World Champions 1983, 1970, 1966

American League Champions 1983, 1979, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1966 American League East Division Champions 2014, 1997, 1983, 1979, 1974, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1969

American League Wild Card 2016, 2012, 1996

Monday, February 27, 2017

Game Stories:

Adam Jones' long home run sparks Orioles' 8-3 win over Pirates The Sun 2/26

Parker Bridwell allows back-to-back homers in Orioles' 6-2 loss to Pirates The Sun 2/25

Orioles open exhibition schedule with unlikely 2-0 win over Tigers The Sun 2/24

Jones, Machado each belt first spring homers MLB.com 2/26

Jones doubles, scores for Orioles vs. Pirates MLB.com 2/25

O's pitching posts zeros in spring opener MLB.com 2/24

Schoop punctuates last game before WBC with homer (O’s fall 4-1) MASNsports.com

2/27

Wade Miley on today’s outing (O’s win 8-3) MASNsports.com 2/26

Showalter on Bourn injury, Janish signing and more (O’s lose 6-2)MASNsports.com 2/25

Wilson retires all six batters he faces in debut (O’s win 2-0) MASNsports.com 2/24

Columns:

Orioles notes: Orioles planning to slow play Brach and O'Day The Sun 2/27

Orioles utility man Ryan Flaherty dealing with arm issue The Sun 2/27

Buck Showalter ensuring Orioles keep memory of former PR director Monica Barlow

close The Sun 2/27

Rule 5 picks Tavarez and Santander already setting up difficult roster decisions for

Orioles The Sun 2/27

Utility man Paul Janish back in Orioles camp for another go-around The Sun 2/27

Orioles lefty Wade Miley fast and efficient in his spring training debut The Sun 2/26

Orioles' Bourn on football-related injury: 'That’s the risk you take, so you have to live

with it.' The Sun 2/26

Orioles notes heading into their spring home opener The Sun 2/26

Orioles release left-hander T.J. McFarland, could re-sign him on minor league deal The

Sun 2/26

Former Orioles farmhand Steven Brault pitches well for Pirates in exhibition The Sun

2/25

One year after nightmarish spring, Orioles' Hyun Soo Kim better adjusted and more

comfortable The Sun 2/25

Orioles' Michael Bourn out four weeks with broken finger, Welington Castillo scratched

The Sun 2/25

Orioles lose Christian Walker to Braves on waiver claim The Sun 2/25

Orioles place reliever T.J. McFarland on release waivers The Sun 2/25

Orioles re-sign Paul Janish to minor league deal The Sun 2/25

Orioles outfielder Dariel Alvarez isn't ready to switch and pitch The Sun 2/25

Janish feels 'fortunate' to be back with Orioles MLB.com 2/27

Oblique no longer an issue for Britton MLB.com 2/26

Miley hoping to build on strong 2016 finish MLB.com 2/26

Football injury leaves Bourn in limbo MLB.com 2/26

'Good starting point' for potential future star Ynoa MLB.com 2/25

O's could see Alvarez as pitcher; outfielder reluctant MLB.com 2/25

Flaherty won’t play today due to sore arm (with Jiménez quotes) MASNsports.com 2/27

Pregame notes on Tillman, Britton, WBC and more MASNsports.com 2/27

Janish on his return to Orioles (plus Yankees lineup) MASNsports.com 2/27

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees MASNsports.com 2/27

A leading question regarding the lineup MASNsports.com 2/27

Wrapping up an 8-3 win MASNsports.com 2/26

Orioles release McFarland (plus game update) MASNsports.com 2/26

Gunkel scratched from today’s exhibition game MASNsports.com 2/26

Injury updates on Britton and Bourn MASNsports.com 2/26

Orioles and Pirates lineups (updated) MASNsports.com 2/26

Reviewing yesterday’s news and notes MASNsports.com 2/26

Wrapping up a 6-2 loss MASNsports.com 2/25

Christian Walker claimed by Braves (O’s down 3-1) MASNsports.com 2/25

Bourn could miss a month with broken finger MASNsports.com 2/25

Orioles sign Janish to minor league deal (updated with quote) MASNsports.com 2/25

Dariel Álvarez prefers pitching in as an outfielder MASNsports.com 2/25

Orioles and Pirates lineups MASNsports.com 2/25

Castillo’s education, Jiménez’s strikes and more MASNsports.com 2/25

Wrapping up a 2-0 win MASNsports.com 2/24

Details Add Up To Success For Buck Showalter Baseball America 2/25

How the overachieving O's keep trumping the projections ESPN.com 2/27

FAN OF THE DAY: Young Orioles fan celebrates with ‘Hakuna Machado’ sign Sarasota

Herald-Tribune 2/26

SPRING TRAINING: Orioles’ Miley getting his groove back Sarasota Herald-Tribune

2/26

Spring Training returns to Sarasota County for 8th season WWSB (ABC) 2/26

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-adam-jones-long-home-run-sparks-orioles-8-3-

win-over-pirates-20170226-story.html

Adam Jones' long home run sparks Orioles' 8-3 win over

Pirates

By Peter Schmuck / The Baltimore Sun

February 26, 2017

Adam Jones swung at the first pitch he saw on Sunday and the ball was never seen again. His

solo homer to left might still be up there. It was last spotted sailing over the party area and then

the palm trees and whatever else is outside of Ed Smith Stadium on that side of the property.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon obviously didn’t enjoy the ride,

but Orioles starter Wade Miley clearly was impressed.

“He absolutely nuked that ball,’’ Miley said.

Of course, the obvious question was whether the wind was blowing out in that direction, and it

was not, but the ball did seem to be carrying well in all directions on a cloudless, 74-degree

afternoon. Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Eric Wood cleared the left field fence in the second inning

with a ball that was not hit nearly as hard off Miley.

Though the game did not evolve into a major homerfest, a few more balls cleared the fences in

the Orioles’ home exhibition opener as the O's and Pirates traded single-run innings until the O’s

scored five times in the seventh to emerge with a 8-3 victory before a crowd of 6,976.

Miley gave up just the one run through two innings and Manny Machado deposited his first hit

of the Grapefruit League season over the right field fence in the fifth. Rule 5 draftee Aneury

Tavarez broke a 3-3 tie with an RBI single in the seventh.

First base prospect Trey Mancini broke the tight game open with a bases-loaded double into right

field to score Tavarez and Robert Andino, and the Orioles scored three more times in the inning

to turn it into a rout.

Kim ends suspense

Left fielder Hyun Soo Kim entered the game hitless in his first three at-bats of the Grapefruit

League season and struck out his first time up Sunday, but he lined an RBI single to left field in

the second inning to register his first hit in his fifth at-bat of spring.

Don’t need to remind anyone that he didn’t get his first hit of the exhibition season last year until

his 24th at-bat.

Castillo’s big day

New Orioles starting catcher Welington Castillo delivered an impressive exhibition debut with a

single in his second at-bat and a seventh-inning double that set up the go-ahead run. He also

threw out Pirates shortstop Alen Hanson trying to steal second in the fifth.

Castillo was questionable to start the game after missing Saturday’s game in Bradenton with a

sore neck.

Clock ticking on Schoop

Jonathan Schoop doubled in his first at-bat Sunday after hitting a double in three trips in

Saturday’s game in Bradenton. Orioles fans in Sarasota will get only one more chance to see him

before he leaves to join the Netherlands for the World Baseball Classic. He is expected to start

Monday’s home game against the Yankees.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-gabriel-ynoa-has-uneven-start-as-orioles-

drop-second-exhibition-game-6-2-at-pirates-20170225-story.html

Parker Bridwell allows back-to-back homers in Orioles' 6-2

loss to Pirates

By Peter Schmuck / The Baltimore Sun

February 25, 2017

Recently acquired pitcher Gabriel Ynoa made his Orioles exhibition debut Saturday afternoon

and struggled through a rocky first inning before settling down to retire all three Pittsburgh

Pirates batters he faced in the second.

He allowed a run on three hits and struck out one over those two innings in the Orioles’ 6-2 loss

to the Pirates at LECOM Park.

“In the first inning, I was going too quick toward home plate," Ynoa said through interpreter

Ramon Alarcon. “In the second inning, I was more calm, under control, so I think that was the

difference.”

The Pirates put pressure on him from the beginning, attempting a pair of stolen bases in the first

inning, but neither was pivotal. The run scored on a double by Andrew McCutchen and an RBI

single by Gregory Polanco.

The Orioles scored in the fourth inning on a leadoff double by Adam Jones and an RBI single by

Rule 5 outfielder Anthony Santander. They added one in the ninth on Robert Andino's would-be

double-play ball that the Pirates failed to convert. Johnny Giavotella scored on the play.

Right-hander Jason Garcia pitched a difficult 1 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and a

walk to take the loss. Parker Bridwell got the first two outs of the eighth inning before giving up

back-to-back homers to Chris Bostick and Jin-De Jhang.

The WBC guys

Every Orioles player headed to the World Baseball Classic was scheduled to start Saturday’s

game, but Welington Castillo woke up with a neck spasm and probably will get the next couple

of days off. Manny Machado and Jones were in the starting lineup and reliever Mychal Givens

came out of the bullpen to pitch the third inning.

Jones, batting cleanup, doubled in his second at-bat and had an outfield assist in the fifth inning.

Jonathan Schoop also doubled, but Machado went hitless in three at-bats. Givens pitched to four

batters in the third inning and allowed just a walk.

Perez has an active day

Catcher Audry Perez started behind the plate and immediately threw out leadoff man Adam

Frazier trying to steal second base in the first, but his afternoon didn’t go quite so well after that.

He allowed a stolen base to Polanco later in the first inning and also allowed one to Starling

Marte in the third.

Mancini’s hat trick

First base prospect Trey Mancini has gotten a lot of playing time in the first two Grapefruit

League games and gotten mixed results at the plate. He had a hit in the opener against the Detroit

Tigers, but struck out all three times up on Saturday and left five runners on base.

Palmeiro on traveling squad again

Preston Palmeiro, the youngest son of former Orioles star Rafael Palmeiro, joined the club on the

road for the second straight game. He made his exhibition debut Friday, pinch running and

playing the final two innings at first base.

Manager Buck Showalter said before the game that he didn’t prefer to play a Single-A kid in a

major league exhibition game. But with David Washington hurt and both Chris Davis and Mark

Trumbo staying back, it allowed the Orioles to take a peek at Palmeiro.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-open-exhibition-schedule-with-

unlikely-2-0-win-over-tigers-20170224-story.html

Orioles open exhibition schedule with unlikely 2-0 win over

Tigers

By Peter Schmuck / The Baltimore Sun

February 24, 2017

The Detroit Tigers trotted out their front-line major league lineup Friday afternoon at newly

renovated Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, but the collection of part-time players,

prospects and auditioning journeymen that opened the Grapefruit League season for

the Orioles apparently didn’t notice.

The big-swinging Tigers were quiet as kittens at the plate and the Orioles managed to scratch out

a run here and there to score an unlikely 2-0 victory that featured a number of nice first

impressions and unexpected debuts.

Starting pitcher Tyler Wilson got off to a terrific start, dispatching the six well-heeled Tigers

hitters he faced and needed just 21 pitches to do it. Former Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles

Angels infielder Johnny Giavotella opened his quest to win friends and influence future roster

decisions with singles in each of his first three at-bats.

Outfielder Logan Schafer might not be around on Opening Day, but he will always be able to say

that he scored the first run in the Tigers’ refurbished stadium and Ryan Flaherty can say he drove

it in.

The game featured a couple of intriguing cameos. Preston Palmeiro, the son of former Orioles

star Rafael Palmeiro, pinch ran in the eighth inning and finished the game at first base. Later in

the inning, 2015 first-round draft pick DJ Stewart made a pinch-hitting appearance and struck

out looking.

Tigers' touching pregame ceremony

The Tigers officially re-opened their upgraded spring training ballpark with a 20-minute pregame

ceremony honoring late owner Mike Ilitch, who passed away on Feb. 10 at age 87.

The tribute included a video presentation on the huge new video scoreboard and the team

unveiled the uniform patch the Tigers will wear throughout the 2017 season. The round patch

bears Ilitch’s nickname -- Mr. I – against a simple white background with a dark blue border.

The same image was painted on the grass in front of the Tigers dugout.

Ilitch, who founded the Little Caesars Pizza chain, had owned the team since 1992, when he

bought it from Domino's Pizza chain owner Tom Monaghan. Ilitch also owned

the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings.

Johnny G’s big debut

Giavotella got the start at second base and made quite an account of himself in front of his new

team. He singled in each of his three at-bats. It would take an unexpected sequence of events to

land him on the Opening Day roster, but stranger things have happened. The impression he

makes on manager Buck Showalter could determine whether he’s the first guy on the Norfolk

shuttle if the Orioles need a fill-in player.

Salcedo’s showcase

Orioles infield prospect Erick Salcedo made a couple of nice plays in the ninth inning of Friday’s

game, which got a smile from Showalter and, no doubt, from Tigers first base coach and

longtime defensive wizard Omar Vizquel.

“Salcedo was pretty impressive,” Showalter said. “It’s a big day for him. I wanted to run him out

there. Vizquel has been helping him in the offseason. I know Omar got a kick out of some plays

he made. It was good to see. It was a good defensive day for us.”

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/217149070/adam-jones-manny-machado-homer-in-os-

win/

Jones, Machado each belt first spring homers

By Adam Berry and Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

February 26, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Adam Jones and Manny Machado each hit home runs as the Baltimore

Orioles beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 8-3, on Sunday at Ed Smith Stadium.

Jones hit a long home run off of Pittsburgh starter Jameson Taillon in the first and had a double

in the fifth. Machado homered just after Robert Andino, who came in as a pinch-runner for

Jones, was thrown out trying to advance to third.

Wade Miley admired Jones' home run.

"He absolutely nuked that ball," Miley said.

Taillon, set to open the season behind Gerrit Cole in the Pirates' rotation, started andallowed two

runs on two hits. Competing for the final spot in the rotation, top prospect Tyler

Glasnow followed and faced seven batters, striking out six and allowing one hit.

"It was fun. I felt good," said Glasnow, who unleashed his full pitch arsenal. "I'm competing for

a spot. I need to go out and show people what I can do."

Miley wasn't unhappy with his first start of the spring.

"I thought it was pretty good," he said. "Just trying to knock some dust off. First time I've seen

hitters. Overall, I thought it went pretty well. I was able to mix in every pitch at some point."

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was happy with Miley's outing.

"Good first day," he said. "Good to get it out of the way. It's always fun for me to see guys who

have been pitching for a while first time out there."

Miley also allowed a home run in the second to infielder Eric Wood. The Orioles scored five

runs in the seventh to break a 3-3 tie.

Pirates Up Next: Right-hander Chad Kuhl, on the "inside track" for one of Pittsburgh's two

available rotation spots, will start as the Bucs head north to play the Blue Jays at 1:07 p.m. ET on

Monday at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin, Fla. (Watch on MLB.TV). He will be

followed on the mound by lefty Wade LeBlanc, competing to make the Opening Day roster.

Minor League starters Nick Kingham and Clay Holmes, both coming off a return from Tommy

John surgery, are also slated to pitch.

Orioles Up Next: Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez starts for the Orioles as they host the New York

Yankees at 1:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium on Monday. (Watch on MLB.TV). Second

baseman Jonathan Schoop will play in his final game before he leaves to join the Netherlands'

entry in the World Baseball Classic. Manager Buck Showalter will continue to play

catcher Welington Castillo, outfielder Jones and third baseman Machado as they prepare for the

Classic.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/217046050/gregory-polanco-leads-pirates-past-orioles/

Jones doubles, scores for Orioles vs. Pirates

By Adam Berry and Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

February 25, 2017

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Gregory Polanco had three hits and two steals, drove in two runs and

scored another in the Pirates' 6-2 win over the Orioles on Saturday at LECOM Park.

Polanco, playing left field in Pittsburgh's realigned outfield, swatted three singles as he led the

Bucs to a split-squad victory in their Grapefruit League opener. Right fielder Andrew

McCutchen doubled in his first at-bat and scored, while center fielder Starling Marte walked and

stole his first base of the spring.

Pittsburgh padded its lead in the eighth inning, when infielder Chris Bostick and catcher Jin-De

Jhang ripped back-to-back home runs to right field.

The Pirates struck first, as McCutchen doubled and came home on Polanco's single off Gabriel

Ynoa in the first inning. Ynoa retired all three hitters he faced in the second.

"In the first inning, I was going too quick towards home plate," Ynoa said through a translator.

"In the second inning, I was more calm, under control."

The Orioles tied it up in the fourth on Anthony Santander's RBI single off Pirates setup man

Daniel Hudson, driving in Adam Jones, who doubled.

Second baseman Alen Hanson, competing for an Opening Day roster spot, drove in Polanco in

the fourth with a sacrifice fly to center. Polanco tacked on another run in the fifth with an RBI

single to right.

The Bucs ran out two pitchers competing for the fifth spot in their rotation, Steven

Brault andTrevor Williams, followed by most of their projected Opening Day bullpen:

closer Tony Watson, Hudson, setup man Felipe Rivero, Juan Nicasio and Antonio Bastardo.

"It's awesome to get back on the mound and face other hitters. It was cool that I got to face the

Orioles," said Brault, who was drafted by Baltimore. "That makes it extra fun. We started. It's

baseball season now, so it's an exciting time."

Orioles Up Next: Left-hander Wade Miley will make his spring debut on Sunday when the

Orioles host the Pirates in Sarasota, Fla. First baseman Chris Davis and outfielder/designated

hitter Mark Trumbo, who led the Majors in homers last year, are expected to make their 2017

Grapefruit League debuts. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET.

Pirates Up Next: The Pirates will make the short trip to Sarasota on Sunday for a rematch with

the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Right-hander Jameson Taillon, looking to build off an

impressive rookie campaign, will start for the Bucs. McCutchen is expected to start in right field,

with top outfield prospect Austin Meadows playing center. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/216956382/orioles-defeat-tigers-in-2017-spring-opener/

O's pitching posts zeros in spring opener

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

February 24, 2017

LAKELAND, Fla. -- American League Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer opened his 2017

with a scoreless inning, but the Orioles squeaked out a pitching duel in both teams' Grapefruit

League opener. Ryan Flaherty's second-inning sacrifice fly put Baltimore on top for good

as Tyler Wilson and a slew of relievers shut down Detroit for a 2-0 O's win Friday afternoon.

The duel opened up the Tigers' new-look facility, now known as Publix Field at Joker Marchant

Stadium following a $48 million renovation project. With the wind blowing in for much of the

afternoon, and hitters still getting their timing early in camp, there wasn't much offense to be

found.

"The M.O. coming into Spring Training is to always pound the zone because the hitters are

trying to get their reps," Wilson said, "and if you can establish the zone and establish strikes

early on, that's the thing, the first and foremost important thing about pitching."

Fulmer worked around a single to hold down the Orioles in the opening inning, but Mike

Pelfrey -- pitching in relief but trying to win back his rotation spot -- paid for a leadoff walk to

Logan Schafer and a one-out single by Anthony Santander. J.D. Martinez held Schafer at third

with a strong throw, but Flaherty's ensuing fly ball to left allowed him to dash home without a

play at the plate.

