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, March 20, 2017

Game Stories:

Orioles lose to Tigers, 7-1, but Kevin Gausman looks nearly ready for start of season The

Sun 3/19

Pedro Alvarez productive in first outfield start as Orioles beat Yankees, 5-4 The Sun 3/18

Trey Mancini homers as Orioles beat Pirates, 8-6 The Sun 3/17

Gausman dominant; bullpen has rough day MLB.com 3/19

Trio of homers lift O's over Yanks in Bundy's start MLB.com 3/18

Mancini's big blast leads Orioles' early surge MLB.com 3/17

Columns:

Orioles notes: After delayed start, Orioles closer Britton 'pretty close' to being ready for

season The Sun 3/20

As season looms, Orioles fans balk over streaming blackout The Sun 3/20

Adam Jones' game-saving catch robs teammate Manny Machado in WBC The Sun 3/19

Orioles make four cuts to spring training roster, including reliever Jesus Liranzo The Sun

3/19

Orioles notes: Tillman's restart delayed; Machado, Castillo to return soon after WBC The

Sun 3/19

Orioles notes: Right-hander Chris Tillman to resume throwing Wednesday The Sun 3/18

Orioles' backstop boom eases transition to post-Matt Wieters era The Sun 3/18

Orioles Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander's sore elbow feeling better The Sun 3/18

Gabriel Ynoa, Chris Lee audition to fill Chris Tillman's spot in Orioles rotation The Sun

3/17

Miley scratched due to flu-like symptoms MLB.com 3/20

Showalter revels in Jones' grab on Machado MLB.com 3/19

Liranzo optioned to Double-A as O's make roster cuts MLB.com 3/19

Adam Jones' World Baseball Classic robbery already has its own Topps card MLB.com

3/19

Davis embodies the new 'Orioles way' MLB.com 3/19

Gentry reviving career this spring with O's MLB.com 3/19

Pena sees dad's team lose, but happy for Jones MLB.com 3/19

Unforgettable catch by Jones: Perfect-O! MLB.com 3/19

Alvarez sees first action in right field MLB.com 3/18

After cortisone shot, Tillman set for long toss MLB.com 3/18

Santander progressing, close to playing outfield MLB.com 3/18

Ynoa has sights set on O's 5th rotation spot MLB.com 3/17

Wade Miley scratched from today’s start MASNsports.com 3/20

Chris Lee’s next start (and other notes) MASNsports.com 3/20

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox MASNsports.com 3/20

Hart breaking camp story MASNsports.com 3/20

Orioles make four cuts, wrapping up 7-1 loss MASNsports.com 3/19

Five scoreless today for Kevin Gausman (O’s down 7-1) MASNsports.com 3/19

Showalter on Jones’ WBC catch: “Oh, my goodness” MASNsports.com 3/19

Early notes on Tillman, Flaherty, Machado, Castillo and more MASNsports.com 3/19

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-lose-to-tigers-7-1-but-kevin-

gausman-looks-nearly-ready-for-start-of-season-20170319-story.html

Orioles lose to Tigers, 7-1, but Kevin Gausman looks nearly

ready for start of season

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

March 19, 2017

Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman likely still has two more spring training starts before the

regular season begins, but if the results of his Grapefruit League outing against the Detroit

Tigers on Sunday afternoon were any indication, the club's leading candidate to be Opening Day

starter appears close to ready.

Gausman threw five shutout innings in a 7-1 loss to the Tigers, allowing one run and three base

runners (two singles and a walk) while striking out eight batters.

Now in his fifth big league camp, Gausman realizes the process of spring training, and on

Sunday he was confident throwing any of three pitches — his fastball, changeup and slider — in

any count. Gausman, who threw 78 pitches (48 strikes) on the afternoon, also became the first

Orioles starter this spring to complete five innings.

