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Luke Jones

Davis’ two longest bombs of year give Orioles temporary relief

Luke Jones

Chris Davis’ longest home run of the year and the emphatic bat flip that followed are unlikely to save the season, but the Orioles could breathe a temporary sigh of relief on Wednesday night after they hadn’t led over their previous 51 innings before the walk-off blow against Tampa Bay. The 459-foot blast to the back of the right-center bleachers in the bottom of the 11th came after a 446-foot shot in the fourth inning that had been his longest homer of the 2015 season. His 37th and 38th long balls of the year were instrumental in the Orioles snapping a six-game losing streak, but the precursor for his breakout performance may have come a night earlier. With Baltimore trailing 11-0 to Tampa Bay in the late innings and Buck Showalter looking to give his biggest stars — Davis, Adam Jones, and Manny Machado — a breather, the first baseman asked his manager to let him stay in the game. Like many of his teammates, Davis was angry and just didn’t feel like throwing in the towel on what would be the Orioles’ 12th loss in 13 games. The lefty slugger hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the

Struggling Gonzalez undergoes MRI on shoulder, elbow

Luke Jones

(Updated: 11:30 p.m.) BALTIMORE — Performing poorly for more than two months, Orioles starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam on Tuesday as he’s been experiencing discomfort in his right elbow and shoulder. Manager Buck Showalter said after the 11-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays that the exam revealed only inflammation and no structural concerns, but the 31-year-old has already received a cortisone injection in his shoulder and is expected to at least miss a start or two. The right-handed hurler could pitch again later this month, according to Showalter. “It was a positive report. They didn’t find any structural damage,” Showalter said. “We’re going to let that quiet down [and] see if we can get him ready to pitch again. It was as good news as you could expect.” Gonzalez sported a 3.33 ERA when he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a groin strain on June 11. Since returning in late June, the right-hander has pitched to a 6.49 ERA that’s elevated his season mark to a robust 4.85. Signed to a minor-league contract prior to the 2012 season, Gonzalez posted an ERA of 3.78 or better in each of his first

Pitta officially placed on PUP list, Guy returns to practice field

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens trimmed their roster to the NFL-mandated 75 players on Tuesday by officially placing tight end Dennis Pitta on the reserve physically unable to perform list. Baltimore also waived offensive linemen De’Ondre Wesley and Darryl Baldwin. The latter had been placed on the non-football injury list on Monday. Attempting to return from a second right hip dislocation and fracture in two years, Pitta has been running routes and working out on his own, but the 30-year-old has not been fully cleared to return to the field. Head coach John Harbaugh had already said last month that Pitta would begin the regular season on the PUP list, meaning he is not eligible to return until Week 7 at the earliest. The Ravens prepared all offseason as though Pitta would not be able to return to football by drafting tight ends Maxx Williams and Nick Boyle a year after selecting current starter Crockett Gillmore in the third round of the 2014 draft. “As far as I’m concerned as a coach, I think you plan for the worst, and you hope for the best,” Harbaugh said. “I’m planning on him not being back. That would be the plan

Leftover thoughts from Ravens' third preseason game

Luke Jones

Many were ready to deem Asa Jackson the winner of the Ravens’ return competition after his 103-yard kickoff return late in the first half of Saturday’s 31-13 loss to Washington. But then the fourth-year cornerback committed the cardinal sin of fumbling a punt in the fourth quarter after electing not to call for a fair catch with coverage bearing down on him. The gaffe immediately earned Jackson an animated lecture from special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg on the sideline. To no surprise, the turnover holds more weight in the evaluation process than the explosive return. “The biggest concern I have with those guys is dropping the ball,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “Asa made a bad decision, and he knows that. You have to fair catch that. That kind of hang time, you have to fair catch it. Obviously, dropping the kickoff that we had was not great either.” For now, the job appears to be Jackson’s by default with second-year wide receiver Michael Campanaro currently injured, but you still can’t help but wonder if this year’s return specialist isn’t yet on the team. It will be interesting to see if any teams cut loose a veteran returner for a

Injuries hit Ravens defensive line in third preseason game

Luke Jones

After dealing with a slew of injuries on their offensive line in recent weeks, the Ravens were bitten on the defensive line in a 31-13 preseason loss to Washington on Saturday night. Starting defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan injured his right knee on the fourth defensive play of the game and did not return. The second-year defensive lineman has shown much promise in his brief NFL career, but durability is becoming a concern as he was sidelined earlier this summer with a foot injury and missed five games as a rookie. Rookie third-round pick Carl Davis replaced him on the starting defensive line. The Ravens’ defensive line depth also took a hit on Saturday as defensive ends Lawrence Guy (knee) and DeAngelo Tyson (right shoulder) exited early with injuries. Tyson’s injury was of particular concern as he was writhing in pain and was later being consoled by teammates on the bench. Baltimore is already dealing with the loss of second-year defensive end Brent Urban due to a biceps tear. Offensive lineman Ryan Jensen (concussion) and cornerback Chris Greenwood (leg) also left the game with injuries and did not return. Head coach John Harbaugh did not give any injury updates when asked

