sunday session, he scrapped it due to soreness.

“The ones I completed before, I was feeling fine,” Tillman said. “I felt completely fine. And then when I went to warm up for that bullpen that didn’t happen, I just didn’t feel comfortable. If we’re sitting here in June and July, I’m probably pitching. But at the same time, we’re talking spring training here. It’s just not worth it to me.”

Tillman said almost immediately after, he started feeling “much better.” He also had a shot last August when dealing with what was described as shoulder bursitis -- the team says it's the same issue now -- and Tillman said there were recommendations seemingly pouring in on having another to settle the issue down this year.

“I had a lot of people talk to me about it, trying to say, ‘Why aren’t you going to do it?’” Tillman said. “‘What’s going on here?’ This and that. I decided it might not be the worst thing because realistically, you’re supposed to take 10 days after the shot before you really do anything. Does it buy you time? Yes. But at the same time, it might be too long for a player. Sometimes it’s too short. I don’t know. But we have our time to take to get it right and make sure the fire is put out.”

He anticipates exercises in the next two days, but when asked about the beginning of the season, Tillman said he doesn’t see that happening.

“I don’t think I have to start completely over, and if it was up to me, I think I’d start right where I left off,” he said. “Most of that stuff isn’t up to me. I feel like there’s a right way to do it and a wrong way to do it. Exercise-wise, I feel like I’m right where I need to be. I did them up to five minutes before I got the shot. As far as throwing, I might take one or two steps forward to go backward."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-release-right-hander-logan- ondrusek-20170316-story.html

Orioles release right-hander Logan Ondrusek

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun March 17, 2017

The Orioles have released right-handed reliever Logan Ondrusek.

Ondrusek, who was on a one-year major league deal with a club option for 2018, was recently shelved indefinitely after feeling pain in his elbow after a Grapefruit League outing last Friday against the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland.

The team placed Ondrusek on release waivers shortly thereafter and released him Wednesday, according to the Major League Baseball transaction wire.

By releasing the 32-year-old Ondrusek now, the Orioles free themselves of having to pay most of Ondrusek’s $650,000 major league salary for this season.

The move also create an open spot on the organization's 40-man roster, which the club will likely need later this spring to carry a nonroster player. The nonroster player most likely to make the club at this point is outfielder Craig Gentry.

Ondrusek re-signed with the Orioles to compete for a bullpen role this spring after struggling in his brief time with the big league club last season.

The Orioles signed Ondrusek -- who had previously been pitching in Japan -- last July for a prorated salary of the major league minimum of $507,000 to specialize in getting left-handed hitters out. But he struggled against lefties, allowing eight of the 13 batters he faced to reach base.

Ondrusek was optioned to Double-A Bowie after just six appearances and briefly returned for one appearance in last August before going back to the Baysox for two more appearances there in early September.

Ondrusek posted a 9.95 ERA over 6 1/3 big league innings last season.

The club declined his 2017 option at the end of the season, but then re-signed Ondrusek in mid- December on a one-year, $650,000 deal that included a $1.5 million club option for 2018.

Ondrusek’s spring was slowed by a right ankle injury he suffered while doing pitchers fielding practice drills.

He pitched in two Grapefruit League games before he was sidelined with the elbow injury, allowing two runs on two hits in two innings.

Ondrusek received a MRA (magnetic resonance arthrogram) last week and is scheduled to see specialist Dr. James Andrews next week.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-minor-leaguer-sean-coyle-healthy- and-impressing-when-called-to-big-league-camp-20170316-story.html

Orioles minor leaguer Sean Coyle healthy and impressing when called to big league camp

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun March 17, 2017

Every spring, a minor leaguer brought over to major league games seemingly as an afterthought captures the attention of Orioles manager Buck Showalter, and there’s no shortage this year.

Relievers Jimmy Yacabonis and Stefan Crichton are players who have been on the organization’s radar for a while and almost were added to the 40-man roster. But this spring has been an occasion for Showalter to bear witness first hand to what the Orioles hope is a career reclamation for second baseman Sean Coyle.

Coyle, a former bonus baby who signed for $1.3 million as a third-round pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2010, is coming off two injury-hit seasons that cost him his roster spot with the team that drafted him and caused him to re-evaluate whether he thought he could still play at all.

On Thursday, his two-run home run saved the Orioles from defeat and continued what has been a good first impression with the team that took a chance on him.

“Anytime you come to a new place and make some sort of immediate impact, you have to feel good about it,” Coyle said.

“Coyle has had some really good at-bats down here,” Showalter said. “I was talking to him walking up to the right-field corner in Port Charlotte and I said, ‘Where have you been the last two years?’ I knew he had hit [.193] and [.181], and the year before he had a big year and hit 16 home runs. He’s been hurt the last two years, shoulder issues and stuff. He said it’s the first time he’s been healthy in a long time. Interesting.”

So far this spring, Coyle has appeared in 11 Grapefruit League games and collected three hits — two home runs and a double — in eight at-bats to start showing the form that has made him an under-the-radar prospect for years.

In my past life as a writer for SoxProspects.com, a site that covered Boston’s minor league system, one of the perks of living in Boston was we’d see the Single-A teams in the South Atlantic League and Carolina League often. When we did our staff rankings, I was the high man on Coyle, an optimism owed to the fact that he hit when he was healthy. That he could avoid injury wasn't always a given, though.

He didn’t hit for average until he posted a .295/.371/.512 line with 16 home runs in 97 games for Double-A Portland in 2014 in his age-22 season. Boston added him to the 40-man roster that offseason, but things didn’t pan out there. Coyle said he dealt with shoulder and elbow injuries that cost him all but 52 games in 2015. It lingered through the offseason and into 2016, when Coyle was designated for assignment after hitting .165 between Double-A and Triple-A. The Los Angeles Angels picked him up and he started to feel like himself again, but didn’t stick there either.

Without a team this offseason, Coyle naturally wondered whether moments like Thursday would come for him.

“With anything, you struggle a little bit,” Coyle said. “You start thinking about, ‘Hey, what am I really made of? Can I do this? Do I have the skill set? Do I have what it takes to get to the next level?’ You think about that and you do what it takes to get past that and just play the game, like I did in high school, middle school, summer baseball, that kind of feeling where you’re just out there competing and you’re not really worried about anything. You’re really present. I think you’ll play better that way. It’s all about figuring out what you’re really made of.”

Coyle signed late this offseason as a minor league free agent, and said the Orioles are seeing the best version of him so far. With infielders Jonathan Schoop, J.J. Hardy and Manny Machado missing large chunks of the spring because of the World Baseball Classic and injuries, plus beloved spring training call-up Garabez Rosa missing time with a hand injury, Coyle has had plenty of chances to show the Orioles they didn’t sign a .180 hitter.

“I worked out this offseason, worked really hard and I’m here now,” Coyle said. “I feel healthy, and it’s a new beginning. It’s a good feeling. I feel like everything’s kind of looking up.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-anthony-santander-set-for-elbow-scan-as- orioles-rule-5-outfielders-face-uncertain-futures-20170316-story.html

Anthony Santander set for elbow scan as Orioles' Rule 5 outfielders face uncertain futures

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun March 16, 2017

Outfielder Anthony Santander was scheduled for an MRI-arthrogram Thursday to inject dye and see what was bothering him in his right elbow, manager Buck Showalter said. It marks the latest complication in the team’s attempt to evaluate an intriguing bat selected in the Rule 5 draft in December.

For both Santander and fellow Rule 5 outfielder Aneury Tavarez, every rep in spring training is precious for the ability to show the team they’re capable of the daily challenge a major league roster spot would provide. And Santander’s latest problem makes that more difficult.

“He’ll be down for two or three days for that to run its course,” Showalter said. “He’s having some discomfort in there. We’ll look at some things with his history and everything and see what we’re dealing with before we push forward with his progression in the outfield. They have some concerns there. They want to take a look at it and get the right tests done today.”

Santander had shoulder surgery this past offseason and only just began preparing to play the field in games, working to get his arm ready for game action.

“It was a shoulder, but I think looking at the physical and the history and everything, knowing we want to make sure we know what we’re dealing with there before we push forward with it,” Showalter said. “Knowing the history of everything he’s had, it’s something we want to make sure we’ve got our arms around before he goes into the outfield.”

Over the past week, Santander began to show the bat that led the team to pluck him from the Cleveland Indians’ farm system despite not a day above Single-A ball.

Santander entered Thursday night's game batting .250, but has picked it up of late with home runs on March 11 and 12, and four hits in his past eight at-bats. He said it’s “definitely more challenging” than what he was used to, having never played above the High-A Carolina League, but had to remind himself “it’s still baseball that we’re playing."

“So right now, I’m just feeling more comfortable, trying to be smarter than the pitcher and try to take advantage of his mistakes,” Santander said through team interpreter Ramon Alarcon.

However, Showalter said it’s difficult to carry a Rule 5 player who can’t play the field, making Santander’s path to the roster tough.

“We’re just trying to develop a trust factor,” Showalter said. “We felt like we developed a pretty good trust factor with Joey [Rickard] last year, and [T.J] McFarland and [Ryan] Flaherty. We got enough reps here that we got a feel. If you’re really watching, that’s what you’re really looking for. It’s kind of tough with Santander because we haven’t been able to see him out in the field. You’re not going to be able to carry somebody that can’t handle themselves defensively. It just won’t work."

That trust is something Tavarez is seeking to earn in the final few weeks of camp.

He has spent time at all three outfield positions while batting .310 with six stolen bases in 16 games.

“Spring training is going excellent so far, thank god. I’m just fortunate to be healthy right now and able to go out there and compete, which is what I want,” Tavarez said through Alarcon.

Showalter said they’re seeing some of the skills, including speed and defensive ability, that made the team consider Tavarez in the draft, but now comes the time to apply them in games and show that he can offer them consistently.

“His talent is going to allow him to get to some balls that some other people won’t, but will the lack of experience get in the way of completing the plays?” Showalter said. “You see the long ball he ran a long way and overran [Monday]. He’s probably one of the few guys in camp who can get to that ball, but the experience of breaking down and knowing you’re going to run by that, you’ve got to get under control. That’s what we’re looking for, because that skill and that tool don’t play unless you can finish a play and break it down.

“So throwing arm, all the things that in the big leagues they’ll exploit if you don’t have it. You see the foot speed, then you see the stolen base totals, so you can tell there’s some instinctual things that he’s still working with because you see the foot speed and you expect him to have 40, 50, 60 stolen bases somewhere, and that will. He’s got a chance to. “

Neither said they have given much thought to the Rule 5 roster restrictions they’ll face. For either to remain in the organization, they must remain on the 25-man roster for the whole season and cannot be optioned to the minors.

And for the first time in several years, it’s looking like the Orioles could break camp without a Rule 5 pick. This year, however, the outfield situation seems crowded. Rickard and Craig Gentry seem to be front runners for spare outfield positions, with the likes of Chris Dickerson and outfield newcomers Trey Mancini and Pedro Alvarez also competing for roster spots.

Santander’s myriad arm injuries could be cited as a reason to start him on the disabled list and delay a roster decision on him, and either could be kept in the organization via trade, but that’s not for the players to decide. They want to use the remaining few weeks of Grapefruit League action to continue to make an impression.

“I want to show them that I’m ready to compete at the big league level and I’m ready to make this roster,” Tavarez said. “That’s what I want to show them.”

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219715964/chris-tillman-feels-good-after-cortisone-shot/

Tillman feels stronger after cortisone shot

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com March 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Chris Tillman had a cortisone shot on his right shoulder Wednesday, and two days later, he said he's improved.

"I was even feeling better before I got the injection, but just kind of felt like everyone was recommending it, so I [did] it. Even the two or three days before the injection, I felt much, much better," Tillman said.

Tillman hasn't pitched during Spring Training. The Orioles had scheduled him for his first Grapefruit League start Friday against Pittsburgh, but those plans were abandoned when Tillman had to abort a bullpen session last Sunday because he wasn't feeling right.

The 28-year-old right-hander had a platelet-rich plasma injection in late December, and O's manager Buck Showalter ruled Tillman out of an Opening Day start when Spring Training opened.

For now, Tillman isn't sure where he stands.

"To be honest with you, I don't know. Part of the shot is it buys you time to take off, so do the shot, and I think take five, six, seven days off," Tillman said. "Obviously, we're going to do exercises. It's not like I'm sitting around not doing anything for that amount of time. When we start exercises, probably in the next two or three days would be my guess, and then kind of get a feel from there for where we're at.

"As of right now, it's feeling pretty good. I feel like I could do it right now, but ... I want to do it right."

Tillman said he isn't fearful he'll have to basically repeat Spring Training because of this pause.

"I don't think I'll have to start completely over, and if it was up to me, I think I'd start right where I left off," Tillman said. "Most of that stuff isn't up to me. There's a right way to do it, and a wrong way to do it. Exercise-wise, I feel like I'm right where I need to be. I did them up to five minutes before I got the shot, to be honest with you, and then as far as throwing, I might take it one or two steps backwards to go forward, which is fine by me."

The Orioles have several options to take Tillman's place in the rotation. It's likely that Kevin Gausman will start on Opening Day and Friday's starter against the Pirates, Gabriel Ynoa, is one of those who could step into a starting role.

Tillman has known for weeks that he wasn't going to make his fourth straight Opening Day start. He just doesn't know how long he'll be out.

"The way the throwing was going up until that one day was perfect. I guess you really never know," Tillman said.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219719520/orioles-release-right-hander-logan-ondrusek/

O's release Ondrusek, open 40-man spot

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com March 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Orioles released right-handed reliever Logan Ondrusek on Wednesday.

The O's signed the 32-year-old in July after he spent 1 1/2 seasons in Japan, and he posted a 9.95 ERA in seven games last season.

Ondrusek was granted free agency after the season, and he signed a one-year contract with an option for 2018 in December.

This spring, Ondrusek was initially slowed by a sprained ankle, but he pitched in only two games. After his second appearance on March 6, Ondrusek complained of right elbow discomfort and he was examined by team doctors.

After the examination, Ondrusek requested a second opinion, and an appointment with orthopedist Dr. James Andrews was arranged for next Monday.

Ondrusek, a veteran of six major league seasons with Cincinnati and Baltimore, has a career 21- 11 record with a 4.03 ERA.

Ondrusek's release leaves 39 players on the Orioles' 40-man roster.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219682990/manny-machado-shines-on-defense-for-dr/

Machado's brilliant 'D' on display in Classic

By Manny Randhawa / MLB.com March 17, 2017

Making unbelievable plays in the field has become commonplace for Orioles third baseman Manny Machado. But for the first time, Machado's glittering glovework is on display in the World Baseball Classic, and he's taking hits away from opponents while representing the Dominican Republic.

In Thursday night's 3-0 win over Venezuela at Petco Park, Machado made a pair of incredible plays at third base. The first was on an Alcides Escobar bunt attempt in the fifth, when Machado charged, barehanded the ball and fired an off-balance throw to first to get the speedy runner.

Machado saved the best for last, however. With one out and nobody on in the sixth, Miguel Cabrera hit a sharp ground ball down the third-base line and Machado -- ranging well into foul territory, and at the edge of the outfield grass -- backhanded the ball and made a jump-throw to first. The throw was offline, but first baseman Carlos Santana moved off the bag to grab it and dove back to the bag with his glove to get Cabrera by half a step.

The distance of Machado's throw across the diamond was 157.8 feet per Statcast™; his longest throw from third to get a runner at first in 2016 was 147.3 feet. The longest tracked throw by any third baseman to get an out at first last season was 151.4 feet, by Cheslor Cuthbert of the Royals on July 9, against the Mariners.

"That boy, he's not human," left fielder Gregory Polanco said. "He's from another planet. He's a great guy, he never gives up, and it's great to watch him play."

Machado's play was reminiscent of what is perhaps his signature gem -- robbing the Yankees' Luis Cruz of a hit down the third-base line with a throw from foul territory at Yankee Stadium in July 2013.

"I feel great just being here, being a part of this team, being a part of the legacy we're trying to create," Machado said after the game. "This event has been great every time we've been here." A three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner in five MLB seasons, the 24-year-old Machado split time between third base and shortstop for Baltimore in 2016 as a result of an injury early in the season to J.J. Hardy.

Since debuting in 2012, Machado leads all American League third basemen with 75 defensive runs saved, and is second only to the Rockies' Nolan Arenado (84) in the Majors over that span.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219625554/orioles-still-have-roster-decisions-to-make/

O's still have plenty of roster decisions to make

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com March 16, 2017

Who will be on the Orioles' Opening Day roster?

While it's still too early to make final predictions, there has been some clarity since the O's arrived at Spring Training, most notably because of the Chris Tillman injury, which will almost certainly put him on the disabled list to start the season. Given their early off-days, the O's could opt for the extra bench player to start the season, which manager Buck Showalter has referenced a few times this spring, rather than an extra relief arm.

With a few other players nursing minor injuries, there's still a lot in play. But, here's another look at where the roster stands, with plenty yet to be decided.

C (2): Welington Castillo, Caleb Joseph.

1B (1): Chris Davis.

2B (1, possibly 2): Jonathan Schoop will presumably be backed up by Ryan Flaherty again, though that's not set in stone, as Flaherty has been battling some shoulder soreness this spring.

3B (1): Manny Machado.

SS (1): J.J. Hardy, who was slowed with back spasms early on, has returned to the field and should be ready for the start of the season.

Utility (1): Flaherty is still the favorite for the bench spot if he's healthy. If not, the O's could go with a guy like non-roster invitee Robert Andino.

DH (1): Mark Trumbo is expected to serve primarily as a designated hitter this year.

Outfielders (5, potentially 6): Adam Jones, Seth Smith, Hyun Soo Kim, Craig Gentry, Joey Rickard, Trey Mancini. This is where things could get interesting. Beyond the first three names, the rest is guesswork.

The recent signing of Pedro Alvarez crowds things, though with Trumbo returning to the role as designated hitter and Smith's addition, Alvarez really needs an injury or trade to land a spot. Mancini, who is not a lock, has had a solid offensive spring, though he still needs to improve and show he's capable of playing the outfield. Rickard, the feel-good story of last spring, has also had a solid showing.

The O's two Rule 5 picks add some intrigue, particularly Anthony Santander, who homered in back-to-back games over the weekend, but has been shut down for a few days and is scheduled for tests on his right elbow. Gentry is looking to bounce back, has experience and could prove to be a good low-risk move.

Of course, this could all change depending on injuries as Smith has been sidelined for a few days with a hamstring issue. At this point, he's not in jeopardy of missing Opening Day, but that's certainly something to monitor.

There's also the roster shuffle caused by Tillman's injury, which could enable the O's to take an extra bench player to start the season.

Bullpen (7): Zach Britton, Darren O'Day, Brad Brach and Mychal Givens are locks. Donnie Hart should also have a spot -- he did well last year and gives the club another lefty option.

That leaves two spots to fill and a whole lot of maybes as the O's could start the season with four starting pitchers and add either an extra bench player or an extra bullpen arm. Right now, let's say they stick with seven relievers.They'd need a long man, and I'd give the early edge to Logan Verrett, who could also be a spot-starter option if needed. Gabriel Ynoa has pitched well so far, as have Jayson Aquino, Chris Lee and Richard Bleier. Truly a toss up, but I'd pencil in Aquino and Bleier, with Lee and Ynoa high on the radar.

Logan Ondrusek has been slowed by health issues and I think the preference would be for Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson -- who have both gotten off to sub-optimal starts -- to be pitching every fifth day with Norfolk. Oliver Drake is also in the mix, though he hasn't pitched well so far, and Zach Stewart is another intriguing name in the mix.

SP (4): Kevin Gausman, Wade Miley, Dylan Bundy, Ubaldo Jimenez.

Tillman's injury at least comes at a favorable time in the schedule, enabling the Orioles to either use a spot starter out of the bullpen or add a guy from the Minors. Either way, you're looking at a roster carousel the first week or two of the season and the O's are adept at manipulating the roster.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219655744/orioles-chris-lee-makes-case-in-strong-start/

Lee makes case to fill in for injured Tillman

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com March 16, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Chris Lee could have a terrific future for the Orioles. And his first Grapefruit League start was, a good start.

Lee pitched three shutout innings, allowing two hits, walking two and striking out one in a 2-2 tie with the Phillies.

With Chris Tillman increasingly doubtful to be ready in the early part of the season, manager Buck Showalter has mentioned Lee, a 24-year-old left-hander, as a possibility to replace him.

"He started to grasp a little bit the breaking balls, too, to really put him on another level," Showalter said. "Stuff-wise, he can pitch here. Just trying to get a feel if we can trust the other stuff. He's a confident young man."

Lee came out of the bullpen in his three other appearances this spring, and in 11 innings, has allowed two runs on seven hits, striking out nine and walking three.

In May 2016, Lee suffered a lat injury while pitching for Double-A Bowie and missed the rest of the season.

For Lee, starting instead of pitching in relief was memorable.

"It was definitely an amazing feeling. Definitely a little different from waiting so long because of the injury last year and coming back from it. Being out of the bullpen the first couple of games, starting just felt right. I felt like I was just getting back into it. Overall, the first start was pretty good, put up some zeros, and was happy with the results," Lee said.