Chris Dickerson added an insurance run in the fifth inning, reaching base on a walk with two

outs and scoring when non-roster invite Juan Perez booted a Hyun Soo Kim ground ball at

second base.

Wilson, who made 13 starts in 24 appearances for the Orioles last season, retired all six Tigers he

faced from a lineup that featured at least six likely Opening Day starters. Alex Avila's third-

inning leadoff single off lefty Jayson Aquino comprised Detroit's lone hit through five innings.

Avila also drew a fifth-inning walk off Logan Verrett before Jose Iglesias, Dominic

Ficociello and Steven Moya added singles late.

"Nobody was on base, so it looks like we have no energy," manager Brad Ausmus said. "When

people are circling the bases, they all look like they're energetic."

Up next for Tigers: Justin Verlander is scheduled to make his first start of the spring on

Saturday as the Tigers welcome the Astros to Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium for a 1:05

p.m. ET contest. Brad Peacock is scheduled to start for Houston.

Up next for Orioles: Gabriel Ynoa gets the start Saturday when the Orioles make the short trek

from Sarasota to Bradenton for a 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Pirates at LECOM Park.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/schoop-punctuates-last-game-before-wbc-

with-home-run.html

Schoop punctuates last game before WBC with homer (O’s

fall 4-1)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 27, 2017

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP

Score: Yankees 4, Orioles 1

Recap: Ubaldo Jiménez allowed one run and three hits in two innings, and he threw 17 of 29

pitches for strikes. ... Jonathan Schoop, playing his last game before leaving for the WBC, led off

the third with a long home run to left field. ... Vidal Nuño tossed two scoreless innings. Left-

handers Donnie Hart and Tanner Scott each struck out two in a scoreless inning. ... Oliver Drake

surrendered a tie-breaking three-run homer to Thairo Estrada in the ninth.

Need to know: Mark Trumbo, starting at first base, failed to backhand Austin Romine’s bouncer

in the first inning, and Romine later scored on a 6-5 putout. ... The Orioles twice retired Yankees

runners trying to go from second to third. ... Adam Jones made a sensational diving catch in

right-center field to rob Jorge Mateo and save a run in the second.

On deck: Tuesday at Phillies in Clearwater, 1:05 p.m.

_______________________________________________

SARASOTA, Fla. - Parker Bridwell rebounded from the back-to-back home runs he surrendered

in Bradenton on Saturday by tossing a scoreless inning today against the Yankees. He allowed a

one-out double, but the game is still tied 1-1.

Left-hander Donnie Hart retired the side in order in the seventh with two strikeouts. Left-hander

Jed Bradley walked a batter in a scoreless fifth.

Jonathan Schoop will leave camp with a bang, his long home run to left field in the third giving

the Orioles their only run. Left fielder Aaron Hicks took a couple of steps back but never turned

toward the fence.

Schoop is 3-for-8 with two doubles and a home run this spring. He leaves on Tuesday to join

Team Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic.

The power he showed today could lift a jet off the ground.

“Just want to get my timing down and I put a good swing on it,” he said.

“I feel like I have enough games in. I think we have two more exhibition games down there to

get ready. Then, we’ve got to play three games down there before the tournament starts, but I’m

ready. I feel good.”

Check back with him after the flight to Korea.

“Oh, it’s real exciting. Not so much with the flight. It’s a long flight. But it’s exciting for us to

play together,” he said.

“Since I was little, I was playing against those guys. (Jurickson) Profar, Didi Gregorius,

(Andrelton) Simmons. And my brother’s there, too. That’s going to be fun for the country. I’m

looking forward to it.”

Schoop is collecting advice on how to make it through such a long flight. Survival tactics.

“(Hyun Soo) Kim told me don’t go to sleep right away. Watch a movie and then sleep. Watch a

movie and sleep,” Schoop said.

“A lot of people told me it’s going to be difficult, but tomorrow if I put that in my head it’s going

to be worse. I’m going to go in there and watch a movie and enjoy.

“I’ll eat some snacks and play chess on the plane, too, so I’ll get better and when I come back I

can beat Brady (Anderson) and Manny (Machado) and (Wayne) Kirby.”

The perfect WBC script would include Schoop playing Machado’s Dominican Republic team in

the finals. Orioles teammates and close friends on opposite sides. The trash talking would be

epic.

“It would be exciting because we play with each other since the minor leagues and now we can

play against each other,” Schoop said. “The last time we played against each other is, I think, in

the Futures Game. It would be exciting. I’m looking forward to it.”

Update: Oliver Drake surrendered a three-run homer to Thairo Estrada with no outs in the ninth

to break a 1-1 tie.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/miley-on-todays-outing-plus-game-

update.html

Wade Miley on today’s outing (O’s win 8-3)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 26, 2017

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP

Score: Orioles 8, Pirates 3

Recap: Adam Jones hit the Orioles’ first Grapefruit League home run by launching the first

pitch he saw from Jameson Taillon in the first inning. ... Manny Machado lined a home run to

right field. ... Rule 5 pick Aneury Tavárez broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh with an RBI single and

stole two bases. ... Wade Miley allowed one run, on Eric Wood’s home run, in two innings. He

gave up two hits, hit a batter and struck out one.

Need to know: Miley threw 19 of his 27 pitches for strikes and worked at a rapid pace. ... Hyun

Soo Kim had an RBI single in the second inning. He started 0-for-23 last spring. ... The Orioles

executed a 9-4-5 putout on Jason Rogers’ single to end the third inning - Seth Smith to Jonathan

Schoop to Ryan Flaherty. ... Welington Castillo had a single and double and threw out a runner

trying to steal second base. ... Tyler Glasnow struck out six of the seven Orioles he faced.

On deck: Monday vs. Yankees in Sarasota, 1:05 p.m.

_________________________________________________

SARASOTA, Fla. - Richard Rodríguez served up a game-tying home run to the Pirates’ Jose

Osuna in the top of the fourth inning after Logan Verrett recorded a scoreless third. However,

Manny Machado lined a home run to right field off Drew Hutchison with one out in the fifth to

give the Orioles a 3-2 lead.

Adam Jones went 2-for-3 with a home run and double before Robert Andino pinch-ran for him.

Pirates reliever Tyler Glasnow struck out the first five batters he faced - Machado, Chris Davis,

Mark Trumbo, Seth Smith and Jonathan Schoop - before Welington Castillo singled. Ryan

Flaherty struck out to end the fourth.

Wade Miley threw 27 pitches in two innings and allowed a solo home run to Eric Wood with two

outs in the second. He also retired the first two batters in the first before Andrew McCutchen

doubled.

“I thought it was coming out pretty good,” Miley said. “Left a few balls up, but overall, it was

good to get that one out of the way.”

Miley left the ball up to Wood, who got good wood on it.

“I was trying to throw a front door sinker and just came back across a little bit. He put a pretty

good swing on it,” Miley said.

“I thought it was pretty good. Just trying to knock some dust off. First time I’ve seen hitters.

Overall, I thought it went pretty well. I was able to mix in every pitch at some point. It was

good.”

The quick pace is sure to please Major League Baseball as well as every sportswriter who covers

his starts.

“I just work fast,” he said. “I don’t go out there and try to do that. It’s just how I am. Obviously,

at times I need to slow myself down, and that’s more what I work on in spring training is not

getting too fast and being able to just pump the brakes a little bit and get back in a good rhythm.

“I’ve always been a quick worker. It’s just how I am.”

Miley should be more relaxed in his first spring training with the Orioles. He came over on July

31 in a trade with the Mariners.

“It was very good that I was over here for the last two months and already knew the guys coming

in,” he said. “Just a lot more comfortable coming in and get about your business.”

This is the first time that Castillo has caught Miley in a game.

“It was great,” Miley said. “I’ve seen him catch before. He does a good job. He’s good.”

Miley was outstanding over his last three starts, allowing only four runs, walked two and striking

out 23 in 18 2/3 innings. He’d like to carry it over to 2017.

“That’s what I’m hoping for,” he said. “I finished strong last year and I’m looking to just kind of

jump start from where I left off. I had good command those last couple starts and I was able to

get the ball in on righties pretty well toward the end of the year. I think that was a big help.”

Jones gave Miley a 1-0 lead today in the bottom of the first with a tremendous shot to left field

“He absolutely nuked that ball,” Miley said. “It was fun to watch, so definitely we’ve got an

offense that’s going to score runs day in and day out. We have to do our job.”

Instant update: Chris Lee surrendered the game-tying run in the sixth on a Jason Rogers single,

Elias Diaz double and Osuna bouncer.

Update II: Rule 5 pick Aneury Tavarez broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh with an RBI single after

Castillo doubled and moved to third on Ryan Flaherty’s grounder. Pinch-runner Erick Salcedo

scored on Tavarez’s single.

Tavarez, batting for the first time today, stole second base.

Update III: Tavarez also stole third base before Trey Mancini delivered a two-run double to

give the Orioles a 6-3 lead. Mancini struck out three times yesterday in Bradenton.

David Washington struck out while pinch-hitting for Mark Trumbo, but the ball was in the dirt

and catcher Christian Kelley fired it into right field as another run scored. Orioles 7, Pirates 3.

Johnny Giavotella followed with a sacrifice fly. Orioles 8, Pirates 3.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/showalter-on-bourn-injury-janish-signing-

and-castillos-spasms.html

Showalter on Bourn injury, Janish signing and more (O’s

lose 6-2)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 25, 2017

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP

Score: Pirates 6, Orioles 2

Recap: Gabriel Ynoa allowed a run on three hits in the first inning, with Andrew McCutchen

lining a double into left-center field with two outs and scoring on Gregory Polanco’s single. ...

Jason Garcia allowed two runs and four hits, walked one and hit a batter, in 1 2/3 innings. ...

Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander had a game-tying RBI single in the fourth. ... Parker Bridwell

gave up three runs in the eighth on back-to-back home runs after striking out the first two batters.

Need to know: Ynoa retired the side on only nine pitches (seven strikes) in the second. ... Trey

Mancini went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. ... Audry Pérez threw out Adam Frazier trying to

steal second base in the first inning, but Polanco swiped second later in the inning, Sterling

Marte stole second and moved to third on Pérez’s error in the third inning, and Polanco stole

second in the fourth inning. ... Adam Jones easily threw out Barrett Barnes trying to go from first

to third on Frazier’s single into shallow right-center field.

On deck: Sunday vs. Pirates in Sarasota, 1:05 p.m.

____________________________________________________

BRADENTON, Fla. - Today’s exhibition game against the Pirates feels more like an “around the

horn” item due to the abundance of news. The Orioles have us pinned against the ropes and are

raining blows.

Michael Bourn’s broken ring finger is the day’s knockout punch. He could miss at least a month.

“Yesterday, I got a medical report that he had jammed his ring finger on his right hand from the

workout back here,” said manager Buck Showalter. “Richie (Bancells) came in today and said he

hadn’t seen him yet but thought he might be OK in a day or two. I asked Michael when he got

here, you tell me when you’re ready to play. Richie came back and said, ‘I don’t like the way

that thing’s looking. We’re going to get a picture on it.’

“Anyway, it’s broken. He’s going to be out four weeks.”

The injury, less a week after the Orioles signed Bourn to a minor league deal, occurred near the

end of yesterday’s workout in Sarasota. Not from an errant pitch or a nasty spill in the outfield.

“Like a lot of them do, they were throwing the football around and he reached up for it and

jammed his finger,” Showalter said. “I was asking Seth Smith if he threw it. I said, ‘Have you

guys ever heard of (Tom) Brady and Deflategate? Why don’t you deflate the football a little bit?’

“It’s actually a very useful (practice). You see our guys do it. It’s good for the shoulder and the

throwing actions. Most teams do it. He just caught it wrong.

“That’s a part of his workout. For a lot of guys, that’s part of their day. It’s what they do.”

Showalter didn’t dismiss Bourn’s chances of heading north with the team.

“If we had to push the envelope, we could if it fell down to that,” he said.

Showalter said he talked to infielder Paul Janish on Thursday before the Orioles reached

agreement on a minor league deal. Janish is flying into Sarasota today and is expected on the

field Monday for workouts.

“We’ve been working on that for a while and it finally came together,” Showalter said. “I talked

to Paul and just kind of answered some questions he had. He’s a baseball player. Paul’s a very

good defender and is a very reliable baseball player. He’s one of those guys who’s going to be

able to do whatever he wants to do in the game one day. He’s sharp, understands who he is and

what he brings. And you know you’re going to get it from him. He’s a quality defender, probably

about as good a shortstop as you’re going to find for this role.”

“It was one of those kind of quiet things that you do and you’re really glad you have him. It has

nothing to do with J.J.’s status. Just really trying ... and Paul knows people here. He’s

comfortable. He had some other options. He was waiting to see if it would work here. He’s a guy

who gives you a good feeling that you have that in your back pocket.”

Showalter isn’t thinking about how Norfolk will make room for a group of infielders that also

includes Chris Johnson, Robert Andino and Johnny Giavotella.

“Those guys are trying to make this club,” Showalter said. “Paul’s going to come in here and see

there’s a potential spot depending on how many outfielders we go with.

Regardless of how we end up down there, we really wanted to upgrade the defense for the

development of our pitchers down there. But I don’t want to put it into a given that they’re going

to Norfolk. They’re here competing.

“You look at where we are depth-wise compared to where we were at this time last year and

where we were two weeks ago. Dan (Duquette) was patient and a lot of these things fell in

place.”

Showalter intended to start catcher Welington Castillo today, but those plans changed. Castillo

stayed back in camp.

“He woke up today and he slept wrong on his neck,” Showalter said. “Spasmed up on him. He

was scheduled to play today and tomorrow, so we’ll see what tomorrow brings. We had to adjust

that. He was hitting fourth today in the lineup. Was trying to get all those WBC guys up.”

Showalter said the Orioles made certain that left-hander Vidal Nuño won’t be used as a starter

with Team Mexico in the WBC. Nuño will be stretched to two innings in his next outing.

As for today’s game, the Orioles still trail 3-1 in the top of the eighth. Zach Stewart held the

Pirates scoreless for 1 1/3 innings. Jed Bradley retired the side in order in the seventh.

Trey Mancini is 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and has left five runners on base. He’s 1-for-7 in

the first two Grapefruit League games.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/wilson-retires-all-six-batters-he-faces-in-

debut.html

Wilson retires all six batters he faces in debut (O’s win 2-0)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 24, 2017

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP

Score: Orioles 2, Tigers 0

Recap: Tyler Wilson retired all six batters he faced, striking out one and throwing 14 of 21

pitches for strikes. ... Johnny Giavotella singled in all three of his at-bats. ... Ryan Flaherty drove

in the first run with a sacrifice fly in the second inning.

Need to know: Jayson Aquino struck out two batters in two scoreless innings. ... Right fielder

Chris Dickerson recorded three putouts in the first two innings. He also had a walk and stolen

base in the fifth. ... Preston Palmeiro, youngest son of Rafael Palmeiro, played first base in the

last two innings.

On deck: Saturday at Pirates in Bradenton, 1:05 p.m.

____________________________________________________

LAKELAND, Fla. - Tyler Wilson couldn’t ease into his first exhibition start this afternoon. The

Tigers were playing their opener in their newly refurbished ballpark and they didn’t skimp on the

starters.

Wilson didn’t flinch.

Rather than be limited to one inning, Wilson came back out in the second with his pitch count at

six. He retired all six batters he faced, striking out one.

How’s that for a spring debut?

Wilson retired Ian Kinsler on a grounder to shortstop, Víctor Martínez on a fly ball to right and

Miguel Cabrera on a liner to right-center field. He registered a pair of one-pitch outs and five of

his six pitches were strikes.

Wilson fell behind 3-0 to J.D. Martinez before striking him out. He retired Justin Upton on a fly

ball to right - Chris Dickerson was busy - and Omar Infante on a grounder to third.

Twenty-one pitches, 14 strikes, one impressive outing.

The Orioles wanted Wilson to go two innings if he was economical with his pitches.

“Going in, I think that was the plan, so it’s good to know what you’ve got going in. But

definitely I think I was happy with the lower pitch count, I was happy to get contact early,” he

said.

“The M.O. coming into spring training is to always pound the zone because the hitters are trying

to get their reps and if you can establish the zone and establish strikes early on, that’s the first

and foremost important thing about pitching, especially early on in the game. It was hot out there

and I wanted to give those guys out there a chance to get in the rhythm of the game and get some

good reps and play great defense again like they always do.”

More satisfaction came from knowing that Wilson was facing the Tigers’ regulars.

“For sure, it’s a great challenge out of the gate,” he said. “Feb. 24 or whatever it is today, and

facing some of the best hitters in the game, a great lineup, that’s definitely a great challenge.

That’s all the more reason to establish strikes early on.

“As much as it’s about working on your delivery and timing and proving that you command the

zone, at this stage of the game it’s also good to be competitive and not fall behind guys like that,

because that’s when they can embarrass you a little bit.”

The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on Logan Schafer’s leadoff walk, a one-out

single by Anthony Santander and Ryan Flaherty’s sacrifice fly to left field. The lead grew to 2-0

in the fifth on a two-out error by second baseman Juan Perez that allowed Dickerson to score.

Dickerson led off the inning with a walk, stole second and moved to third on Johnny Giavotella’s

infield hit.

Giavotella also lined a single into left field in the first inning and a single into right field in the

third.

Left-hander Jayson Aquino tossed two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. He gave up a

leadoff single to Alex Avila in the third, the Tigers’ only baserunner.

Logan Verrett is working the bottom of the fifth.

Update: Verrett, Richard Rodríguez and left-hander Donnie Hart each threw a scoreless inning,

as the Orioles maintained their 2-0 lead through the seventh. Verrett walked a batter and struck

out one, Rodríguez gave up a hit. Hart didn’t allow a ball out of the infield.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-notes-orioles-planning-to-slow-

play-brach-and-o-day-20170227-story.html

Orioles notes: Orioles planning to slow play Brach and

O'Day

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 27, 2017

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said that late-inning relievers Darren O’Day and Brad

Brach might not see action in early Grapefruit League games, because they are being brought

along at a slower pace during this year’s extended spring training.

Both pitchers threw an inning in a simulated game on the back fields of the Ed Smith Stadium

complex on Sunday, but Showalter said they might not get into a Grapefruit League game until

well into March. In fact, Showalter said O’Day and Brach might not see action in a paid

attendance game until closer Zach Britton — who was slowed down by soreness in his left side –

sees action in a game in mid-March.

“We’re slow playing them a little bit,” Showalter said. “... Actually they got a chance for their

first game out here to be the same time Britton’s doing it. … [Pitching coach Roger McDowell

will] probably pitch Zach in a sim game on the back field before we go here. We’re slowing

some of those guys down this spring because of how long spring is.”