“I think the biggest thing for a starter is getting up and down five times,” he said. "That was my

goal today, to get to my pitch count and get up and sit down five times. When you can do that, I

feel like that can progress you to the next outing, which will probably be six innings, 85 pitches,

something like that. With today being five [innings], 75 [pitches], it was good getting up and

down five times.”

Gausman recorded five strikeouts his first time through a Tigers batting order that included only

one bona fide starter, and did not allow a base runner to reach second base.

“There are some things in my delivery that I’m feeling that I know aren’t what they’re going to

feel like during the season,” Gausman said. “My stride was a little shorter today than it normally

is. I think that has something to do with, during the season, you have more adrenaline, and

obviously, the games mean [there is] a little more that goes into every pitch. But yeah, physically

and mentally, I feel like I’m just about there. With, I think, 12 days left in camp, I’ll take that

feeling right now.”

Gausman said he will begin to incorporate his split-fingered fastball in his next start, as he likely

will be stretched to six innings.

“The biggest thing is just to get up and down that many times,” Gausman said. “That’s really the

last thing that comes from a starter, getting used to sitting down for sometimes 30 minutes

between innings. Luckily, we didn’t have a situation like that today, but those are the things that

will kind of mess you up the first couple times.”

Gausman worked ahead of hitters on Sunday, especially early. He threw first-pitch strikes to 12

of the first 15 batters he faced entering his final inning of work.

"He had a lot of counts in his favor," manager Buck Showalter said. "A good example: He went

0-2 on a guy, and so many times you see a couple of pitches thrown from guys that serve no

purpose. They’re a ball right out of their hand, and he dotted a fastball down and away for strike

three. That’s the type of thing you’ve got to do, some weak contact early in the count. Of course,

he was carrying command of three pitches today. That won’t happen much during the season for

any pitcher."

Gausman left the game with the Orioles leading 1-0, but the Tigers scored seven straight runs

against the Orioles bullpen.

They scored two runs off left-hander Richard Bleier in the sixth. Right-handed reliever Zach

Stewart allowed a two-run homer to pinch hitter Matt Murton in the seventh, and right-hander

Jesus Liranzo yielded a two-run homer to John Hicks in the ninth.

Stewart's spring turning sour: Stewart opened spring training posting five consecutive scoreless

outings, but he’s now allowed homers in back-to-back Grapefruit League appearances.

Stewart, who threw 8 2/3 scoreless innings to start his spring and surrendered just two hits over

that span, gave up the homer to Murton on Sunday and, in his previous outing Wednesday,

yielded a grand slam to the Pirates’ Phil Gosselin.

Stewart’s spring ERA is now 5.06.

Davis with a multihit game: First baseman Chris Davis has struggled this spring and entered

Sunday’s game hitless over his past four Grapefruit League games, a stretch spanning 10 at-bats.

But Davis recorded his first multihit game this spring with a pair of hits off left-hander Matthew

Boyd. He laced a double down the right-field line in his first at-bat and hit an opposite-field

single in his second at-bat. He also drew a walk in his last plate appearance.

Davis is 5-for-22 this spring with eight strikeouts and six walks. He has yet to homer.

The Orioles' only run came on Trey Mancini’s RBI double to left in the second inning, which

scored Davis.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-pedro-alvarez-productive-in-first-outfield-

start-as-orioles-beat-yankees-5-4-20170318-story.html

Pedro Alvarez productive in first outfield start as Orioles

beat Yankees, 5-4

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

March 18, 2017

The focus of the Orioles’ Pedro Alvarez experiment is centered on whether the slugger can hold

his own defensively in the outfield. But Alvarez has reminded the club Saturday in his Grapefruit

League debut what kind of asset he can potentially be.

Alvarez, making his first career start in right field Saturday against the New York Yankees at

Steinbrenner Field, caught the only ball hit his direction on the day, offering more production

with his bat in the Orioles' 5-4 win.