"There [were] a little nerves, but it was good nerves. I have a little butterflies once in a while. Last night it was hard for me to sleep because I knew I had my first start in a little while. I was pretty pumped up and ready to get out there."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219624874/orioles-seth-smith-has-strained-hamstring/

Smith being cautious with strained hamstring

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com March 16, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles outfielder Seth Smith hasn't played since March 8 due to a strained right hamstring.

Smith, who was traded to the Orioles on Jan. 6 from Seattle for pitcher Yovani Gallardo, had the hamstring issue last spring, too.

"It's getting better. It's something that I kind of felt it, and I just wanted to try and get on top of it before it got any worse," Smith said.

"Absolutely, just trying to get it ready, just want to get some time in Spring Training. Ultimately you want to do what you can to point toward the first of April, so what we've got to do with regard to the leg and at-bats, we do the best that we can to get it where it needs to be," Smith said.

Smith, who is expected to be the Orioles' regular right fielder, isn't nervous about missing time.

"Anything, especially when you're being cautious with it, you wait until you don't feel it, and then you build back up from there. What you think isn't taking long, may be like a week or so, but it's still not really that long when you're being cautious with something," Smith said.

"At-bats are great, and I'd like to get them, but being 100 percent going into the season is No. 1." Infielder Ryan Flaherty had a cortisone shot in his right shoulder, and he thinks that the persistent soreness won't return.

"It's good. Just trying to get the inflammation to go away. So hopefully the shot I got a couple days ago will do that," Flaherty said. "It feels good, but it's just a matter of making sure the strength is fully there. Right now it feels 100 percent, but you've got to get the strength back up."

Flaherty also missed time this month with the shoulder ailment.

Rule 5 Draft choice Anthony Santander was scheduled for an MRI on his right elbow. Manager Buck Showalter said that the outfielder, who has been exclusively a designated hitter this spring, will rest for a few days.

Santander had offseason shoulder surgery prior to the Orioles drafting him from Cleveland, and that has prevented the team from trying him in the outfield.

"We want to make sure what we're dealing with there before we push forward with his progression in the outfield, we've got some concerns there; they want to take a look at it, and get the right tests done today," Showalter said. "Knowing the history of everything he's had, it's something we want to make sure we get our arms around before he goes into the outfield."

Santander and fellow Rule 5 pick outfielder Aneury Tavarez have had significant playing time this spring.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/ondrusek-clears-release-waivers.html

Ondrusek clears release waivers

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com March 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Logan Ondrusek’s departure from the Orioles organization became official this afternoon.

The club announced that Ondrusek cleared release waivers and was released from his contract, making him a free agent eligible to sign with any team.

Ondrusek appeared in two games this spring and allowed two runs and two hits over two innings. He didn’t pitch until March 3 due to an ankle injury sustained in fielding drills, and he never made it back on the mound after serving up a two-run homer in the ninth inning of a March 6 game against the Tigers in Lakeland.

Ondrusek felt pain his elbow while facing his last batter. Dr. James Andrews is supposed to examine him on Monday and surgery may be recommended.

The Orioles gave Ondrusek’s locker to pitcher Gabriel Ynoa yesterday, a pretty clear sign that he wasn’t returning.

Ondrusek signed a one-year, $650,000 contract with the Orioles in December that included an option for 2018. They declined his 2017 option before agreeing to terms on a new deal.

Signed out of Japan last summer, Ondrusek allowed seven runs and nine hits in 6 1/3 innings over seven appearances, and left-handers were 6-for-11 against him with three doubles and a home run.

Ynoa was charged with two runs and five hits today in 2 2/3 innings against the Pirates, walking one batter and striking out three. He’s in the competition to replace Chris Tillman in the opening day rotation.

Defensive specialist Paul Janish collected hits in his first two at-bats, making him 6-for-10 with a double, home run and four RBIs in his last six games.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/alvarez-at-the-plate-and-in-the-field- highlights-intrasquad-win.html

Álvarez at the plate and in field highlights B game win (updated)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com March 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles won their B game over the Pirates this morning on the Camden Yards replica field if anyone was keeping actual score. It lasted seven innings, players were pulled off the field or told to stay depending on the situation. Much like an intrasquad game, except the opponent didn’t dress in the same clubhouse.

Pedro Álvarez hit a home run to center field off Trevor Williams in his first plate appearance, doubled twice and struck out, the ball exploding off his bat. But he wasn’t real busy in right field.

The only ball hit near Álvarez that didn’t go foul resulted in a single into the gap in the sixth inning. He dived for the liner, played in on one hop and prevented an extra-base hit.

“It’s one of those things where if you think about ... I was talking to somebody about how I don’t know how guys dive out there,” he said. “It was during batting practice And then, lo and behold, it was one of those things where you just let the game kick in, instincts kick in and they just happen. So, obviously, that’s a testament to that. It’s always nice to be diving around on the field.”

It would have been nice to be challenged by a fly ball, but circumstances didn’t allow it.

“I mean, you always want to get some action when you’re out there,” he said. “But I was ready for it and I’ll be ready for it every pitch when I’m out there.”

The vantage point on right is “different,” Álvarez said, “but I’ve been going out there as much as possible to get a comfortable look and a comfortable feel and I felt pretty good.

“I’m happy with where I’m at. Obviously, when it’s games it’s a little different, but I’m glad I was able to feel comfortable and I know I’m only going to feel more and more comfortable with each rep that I get.”

Álvarez made sure to keep moving toward the line to back up first base as Williams squared to bunt. One of the little things that can become a big deal if neglected.

“I think that when you play the game at this level, it doesn’t matter where you’re at, we all know kind of what everybody has to do,” he said. “There might be one or two plays here that kind of happen once in a blue that might catch you off guard and you learn on the fly, but for the most part you put any of us out there and we’ll know what to do. And when in doubt, just follow the ball.”

Álvarez kept crushing it this morning, the exception being his one strikeout.

“I was fortunate enough to put some good swings on some balls,” he said. “I tried my best, as best as possible, to stay sharp while I was home. Obviously, nothing is like seeing a pitcher, but I’m just happy with where I’m at right now and just planning on continuing to get more comfortable and hopefully put some more good swings (together).”

Álvarez will be in Tampa for Saturday’s game against the Yankees. He’s going to play right field or serve as the designated hitter, depending on whether Mark Trumbo makes the trip.

“Trum was going to contemplate whether he wanted to go over there tomorrow,” said manager Buck Showalter.

Mike Wright allowed two runs (one earned) in four innings. Darren O’Day pitched two scoreless innings, the significance being a second “up.”

“Mike was good,” Showalter said. “A little adjustment he and Roger (McDowell) made, he carried it out in the game. And Darren got his two-inning stint under his belt.”

Trumbo, Chris Davis and J.J. Hardy batted just about every inning and later took batting practice. They got in their swings.

Davis lined a double to right field, walked twice and broke the tie with a sacrifice fly to score Álvarez. Hardy and Trumbo were hitless, though the latter drew a walk.

“It’s a real tribute to them,” Showalter said. “It wasn’t like pulling teeth. They wanted to get some at-bats, so I’m real proud of them. You don’t see many guys willing to do that, actually kind of be their idea.”

Center fielder Cedric Mullins, a 13th-round pick in 2015 out of Campbell University, hit a ball off the batter’s eye in center field to tie the score. He had 37 doubles, 10 triples and 14 home runs last summer in 124 games at Single-A Delmarva, his 5 foot 8 frame not lacking for power.

Showalter stuck around long enough to watch Keegan Akin throw a handful of pitches in the seventh inning before heading to Bradenton. Akin didn’t allow a run and players stayed on the field while Tanner Scott pitched to one batter and induced a popup.

Austin Wynns threw out a runner attempting to steal. He has a nice arm and the Orioles really like his work behind the plate.

Álvarez in right field was bound to attract the most interest this morning.

“He handled that in-between ball all right,” Showalter said. “Really, you’re better off to keep coming because if you step back, you take that short hop, something Kirb (Wayne) was talking to (Trey) Mancini about. Once you start going and commit, you’ve got to keep going or you’ve got a chance to get the short hop.

“He was good. Really good at the plate. So much for spring training.”

Showalter said the Orioles are “taking in” the results of outfielder Anthony Santander’s MRI arthrogram on his right elbow. The Rule 5 pick will remain shut down for at least a few more days before the club determines whether he can play in the outfield.

Update: The Orioles have Wright allowing an unearned run and one hit in four innings, with two walks and two strikeouts. He threw 63 pitches, 42 foer strikes.

O’Day threw 31 pitches, 22 strikes. He allowed one hit and struck out a batter.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/tillman-on-his-elbow-ondrusek-released-b- game-lineup.html

Tillman on his shoulder, Ondrusek released, B game lineup

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com March 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman is waiting to find out when he’s cleared to resume his shoulder exercises and finally get back on the mound.

Tillman said his shoulder felt much better before he received a cortisone injection, but he heeded the advice of the medical staff.

“Just kind of felt like everyone was recommending it,” he said. “Even the two or three days before the injection I felt much, much better.

“Part of the shot is it buys you time to take off, so do the shot and I think take five, six, seven days off. Obviously, we’re going to do exercises. It’s not like I’m sitting around not doing anything for that amount of time. When we start exercises, probably in the next two or three days would be my guess and then kind of get a feel from there for where we’re at.

“As of right now, it’s feeling pretty good. I feel like I could do it right now, but it’s something I want to do. I want to do it right.”

Which requires a lot of patience from the staff ace.

“I wasn’t necessarily going to do it or not going to do it,” he said. “I had a lot of people talking to me about it trying to say, ‘Why aren’t you going to do it? What’s going on here, blah blah blah, this and that.’ So I decided, you know what, it might not be the worst thing, because realistically you’re supposed to take 10 days after the shot before you really do anything. So does it buy you time? Yes, but sometimes it might be too long for the player, sometimes it’s too short. You never know. So I think we have our time to take to get it right and make sure the fire is put out.”

Tillman felt more discomfort in his shoulder while warming up before Sunday’s bullpen session. The decision was made to shut him down again, and eventually, to give him the injection.

Tillman had finished two previous sessions.

“The ones completed before, I was feeling fine,” he said. “I felt completely fine and then when I went to warm up for that bullpen, that didn’t happen. I just didn’t comfortable.

“If we’re sitting here in June or July, I’m probably pitching. At the same time, we’re talking spring training here. It’s not worth it to me.”

Tillman said he won’t have to return to square one in his preparation, but a few steps back are likely.

“I don’t think I’ll have to start completely over and if it was up to me I think I’d start right where I left off,” he said. “Most of that stuff isn’t up to me. There’s a right way to do it and a wrong way to do it.

“Exercise-wise, I feel like I’m right where I need to be. I did them up to five minutes before I got the shot, to be honest with you, and then as far as throwing, I might take it one or two steps backward to go forward, which is fine by me.”

Tillman’s streak of opening day starts ends at three and he’s not expected to be ready on April 15 when the Orioles need a fifth starter.

Asked whether he’s resigned to not pitching for the first few weeks of the season, Tillman replied, “Yeah. I guess. I just don’t see that happening.

“The way the throwing was going up until that one day was perfect. I guess you really never know. The first day I go out and play catch and hopefully get on the mound and it feels as good as it did before that one day, then I wouldn’t have taken all that long.”

Meanwhile, the Orioles released reliever Logan Ondrusek, per the Major League Baseball transactions wire. Ondrusek was shut down with pain in his right elbow.

By releasing Ondrusek now, the Orioles won’t have to pay his full salary of $650,000.

Here’s the Orioles’ B game lineup against the Pirates, which includes three designated hitters and Pedro Álvarez as the right fielder:

J.J. Hardy DH Chris Davis DH Mark Trumbo DH Pedro Alvarez RF Austin Wynns C D.J. Stewart LF Cedric Mullins CF Aderlin Rodriguez 1B Alex Castellanos 3B Sean Coyle 2B Adrian Marin SS Mike Wright RHP

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/orioles-lineup-vs-pirates-5.html

Orioles lineup vs. Pirates

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com March 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Hyun Soo Kim is the designated hitter for today’s Orioles game against the Pirates in Bradenton.

Rule 5 pick Aneury Tavárez is in left field and batting ninth. Trey Mancini is playing first base and batting cleanup.

For the Orioles Chris Dickerson RF Johnny Giavotella 2B Hyun Soo Kim DH Trey Mancini 1B Chance Sisco C Chris Johnson 3B Logan Schafer CF Paul Janish SS Aneury Tavarez LF Gabriel Ynoa RHP

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/tyler-wilson-on-his-recent-struggles.html

Tyler Wilson on his recent struggles

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com March 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter doesn’t want to call it a “dead-arm period,” one of the more common terms tossed around in spring training. And if you’ve got it, you should probably limit the amount of tossing.

Zach Stewart was the latest hurler to lose the crispness on his pitches, giving up an RBI double and grand slam Wednesday after replacing Ubaldo Jiménez in the fifth inning. Showalter made the same observation about Tyler Wilson, who allowed one run in his first two outings over five innings, but has lost his effectiveness in his last two games.

Wilson surrendered four runs and seven hits in 2 2/3 innings against the Blue Jays and four runs and four hits in two innings against the Rays. And he wonders whether his offseason adjustments, aimed at improving his endurance over the summer, are impacting the quality of his pitches and what hitters are doing with them.

“I came into this spring training a little different than years past,” he said. “I was just trying to be proactive to the way last year went, so I guess being a little more than a month behind schedule from where I was the last few years, I feel a little different this spring training.

“It’s definitely frustrating on my end just mentally because I know that physically I’m going to be better for it in the long run and maybe healthier down the stretch and stronger later. But right now it is a little frustrating to not really feel at the peak of your game.

“The last couple outings I felt good mechanically, I felt good rhythmically, and obviously working on things in spring training, but the results have been really poor. And that’s a byproduct of maybe not necessarily having the finish on some pitches that I will have when I’m at full speed, but I don’t want to make any excuses and I really want to be committed to the choices that we made to take a little extra time off. I think my body will be better for it in the long run.”

But how long is Wilson’s leash?

Once believed to be competing for a long relief role, Wilson has entered the competition to replace Chris Tillman in the rotation. He doesn’t have the luxury of saying results don’t matter, and it’s a concern for him.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Wilson said. “That was something that I really felt like I had to evaluate and make a choice. The way I feel, I feel like I can go out there and compete whether I’m at 100 percent or 50 percent physically, wherever I am, and that’s no discredit and it’s not saying anything about me.

“The way I go out there, I pitch to contact in the first place and I’m a control/command guy and even if I don’t feel good I’m going to have the ability to throw strikes and command the zone. But along with that, taking time off, it takes a little time to find the feel for the breaking ball and find your spin, the feel for a changeup for strikes and out of the zone. And that’s coming, that definitely is coming.

“I feel better, but it’s just not quite where it needs to be, so there were a lot of counts (Tuesday) I was really forced into working on that breaking ball or work on spinning it for a strike and spinning it out of the zone and I put myself in some tough counts because of it. And if I have to do that to put myself in some tough situations to work on it and put it in play, then that is what it is. I’ll just have to kind of take my lumps and move on.”

And try not to head over to minor league camp.

I’m covering today’s B game against the Pirates at 10 a.m. on the Camden Yards replica field. Mike Wright is starting and Pedro Álvarez is playing right field. Mark Trumbo, Chris Davis and J.J. Hardy will get at-bats as the designated hitters, however that’s going to work.

Steve Melewski flew into Tampa last night and will handle the Grapefruit League game against the Pirates in Bradenton, with Gabriel Ynoa on the mound for the Orioles.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/wrapping-up-a-2-2-tie.html

Wrapping up a 2-2 tie

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com March 16, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles were being no-hit tonight until Chris Dickerson singled with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning. They were being shut out until Sean Coyle, back over from minor league camp, drilled a two-run homer off Michael Mariot.

A 2-0 deficit became a 2-2 tie, and that’s how it ended. The Orioles (10-8-2) sent minor league pitcher Stefan Crichton back out to the mound for the top of the 10th, but the Phillies walked off the field, confusing their opponent, the umpires, fans and the media.

The Orioles signed Coyle, 25, from the Red Sox organization over the winter. The former third- round pick hit 16 home runs at Double-A Portland in 2014, but he’s been hurt the past two seasons.

Coyle is 3-for-8 with a double, two home runs, five RBIs and two walks in Grapefruit League games.

“It’s been awesome just being over on this side, getting to know these guys and getting to know the big league staff, getting some opportunities and getting in some games and show what I can do,” he said. “I worked hard this offseason, so it’s really cool to get an opportunity.

“It’s still early yet, but I put a lot of work in and this is probably the best I’ve felt physically in my career so far.”

The Orioles noticed that they were being no-hit. The scoreboard is visible in spring training, too.

“Yeah, definitely,” Coyle said. “We’re out here, whether it’s an exhibition, whether it’s a game on the back fields over there on the minor league side, I think the way guys approach it is it’s a competition, so we’re all competitors here. We see that we’re getting no-hit, that stings, whether you’re in a packed stadium or whether you don’t have anybody watching and it’s an intrasquad game.”

Coyle, who’s listed at 5-foot-8, has caught the eye of manager Buck Showalter.

“Coyle’s had some really good at-bats down here,” Showalter said. “I was talking to him walking up to the right field corner in Port Charlotte and I said, ‘Where have you been the last two years?’ He hit .180 and .170 the last two years. The year before he had a big year and hit 16 home runs. He’s been hurt the last two years, shoulder issues and stuff. He said it’s the first time he’s been healthy in a long time.

“He’s a guy they drafted pretty high, thought he was going to be (Dustin) Pedroia. Pedroia’s gotten a lot of short, scrappy guys drafted.”

Chris Lee tossed three scoreless inning, but he had trouble locating the plate consistently and threw 66 pitches.

“OK. It’s three zeros on the board,” Showalter said.

“There’s a process. Probably next time here if he started he’d be better. There would be a process and that process would start over again if he was in Baltimore. Just can’t jump from A to Z. But he’s got a good arm, good stuff. He pitched through it.

“Chris was OK. I think sometimes, his ball moves so much he tries to almost locate a little too much instead of attacking the center of the plate and letting the natural life take over. Those things will come. But he brings some things. He’s left-handed, he holds runners, he works fast, he’s a strike-thrower through his career.”

Lee gave up a leadoff single to Cesar Hernandez on a ball that looked like an extra-base hit off the bat, but Craig Gentry raced into right-center field and made a sliding stop to hold the runner.

“That’s one of those things analytics will never capture,” Showalter said. “If you want to look back the play in the first inning won a ballgame. People talk about infielders diving for balls and knocking them down with a man on second, even though he can’t make a play at first. That’s one of those examples of a play that an athletic guy dives and keeps that ball from getting in the gap. If he doesn’t, they score a bunch of runs.”

The Orioles don’t have any updates tonight on Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander, who underwent an MRI arthrogram on his right elbow.

Reliever Logan Ondrusek no longer has a locker in the clubhouse. The Orioles will provide an update in the morning.

Dr. James Andrews will examine Ondrusek’s elbow on Monday.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/chris-lee-goes-three-scoreless-tonight.html

Chris Lee goes three scoreless tonight

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com March 16, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette indicated again tonight that the Orioles will stay with their camp candidates while searching for Chris Tillman’s replacement in the rotation

Duquette, interviewed on the “Hot Stove Show” on 105.7 The Fan, said the Orioles probably will stay in-house to “fill that job.” He wants to take a longer look at Mike Wright, Tyler Wilson, Gabriel Ynoa, Jayson Aquino and Chris Lee, tonight’s starter against the Phillies.

The remaining pitchers on the market don’t seem to bring much appeal or are seeking more than the Orioles want to offer.

Logan Verrett is considered more useful as a long reliever and doesn’t appear to be a consideration to start.

Tillman remains shut down after receiving a cortisone injection in his right shoulder.

Duquette said from what he’s been told, he expects Tillman to pitch this season and to pitch effectively. However, Tillman won’t be ready on opening day and seems unlikely to be available on April 15 when the club needs a fifth starter.

The Orioles will re-evaluate Tillman in the next few days.

Lee was removed tonight after three scoreless innings. He allowed two hits, walked two, struck out one and threw a wild pitch. He finished at 66 pitches, 34 for strikes.

Lee needed 26 pitches to get through the first inning, only 12 going for strikes. But the Phillies didn’t score. They just worked him.

Cesar Hernandez led off with a single and Roman Quinn reached on shortstop J.J. Hardy’s error. Howie Kendrick grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, but Michael Saunders walked on four pitches to extend the inning. Maikel Franco became the third Phillies hitter to produce a six-pitch at-bat before grounding out.

Lee threw 22 pitches in the second inning while allowing a two-out single to Andres Blanco and walking Ryan Hanigan. Hernandez grounded out to end another six-pitch at-bat and run Lee’s count to 48, including 23 for strikes.

Lee retired the side in order in the third on two ground balls and a fly ball - followed by a nice ovation from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium.

Ryan Meisinger, brought over from minor league camp, replaced Lee in the fourth.

Before tonight, Lee had allowed one run and five hits in eight innings over three relief appearances. He walked one and struck out eight. Updating his totals, he’s allowed one run and seven hits with three walks and nine strikeouts in 11 innings this spring.

Asked what’s impressed him the most about Lee, manager Buck Showalter said, “Being able to pitch in the strike zone with his fastball, works fast, throws the ball over.

“Not many people can pitch with their fastball in the strike zone. See a lot of deep, deep swings. The ball’s getting deep on some decent hitters.