The three relievers are the most instrumental pieces to the Orioles’ stellar bullpen. Brach is

coming off back-to-back 79-inning seasons. O’Day was limited to 31 innings due to two stints on

the disabled list and has been slowed in previous spring trainings, while Britton recorded 67

innings last season, leading the AL in saves (47) and games finished (63).

They will begin to log innings in simulated and minor league games, and all three would likely

have at least one multiple-inning stint during spring training.

Spring training is about one week longer because of the World Baseball Classic next month.

Britton threw off flat ground on Monday and Showalter said that he remains on schedule. His

next step would be throwing of a mound.

-- Chris Tillman’s throwing program from a platelet rich plasma injection given to release

shoulder stiffness is continuing to progress. If all continues to go well, he is slated to participate

in pitchers fielding practice drills on Friday.

-- Logan Ondrusek (right ankle) should get into a Grapefruit League game within the next few

days, Showalter said.

-- Showalter said that Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander, who has been limited to DH duties while

he completely recovers from offseason surgery on his right throwing shoulder, might not play the

outfield in games until mid-March.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-utility-man-ryan-flaherty-dealing-

with-arm-issue-20170227-story.html

Orioles utility man Ryan Flaherty dealing with arm issue

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 27, 2017

Orioles utility man Ryan Flaherty is dealing with an undisclosed arm issue, the team announced

Monday before its Grapefruit League game against the New York Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium.

The injury isn’t considered serious. Orioles manager Buck Showalter is expected to address the

injury after Monday’s game.

Flaherty is an important piece of the Orioles’ infield – the only player on the 40-man who can

play all four infield positions. That importance is magnified with shortstop J.J. Hardy sidelined

with back spasms.

Flaherty played in two of the Orioles’ first three Grapefruit League games, but wasn’t in the

starting lineup for Monday’s game. Chris Johnson started at third base.

He wasn’t seen taking grounders at third base before Monday’s game, but he did take throws

from fielders at first base during batting practice.

The Orioles re-signed veteran utility man Paul Janish, who like Flaherty can play third base,

shortstop and second base, this week on a minor league deal with a big league spring training.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-buck-showalter-ensuring-orioles-keep-

memory-of-former-pr-director-monica-barlow-close-20170227-story.html

Buck Showalter ensuring Orioles keep memory of former

PR director Monica Barlow close

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 27, 2017

Tuesday will mark three years since the death of former Orioles public relations director Monica

Barlow to lung cancer, and as time passes, the team’s roster includes more players who didn’t

know Barlow or her battle against Stage IV lung cancer.

It has become an annual spring training tradition for players and staff to wear orange LUNGevity

T-shirts that also say “In Memory of Monica” on the front in pregame every year on Feb 28.

The Orioles wore the shirts on Monday, one day before the anniversary of Barlow’s death,

because the team will play on the road on Tuesday and won’t have the full squad assembled

together.

And because some players didn’t know Barlow – who became an advocate for lung cancer

awareness and research while undergoing treatment for four years until her death on Feb. 28,

2014 – Showalter gathered the entire team on the field before pre-game activities on Monday and

told everyone about Barlow and her impact on the organization.

“I had that conversation with them out there before we started about, ‘Some of you guy who

weren’t here, I want to tell you something about Monica and why we’re wearing these T-shirts

today and in her death how she’s been able to impact so many people alive and passed on,’”

Showalter said. “I don’t think we’ll ever forget her and the things [she went through]. I know we

won’t, or I won’t. But I also wanted people to understand why we’re doing this and the impact it

has.”

Barlow worked closely with LUNGevity, an organization dedicated to funding scientific research

to battle lung cancer, since her diagnosis in September of 2009. The organization holds an annual

fundraiser walk – the “Breathe Deep Baltimore” event -- every fall that begins and ends at

Camden Yards.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-rule-5-picks-tavarez-and-santander-

already-setting-up-difficult-roster-decisions-for-orioles-20170226-story.html

Rule 5 picks Tavarez and Santander already setting up

difficult roster decisions for Orioles

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 27, 2017

It will be a challenge for the Orioles to carry one – let alone both – of their Rule 5 picks on the

Opening Day roster, but both outfielders Aneury Tavarez and Anthony Santander have made an

early impact in Grapefruit League play.

In the Orioles’ 8-3 home opener win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tavarez hit an RBI single down

the right-field line to break a 3-3 tie as part of a five-run seventh inning. He went on to steal both

second and third and then scored on Trey Mancini’s two-run double.

When the Orioles selected Tavarez, 24, from the Boston Red Sox –coming off a season in which

he hit .330/.374/.495 with 13 triples and 20 stolen bases at the Double-A and Triple-A levels –

they knew he could add an element of speed that the Orioles lacked. He serves as a potential

leadoff option and gives the team a difference-maker on the base paths off. The Orioles figured

his best path to making the team would be by showing he can help upgrade the team’s defense at

the corner outfield spots.

Since then, the Orioles have signed outfielder Craig Gentry and also re-signed outfielder Michael

Bourn, who will be out a month with a broken right ring finger. Both moves were made with an

emphasis on defense.

“The landscape’s kind of changed the last two or three weeks,” Orioles manager Buck

Showalter said. “But [Tavarez is] a left fielder, potential leadoff guy. [We’re] trying to get our

arms around him defensively.”

Santander, 22, didn’t play Sunday, but is 2-for-6, including an RBI single in Saturday’s game

against the Pirates in Bradenton. He still has yet to play the field after recovering from offseason

shoulder surgery, but Showalter expects that to happen soon.

He’s different than Tavarez in that he’s more of a pure hitter, but Santander must also show he

can hold his own defensively.

“Santander’s a pretty good hitter, and he’s getting closer to being able to get on the field and take

a look at it from that perspective,” Showalter said. “Tavarez is a plus-runner, real athletic. Both

of these guys you’d like to have in your system. Teams don’t have a whole lot of guys running

around like that. We have some, but not as many as … you always want more.

"The problem with this is you don’t have that ability to put them in your system except for

Baltimore [because of their Rule 5 status]. But there’s always ways to work it out.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-utility-man-paul-janish-back-in-orioles-

camp-for-another-go-around-20170227-story.html

Utility man Paul Janish back in Orioles camp for another

go-around

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 27, 2017

Utility infielder Paul Janish is back in camp again with the Orioles, signing a minor league deal

with the club for the third straight year.

Janish was the latest addition to the Orioles’ big league spring training roster on Saturday,

returning to the club after playing 14 games with the Orioles last season.

“I guess it’s familiar,” Janish said before his first workout of spring with the Orioles on Monday.

“Hopefully, things work out and I get to spend some time in the big leagues, right? But being

here and having a familiarity with the coaching staff and [manager] Buck [Showalter] in

particular, that obviously bodes well. So, I kind of look at it as a pretty good opportunity over the

course of the whole season.”

Janish remained unsigned all offseason, and a reunion made sense given the fact the Orioles

lacked the organizational infield depth that Janish has provided. But Janish said that there was a

time this offseason when he didn’t think he’d return to the Orioles.

“Yeah, for sure,” Janish said. “But fortunately it did, right? It took a little longer than we hoped

or anticipated, but obviously I feel fortunate to be here. It’s a comfortable place for me, having

been here before. It’s a good clubhouse. I’m looking forward to getting back in the swing of

things and getting in some games.”

In recent weeks, the Orioles have added several veteran infielders on minor league deals to

bolster the organizational infield defense, signing corner infielder Chris Johnson, utility

man Robert Andino and second baseman Johnny Giavotella.

Aside from providing insurance in case of an injury on the big league club, the addition of

several veteran infielders should help the development of the Orioles pitchers in Triple-A by

giving them a solid defense behind them.

Janish hit .194/.286/.226 in 14 games with the Orioles last season, but his greatest value in the

past has been as an insurance policy as shortstop behind starter J.J. Hardy. But last year, he made

nine of his 10 major league starts at third base because Manny Machado was shifted over to

shortstop when Hardy was injured by hitting a foul tip off his foot.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-lefty-wade-miley-fast-and-

efficient-in-his-spring-training-debut-20170226-story.html

Orioles lefty Wade Miley fast and efficient in his spring

training debut

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 26, 2017

Orioles left-hander Wade Miley is routinely one of the quickest workers in baseball, but his

consistently rapid pace can lead to varied outcomes on the mound.

When he’s getting ahead of hitters and throwing strikes, it’s a weapon to dictate the pace of a

game by getting his team back in the dugout quickly. When Miley is struggling, it can put him on

the fast track to trouble.

He’s never been a pitcher who wastes time. Last season, his 17.8 seconds between pitches was

the fastest in baseball, according to FanGraphs, and over the past five years Miley ranks third in

the majors in shortest time between pitches (18.4 seconds).

Just like pitchers use spring training to find their comfort zone on the mound, one of Miley’s top

priorities in spring training is finding the right tempo.

“You know what,” Miley said following his first Grapefruit League outing in the Orioles’ spring

home opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium, “I just work fast. I don’t go out

there and try to do that. It’s just how I am. Obviously, at times, I need to slow myself down, and

that's more what I work on in spring training is not getting too fast and being able to just pump

the breaks a little bit and get back in a good rhythm.”

Miley’s two innings Sunday went by in a flash, a positive sign for his first spring training start.

He attacked hitters, made quick outs and worked ahead with a four-pitch mix anchored by a

fastball that sat at 91-92 mph.

“I thought it was pretty good,” Miley said. “Just trying to knock some dust off. First time I’ve

seen hitters. Overall, I thought it went pretty well. I was able to mix in every pitch at some point.

It was good.”

Of his 27 pitches, 19 were strikes, including eight of the nine pitches to begin at-bats. He threw

more than three pitches to just one batter.

“When he’s dictating tempo, there’s no wrong pitch,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.

“Sometimes you sit out there and grind: ‘OK, what’s the perfect pitch here? Should I throw this?

Should I throw that?’ With the approach he had last year, they’re all the right pitch if the

presentation is right.

“There are some places you stay out of against hitters. You know you don’t go there. In some

outings he had, every pitch was the right pitch, regardless of the count, and he’s not a guy that

guys are able to sit on any pitch, and when he commands the fastball, which he does most of the

time, he can present a lot of challenges.”

Miley allowed three base runners, all coming with two outs. Andrew McCutchen doubled off the

right-field wall in the first, Eric Wood hit a solo homer to left in the second, and Miley hit the

next batter on an 0-2 count.

“I thought it was coming out pretty good,” Miley said. “Left a few balls up, but overall, it was

good to get that one out of the way. … Just [concentrating on] quality of pitches and

commanding the baseball, so that’s what I’m looking for right now, being able to move the ball

in and out, up and down and just make quality pitches.”

Miley, who struggled in his first six weeks with the Orioles following his trade to Baltimore at

last year’s trade deadline for left-hander Ariel Miranda, hopes to build on a strong finish to the

season that saw him post a 1.93 ERA and hold batters to a .239 average in his final three outings.

That turnaround came after Miley posted a 8.41 ERA in his first eight starts with the Orioles.

Miley’s pace, however, remained the same, as he took 17.9 seconds between pitches.

“I finished strong last year, and I’m looking to just kind of jump-start from where I left off,”

Miley said. “I had good command those last couple starts and I was able to get the ball in on

righties pretty well toward the end of the year. I think that was a big help.”

If Miley is able to do that, he’ll provide stability to the back end of an Orioles starting rotation

that has experience but was shaky last season. Miley’s ERA in 11 starts with the Orioles was

6.17, and right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez’s 5.44 ERA in 29 games last season was the highest of

his 11-year career.

Miley is in his first spring training with the Orioles, but said he’s benefiting from already making

the adjustment to a new clubhouse late last season.

“It was very good that I was over here for the last two months and already knew the guys coming

in,” Miley said. “Just [feel] a lot more comfortable coming in and get about your business.”

Around the horn: Monday will be second baseman Jonathan Schoop’s last day in camp before

he travels to South Korea to play for the Netherlands’ World Baseball Classic team. …

RHP Ubaldo Jimenez will make his first Grapefruit League start Monday at home against

the Yankees. RHP Chad Green will start for New York. … RHP Joe Gunkel didn’t pitch in

Sunday’s game because of an upper respiratory infection. … RHP Logan Ondrusek (right ankle

sprain) threw off a half mound Sunday. His next step would be throwing off a full mound. …

IF Paul Janish is expected to be on the field Monday after completing the final stages of his team

physical. … 1B/OF David Washington, who had been out after injuring his shoulder in the

team’s first intrasquad game Tuesday, returned to game action Sunday and could be available

again for Monday’s game. He struck out swinging but reached on a throwing error and then stole

second base. … Several minor leaguers — including Ryan Mountcastle, Austin Hays, D.J.

Stewart and Stuart Levy — came over from minor league camp to act as base runners in pregame

rundown drills on the main field.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-bourn-on-football-related-injury-

that-s-the-risk-you-take-so-you-have-to-live-with-it-20170226-story.html

Orioles' Bourn on football-related injury: 'That’s the risk

you take, so you have to live with it.'

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 26, 2017

Over the course of his career, Orioles outfielder Michael Bourn said he has done several drills to

improve his speed, and playing catch with a football following Friday’s workout seemed

harmless enough.

But the activity will cost Bourn most of spring training, as he is out four weeks after suffering a

broken right ring finger from jamming it while catching a football. The fracture is located on the

inside of the knuckle.

“Thousands of times,” Bourn said Sunday when asked how many times he’s caught a football in

his life. “Never had it happen to me, but it happened this time. That’s the risk you take, so you

have to live with it. I made this bed, so I have to lay in it.

“It wasn’t football for fun, first off,” Bourn added. “I was doing it for conditioning. It was just a

conditioning drill that you do and the ball just hit me in the wrong spot. I thought it was a jam at

first, but I kind of knew. It hurt kind of bad, more than a jam.”

Now the 34-year-old Bourn, who signed a minor league deal with a big-league spring training

invite Monday after going unsigned all offseason, must wait until at least late March to play in

his first spring training game.

“Of course it’s frustrating, you know,” Bourn said, his finger in a splint. “You think about it and

all the stuff you were doing to get prepared, and I was ready to go and pretty much ready to get

into games the next couple days and now I’ve got to wait a little bit longer. I’ve got to wait about

four weeks to heal. I want it to heal correctly but I want to push it too. There’s really nothing I

can do about it. I wish I had a time clock so I could turn back the hands of time, but I know time

rolls forward so you can’t look at it like that. Just push forward and we’ll see what happens and

we’ll see what they want to do and go on from there.”

Bourn said he was playing catch with the football as a drill to help with his first-step quickness,

which is an instrumental part of his game and one of the major reasons the Orioles signed him to

improve their outfield defense and speed on the bases.

“I like to change stuff up so it’s new to you, it’s exciting," Bourn said. "... It’s about breaks out

of a route, it’s about little things you do when playing baseball, but you’re just doing it in a

different style. Kind of keep your athleticism, and I’m a big person who likes to keep my

athleticism because I think it helps me on the field a lot. Just moving around in different kinds of

ways helps me be athletic when I’m in the outfield and I think that’s a big thing. Especially as

you get older you have to continue, the things you have to do as you get older, you have to work

a little bit harder and keep your body in athletic shape, because if you don’t you’re going to lose

that first-step quickness."

Bourn wouldn’t say who threw the pass or whether footballs have been removed from the

Orioles clubhouse. Asked if he was done with football, he said, “I’ve been done with football. I

was just doing it for conditioning.” Bourn did play football in high school in Houston.

“I did everything,” Bourn said. “I was like Reggie Bush. I was a receiver, I played a little bit of

running back, a little bit of cornerback, a little bit of safety. So, I played a lot of different

positions.”

Meanwhile, Bourn said he will still be able to do conditioning drills to get his body in shape for

the season, but won’t be able to throw or hit until his thumb heels.

“That’s the only thing I can’t do, but that’s baseball, pretty much,” Bourn said. “We’ll see. I’ll

see how much pain I can tolerate as time goes on. We’ll see what happens. At first, I was a little

frustrated when it first happened, but as time went on throughout the day, I can’t turn it back. I

know I wasn’t doing nothing to where I was like messing around and joking around. Continue to

work, and it happens.

“I’ll be in shape,” Bourn added. “That’s not a question about that part. That part is no question,

but just about getting into baseball shape. Seeing pitching in spring training is a big thing."

The injury will have an impact on Bourn’s contract status because he has a March 27 opt-out,

and it’s uncertain whether he will get into any spring games by then.

“We’ve still got four weeks until it heals," Bourn said. "Once that happens, I’ll let it heal and

we’ll see. If it heals quicker, I might play in a couple games. If it doesn’t, I have to wait until it’s

healed to where I can tolerate it with the bat. And I’ll take it from there. You’re right. I do have

the opt out. I know that. The team knows that. So we’ll get together and see what happens.”

Britton feeling better: Orioles closer Zach Britton said the discomfort he was feeling in his side

is mostly gone, and was planning to play catch on Sunday.

"I feel pretty good," Britton said. "I think it’s pretty much all the way gone. I think the plan is to

play catch and then see how it feels and kind of goes from there. So, nothing beyond today. But

I’m going to go out there, team stretch and then play some catch.”

It's unclear when Britton will pitch in his first spring game, but he said he's not concerned

because he didn't pitch until March 2 last spring.

"When we came to camp we had about a week before we were in games, so that’s a little bit

quicker than normal," Britton said. "There wasn’t any plan to throw before the 2nd or 3rd, maybe

a little later.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-notes-before-spring-home-opener-

20170226-story.html

Orioles notes heading into their spring home opener

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 26, 2017

Orioles right-hander Joe Gunkel won’t pitch in today’s Grapefruit League home opener at Ed

Smith Stadium as scheduled because of an upper respiratory infection, manager Buck

Showalter said.

Gunkel, who was added to the 40-man roster this offseason, was scheduled to make his first

Grapefruit League appearance against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

“He could probably pitch today but he’s not feeling well,” Showalter said. “He’s better than he

was yesterday but [pitching coach] Roger [McDowell] and I decided just to be fair to him [to] let

him get back to 100 percent before we run him out there, especially his first time out there.”

Gunkel’s unavailability will allow Showalter to get a look at one of the pitchers added from

minor league camp.

Left-hander Wade Miley will start for the Orioles today, and left-hander Chris Lee, left-hander

Jesus Liranzo, right-hander Logan Verrett and right-hander Richard Rodriguez are also set to

pitch for the Orioles.

The club also brought left-hander Brian Moran, right-hander Jefri Hernandez, left-hander Garrett

Cleavinger and left-hander John Means over from minor league camp.

Showalter said closer Zach Britton continues to get better from soreness in his left side. He threw

off flat ground in today’s workout and Showalter said he should get on a mound soon. Showalter

said it is still unclear when Britton will pitch in a spring game.

“We’re not there yet, but I would think early March,” Showalter said. “Depends on how you

define early March. Before the 15th?

Right-hander Logan Ondrusek (right ankle sprain) threw off a half mound Sunday. His next step

would be throwing off a full mound.

The Orioles still expect infielder Paul Janish to be in the field on Monday. He was slated to

finalize his physical on Sunday.