Alvarez drove in two runs, hitting a solo home run to lead off the seventh and a two-out RBI

single to ignite a three-run fourth inning for the Orioles.

Third baseman Chris Johnson followed Alvarez’s fourth-inning hit with a two-run homer over

the left-field fence off left-hander CC Sabathia. Both of the left-handed hitting Alvarez’s hits

Saturday came against lefty pitchers. He took Tommy Layne deep on his home run and hit his

RBI single off Sabathia.

“[It] was a good day for him,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “He had some really good

at-bats against left-handed pitching. We knew he would. Sometimes left-handed guys like to see

left-handed guys to make them stay on the ball a little bit more.”

Alvarez played six innings in the field, but had just one ball come his way – in the air or on the

ground – in his outfield debut.

“I don’t think anything is routine yet,” Showalter said. “No, he said, ‘Now I got that one out of

the way.’ I said, ‘Where did you have more anxiety, as the ball went up or came down?’ He said,

'Just coming off the bat to make sure I could judge it.’"

Showalter said Alvarez, who signed a minor league deal with the Orioles on Monday, realizes

the advantages of playing the outfield.

“He’s playing with house money now,” Showalter said. “... He was sitting at home and the

people knocking on the door weren’t something he thought was a good fit. He’s comfortable

[here]. He knows people, has a memory of what he did for us last year. We’re trying to create an

opportunity for his career and for the Orioles. He’s smiling real easy.”

Bundy rebounds against Yankees

Right-hander Dylan Bundy rebounded from a rocky outing, going four innings against the

Yankees.

Bundy allowed three runs on four hits, two of those runs coming on Gary Sanchez’s two-out

two-run double in the third inning. Bundy issued three walks and struck out one.

In his previous start Sunday, Bundy was tagged for five runs over two innings.

“It was better than the last one,” Bundy said. “The last one, I only went two innings. Sixty-five

pitches or something like that -- I’m happy to get the pitch count up there. Overall, I think it was

better than last outing as far as command, especially the last couple of innings. Changeup, I was

trying to go away to Gary Sanchez, and it came back up over the middle, but it was down.

Maybe a mistake, but I was happy overall with the way I threw.”

Bundy said he could have gone deeper in the game, but was held to a 65-pitch limit.

“Yeah I was wanting to go out again,” Bundy said. “I was going good, but I got the pitch count

up to where they were happy with it. If they’re happy with it, then I am.”

Tavarez’s homer the difference

Rule 5 outfielder Aneury Tavarez’s first spring home run was an impactful one, coming against

recently signed Yankees reliever Ernesto Frieri in the ninth inning in a tied ballgame.

Tavarez, who took a full-count delivery from Frieri over the left-field fence, is 10-for-34 this

spring.

“He’s centered up a lot of balls,” Showalter said. “… I felt we like we had real good knowledge

once we got him. Bobby [Dickerson] had him for like two weeks. I can see why we coveted

him.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-trey-mancini-homers-as-orioles-come-

back-for-8-6-win-over-pirates-20170317-story.html

Trey Mancini homers as Orioles beat Pirates, 8-6

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

March 17, 2017

Orioles prospect Trey Mancini was back starting at first base Friday afternoon, continuing to

force a difficult roster decision over the next two weeks as he attempts to push his way onto the

team’s Opening Day roster.

Mancini hit his second home run of Grapefruit League season, sending a towering blast over the

left-field fence of LECOM Park off Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Drew Hutchison, igniting a

stretch of five straight Orioles runs in an 8-6 win.

Nearly two-thirds of the way into this spring’s schedule, Mancini leads the Orioles in extra-base

hits (four doubles and two homers) and total bases with 23. His is also hitting .351 this spring

with a team-high 13 hits in 37 at-bats.

“He’s had a good spring, offensively and defensively," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.

"You can tell he’s really calmed down and kind of has his clock right, which is normal. ... He’s

playing with a lot of confidence and knowing that he’s capable of doing this.”

