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Orioles

Showalter not crazy about Davis’ Bo Jackson impersonation

BALTIMORE — With Tampa Bay lefty Matt Moore taking the hill against the Orioles on Wednesday night, manager Buck Showalter has altered his regular lineup in the second game of the series. Switch-hitter Alexi Casilla will start at second base instead of Ryan Flaherty, but Nate McLouth will remain in left field in lieu of Steve Pearce earning the start as the designated hitter and Nolan Reimold moving to the outfield. In a small sample size of just two starts, Moore has actually allowed more hits to lefty bats (2-for-11) than right-handed hitters (1-for-24) and can struggle with his command against left-handed hitters. In his brief career that began in 2011, Moore is allowing right-handers to bat .229 while lefties are .238 against him. Moore hasn’t allowed an earned run in 11 1/3 innings this season, but the 23-year-old has also walked eight batters, including six in his last start against Texas. Patience will be the theme for the approach at the plate for Orioles hitters. With the Orioles schedule to face left-handed starters in each of the next two games following Wednesday’s tilt, Showalter didn’t want McLouth to sit for an extended period but said Pearce will be in

Roberts still not back to baseball activity; Orioles-Rays lineups

BALTIMORE — Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed what was already assumed on Tuesday that second baseman Brian Roberts will not be activated from the 15-day disabled list when he becomes eligible on Saturday. In Sarasota since last week, the 35-year-old is improving in his recovery from what the club has labeled a hamstring strain. Roberts tore a tendon behind his right knee in the third game of the season against the Tampa Bay Rays and has yet to resume baseball-related activities. With Roberts shelved, 26-year-old Ryan Flaherty has handled the bulk of the work at second base, going 2-for-24 with one home run in seven games. Utility infielder Alexi Casilla has gone 3-for-11 when given his opportunities at the position. In other injury-related news, pitchers Steve Johnson and Tsuyoshi Wada are each scheduled to throw in Sarasota on Thursday. If all goes well, Johnson could be sent on a minor-league rehab assignment as he moves closer to a return from the back injury he’s dealt with since March. With Tuesday’s starter Jake Arrieta off to a poor start in his first two outings, the Orioles will be watching Johnson’s status closely as he could find an opportunity in the back

Orioles’ final spring training cut Jackson elects to retire

After being the final cut of spring training when the Orioles selected their 25-man roster to begin the 2013 season, outfielder Conor Jackson has chosen to retire after just nine games with Triple-A Norfolk. Jackson was a safe bet to join the Orioles at some point this season based on the fluidity of last year’s roster and the early struggles of outfielder Steve Pearce, but the 30-year-old retired after a 5-for-25 start with the Tides. In 22 Grapefruit League games, Jackson hit three home runs and drove in six runs as he was strongly considered for a roster spot before manager Buck Showalter chose Steve Pearce for the final bench spot. Showalter told reporters prior to the Orioles’ series finale in the Bronx that Jackson was simply at a stage in his life where he no longer wanted to continue playing. However, the manager said he respected Jackson’s decision and wished him well. His career nearly ended in 2009 when he was diagnosed with Valley fever, a serious disease most common in the southwest that can cause fever, headaches, and joint and muscle pain. The condition limited him to just 30 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks that season after he

A reminder of the awesomeness of Chris Davis through first four games

You may remember the phenomenon of Matt Wieters Facts as the catcher was making his way up the minor-league chain, but the Orioles are now buying into the phenomenon of first baseman Chris Davis through the first four games of the 2013 season. The club’s public relations staff compiled the following factoids about the slugger’s accomplishments so far and distributed them to media members prior to Saturday night’s game against the Minnesota Twins. Now, we just need to know whether Superman has traded in his Matt Wieters pajamas in favor of Chris Davis threads. In case you needed a reminder of how incredible Davis’ start has been, check out the following: – Has more RBIs (16) than 17 major league teams. – Has twice as many RBIs as the Marlins (8), Padres (8), Giants (8), Cubs (7), Dodgers (7) and Pirates (6). – Has more RBIs than any two players in the major leagues combined. – Has easily the highest RBI total through four team games of a season (16) since the major leagues started recording RBIs in 1920. The previous record was 12 RBIs through four games, by Dolph Camilli (1935 Phillies), Mark McGwire (1998 Cardinals) and Charles Johnson