David Washington, who has been out after injuring his shoulder in the team’s first intrasquad

game on Tuesday, could be available to today’s game.

Several minor leaguers – including Ryan Mountcastle, Austin Hays, D.J. Stewart and Stuart

Levy – came over from minor league camp to act as base runners in pregame rundown drills on

the main field.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-release-left-hander-t-j-mcfarland-

20170226-story.html

Orioles release left-hander T.J. McFarland, could re-sign

him on minor league deal

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 26, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Orioles were released from left-hander T.J. McFarland’s contract after

he cleared release waivers on Sunday, but it doesn’t mean his days with the organization are

over.

The club would like to re-sign McFarland to a minor league contract – he is now a free agent –

but McFarland can sign with any team.

The move to release McFarland released the team from the $685,000 contract he was owed in his

first year of arbitration eligibility.

The Orioles designated McFarland for assignment a week ago when the team acquired left-

hander Vidal Nuno in a trade with the Dodgers. McFarland cleared outright waivers and was

then run through release waivers.

The process exposed McFarland to being claimed by another team, not once but twice, off the

40-man roster. Because McFarland has no minor league options remaining, he became

expendable when the team acquired Nuno, a swingman who still has an option remaining.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-former-orioles-farmhand-steven-brault-

pitches-well-for-pirates-in-exhibition-20170225-story.html

Former Orioles farmhand Steven Brault pitches well for

Pirates in exhibition

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 25, 2017

Pirates left-hander Steven Brault, a former Orioles farmhand who was traded to Pittsburgh before

the 2015 season, pitched a scoreless first inning Saturday against the organization that drafted

him.

“It was cool that I got to face the Orioles,” Brault said. “That makes it extra fun.”

Brault was traded to the Pirates along with minor league left-hander Stephen Tarpley for

outfielder Travis Snider, who was supposed to be the heir apparent to Nick Markakis. But

Snider hit just .237 in 69 games with the Orioles before being released that August.

Brault allowed the first batter he faced to reach base – Orioles leadoff hitter Joey Rickard

reached on an error by Pirates third baseman David Freese – but then struck out right

fielder Craig Gentry looking and induced an inning-ending double-play from Manny Machado.

Brault’s fastball was clocked at 94 mph multiple times on the stadium radar gun at LECOM

Park.

The 24-year-old Brault is competing for a back-end rotation spot with the Pirates this spring. He

made his big league debut last season, going 0-3 with a 4.86 ERA in eight games (seven starts).

He spent most of the season at Triple-A Indianapolis, going 2-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 16 games

(15 starts).

The only player in the Orioles lineup Saturday who Brault played with was first baseman Trey

Mancini. But Brault didn’t face him.

Tarpley was one of two minor league pitchers the Pirates sent to the New York Yankees last

season in a trade that netted them right-handed starter Ivan Nova. Tarpley was 6-4 with a 4.32

ERA in 20 starts at High-A Bradenton before the trade.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-schmuck-column-0226-20170225-story.html

One year after nightmarish spring, Orioles' Hyun Soo Kim

better adjusted and more comfortable

By Peter Schmuck / The Baltimore Sun

February 25, 2017

It was about this time last year that Hyun Soo Kim took the field with his new American

teammates for the first time, ready to show why he was one of the most popular players in South

Korea and prove himself in the major leagues.

It didn't go very well. Well, not at the beginning.

Kim's first spring with the Orioles, of course, was a nightmare. He went hitless in his first 23 at-

bats of the 2016 exhibition season and looked all but helpless at the plate, leaving the Orioles to

beg him to accept a minor league assignment.

He refused and this sad drama reached its lowest moment when Kim was booed running down

the orange carpet on Opening Day.

You know the rest. He scratched out an infield hit to end the spring slump and woke up in the

batter's box during the regular season to bat .302 and lead the team with a .382 on-base

percentage.

So, would it surprise you to know that Kim now regards his horrible spring as a good thing?

"That definitely made me a better player, more mature as a player," he said through interpreter

Derrick Chung. "It was a good time for me to learn about myself and how to get myself better."

It certainly didn't look like a lot of fun, being the stranger in a strange land and not looking very

much like you belonged there. His teammates watched and sympathized — all of them know

what it's like to be in a slump that seems like it will never end — but there wasn't a lot they could

do about it.

"Of course, I mean everyone knew he was significantly better than that," said Mark Trumbo,

who was also new in camp last spring. "Sometimes, especially with the language barrier, there's

not anything you're going to say that's going to bring that much peace of mind. It really just takes

some success to build that confidence back."

Still, Kim credits his teammates for helping him to get comfortable in his new uniform, new

league and new country.

"My teammates helped me get used to the surroundings, just getting used to the clubhouse and

all that," he said. "This year, I definitely feel a lot more comfortable than last year at this point."

He remembers how he felt at the start of the exhibition season, right before his spring started to

unravel. He said he was tight, nervous. Who wouldn't be in that situation? But that wasn't the

reason he got off to such a slow start. It was more about adjusting to a 95 mph fastball league,

which obviously took a while.

"I know I personally was [feeling for him]," reliever Brad Brach said. "First of all, coming over

having to deal with the language barrier and having to deal with the cultural barrier. And then to

go out there and he's supposed to be a guy who's going to help us, and he goes 0-for-10 and then

0-for-20 and you want him to get a hit so bad.

"I remember when he got his first one and I happened to be in the dugout when he got it and the

smile on his face was just like, you could tell the burden was just taken off."

Not totally. There was still that not-so-magic moment during pregame introductions on Opening

Day at Oriole Park.

"I just felt bad last year when that section booed him when he came down the orange carpet,"

Brach said. "He was trying so hard that I think it was affecting his ability on the field. I'm just

glad he was able to get a chance to prove that he obviously can play at the major league level."

Kim scratched out two soft hits in his first start of the regular season, ended up going 9-for-15 in

six April games and never really looked back. His average never dropped below .300 and his on-

base percentage started with a four for most of the season.

"Eventually, given enough reps everyone is going to show who they are, and he's a perfect

example of that," Trumbo said. "We acquired him. He had that skill set. It took a little while to

acclimate, but he played excellent for us last year."

Kim didn't waste any time changing the narrative this spring. He got hits in each of the Orioles'

two intrasquad games.

"You can see how much more comfortable he is this year," manager Buck Showalter said.

"There were a lot of things that were new things for him last year. He knows what's expected.

"It's an important year for him in his mind. You could tell. He got down here earlier this year to

simulate more of a Korean spring training as opposed to an American spring training. He's got

another level he's capable of going to."

There are new challenges this spring. Showalter hopes to get Kim more acclimated to left-

handed pitching, so the Orioles can squeeze even more on-base potential out of him. Kim

welcomes the opportunity to play more than the 95 games he appeared in last year and doesn't

question his ability to earn that additional playing time.

He said this week that he has enjoyed living in the United States and never — not even during

the most trying moments of that trying spring — did he ever regret coming to America.

"No, I never had that thought," he said. "I just wanted to come here and learn."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-outfielder-michael-bourn-out-four-

weeks-with-broken-ring-finger-injured-playing-football-20170225-story.html

Orioles' Michael Bourn out four weeks with broken finger,

Welington Castillo scratched

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 25, 2017

The Orioles suffered their first freak injury of spring training Saturday when outfielder Michael

Bourn was diagnosed with a broken right ring finger suffered while attempting to catch a football

after Friday’s workout in Sarasota.

Less than one week after signing a minor league deal with the Orioles and before he was able to

get into his first Grapefruit League game, Bourn is expected to miss four weeks, manager Buck

Showalter said, putting his status for Opening Day in question.

While Showalter didn’t rule out the possibility of Bourn being ready for the April 3 season

opener against the Toronto Blue Jays, he didn’t sound overly optimistic.

“If we had to push the envelope, we could if it fell down to that,” Showalter said.

Bourn’s injury is the latest — and strangest — of the spring in a growing list. In most cases, the

club is taking precautionary steps to take advantage of a long offseason while trying to prevent

further injuries during the season.

Right-hander Chris Tillman is on a throwing program after receiving a platelet-rich-plasma

injection because he felt shoulder stiffness. Shortstop J.J. Hardy has been shelved with back

spasms and closer Zach Britton was held out of a scheduled intrasquad appearance as a

precaution after feeling symptoms of an oblique injury.

In addition to Bourn’s injury, catcher Welington Castillo was scratched from the starting lineup

for Saturday’s road Grapefruit League game against the Pittsburgh Pirates because of neck

spasms. Castillo is considered day-to-day and will be re-evaluated Sunday, Showalter said.

The Orioles signed the 34-year-old Bourn to a minor league deal Monday. He would make $2

million if he makes the major league roster. The deal also includes a March 27 opt-out clause,

which would seem to be impacted by the injury.

And while injuries regularly occur during spring training, the events that caused Bourn’s are not

rare.

“After he got through with the whole workout, like a lot of them do, they were throwing the

football around and he reached up for it and jammed his finger,” Showalter said.

“I was asking Seth Smith [a former quarterback at Mississippi] if he threw it,” Showalter said. “I

said, ‘Have you guys ever heard of [Tom] Brady and Deflategate? Why don’t you deflate the

football a little bit.’”

Initially, the Orioles thought Bourn had just jammed his finger, but after being evaluated by head

trainer Richie Bancells on Saturday, an X-ray revealed a break.

Players commonly throw a football around in their spare time — it’s seen as an activity that

builds shoulder strength and helps the repetition of arm action — but the risk of injury always

exists. During the regular season, several Orioles players play touch football games in the

outfield before games.

“It’s actually a very useful [practice],” Showalter said. “You see our guys do it. It’s good for the

shoulder and the throwing actions. Most teams do it. He just caught it wrong.

“That’s a part of his workout. For a lot of guys, that’s part of their day. It’s what they do.”

Bourn was re-signed in an effort to upgrade the team’s outfield defense while also adding speed

and on-base capabilities. And while the Orioles have 13 players in camp who can play the

outfield, any extended absence of Bourn would most affect veteran Craig Gentry and second-

year player Joey Rickard, who share the same skill set as Bourn.

Castillo was scheduled to make his first spring start Saturday afternoon on the road in Bradenton.

But Showalter said Castillo felt his neck spasm when he woke up Saturday morning.

“We’ll see what tomorrow brings,” Showalter said. “We had to adjust [the lineup]. He was

hitting fourth today in the lineup. Was trying to get all those [World Baseball Classic] guys up.”

Castillo was expected to play more often in early spring games because he’s scheduled to leave

the club on March 5 to join the Dominican Republic WBC team. The Orioles were planning on

giving him more innings so he could get used to a new pitching staff before his departure and get

the at-bats he needs in order to prepare for the WBC.

The Orioles were set to line up innings for Castillo in order for him to get looks at the major

league pitchers before he leaves, and Showalter has said missing any extended time could hurt

his adjustment.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-lose-christian-walker-to-atlanta-

braves-on-waiver-claim-20170225-story.html

Orioles lose Christian Walker to Braves on waiver claim

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 25, 2017

First baseman-outfielder Christian Walker, who the Orioles designated for assignment Tuesday,

was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, ending the tenure of a player who

was not long ago one of the organization’s top prospects.

Walker, 25, was the Orioles’ minor league Player of Year in two seasons ago, but his stock

dropped since then. He was blocked at first base when the Orioles re-signed Chris

Davis and Mark Trumbo and was passed by Trey Mancini as the organization’s top first base

prospect.

That prompted the Orioles to move Walker to the outfield, but after one year playing left field at

Triple-A Norfolk, he was still adjusting to the position switch.

He was designated for assignment to make 40-man roster space for left-hander Richard Bleier,

who was acquired in a trade with the New York Yankees for a player to be named later.

"It’s a good move for Christian," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said after the Orioles' 6-

2 Grapefruit League loss to the Pirates at LECOM Park on Saturday. "He was kind of [stuck

with] where we are with Chris and Trum. It’s a good move for him as a human being and for his

career. We thought with him having an option [remaining], we thought it was a good possibility.

It’s a good move for him and I’m happy for him. He’ll get a good look and a good opportunity

there."

Walker, the Orioles' fourth-round draft pick in 2012, had his best season in 2014, hitting

.288/.357/.489 with 26 homers and 96 RBIs between Double-A Bowie and Norfolk.

He hit 18 homers in each of the past two seasons with the Tides, numbers that were diminished

by playing home games at cavernous Harbor Park. In 131 games with Norfolk last season,

Walker hit .264/.321/.437.

The Orioles also lost outfielder Adam Walker to the Braves on waivers on Jan 26. Walker was

designated to make roster room for the re-signing of Trumbo.

Around the horn

Showalter said Saturday that because of uncertainty related to Vidal Nuno’s role in the World

Baseball Classic, he will pitch two innings in his first exhibition appearance to stretch him out a

bit. … Chris Dickerson has a sore foot after fouling a ball off it Friday, but he was in the

traveling party to Bradenton.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-place-reliever-t-j-mcfarland-on-

release-waivers-20170225-story.html

Orioles place reliever T.J. McFarland on release waivers

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 25, 2017

Left-hander T.J. McFarland, who was designated for assignment last Sunday, has cleared

outright waivers and has been placed on release waivers, according to an industry source.

McFarland was designated for assignment when the Orioles acquired left-handed swingman

Vidal Nuno in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

By passing McFarland through release waivers, the Orioles can rid themselves of paying him the

$685,000 he was owed in his first year of arbitration eligibility.

The move doesn't necessarily end McFarland's tenure with the Orioles. If he clears, he could re-

sign with the team as a minor league free agent. But the Orioles would be competing with 29

other teams for his services.

The Orioles traded for two left-handed pitchers with starting and reliever experience in the past

week -- acquiring Nuno from the Dodgers and Richard Bleier from the New York Yankees --

and both are optionable, while McFarland is not. But McFarland, who mostly pitched in long

relief for the Orioles, could still fit as a valuable depth piece.

Baltimore Sun columnist Peter Schmuck contributed to this article.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-re-sign-paul-janish-on-minor-

league-deal-20170225-story.html

Orioles re-sign Paul Janish to minor league deal

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 25, 2017

The Orioles continued to shore up their infield depth Saturday, re-signing veteran infielder Paul

Janish to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training.

Janish hit .194/.286/.226 in 14 major league games with the Orioles last season, but his biggest

value was as defensive insurance at shortstop, third base and second base the past two seasons.

He spent most of the past two seasons at Triple-A Norfolk primarily as the team’s starting

shortstop. Last year, he hit .248/.333/.280 in 76 games for the Tides.

In recent weeks, the Orioles have made several moves to address their lack of infield depth, also

signing veterans Johnny Giavotella, Robert Andino and Chris Johnson.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-dariel-alvarez-isn-t-ready-to-switch-and-

pitch-20170225-story.html

Orioles outfielder Dariel Alvarez isn't ready to switch and

pitch

By Peter Schmuck / The Baltimore Sun

February 25, 2017

Orioles prospect Dariel Alvarez is one of the dozen outfield prospects in camp this spring, and a

lot will have to change over the next five weeks for him to climb onto the 25-man roster, which

is why there has been speculation that the club might try to convert him into a pitcher.

Alvarez has a terrific arm and he did pitch years ago in Cuba, but he said Saturday morning that

he remains focused on being a hitter and outfielder.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to be here and I think I have the chance to be here and

compete," he said through interpreter Ramon Alarcon, "so I just want to stay healthy in order to

compete."

He said the team has approached him about making the switch -- which was made recently and

successfully by reliever Mychal Givens -- but he's not ready to do that.

"They have approached me about becoming a pitcher, but for the moment I'm a hitter," Alvarez

said. "That's where my mindset is right now is to be a hitter. The things I've done so far are as a

hitter, so I look at myself as a hitter right now."

Alvarez did pitch 22 games in Cuba over three seasons, according to Baseball-Reference.com.

When asked what particular pitches he has in his repertoire, he said he throws a fastball,

curveball and slider.

Givens made the switch and was 8-2 with a 3.13 ERA in his rookie season last year, but Alvarez

said he has not talked to Givens about the transition.

"No, I have not spoken with him about it," he said. "Right now, pitching is not in my mind. That

is something that has not crossed my mind yet."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/217257414/paul-janish-back-in-orioles-spring-training/

Janish feels 'fortunate' to be back with Orioles

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

February 27, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- With J.J. Hardy still sidelined and not available to play until at least March

10 and Manny Machado leaving next Sunday for the World Baseball Classic, the Orioles signed

another shortstop.

For the third straight season, the Orioles signed Paul Janish to a Minor League contract with an

invitation to Spring Training. In the first two years, Janish was signed before the end of the

previous calendar year. This time, it waited until last Saturday.

Janish was thinking that a deal wasn't going to happen.

"For sure, but fortunately it did, right? It took a little longer than we hoped or anticipated, but

obviously I feel fortunate to be here. It's a comfortable place for me, having been here before,"

Janish said. "I'm looking forward to getting back in the swing of things and getting in some

games."

The defensive-minded infielder has played 28 games with the Orioles the past two seasons,

mostly when Hardy was out. Nine of his 10 starts came at third base last season, the most in his

big league career, because Machado moved over from third to short.

Manager Buck Showalter is a great admirer of Janish's defense.

"He understands who he is and what he brings. You know you're going to get it from him. He's a

quality defender. He's about as good a shortstop as you're going to find out there for this role,"

Showalter said.

Janish will get lots of opportunities on and off the field when his playing career ends, and he

thought that was about to happen before the offer came.

"I kind of assumed the same thing, and as it turned out, that wasn't the case. Maybe a little bit of

a miscommunication for a few days there and I think that's probably what led to taking a week

into camp, but anyway, no matter how it transpired or unfolded, I'm excited to be here now,"

Janish said.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/217134278/orioles-zach-britton-feels-no-pain-in-oblique/

Oblique no longer an issue for Britton

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

February 26, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Zach Britton's oblique soreness is gone. A day after he threw a bullpen

session on Monday, the Orioles' star closer complained of discomfort in his left side.

Britton said on Sunday morning that with the pain gone, he was ready to get started.

"Nothing beyond today, but I'm going to go out there [for] team stretch, and then play some

catch," Britton said.

Had he not had the injury, Britton still would not have pitched by now.

"When we came to camp we had about a week before we were in games, so that's a little bit

quicker than normal," Britton said. "There wasn't any plan to throw before the second or third,

maybe a little later."

Manager Buck Showalter said that he hasn't decided when Britton will get into a game.

"We're not there, yet. I would think it would [be] early March, depending on how you define

early March. Before the 15th?" Showalter joked.

"He should be on a full mound shortly if everything goes well today."

Last season, Britton was 47-for-47 in save opportunities.

"We had time, and based on the innings I need now, we had all the time in the world to an

extent," Britton said. "Obviously, if this was the middle of March, then I think you're a little bit

more worried about it, but I didn't think it was anything serious and it's gone away in about,

what, four or five days? Just kind of reassures [me] it wasn't anything really serious. Just some

soreness that needed to get out of there."

Odds and ends

• Right-hander Joe Gunkel, who was supposed to pitch in Sunday's game, is out with an upper

respiratory infection.