Orioles promote Alvarez, option Urrutia to Triple-A Norfolk

Luke Jones

In the last days before September call-ups, the Orioles have promoted 26-year-old outfielder Dariel Alvarez from Triple-A Norfolk for a three-game series against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. To make room for Alvarez on the 25-man roster, the Orioles optioned outfielder Henry Urrutia to the Tides on Friday. With Texas sending three left-handed starters to the hill over the weekend, it made sense to add an extra right-handed bat to the 25-man roster prior to Sept. 1 and to recall Urrutia after rosters expand. Considered one of the few positional talents in the higher levels of the Baltimore system, Alvarez was hitting .275 with 16 home runs, 72 RBIs, and a .729 on-base plus slugging percentage in 541 plate appearances for the Tides this season. The Cuban outfielder has the strongest throwing arm in the organization and was starting in right field and batting eighth in the series opener against the Rangers. Alvarez ranked third in the International League in total bases, fourth in hits, and fifth in RBIs. He was also selected to this year’s Triple-A All-Star Game and won the Triple-A home run derby. Opinions have varied on Alvarez’s ceiling as many members of the organization are high

Suggs on being road villain: "You're not supposed to like me"

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — With many still discussing his controversial hit on Philadelphia quarterback Sam Bradford, Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs is taking the criticism from Eagles players and fans in stride. In fact, it’s the kind of role the 32-year-old has embraced throughout his 13-year NFL career. “I think you’re naturally the villain when you go into an opponent’s stadium anyway,” Suggs said. “You might as well not shy away from it. You might as well just bask in it and enjoy it. I’m not supposed to be the opponent’s favorite player. You’re not supposed to like me. I don’t play for you. I represent Ravens nation, so I just enjoy it.” Though the NFL announced this week that Suggs should not have been penalized for the first-quarter hit on Bradford in Saturday’s preseason loss to the Eagles, many still took exception to him hitting the Eagles signal caller’s knees after he suffered left ACL injuries in each of the last two years. Asked to respond to Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Michael Bennett’s harsh words about the league’s protection of its quarterbacks, Suggs was diplomatic while taking a playful jab at his own general manager’s prominent role in making decisions

Six offensive linemen remain sidelined for Ravens

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Moving closer to the all-important third preseason game of the summer against the Washington Redskins, the Ravens continued to be banged up along the offensive line with six players missing. The left side of the starting offensive line is ailing as tackle Eugene Monroe and guard Kelechi Osemele were not present during the portion of practice open to media. Osemele has dealt with an Achilles tendon issue that has forced him in and out of practices and games at different times over the last three weeks. Meanwhile, Monroe appeared to injure his arm in Saturday’s preseason loss to Philadelphia. Baltimore was also without reserve offensive linemen James Hurst (concussion), De’Ondre Wesley (knee), Darryl Baldwin, and Blaine Clausell during Tuesday’s workout. The secondary was missing two of its top four cornerbacks as Lardarius Webb (hamstring) and Rashaan Melvin (undisclosed) were not practicing. Melvin appeared to injure himself during the special-teams portion of Monday’s session, but head coach John Harbaugh wasn’t aware of any injury when asked about him at the end of the workout. Wide receivers Breshad Perriman (knee) and Michael Campanaro (soft tissue injury), running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (knee), cornerback Tramain Jacobs (undisclosed), and linebacker Steven

Hardy heads to disabled list, Reimold designated for assignment

Luke Jones

Adding injury to the insult of being swept in a four-game series by Minnesota, the Orioles placed shortstop J.J. Hardy on the 15-day disabled list with a groin strain. The club also activated outfielder Steve Pearce from the DL, recalled right-handed pitcher Jorge Rondon, and designated outfielder Nolan Reimold for assignment prior to the start of a four-game series in Kansas City. The 33-year-old Hardy had been dealing with the groin problem for several days and was expected to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging exam. Beginning Sunday’s game on the bench, Hardy entered the game in the ninth inning after Matt Wieters hit for Ryan Flaherty in the bottom of the eighth and remained in the game as it went extra innings. Hardy reached on an infield single in the 11th, but it was apparent the groin was bothering him as he later advanced to second base. Jimmy Paredes then entered to run for Hardy, forcing the Orioles into a different defensive alignment that cost them dearly in the 12th inning with Manny Machado making an error at shortstop and Paredes making one at third base. Flaherty will most likely serve as the primary replacement at shortstop in the veteran’s