“This should be a good test for him tonight. Guys are starting to rev it up, guys are playing deeper into the game. I really wanted to get this look, and who knows? Maybe another one. Same way with Ynoa tomorrow.

“I think he’s starting to grasp a little bit the breaking balls, too, that should really put him at another level. Stuff-wise he can pitch here. It’s just we’re trying to get a feel whether you’re going to be able to trust the other stuff. He’s a confident young man. There’s a lot more substance there than initially meets the eye maybe.”

A lat injury pretty much robbed Lee of his 2016 season beyond eight games at Double- A Bowie. Does the limited work factor into any decision regarding Lee’s ability to pitch in the majors this year - specifically a timetable?

“It’s something you think about, but physically he’s over that from our indications,” Showalter said. “If you look at his history of innings pitched and stuff, he’s a guy who could pitch a lot of innings for a club this year, whether it be here or somewhere else.

But there’s a lot of things to cross over before we go in that direction.

“Sometimes, that can work in your favor, not having that wear and tear.”

Lee is 20 pounds heavier than last spring.

“He’s put on a lot of solid weight,” Showalter said. “He’s over 200 pounds now. He’s not 6-1, he’s 6-3. He’s a big boy and he creates a great angle when he pitches, too. I know the guys love playing behind him because he gets it and throws it.”

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/showalter-on-rule-5-picks-and-more.html

Showalter on Rule 5 picks and more

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com March 16, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will be challenged to carry a Rule 5 pick this season with Joey Rickard and Craig Gentry emerging as favorites to platoon in the outfield corners. A four-man bench also needs a utility infielder and backup catcher.

Manager Buck Showalter has challenged reporters to figure out how the Orioles can include Trey Mancini, who’s 12-for-35 (.343) and trying to learn how to play the outfield. Rule 5 outfielders Aneury Tavárez and Anthony Santander just seem to be blocked.

Santander may be a moot point now that he’s undergoing an MRI arthrogram on his right elbow today. We’ll know more about the severity of his condition later tonight or Friday morning.

Tavárez impresses with his speed - the kid can fly - but he’s still learning how to take full advantage of it. He’s 9-for-29 (.310).

“Every look we can get is another tool you put in your pocket,” Showalter said. “You’ve heard me say many times about spring being such a fooler. You’re just trying to develop a trust factor. We felt like we developed a pretty good trust factor with Joey last year and (T.J.) McFarland and (Ryan) Flaherty. We’ve got enough reps here that we got a feel if you’re really watching. That’s really what you’re looking for.

“It’s kind of tough with Santander because we haven’t been able to see him out in the field. You’re not going to be able to carry somebody, Rule 5, that can’t handle themselves defensively. It just won’t work. So that’s kind of with Tavárez, you’re trying to see how much you can trust him to bring some of the skills that made him so draftable.”

Tavárez is raw in the outfield, one example being how he chased a fly ball in foul territory in left during a recent home game and overran it.

“Some real good (things),” Showalter said. “His talent is going to allow him to get some balls that other people won’t. Will the lack of experience get in the way of completing the plays? You see the long ball that he ran a long way and overran. He’s probably one of the few guys in camp that could get to that ball, but the experience of breaking down, knowing that you’re going to run right by that and you’ve got to get under control, that’s what you’re looking for.

“That skill and that tool don’t play unless you can finish the play and break it down. Throwing arm, all the things that in the big leagues they’ll exploit if you don’t have it. You see the footspeed, then you see the stolen base totals, so you can tell there’s some instinctual things that he’s still working with because you’ll see the footspeed here and you’d expect him to have 40, 50, 60 stolen bases somewhere. And that hasn’t come yet. But it will. It’s got a chance to.”

Showalter said Triple-A outfielder Mike Yastrzemski is cleared for full baseball activities and can play in games at the minor league camp. He underwent sports hernia surgery.

Though Showalter would prefer having all of his players in camp, he’s been watching the World Baseball Classic to track Adam Jones and Mychal Givens with Team USA, Manny Machado and Welington Castillo with the Dominican Republic and Jonathan Schoop with Team Netherlands.

Netherlands manager Hensley Meulens played for Showalter with the Yankees and has stayed in touch during the WBC. It keeps Showalter from feeling so detached.

“Hensley Meulens left me a nice message yesterday,” Showalter said. “I hear from him a lot. That’s the only manager I’ve talked to. He updated me on Jonathan, how everything’s going with that and I really appreciate it. I expect that from a guy who’s played for me. He’s got a chance to manage one day.

“He said (Schoop) is doing well. Early on trying to do a little too much. Said he’s been really good for them defensively, got a lot of big hits for them. Wanted to know if he could keep him, take him to San Francisco with him. I said, ‘No. If you want to send (Buster) Posey and that (Madison) Bumgarner guy our way, we can talk.’”

Jones hit a game-tying solo home run last night in the eighth inning and Team USA defeated Venezuela 4-2.

What was Showalter’s reaction to Jones’ home run?

“You should have been in my house,” he replied. “I was excited about it. I loved the way he handled himself after the game, I’m proud of him. He’s engaged.

“I love how engaged how he and Manny and Jonathan and Castillo and Mychal, they’re really competing. Kind of rev that down and then rev it back up again when they get here. Looks like they have a chance to continue down that road and it might be a while.

“Adam was texting with (Wayne Kirby), wanted to know how J.J. (Hardy) doing, how (Chris) Tillman’s doing.”

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/santander-undergoing-mri-on-right-elbow- and-more-notes.html

Santander undergoing MRI on right elbow (and more notes)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com March 16, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander is scheduled to have an MRI arthrogram on his right elbow today at 5 p.m. and will be shut down for at least two or three days.

Santander underwent right shoulder surgery before the Orioles chose him from the Indians organization in the Rule 5 draft, but he’s also had an elbow issue in the past.

The timing is poor for Santander, who homered in back-to-back games on March 11-12 and went 2-for-2 on March 14 as his bat finally began to heat up. He’s 7-for-28, but he still hasn’t played the outfield and the Orioles need to evaluate him defensively before considering whether to bring him north. The hitting side isn’t enough for them.

“Looking at the physical and the history and everything, we want to make sure what we’re dealing with there before we push forward with it,” said manager Buck Showalter. “Knowing the history and everything he’s had, it’s something we want to make sure we have our arms around before he goes into the outfield.

“I know that looking at the history and the physical from this spring, it’s just something that we want to look at. Not sure what degree or what we’ll find, but we’ll have an idea here shortly.”

Of course, the Orioles could hold onto Santander by placing him on the disabled list. Otherwise, they must keep him on their roster or put him on waivers and, if he clears, offer him back to the Indians.

Showalter said Chris Tillman’s right shoulder is “better,” but the club will wait a couple more days before deciding the next step.

“Trying to let everything run its course,” Showalter said. “Same thing with (Ryan) Flaherty. He’s still a couple days before he gets back in. He’s doing all the drills.

“Thought about him DHing tomorrow in the B game, but Richie (Bancells) and them think it’s probably best to just let the whole shoulder capsule calm down. He feels good. Chris feels good. Said he doesn’t feel anything.”

Mark Trumbo, J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis will serve as designated hitters in the seven-inning B game against the Pirates in Sarasota. Austin Wynns will catch. Pitchers Tanner Scott and Keegan Akin will come over from the minor league camp.

Outfielder Seth Smith is working out on the back fields while trying to get the soreness out of his right hamstring.

“Slowly progressing,” Showalter said.

The Orioles are listing relievers Brad Brach, Oliver Drake and Jesus Liranzo tonight behind starter Chris Lee.

Gabriel Ynoa starts on Friday against the Pirates’ Drew Hutchison in Bradenton, and Dylan Bundy starts Saturday against the Yankees’ CC Sabathia in Tampa.

The Orioles summoned pitchers Cory Jones, Tim Berry, Stefan Crichton and Ryan Meisinger, infielders Sean Coyle and Garabez Rosa, and infielder/outfielder Alex Castellanos from minor league camp.

The Orioles may make camp roster cuts on Friday. They’ve been stalling while trying to get some players healthy.

For the Phillies Cesar Hernandez 2B Roman Quinn CF Howie Kendrick LF Michael Saunders RF Maikel Franco 3B Andrew Knapp 1B Daniel Nava DH Andres Blanco SS Ryan Hanigan C Vince Velasquez RHP

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2017/03/ynoa-on-his-outing-britton-with-scoreless- inning-in-bradenton.html

Ynoa on his outing, Britton with scoreless inning

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com March 17, 2017

BRADENTON, Fla. - Orioles closer Zach Britton made his second spring appearance this afternoon and pitched a scoreless last of the fifth against Pittsburgh.

Britton, who gave up two runs and four hits in an inning on Tuesday in his spring debut, today got two groundouts and a strikeout around a walk. He threw 18 pitches, and his fastball hit 95 and 96 mph on the LECOM Park radar gun. Donnie Hart pitched a scoreless fourth.

Earlier, O’s starter Gabriel Ynoa allowed two runs and five hits over 2 2/3 innings for the Orioles, who lead 6-3 in the seventh. Ynoa walked one and fanned three, touching 95 mph several times on the radar gun. He allowed a bloop RBI single in the first to John Jaso. The second run scored on his record came in after he left the game when minor league right- hander Michael Zouzalik balked in a run with the bases loaded.

“I felt well,” Ynoa said through translator Ramon Alarcon. “I think I was throwing a good game. Unfortunately, some things happen in the game, but that is just part of the game.

“I felt well with my velocity. It allowed me to throw my breaking pitches off my fastball. My slider was working. Also my sinker to both sides of the plate. And the changeup, as well.”

Ynoa is trying to make his case for inclusion in the Orioles’ season-opening starting rotation. There is a chance for someone to win a spot with Chris Tillman’s ailing shoulder.

“I’m ready for the opportunity,” Ynoa said. “Looking forward to earn the spot and I think I’ll be ready for the season. I feel that I am definitely making improvements every day, working hard, trying to earn a spot in the rotation.”

The 23-year-old Ynoa went 12-5 with a 3.97 ERA in 25 starts for Triple-A Las Vegas last season. In 10 games with the Mets last August and September - his first action in the majors - he went 1-0 with a 6.38 ERA over 18 1/3 innings. That included three starts where he pitched to an ERA of 3.18 over 11 1/3 innings. The Orioles acquired him last month for cash considerations. The big league experience he gained in 2016 - and pitching well in those starts - provides him some confidence as he tries to win a job in Baltimore now.

“Definitely, last season’s experience for me was a really good one,” he said. “I’m really trying to keep improving and build off that experience that I had last year. I’ll do my work and just let the team make a decision.

“All of my games are very important but as spring training winds down and the seasons comes closer and closer, I know the intensity level becomes higher and higher and it’s just more important as the games go on.”

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2017/03/ynoa-on-the-mound-mancini-homers-for- os-in-bradenton.html

Ynoa on the mound, Mancini homers for O’s in Bradenton (updated)

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com March 17, 2017

BRADENTON, Fla. - The latest Orioles pitcher to audition for a potential spot in the season- opening rotation is Gabriel Ynoa. The 23-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic got the start here this afternoon against the Pirates at LECOM Park.

Ynoa has made three previous spring outings, each time going two innings. Over six frames, he had allowed five hits and two runs (one earned) with one walk and three strikeouts.

Ynoa and the Orioles fell behind Pittsburgh 1-0 in the last of the first. Second baseman Alen Hanson reached on an infield single off Ynoa’s leg and advanced to second on a groundout. He scored on John Jaso’s two-out bloop hit to left. Ynoa, with his fastball touching 94 and 95 mph on the stadium radar gun, threw 19 pitches the inning, 12 for strikes.

After the Orioles provided Ynoa a 2-1 lead in the top of the second, he retired the Pirates on 14 pitches in the home half of the inning. He allowed a one-out single to left-center to Austin Meadows, but center fielder Logan Schafer threw him out trying for second on a perfect throw right to the bag.

The Orioles moved ahead in the second. First baseman Trey Mancini led off and rocketed a 1-0 pitch from Drew Hutchison out to left-center for the 1-1 tie. For Mancini, who is hitting .343 this spring, it’s his second home run. Minutes later, the Orioles had a 2-1 lead. Chris Johnson singled to left, advanced on a groundout and scored on a Paul Janish RBI single. It was Janish’s fifth RBI of the spring.

The Orioles scored three runs in the third for a 5-1 lead. Chris Dickerson led off with a walk and reached third on Johnny Giavotella’s double. A Hyun Soo Kim sac fly scored a run for a 3-1 lead. The O’s added two more in the frame on Chance Sisco’s single and an RBI groundout by Johnson.

Ynoa, acquired from the Mets last month for cash considerations, was ranked as New York’s No. 9 prospect before the trade to Baltimore. Last year, he went 12-5 with a 3.97 ERA in 25 starts for Triple-A Las Vegas. In 10 games the Mets last August and September - his first action in the majors - he went 1-0 with a 6.38 ERA over 18 1/3 innings. That included three starts where he pitched to an ERA of 3.18 over 11 1/3 innings.

The Orioles are Pirates are playing for the sixth and last time this spring. The Orioles are 2-0 at home versus Pittsburgh but 0-3 in this park. The Pirates, at 13-6, have one of the best records in the Grapefruit League.

Update: Ynoa went 2 2/3 innings today. He left with the bases loaded and two outs in the third and was replaced by minor league right-hander Micheal Zouzalik. Before Zouzalik threw a pitch, he was called for a balk as the Pirates cut their deficit to 5-2.

Ynoa allowed five hits and two runs with the second run scoring after he left the game. He walked one and fanned three. His unofficial pitch count was at 55 with 34 for strikes.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2017/03/prospect-profile-keegan-akin-made-a- strong-pro-debut.html

Prospect profile: Keegan Akin made a strong pro debut

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com March 17, 2017

As a highly drafted pitcher, there were some high expectations on left-hander Keegan Akin before he even threw one pitch as a professional. But he produced such good numbers last summer at short-season Single-A Aberdeen that Akin met those expectations in his debut season and has quickly become one of the Orioles’ top pitching propsects.

Drafted in the second round (54th overall) last June out of Western Michigan University, Akin got a signing bonus of $1.177 million. Last year in college, Akin went 7-4 with a 1.82 ERA and set a single-season school strikeout record with 133 in 109 innings. Akin pitched Western Michigan to its first NCAA tournament appearance since 1989 and was a third-team All- American.

Then at Aberdeen, he was limited to three-inning outings but still showed what he can do. He went 0-1 with a 1.04 ERA. Over 26 innings, he walked seven, fanned 29 and allowed a .161 average against. He ended the year with 20 consecutive scoreless innings and retired 22 of the last 23 batters he faced.

Per Baseball America, he is the No. 6 ranked Orioles prospect and third pitcher after Cody Sedlock and Hunter Harvey. ESPN ranked Akin as the No. 3 Orioles prospect, while MLBPipeline.com and Baseball Prospectus rated him No. 6.

In an interview late last year in Aberdeen, Akin said he was thrilled to be drafted so highly.

“I was very happy with that,” he said. “When some of the pre-draft publications came out, I was not that high (in some rankings). It was very exciting to get taken there and it meant a lot to me.”

He throws two- and four-seam fastballs that sit at 92-93 mph, touching 96-97 at times, with a changeup and slider. The slider, at 82-85 mph, is his best secondary pitch, and the changeup lags behind and was a pitch he had not used much in college ball.

In that interview last August, then Aberdeen pitching coach Justin Lord said Akin had made a solid impression on him

“I like what I see right now,” Lord said. “Has a good left-handed arm, throws three pitches and lot of strikes. He’s had some games where both secondary pitches were real good. I think as his secondary stuff gets more consistent, he will really continue to progress. He’s got a very simple delivery. It is fairly clean and repeatable, which is always good.”

It didn’t take Akin long at all to get on the Orioles’ radar, quickly moving among their top six prospects. This year we’ll see if he can keep the momentum going. He should start the year in the rotation at either Single-A Delmarva or Single-A Frederick.

http://www.masnsports.com/orioles-buzz/2017/03/go-green-cap-auction-to-benefit-marie-selby- botanical-gardens-in-sarasota.html

“Go Green” cap auction to benefit Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota

By Peter Kerzel / MASNsports.com March 17, 2017

The wearing of the green is a big deal, even during spring training to the guys who normally don black and orange.

Once again this St. Patrick’s Day, the Orioles are wearing specially designed green caps in their game against the Pirates in Bradenton and during morning workouts at Ed Smith Stadium. The game-worn and team-issued caps will be autographed, authenticated and auctioned online at www.orioles.com/spring to benefit Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

Orioles fans may bid online to support Selby Gardens in the Orioles’ annual “Go Green” auction at www.orioles.com/spring through Wednesday, March 22, at 10 p.m. The club will present all proceeds raised from the auction to Selby Gardens prior to the final home game of spring training on Thursday, March 30. In the past two years, the “Go Green” auction has raised approximately $17,000 for Selby Gardens.

Selby Gardens is a world-renowned botanical garden and leader in environmental research and education nestled in an urban setting on the shores of Sarasota Bay. More than 180,000 guests visit each year to relax, learn, explore and experience the plants, exhibits and educational programs available 364 days a year. Selby Gardens specializes in epiphytes - plants like orchids, bromeliads and ferns that grow upon other plants without harming them. Through educational outreach and horticultural displays, Selby Gardens promotes understanding of the natural world and stimulates advocacy for plant habitat conservation.

Additionally, Ed Smith Stadium is one of the most environmentally friendly ballparks in the nation, using recycling, reclaimed water for toilets and irrigation, and solar panels and roofing materials that conserve energy. The Orioles are a partner in Sarasota County’s “Green Business Partnership” program. Additional information on the Orioles’ commitment to the environment at Ed Smith Stadium can be found at www.orioles.com/sarasota.

In another St. Patrick’s Day note, Orioles head groundskeeper Nicole McFadyen is among the 2017 nominees for induction into the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame. McFadyen, one of two female head groundskeepers in the major leagues, is listed among the executives on the organization’s ballot.

Results of the voting will be announced in late April. The induction ceremonies will take place this summer at Foley’s Pub & Restaurant in New York, which houses the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame. Voters include past inductees into the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame and a distinguished panel of baseball historians.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18932681/scheduled-see-dr-james-andrews-right-hander- logan-ondrusek-released-baltimore-orioles

Logan Ondrusek released by O's ahead of visit with Dr. James Andrews

Associated Press March 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Right-hander Logan Ondrusek, due to have his elbow examined next week by Dr. James Andrews, has been released by the Baltimore Orioles.

Ondrusek agreed in December to a non-guaranteed $650,000, one-year contract. The Orioles officially made the move Wednesday, and he is entitled to 30 days' termination pay, $106,557.

Ondrusek's locker at Baltimore's spring training camp was taken over Thursday by pitcher Gabriel Ynoa.

If doctors determine Ondrusek is injured, there might be a grievance arguing he should not be released but instead placed on the disabled list.

Ondrusek complained of elbow discomfort after a game March 6. He was examined by team doctors and has a an appointment Monday with Andrews, a renowned orthopedist.

Ondrusek signed with Baltimore last July after one-plus seasons in Japan, and the 32-year-old right-hander had a 9.95 ERA in seven games for the Orioles. In six major league seasons with Cincinnati and the Orioles, Ondrusek is 21-11 with a 4.03 ERA.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/03/17/the-orioles-season-ticket-tag-day-is-march-25/

The Orioles’ Season Ticket Tag Day Is March 25

CBS Baltimore March 17, 2017

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — With the start of the regular season fast approaching, the Orioles will host Tag Day on Saturday, March 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Tag Day allows fans who are interested in purchasing either a full or partial Season Plan for the 2017 season an opportunity to “try out” seats before they make a purchase.

Available Season Plan locations will be tagged with pennants, and the pennants are color-coded to match the 2017 Partial Season Plan calendar. Orioles representatives will be stationed throughout Oriole Park to discuss Season Plan options and answer questions.

The first 250 new buyers who purchase two or more seats in a new season ticket plan will receive an exclusive Orioles cooler bag. Throughout the day, fans will also have the chance to win Orioles autographed memorabilia every 30 minutes simply by providing their name and contact information at Home Plate Plaza when they arrive at the ballpark. No purchase necessary, and fans do not have to be present to win.

Additionally, all fans who purchase a new season plan during the event will be invited to take an on-field photo with the Oriole Bird and have their photo shared on the Orioles official Facebook page.

Purchasing a Season Plan, including the popular 13-game plan, is the only way for fans to gain access to Orioles Opening Day on Monday, April 3, against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Orioles Season Plans are available in 81-game, 29-game, and 13-game packages.

Tickets for plans purchased at Tag Day will be printed immediately, allowing fans to take their tickets home with them. The Oriole Park Main Box Office will also be open for single-game ticket purchases.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/03/15/orioles-go-green-auction-to-benefit-botanical-gardens/

Orioles’ ‘Go Green’ Auction To Benefit Botanical Gardens

CBS Baltimore March 17, 2017

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — On Friday, March 17, Orioles players and coaches will wear specially- designed green caps when the Orioles take on the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, Fla. at 1:05 p.m. ET on St. Patrick’s Day.

The game-worn and team-issued caps will be autographed, authenticated, and auctioned online at http://www.orioles.com/spring to benefit Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

Orioles fans may bid online to support Selby Gardens in the Orioles’ annual “Go Green” auction at http://www.orioles.com/spring beginning Friday, March 17, at 1:00 p.m. through Wednesday, March 22, at 10:00 p.m.