• Right-hander Logan Ondrusek (ankle), who has yet to pitch, is nearing a return, Showalter said.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/217163796/orioles-wade-miley-hopes-to-build-on-2016/

Miley hoping to build on strong 2016 finish

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

February 26, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Left-hander Wade Miley had a rough beginning when he was traded to the

Orioles from Seattle last July 31.

He didn't win in his first four outings, and in his third and fourth starts he combined to allow 12

earned runs on 14 hits in six innings.

On Sept. 12 at Fenway Park, Miley gave up six runs on eight hits in 1 1/3 innings.

But Miley finished strong, stringing together three encouraging starts to end the season. In his

penultimate start of the season on Sept. 24 against Arizona, Miley allowed a run on seven hits in

8 2/3 innings, striking out a career-high 11 batters.

In his first game in Spring Training on Sunday, an 8-3 win for Baltimore, Miley allowed one run

on two hits in two innings of work, giving up a home run to Pittsburgh Minor League

infielder Eric Wood.

Manager Buck Showalter is hopeful Miley will be able to follow up on the end of last season.

"We know he's capable of it, and I know it's something he really wants to do for a lot of

reasons," Showalter said.

"The other team is going to tell me how they're doing as they go forward in spring," Showalter

said. "First Spring Training he's been through with us.

"Even a veteran pitcher like Miley, first time out. It's been a long time since they've been on the

hill facing people [who are] trying to do damage."

Odds and ends

• Left-handed pitcher T.J. McFarland has cleared waivers and has been released from his

contract. The Orioles will attempt to sign him to a Minor League contract.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/217133258/os-michael-bourn-injured-playing-football/

Football injury leaves Bourn in limbo

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

February 26, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Michael Bourn has caught footballs in conditioning drills "thousands of

times." However, on Friday, he snared a pass that went the wrong way, which jammed his right

ring finger and broke it. He appeared in the Orioles clubhouse Sunday morning wearing a splint

on the finger.

Bourn, who was signed to a Minor League contract on Feb. 20 and hadn't yet played in a game,

will be sidelined for four weeks.

"It wasn't football for fun, first off," Bourn said. "It was just a conditioning drill that you do and

the ball just hit me in the wrong spot. I thought it was a jam at first, but I kind of knew. It hurt

kind of bad, more than a jam. And they showed me a little spot where there's like a little crack,

not a crack, but a little space where it broke a little bit. So I have to let it heal and I'll see what

happens."

Bourn was competing for an outfield job as one of 12 outfielders in camp, and he has a March 27

opt-out, allowing him free agency if he's not on the Orioles' 40-man roster. He may not even be

playing by then. The 34-year-old says that he hasn't decided whether he would go to the Minors

for a time to get himself in playing shape.

"I'll make that decision when it's time. We'll see what happens when that time arises. Right now,

I'm just trying to let it heal," Bourn said. "Who's to say it won't heal in three weeks? It might. It

might not. I can't fast forward time, so I'm going to take it one day at a time, get ready and keep

my body in shape. I just have to get in playing shape. We'll see what happens."

Bourn, who stopped playing football after his sophomore year in high school in order to

concentrate on baseball, never gave the drill a second thought. He uses football drills as a way to

improve his shape and to maintain his athleticism.

"Never had it happen to me, but it happened this time. That's the risk you take, so you have to

live with it. I made this bed, so I have to lay in it," Bourn said.

When he was in high school, Bourn said he was an all-purpose player.

"I did everything. I was like Reggie Bush. I was a receiver, I played a little bit of running back, a

little bit of cornerback, a little bit of safety. So, I played a lot of different positions," Bourn said.

Bourn, who wouldn't say who threw the pass, said he didn't consider becoming a two-sport

athlete at the University of Houston, where he played baseball. He didn't receive any football

scholarship offers.

"No, I stopped too soon. But I think I would have been able to get some if I had kept going. But I

think I chose the right route," Bourn said.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/217069308/good-starting-point-for-potential-future-star-

ynoa/

'Good starting point' for potential future star Ynoa

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

February 25, 2017

BRADENTON, Fla. -- When the Orioles acquired Gabriel Ynoa just before the start of Spring

Training, they hoped he would be a piece for the future, and perhaps even this season.

Executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said that Ynoa needed to work on

his breaking ball to help the O's this year and next.

It doesn't look as if Ynoa, who allowed one run on three hits in two innings in Saturday's 6-2

loss, will start the season with the Orioles. He'll probably open at Triple-A Norfolk. The Tides'

starting rotation could include not only Ynoa, a high-ranking prospect in the New York Mets'

system who was traded to the Orioles for cash considerations, but others with big league

experience.

Vidal Nuno, Logan Verrett, Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright, all of whom have both started and

relieved in the Majors, are competing for the final two spots in the Orioles' bullpen. Not all of

them can make the team, and the ones who don't could end up joining Ynoa, now

Baltimore's No. 12 prospect, according to MLBPipeline.com, at Norfolk.

Other possibilities for the Norfolk rotation are Joe Gunkel, who was 8-11 with a 4.08 ERA in 24

starts there a year ago, and Chris Lee, a highly thought of prospect, whose lat injury shut him

down after eight games at Bowie.

Lee was 5-0 with a 2.98 ERA with the Baysox, but didn't pitch after late May.

The Orioles may need that depth not only this season, but in 2018 when starters Chris

Tillman, Ubaldo Jimenez and Wade Miley could all depart via free agency.

Ynoa had a rough first inning on Saturday, allowing three of the first four Pirates hitters to

reach. Gregory Polanco's RBI single drove in Andrew McCutchen, who doubled. Two runners

tried to steal on Ynoa. Adam Frazier, who led off with a single, was thrown out, while Polanco

stole second.

"When the runners were on, I was just too slow going towards the plate, but that was it," Ynoa

said through an interpreter. "I felt confident in myself, knowing that the runners were quick

enough to attempt a stolen base."

One of the Orioles' points of emphasis this spring has been pitchers releasing the ball quickly to

help hold runners on.

"We have been practicing that, but today for some reason, I felt a little bit nervous," Ynoa said.

"In the second inning, I felt more under control."

Ynoa's second inning was much better. He retired three Pittsburgh hitters in order on nine

pitches.

"In the first inning, I was going too quick towards home plate," Ynoa said. "In the second inning,

I was more calm, under control, so I think that was the difference."

"Good starting point," said manager Buck Showalter. "He's got a good arm."

Worth noting

• Christian Walker was claimed on waivers by Atlanta. The first baseman/outfielder had been

designated for assignment when the Orioles added left-handed pitcher Richard Bleieron

Wednesday.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/217032080/dariel-alvarez-a-hitter-not-pitcher-for-now/

O's could see Alvarez as pitcher; outfielder reluctant

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

February 27, 2017

BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Orioles have 12 outfielders in camp this spring, and Dariel Alvarez,

who was once a touted prospect, is just trying to be noticed.

Alvarez, a Cuban defector who was signed in July 2013, made it to the Major Leagues a little

more than two years later, and he hit .239 in 12 late-season games in 2015.

Last year, Alvarez had just two brief stints in the Majors, collecting four at-bats, and he wasn't

called up when the rosters expanded in September.

Now, Alvarez faces long odds to make the club, especially with the Orioles' recent signings of

Michael Bourn and Craig Gentry to Minor League contracts. Bourn, however, is expected to

miss four weeks with a broken right ring finger.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to be here," Alvarez said. "I think I have the chance to be here

and compete. I just want to stay healthy and compete."

While Alvarez's potential as a big league hitter is questionable, his arm isn't, and the Orioles

have toyed with converting him to the mound.

"They have approached me about becoming a pitcher," Alvarez said. "For the moment, I'm a

hitter. That's where my mindset is right now, to be a hitter. The things that I've done so far are as

a hitter. I look at myself as a hitter right now."

Alvarez pitched in Cuba as a teenager, something he said was common, but he hasn't since then.

The Orioles have had recent success in converting position players into pitchers. Mychal Givens,

a high Draft choice who struggled offensively in the Minors, moved from the infield to the

mound in 2013, and he was in the Majors pitching successfully in '15.

Alvarez hasn't spoken to Givens about a possible conversion. "No, I have not spoken with him

about it," Alvarez said. "Right now, pitching is not in my mind. That's something that has not

crossed my mind, yet."

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/flaherty-wont-play-today-due-to-sore-

arm.html

Flaherty won’t play today due to sore arm (with Jiménez

quotes)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 27, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Ryan Flaherty isn’t in the Orioles lineup this afternoon, with Chris Johnson

getting the start at third base. The media was told before first pitch that the utility infielder is

bothered by some arm soreness.

Manager Buck Showalter will elaborate after today’s game against the Yankees.

Showalter relayed word that Flaherty’s condition isn’t serious, but the former Rule 5 pick won’t

play today.

Flaherty is 0-for-4 in two exhibition games and drove in the Orioles’ first run with a sacrifice fly

Friday afternoon against the Tigers in Lakeland.

Ubaldo Jiménez threw 29 pitches in two innings and left with the Orioles trailing 1-0. Seventeen

of his pitches were strikes.

Jimenez got ahead of four of the five batters he faced in the first inning, but the Yankees took a

1-0 lead on Austin Romine’s infield hit, Greg Bird’s double to right field and Aaron Judge’s

fielder’s choice grounder.

Mark Trumbo, making his first spring start at first base, failed to backhand Romine’s bouncer

and Jonathan Schoop couldn’t pick up the ball cleanly.

Bird was out at third base on Judge’s grounder to shortstop Manny Machado.

Dustin Fowler singled with two outs in the second inning and stole second base. He would have

scored if not for Adam Jones’ sensational diving catch in right-center field to rob Jorge Mateo.

Jones was playing shallow, of course, and it paid off.

Jiménez was so efficient in his intrasquad start last week that Showalter kept him on the mound

to record a fourth out. He’s done after two innings today, with left-hander Vidal Nuño working

the third.

Chris Davis walked to lead off the bottom of the second inning, but Trumbo grounded into a 6-4-

3 double play. Hyun Soo Kim followed with a single into right field, another line drive off his

bat, but Judge threw him out at second base on a close play.

Update: Schoop, playing his last game before the World Baseball Classic, led off the bottom of

the third inning by clearing the seats in left field to tie the game.

Nuño retired the Yankees in order in the top half of the inning.

Update II: Kim lost a fly ball in the sun to give Judge a leadoff triple in the fourth, but Nuño

retired the next three batters without a run scoring. Nuño turned in two scoreless innings.

Jiménez said he accomplished what he wanted to do.

“I was commanding the fastball and keeping the ball down,” he said. “I think that’s what I did. I

was able to get a lot of ground balls. I still have to get a couple of my breaking balls over.”

Trumbo couldn’t come up with Austin Romine’s bouncer in the first that eventually led to a run.

“It’s part of the game, especially this time of year,” Jiménez said. “We’re here a little bit early,

so it takes a lit bit more for everybody to get ready.”

Jiménez is trying to be more economical this season and reduce the full counts. He threw 19

pitches today in two innings.

“I think that’s what I was able to do in the last part of the season,” he said. “That was attacking

the strike zone, getting ahead and staying ahead. That’s going to save me a lot of pitches and

going to allow me to get deeper in the games.”

Jiménez had friend Welington Castillo behind the plate.

“He’s great, he’s great,” Jimenez said. “I forgot about it, but I realized he caught me a couple of

games in the Dominican Winter League in 2010. We’re on the same page.

He’s a good guy. He wants to learn every day. He works hard. He’s going to do everything

possible to do the best for the team.”

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/pregame-notes-on-tillman-britton-wbc-and-

more.html

Pregame notes on Tillman, Britton, WBC and more

By Roch Kubatko / MLB.com

February 27, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman is on track to begin pitchers fielding practice on Friday

morning, exactly as the Orioles planned while setting up his spring schedule.

Tillman has only been cleared to play catch after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his

right shoulder back in December.

Zach Britton had no discomfort in his left side after playing catch yesterday.

“He feels good. He’s right on schedule,” said manager Buck Showalter.

Relievers Darren O’Day and Brad Brach threw yesterday in simulated games on one of the back

fields. Showalter is slow-playing them by waiting before putting them in Grapefruit League

games.

“Actually, they’ve got a chance for their first game out here to be the same time Britton’s doing

it,” Showalter said. “Probably pitch Zach in a sim game on the back field before we go here.

We’re slowing some of those guys down this spring because of how long spring is.”

Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander, recovered from right shoulder surgery, probably won’t play in

the field until the middle of March. He’s been serving as the designated hitter. However, the

shoulder allows him to bat from both sides of the plate.

“He’ll do some things that will give us a good look at him, but I still want to see him some in a

game,” Showalter said. “We also have the minor leagues starting, so we’ll be able to do that, too.

If we do that, we’ll send someone over there with him.”

Aneury Tavárez will play left field and lead off Tuesday against the Phillies in Clearwater.

The Orioles ran their popup drill today on the stadium field with crowd noise piped in from

Camden Yards. It always shakes up the neighborhood. House alarms have been triggered in the

past.

Second baseman Jonathan Schoop is playing his last game today before joining Team

Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic. He must fly to South Korea.

“Taking a lot of energy bars, crackers. He’s loading up for healthy snacks,” Showalter said.

“I’ve been to South Korea once and I gave him a little heads up. I’m sure some things have

changed since I’ve been there. I said, ‘I hope you like curry because you’re going to get a lot of

it.’ Everything’s got curry on it. Corn Flakes, everything.”

Showalter has been in contact with Netherlands manager Hensley Meulens, one of his former

players with the Yankees.

“Hensley asked me about any limitations on Jon,” Showalter said. “I asked him what he was

planning on doing with him. He’s planning on rotating those guys around. I really appreciate the

call from Hensley. We’re proud of Jon. I know it’s a big moment for him. He takes a lot of pride

in that.”

The players set to leave camp understand the importance of staying healthy and fulfilling their

first obligation - playing for the Orioles and trying to win a championship.

“If you play with caution, you’re more likely to get hurt. If he just plays in the way he normally

does ... He’s a very durable player, knock on wood,” Showalter said

“It’s an emotional game for them. This means a lot to them. I’m not going to take that away from

them, but I’d rather him play full-out than be cautious. That’s where a lot of the injuries come in.

If he just follows what he’s been doing, he should be OK.”

Showalter is losing six players to the WBC.

“The positives are a lot bigger than the drawbacks,” he said. “People smarter than me are trying

to grow the game globally. It’s a reminder we’re not in this alone. When we say these are the

best players in the world, it is the world. There are some unique challenges this spring that we

don’t normally have. I understand the return we’re trying to get.

“The biggest thing probably is the clock that changes. Players are creatures of habit and routine

and every team is completely different because they’re going to come back from this, and we’re

going to have to slow down and start the clock again. I think the way they’ve got it set up for the

pitchers, there’s a real protection there. I think it’s the position players as much as the pitchers.

We’ll have a conversation when they get back. Some of them will be quicker than others. They

can’t all win.”

Showalter provided the usual reminder of “where the finish line is.”

“You know how much pride Adam (Jones) has got,” Showalter said. “To be the center fielder for

the United States team is a heck of a thing, and he wants to be good at it. That’s why you see me

play them a little more innings.

“(Welington) Castillo would never catch again today, but he wants to. All the catchers they had

to pick from the Dominican, they picked Welington. He takes a lot of pride in that.

“We’re trying to give them as many at-bats as they can get. Yesterday, I asked them if they need

more, and they said they had plenty.”

Ubaldo Jiménez is starting today against the Yankees and the list of available pitchers behind

him includes Parker Bridwell, Oliver Drake, Donnie Hart, Jed Bradley and Vidal Nuño.

Mike Wright opposes the Phillies’ Clay Buchholz on Tuesday in Clearwater, and Dylan Bundy

opposes Red Sox left-hander Henry Owens on Wednesday at Ed Smith Stadium.

Showalter, the coaches, instructors and players wore orange LUNGevity t-shirts during batting

practice in memory of former public relations director Monica Barlow, who died on Feb. 28,

2014 after a prolonged and courageous battle with Stage 4 lung cancer. The club is on the road

Tuesday and chose to break out the shirts this morning.

Many of the players in camp weren’t around during Barlow’s tenure.

“I had that conversation with them out there before we started, about, ‘Some of you guys weren’t

here. I want to tell you a little something about Monica, why we’re wearing these t-shirts

today,’” Showalter said.

“Even in her death, she’s able to impact so many people, alive and passed on. I don’t think we’ll

ever forget her and I know I won’t. But I also wanted some people to understand why we’re

doing this and the impact it has.”

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/janish-on-his-return-to-orioles-plus-

yankees-lineup.html

Janish on his return to Orioles (plus Yankees lineup)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 27, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - The locker is in the same spot. Only the number has changed.

Paul Janish arrived too late to keep No. 15, which now belongs to infielder Robert Andino. But

he’s back in Orioles camp and trying again to earn a utility spot.

The Orioles appeared to move on from Janish, 34, after signing Andino to a minor league deal,

creating a possible Triple-A infield that includes Johnny Giavotella and Chris Johnson. But

Janish agreed to terms Saturday and flew into Sarasota the following day.

Did Janish reach the point where he thought a deal wouldn’t happen?

“Yeah, for sure. But fortunately it did, right?” he said.

“It took a little longer than we hoped or anticipated, but obviously I feel fortunate to be here. It’s

a comfortable place for me, having been here before. It’s a good clubhouse. I’m looking forward

to getting back in the swing of things and getting in some games.”

Janish has spent parts of the last two seasons with the Orioles, also signing minor league deals on

Nov. 20, 2014 and Dec. 29, 2015 after considering an offer from the Astros.

“I guess it’s familiar,” he said. “Hopefully, things work out and I get to spend some time in the

big leagues, right? But being here and having a familiarity with the coaching staff and Buck

(Showalter) in particular, that obviously bodes well. So I kind of look at it as a pretty good

opportunity over the course of the whole season.”

An opportunity that, at one time, didn’t seem plausible in 2017.

“I kind of assumed the same thing, and as it turned out that wasn’t the case,” said Janish, who

made nine starts at third base last season and one at shortstop. “Maybe a little bit of a

miscommunication for a few days there and I think that’s probably what led to taking a week

into camp, but anyway, no matter how it transpired or unfolded, I’m excited to be here now.

“Like I said, it will take a few days to get into baseball shape and get into some games.”

For the Yankees Aaron Hicks LF

Austin Romine C

Greg Bird DH

Aaron Judge RF

Rob Refsnyder 1B

Ruben Tejada 2B

Miguel Andujar 3B

Dustin Fowler CF

Jorge Mateo SS

Chad Green RHP

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/orioles-lineup-vs-yankees-30.html

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 27, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Seth Smith is leading off today in the Orioles’ home game against the

Yankees.

Adam Jones is batting second again. Mark Trumbo is starting at first base.

A reminder: Today’s game airs live on MASN at 1 p.m.