Suggs' hit on Bradford probably unnecessary, but point spot on

Luke Jones

Like it or not, Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs has developed a reputation around the NFL for being a dirty player. So, it came as no surprise that his penalized hit on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford drew plenty of criticism after Saturday’s game. Eagles tackle Jason Peters said he was “pretty sure he planned it” after the teams practiced together all week. It was probably unnecessary for Suggs to hit Bradford in the knees, but a quarterback isn’t supposed to be treated as a “quarterback” when running the read option, a play in which one defensive player is responsible for the quarterback potentially keeping the ball while another defender targets the running back. When the league goes to desperate lengths to protect its quarterbacks, we’ll find plenty of examples like this one that make us ask where we draw the line and officials face the same problem in real time. It’s not a defensive player’s job to stand there as the play develops and think, “Did he really sell the threat to run enough with that read-option play?” Any football player will tell you indecisiveness leads to big plays by the opposition and potential injury to yourself. Ultimately, it’s a

Ravens-Eagles preseason primer: Five players to watch

Luke Jones

A four-day trip to Philadelphia culminates with the Ravens’ second preseason game of the summer with the Eagles on Saturday night. Unlike last year’s three-day practice session with San Francisco that followed a preseason game, the Ravens should be very familiar with Chip Kelly’s team after two days of full workouts and Friday’s walk-through leading into their preseason contest. By most accounts, the trip was productive with only a few skirmishes that paled in comparison to fights that have taken place elsewhere between teams practicing together. “They treated us very well, and we had three really good practices with a good football team,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “We felt like we’ve improved. You see schemes you don’t normally see, the way routes are run or different types of plays on both sides of the ball that you don’t normally see. It’s great to get a chance to expose yourself to some different schemes.” After the starting offense put together a 16-play touchdown drive in its only action in the preseason opener, Harbaugh could push his starters to play the entire first quarter in the second game of the summer. As always, that will depend on the number of plays

Osemele returns to practice while nursing Achilles issue

Luke Jones

Completing their second day of practice against the Eagles in Philadelphia, the Ravens continued to be less than 100 percent along their offensive line with a few players dealing with injuries. Left guard Kelechi Osemele returned to the practice field on Thursday for the first time since playing in the preseason opener a week ago. A lingering Achilles tendon issue has plagued Osemele for the last couple weeks as the Ravens try to manage giving him enough rest against the need for him to receive the necessary reps to prepare for the start of the season. “It’s a tough balance, because I think we’re going to err on the side of making sure he is ready to go,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “We do that with everybody, really. K.O. can always use the reps. He and Eugene [Monroe] can definitely work together. By the same token, you need him ready to go when you need him ready to go. We’ve been kind of doing that balancing act with all of our guys.” In addition to the injury being a concern for the Ravens, Osemele is entering the final year of his rookie contract and would appear to be in

Unlikely hero Urrutia provides feel-good moment for Orioles

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — Henry Urrutia may never hit another home run and the Orioles still may not qualify for the playoffs despite his dramatic game-winning blast in a 5-4 win over the New York Mets on Wednesday. But it was a moment to savor as the 28-year-old Cuban outfielder became the fifth player in franchise history to club a walk-off shot for his first major league homer, joining Chris Hoiles (1990), Dave Criscione (1977), Jim Hardin (1969), and Merv Rettenmund (1968) in Orioles lore. Of that group, Criscione became one of the great one-hit wonders in club history in hitting a game-winning homer against Milwaukee despite receiving only 10 plate appearances in his major league career. If we’re being honest, Wednesday was more likely to be Urrutia’s 15 minutes of fame rather than the start of a long run as the Orioles’ left fielder, but it was easy to feel good for a man who defected from Cuba in 2011 and eventually signed with the Orioles. After a disappointing run that included 58 major league plate appearances in 2013, Urrutia faded from the Orioles’ radar with an injury-riddled 2014 at Triple-A Norfolk and was having a solid but unspectacular season with

Pearce, Roe inching closer toward return to Orioles

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — As the Orioles continue to search for consistent production in left field, outfielder and first baseman Steve Pearce appears to be moving closer to a return from an oblique strain. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters prior to Wednesday’s game against the New York Mets that Pearce took live batting practice in Sarasota, but the 32-year-old was hit in the back by a pitch in his third at-bat, bringing an end to his session. Should Pearce respond well to hitting live pitching and feel no ill effects from the hit by pitch, the Orioles are hoping to send him on a minor-league rehab assignment in the near future. Baltimore is currently using a platoon of Henry Urrutia and Nolan Reimold in left field after exhausting a number of unsuccessful options over the course of the 2015 season. Of course, Pearce was in the midst of a poor campaign of his own with a .227 average in 193 plate appearances, but he might represent the organization’s best internal option of receiving production in left field if he can channel his 2014 success over the final weeks of the season. Pearce was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left

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