The club will present all proceeds raised from the auction to Selby Gardens prior to the final home game of Spring Training on Thursday, March 30. In the past two years, the “Go Green” auction has raised approximately $17,000 for Selby Gardens.

Selby Gardens is a world-renowned botanical garden and leader in environmental research and education nestled in an urban setting on the shores of Sarasota Bay.

Additionally, Ed Smith Stadium is one of the most environmentally-friendly ballparks in the nation, using recycling, reclaimed water for toilets and irrigation, and solar panels and roofing materials that conserve energy.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/03/17/baltimore-orioles-right-hander-chris-tillman- feeling-good-after-cortisone-shot

Orioles' Chris Tillman Feeling Good After Cortisone Shot

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com March 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman had a cortisone injection March 15, and he already says he's better.

"Good, I was even feeling better before I got the injection, but just kind of felt like everyone was recommending it, so I do it," Tillman said. "Even the two or three days before the injection, I felt much, much better."

Tillman, who had a platelet rich plasma injection in late December, had already been ruled out of his fourth straight Opening Day start. The Orioles had hoped he could pitch in the season's first week.

Originally, the Orioles scheduled the 28-year-old to pitch for the first time against Pittsburgh March 17, but those plans were scrapped after Tillman couldn't throw in the bullpen March 12.

"The way the throwing was going up until that one day was perfect. I guess you really never know," Tillman said. "The first day I go out and play catch and hopefully get on the mound and it feels as good as it did before that one day, then I wouldn't have taken all that long."

Tillman hasn't pitched this spring and hopes he can resume activities shortly.

"Part of the shot is it buys you time to take off; so do the shot, and I think take five, six, seven days off," Tillman said. "Obviously, we're going to do exercises. It's not like I'm sitting around not doing anything for that amount of time.

"When we start exercises, probably in the next two or three days would be my guess, and then kind of get a feel from there for where we're at. As of right now, it's feeling pretty good. I feel like I could do it right now, but it's something I want to do. I want to do it right."

Tillman said he's confident the work he's put in so far this spring won't be wasted.

"I don't think I'll have to start completely over, and if it was up to me, I think I'd start right where I left off," he said. "Most of that stuff isn't up to me. There's a right way to do it and a wrong way to do it. Exercise wise, I feel like I'm right where I need to be. I did them up to five minutes before I got the shot, to be honest with you, and then as far as throwing, I might take it one or two steps backwards to go forward, which is fine by me."

Tillman's early work in spring training had gone well. Showalter said his bullpen session wasn't a strong one March 8, and the team thought that perhaps an antibiotic Tillman was taking had ill effects. Another session was scheduled and halted after about 10 uncomfortable warm-up throws March 12.

"The ones completed before, I was feeling fine. I felt completely fine, and then when I went to warm up for that bullpen that didn't happen, I just didn't feel comfortable," Tillman said. "If we're sitting here in June or July, I'm probably pitching. At the same time, we're talking spring training here. It's not worth it to me."

Taking the cortisone shot was not an easy decision for Tillman.

"I wasn't necessarily going to do it or not going to do it. I had a lot of people talking to me about it trying to say, ‘Why aren't you going to do it? What's going on here?' blah, blah, blah, this and that," Tillman said. "So I decided, you know what, it might not be the worst thing because, realistically, you're supposed to take 10 days after the shot before you really do anything.

"So, does it buy you time? Yes, but sometimes it might be too long for the player, sometimes it's too short. You never know. So I think we have our time to take to get it right and make sure the fire is put out."

ONDRUSEK RELEASED: The Orioles released right-handed reliever Logan Ondrusek. He was scheduled to see orthopedist Dr. James Andrews for an examination of his right elbow March 20.

Ondrusek complained of elbow discomfort after pitching in Lakeland March 6.

He was re-signed to a one-year, $650,000 contract with an option for 2018 Dec. 6. Ondrusek had a 9.95 ERA in seven games for the Orioles last season.

By releasing him now, Ondrusek is entitled to 30 days termination pay, $106,557.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/03/17/buck-showalter-on-baltimore-orioles-left-hander- chris-lee-stuff-wise-he-can-pitch-here

Buck Showalter On Chris Lee: 'Stuff Wise, He Can Pitch Here'

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com March 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Manager Buck Showalter has been touting left-hander Chris Lee, who missed much of last season with a shoulder injury, as a starting option because of right-hander Chris Tillman's uncertain status.

Showalter sees lots he likes about Lee.

"Being able to pitch in the strike zone with his fastball, works fast, throws the ball over," he said. "Not many people can pitch in the strike zone with their fastball. See a lot of deep, deep swings, balls getting deep on some decent hitters."

With two weeks left in spring training, Showalter says, "Guys are starting to rev it up. Guys are playing deeper into the game. I really wanted him to get this look, and who knows, maybe another one."

Showalter wanted to give Lee a start. His previous three appearances came in relief.

On March 16, Lee pitched three shutout innings in his first Grapefruit League start, giving up two hits. He walked two and struck out one.

For Lee, it was a change.

"It was definitely an amazing feeling," Lee said, "definitely a little different from waiting so long because of the injury last year and coming back from it. Being [used] out of the bullpen the first couple of games, starting just felt right. I felt like I was just getting back into it. Overall the first start was pretty good, put up some zeroes and was happy with the results.

"Yeah, there [were] a little nerves, but it was good nerves. I have a little butterflies once in a while. Last night it was hard for me to sleep, because I knew I had my first start in a little while. I was pretty pumped up and ready to get out there."

Before the game, Showalter spoke effusively of Lee.

"He started to grasp a little bit the breaking balls, too to really put him on another level," he said. "Stuff wise, he can pitch here -- just trying to get a feel if we can trust the other stuff. He's a confident young man. … There's a lot more substance there than maybe meets the eye."

Lee never pitched beyond late May at Bowie due to his injury last year, but that won't really affect Showalter's decision on whether the left-hander is ready to help the Orioles this year.

"It's something you think about, but, physically, he's over that from all indications," Showalter said, "and if you look at his history of innings pitched, he's a guy that could pitch a lot of innings for a club this year, whether it be here or somewhere else. There's a lot of things to cross over before we go in that direction. Sometimes, that can work in your favor, having that wear and tear."

After the game, he was more measured.

"Chris was OK," Showalter said. "Sometimes the ball moves so much that he tries to almost locate it a little too much instead of attacking the center of the plate and letting natural life take over.

"Those things will come, but he brings some things. He holds runners, he works fast."

Lee wasn't totally satisfied with the performance.

"I had too many deep counts than I'd like, and I was trying to trust my stuff and stay down in the zone -- more efficient," Lee said. "The results came out, got my ground balls.

"I feel ready. Whatever role they give me during the season, I'm ready to go out there and just do my best and try to put up zeroes and try to get us into the playoffs."

NO NO-HITTER: The Orioles were held without a hit for 8.1 innings, but infielder Sean Coyle's ninth-inning home run enabled them to play the Philadelphia Phillies to a 2-2 tie before a sellout crowd of 7,895 at Ed Smith Stadium. The game was called after the ninth because the Phillies ran out of pitchers.

Coyle, a former third-round draft choice of the Boston Red Sox, has been regularly brought over from minor league camp to play in the late innings of games. He was signed as a minor league free agent during the winter.

"We see that we're getting no-hit," Coyle said. "That stings whether it's a packed stadium or whether you don't have anybody watching and it's an intrasquad game."

Coyle is 3-for-8 with two home runs, a double and five RBIs in 11 games.

ONDRUSEK GONE: Right-handed reliever Logan Ondrusek, who was set to visit orthopedist Dr. James Andrews March 20, no longer has a locker in the Orioles' clubhouse. The Orioles said there would be news on Ondrusek March 17.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/03/16/baltimore-orioles-outfielder-seth-smith-expects-to- be-ready-for-regular-season-despite-hamstring-strain

Seth Smith Expects To Be Ready For Regular Season Despite Hamstring Strain

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com March 16, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles outfielder Seth Smith hasn't played since March 8 due to a strained right hamstring. However, he doesn't seem worried.

"It's getting better," Smith said. "It's something that I kind of felt it, and I just wanted to try and get on top of it before it got any worse."

Smith, who is 1-for-11 in Grapefruit League games, had a home run against Toronto March 8. He says the move is precautionary.

"Absolutely, just trying to get it ready, just want to get some time in spring training," Smith said. "Ultimately, you want to do what you can to point towards the first of April, so what we've got to do with regard to the leg and at-bats, we do the best that we can to get it where it needs to be."

A year ago, Smith's spring training was slowed by the hamstring, but he didn't miss any time in the regular season.

"That's kind of what's allowed us to do this, kind of what happened last spring training, not want to deal with that again, try to get on top of that now, get it out of the way," Smith said.

He's not surprised the hamstring issue has lingered, but he's also not worried it's going to delay the start of his season. And he doesn't think he'll be affected by too few at-bats.

"Anything, especially when you're being cautious with it, you wait until you don't feel it, and then you build back up from there," Smith said. "What you think isn't taking long may be like a week or so, but it's still not really that long when you're being cautious with something.

"At-bats are great, and I'd like to get them, but being 100 percent going into the season is No. 1."

FLASH SORE: Infielder Ryan Flaherty is recovering from a sore arm, and three days after a cortisone shot, he reported improvement.

"It's good. Just trying to get the inflammation to go away," Flaherty said. "So hopefully the shot I got a couple days ago will do that.

"It feels good, but it's just a matter of making sure the strength is fully there. Right now, it feels 100 percent, but you've got to get the strength back up."

Earlier this month, Flaherty was shut down for a few days with the same soreness. That's when the cortisone shot was ordered.

"It's just one of those things that came back, and just try to get it out of there this time," Flaherty said. "Just don't want it to linger around."

Flaherty has played all the infield positions this spring. He says the soreness went away.

"Yeah, it did, but you throw every day, and it's the nature of baseball, so [it] just kind of came back," Flaherty said.

His versatility hasn't hurt him.

"Not really, no. You can even feel it just throwing the ball around the horn," Flaherty said. "It gets inflamed, and it's tough to get the inflammation away without just not throwing."

Flaherty has played every position in the majors but catcher and center field. For the moment, there's no thought of him as an emergency catcher. One pivotal play is out of the question for now.

"Not the throw back to the pitcher," Flaherty said, "but if I have to throw out a guy stealing, maybe."

RULE 5 WOES: Anthony Santander, an Orioles outfielder chosen in the Rule 5 draft, had an MRI on his right elbow March 16. Santander has been exclusively a designated hitter for the Orioles this spring, because offseason shoulder surgery has prevented him from playing the field.

"We want to make sure what we're dealing there before we push forward with his progression in the outfield," manager Buck Showalter said. "He'll be down for at least two or three days."

Showalter has gotten lots of looks at both Santander and fellow Rule 5 outfielder Aneury Tavarez.

"We've got enough reps here that we got a feel, if you're really watching," Showalter said. "That's really what you're looking for. It's kind of tough with Santander, because we haven't been able to see him out in the field. You're not going to be able to carry somebody -- Rule 5 -- that can't handle themselves defensively. It just won't work. So, that's kind of with Tavarez, you're trying to see how much you can trust him to bring some of the skills that made him so draftable."

COMING UP: The Orioles play the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, Fla., March 17. Right- hander Gabriel Ynoa pitches against Pittsburgh right-hander Drew Hutchison. … The Orioles and Pirates play a "B" game in Sarasota, Fla., at 10 a.m. March 17. Right-hander Mike Wright will pitch for the Orioles. Pedro Alvarez is scheduled to play right field. First baseman Chris Davis, shortstop J.J. Hardy and designated hitter/outfielder Mark Trumbo will get extra at-bats.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/03/15/buck-showalter-pedro-alvarez-knows-cracking- orioles-roster-will-be-tough

Buck Showalter: Pedro Alvarez Knows Cracking Orioles Roster Will Be Tough

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com March 15, 2017

BRADENTON, Fla. -- A year ago, after the Orioles traded for outfielder/designated hitter Mark Trumbo and signed designated hitter Pedro Alvarez, there was lots of talk about the team setting home run records.

The 2016 Orioles hit 253 home runs, third-most in major league history, but it's funny. There's no talk about the 2017 Orioles becoming another home-run-hitting machine.

Not only are Trumbo, who led the major leagues with 47 home runs, and Alvarez, who had 22, back, but so are first baseman Chris Davis (38), third baseman Manny Machado (37), center fielder Adam Jones (29) and second baseman Jonathan Schoop (25).

The six accounted for 198 of the 253 home runs. That's not lost on manager Buck Showalter, who convinced Alvarez that instead of being a designated hitter, he should reinvent himself as an outfielder to try and make himself more attractive to potential suitors.

Trumbo was re-signed to be primarily a designated hitter and the Orioles traded for outfielder Seth Smith, making it imperative Alvarez find a position in order to make the Orioles.

"If Mark's doing a lot of DHing, and depending on where we are with Seth in the outfield, it's going to be tough, and Pete knows that," Showalter said. "We explained the good things about being here, what could happen, the worst-case scenario, the best-case scenario. The best-case scenario for him, personally, is if something happens -- a trade or injury -- and he makes the club. It's going to be tough without that. I wish we would have known this was a possibility two months ago."

In his first 2017 game with Orioles March 15, two days after signing a minor league contract, Alvarez was 0-for-4. He struck out twice, popped to short and flied to right.

"He had a couple pretty good swings; I was surprised," Showalter said. "We talked about it; he wanted to come over, good spot for him."

Showalter said he would play Alvarez in a "B" game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Sarasota, Fla., March 17. Alvarez will attract attention then.

"He's also going to be seen by 10 or 15 scouts every day that are going to be looking for his skill set. We're going to present that for him," Showalter said.

Showalter isn't uncomfortable with the Orioles not hearing the home run talk, especially now that Alvarez has returned.

"That's the way we like it. It fits us perfect. Please don't talk about it," Showalter said. "Now, we just have to find a way to get him on the club."

JIMENEZ GOES RELATIVELY LONG: Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez became the first Orioles pitcher to complete four innings March 15, and he nearly completed five.

Jimenez allowed three runs in 4.2 innings during the Orioles' 6-5 loss to the Pirates before 6,825 at LECOM Park.

He gave up two hits but walked five and threw 75 pitches.

"I think I was throwing too many breaking balls when I was behind in the count, something you want to work on in order to get your breaking balls ready for the season," Jimenez said. "Two of those walks that I got were on fastballs, and the other three were with breaking balls -- behind the count, 3-2 pitches. I wanted to get my breaking balls down, and I couldn't. I was working on that."

Showalter indicated he was happy with the right-hander's progress.

"I'm happy where he is, probably leading getting where you need to get this early," Showalter said. "That kind of allows you, once you get that arm strength built up, to work on some other things. That was good to see."

Right-hander Zach Stewart allowed a grand slam to infielder Phil Gosselin after Jimenez left.

Davis, who missed four days because of bronchitis, made the 20-minute trip to Bradenton, Fla. He was 0-for-3.

TILLMAN UPDATE: Showalter said after the game that right-hander Chris Tillman had a cortisone shot on his throwing shoulder. Several hours before the game, Showalter had said Tillman would get a cortisone shot but wasn't sure when.

COMING UP: The Orioles host the Philadelphia Phillies at 6:05 p.m. March 16. Left-hander Christopher Lee gets his first Grapefruit League start against Phillies righty Vince Velasquez.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/03/15/orioles-chris-tillman-to-have-cortisone-injection- on-right-shoulder

Chris Tillman To Have Cortisone Injection On Right Shoulder

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com March 15, 2017

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman will have a cortisone shot on his right shoulder, manager Buck Showalter said.

Tillman, whose last attempt at a bullpen session ended before it began March 12, was scheduled to start March 17, but those plans have been put on hold.

"It was something he and they were contemplating, so they decided to go in that direction," Showalter said. "I'm not sure when that was going to take place, maybe today."

Showalter said Tillman would rest for a few days and then be reevaluated.

"We put all the options out there to him, and let him decide what he wants to do," Showalter said.

Showalter thinks Tillman could still pitch relatively early in the season if the cortisone shot works.

"I think we increased our chances," Showalter said. "If he comes out of this and feels normal, everything he's done to get to this point won't go away. It could move quickly then, but not Opening Day."

SMITH WAITS: Outfielder Seth Smith continues to be sidelined with a right hamstring injury.

"He's not progressing as quick as we'd hoped," Showalter said. "He didn't have a setback. He's just staying the same. We're continuing to slow-play that.

"Last year, he started [spring training] with it, and he thought it would be pretty minor. This one is even more minor that. … He doesn't want to go into the season being a nagging thing. It flared up down here. It gets him every spring. Last year, he didn't feel like he was cautious enough with it, and he went into the season with it. …We've got plenty of time."

NUNO BACK: Left-handed pitcher Vidal Nuno, who left the Orioles March 5 to play for Team Mexico, has returned. He's the first of six Orioles who played in the World Baseball Classic to come back.

"It was neat; it was something that I took everything in," Nuno said. "The crowds were amazing out there. The travel, just the whole experience was neat, but excited to be back and rock and roll here.

"I'm just going with their program and staying with my routine. It's just a new day today, so I've got to talk to them and see what's my next session and seeing what's my next game."

Showalter said Nuno would pitch either March 17 or 18.

"The atmosphere was amazing," Nuno said. "It was loud, energetic, so it was good to see that and get everything in before regular season comes around and hear the same thing."

Team Mexico was eliminated from a tiebreaker in its pool because of a technicality, one that Nuno couldn't understand.

"You've got to move on," Nuno said. "It's kind of how the system is all messed up, but it just is what it is."

Nuno said even though he didn't like the ending of the WBC, he would participate again in 2021.

"You just move on. I just hope the next World Baseball Classic is a little bit better," Nuno said. "If I had another opportunity I'd definitely do it."

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/03/15/to-orioles-welington-castillo-communication-is- key

To Welington Castillo, Communication Is Key

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com March 15, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Baltimore Orioles and Matt Wieters were tied together for so long it may be inconceivable to think of any other catcher in black and orange. But the Orioles moved on from Wieters and signed Welington Castillo as his replacement Dec. 16, 2016.

Castillo may still be unfamiliar to many Orioles fans. Except for six games with Seattle in 2015, he's never played in the American League. He's also quite a contrast physically.

Generously listed as 5-foot-10, Castillo is at least seven inches shorter than the 6-foot-5 Wieters, and he knows the comparisons won't stop there.

But Castillo has power and a good arm, too. Wieters hit 17 home runs last year, and Castillo had 14, 19 the year before. Castillo threw out 38 percent of runners trying to steal in 2016, Wieters 35 percent.

But how will Castillo get along with the Orioles' pitchers, many of whom worked with Wieters for years?

All indications are Castillo is doing well. Before he left to play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic March 5, Castillo got favorable reviews from his new pitchers.

"I like what I see back there, and I know that he has talent, and that's why we got him," right- hander Dylan Bundy said. "I think all the pitchers are looking forward to working with him and dealing with him."

Reliever Darren O'Day agreed: "He seems positive, upbeat, which is good out of a catcher. You want a guy who's easy to talk to. Just throwing to him, I can tell he's going to steal some strikes for us. He's got a lot to learn, so he's going to have to catch a lot of different guys. But [it's] encouraging, definitely, to throw to him."

Castillo said he's spent a lot of time early in camp trying to bond with the pitchers.

"We get along pretty good," Castillo said, "so I kind of talk to them and try to build that relationship and especially when I catch the bullpens. I just ask them, 'Where do you want me to set up? How do you like to pitch? What situation would you like to do this and do that?' The more that I talk to them, the better, the faster, I'm going to get to know them. They're really open to talk and let me [get to] know them."

Wieters could be physically intimidating, and one former Orioles pitcher said he only shook him off a handful of times during his Orioles tenure. That's not Castillo.

"I'm trying not to dwell on it too much," manager Buck Showalter said. "[Bench coach John Russell] and I were talking today about who Castillo is going to catch. It was X or [closer] Zach Britton. I said no, Britton. Every chance we get, I want Zach to feel comfortable."

Britton's sinker is vicious, and Showalter is careful to make sure his personality will mesh with Castillo's.

"And I also want Welington to step back and say, 'OK, this is a different cat. I really got to keep the ball down, work my way through it, not assume it's the end of the break,'" Showalter said. "He's a pleaser. He talks about it. This guy really wants to work on the things that he needs to work on."

By the time Castillo left for the WBC, he hadn't caught Britton in a game, only in bullpens.

"You need to be able to catch. You know he was going to be able to do that," Britton said. "A lot of it is just getting comfortable with the guy, to be able to feel comfortable talking to him about anything, him feeling comfortable coming up to you, saying, 'Hey, maybe that's not as good as I think you can throw.' And that's something we had with [Wieters]. I don't think Castillo is at that point yet where I feel he can give constructive criticism, but that's just part of the process."

Showalter said Francisco Pena, another Orioles catcher and fellow Dominican, walked up to him early during spring training and told him how much he would like Castillo.

Pena and another Dominican, Ubaldo Jimenez, both volunteered that Castillo was devoutly religious and a good person, and he gratefully accepted their kind thoughts.

"I feel very proud of guys like Pena and Ubaldo, the guys that know me, what kind of person I am," Castillo said. "I know myself, and I know them because we've been playing together and against them, so they know me. That's good when you have people like that talking on your side like that because everybody who gets to know you gets to know what kind of person you are. People are going to have an idea what kind of person you are.