For the Orioles

Seth Smith RF

Adam Jones CF

Manny Machado SS

Chris Davis DH

Mark Trumbo 1B

Hyun Soo Kim LF

Jonathan Schoop 2B

Chris Johnson 3B

Welington Castillo C

Ubaldo Jimenez RHP

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/a-leading-question-regarding-the-

lineup.html

A leading question regarding the lineup

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 27, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will play their second home spring training game this afternoon,

with the Yankees making the trip from Tampa, and I have no idea which lineup will be posted. I

can only assume that we’ll be warned not to read too much into it.

That’s fine and all, but what about yesterday’s lineup?

With the exception of Ryan Flaherty playing third base and Manny Machado sliding over to

shortstop, we may have gotten a glimpse of the opening day order. This is assuming that J.J.

Hardy’s back allows him to play short and bat ninth, where Flaherty was slotted.

Let’s take another look at it, beginning with Hyun Soo Kim in the leadoff spot. Adam

Jonesbatted second, Machado third, Chris Davis fourth, Mark Trumbo fifth, Seth Smith sixth,

Jonathan Schoop seventh, Welington Castillo eighth and Flaherty ninth.

Jones isn’t your prototypical No. 2 hitter, but Kim isn’t the norm leading off. He isn’t a speed

guy and a stolen base threat, but he led the Orioles in average (.302) and on-base percentage

(.382) as a U.S. rookie last season, and he had an RBI single yesterday in the second inning.

“He’s one of our candidates,” said manager Buck Showalter, who also mentioned Rule 5 pick

Aneury Tavárez.

Kim isn’t assured of being more than a platoon player in left field. Tavárez isn’t assured of

making the team. Every candidate is flawed in some way.

“I don’t know,” Showalter said. “We’re going to take a vote in here when camp’s over about

who we should lead off. I’m not overthinking it right now.”

Showalter said Ben Werthan, the Orioles’ coordinator of advanced scouting, discovered that Kim

had the second-highest average in the American League last season versus fastballs. So, of

course, Kim struck out against one yesterday from Pirates starter Jameson Taillon in the first

inning and Showalter couldn’t resist pointing it out to him in the dugout.

Kim delivered his RBI single on a fastball in the second inning, looked at Showalter after

reaching first base and motioned as if to say, “Well?”

I was asked a few weeks ago in a radio interview where Jones will bat if he isn’t leading off. I

was stumped after considering how the lineup could include Machado, Davis and Trumbo in the

middle of it. There’s no way that Jones is batting sixth, right? So ...

Trey Mancini went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts Saturday afternoon against the Pirates in

Bradenton. Batting for the first time yesterday, he stroked a two-run double as part of a five-run

seventh inning.

Maybe we learned a little more about Mancini.

Jesús Liranzo’s fastball was mostly 95 mph yesterday but he touched 97 mph in a scoreless fifth

inning. He walked the leadoff batter, Alen Hanson, who was erased on a stolen base attempt.

Left-hander Chris Lee allowed a run over two innings. We may have learned a little more about

him, as well, because he followed a shaky sixth inning - one run on two hits - by retiring the

Pirates in order in the seventh.

Lee was limited to eight games at Double-A Bowie last season due to a lat injury, but the Orioles

will consider starting him at Triple-A Norfolk this year.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/wrapping-up-an-8-3-win-1.html

Wrapping up an 8-3 win

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 26, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter got his four World Baseball Classic

position players in today’s lineup and they combined for six hits in an 8-3 win over the Pirates in

the home opener at Ed Smith Stadium.

Five of the hits went for extra bases. Adam Jones and Manny Machado launched solo home runs,

and Jones, Jonathan Schoop and Welington Castillo doubled. Castillo also singled and threw out

a runner attempting to steal.

Schoop leaves camp on Tuesday to join Team Netherlands. Machado and Castillo leave March 5

to join the Dominican Republic and Jones heads out the following day to play for Team USA.

“Yeah, those guys are pushing earlier than normal,” Showalter said. “You can tell they’ve all got

a lot of pride in the teams and countries they’re going to be playing for and they really want to

present themselves well, and I think we saw a little byproduct of that today.”

Rule 5 pick Aneury Tavárez broke a 3-3 tie with an RBI single in the seventh inning, stole

second and third base and scored on Trey Mancini’s two-run double. The other Rule 5 outfielder,

Anthony Santander, is 2-for-6 with an RBI.

“As advertised,” Showalter said. “Obviously, Santander’s a pretty good hitter and he’s getting

closer to being able to get on the field and take a look at it from that perspective. Tavárez is a

plus runner, real athletic.

“Both of these guys you’d like to have in your system. Teams don’t have a whole lot of guys

running around like that. We have some, but not as many as ... you always want more. The

problem with this is you don’t have that ability to put them in your system except for Baltimore.

But there’s always ways to work it out.”

Tavárez seemed more likely to fit the Orioles’ needs back in December because of his speed and

ability to play all three of the outfield positions. The Orioles signed veteran outfielders Craig

Gentry and Michael Bourn to minor league deals after reporting to spring training.

“When we drafted him, yes, but the landscape’s kind of changed the last two or three weeks,”

Showalter said. “But he’s a left fielder, potential leadoff guy. Trying to get our arms around him

defensively.”

Left-hander Wade Miley allowed one run on Eric Wood’s two-out homer in the second inning.

He threw 19 of 27 pitches for strikes.

“Good first day,” Showalter said. “Good to get it out of the way. It’s always fun for me to see

guys who have been pitching for a while first time out there. They’re not nervous, not anxiety.

You can see their kind of like ‘Let’s get going. I want to get this one under my belt.’

“It felt good. One ambush and that’s it.”

Miley worked fast and threw first-pitch strikes to eight of the nine batters he faced.

“When he’s dictating tempo, there’s no wrong pitch,” Showalter said. “Sometimes, you sit out

there and grind. ‘OK, what’s the perfect pitch here? Should I throw this? Should I throw that?’

With the approach he had last year, they’re all the right pitch if the presentation is right.

“There are some places you stay out of against hitters. You know you don’t go there. In some

outings he had, every pitch was the right pitch regardless of the count, and he’s not a guy that

guys are able to sit on any pitch. And when he commands the fastball, which he does most of the

time, he can present a lot of challenges.”

The last two innings were covered by Jefri Hernandez and left-hander Garrett Cleavinger, who

were summoned from minor league camp. Hernandez, chosen in the minor league phase of the

Rule 5 draft, retired the Pirates in order in the eighth inning.

Showalter’s son, Nathan, had scouted Hernandez.

Earlier today, the Orioles announced that they released left-hander T.J. McFarland after he

passed through release waivers.

“That’s what, step two? So we’ll see where that takes us,” Showalter said.

Asked whether he’d like to keep McFarland in the organization, Showalter replied, “Yes, I’d like

to. In a perfect world we’d like to have him back. We’ll see if it can be worked out. We’ll leave

that in their hands.”

The Orioles remain home on Monday with Ubaldo Jiménez getting the start against the Yankees’

Chad Green.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/orioles-release-mcfarland-plus-game-

update.html

Orioles release McFarland (plus game update)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 26, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander T.J. McFarland has cleared outright and release waivers and is a

free agent after the Orioles released him this afternoon. He can sign with any team.

The Orioles would like to re-sign McFarland to a minor league deal and start him at Triple-A

Norfolk.

McFarland would have made $685,000 after avoiding arbitration. The Orioles designated him for

assignment last Sunday after trading for Vidal Nuño and got him through release waivers in

order to negotiate a new contract.

With McFarland out of options, the Orioles were seeking more flexibility in their bullpen and

traded for left-handers Nuno and Richard Bleier. Jed Bradley also is in camp as a non-roster

invitee.

McFarland spent time on the disabled list last summer with a knee injury and was 2-2 with a 6.93

ERA and 1.743 WHIP in 16 relief appearances over 24 2/3 innings. He was a non-tender

candidate approaching the winter.

The former Rule 5 pick is 12-7 with a 4.27 ERA and 1.548 WHIP in 121 games (two starts) over

parts of four seasons.

The Orioles lead the Pirates 2-1 in the top of the third inning after Hyun Soo Kim’s two-out, tie-

breaking single in the bottom of the second.

Wade Miley allowed a two-out double to Andrew McCutchen in the first inning and a two-out

home run to Eric Wood in the second. He hit Austin Meadows with a pitch before retiring Alen

Hanson on a ground ball to end his day.

Miley struck out one batter. He threw 27 pitches, 19 for strikes.

Logan Verrett will work the third inning.

Adam Jones hit a long home run to left field on the first pitch he saw from Pirates starter

Jameson Taillon. Chris Davis walked with two outs and was stranded.

Jonathan Schoop doubled with one out in the second, Ryan Flaherty walked with two outs and

Kim looped a single into left field. Kim was hitless in his first 23 at-bats last spring.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/gunkel-scratched-from-todays-exhibition-

game.html

Gunkel scratched from today’s exhibition game

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 26, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Joe Gunkel won’t appear in today’s exhibition game against the Pirates due

to an upper respiratory infection. He was supposed to follow left-hander Wade Miley.

“He could probably pitch today, but he’s not feeling well,” said manager Buck Showalter.

“He’s better than he was yesterday, but Roger (McDowell) and I decided just to be fair to him,

let him get back to 100 percent before we run him out there, especially his first time out there.

“We talked to him today and he kind of gave us that, ‘I think I’m OK.’ It’s just not worth it. So

he was scheduled today, but it will actually give us a chance to see somebody from the Sarasota

camp. We’ll plug those guys in. We bring over four every day and one of those guys will pitch

today.”

The list of available pitchers includes Chris Lee, Jesús Liranzo, Logan Verrett and Richard

Rodríguez, plus Jefri Hernandezand left-handers Brian Mora, Garrett Cleavinger and John

Means from minor league camp.

Zach Britton is close to throwing off a mound after playing catch today. The discomfort has

subsided in his left side.

“He’s progressing,” Showalter said. “We’ve got a tentative (date) on the mound if everything

goes well. He should be on a full mound shortly.”

Showalter isn’t ready to announce the date of Britton’s exhibition debut.

“We’re not there yet, but it will be, I’d think, early March, depending on how you define early

March,” he said. “Before the 15th?”

Showalter also said “things are going well” with Chris Tillman’s right shoulder and J.J.

Hardy’sback is better.

“Guys are improving every day,” he said.

David Washington worked out today to test his right shoulder.

“If he gets through back there today, he’s a player,” Showalter said. “He’s a full-go if things go

well with him moving around. He did the drills back there and everything was OK.”

Reliever Logan Ondrusek no longer is limping and he didn’t have his right ankle wrapped in the

clubhouse. He threw off a half-mound this morning.

“He’s very close to getting on a full mound,” Showalter said. “I think we’ll see him before long.”

The Orioles still expect Paul Janish to be on the field Monday for the morning workout.

A group of players from minor league camp, including DJ Stewart, Austin Hays, Ryan

Mountcastle and Brian Levy, was summoned to Ed Smith Stadium to assist with rundown drills.

“There were a couple who didn’t quite seem to understand that it was game speed,” Showalter

said. “They got the message.”

Hays, a third-round pick last year out of Jacksonville University, batted .336/.386/.514 with nine

doubles, two triples, four home runs and 21 RBIs in 38 games with short-season Single-A

Aberdeen.

“He’s a good-looking player,” Showalter said. “A baseball player, real toolsy, really likes to play

the game. I wanted to get a look at him today. Our guys speak really highly of him. We’ll get

him over as we get into camp.”

Here’s the new Pirates lineup:

Phil Gosselin 2B

Kevin Newman DH

Andrew McCutchen RF

Jason Rogers 3B

Elias Diaz C

Jose Osuna 1B

Eric Wood LF

Austin Meadows CF

Alen Hanson SS

Jameson Taillon RHP

Other Pirates pitchers on the trip include Tyler Gasnow, Jared Hughes, Drew Hutchison and

Tyler Webb. Former Orioles farmhand Joey Terdoslavich also is here.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/injury-updates-on-britton-and-bourn.html

Injury updates on Britton and Bourn

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 26, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Zach Britton is nearing a return to the mound.

The Orioles closer no longer is experiencing discomfort in his left side and will play catch this

morning. He appears to have dodged a serious oblique injury

“I feel pretty good,” he said. “I think it’s pretty much all the way gone. I think the plan is to play

catch and then see how it feels and kind of goes from there. So, nothing beyond today. But I’m

going to go out there, team stretch and then play some catch.”

Britton said he wouldn’t have been pitching this early in camp, no matter how he felt.

“Last year I think my first game was March 2nd or 3rd, so no,” he said. “When we came to

camp, we had about a week before we were in games, so that’s a little bit quicker than normal.

There wasn’t any plan to throw before the 2nd or 3rd, maybe a little later.”

The cautious approach proved to be the right approach.

“We had time and based on the innings I need now, we had all the time in the world to an

extent,” said Britton, who hasn’t thrown since Monday’s bullpen session. “Obviously, if this was

the middle of March, then I think you’re a little bit more worried about it, but I didn’t think it

was anything serious and it’s gone away in about, what, four or five days? Just kind of reassures

it wasn’t anything really serious. Just some soreness that needed to get out of there.”

Michael Bourn’s injury is a greater concern. His broke the ring finger on his right hand Friday

while attempting to catch a football as part of his workout in Sarasota. The Orioles were in

Lakeland to play the Tigers.

Less than a week after signing a minor league deal, Bourn has been shelved for approximately a

month and removed from the outfield competition.

“It wasn’t football for fun, first off,” Bourn said this morning while standing at his locker with a

splint on his finger. “I was doing it for conditioning. It was just a conditioning drill that you do

and the ball just hit be in the wrong spot. I thought it was a jam at first, but I kind of knew. It hurt

kind of bad, more than a jam. And they showed me a little spot where there’s like a little crack.

Not a crack, but a little space where it broke a little bit, so I have to let it heal and I’ll see what

happens

“Of course it’s frustrating. You think about it and all the stuff you were doing to get prepared,

and I was ready to go and pretty much ready to get into games the next couple days and now I’ve

got to wait a little bit longer. I’ve got to wait about four weeks to heal. I want it to heal correctly,

but I want to push it, too.

“There’s really nothing I can do about it. I wish I had a time clock so I could turn back the hands

of time, but I know time rolls forward, so you can’t look at it like that. Just push forward and

we’ll see what happens and we’ll see what they want to do and go on from there.”

Bourn’s contract includes a March 27 opt-out clause, and it’s less likely that a major league job

will be waiting for him. He may not be cleared to play in games on that date.

“We’ll see. I can’t tell you right now,” Bourn said. “We’ve still got four weeks until it heals.

Once that happens, I’ll let it heal and we’ll see. If it heals quicker, I might play in a couple

games. If it doesn’t, I have to wait until it’s healed to where I can tolerate it with the bat and I’ll

take it from there.”

The fracture is located on the inside of the knuckle and Bourn has to keep the finger stationary

and then regain the flexibility after removing the splint. In the meantime, he can continue with

his conditioning exercises.

“Oh, yeah, I’ll be in shape,” he said. “That’s not a question about that part. That part is no

question, but just about getting into baseball shape. Seeing pitching in spring training is a big

thing. That’s how you get ready for the season, so with that being said, you want to see some

pitching before you go into the season in a real big league game when it counts. Let’s see what

happens.”

Being unable to swing a bat or throw a ball certainly is a glitch in Bourn’s preparation.

Conditioning only does so much.

“I’ll see how much pain I can tolerate as time goes on,” he said. “We’ll see what happens. At

first, I was a little frustrated when it first happened, but as time went on throughout the day, I

can’t turn it back. I know I wasn’t doing nothing to where I was like messing around and joking

around. Continue to work, and it happens.”

The injury is flukish in nature. Bourn, 34, is no stranger to catching footballs. He’s never

sustained an injury from it.

“Thousands of times,” he said. “Never had it happen to me, but it happened this time. That’s the

risk you take, so you have to live with it. I made this bed, so I have to lay in it.”

Players routinely run pass patterns and catch footballs on the field as part of their workout.

“It’s about like first-step quickness, it’s about breaks out of a route, it’s about little things you do

when playing baseball, but you’re just doing it in a different style,” Bourn said.

“Kind of keep your athleticism, and I’m a big person who likes to keep my athleticism because I

think it helps me on the field a lot. Just moving around in different kinds of ways helps me be

athletic when I’m in the outfield and I think that’s a big thing.

Especially as you get older.

“The things you have to do as you get older, you have to work a little bit harder and keep your

body in athletic shape, because if you don’t you’re going to lose that first-step quickness. And I

don’t ever want to lose my first-step quickness. I think that helps me.

“I look at it, of course you wish you wouldn’t have done it, but I wasn’t thinking of it at the time.

I wasn’t thinking of getting injured at the time, either. I was thinking about doing conditioning. I

actually finished the day off. After I did that I kept going and finished everything off and then I

came back in and it was hurting, so I got it checked out.”

Manager Buck Showalter never learned the identity of the player who threw the pass and he

respected how teammates were so protective of their “quarterback.” Bourn didn’t offer up the

name this morning.

“I’m not telling you that,” he said.

Bourn played high school football in Houston, so he’s no stranger to the sport.

“I did everything,” he said. “I was like Reggie Bush. I was a receiver, I played a little bit of

running back, a little bit of cornerback, a little bit of safety. So I played a lot of different

positions.”

Bourn stopped too soon to receive scholarship offers.

“I think I would have been able to get some if I had kept going,” he said, “but I think I chose the

right route.”

No pun intended.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/orioles-and-pirates-lineups-7.html

Orioles and Pirates lineups (updated)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 26, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Welington Castillo is behind the plate today for the Orioles’ home exhibition

opener against the Pirates.

Castillo didn’t make yesterday’s trip to Bradenton due to neck spasms.

Hyun Soo Kim is leading off and Adam Jones is batting second. Seth Smith is in right field

andMark Trumbo is the designated hitter.

Could this be the opening day lineup, minus shortstop J.J. Hardy?

For the Orioles

Hyun Soo Kim LF

Adam Jones CF

Manny Machado SS

Chris Davis 1B

Mark Trumbo DH

Seth Smith RF

Jonathan Schoop 2B

Welington Castillo C

Ryan Flaherty 3B

Wade Miley LHP

For the Pirates

Adam Frazier 3B

Phil Gosselin 2B

Andrew McCutchen RF

David Freese 1B

Elias Diaz C

Kevin Newman DH

Eric Wood LF

Austin Meadows CF

Alen Hanson SS

Jameson Taillon RHP

Zach Britton said his oblique discomfort is gone and he’s slated to play catch this morning.

Paul Janish is here and wearing No. 34.

Update: The Pirates have scratched Frazier and Freese, so they’ll post a new lineup.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/reviewing-yesterdays-news-and-notes.html

Reviewing yesterday’s news and notes

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 26, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Will today bring a sense of calm to the Orioles’ camp?

Can they go an entire day without an injury or a roster move or something that leaves the media

scrambling while ignoring the game that’s unfolding in front of it?