D&L Window Tinting Morning Reaction Tuesday Top 7 Keys to Orioles Success

In honor of the Orioles beginning their season in St. Petersburg against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, The D&L Window Tinting Morning Reaction brings its Tuesday Top 7 keys to the club’s success in 2013. To hear Luke Jones’ explanation for his list, click HERE. Drew Forrester offers his thoughts on his selections HERE. Luke Jones’ Top 7 … 7) Darren O’Day 6) Chris Davis 5) Jim Johnson 4) Jason Hammel 3) Adam Jones 2) Nick Markakis 1) Matt Wieters Drew Forrester’s Top 7 … 7) J.J. Hardy bouncing back offensively 6) Jim Johnson continuing success as closer 5) Manny Machado progressing 4) Brian Roberts and Nolan Reimold staying healthy 3) Nick Markakis producing like he did last year when healthy 2) Jason Hammel and Wei-Yin Chen combining for 30 wins 1) Chris Davis having a big year in the field and at the plate

Orioles unveil Opening Day lineup against Tampa Bay

The Orioles begin their 2013 season on Tuesday in St. Petersburg against the Tampa Bay Rays and unveiled their lineup for the first game of the season on Monday. Right-hander Jason Hammel will take the hill against Rays southpaw David Price, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner. Nick Markakis will pick up where he left off last season as the club’s leadoff hitter after proving to be healthy over the final week of spring training. The 29-year-old right fielder missed most of March with a small herniated disc in his neck. Perhaps the biggest surprise of manager Buck Showalter’s lineup for the season opener is third baseman Manny Machado hitting in the second spot in the order. Machado displayed improved patience during the spring and the Orioles are facing a tough left-hander on the mound, meaning Nate McLouth will be on the bench in favor of right-handed designated hitter Steve Pearce. Nolan Reimold will play left field and hit seventh in what’s likely an effort to keep the pressure off the outfielder in the same way that Showalter has elected to put second baseman Brian Roberts in the No. 9 spot in the lineup to begin the season.

Orioles officially place three more on DL to begin season

The Orioles have officially placed three more players on the 15-day disabled list to begin the 2013 season after sending right-handed pitcher Chris Tillman there a few days ago. Infielder Wilson Betemit (right knee ligament sprain) and pitchers Steve Johnson (right lat strain) and Tsuyoshi Wada (left elbow surgery) were sent to the DL on Sunday as the Orioles finalized their 25-man roster to begin the season. Betemit’s placement is retroactive to March 26 as the veteran hopes to return to action in six to eight weeks after suffering a torn PCL. Wada isn’t expected to return until late May or early June as he continues to rehab from last season’s Tommy John surgery. Baltimore hopes Johnson can return soon and begin pitching for Triple-A Norfolk to begin the season after resting his back. He would be eligible to return from the disabled list next Sunday. The club also selected the contract of outfielder Steve Pearce after he was informed by manager Buck Showalter on Saturday that he’d won the final spot on the 25-man roster. Pearce’s addition fills the empty slot on the Orioles’ 40-man roster.    

D&L Window Tinting Morning Reaction predicts Orioles’ 25-man roster

With the Orioles only a week away from the start of the 2013 season, The D&L Window Tinting Morning Reaction puts together its 25-man roster in a collaborative effort. You can hear the full explanation from Drew Forrester and Luke Jones HERE. CATCHERS Matt Wieters Taylor Teagarden INFIELD Chris Davis Brian Roberts J.J. Hardy Manny Machado Alexi Casilla Ryan Flaherty OUTFIELD Nick Markakis Adam Jones Nate McLouth Nolan Reimold Steve Pearce STARTING ROTATION RHP Jason Hammel LHP Wei-Yin Chen RHP Miguel Gonzalez RHP Chris Tillman RHP Jake Arrieta BULLPEN RHP Jim Johnson RHP Darren O’Day RHP Pedro Strop RHP Tommy Hunter LHP Brian Matusz LHP Troy Patton LHP T.J. McFarland NOTES: Jones and Forrester predict Luis Ayala will be traded and Wilson Betemit will be placed on the disabled list to begin the season.