"I was Christian since I was a kid. I'm the kind of guy who likes to enjoy what I do. I'm really calm. I'm a really calm guy. I feel like I need to pick the right time when I talk. I think religion helps with some people. I'm a big believer in God. My whole life I've been a Christian. I'm a God follower. I think that's going to help me my whole career because I know that everything I do is because He lets me do it. It's because of Him. I can't do anything without Him."

Before Jimenez's first spring training start, Castillo, who caught him in winter ball in the Dominican, worked with him in the bullpen. After each pitch, Castillo would comment in Spanish, and Jimenez followed up.

"Every time you have a guy behind you that you know, you feel comfortable," Jimenez said. "He's pretty good. He's pretty good. He puts a lot of work and a lot of pride to get better every day, and it shows."

Russell, whose job it is to work with the catchers, has found Castillo to be a good student.

"He's making adjustments," Russell said. "He's adjusting to a new team, adjusting to new teammates, adjusting to a new atmosphere. I think he's done a very good job. He's very open. We talked early in camp about some of the things we wanted to accomplish, and he's very open with it, the things that he wanted to get better at. You hear guys say that, and to actually really come out to do it, and show that [is good].

"He's willing to make a few changes and a couple of adjustments here and there. The biggest thing there when you start to do that is [to] feel that, and he's starting to really feel it, some of the things with his receiving and throwing that he's picked up on."

Castillo knows as long as he's with the Orioles, there will be the inevitable Wieters comparisons.

"Wieters is a really good catcher. He's a great catcher," Castillo said. "When I talk to the pitchers, they never say, 'Wieters did it this way. I want to continue to do it this way.' They're really open. I'm the one that has to adjust myself to them. If you want me to set up a little bit off the plate, more on the plate, up target, down, I'm the one that has to make the adjustments. They know their stuff. I don't know them really well. That's why spring training is the time to get to know each guy. I'm really open to learning and build[ing] a relationship."

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/03/14/orioles-zach-britton-has-forgettable-inning-in-first- spring-outing

Zach Britton Has Forgettable Inning In First Spring Outing

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com March 14, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- It wasn't until midway through his warmups that Zach Britton heard AC/DC. At Oriole Park, the ninth inning is his. At Ed Smith Stadium March 14, he had to settle for the fourth.

In spring training, closers pitch early in games when the most experienced players are in. The ninth inning belongs to those who are household names only to their dentists.

Britton, who had been held out due to left oblique discomfort, allowed two runs on four hits in the fourth and wasn't overly thrilled with what he accomplished.

"Throwing strikes was the biggest thing, and then seeing balls on the ground was what I wanted to see," Britton said. "Overall, I feel OK. Physically, I felt good. In spring, you don't care about results, but I do. I wasn't too happy about it," Britton said.

Manager Buck Showalter was pleased, though.

"Zach was good today," Showalter said. "That was good to see. He was really good."

When Showalter was reminded Britton was displeased, he responded: "He never is completely happy."

Darren O'Day followed Britton and pitched a scoreless fifth, giving up two hits.

"They take a lot of pride in it," Showalter said. "Darren's competitive. … That's why they're good."

All four hits Britton gave up were ground balls, and he struck out two. He said he really didn't have anything to compare this with.

"It's so hard to remember what it feels like every spring," Britton said. "Physically, I felt good. I felt strong. I didn't feel like I needed to build up arm strength or anything like that. I felt like the pitch quality wasn't really there. I want to improve that next time I get on the mound."

Britton's sinker wasn't working the way he wanted it to.

"I still feel like the pitches they were hitting, even though they were on the ground, they weren't quality pitches, like location-wise and the way it was moving," Britton said. "So it's just something that [to] kind of get over, and the next time just focus getting on behind the ball or whatever, make sure it's sinking the way I want it to sink, not just run all over the place," Britton said.

The oblique wasn't really an issue, he said.

"Maybe the first couple of pitches, but after that, I stopped thinking about it, it was more just trying to find a rhythm," Britton said. "I didn't really feel like I found one out there. It's something I'm going to focus on the next time I get on the mound."

He's scheduled to pitch again in Bradenton, Fla., against the Pittsburgh Pirates March 17.

MILEY ROCKED: Left-hander Wade Miley allowed three runs on seven hits in three innings as a Tampa Bay Rays split-squad beat the Orioles, 9-6, before 6,943 March 14.

"My command wasn't there for the most part," Miley said. "These guys did a good job hitting some good pitches, but at the same time, I wasn't locating where I wanted to. I left a few pitches over the plate. But I got my pitch count up and the ball was coming out good. No big damage."

Miley became the fifth consecutive Orioles starter who was supposed to pitch four innings but fell short.

"Just trying to get the work load where it needs to be at," Miley said. "I would have liked to get up one more time in the fourth inning, but it didn't work out. I threw a lot of pitches in the first two innings.

"It wasn't terrible, it wasn't great. It was just somewhere in the middle."

Showalter said Miley was "a little under the weather today. He felt something coming on, but he was fine to pitch."

OUTFIELD WOES FOR MANCINI: After no fly balls during his first game in right field, Trey Mancini caught his first fly ball in right field in the third inning. In the first inning, he mishandled Corey Dickerson's single for an error.

Before March 13, Mancini hadn't played in the outfield since a college summer league in 2011.

Mancini said he's enjoying playing the outfield, but it's a different look than first base.

"The perception is different," he said. "You're out there and way further back. You've got to take a second to read fly balls and everything and see where they're going. It does help being on the same side of field."

COMING UP: The Orioles play the Pittsburgh Pirates at Brandenton March 15. Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez will face righty Jameson Taillon. Pedro Alvarez is scheduled to be the Orioles' designated hitter, Showalter said. … Don't expect Vidal Nuno to pitch in the game. Nuno, who pitched for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, was scheduled to arrive in Sarasota late March 14.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/03/14/orioles-still-undecided-on-leadoff-hitter

Orioles Still Undecided On Leadoff Hitter

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com March 14, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- One of the bigger questions of Orioles spring training won't be answered until the final days of this month, if then. The team hasn't decided on a leadoff hitter and has given only a few clues.

There wasn't any clue in the lineup against the Rays March 14, which included Craig Gentry, who is not an option for a starting job in the outfield, in the leadoff spot.

Three of the principal options weren't in the lineup. Center fielder Adam Jones, who led off much of last year, is with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

Manager Buck Showalter said at the end of last season he would like to move Jones down in the lineup, where he has hit most of his career.

Outfielder Hyun Soo Kim, who has batted leadoff in some spring games, had the day off March 14. Kim is tied with infielder Chris Johnson for the most spring at-bats with 35, and even though Showalter has vowed to try him against left-handed starters, he wasn't playing against Tampa Bay left-hander Blake Snell.

"He's seen a bunch of them out of the bullpen. We've been running him out there a lot," Showalter said.

Outfielder Joey Rickard, who led off early last season, was in the starting lineup, but he's batting second.

Outfielder Seth Smith is out with a right hamstring injury, and though it's improved, Showalter said he wasn't an option.

"I think he's around the corner, around the corner, but we're not in any hurry there," Showalter said.

Smith has batted leadoff 80 times in his major league career.

"The first at-bat is a little bit different," Smith said. "You're the first guy to face a pitcher, so you're going to get the first pitch. You don't know what he's going to have that day, but after that, after the game gets flowing, it's really not any different than any other spot. Whatever situation is out there when you get to the plate, that's how you go about attacking it."

The 34-year-old Smith said Showalter hasn't talked with him about the leadoff spot.

"No, I haven't had a conversation about any of that. I'm trying to get myself ready to play," Smith said. "The benefit of hitting leadoff in the spring is you get the fourth at-bat. … It's easier than having to play seven or eight innings to get it. It's not something I look into or worry about now or during the season. … I've always been a guy that's kind of floated around the lineup, so it's not really a big deal for me."

INJURY UPDATES: Catcher Caleb Joseph, who was hit above the left elbow by a pitch from Philadelphia's Mark Appel March 13, said he was fine, but Showalter opted to start Francisco Pena instead.

"We decided to give him a day. He's still pretty sore in there," Showalter said.

Showalter reported he thinks rest is benefiting right-hander Chris Tillman.

"Chris feels better today. That's encouraging," Showalter said. "He felt better today than yesterday, so we'll see how that goes."

Outfielder Chris Dickerson is ready to play after he was hit by a pitch above the right elbow March 12. First baseman Chris Davis is back in the lineup after missing four days with bronchitis.

Infielder Ryan Flaherty had a cortisone injection on his right shoulder. He'll be out a few days. It's the second time this spring Flaherty has been out because of the shoulder.

Showalter expects left-handed pitcher Vidal Nuno, who has been with Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, back shortly.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/03/14/mlb-networks-steve-phillips-expresses-concern- about-orioles-pitching-staff

MLB Network Radio's Steve Phillips Expresses Concern About Orioles Pitching Staff

By Jacob Troxell / PressBoxOnline.com March 14, 2017

As the Orioles' offseason came and went, no blockbuster trades or long-term signings were made.

The 2017 Orioles roster looks similar to last year's. Right-hander Chris Tillman, at least until his shoulder injury from last season flared back up, was considered the team's ace. Designated hitter/outfielder Mark Trumbo decided to sign up for three more years in Birdland. And the core of their lineup from the past five seasons -- outfielder Adam Jones, first baseman Chris Davis, third baseman Manny Machado and shortstop J.J. Hardy -- is still around.

With this group bound together for the past half decade, the Orioles have made the playoffs in three of the last five seasons after a 15-year postseason drought. However, the window for Baltimore to win a championship may be closing, as Jones, Machado and closer Zach Britton are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents after the 2018 season.

Part of MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM's spring training coverage, radio host and former major league general manager Steve Phillips, who checked into Orioles' spring training in Sarasota, Fla., before players departed for the World Baseball Classic, said the Orioles' season may hinge on the potential and success of right-handers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman and their starting rotation has little room for error.

The 26-year-old Gausman had a near-career season in 2016, notching bests in strikeouts (174) and innings pitched (179.2), but he could not improve upon his 1.228 WHIP from 2015 or 3.57 ERA from 2014. In Bundy's first full season with the Orioles, he pitched 109.2 innings with a 4.02 ERA and 1.377 WHIP (slightly above Gausman's 3.61 ERA and 1.280 WHIP in 2016).

Last season, Orioles starting pitchers allowed 4.41 runs per game, tied for 17th in MLB.

"'What is that next level for them?' 'How consistently can they pitch at that next level?'" Phillips said on Glenn Clark Radio March 9. "And, 'How much [do they] have to be protected with innings as they grow and develop as major league pitchers?' are all questions."

The only starting position player the Orioles lost during the offseason was catcher Matt Wieters, who left to join the Washington Nationals after batting .243 in 124 games last season. Due to injuries, Wieters played only 225 games during the past three seasons. To replace him, the Orioles signed Welington Castillo to a one-year deal with a player option for 2018.

Castillo hit .264 and threw out 38 percent of base stealers for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016 (tied for fourth in MLB), above Wieters' 35 percent. Phillips said it will still take time for Castillo to adjust to the Orioles' pitching staff, especially because he left Sarasota to play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic March 5.

"This is already a pitching staff that is starting with a little bit less compared to the other teams in the division," Phillips said. "Which means you have to maximize the return on who you do have."

What the Orioles do have is an All-Star in Machado for at least another two seasons, who Phillips made a point to defend. Machado has hit .286, slugged 98 home runs and drove in 285 RBIs since 2013.

"I really do think that at some point they will come to the recognition they need to do everything they can to keep Manny Machado," Phillips said. "Any dollar they spend for anybody else that prohibits them from keeping Manny Machado is a mistake."

Although he has trepidations about the Orioles' pitching staff and its synergy with a new catcher, Phillips said the Orioles' lineup is a proven commodity -- despite its lack of a leadoff hitter -- and views it as one that can carry the load at times.

"The teams that have the best chances to win the most number of games are the ones who get the most quality innings pitched, and that typically means the team with the best starting pitching, not the deepest bullpen, but the Orioles recognize that they win differently," Phillips said. "They'll be competitive; they've got a chance at being a wild-card team. They're going to need some things to go right even to do that, but I do think they'll be a very competitive club."

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/03/13/kevin-gausman-orioles-have-a-lot-of-good-arms

Kevin Gausman: Orioles Have 'A Lot Of Good Arms'

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com March 13, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Since Chris Tillman isn't going to be the Orioles' Opening Day starter, it's likely that role will fall to Kevin Gausman.

The right-hander hasn't officially been named for the April 3 start against Toronto, but he has already acknowledged he's thinking about it.

Without Tillman, who has started the last three openers, there's likely to be a lot of pressure on Gausman, who has yet to start for a complete season. He began last season on the disabled list with a sore right shoulder and didn't make his first start until April 25.

"Obviously, we wish that he was going to be starting Opening Day and coming out of the gate healthy," Gausman said, "but he's kind of done his part around here lately, so it will be good to give him a break, essentially, and hopefully he comes back and feels even better that he did before. And if he's able to do what he's done the last couple of years … I don't know if he's had that issue before, but he's been able to do it in the past not feeling 100 percent, and then to get him back healthy is one of the keys for us.

"It [stinks], but we've got a lot of good arms in this camp and a lot of young guys, a lot of guys who are kind of in limbo right now as to whether they're going to be a starter with us or a long guy with us. We have a lot of guys who can kind of fill the void and it helps us a little bit that we don't need a fifth starter until, I think, the middle of April. It's a good thing, but obviously we're hoping to have him back sooner rather than later."

Gausman allowed two runs, one unearned, in three innings during the Orioles' 6-4 win against the Philadelphia Phillies before 7,287 at Ed Smith Stadium March 13.

"I wasn't as crisp as I had been this spring," Gausman said.

He became the fourth straight Orioles starter who was slated for four innings but didn't make it.

"I went to a full count on just about everybody today, it seemed like," Gausman said. "Anytime you throw that many pitches in three innings, you're not going to be happy. You just try to minimize damage."

Manager Buck Showalter agreed Gausman threw too many pitches.

"Couldn't quite finish some counts. Got a little deeper in the counts than he'd like to," Showalter said. "The results weren't what he hoped to get, but he was crisp. Felt good."

TILLMAN UPDATE: Showalter said there was no further update on Tillman's right shoulder.

"Tillman was kind of going to back off for a couple of days to see how he responds," Showalter said. "I don't think we'll have any new information on him for a day or two, let it quiet down. They're contemplating a couple of options if that doesn't go well."

Tillman had a platelet rich plasma injection in late December, and Showalter said the Orioles have contemplated a cortisone injection.

"I think we'll get a direction in a couple of days," Showalter said. "Once you go down the injection thing, we might be able to gain a little ground on it, but I don't think anything that's going to put him as an option to start the season."

MANCINI IN RIGHT: Last year, Showalter said he wasn't going to try Trey Mancini in right because he thought the first baseman didn't have a good enough arm.

With first base blocked by Chris Davis and designated hitter accounted for by Mark Trumbo, Showalter decided to work Mancini out with first base and outfield coach Wayne Kirby and vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson. They told Showalter he might want to look at Mancini as an outfield possibility.

"His arm is playing a little bit better out there than we thought," Showalter said. "It's not as short as in the infield. He's a pretty athletic guy. He runs pretty good underway. There's only one way to find out, right? We've said that quite often the last five or six years. Run them out there. Steve Pearce at second base? Run him out there. So and so? Run him out there."

Mancini had an uneventful six innings in right. No fly balls were hit toward him.

"That's a long process. He didn't look uncomfortable out there," Showalter said.

MEDICAL MATTERS: Caleb Joseph was hit on the left arm with a pitch in the seventh inning, but the catcher said he was fine.

"I'll probably be ready to go. It's just a mere flesh wound," Joseph said.

Showalter said he hoped Joseph would catch March 14, and Joseph said he could play.

Outfielders Chris Dickerson, Craig Gentry and Seth Smith weren't available March 13. Dickerson, who was hit by a pitch March 12, has a sore right elbow. Gentry is slowed by a groin injury, and Smith hasn't played for four days because of a right hamstring injury.

"Smith is getting better," Showalter said. "He's doing baseball activities in the back, something he didn't do yesterday. It's one of those things where he's be playing during the season. We've got plenty of time. Just don't want it to turn into something. It wasn't worse last spring, and he played through it. It went into the season hampering him. We want to stay away from that."

COMING UP: The Orioles host Tampa Bay March 14. Lefty Wade Miley will start against left- hander Blake Snell. Left-handed reliever Zach Britton is scheduled for his spring debut. … Showalter said he's contemplating starting Pedro Alvarez at designated hitter at Pittsburgh March 15. He could also play him a "B" game the Orioles have scheduled against the Pirates March 17.

CUT: The Orioles optioned right-handed pitcher Joe Gunkel to Triple-A Norfolk. They now have 51 players in camp.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/03/13/orioles-manager-buck-showalters-suggestion-led- to-pedro-alvarez-conversion

Buck Showalter's Suggestion Led To Pedro Alvarez Conversion

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com March 13, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Last September, Orioles manager Buck Showalter suggested to Pedro Alvarez, who received less playing time toward the end of last season as a designated hitter, he could improve his chances of being a viable major leaguer if he learned how to play the outfield.

Alvarez thought it was a quite a compliment.

"I think that the fact that it was brought up to me showed a desire to have me around, and I appreciated that conversation last year," Alvarez said. "And in the same token, it was coming from a good place in his heart, looking out for my career. You can never be too versatile, for lack of a better term. That's how I took that conversation, a desire to have me around and at the same time just looking out for my best interests."

Alvarez signed a $2 million contract that became official March 13. It contains $3.5 million in incentives.

Showalter said the 30-year-old Alvarez would play mostly right field but would get some time in left.

"I'm going to be surprised if he can't do it. [He's] pretty athletic," Showalter said. "Kind of fits his skill set, too. He's got a plus arm, and he's going to work hard at it.

"He's going to work there exclusively. Hopefully we'll have a feel for it by the time we get towards the end. We've got plenty of time."

It's the second straight spring that Alvarez signed with Baltimore in March, and it will be difficult for him to learn the outfield in such a short time.

"Obviously, ideally, you don't want to come in halfway through the spring, whatever time period it is now," Alvarez said. "One thing that is very helpful now is the fact that last year, switching organizations was a big change for me. Going into it, not that I was hesitant, but I just didn't know what to expect. I couldn't be happier; this organization made this transition for me very seamless.

"Going into it this year, I know again it's not the ideal timing, but there isn't that uncertainty in terms of how I'm going to feel coming in here. I'm around a lot of people that are going to be helpful, are pulling for me. What more can you ask out of a group of people that you're playing with, to work with?"

HARDY'S BACK: Shortstop J.J. Hardy has been cleared to play and is in the Orioles' lineup for the first time this spring. Hardy has been sidelined with back spasms.

"It's been a little bit longer road than I thought it would be," Hardy said. "Feeling good. Now, I just need to get into some baseball form."

Hardy anticipates he'll play both March 13 and 14, and then he'll reevaluate his schedule. He'll need to play often during the final three weeks of spring training to catch up on missed at-bats.

"It's exciting for everybody to see," Showalter said.

The 34-year-old shortstop usually doesn't make spring training road trips, but he may have to in order to get some extra at-bats.

"If I get in there today and play tomorrow -- and then we'll see where we're at after tomorrow -- and play like I'm 100 percent healthy. Just got to get ready for the season now," Hardy said.

DAVIS BETTER: First baseman Chris Davis isn't in the lineup for the fourth straight day. He's been suffering from bronchitis but reported he's improved.

"I feel a little weird today, probably from getting worn out for the last three or four days," Davis said. "I feel gooder -- good enough to be here," Davis said.

Davis joked he had to check with Showalter to see where he would be playing.

"I'm sure we'll leave that to ole' No. 26 back there," Davis said, referencing the manager's uniform number. "I'm sure he's working on some witchcraft or something. I'm sure I'll be in there probably playing right field and center field, maybe throw a bullpen, do some blocking drills, lead off every inning and then go back and forth to Twin Lakes [minor league complex] and get some extra, extra [at-bats]."

Davis said his last bout with bronchitis came as a child.

"I had it bad enough not to be here for three days," Davis said. "I came in a couple days, and I talked with our docs and our trainers. They thought it was best I not be here."

Showalter decided not to play Davis.

"It's probably going to be a day or two before he gets legs underneath him," Showalter said. "He's pretty weak. He had a pretty good bout of that. I just hope he doesn't get set back."

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/03/13/with-orioles-chris-tillman-still-ailing-is-dan- duquette-fiddling

With Chris Tillman Still Ailing, Is Dan Duquette Fiddling?

By Stan Charles / PressBoxOnline.com March 13, 2017

As we enter the final three weeks of Orioles spring training, it appears closer Zach Britton is back on track, and shortstop J.J. Hardy is about to get back into the literal swing of things.

So I guess two out of three isn't too bad? Well, with the news of right-hander Chris Tillman's ailing shoulder, it's going to have to be for a while.

When the original news about Tillman needing a platelet rich plasma injection in his ailing right shoulder came Feb. 14, it was a bit troubling. This was especially the case because the injection had taken place two months or so before the team released the information.