Just off the top of my head, we found out yesterday that Michael Bourn broke the ring finger on

his right hand while trying to catch a football and could be sidelined for a month, Welington

Castillo had neck spasms because he slept wrong, Chris Dickerson fouled a ball off his shin

Friday afternoon but still could play yesterday in the later innings (he walked in the eighth), Paul

Janish signed a minor league deal, T.J. McFarland cleared outright waivers but was placed on

release waivers and the Braves claimed Christian Walker off waivers.

We need a collie to save a kid who fell down a well.

The Bourn injury is flukish and unfortunate, but the Orioles can move past it. Not to sound cold-

hearted, but they’re pretty much set with left-handed hitting outfielders and need right-handed

hitters to platoon with Hyun Soo Kim and Seth Smith. They’d prefer to keep Mark Trumbo in

the designated hitter role, which improves the chances of Joey Rickard and Craig Gentry making

the team.

Bourn is a defensive upgrade and could be a late-inning substitute, but he wasn’t an obvious fit

on the roster after signing last week. It was more about the competition and having depth in case

of a camp injury.

Let’s not forget that the Orioles have 12 outfielders in spring training, including Rule 5 picks

Aneury Tavárez and Anthony Santander. Bourn wasn’t a slam dunk to head north with the team.

Bourn has a March 27 opt-out clause in his contract and the injury may actually work in the

Orioles’ favor. Not that they were rooting for it, of course, but maybe a broken finger and a

month or so on the shelf improves the chances that he stays in the organization.

It’s easy to vent about a football-related injury, to mock it, but players on every team chuck the

pigskin before batting practice or after workouts. And I sit in the press box waiting for a player

to crush his finger while trying to be Jerry Rice.

I guess it finally happened while Bourn was in Sarasota and I was in Lakeland. But Bourn strikes

me more as Steve Smith.

Walker was one of the Orioles’ top position prospects a few years ago. He hit 26 home runs,

totaled 96 RBIs and registered a .357 on-base percentage in 2014 between Double-A Bowie and

Triple-A Norfolk. He had 33 doubles, 18 home runs and 74 RBIs the following year at Norfolk.

But the Orioles weren’t impressed with his defense at first base, feeling that he played it “small.”

Plus, they already had Chris Davis and Trey Mancini and then re-signed Mark Trumbo. And they

didn’t rate Walker highly in left field after he made the switch last year.

The Braves were smart to claim him. Walker turns 26 in March, he appears to be in great shape

and he has one more option. There’s really no downside to bringing him into the organization if

they have room on the 40-man roster.

I saw Walker last month at minicamp in Sarasota and he was putting on muscle from his daily

sessions in the weight room. The guy could rock a sleeveless shirt.

The Braves need to keep him at first base. The resume looks better with more positions on it, but

he’s a first baseman. Props to him, though, for not resisting the switch last spring.

Perhaps lost in yesterday’s loss in Bradenton was left-hander Jed Bradley’s 1-2-3 seventh inning.

It seemed to elude the person tracking the game for MLB.com because Bradley doesn’t appear in

the box score and Zach Stewart is credited with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

I was extremely busy and distracted, but I’m pretty sure Bradley pitched and was much better

than what he showed in Thursday’s intrasquad game. He walked two batters, hit one and induced

an RBI grounder before reaching his pitch count.

Bradley is a lanky lefty and Stewart is a more stocky right-hander with wild hair. Pretty hard to

confuse them.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/wrapping-up-a-6-2-loss-1.html

Wrapping up a 6-2 loss

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 25, 2017

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Orioles will play their spring home opener on Sunday with a .500

record.

The Pirates hit back-to-back home runs off Parker Bridwell in the bottom of the eighth inning

and cruised to a 6-2 win at LECOM Park.

The Orioles got a run back in the ninth on Robert Andino’s fielder’s choice grounder.

The Pirates failed to turn a double play on three tries in the inning.

Bridwell struck out the first two batters before an infield hit and Chris Bostick’s two-run shot

gave the Pirates a 5-1 lead. Jin-De Jhang followed with a long home run to right field.

Gabriel Ynoa surrendered a run and three hits in the first inning, but he retired the side in the

second without allowing a ball out of the infield.

“He’s got a good arm,” said manager Buck Showalter. “This was a good starting point for him.

Kind of familiarize ourselves with him a little bit. He’s got good stuff. He’s got a good arm.”

Earlier in the day, the Braves claimed outfielder/first baseman Christian Walker off waivers from

the Braves. The move didn’t come as much of a surprise. Someone was bound to take him.

“It’s a good move for Christian,” Showalter said. “He was kind of (stuck) with where we are

with Chris (Davis) and Trumb (Mark Trumbo). It’s a good move for him as a human being and

for his career.

“We thought with him having an option, we thought it was a good possibility. It’s a good move

for him and I’m happy for him. He’ll get a good look and a good opportunity there.”

Joey Rickard, Adam Jones, Jonathan Schoop, Chris Johnson and Anthony Santander had hits for

the Orioles.

Santander, Andino and Ryan Flaherty each have one RBI over the first two games.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/christian-walker-claimed-by-braves-plus-

game-update.html

Christian Walker claimed by Braves (O’s down 3-1)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 25, 2017

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Orioles have lost outfielder/first baseman Christian Walker on a

waiver claim to the Braves.

Walker, 25, was designated for assignment on Tuesday to make room for left-hander Richard

Bleier on the 40-man roster. The Orioles wanted to pass him through waivers and keep him in

the organization.

Walker, formerly a fourth-round pick out of the University of South Carolina, was named the

organization’s minor league Player of the Year in 2014. He appeared in 13 games with the

Orioles over two seasons, going 4-for-27 with one home run, but he failed to reach the majors

last season.

The Orioles tried converting him to an outfielder and he spent most of the season as a left fielder

at Triple-A Norfolk. He batted .264/.321/.437 in 131 games.

Last month, the Braves claimed outfielder Adam Walker off waivers from the Orioles. The teams

can’t seem to avoid each other.

Former pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti took jobs with Atlanta and

Roger McDowell replaced Wallace in Baltimore. The Orioles claimed left-hander Jed

Bradley off waivers from the Braves on Oct. 7. The Braves recently signed Xavier Avery to a

minor league deal after he spent the 2016 season at Triple-A Norfolk. And there’s the Brian

Matusz trade on May 23, 2016 that brought minor league pitchers Brandon Barker and Trevor

Belicek.

The Orioles trail the Pirates 2-1 today in the bottom of the fifth inning. Alen Hanson’s sacrifice

fly off Jason Garcia in the fourth broke the tie.

Gabriel Ynoa, who retired all three batters he faced with two strikeouts in an intrasquad game,

allowed a run in the first inning.

Ynoa threw 23 pitches, 13 for strikes, in the first. Adam Frazier reached on an infield hit and was

thrown out by Audry Pérez trying to steal second base. Starling Marte struck out, but Andrew

McCutchen doubled and scored on Gregory Polanco’s single.

Returning for the second inning, Ynoa retired the side in order on only nine pitches and didn’t let

a ball out of the infield. He finished with 32 pitches, 20 for strikes.

“In the first inning, I was going too quick toward home plate. In the second inning, I was more

calm, under control, so I think that was the difference,” he said through interpreter Ramon

Alarcon.

The Orioles put seven runners on base in the first four innings and finally tied the score 1-1.

Joey Rickard reached on an error against former Orioles farmhand Steven Brault leading off the

first and was erased on Manny Machado’s double play. Jonathan Schoop doubled and Chris

Johnson singled in the second, but Trey Mancini and Anthony Santander struck out. Rickard

singled with one out in the third and was stranded.

Adam Jones led off the fourth with a double and Johnson walked with one out. Mancini struck

out again, but Santander delivered an RBI single into right field.

Mychal Givens tossed a scoreless third, walking a batter before retiring McCutchen to end the

inning.

Update: Jason Garcia allowed two runs and four hits, walked one and hit a batter in 1 2/3

innings. Polanco’s RBI single, his third hit of the day, gave Pittsburgh a 3-1 lead in the fifth.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/bourn-could-miss-a-month-with-broken-

finger.html

Bourn could miss a month with broken finger

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 25, 2017

BRADENTON, Fla. - The injuries are piling up for the Orioles, with outfielder Michael

Bourn the latest player housed in the training room.

Bourn broke the ring finger on his right hand yesterday while trying to catch a football as part of

his workout at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Manager Buck Showalter said Bourn could be out

four weeks.

Players often toss around a football before batting practice on the road or near the conclusion of

their workout. Bourn jammed the finger and X-rays revealed the break.

The Orioles signed Bourn to a minor league deal on Monday. He can make $2 million if he

reaches the majors, with another $3.5 million possible in incentives.

Bourn’s deal includes a March 27 opt-out clause, but outside interest could be impacted by his

injury.

The Orioles acquired Bourn from the Diamondbacks on Aug. 31 for minor league pitcher Jason

Heinrich and he batted .283/.358/.435 with two home runs in 24 games. The Orioles re-signed

him earlier this week in a continuing attempt to upgrade their corner outfield defense.

Catcher Welington Castillo was supposed to catch today and bat fourth, but he woke up this

morning with neck spasms and is day-to-day. He slept “wrong,” according to Showalter.

“We’ll see what tomorrow brings,” Showalter said.

Outfielder Chris Dickerson fouled a ball off his shin yesterday in Lakeland, but he made the trip

today and is available to play later in the game.

Left-hander T.J. McFarland cleared outright waivers yesterday and is now on release waivers.

The Orioles could attempt to re-sign McFarland if he clears. They’d attempt to reach a deal for

less than the $685,000 that McFarland was slated to earn after avoiding arbitration.

The Orioles expected to find out at 1 p.m. whether outfielder/first baseman Christian Walker

cleared waivers.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/orioles-sign-janish-to-minor-league-deal-

1.html

Orioles sign Janish to minor league deal (updated with

quote)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 25, 2017

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Orioles aren’t done making roster moves in spring training or seeking

ways to improve their infield depth.

Veteran Paul Janish has signed a minor league deal that includes an invitation to spring training,

returning him to the organization after it appeared that the Orioles have moved on from him.

Janish, 34, has played in 14 games with the Orioles in each of the past two seasons. He batted

.286/.278/.371 in 2015 and .194/.286/.226 in 2016.

Manager Buck Showalter values Janish for his plus defense at shortstop and wanted to keep him.

Janish stayed on the market until today and now provides more insurance while J.J.

Hardy remains shut down.

Hardy said his back is much better, but he still hasn’t been cleared to participate in baseball

activities.

Second baseman Jonathan Schoop leaves Tuesday for the World Baseball Classic and third

baseman Manny Machado departs on March 5, another reason why the Orioles need to bring

more infielders to camp.

The Orioles already have signed middle infielders Robert Andino and Johnny Giavotella and

corner infielder Chris Johnson to minor league deals. They could comprise three-fourths of

Triple-A Norfolk’s infield, though Janish’s signing clouds the picture.

Janish batted .248/.333/.280 last year in 76 games with Norfolk. He’s spent parts of eight seasons

in the majors with the Reds, Braves and Orioles.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette has been busy since the Orioles reported to the Ed Smith

Stadium complex. Within a span of four days, he signed outfielders Craig Gentry and Michael

Bourn and traded for pitchers Vidal Nuño and Richard Bleier.

Today’s trip to Bradenton also brought another roster move.

“Paul Janish is a qualified major league infielder and a good team member who should help the

Orioles this year,” Duquette wrote in a text message.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/dariel-alvarez-prefers-pitching-in-as-an-

outfielder.html

Dariel Álvarez prefers pitching in as an outfielder

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 25, 2017

BRADENTON, Fla. - Dariel Álvarez is in Orioles camp again this spring as an outfielder and is

showing no interest in making the transition to pitcher.

Álvarez, 28, confirmed that the Orioles approached him with the idea, but he’s trying to make

the club at his natural position.

“At the moment, I’m a hitter,” he said through interpreter Ramon Alarcon. “That’s where my

mindset is right now, to be a hitter. The things that I’ve done so far as a hitter. So I look at

myself as a hitter right now.”

The Orioles have 12 outfielders in camp and it probably would take multiple injuries to open a

spot for him. Given a $800,000 bonus in July 2013 after defecting from the Cuban National

Team six months earlier, Álvarez has gone 8-for-32 with one home run in 14 major league

games. He hit .288/.324/.384 with 38 doubles and four home runs last summer at Triple-A

Norfolk.

Álvarez is rated as having a plus-plus arm that makes him an intriguing prospect as a pitcher.

He’d probably have to start out at the Single-A level.

According to Baseball-Reference.com, Álvarez made 22 relief appearances over three seasons in

Cuba in 2006, 2007 and 2009. He was 1-4 with a 3.62 ERA in 32 1/3 innings, allowing only one

home run, walking 12 and striking out 18.

“I did pitch in Cuba,” he said. “That’s something very common over there, to hit and pitch, as

well.”

Álvarez, who throws a fastball, curveball and slider, said he hasn’t spoken to Mychal Givens

about making the transition from position player to pitcher. Givens has morphed into a valuable

late-inning reliever for the Orioles after they drafted him as a shortstop, going 10-2 with a 2.75

ERA and 1.156 WHIP in 88 games over the last two seasons.

“Right now, pitching is not in my mind,” Álvarez said, “so that’s something that has not crossed

my mind yet.”

Álvarez played for Camaguey in the Cuban League from 2007-2011. In his final season, he set

career highs with a .363/.404/.613 slash line, 20 home runs and 81 RBIs at age 22.

A year later, he batted .317/.355/.464 in 192 plate appearances for Tuxpan in Mexico.

Back in camp with the Orioles, Álvarez wants a shot to head north as one of their outfielders.

He’ll come off the bench today against the Pirates in Bradenton, just as he did yesterday against

the Tigers in Lakeland.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here,” he said. “I think I have the chance to be here and

compete, so I just want to stay healthy to compete.”

Meanwhile, first baseman/outfielder David Washington remains day-to-day after jamming his

right shoulder Tuesday while diving back into first base on an attempted pickoff.

“It’s fine,” he said. “Just making sure nothing gets any worse than it needs to be. Just taking it

very slow right now.

“After the game, it was kind of barking at me. So I wanted to go and make sure to get that taken

care of right away.”

The Orioles have brought pitchers Jefri Hernandez, Jimmy Yacabonis, John Means and Cody

Satterwhite, and infielders Erick Salcedo, Garabez Rosa and Preston Palmeiro from minor league

camp. Catcher Welington Castillo is listed on the travel roster.

Mike Wright opposes the Phillies’ Clay Buchholz Tuesday in Clearwater.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/orioles-and-pirates-lineups-6.html

Orioles and Pirates lineups

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 25, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are sending only three of their players to Bradenton today who

will be leaving camp for the World Baseball Classic.

Welington Castillo isn’t in the lineup against the Pirates. Audry Pérez is the starting catcher.

Manny Machado is playing shortstop and batting third against former Orioles farmhand Steven

Brault. Adam Jones is batting cleanup and Jonathan Schoop his batting fifth.

Joey Rickard is leading off.

For the Orioles Joey Rickard LF

Craig Gentry RF

Manny Machado SS

Adam Jones CF

Jonathan Schoop 2B

Chris Johnson 3B

Trey Mancini 1B

Anthony Santander DH

Audry Pérez C

Gabriel Ynoa RHP

For the Pirates Adam Frazier RF

Starling Marte CF

Andrew McCutchen RF

Gregory Polanco LF

David Freese 3B

Jason Rogers 1B

Alen Hanson 2B

Elias Diaz C

Barrett Barnes DH

Steven Brault LHP

The Orioles also are sending pitchers Parker Bridwell, Jason Garcia, Jed Bradley and Zach

Stewart. The bench includes Chris Dickerson, Logan Schafer, Chance Sisco, Aneury Tavárez,

Dariel Álvarez, Robert Andino, Johnny Giavotella, Francisco Peña and Garabez Rosa.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/yesterdays-win-castillos-education-

jimenezs-strikes-and-more.html

Castillo’s education, Jiménez’s strikes and more

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 25, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will find out later today whether their regulars can maintain the

high standard set yesterday by their backups, Rule 5 picks and non-roster invitees.

The mismatch on paper didn’t play out in Lakeland, as the Orioles shut out the Tigers 2-0 in their

exhibition opener. Hyun Soo Kim was the only projected starter in the lineup - at least against

right-handers - but seven pitchers combined to blank the hosts and Johnny Giavotella collected

three hits.

Ryan Flaherty drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly. He’s the likely super-utility player on the

25-man roster.

The Orioles are expected to send center fielder Adam Jones, third baseman Manny Machado,

second baseman Jonathan Schoop and catcher Welington Castillo to Bradenton this afternoon.

Four players who will be leaving camp for the World Baseball Classic, with Schoop the first one

out the door on Tuesday.

Castillo caught Mike Wright in Tuesday’s intrasquad game and Ubaldo Jiménez on Thursday.

Wright retired the side in order in his inning, and Jiménez retired all four batters he faced in his

inning.

“He’s pretty good,” Jiménez said. “He put a lot of work and a lot of pride in getting better every

day and it showed. Especially (Thursday). He had a good target, he threw good to the bases. He

was good.”

Part of Castillo’s crash course in learning the pitching staff involved catching Zach Britton’s

bullpen sessions.

“I think the biggest thing for me wasn’t necessarily throwing to him, just kind of getting to know

him as a teammate,” Britton said. “He’s a great guy. We get along really well. He’s getting along

really well with everybody.

“I’ve thrown to him a few times. It’s hard to really judge a guy in the bullpen. It really is. He’s

got a lot on his plate right now, but as we get into games, I think he’ll get a better feel for game

situations, calling a game and things like that.

“It’s actually been a smoother transition than I thought it would be. A lot of that I think is

because he’s a good guy, a good teammate, easy to talk to. He’s trying to get to know

everybody.”

And everybody is trying to get to know Castillo.

“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 (Matt Wieters), something we

have with Caleb (Joseph) and even with (Francisco) Peña. Guys who have been here.

“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.”

It’s only two intrasquad games and one exhibition game, but the Orioles starters have impressed.

Kevin Gausman tossed a scoreless inning on Thursday, throwing 10 of his 13 pitches for strikes.

Tyler Wilson retired all six batters he faced yesterday.

Jiménez picked up where he left off in September.

“I felt pretty good,” he said. “I had good command of the fastball, especially it being the first

game that I threw. I thought it was good.”

Manager Buck Showalter said Jiménez’s velocity was higher than usual for this early in camp.

“I don’t even know, but I felt good,” Jiménez said, smiling. “It was coming out of my hand really

good.”

He’s just trying to stay in the same delivery.

“That’s what I kept working on in the offseason and it paid off,” he said. “I’m doing pretty much

the same thing that I did the last two months of the season.”

It’s not everyone who can brag about a 1-2-3-4 inning.

“It’s been a while since I’ve done that,” he said. “I just kept throwing strikes, attacking the strike

zone. That’s what you want, especially in the first game in spring training. You want to keep

pounding the strike zone and then if you get four outs, you did it.”

A few leftovers from yesterday’s game:

* Outfielder DJ Stewart, the 2015 first-round pick out of Florida State, struck out looking in his

only at-bat. He’s no longer in a pronounced crouch at the plate. He’s standing more upright.