Goodell staying optimistic over Ravens-Orioles compromise

As WNST.net’s Glenn Clark and Drew Forrester have offered their insight into the scheduling conflict jeopardizing the site of the Ravens’ season-opening game on Sept. 5, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell remained optimistic on Thursday that they would be able to work out a compromise with the Orioles. Goodell said on the final day of the league meetings in Arizona that he hasn’t spoken to Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig this week, but the sides continue to work toward a solution. The commissioner went out of his way to take a soft approach in discussing the Orioles’ position after many have accused the league of bullying Baltimore’s baseball team. “People are working toward trying to find a solution that will work for everybody,” Goodell said. “We recognize that this wasn’t something that baseball or the Orioles asked for. They’ve been very cooperative in trying to work out a solution.” The commissioner once again mentioned the idea of the Orioles playing an afternoon game — shifting their scheduled start time of 7:05 p.m. — that would leave enough time for the Ravens to kick off at M&T Bank Stadium later that evening, but many have suggested the only realistic possibility would

Baltimore sends Flacco (not that one) packing

After the Ravens triumphed over the Patriots in January’s AFC Championship, perhaps it was only fair to send a Flacco to the New England area. On Friday, the Orioles traded first baseman Mike Flacco — younger brother of the Super Bowl XLVII MVP — to the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations or a player to be named later. In a feel-good story, Baltimore’s baseball team drafted Flacco in the 31st round of the 2009 amateur draft out of CCBC-Catonsville. Spending most of his season at Single-A Frederick last year, Flacco hit .214 with eight home runs and 35 runs batted in in 107 games played with the Keys and Double-A Bowie. The 26-year-old played at first base primarily but also spent time at third base and the corner outfield spots. He has a .253 career average in four minor league seasons. Though it was a fun connection between Baltimore’s two major professional franchises, the younger Flacco clearly wasn’t progressing at a rate necessary to consider him more than organizational depth in the lower levels of the system. The dream of a Flacco on each team simply wasn’t going to come true and the Red Sox had an organizational need

Bundy, Gausman named to Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects list

Always a highlight of the offseason, Baseball America released its top 100 prospect list on Tuesday with two Orioles being featured prominently. Right-handed pitchers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman each appeared on the list as the 20-year-old Bundy is ranked as the second-best prospect in baseball while Gausuman, the club’s first-round selection a year ago, made his debut in the No. 26 spot. Ranked 10th on last year’s prospects list and first in last season’s midseason rankings from the publication, Bundy is the prized possession of the Baltimore farm system after third baseman Manny Machado was promoted to the majors last August. The fourth overall pick of the 2011 draft received a cup of coffee with the Orioles in September, appearing in two games, and stayed with the club during its first postseason push in 15 years. The 20-year-old Bundy split time between Delmarva, Frederick, and Bowie last season, going 9-3 with a 2.08 earned run average that included 119 strikeouts in 103 2/3 innings. Gausman was the fourth overall pick in last year’s draft after a successful career at LSU and was a last-minute signing at last July’s deadline. The 22-year-old made five combined starts at Aberdeen and Frederick,

D&L Window Tinting Morning Reaction Tuesday Top 7 Orioles Needing a Good Spring

With Orioles pitchers and catchers reporting to Sarasota, Fla. for the start of spring training on Tuesday, The D&L Window Tinting Morning Reaction brings its Tuesday Top 7 Orioles players needing to have a strong spring training. To hear the full explanation for our lists, click HERE. Luke Jones’ Top 7 … 7) Brian Roberts 6) Brian Matusz 5) Chris Davis 4) Jake Arrieta 3) Pedro Strop 2) Nolan Reimold 1) Alexi Casilla/Ryan Flaherty Drew Forrester’s Top 7 … 7) Brian Matusz 6) Conor Jackson 5) Travis Ishikawa 4) Jake Arrieta 3) Danny Valencia 2) Brian Roberts 1) Nolan Reimold  

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