He made his two previous starts in right field – his ability to show he can play there would help

his chances of making the club – but he’s also making his bat impossible to ignore. Mancini was

1-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored Friday.

The Orioles (11-8-2) chased Hutchison, who is competing for the Pirates’ fifth rotation spot,

from the game quickly, scoring six runs off him on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings.

They spread out the offense, with eight different Orioles driving in runs.

Britton, Hart toss clean innings

Making his second Grapefruit League appearance, closer Zach Britton retired three of the four

hitters he faced in a scoreless fifth inning.

Outside of issuing a one-out walk to Pirates third baseman David Freese, Britton pitched a clean

frame getting a ground-ball fielder’s choice from John Jaso and striking out Francisco Cervelli.

Donnie Hart tossed a scoreless fourth inning despite allowing a one-out double to Danny Ortiz.

Hart has allowed just one run over eight Grapefruit League innings, posting a 1.13 ERA.

Janish providing offensive spark

With two hits Friday, shortstop Paul Janish is 5-for-8 in his past three Grapefruit League starts.

Janish hit a two-out RBI single in the second inning to give the Orioles a 2-1 lead, then added a

leadoff single and scored in the fourth.

Janish, who signed a minor league deal with the club mainly to add infield defensive depth, is

now hitting .308 (8-for-26).

Rickard plays small ball

Outfielder Joey Rickard has been displaying his power potential this spring by hitting a team-

high three homers, but he gave a reminder of how he can also execute small ball.

With minor leaguer Alex Castellanos on third after an RBI triple with two outs in the eighth,

Rickard dropped a bunt single down the third base line that scored Castellanos and gave the

Orioles an 8-5 lead.

After the game, Showalter said he was pleased to see Rickard make that play because first base

coach Wayne Kirby has called for that in game situations, with two outs and the third baseman

playing back, since last spring.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219998532/os-kevin-gausman-tigers-matt-boyd-look-

good/

Gausman dominant; bullpen has rough day

By Rich Dubroff and Jason Beck / MLB.com

March 19, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Right-hander Kevin Gausman threw five scoreless innings, allowing just

two hits in the Orioles' 7-1 loss to the Tigers on Sunday at Ed Smith Stadium.

Gausman, who will likely be named Baltimore's Opening Day starter, struck out eight and

walked one as he became the first Orioles starter to complete five innings.

"I felt good with every pitch," Gausman said. "I think the biggest thing for a starter is getting up

and down five times. That was my goal today, get to my pitch count, and get up and sit down

five times."

Detroit left-hander Matt Boyd, competing for the No. 5 starter job, allowed one run on six hits in

five innings.

"It's another step toward the season," Boyd said. "Both fastballs, all the offspeed felt good."

Baltimore scored in the second on back-to-back doubles by Chris Davis and Trey Mancini.

The Tigers scored two runs in the sixth off Richard Bleier and padded their lead in the seventh

on a two-run homer by pinch-hitter Matt Murton against Zach Stewart.

In the ninth, the Tigers' John Hicks hit his first spring homer, a two-run shot, off Jesus Liranzo to

make it 7-1.

Tigers Up Next: Jordan Zimmermann, roughed up in his past two outings, will try to shut down

the Mets when they visit Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Monday for a 1:05 p.m. ET

start. Matt Harvey is scheduled to start for the Mets. Listen in on Gameday Audio.

Orioles Up Next: Left-hander Wade Miley, who allowed three runs on seven hits in three innings

in his last start against the Rays, will pitch against the Red Sox at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers on

Monday at 1:05 p.m. on Gameday Audio.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219881064/orioles-hit-three-home-runs-to-beat-yankees/

Trio of homers lift O's over Yanks in Bundy's start

By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

March 18, 2017

TAMPA, Fla. -- Chris Johnson, Pedro Alvarez and Aneury Tavarez each homered to power the

Orioles past the Yankees, 5-4, on Saturday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Alvarez gave Baltimore its first lead of the afternoon in the seventh inning, launching a full-

count offering from left-hander Tommy Layne to right-center field. Johnson hit a two-run blast

to highlight a three-run fourth inning against starter CC Sabathia.