In the nearly 30 days the team has been in Sarasota, Fla., manager Buck Showalter has placed a positive spin on Tillman. Since the Orioles have three off days through the first seven days of the season, a fifth starter won't be needed until they travel to Toronto April 13-16.

But that positive spin all changed March 12, when Tillman was pulled from a bullpen session with shoulder and back discomfort.

Team trainer Richie Bancells conferred with Ravens team orthopedist Dr. Leigh Ann Curl, and the Orioles are deciding what to do next. And while Curl's name is nowhere near as ominous as "Dr. James Andrews," the Orioles still make it seem as if they could be without the titular head of their starting rotation for at least the first month of the season.

The reality is that when Tillman does finally get cleared to begin a throwing program, he could be starting over.

Before news of Tillman's setback was officially released, executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette did add former New York Mets right-handers Logan Verrett and Gabriel Ynoa. But since arriving in Sarasota, the Orioles have seemed hell bent on only listening to center fielder Adam Jones' protestations about the team's need to add athleticism to the outfield -- eventually adding Michael Bourn and Craig Gentry.

But as this past week unfolded, with Tillman supposedly being pushed back a day or so for his long-awaited bullpen session, which only lasted 10 measly pitches, what was Duquette's big move to ensure no major injury could derail a run at the American League pennant?

Of course, it was to add more offense, in Pedro Alvarez, who has now been signed to a minor league deal as an outfielder. This truly was not what Jones was talking about.

Seriously, Alvarez is a useful piece, but with outfielders Seth Smith, Mark Trumbo, Rule 5 selections Aneury Tavarez and Anthony Santander, plus Bourn and Gentry, just where is Alvarez supposed to get $2 million worth of at-bats?

The Orioles are in desperate need of some starting-pitching insurance. And I can tell you right now that insurance isn't right-handers Mike Wright or Tyler Wilson. And it probably isn't left- handers Chris Lee, Jayson Aquino, Verrett or Ynoa.

No, what the Orioles need to do is sign the best free-agent starting pitcher on the market: right- hander Colby Lewis. Lewis is probably on speed dial with his former major league employer, the Texas Rangers, who now appear to be without their two free-agent pitching acquisitions -- former San Diego Padres right-handers Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross -- on Opening Day.

Lewis, 37, originally started his major league career with the Rangers in 2002. He pitched under Showalter in 2003 and 2004. He didn't pitch due to injury in 2005, and then had cups of coffee with Detroit and Oakland in 2006 and 2007, respectively. He was out of the major leagues in 2008 and 2009, when he went to pitch in Japan.

Since returning to the big leagues in 2010, Lewis has been a mainstay in the Rangers' rotation. During those six seasons, Lewis made 161 starts with Texas, including 19 in 2016. As recently as 2015, Lewis went 17-9 with a 4.66 ERA. I'll be the first to admit Lewis is not a great pitcher, but he is a gamer, and he's a hell of a lot more consistent than Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez.

Now, Lewis will not come in and give the Orioles 30 starts. He is susceptible to injury, and I am sure that is the root of his inconsistency. But in his 19 starts last season, 14 of them, mostly in the first half, saw Lewis go at least six innings for a total of 87.1 innings pitched in 2016. And he had a 2.37 ERA in those 14 starts. His other five starts surrounded a stint on the disabled list, and they were a lot different.

The time for action is now. Lewis could be a life-saver for the 2017 Orioles.

While he was out there as a long-standing free agent, he would have loved to have been romanced and wooed by the O's. But Texas has a big hole in its rotation now as well.

While Duquette was working to bring in the superfluous Alvarez, the O's may have allowed a very important piece to leave their grasp.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/03/12/dylan-bundy-struggles-through-two-innings-in- orioles-win

Dylan Bundy Struggles Through Two Innings In Orioles' Win

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com March 12, 2017

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- For the third straight game, an Orioles starter aimed to complete four innings and didn't get there.

March 10, right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez faced one batter in the fourth, and a day later, right- hander Mike Wright didn't complete three. March 12, right-hander Dylan Bundy never even got to the third.

Bundy was slated for 60 pitches in his third start, and by the time he threw his 56th, he completed the second inning.

He gave up five runs in two innings as the Orioles beat the Minnesota Twins 8-6 before 7,160 at CenturyLink Sports Complex.

Bundy allowed a leadoff homer to outfielder Byron Buxton in the first, and after giving up three consecutive singles, a grand-slam home run to infielder Jorge Polanco in the second.

"Catch too much of the plate, I guess. It seems like everything I threw up there, they're swinging at today." Bundy said. "Real comfortable in the box. Fastball was just off. Didn't have my curveball for strikes. Those two pitches are pretty big for me. Not being able to get those over the plate, exactly where I want them, makes it a tough day.

"It's disappointing especially since I went three [innings] the last one. Got the pitch count up, don't know what it was. It was up there. Threw more sliders today. Other than that, felt good."

Some starters excuse bad spring training performances by saying the results don't count, but Bundy wasn't buying that.

"I guess you could say that. You're not comfortable saying that, but you want better results than that," Bundy said. "I thought I should have better results than that, but the way my pitches felt today, didn't locate like I should, and I'll have to work on it."

TILLMAN SETBACK: After the game, manager Buck Showalter said there was no update on right-hander Chris Tillman's right shoulder.

"It's something we'll have a feel for, hopefully tomorrow," Showalter said.

"This is the same development that started in the offseason when he started his throwing program. It's in the same spot where he had some issues last year. We have a pretty good feel for what the issue is structurally," Showalter said. "I feel very confident he's going to pitch for us at some point this year. Let's see what the next few days bring. It's that the start of the season is doubtful."

WHAT TO DO WITH ALVAREZ?: The surprising news that Pedro Alvarez has agreed on a minor league contract with the Orioles, pending a physical, was made even more surprising with the news Alvarez, who was a successful designated hitter for the team last year, is reinventing himself as an outfielder.

For the second time in a week, a player named Alvarez is apparently switching positions. Outfielder Dariel Alvarez was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk March 8, and Showalter said he would be converted to a pitcher.

At December's MLB Winter Meetings, Alvarez's agent, Scott Boras, tried to market him as a would-be outfielder because his infield defense at third and first wasn't good.

Last year, Alvarez committed four errors in nine chances at third base.

The Orioles agreed on a $2 million base salary with Alvarez and $3.5 million in incentives. He would get $250,000 each for 200, 250, 300 and 350 plate appearances and $500,000 each for 400, 450, 500, 550 and 600 appearances.

Alvarez, who had 376 plate appearances with the Orioles when he hit .249 with 22 home runs and 49 RBIs, has had more than 600 plate appearances only once (2013) in his seven-season major league career.

He'll have a difficult time cracking an outfield that includes last year's Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard, in addition to Adam Jones, Hyun Soo Kim, Seth Smith and Mark Trumbo.

Veteran outfielder Craig Gentry has been impressing in spring training. Another veteran, Michael Bourn hasn't played because of a broken right ring finger. And, the Orioles have two Rule 5 picks, Anthony Santander and Aneury Tavarez who can play the outfield.

Two other veterans, outfielders Chris Dickerson and Logan Schafer, are also on hand.

HOME RUNS FLYING: The Orioles scored four runs on homers against the Twins March 12. Trey Mancini hit his first home run of the spring in the second inning. Gentry hit his second home run of the week, a two-run shot in the third, and Santander hit his second in two days, a long shot in the fifth.

INJURY UPDATES: Dickerson was hit by a pitch on the left elbow in the third inning and left the game.

First baseman Chris Davis continues to be out with bronchitis.

Outfielder Seth Smith, who has been out with a right hamstring injury, participated in drills back in Sarasota.

COMING UP: The Orioles host the Philadelphia Phillies March 13. Right-handers Kevin Gausman and Jeremy Hellickson will face off.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/03/12/chris-tillman-unlikely-to-start-season-with-orioles- who-steps-in

Chris Tillman Unlikely To Start Season With Orioles; Who Steps In?

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com March 12, 2017

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Chris Tillman began preparing for a bullpen session March 12, and the early morning session didn't go well.

The Orioles right-hander, who had already been ruled out of a fourth-straight Opening Day assignment because of a sore right shoulder, isn't likely to pitch in the season's first weeks.

"He started to play catch, long toss and stuff and get ready to go to the mound, and after about 10 throws, shut it down," manager Buck Showalter said. "Still had discomfort there."

As he normally does, Showalter stayed behind in Sarasota while the traveling squad prepared for the game against the Minnesota Twins. He watched Tillman's session, and then left shortly afterward for the game.

Trainer Richie Bancells and Ravens team orthopedist Dr. Leigh Ann Curl conferred on Tillman, and the Orioles were deciding on their next step.

Tillman had a bullpen session March 9 that didn't go well, and the Orioles hoped that the reason was an antibiotic he was taking. The bullpen session scheduled for March 11 was delayed a day, but it didn't help.

"It's discouraging for Chris, I know," Showalter said. "His being one of our five starters at the start of the season is in jeopardy."

For the moment, the Orioles aren't saying if 28-year-old Tillman, who had a platelet rich plasma injection on his throwing shoulder in late December, will have to start spring training all over again.

"We'll get our arms around what the next step is by the time we get back tonight," Showalter said. "We'll see what direction Chris goes. I know it's a big year for Chris on a lot of fronts."

When spring training began, Showalter said Tillman would be held back, and they hoped to have him in a game March 17. That would have enabled him to pitch in the first week of regular season games if all went well. It didn't.

The Orioles, who don't need a fifth starter to slot behind right-handers Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy, Ubaldo Jimenez and left-hander Wade Miley until April 15, have several internal options for another starter: Right-handers Mike Wright, Tyler Wilson, Gabriel Ynoa and left-handers Jayson Aquino and Christopher Lee.

Wright and Wilson have started for the Orioles in 2015 and 2016. Ynoa started three games for the New York Mets last season.

If the Orioles think Tillman will be out for an extended time, they could explore one of the remaining free agent options.

Right-handers Doug Fister, Edwin Jackson, Colby Lewis, Tim Lincecum and Jake Peavy are among those who are still remaining on the market.

MORE INJURY UPDATES: Zach Britton is ready to pitch in a game, Showalter said. The left- hander threw live batting practice to shortstop J.J. Hardy. Britton has been slowed by left oblique discomfort.

Hardy, who hasn't played yet due to back spasms, is ready to play.

"J.J. looks good. It's just a matter of when he feel comfortable playing in a game," Showalter said. "He's feeling better."

https://www.pressboxonline.com/https:/www.pressboxonline.com/2017/3/11/orioles-agree-to- minor-league-deal-with-pedro-alvarez

Orioles Agree To Minor League Deal With Pedro Alvarez

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com March 11, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Orioles have a deal on a minor league contract with DH Pedro Alvarez pending medical review, according to an industry source.

Alvarez, who signed a $5.75 million contract with the Orioles last March 10, hit .249 with 22 home runs and 49 RBIs in 109 games for the Orioles last season.

The deal was first reported by Fanragsports.com.

Alvarez, who had a fielding percentage of .556 in 2016, was primarily a DH last season. Despite his creditable power numbers, Alvarez found no takers on the free agent market.

At December’s Winter Meetings, Scott Boras, Alaverez’s agent, said that he was working out in the outfield. Reportedly, Alvarez will now play the outfield.

According to Fanrag, the deal has a $2 million base salary and $3.5 million in incentives.

WAITING ON TILLMAN: Right-hander Chris Tillman, who was supposed to throw a bullpen session March 11, will now throw a day later.

Manager Buck Showalter said that Tillman, who has been rehabbing from a platelet rich plasma injection on his right shoulder in late December, could still start for the first time this spring March 17.

“We’re going to push it back one day. He was taking an antibiotic and one of the side effects is some soreness in the joints. They got him off that and changed the antibiotic," Showalter said.

"They decided to wait an extra day before he throws. It doesn’t affect his schedule as long as everything goes well tomorrow. They thought it might have been affecting him a little bit, so they’re going to change the antibiotic and get him on some that doesn’t have those potential side symptoms."

MEDICAL MATTERS: Right-handed pitcher Logan Ondrusek has been scheduled for an appointment with orthopedist Dr. James Andrews March 20.

Andrews will examine Ondrusek’s right elbow, and Showalter said that if surgery is decided on, it could take place March 21.

Outfielder Michael Bourn, who has a broken right ring finger, saw a hand specialist March 10, and Showalter says Bourn continues to rehab well.

First baseman Chris Davis was originally in the starting lineup March 11, but was sent home with bronchitis.

Outfielder Seth Smith has a minor hamstring injury and was also scratched. “He could have played today, would have played during the season, decided to be careful with that today,” Showalter said. “Seth says he gets this every spring, and this isn’t as bad as he normally gets it. I decided with all the time we have to slow play it a little bit. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.”

BLEIER STAYS: Left-handed pitcher Richard Bleier decided not to join Team Israel for the second round of the World Baseball Classic.

“I decided that I wasn’t going to because I think it would be better for me to pitch here ultimately,” Bleier said.

Bleier declined an invitation to play for Team Israel in the first round, and after it won all three games, had to make a quick decision on whether to leave for Asia for the second round. It was a hard decision, Bleier admits.

“I was definitely torn. I need to be here," Bleier said. "Just seeing the games on TV, it would have been a lot of fun to be there and be a part of it.”

https://www.pressboxonline.com/https:/www.pressboxonline.com/2017/03/11/if-tillman-is-not- ready-to-start-season-will-mike-wright-be-there

If Chris Tillman Is Not Ready To Start Season, Will Mike Wright Be There?

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com March 11, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- If Chris Tillman isn’t ready to pitch by the time the Orioles need a fifth starter on April 15, chances are they’d turn to right-hander Mike Wright.

Wright has had two rocky years for the Orioles, showing some promise and lots of ineffectiveness. In 2015 and 2016, Wright pitched in 30 games, starting 21 of them with a 6-9 record and 5.88 ERA.

The Orioles have long liked Wright’s arm, and if Tillman is cleared to pitch early in the season, Wright is likely to start at Triple-A Norfolk.

It’s clear that the Orioles are looking at the 27-year-old Wright as a starter instead of a swingman.

“Without a doubt. He’s definitely a starter. Especially with seeing what happens with Chris Tillman the next couple of days,” manager Buck Showalter said.

Tillman has yet to pitch this spring. His sore shoulder has been slow to respond to a late December platelet rich plasma injection, and the Orioles may know as early as March 12 when Tillman is scheduled for a bullpen and if he will have to start the season on the disabled list.

“He’s the ace of our staff, so I think everybody’s rooting for him to get better,” Wright said. “He’s in here every day, so we all see what he’s doing and he’s working hard to get back. I personally hope he comes back. We need that veteran leadership and regardless of where that puts me. I’m working on getting outs, so wherever I can be used, I want to be used.”

The Orioles had hoped Wright could become the first starter to complete four innings. Neither Ubaldo Jimenez nor Wright have gotten an out in the fourth this spring.

Wright was lifted with two outs in the third as the Orioles beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-6 before 7,487 at Ed Smith Stadium March 11.

He allowed three runs on six hits. One of them was unearned when Wright’s pickoff throw to second went awry and runners moved to second and third. Both scored on a two-run single by outfielder Adam Frazier in the second.

“The ball kind of slipped out of my hand and I threw it with two fingers," Wright said. "I’ve got to make a better effort trying to get that to second base."

Overall, Wright wasn’t disappointed in how he pitched.

“The final numbers are what they are, but I feel positively about what I went out there and executed," Wright said. "I thought I made some good pitches."

“I’d still like to see him manage the damage a little bit,” Showalter said.

With Wright seemingly concentrating on starting instead of being a possibility for the bullpen, too, that may help him.

“I think it’s a little different this year. I’m looking at myself as an out-getter. That’s the ultimate goal. I’ve done both the past two years so when they call on me either way I’ve got to get outs," Wright said. "That’s what I’m really focused on right now is using all my pitches, making good quality pitches and getting outs."

One area Wright must improve is in getting left-handers out. In Wright's career, left-handers have a .335 average against him.

“There are a lot of challenges. It’s what keeps starters from being starters and makes them go to the bullpen. It’s why Mychal Givens isn’t a starter," Showalter said. "It’s really the separator for left-handed starters and right-handed starters if they can get those people out on the other side of the box."

BRITTON READY: Zach Britton is scheduled for his first Grapefruit League action March 14. The left-hander has been held back because of left oblique soreness.

Britton threw a bullpen March 10 and will throw live batting practice March 12. Showalter has been cautious with Britton.

“I feel good after yesterday, so I’m itching to get into a game. I think that’s what [Showalter] wanted," Britton said. "He didn’t want me to get me back too soon, so definitely feel like I’ve been ready for the last few days to get into a game,” Britton said.

“It seems like it’s been a long spring training already and haven’t gotten into games and watching all of them," Britton said. "At this point, I’m like, ‘I want to get ready for the season,’ and I feel like the sooner I get into games, the faster spring goes. I’m kind of tired of being in the training room.”

With Opening Day a little more than three weeks away, Britton says there’s plenty of time for him to be ready.

“I think so. I think last year I threw 10 innings or so. I think the way we’ve got it mapped out, I’ll be right around eight," Britton said. "Nine innings including a two-inning minor league game."

LONG HOME RUNS: Minor league infielder David Washington hit a two-run, ninth-inning, game-ending home run to give the Orioles the win March 11.

“He put some good swings on the ball, probably the last week. He’s hit some balls hard,” Showalter said.

Washington has two hits this spring, both home runs.

Rule 5 draft pick Anthony Santander hit a long two-run home run, his first of the spring in the sixth inning. Santander, who has yet to play the outfield because of offseason shoulder surgery, has struck out 11 times in 22 at-bats.

“That’s a big blow. No wind, it would have been nice to see where that one landed,” Showalter said.

Showalter says Santander has been cleared to play the field, so his outfield debut should be coming soon.

COMING UP: The Orioles play the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers March 12. Right-hander Dylan Bundy will start against right-hander Phil Hughes.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/03/10/orioles-still-hoping-chris-tillman-wont-start- season-on-disabled-list

Orioles Still Hoping Chris Tillman Won't Start Season On Disabled List

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com March 10, 2017

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Orioles are still hoping that Chris Tillman will be ready to pitch for them in the season’s first week. Manager Buck Showalter ruled the right-hander out of an Opening Day start early in camp, but Showalter thought that if the rehab on Tillman's right shoulder went well, he had a chance to pitch in the season’s first week.

Tillman will have another bullpen session March 11, and if he does well, the Orioles presumably will start him March 17 as planned. If he doesn’t, that could cause the Orioles to rethink their plans.

“If you look at his schedule, he can’t really miss one. If he does something tomorrow that alters his schedule, then everything kind of changes. So, I guess you could say tomorrow is one that could put him back into the flow with everybody else," Showalter said. "We’re really trying to find out where he really is. With all the throwing he has been doing off a full mound, if he’s going to have an issue, it’ll be tomorrow."

The Orioles won’t need a fifth starter until April 15, and if Tillman isn’t ready by then, the Orioles have several replacement options. Right-handers Mike Wright, Tyler Wilson and Gabriel Ynoa would seem to be the logical choices.

Meanwhile, left-hander Zach Britton, who threw well March 10, is close to making his spring debut.

“Whatever [Britton] does next, if it’s not in a game, it will be the last thing he does before he goes in a game,” Showalter said.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy, who hasn’t played this spring due to back spasms, reported earlier in the day that he felt well after live batting practice and taking ground balls.

“If he feels good tomorrow, then it’s just a matter of when he’s ready to play in a game," Showalter said. "He and Zach were encouraging today.”

In other injury news, first baseman Chris Davis wasn’t available to travel due to bronchitis.

JIMENEZ STRUGGLES: Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez allowed four runs, three in the first inning as he was lifted after giving up a leadoff single to Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart in the fourth inning. The Orioles lost 4-0 to the Red Sox before 9,957 fans at JetBlue Park March 10.

Jimenez walked two in the first inning, and though he became the first Orioles starter to work into the fourth this spring, reached his pitch limit.

Jimenez retired seven-consecutive hitters before allowing Swihart’s hit.

“I didn’t have my breaking ball and the sinker was up in the zone,” Jimenez said. “They told me I was rushing a little bit and my mechanics were a little too fast, and in the second inning, I was able to get it back.”

Showalter said that Jimenez is “ahead of the curve where he’s been in the past each spring.”

The Orioles had won five straight, four consecutive Grapefruit League games.

Left-hander Christopher Lee pitched three innings, allowing one hit, striking out four and walking three.

Outfielder and Rule 5 draft choice Aneury Tavarez was 3-for-3 while fellow Rule 5 draft pick, DH Anthony Santander struck out twice more. He’s struck out 10 times in 20 at-bats this spring.

NO WBC FOR BLEIER: Left-handed reliever Richard Bleier isn’t going to be pitching for Team Israel in the second round of the World Baseball Classic. Bleier pitched for Team Israel in September 2012 when they lost in the qualifying rounds to Team Spain.

Israel plays Cuba at 10 p.m. Eastern Time March 11.

“He talked to me a little bit about it. It’s his choice. We’ll support him, either way," Showalter said. "But I don’t think he is unless something changed, and he would have told us today, I think."

COMING UP: The Orioles host the Pittsburgh Pirates March 11 at 1:05 p.m. Wright will face Pittsburgh right-hander Clay Holmes.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/03/17/pedro-alvarez-uneventful-debut-right-smacks- homer-two-doubles-b-game/

Pedro Alvarez has an uneventful debut in right; smacks a homer, two doubles in B game

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com March 17, 2017

Spring training B games are about as flexible as an Olympic gymnast.