* Garabez Rosa also came over from minor league camp and naturally had a hit in his only at-

bat. He’s a spring beast, going 16-for-28 for a .571 average.

* Robert Andino played shortstop, second base, went back to shortstop and returned to second

base. Erick Salcedo kept swapping with Andino.

The official scorer and guys handling the GameDay tracker were ready to jump out of the press

box.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/wrapping-up-a-2-0-win.html

Wrapping up a 2-0 win

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 24, 2017

LAKELAND, Fla. - The Orioles didn’t win their first exhibition game last spring until March 12

against the Twins. They had 10 losses and two ties.

The Grapefruit League isn’t putting the same squeeze on them in 2017.

Stefan Crichton struck out Mike Gerber to strand a runner on second base today in the bottom of

the ninth inning and the Orioles won their opener 2-0 over the Tigers at Publix Field at Joker

Marchant Stadium.

The Tigers managed only five baserunners, and seven Orioles pitchers combined to walk only

one batter. The free pass came from Logan Verrett against Alex Avila in the fifth.

Starter Tyler Wilson retired all six batters he faced. Jayson Aquino (two innings), Verrett

(one),Richard Rodríguez (one), Donnie Hart (one), Oliver Drake (one) and Crichton also held

down the Tigers.

“All of them threw the ball well,” said manager Buck Showalter. “I’m really happy with the

pitching right now. A lot of strikes.

“A good defensive game. I was happy with that. Chris (Dickerson) made a couple plays in right

field that not many guys make.”

Erick Salcedo, playing shortstop in the ninth, made an excellent backhanded stop and throw to

record an out, and he also played the next ball cleanly. The native of Venezuela spent last season

at Single-A Frederick.

“Salcedo, pretty impressive,” Showalter said. “It was a big day for him. I wanted to run him out

there. (Omar) Vizquel has been helping him in the offseason. Omar got a kick out of some plays

he made. It was good to see.”

Johnny Giavotella went 3-for-3 in five innings.

“A couple hard-hit balls and a swinging bunt,” Showalter said. “He’s got a pretty good track

record wherever he’s been. It shows already. He’s had some good at-bats already in intrasquad

games and here.”

Wilson threw six pitches in the first inning, five for strikes, and 21 over two innings.

“Tyler’s a reliable pitcher,” Showalter said. “He’s a guy who’s always ready. He’s in great

shape. He’s always aggressive. Those strikes. He’s a guy you’re always reaching back for

because he’s just reliable. He’s a guy you know what you’re going to get from him.”

The Orioles hit the road again on Saturday with a 1:05 p.m. game against the Pirates in

Bradenton.

Still no official word on left-hander T.J. McFarland, who was designated for assignment over the

weekend to create a spot for left-hander Vidal Nuño on the 40-man roster. He was placed on

waivers and the outcome should be known no later than Saturday.

McFarland can refuse an outright assignment.

“So far so good,” Showalter said. “We’ll see where it takes us. Can’t talk about it.”

http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/details-add-success-showalter/

Details Add Up To Success For Buck Showalter

By Peter Gammons / Baseball America

February 25, 2017

BOSTON—Orioles manager Buck Showalter is the son of a high school coach and principal.

He’s from a military background. On one of the first days of spring training two years ago, we

wandered the Sarasota, Fla., fields as Orioles players completed defensive drills such as pitchers

covering first and catchers chasing popups.

“Watch (shortstop) J.J. Hardy,” Showalter said as he tapped his fungo on the ground. “What do

you notice?”

“That on every throw,” I replied, “from every infielder or every outfielder he catches the throw

and drops a perfect tag precisely where the runner would be sliding.”

“Details,” Showalter said. “Details add up over a season—to winning or to losing.”

Showalter may hold the Cape Cod League wooden-bat record for the highest batting average—

.434 during the Gerald Ford administration—but he was hired into professional baseball by a

man named Jack Butterfield, whom Yankees owner George Steinbrenner hired as a scout in

1976. Butterfield rose to head of the organization’s entire player-development system a year later

before being killed in an automobile accident in New Jersey in 1979.

Butterfield was the baseball coach at Maine—”maybe the best college baseball coach who ever

lived,” said one of his former players, Jack Leggett, who himself is a coaching legend from his

years at Clemson. Butterfield also coached football, but his stamp on the Yankees organization

led to Showalter, Brian Sabean, Stump Merrill, Jack Gillis and son Brian, one of the most

esteemed major league coaches of the last 20 years, carving out careers in the game.

Jack Butterfield would have loved New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. Brian, the third-

base and infield coach for the Red Sox, goes to Patriots practices to watch Belichick.

“Buck is the closest thing to Belichick in baseball,” Brian Butterfield said. “When I go to Patriots

practices, I follow Bill as much as I can. He has uncanny awareness—eyes in the back of his

head. The drills are specific. They’re fast-paced. Everything has a purpose. When I’m out there

every day, I try to put players through similar drills that are relevant to the game.”

The Orioles’ 2016 season was over in November when Showalter called with another detail, and

it was no surprise that he had a Belichick-ism on his mind.

“When the opposition is punting to the Patriots,” he said, “do you ever see the ball rolling around

on the turf? No. Belichick always has a (Julian) Edelman or someone back there to occasionally

break one for 25 yards . . . I’ll bet Edelman is worth 50 yards a game in field position—which is

everything.”

Showalter says it’s easier to command focus in football because it’s one game a week. I think

Belichick would hate managing in baseball, where he’d have to do press conferences before and

after 162 games, and the players are expected to be transparent quote machines.

“We may not see another Belichick or (Alabama football coach Nick) Saban in our lifetimes,”

Showalter said. “I plan to keep managing. If I didn’t learn from what they do and translate it into

baseball, I’d be pretty dumb.”

One Of A Kind

Showalter sent Butterfield a text in February telling him that the Orioles had brought back

shortstop Robert Andino, whose hit off Jonathan Papelbon eliminated the Red Sox on the last

day of the 2011 season and led to the exits of general manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry

Francona from Boston. The end of the text read: “The Curse of the Andino is back in Baltimore.”

That led to an exchange of texts between the two baseball lifers who began with the Yankees

because of Jack Butterfield. The rest of the texts translate Belichick-ese to baseball spring

training.

At some point, Jeff Bagwell and the Hall of Fame came up. Bagwell had great soccer feet, but he

worked daily on his footwork to clear himself from the first base bag so that if he had to throw to

second base, he had a throwing lane. And that every time Bagwell practiced running the bases,

he made sure he cut the bags perfectly. Astros teammates marveled at Bagwell’s instincts for

baserunning and defense. Showalter said that Bagwell is a guy Belichick would have trusted.

“It’s obvious that everything Belichick and the Patriots do is done in anticipation of what might

happen,” Showalter said. “We try to do that based on the way teams execute pickoffs or throw-

overs, cutoffs or relays, or things that can happen in each ballpark depending on the

idiosyncrasies there. Practice and preparation is not about time spent on the field, it’s about

knowing what might happen and how you’re mentally and physically prepared for the moment.”

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18740637/how-baltimore-orioles-keep-trumping-

projections

How the overachieving O's keep trumping the projections

By Sam Miller / ESPN.com

February 27, 2017

Earlier this month, when the PECOTA projection system forecast doom for this year's Baltimore

Orioles, we dug into its methods to answer why. We mentioned only in passing something else

that might be relevant: The Orioles have "overachieved" relative to their projections five years

running, and not by a little.

YEAR PWINS WINS DIFFERENCE

2012 72 93 21

2013 74 85 11

2014 78 96 18

2015 79 81 2

2016 75 89 14

Maybe that's just what they do? Maybe it's impossible to talk about the Orioles statistically

without considering the overachievement factor?

To answer that, it helps to know how they overachieved.

It's not the offense

Baseball Prospectus uses an all-in-one hitting metric called True Average, which puts a value on

every offensive action and scales it all to batting average -- so that .300 is very good and .260 is

league average. It uses this to predict how many runs a team will score.

The Orioles' offense has had some excellent unexpected offensive performances over the past

five years: Chris Davis emerged from mediocrity to become an offensive star, Nelson

Cruz and Mark Trumbo set career highs in home runs after joining Baltimore, journeyman Steve

Pearce turned briefly into a star, and so on. But overall the Orioles have played almost perfectly

to their offensive expectations over the past five years.

Their projected .262 True Average over that time is actually slightly worse than their projected

.264 True Average. They have scored almost exactly as many runs as their projections said they

would in every year but one:

2012: The Orioles were supposed to score 713 runs, and scored 712

2013: Projected to score 686, they scored 745

2014: Projected to score 686, they scored 705

2015: Projected to score 707, they scored 713

2016: Projected to score 752, they scored 744.

So while the stardom of Manny Machado, the apparent success of a swing-for-the-fences

approach and the front office's hyperactive approach to under-the-radar midseason pickups make

for nice narratives, the simpler truth is that the Orioles have been an OK offense that has

performed almost exactly as expected. They've sprinkled in a little bit of clutchness to boost

scoring slightly. But the answer to the PECOTA question is not primarily the offense.

It's not the starters

PECOTA also projects how many runs a team will allow. Here, we see the overachieving Orioles

emerge:

2012: They were projected to allow 807 and they allowed 705

2013: Projected to allow 755, they allowed 709

2014: Projected to allow 713, they allowed 593

2015: Projected to allow 728, they allowed 693

2016: Projected to allow 813, they allowed 715

That's a whopping 401 runs that the Orioles were projected to allow that they didn't, accounting

for the bulk of their extra wins. And yet the Orioles' rotation hasn't produced a single great

starter, or even a single great season from a single starter. No Baltimore starter has received a Cy

Young vote, won more than 16 games or produced a sub-3.00 ERA in the past five years. Only

one (Chris Tillman, in 2013) has made an All-Star team, and only one (Wei-Yin Chen, 2015) has

appeared in the top 10 of an ERA leaderboard.

Indeed, five Baltimore rotations projected to be pretty mediocre have turned out to be pretty

mediocre. We can compare how many wins above replacement PECOTA projected for the

Orioles' top six starters (by projected games started), and how many wins they actually got from

their top six starters (by actual games started), to see this:

2012: 4.3 WARP projected, 5.6 WARP actual

2013: 4.9 projected, 2.8 actual

2014: 5.5 projected, 4.1 actual

2015: 3.2 projected, 8.8 actual

2016: 5.3 projected, 6.5 actual

This passes a sniff test easily enough: Orioles starters have the third-worst ERA in the American

League since 2012. They have the second-fewest innings pitched in that time. These starters have

benefited a little bit from a better-than-projected defense, but the answer to the PECOTA

question is not the starting pitchers.

We've now accounted for most of what makes up a team's performance: Its position players and

its starters. We've found, so far, a team that was almost exactly what it was supposed to be. That

leaves, of course, the bullpen.

It's the bullpen! By a lot!

The Orioles, like all teams, are not the same in the first inning as they are in the seventh, or the

ninth, or the 13th. The players in the lineup might change; the players available to pitch certainly

change.

In the first six innings of games, the Orioles are an OK team. In the past five years they have

scored 2,522 runs in those first six innings and allowed 2,466. If that comprised their entire team,

they'd be expected to win about 51 percent of their games -- an 83-win club. They'd have quietly

outperformed their projections, with hardly anybody noticing because they'd have never actually

made the playoffs.

But from the seventh inning through the ninth, they have outscored their opponents 1,004 to 917,

the run differential of an 88-win team. And in extra innings, they've outscored their opponents 93

to 32, the run differential of a 144-win team. They've actually gone 50-22, collecting 16 more

victories than a typical team would in the same number of extra-inning opportunities.

That, of course, gets credited to the bullpen, and particularly those members of the bullpen who

pitch regularly in high-leverage situations. And this is where the Orioles have overachieved.

If we look at the top five Orioles relievers each year by average leverage index -- a measure of

how close the game is when the pitcher is on the mound -- we see that all but one of them had a

lower ERA than PECOTA projected. All but one!

A few years ago, I argued that winning with a great bullpen was the most fleeting way to win.

The reason: Even at a team level, reliever performance is extremely shaky, fluctuating wildly

from year to year as pitchers rise and fall in relatively small samples. The year-to-year

correlation for bullpen ERA was tiny. While this year's best starting rotation is likely to be very

good next year, this year's best bullpen is likely to be around average.

In fact, I wrote that piece about the 2012 Orioles, who were winning behind a great bullpen at the

time. Since then, they've continued to win, even as the relievers themselves change, from Jim

Johnson and Pedro Strop and Tommy Hunter to Zach Britton and Mychal Givens and Brad

Brach. (And, always, Darren O'Day.) They have obliterated that argument.

Their most high-leverage relievers have allowed, cumulatively, 193 fewer runs than PECOTA

projected. Britton alone has allowed 56 fewer runs than projected in the past three years. And,

compared to the runs allowed in the first, these runs are especially likely to swing the outcome of

the game.

Among the many mysterious challenges of baseball is predicting, measuring and anticipating the

way a team might be better than the sum of its parts. A projection system typically does not

attempt it. It merely predicts player performances, and the summing of those performances tells

us whether a team is "good" or "bad."

PECOTA has never thought the Orioles were particularly good. In a sense, it hasn't been that far

off. The offense has been what it expected. The starters have been what it expected. The bullpen

has been very good, but bullpens are inherently unpredictable, and it's probably prudent to avoid

projecting any bullpen will carry a mediocre team to the playoffs.

In another sense, though -- the sense that matters a great deal more -- the Orioles have obviously

been a very good team, because they've won. They didn't get lucky; they performed better in the

closest moments. They might not have been projectable, but they weren't flukes.

You can call that a whiff on the projections' part. I prefer to give the Orioles credit for doing

more with less.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/sports/20170226/fan-of-day-young-orioles-fan-celebrates-with-

hakuna-machado-sign

FAN OF THE DAY: Young Orioles fan celebrates with

‘Hakuna Machado’ sign

By Thomas Becnel / Sarasota Herald-Tribune

February 26, 2017

SARASOTA

Sophia Failla, an 11-year-old from Cape Coral, wore an orange T-shirt and a matching bow in

her hair for a trip to see her beloved Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium.

She brought several posters.

One said "I (heart) Dem O's, Hon." Another said "Hakuna Machado."

"I've always been a fan of Manny Machado," Sophia said. "He's the best third baseman ever."

Her dad, Anthony Failla, grew up rooting for the Orioles in Baltimore. Now his kids and his wife

help him root for the O's from the Gulf Coast.

"Yes, indeed," says Sara Failla. "It's a family affair."

Her 9-year-old son Dominic plays Little League and brings his first baseman's mitt to the

ballpark. Sophia doesn't play ball, but she does play favorites with Machado.

"Last year at spring training, I waved at him in the dugout and he waved back," she says. "It was

awesome."

http://www.heraldtribune.com/sports/20170226/spring-training-orioles-miley-getting-his-groove-

back

SPRING TRAINING: Orioles’ Miley getting his groove back

By Doug Fernandes / Sarasota Herald-Tribune

February 26, 2017

SARASOTA

When he's on, Wade Miley works quickly, locates his fastball and changes speeds.

Except for a sinker that caught too much of the plate, that Wade Miley was on display Sunday in

the Baltimore Orioles' home opener at Ed Smith Stadium.

The left-hander, acquired last season from the Seattle Mariners, allowed a solo home run to

Pittsburgh's Eric Wood, but otherwise was sharp in the O's 8-3 victory before a crowd of 6,976.

Pitching two innings in his first spring appearance, Miley allowed two hits and the one run. He

walked none, struck out one and threw 19 of his 27 pitches for strikes.

"Left a few balls up, but overall it was good to get that one out of the way and keep going," he

said.

Wood's second-inning homer came on a sinker "and it just came back across (the plate) a little

bit. Put a pretty good swing on it."

After being acquired in July from Seattle, the former first-round pick of the Diamondbacks

struggled. But in his last three outings for the O's, Miley went 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA. He finished

the season 9-13, a 5.37 ERA.

"That's what I'm hoping for," he said. "Kind of finished strong last year. Just looking to jump-

start right back where I left off. I had good command those last couple of starts and was able to

get the ball in on righties rather well. I think that was a big help."

Regarding working quickly on the mound, Miley said he's always been that way. When he's able

to establish that tempo and rhythm, and execute his pitches, Miley can be effective against

righties and lefties.

"When he's dictating tempo ... there's no wrong pitch," Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said.

"With the approach he had last year, they're all the right pitch, if the presentation is right.

"Some of the outings he had, every pitch was the right pitch, regardless of the count. He's not a

guy that guys are able to sit on any pitch. When he commands the fastball, which he does most

of the time, he can present a lot of challenges."

"There are times I need to slow myself down and that's kind of more or less what I work on in

spring training," he said. "Not getting too fast. Being able to pump the brakes a little bit and get

back in rhythm."

The O's need Miley this season, almost as much as Miley needs the O's. He's signed through this

season, and Baltimore has an option for 2018.

"I think he's got a big year for him," Showalter said, "as a contributor on our team and career-

wise."

Notebook

Pitcher T.J McFarland cleared waivers and was released by the O's. Showalter said he'd like to

have the left-hander back in the organization. ... Former Sarasota Sailor Joey Terdoslavich

appeared in the game for the Pirates and collected a single. He's hitting .750 on the spring. ...

Pirate right-hander Tyler Glasnow struck out six O's in his two innings of work. ... Baltimore

hosts the Yankees today while the Pirates travel to Dunedin to face the Blue Jays.

http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/local/spring-training-returns-to-sarasota-county-for-th-

season/article_e04588b4-fc6c-11e6-8af5-4b02e8395cb7.html

Spring Training returns to Sarasota County for 8th season

By Erika Jackson / WWSB (ABC)

February 26, 2017

SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. -- It's time to put on your baseball cap, grab your favorite snack,

and find your seat because spring training is officially back on the Suncoast.

"It's been three months since I've seen my last baseball game, and baseball is back," says

Cleveland Indians fan John Wilson. Wilson is on a 10 day journey around Florida with his friend

looking to attend as many spring training games as possible. Sunday is day 3.

"We saw the Rays and the Twins; Rays won. We saw the Red Sox beat out the Twins [Saturday]

and [Sunday] we're here to see the Orioles beat the Pirates."

"The Orioles may win; they may lose," explains Orioles-Sarasota Vice President David Rovine.

"But we ensure every fan has a good time here."

Rovine believes the small stadium is what attracts fans from around the country.

"The intimacy and the ability to be close up to the players is really what's great about spring

training," says Rovine.

Some fans explained ABC7 there's more to love about the spring training season.

"So many people come together and it's just a fun experience," says Sarasota County student

Michelle Dipuma.

"It's fun for the whole family," says Sarasota County student Lauren Merrill. "It's great to watch

baseball. It's one of our favorite sports."

"When you can come down and watch baseball in 80 degree weather and the sun is shining and

[hear] the crack of the bats, it's just a blast," says Wilson.

Spring training continues in Sarasota County through March 30 when the Baltimore Orioles take

on the Detroit Tigers.