Alvarez also contributed a fourth-inning RBI single off Sabathia, who allowed three hits, a walk

and struck out five. Sabathia threw 41 of 65 pitches for strikes in his third start of the spring,

reducing the left-hander's ERA from 13.50 to 9.45.

"I felt good. Obviously I want to make some better pitches there at the end with the lefty

[Alvarez] to get that last out, but I thought overall I felt pretty good," Sabathia said. "I thought

the changeup was good, I thought the cutter was good for the most part today. It feels like it's

coming along pretty good."

Jacoby Ellsbury knocked a run-scoring single and Gary Sanchez slashed a two-run double in the

Yankees' three-run third inning off Orioles starter Dylan Bundy, who scattered four hits over

four innings. Bundy walked three and struck out one in his fourth outing of the spring, throwing

41 of 62 pitches for strikes.

"I'm happy to get the pitch count up there. Overall, I think it was better than last outing as far as

command, especially the last couple of innings," Bundy said.

In Bundy's previous start, he allowed five runs in two innings against Minnesota.

Billy McKinney tied the game in the eighth with his third home run of the spring, a solo shot

off Tyler Wilson. Tavarez restored Baltimore's lead in the ninth with a solo shot off Ernesto

Frieri, who was making his Yankees debut.

Orioles Up Next: The Orioles host the Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota on Sunday at 1:05

p.m. ET. Right-hander Kevin Gausman, the Orioles' likely Opening Day starter, is scheduled to

start. Gausman has allowed two earned runs on four hits in five spring innings. Watch the game

live on MLB.TV.

Yankees Up Next: The Yankees will travel across the state on Sunday, visiting the Astros in

West Palm Beach, Fla. Adam Warren is scheduled to start for the Yankees at 1:05 p.m. ET,

with Luis Severino expected to work in relief. New York's lineup will include Matt

Holliday, Chase Headley and Brett Gardner. Watch the game live on MLB.TV.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219714004/trey-mancini-homers-leads-orioles-offense/

Mancini's big blast leads Orioles' early surge

By Adam Berry / MLB.com

March 17, 2017

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini launched a towering home run,

leading an early attack against Pirates rotation candidate Drew Hutchison as Baltimore beat

Pittsburgh, 8-6, on Friday afternoon at LECOM Park.

With both clubs clad in their St. Patrick's Day green caps, Mancini ripped a solo shot off

Hutchison into the left-field seats in the second inning. Paul Janish singled home a run later in

the frame and the Orioles rallied for three more runs against Hutchison in the third inning,

including an RBI single by top prospect Chance Sisco.

Hutchison, competing for the final spot in Pittsburgh's Opening Day rotation, allowed six runs on

seven hits and two walks while striking out four over 3 1/3 innings.

"I was a little off the whole time," Hutchison said. "I didn't do a good job of attacking like I did

the first few outings where I had success. … Just a little off, didn't have a good day."

Right-hander Gabriel Ynoa, who is one of the contenders for the O's starting rotation with Chris

Tillman starting the season on the disabled list, allowed two-runs on five hits in 2 2/3

innings. Alen Hanson, who went 3-for-5 with a double, singled and scored on a John Jaso base

hit in the first inning. Orioles Minor League right-hander Michael Zouzalik followed Ynoa in the

third and balked in a run, which was charged to Ynoa, before he threw a pitch.

"I'm ready for the opportunity. Looking forward to earning the spot and I think I'll be ready for

the season," Ynoa said through an interpreter.