You can have four outs in an inning. Or stop after a certain amount of pitches.

The same batter can hit twice in an inning. Or maybe once in every inning, no matter what’s happening with the lineup.

But, technically, it’s still baseball. And you can’t make a fly ball get hit to right. No matter how much you want it to happen.

That was the hope Friday on a backfield at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, where Pedro Alvarez made his right field debut against a group of Pittsburgh Pirates minor leaguers.

It was exceptionally uneventful seven innings of contrived baseball.

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound, 30-year-old Alvarez is trying to make the transition to right after a lifetime on the infield corners.

The only ball hit to him occurred in the sixth – a one-hop liner toward right center that Alvarez had to dive for to make sure it wouldn’t skip by. It wasn’t the smoothest dive in baseball history – the outfield grass took a violent hit from a big man — but it was effective. The runner held at first.

Alvarez said he was joking with his buddy Ryan Flaherty before the game that he didn’t know how outfielders dove for balls.

“And then, lo and behold, it was one of those things where you just let the game kick in, instincts kick in and they just happen,” Alvarez said. “So, obviously, that’s testament to that. It’s always nice to be diving around on the field.”

His cutoff got the seal of approval from manager Buck Showalter.

“He handled that in-between ball all right. Really, you’re better off to keep coming because if you step back, you take that short hop … Once you start going and commit, you’ve got to keep going or you’ve got a chance to get the short hop. He was good,” Showalter said. “Really good at the plate, huh? So much for spring training.”

Alvarez can hit a baseball a long way, even when he hasn’t faced live pitching in months. After going 0-for-4 as the DH in a Grapefruit League game Thursday, he hammered B game pitching Friday.

He homered to straight-away center in his first at-bat against the Pirates’ 24-year-old right- hander, Trevor Williams, who is on Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster. Alvarez doubled in his second at-bat, struck out in his third and then doubled again in his final plate appearance.

He didn’t just shake the rust off, he obliterated it.

“No one just has a swing naturally like that. Obviously, it’s a lot of work. I tried my best, as best as possible, to stay sharp while I was home,” said Alvarez, who had 22 homers for the Orioles in 2016. “Nothing is like seeing a pitcher, but I’m just happy with where I’m at right now and just planning on continuing to get more comfortable and hopefully put some more good swings (together).”

As for not getting a fly ball to catch for seven innings, Alvarez said: “You always want to get some action when you’re out there. But I was ready, ready for it and I’ll be ready for it every pitch when I’m out there.”

The questions now are when will he be out in right again – and when will it happen in a regular spring training game? Showalter said Alvarez will play Saturday in Tampa against the New York Yankees. He hasn’t decided whether Alvarez will DH or play right. A lot, the manager said, has to do with whether Mark Trumbo will be the DH.

Trumbo, Chris Davis and J.J. Hardy all played in the B game, but none made an impact with the bat the way Alvarez did. Those three were all DHs – again, the beauty of B games – but Alvarez took to the field each half inning.

He just didn’t get tested. He backed up first base on a bunt. And, in the first inning, he lifted his hand and signaled that there were two outs like he would at first or third base, but there was nobody behind him to see it, just a wall.

It was all a new vantage point for Alvarez, but one for which he seems pretty enthusiastic.

“Different, different, but I’ve been going out there as much as possible to get a comfortable look and a comfortable feel and I felt pretty good,” he said. “I’m happy with where I’m at. Obviously, when it’s (in) games it’s a little different. But I’m glad I was able to feel comfortable, and I know I’m only going to feel more and more comfortable with each rep that I get.”

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/03/17/tillman-explains-decision-get-cortisone-shot- ondrusek-released/

Tillman explains the decision to get a cortisone shot (Ondrusek released)

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com March 17, 2017

Chris Tillman is one of those guys who hates when he’s not doing something.

And he knew that if he had a cortisone shot in his aching right shoulder that he’d be sidelined for another 10 days or so during a spring in which he has been idle way too long for his liking already.

He talked to various people, and most told him to take the shot – one that can be administered only once every six months – while it’s spring training and the games don’t count.

“I wasn’t necessarily gonna do it or not gonna do it. I had a lot of people talking to me about it trying to say, ‘Why aren’t you gonna do it? What’s going on here? Blah blah blah, this and that,’” Tillman said. “So, I decided — you know what? — it might not be the worst thing because realistically you’re supposed to take 10 days after the shot before you really do anything. So, does it buy you time? Yes, but sometimes it might be too long for the player, sometimes it’s too short. You ever know. So, I think we have our time to take to get it right and make sure the fire is put out.”

Tillman dealt with shoulder discomfort in September, had a platelet-rich-plasma injection in December and the cortisone shot this week after the shoulder wasn’t feeling 100 percent prior to a scheduled bullpen session Sunday.

He’s behind schedule to the point that he’ll miss the first two weeks of the season – and maybe more. So, is Tillman the bulldog resigned to that?

“I mean, yeah. I guess,” Tillman said.

His thought process with getting the shot was simple. He was going to be out for a few days resting anyway. Cover that with the 10-day requisite dormant period after a cortisone shot and the wait to pitch wouldn’t be that much longer than if he hadn’t had the shot. And any residual pain should be gone.

He hopes to resume shoulder strengthening exercises soon and said it’s possible he could be throwing before those 10 days expire, though we all know the Orioles’ medical staff is cautious. My guess is he’ll throw when the Orioles decide the time is right, not when Tillman wants to.

“I feel like it might not have to be that long, but to do it right, like I’ve been saying all along, it might be,” Tillman said. “We might start exercises here the next couple days, and that’s a big part of it, that’s part of the shot.”

The elephant in the room here is that this is a huge year for Tillman. He is a free agent at the end of the season. And the difference between having another solid, consistent, healthy year and one in which he breaks down is millions upon millions. At 28, he needs to look out for his future.

But let’s also be honest about the Orioles’ end of this. The rotation is already a box of chocolates. You really don’t know what you’re gonna get from any of the other four members: Two that are young and promising and two that have had wildly inconsistent performances in the recent past.

People don’t like to call Tillman the staff ace, but he is the anchor, he is the steadying force. These Orioles need Tillman to be healthy and performing well just as much as Tillman needs to do that for his own future.

So, the Orioles are going to be cautious. And Tillman is going to shrug his shoulders and stay on the program while games don’t count.

He’ll even miss some that do, but that’s what has to happen if he wants to make 30 starts after mid-April.

Will he start 30 times in 2017? I don’t know.

But he flashed a glimmer of the resolve we’re used to seeing in Friday’s interview, when, in typical form, Tillman said he’d probably pitch through any lingering discomfort if this were the regular season.

“If we’re sitting here in June or July, I’m probably pitching,” Tillman said. “At the same time, we’re talking spring training here. It’s not worth it to me.”

Note: The Orioles have released right-hander Logan Ondrusek, who was on the 40-man roster but had been shelved with elbow discomfort. By releasing him now, the Orioles save a portion of the $650,000 he was owed for this season.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/03/17/spring-training-primer-alvarez-get-first-action- lees-nervous-night-dramatic-tie/

Spring Training Primer: Alvarez to get first OF action; Lee’s nervous night; a dramatic tie

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com March 16, 2017

What’s happening: Today will be the day that Pedro Alvarez begins his outfield experiment for real. At least kind of for real. He’ll be playing right field in a “B game” on a backfield in Sarasota against mostly Pittsburgh Pirates minor leaguers. Got that?

The contest will last roughly seven innings and Orioles’ regulars Chris Davis, Mark Trumbo and J.J. Hardy will act as designated hitters as a way to see more live pitching without taking the trip to Bradenton.

But the main reason for paying attention to the B game will be Alvarez, a corner infielder by trade who is trying to add outfield to his resume. He’s been working for several months at the position, and now he’ll do it in a game – sort of.

The Orioles also will get another chance to see 23-year-old right-hander Gabriel Ynoa start. He’s pitching for the Orioles in their regularly scheduled contest against the Pirates in Bradenton.

Ynoa, whom the Orioles acquired from the New York Mets for cash considerations in February, has been pretty good so far. He’s allowed two runs in six innings in three Grapefruit League appearances; he hasn’t pitched beyond two innings in an outing yet. That should change today.

What’s happened: Lefty Chris Lee made his first start in an Orioles’ uniform Thursday night. It was a fairly uneventful performance for the 24-year-old prospect who hasn’t pitched above Double-A.

He threw three innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out a batter. He was wild, throwing only 34 of his 66 pitches for strikes. But he didn’t give up a run.

“Once the runners were out (there) on base, my main focus was, ‘Don’t let them score and try to get a groundball to get out of it,’” said Lee, who had made three previous relief appearances in Grapefruit League action this spring.

Even though it was an exhibition start, Lee admitted he was a little nervous He hadn’t started a game since last May with Double-A Bowie. He missed the remainder of the year due to a lat/shoulder issue.

“There (were) a little nerves, but it was good nerves. I have a little butterflies once in a while,” Lee said. “Last night it was hard for me to sleep, because I knew I had my first start in a little while. I was pretty pumped up and ready to get out there.”

Showalter said he could tell how nervous Lee was, so he didn’t read too much into the outing.

“(It was) OK,” Showalter said. “Three zeroes on the board.”

Thursday’s game ended in bizarre fashion. The Orioles were being no-hit by the Philadelphia Phillies heading into the ninth inning when Michael Mariot, the Phillies’ fourth pitcher, allowed a one-out single to Chris Dickerson. Sean Coyle follow with a two-run homer to tie the game, 2- 2. The Orioles didn’t score again – and when the ninth inning ended, so did the game.

The Phillies just filed out of the dugout. The Orioles, including Showalter, seemed a little confused. The fans stayed in their seats for a while until the umpires walked off the field and it was officially announced that the game was over. That’s spring training for you.

The club continues to deal with spring injuries. Outfielder Anthony Santander had a MRA on his right elbow Thursday and is sidelined for a few days. Ryan Flaherty (shoulder), Chris Tillman (shoulder) and Seth Smith (hamstring) remain out.

Showalter said Flaherty, who had a cortisone injection Tuesday, could have been a DH in the B game” today, but the club decided to be cautious and give him another day of rest. Tillman, who had a cortisone shot Wednesday, has experienced no pain since the injection, but there is no set timetable on when he’ll throw again.

Smith said he is taking his time with his right hamstring strain, because he doesn’t want to aggravate it. He hasn’t played since March 8.

“You want to get some time in spring training obviously, but ultimately you want to do what you can to point towards the first of April,” Smith said. “So, whatever we’ve got to do with regard to the leg and at-bats we’ll do the best we can to get it where it needs to be.”

What’s up with: Adam Jones. The Orioles center fielder hit an eighth-inning home run to tie the WBC game between Team USA and Team Venezuela on Wednesday night – a contest the US won on an Eric Hosmer homer in the eighth. What was Showalter’s reaction to Jones’ homer? “Should have been at my house. Excited about it. I loved the way he handled himself after the game. I’m proud of him.”

What they’re saying: “It was definitely an amazing feeling. Definitely a little different from waiting so long because of the injury last year and coming back from it. Being out of the bullpen the first couple of games, starting just felt right.” – Lee on Thursday’s start.

What’s the number? 7,898 – That was the attendance for Thursday night’s game at Ed Smith Stadium. It was the club’s second sellout of the spring – and the first night game of the Grapefruit League season at Ed Smith.

What’s the record? 10-8-2 – The Orioles failed Thursday to win for the third straight time, but they didn’t lose thanks to Coyle’s big blast. They are 0-2-1 since winning seven of eight.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/03/16/santander-getting-elbow-checked-might-help- remain-orioles/

Santander is getting his elbow checked out — why that might help him remain with the Orioles

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com March 16, 2017

Anthony Santander, one of two outfielders the Orioles selected in the Rule 5 draft this winter, underwent a MRA of his right elbow Thursday and will be shelved for a few days.

It’s bad news in that it will make it more difficult for the Orioles to evaluate Santander’s ability to play defense before a decision on his future has to be made.

It’s concerning news in that this is an elbow injury and the 22-year-old switch-hitter already had right shoulder surgery in the offseason.

But, then again, maybe it is a fortuitous development for the Orioles. Stick with me.

From the moment the Orioles took Santander from the Cleveland Indians and 24-year-old Aneury Tavarez from the Boston Red Sox in December’s Rule 5 draft, the question was, how are they going to keep both on the roster all season?

The simple answer was that they wouldn’t have to. That Santander would probably start the season on the disabled list while recovering from shoulder surgery. That’s one way around roster crunches involving Rule 5 players. They can be stashed on the big-league DL – assuming they are actually injured – for a while. So long as they log 90 active days on a big-league roster in a season, they become property of that claiming organization. Santander looked like an initial DL stash.

But he was ready to go at the start of spring training, at least from a hitting standpoint. He’s had 28 at-bats in the spring, getting seven hits (.250 average), including two homers.

He has yet to play in the field, though. And now that’s been delayed with this elbow discomfort.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Thursday that he’s not in a position where he can take a player north and keep him on the 25-man roster all season – what you must do with a Rule 5 pick or offer him back to his original club for $50,000, half of the original purchase price – if the player’s defense is an unknown.

“It’s kind of tough with Santander because we haven’t been able to see him out in the field,” Showalter said. “You’re not gonna be able to carry somebody, Rule 5, that can’t handle themselves defensively. It just won’t work.”

Time is running out for Santander to show his ability as an outfielder – and so you’d think time is running out on him as an Oriole. Because the Venezuelan’s ceiling is too high for the Cleveland Indians to decide they don’t want him back.

But the Orioles aren’t exactly drowning in outfield prospects or power in the minor leagues. This is the kind of guy who could really help in a year or two if they can somehow keep him.

Cue the elbow MRA.

I’m not suggesting this is another case of the Flaherty Flu — the mysterious sickness that felled Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty for a chunk of the 2012 season. But if Santander is dealing with an elbow issue that sidelines him for a little bit, well, a decision can be shelved for a bit, too.

In an interview with reporters Thursday, Showalter intimated that the elbow discomfort isn’t a major surprise to the club, that there were some things during Santander’s physical that at least were worth monitoring.

“Looking at the physical and the history and everything, we want to make sure we know what we’re dealing with there before we push forward,” Showalter said. “Knowing the history of everything he’s had, it’s something we want to make sure we get our arms around before he goes into the outfield.”

If Santander is out of the Opening Day equation, it would seem to reason that Tavarez has a better chance to go north with the club. His speed is something the Orioles definitely could use, but he hasn’t shown the defensive prowess that must go with that to guarantee him a 25-man roster spot.

Primarily a second baseman previously, Tavarez is still transitioning some to the outfield. And there are times when that is evident, like in a recent Grapefruit League game when Tavarez ran down a ball – and then overran it.

“His talent is going to allow him to get some balls that other people won’t. Will the lack of experience get in the way of completing the plays? You see the long ball that he ran a long way and overran,” Showalter said of Tavarez. “He’s probably one of the few guys in camp that could get to that ball, but the experience of breaking (it) down, knowing that you’re going to run right by that and you gotta get under control, that’s what you’re looking for. That skill and that (speed) tool don’t play unless you can finish the play and break it down.”

Frankly, the Orioles took Santander and Tavarez in December because they had some real outfield concerns. Since then, they’ve traded for Seth Smith, re-signed Mark Trumbo, added Craig Gentry, Chris Dickerson and Michael Bourn on minor league deals and are experimenting with Pedro Alvarez and Trey Mancini in right.

Gentry is healthy and can play defense and run. He’s a real candidate to make the 25-man roster. Bourn, who is sidelined with a fractured finger, can do the same.

There is not as much of a need for Tavarez or Santander on the 25-man roster now. But the Orioles might still find a way to keep at least one – as a play for the future more than as solution for 2017.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/03/14/myriad-orioles-thoughts-right-field-roulette- starters-not-going-deep-handling-wbc-guys/

Myriad Orioles Thoughts: Right-field roulette; starters not going deep; handling the WBC guys

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com March 16, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. — Trey Mancini charged in on a single to right in the first inning Tuesday. It skipped in front of him and then bounced away.

Error, right field.

Mancini, who before this week hadn’t played the outfield since the summer after his freshman year in college back in 2011, has temporarily moved from first base/designated hitter to right field this spring.

If Mancini isn’t getting reps in the outfield in the next few games, you’ll likely see Pedro Alvarez out there. The third baseman/first baseman/designated hitter will DH on Wednesday and then likely will play in right shortly thereafter.

This is the purpose of spring training. Hitters are trying to find their timing. Pitchers are refining their arsenals. And guys who are in a roster crunch are experimenting with ways that will make them the best fit for the big-league club.

“I want to do whatever I can to try and make this team — and make myself more versatile,” Mancini said. “I’ve always thought I could play outfield and I’ve always taken pride in my first base (defense) and getting better there, too. But I wanted to give this a try.”

First base for Mancini is blocked by Chris Davis, and DH is going to be manned primarily by Mark Trumbo. That roster configuration also squeezes the recently signed Alvarez, who was used at DH last year and won’t play third or first for the Orioles. So being able to play right field is a sensible consideration worth exploring.

But here’s the rub: The Orioles demand top defense. And, even with the opportunity in spring training, it’s hard to believe either one of these guys will be able to play right field to the satisfaction of manager Buck Showalter once the gloves come off and the season starts.

That’s not a criticism of Alvarez or Mancini. They may surprise us all. But it’s going to take time. Showalter made reference to that Tuesday, saying he wished Alvarez had signed earlier and had jumpstarted his outfield experiment a few weeks ago.

I applaud both men for trying to transition to the outfield, but let’s not forget that it is a difficult move to make at any level. But in the majors and for a defensive-oriented team? That’s a real tough assignment.

Rotation coming up a little short

Lefty Wade Miley lasted three innings Tuesday, allowing three runs on seven hits in three innings, throwing 63 pitches, 40 for strikes.

I’m not reading anything into Miley’s performance. All seven of the hits were singles. Some were scolded, others bloops and bleeders. Miley didn’t seem too concerned about the results. He got his work in. And Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Miley wasn’t feeling particularly well physically Tuesday, but gutted it out. So, he definitely gets points there for no excuses.

Here’s the one concern I take from Tuesday’s outing, and it’s more about the rotation as a whole than Miley in particular. Again, a starter couldn’t go four innings this spring; only Ubaldo Jimenez has even reached the fourth inning.

Miley needed 63 pitches to get through three innings Tuesday. Failing to pitch deep into games has been an epidemic for Orioles’ starters in the past few years. So, it is slightly disturbing when they aren’t economic with their pitches in March.

No one will care in May that Miley and company weren’t getting into the fourth in mid-March, of course. Especially if those guys are efficient in-season.

But you like to see improvement on weaknesses in the spring, and, so far, the rotation has not allayed the continual fears of escalating pitch counts.

Showalter’s handling of WBC guys

One of the things that makes Showalter so good at what he does is that he individualizes his plans for each player, trying getting the best out of everyone.

Case in point: Showalter said pitcher Vidal Nuno will be back from the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday night and that he’d like to get him into a game soon because he didn’t pitch much while representing Mexico.

However, Showalter is expecting to do the opposite with some of his position players, like Jonathan Schoop and Manny Machado. Showalter wants to give those guys a few days off to rest and recharge, though, “I’m going to kind of leave it up to them on what they want to do.”

And that goes for catcher Welington Castillo, who left for Team Dominican Republic after only a few weeks with his new Orioles’ pitching staff. The conventional wisdom would be to throw Castillo right back into game action so he can continue to learn the Orioles’ pitchers.

But Showalter isn’t always about convention, and he said Castillo has already “crossed the threshold” of spring training plate appearances that would normally lead to resting the player for a couple days in the spring.

“I know what you’re saying about learning the pitchers and all that, but I want him to be healthy and be in the right mental state,” Showalter said. “And I think that’s the biggest thing with these guys, their competitive clock has gotten pushed up, and it’s just tough to maintain that.”

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/03/15/tillman-cortisone-shot-shoulder/

Tillman to have cortisone shot in shoulder

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com March 16, 2017

Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman will receive a cortisone shot in his right shoulder – perhaps as early as today – manager Buck Showalter said Wednesday morning.

Tillman has not pitched in a game this spring and had his scheduled bullpen session shut down before it began Sunday because of lingering discomfort. He was supposed to pitch in his first spring game Friday, but that obviously won’t happen.

Tillman will be re-evaluated after the cortisone takes effect.

“Probably two or three days down and then see where we are with it,” Showalter said.

The other option was for Tillman, 28, to continue to rest, but Showalter said it was a decision made by Tillman, in concert with medical personnel, to have the shot. The hope is it will accelerate his return

Due to concern with what excessive cortisone can do to joints, Tillman will not be able undergo another cortisone shot for at least six months.

He had a platelet-rich plasma injection in December and was hoping that would allow him to be ready for spring training and Opening Day.

Showalter said there is no exact timetable for Tillman’s pending return, besides that he will not be ready for Opening Day. The club is still optimistic it can have him at some point in April – although he would have to get back on the mound soon to make that happen.

Tillman is a free agent at the end of this year.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/03/15/spring-training-primer-britton-makes-spring- debut-flaherty-sidelined-heim-hits-old-team/

Spring Training Primer: Britton makes spring debut; Flaherty sidelined; Heim hits old team

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com March 16, 2017

What’s happening: Zach Britton is pitching again. That was the big news from Tuesday’s 9-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium.

The All-Star closer had not pitched in a game since Oct. 2, when he threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings in last year’s regular-season finale (he didn’t pitch in the playoff game, I’ve been told).

He had been shelved this spring due to soreness in his left side/oblique area. He finally received the green light Tuesday.

In the fourth inning, Britton made his 2017 debut. It wasn’t memorable.

He allowed two runs on four hits – all singles – while recording three outs, two by strikeout. Afterward Orioles manager Buck Showalter praised his sinkerballer for getting the Rays to beat the ball on the ground. A few of those balls, though, found spots.

“Zach was good today, that was good to see,” Showalter said. “He was really good … ground balls, broken bats, swinging bunts.”

Britton wasn’t as enthused.

“Throwing strikes was the biggest thing, and then seeing balls on the ground was what I wanted to see,” Britton said. “Overall, I feel OK. Physically, I felt good. In (the) spring, you don’t care about results. But I do. I wasn’t too happy about it.”

That declaration didn’t surprise Showalter.

“He never is (content),” the manager said. “These guys, they’re not just out there getting the work in, and (thinking), ‘My stuff will be there when the bell rings.’ They like to get people out. They take a lot of pride in it.”

What happened: The Orioles got Britton back, and shortstop J.J. Hardy (back) played on consecutive days, but now another member of the projected, 25-man roster is sidelined.

Showalter announced Tuesday that utility infielder Ryan Flaherty has been dealing with a sore right shoulder and received a cortisone shot Monday. Flaherty will not play for a few days, but Showalter said he doesn’t believe the injury is serious at this point.

The most talked about shoulder in camp is apparently slowly improving. Showalter said starter Chris Tillman, who was shut down Sunday with shoulder soreness before throwing a scheduled bullpen session, felt better Tuesday than he did on Monday.

The club and Tillman have not decided what the next step is, but Showalter is cautiously encouraged by the daily reports on Tillman.

With mighty gusts of wind swirling through Ed Smith Stadium on Tuesday, the Orioles managed to hit three home runs, one each by Chris Dickerson, Joey Rickard and Paul Janish.

Janish hasn’t hit a big-league homer in the regular season since 2010.

Tampa Bay minor league catcher Jonah Heim was 2-for-2 with one RBI on Tuesday. Heim is a former Orioles prospect whom the club traded to the Rays last July for Steve Pearce. Heim, known more for his glove than bat, has four hits in eight Grapefruit League at-bats.

What’s up with: Wade Miley. The lefty starter made his fourth appearance in Grapefruit League action, and Tuesday’s performance wasn’t nearly as good as last week’s, when he threw three scoreless innings against Toronto.

On Tuesday, Miley allowed three runs in three innings on seven hits and a walk. He minimized the damage; all seven hits were singles. Showalter said after the game that Miley was battling illness, but felt strong enough to pitch.

Miley has now allowed seven earned runs in nine spring innings as he readies for his spot in the rotation.

What they’re saying: “It wasn’t terrible. It wasn’t great. Just kind of somewhere in the middle.” — Miley on his outing Tuesday.

What’s the number? 19 – That’s how many hits the Rays’ split-squad team had against the Orioles. Sixteen of those were singles; three were doubles. Each of the five Orioles pitchers surrendered at least two hits.

What’s the record? 10-7-1 – Tuesday’s loss was just the second for the Orioles since March 4. They travel to Bradenton today to face the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ubaldo Jimenez starts for the Orioles and Jameson Taillon pitches for the Pirates.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/03/11/thoughts-orioles-re-signing-pedro-alvarez-minor- league-deal-really-not/

Thoughts on Orioles re-signing Pedro Alvarez to a minor league deal: Really? And, why not?

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com March 16, 2017

The Orioles, under executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter, make unconventional moves.

Decisions that don’t seem to fit initially, but might if certain things happen.

And that’s what has appeared to have occurred this weekend.

According to FanRag Sports, the Orioles have agreed to a minor league deal with Pedro Alvarez, pending medical review, that could pay him $2 million with incentives that could be worth an additional $3.5 million.

The first reaction is, ‘Say what?’

Alvarez, 30, had a solid season for the Orioles last year, when he initially didn’t appear to be a particularly good fit, but ended up as a solid contributor with 22 homers and a .249 average. He looks like an ever worse fit this spring.

Alvarez is a limited defender who can mash right-handed pitching. He’s best served as a platoon DH, though he held his own against lefties last year on a limited basis.

Because the Orioles wanted to upgrade their outfield defense and improve their on-base percentage this offseason, they traded for Seth Smith, added Craig Gentry and Michael Bourn on minor league deals and re-signed Mark Trumbo, who has been penciled-in as the primary DH.

The inn is so crowded that promising young DH Trey Mancini may get punted back to Triple-A despite continuing to hit, young outfielders Joey Rickard, Aneury Tavarez and Anthony Santander are in a no-holds-barred battle for a roster spot, Christian Walker has been jettisoned from the organization and minor league outfielder Dariel Alvarez has been converted to a pitcher.

And now Pedro Alvarez is back in black and orange?

To make matters more bizarre, Alvarez, who has struggled in the past at third base and first base, worked in the outfield this offseason to widen his market. And the sense, according to FanRag, is that he could be used as an outfielder in the Orioles’ organization.

Well, here are some quick thoughts on all of this.

Let’s just call me skeptical that Alvarez can play an adequate outfield. He has a strong arm, but he wasn’t good at his original positions. Trying a new one at 30 seems rather ambitious, especially for the Orioles, who emphasize defense and felt they needed an upgrade over Trumbo.

I can’t imagine Alvarez can trump Trumbo out there, and Trumbo is still the best bet for most DH at-bats, anyway.

Secondly, it’s gonna be real interesting to see if Alvarez would be willing to play extensively at Norfolk. This is a guy who was the No. 2 pick in the nation in 2008 and hasn’t played at Triple- A since 2011. I’m sure it is humbling not to be signed until March in consecutive years, but that’s different than actually riding buses to Scranton in May.

Alvarez is a big leaguer, there is no doubt about it. And he just looks like big league insurance with the Orioles, and that’s got to be tough for him to swallow.

To me, this is kind of baseball’s version of finding odd jobs for an unemployed buddy until he can find something better.

When the Orioles brought in Alvarez last March there was concern that he was recalcitrant, and wouldn’t fit into the carefully constructed clubhouse atmosphere. Good guy Ryan Flaherty, Alvarez’s college teammate, vouched for El Toro and the Orioles took a shot.

And Alvarez proved to be a hard worker and great teammate. He was quiet and he didn’t seek out the media, but he was a model citizen and produced enough on the field to justify his spot.

Since he was without a job again with weeks to go before the season starts, the Orioles probably figured they had nothing to lose.

They know his bat, they like his personality and his price tag was right.

Like many of Duquette’s moves, it was low-risk with a solid upside. It’s not a bad call if Alvarez is willing to bide his time in the minors and the Orioles suffer an injury. In fact, it could prove to be a really good move in that scenario.

Is it a conventional one, though?

Absolutely not, but you’re used to that by now.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/03/14/spring-training-primer-alvarez-ready-right-hardy- back-gausman-wants-pitch-deeper/

Spring Training Primer: Alvarez ready for right; Hardy is back; Gausman wants to pitch deeper

By Rich Dubroff / BaltimoreBaseball.com March 15, 2017

What’s happening: Pedro Alvarez passed his physical, and his outfield adventure will begin.

Manager Buck Showalter suggested to Alvarez last September that he could make himself more marketable as a major leaguer by trying the outfield, and Alvarez agreed.

“I think that the fact that it was brought up to me showed a desire to have me around, and I appreciated that conversation last year. And, in the same token, it was coming from a good place in his heart, looking out for my career,” Alvarez said.

Showalter said he thinks Alvarez, a corner infielder by trade, can play the outfield.

“I’m going to be surprised if he can’t do it. Pretty athletic. Kind of fits his skill set, too. He’s got a plus arm, and he’s going to work hard at it,” Showalter said. “He’s going to work there exclusively. Hopefully, we’ll have a feel for it by the time we get towards the end (of spring training). We’ve got plenty of time.”

Showalter thinks Alvarez will play more right field than left. He could appear in his first game Wednesday against Pittsburgh as a designated hitter.

There was no update on Chris Tillman’s right shoulder Monday.

“I don’t think we’ll have any new information on him for a day or two, let it quiet down,” Showalter said. “They’re contemplating a couple of options if that doesn’t go well.”

Showalter said that a cortisone injection was a possibility.

“I think we’ll get a direction in a couple of days,” Showalter said.

“Once you go down the injection thing, we might be able to gain a little ground on it,” the manager added. “But I don’t think (it will be) anything that’s going to put him as an option to start the season.”

What’s happened: J.J. Hardy played his first game at shortstop Monday. Hardy, who hadn’t played because of back spasms, moved easily and is expected to play again today.

Caleb Joseph was hit by a pitch on the left elbow, but after the game he said he was fine and could play today.

Chris Davis was held out of the lineup for a fourth day by bronchitis. He said he felt better, but Showalter said he would rest the first baseman until Davis regained some strength.

In other conversion news, Showalter started Trey Mancini, who has only played first base, in right field. Mancini had an uneventful six innings; no fly balls were hit his way.

Outfielder Chris Dickerson, who was hit in the right elbow on Sunday, was held out Monday. Craig Gentry was out with a groin injury, and Seth Smith missed his fourth straight day due to a right hamstring injury.

The Orioles optioned right-hander Joe Gunkel to Triple-A Norfolk. They now have 51 players on the major league, spring training roster.

What’s up with: Kevin Gausman. The righty pitched three innings Monday, allowing two runs, one of them unearned. He hasn’t been named the Opening Day starter, but that’s expected soon.

On Monday, he was not economical with his pitches, exceeding 60 in three innings.

“Going into that many deep counts, I went to a full count on just about everybody today, it seemed like,” Gausman said. “Anytime you throw that many pitches in three innings, you’re not going to be happy. You just try to minimize damage.”

What they’re saying: “You can never be too versatile, for lack of a better term.” — Alvarez on his outfield experiment.

What’s the number? 4 — That’s how many Orioles starters who were slated to pitch four innings in one outing so far this spring. None has. Ubaldo Jimenez, Mike Wright, Dylan Bundy and Gausman all were penciled in for four, but only Jimenez faced even one batter in the fourth.

What’s the record? 10-6-1 — The Orioles have won seven of their last eight Grapefruit League games. They beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 6-4, Monday.

The Orioles host the Tampa Bay Rays today. Lefty Wade Miley will pitch against Blake Snell.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/03/13/spring-training-primer-tillmans-shoulder- discomfort-remains-potential-tillman-replacements-bundy-lasts-two-innings/

Spring Training Primer: Tillman’s shoulder discomfort remains; potential Tillman replacements; Bundy only lasts two innings

By Rich Dubroff / BaltimoreBaseball.com March 15, 2017

What’s happening: Right-hander Chris Tillman was supposed to pitch for the Orioles for the first time this spring March 17. It won’t happen.

Tillman had a subpar bullpen session Wednesday, and the Orioles blamed it on an antibiotic he was taking. They thought it caused joint pain. Giving Tillman an extra day to get the drug out of his system, they scheduled another bullpen for him Sunday.

But after 10 long tosses, before pitching from the mound, Tillman’s bullpen session was scrapped because he is still feeling discomfort in his right shoulder. And now the Orioles are exploring their options with Tillman, and options for another starter.

“It’s discouraging for Chris, I know,” manager Buck Showalter said before Sunday’s game. “(Tillman) being one of our five starters at the start of the season is in jeopardy.”

After the game, Showalter amended his forecast, and said that Tillman was “doubtful” for the beginning of the season.

The Orioles have several internal options to step in for Tillman: right-handers Mike Wright, Tyler Wilson and Gabriel Ynoa and left-handers Jayson Aquino and Chris Lee.

They could also scour the free agent market for a veteran, and there are several still available: Doug Fister, Edwin Jackson, Tim Lincecum, Colby Lewis and Jake Peavy. Fister, in particular, has intrigued the Orioles in the past.

In more positive injury news, closer Zach Britton should be ready to pitch, perhaps as soon as Tuesday. He’s been held out because of left oblique discomfort. Shortstop J.J. Hardy, who has yet to play because of back spasms, appears ready to go.

“J.J. looks good. It’s just a matter of when he feels comfortable playing in a game,” Showalter said. “He’s feeling better.”

Chris Davis has not played the last three games due to bronchitis. Seth Smith missed Saturday’s game with a right hamstring injury.

Chris Dickerson was hit by a pitch just above his left elbow in the third inning and left Sunday’s game.

What’s happened: Dylan Bundy was tagged for five runs in two innings Sunday. The Orioles had hoped their starters would complete four innings, but none of the first three who’ve tried have recorded an out in the fourth.

Ubaldo Jimenez left after one batter in the fourth Friday night. Mike Wright could complete only 2 2/3 innings Saturday, and now Bundy.

“It’s disappointing, especially since I went three the last one. Got the pitch count up, don’t know what it was,” Bundy said. “It was up there. Threw more sliders today. Other than that, felt good.”

Sunday was a home run happy day at CenturyLInks Field in Fort Myers, where Byron Buxton hit a leadoff home run and Jorge Polanco had a second inning grand slam.

The Orioles hit three home runs. Trey Mancini hit his first of the spring, Craig Gentry, who has four in his major league career, hit his second of the week, and Rule 5 draft choice Anthony Santander hit his second in two days.

What’s up with: Chris Lee. The left-handed prospect, who missed much of the 2016 season because of a lat/shoulder injury, has allowed two runs on five hits in eight innings.

“I’ll tell you, Chris Lee has been real impressive down here. He’s had like three outings as good as you’d want to see down here,” Showalter said.

What they’re saying: “We’ll see what direction Chris goes. I know it’s a big year for Chris on a lot of fronts.” —Showalter with a reminder that Tillman is a free agent and a lengthy injury could cost him financially.

What’s the number? — $3.5 million. That’s the amount of incentives in Pedro Alvarez’s minor league contract. Alvarez will receive $250,000 each for 200, 250, 300 and 350 plate appearances. He gets $500,000 each for 400, 450, 500, 550 and 600 plate appearances.

Last year, Alvarez, who is expected to take a physical today, had 376 plate appearances for the Orioles. He’s exceeded 600 plate appearances only in 2013.

What’s the record? — 9-6-1. The Orioles have won six of their last seven Grapefruit League games. They beat the Minnesota Twins, 8-6, Sunday.

They’ll play their next five games within 20 minutes of Sarasota. They’ll host Philadelphia today with Kevin Gausman facing Jeremy Hellickson.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/03/10/spring-training-primer-whats-happened-far- sarasota-whats-horizon/

Spring Training Primer: What’s happened so far in Sarasota, and what’s on the horizon

By Rich Dubroff / BaltimoreBaseball.com March 14, 2017

What’s happening: Three key Orioles, Chris Tillman, Zach Britton and J.J. Hardy, have yet to play this spring. The good news is that all three could be playing within the next week.

Tillman, who had a platelet rich plasma injection in December, won’t be ready to pitch Opening Day, but could be ready to start shortly after that. He may be able to pitch in an exhibition game by March 17.

Britton, whom the Orioles have been cautious with after he reported oblique discomfort, could be ready to pitch in the next several days.

Hardy, who has been slowed by a back spasm, is ramping up activities and could be ready to play by the beginning of next week.

Michael Bourn hasn’t played because of a broken finger, and he won’t be ready to start the season.

The biggest questions for the second half of spring training are: 1) Who is going to be the leadoff hitter? 2) Who will be the reserve outfielders? 3) Who will be the roster’s final two relievers? What’s happened: Six Orioles are currently at the World Baseball Classic: Welington Castillo, Mychal Givens, Adam Jones, Manny Machado, Vidal Nuno and Jonathan Schoop.

The Orioles acquired two left-handed pitchers earlier in spring training: Nuno and Richard Bleier, who is considering a bid to play for Team Israel in the second round. They also signed two veteran outfielders, Bourn and Craig Gentry.

Gentry has a solid chance to make the ballclub as an extra outfielder, especially if the Orioles begin the season with 11 pitchers and 14 position players. There are three off days in the schedule’s first eight days, which means the club may be able to get by with fewer pitchers than usual.

In the first 13 games of Grapefruit League play, the Orioles are pitching well (3.79 ERA), but aren’t hitting (.209 batting average).

What’s up with: Seth Smith. Set to be the starting right fielder, Smith is batting just .091, getting his first hit in his fifth Grapefruit League game.

Smith is an outside possibility to bat leadoff. Manager Buck Showalter is also considering Jones, who was the leadoff batter for most of last season, and Hyun Soo Kim.

Kim got his first hit against a left-hander in Tuesday’s win over the Dominican Republic, but those stats don’t count in the Grapefruit League.

The first controversy of camp erupted when the team reported on Feb. 13. Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette said that ESPN analyst and former major league center fielder Doug Glanville thought that Jones should play deeper in center field. And Duquette seemingly agreed.

Jones had suggested at FanFest on Jan. 28 that the Orioles needed to improve their outfield defense – but he meant personnel and not positioning.

What they’re saying: “What’s too honest, telling the truth? I think that shows that I care. I’m here for one reason. I’m not here to be friends with anybody. I’m here to win, and, at the end of the day, I think that’s what we’re all here for.” — Jones on Feb. 18, discussing the club’s need to upgrade its outfield defense.

What’s the number? 8 – That’s how many stolen bases the Orioles have in 13 games so far this spring. They had 19 in 162 games last season.

What’s the record? 7-5-1 — Ubaldo Jimenez starts against Boston’s Kyle Kendrick tonight as the Orioles play the Red Sox in Fort Myers at 6:05.

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Spring Training Primer: Alvarez switches to pitching; Mancini keeps hitting; Gentry homers

By Rich Dubroff / BaltimoreBaseball.com March 14, 2017

What’s happening: The always inventive Buck Showalter is at it again. When he managed the Texas Rangers, Showalter convinced R.A. Dickey to try life as a knuckleballer, and it worked brilliantly. Now, Showalter is experimenting with 28-year-old Dariel Alvarez.

The Cuban defector, who signed with the Orioles for $800,000 in July 2013, is being converted from an outfielder into a pitcher, Showalter said Wednesday.

Alvarez, who batted .250 in 14 big-league games in 2015 and 2016, faced long odds in making the Orioles, especially after they recently added several veteran outfielders and selected two more in the Rule 5 draft.

With Alvarez, the Orioles will try to duplicate the success they had when they converted Mychal Givens from an offensively-challenged infielder to the mound.

“We’ve got a template with it with Mychal, so it’s very similar to that,” Showalter said.

Right-handed pitcher Logan Ondrusek had an MRI on his right elbow this week. Ondrusek missed time earlier in camp with a sprained ankle, and he’s only pitched twice.

“I feel snakebitten right now,” Ondrusek said. “The ankle was just a fluke deal, trying to avoid a collision and ended up hurting myself and missing time. And, as soon as I got better and am starting to feel really good … this happens.”

On Wednesday, the club optioned right-handed pitchers Parker Bridwell and Jason Garcia to Triple-A Norfolk and reassigned left-handed pitcher Jed Bradley and catcher Yermin Mercedes to minor league camp.

The Orioles have 51 players on their spring training roster.

What’s happened: Wade Miley pitched three scoreless innings Wednesday and Craig Gentry hit a three-run home run in the Orioles’ 6-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Miley, who allowed four runs in one-plus inning last Friday at Pittsburgh, left that game when he was hit by a line drive. He had no issues in this start.

“I feel like I threw the fastball the same way last time. Didn’t get a few calls. Put the ball in play a little more, obviously. I was happy with it,” Miley said.

Darren O’Day pitched a perfect fourth. Tyler Wilson allowed a three-run home run to Toronto’s Lourdes Gurriel.

What’s up with: Trey Mancini. The rookie first baseman/designated hitter is batting .333 (7-for- 21) this spring and has an uphill battle to make the Orioles.

Mancini hit three home runs in five games last September, and his brief time in the big leagues was important.

“It helped tremendously. It gives you confidence,” Mancini said. “In spring training, it’s a time to get ready for the season, but it’s also a very competitive environment and you also want to do well. Playing in major league games and being in that situation at that level, helps once you get to spring training.”

What they’re saying: “I don’t know if convincing is the word. We just laid it out. Here’s what we see. Here’s what we’re thinking, and what do you think? He’s got to embrace it. This is something that he’s wanted to do, but the big thing for him is that he didn’t want to leave the offensive part of it behind.”- Showalter on whether Alvarez was eager to make the transition to pitching.

What’s the number? 165 — That’s how many spring training at-bats Gentry had since he last homered in an exhibition game. His last home run came on March 10, 2013. Gentry, who is competing for an outfield job, has only four home runs in 457 major league games. He’s played 40 big league games in the last two years.

“Today was the guy that shows why he’s been such a sought-after third and fourth outfielder over the years, when he’s healthy,” Showalter said. “The big thing is just staying on the field.”

What’s the record? 7-5-1 — The Orioles won their fourth straight Grapefruit League game. Their win over the Dominican Republic does not count in the Grapefruit League standings.

After the first of two scheduled off days, the Orioles will play the Boston Red Sox at Fort Myers on Friday night at 6:05 p.m.