Pirates outfielder Danny Ortiz singled home one run in the sixth, Chris Bostick doubled in

Hanson and scored on a sacrifice fly in the seventh, then Erich Weiss went deep to right in the

eighth. But the Orioles tacked on two in the eighth off Bucs lefty Tyler Webb on a Sean

Coyle double, an Alex Castellanos triple and Joey Rickard's RBI bunt single.

Orioles Up Next: Right-hander Dylan Bundy will start for Orioles on MLB.TV against the

Yankees at 1:05 p.m. ET on Saturday in Tampa. Bundy allowed five runs in two innings against

the Twins in his past start. Pedro Alvarez, who signed on Monday, will play and could make his

first Grapefruit League start in right field.

Pirates Up Next: Right-hander Tyler Glasnow will start for the Pirates against the Phillies at 1:05

p.m. ET in an MLB.TV broadcast on Saturday in Clearwater, Fla. Glasnow, who struggled in his

third and final inning last time out, is competing for a spot in Pittsburgh's rotation. Left-

hander Steven Brault, another fifth-starter candidate, is also scheduled to pitch for the Bucs.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-notes-after-delayed-start-orioles-

closer-britton-pretty-close-to-being-ready-for-season-20170320-story.html

Orioles notes: After delayed start, Orioles closer Britton

'pretty close' to being ready for season

Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

March 20, 2017

Orioles closer Zach Britton didn’t pitch in his first Grapefruit League game until nearly three

weeks into the season as the club brought him along slowly while he dealt with soreness in his

left side, but Britton said he’s still well on pace to be ready for the beginning of the season.

Heading into a one-inning appearance in a minor league game on Monday, Britton had made just

two Grapefruit League appearances. He tossed a scoreless inning on Friday against the Pirates in

Bradenton, but also allowed two runs on four hits in his Grapefruit League debut last Tuesday at

home against Tampa Bay.

“The second one was a lot better than the first one, that’s a good sign,” Britton said Monday

morning before heading to Twins Lakes Park. “… I actually feel really good. No more

symptoms of that, nothing’s creeped back or anything. I feel really good now. I can just focus on

getting ready for the season. I feel pretty good with where I’m at this year compared to where I

was last year.”

Britton said he will likely get four more outings before the end of the spring training slate,

including one appearance on a back-to-back day. He said he likely won’t make a multiple-inning

outing, which has been a staple of his spring training preparation.

“That’s more important than maybe the two-inning [outing],” Britton said of pitching on

consecutive days. “In the past, we’ve been able to do two innings. I don’t think that’s going to

happen this spring based on where we started. Feel really good for the schedule [pitching coach]

Roger [McDowell] laid out for me and we’re keeping on that time frame, which is huge.

“[The soreness is] completely gone now and my focus is really just getting ready for the season.

I’m pretty close. As a reliever now, it only takes a few innings. It kind of clicks for you one day,

and then you’re ready for the season to start, where as a starter you’ve got to build up those

innings, and I don’t need to do that anymore.”

Orioles shuffle pitching deck

When left-hander Wade Miley arrived at jetBlue Park on Monday morning still battling an

illness bug, the team sent him back to Sarasota, forcing the Orioles to shuffle their pitching deck

for Monday’s game against the Boston Red Sox.

Left-hander Vidal Nuno, who is competing for a long relief role with the team, filled in for Miley

and was slated to pitch two innings, maybe more if his pitch count would allow.

Nuno made his first outing since returning from the WBC – he played for Team Mexico – on

Friday, allowing one run on two hits in one inning.

The Orioles already had six pitchers in the bullpen, including five minor league arms, but also

summoned minor leaguers Stefan Crichton and Scott McGough from minor league camps to

ensure they had enough arms.

As for Miley, Showalter said that he pitched through illness in his last start, but he thought he

had completely recovered heading into Monday’s game.

“He looks rough,” Showalter said. “He missed a couple things. … We thought he was over it, but

it looks like he’s had a little relapse. One of our clubbies is driving him back. … He actually

came over here last night and said he woke up this morning [and was sick].”

Showalter said that it shouldn't affect Miley’s status for the regular season, but the team could

move up Miley’s next scheduled start in order to get him work.

Bundy, Gausman getting work down below

Right-handers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman will make their next spring starts in minor

league games this week.

Bundy will pitch in a minor league game on the team’s off day on Thursday in order to stay on

turn. Gausman is slated to throw at Twin Lakes Park on

Friday so that the club can get another look at right-hander Mike Wright against major league

competition on Friday on the road against the Minnesota Twins. Wright is one of five arms

competing for the rotation hole caused by Chris Tillman opening the season on the disabled list.

The Orioles will continue to conduct auditions for the rotation spot this week as two other

candidates will receive starts. Left-hander Chris Lee is slated to start Wednesday against Tampa

Bay and right-hander Gabriel Ynoa will start on Saturday against the Twins.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-orioles-live-streaming-20170317-story.html

As season looms, Orioles fans balk over streaming blackout

By Jeff Barker / The Baltimore Sun

March 20, 2017

Baseball season is approaching, but ardent Orioles fan Julie Saxenmeyer won't be paying to

watch major-league games on her phone because the package is missing an essential ingredient:

her favorite team.

"I don't pay for the package because I don't get to see the O's," she said.

As sports have become increasingly accessible on smart devices, the Cockeysville resident and

other Baltimore fans wonder why a $112.99 MLB.TV subscription allows them to stream

Orioles' games only when they are outside the team's Baltimore-Washington television market,

which stretches from Pennsylvania to North Carolina.

The Orioles, however, increasingly are an exception rather than the rule when it comes to

streaming. By the time the season opens on April 2, fans of just three of the 30 teams — the

Orioles, the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers — will remain subject to the in-

market streaming restrictions.

Other teams have embraced or at least accepted live-streaming their games locally as an

important tool for generating increased interest to secure baseball's future. More consumers,

especially younger ones, now stream their entertainment, including sports, on their phones or

other devices than watch it on television, according to the Consumer Technology Association.

"Naturally if you gave fans the choice, they would want the best of both worlds," said T.J.

Brightman, president of A. Bright Idea, a public relations and marketing firm with offices in Bel

Air and Sonoma, Calif.

To many fans like Saxenmeyer, paying for baseball games without the Orioles would be like

buying a hot dog with only the bun.

"It's great that O's fans in Chicago and Miami can stream the games, but I should be able to do

that in my living room in Cockeysville, too," Saxenmeyer said.

The reasons for the blackouts can seem as complicated as the infield fly rule. The bottom line is

that they are about economics, not technology, as some teams and their local television networks

worry about diluting the value of their lucrative broadcast deals.

The Orioles-controlled Mid-Atlantic Sports Network pays the Orioles and Nationals tens of

millions a year for the rights to show their games on television. Such fees provide teams critical

revenue to compete for players in the open market.

So major-league teams, networks and distributors have been wary of in-market streaming. They

worried that streaming local games could diminish the value of existing broadcast deals as fans

abandoned cable in favor of MLB.TV streaming service.

That could, in effect, create situations in which baseball was competing against itself at the

expense of the teams and regional networks.

Teams also expressed concern that local advertisers might be alienated if streaming catered more

to national advertisers and sponsors.

Streaming broadcasts viewed by out-of-market fans won't include local ads. For example,

a Philadelphia Phillies game viewed by a fan in California won't contain an ad for a Philadelphia

restaurant. But fans in the Philadelphia market will get the same local ads in the streaming

broadcast as those watching at home on cable.

Major League Baseball has been trying for years to address such concerns by finding economic

models palatable for the league, its teams and their broadcast partners and distributors.

In January, NBC Sports Regional Networks announced an agreement to stream in-market games

for subscribers of its CSN regional networks showing the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox,

Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants. Terms were not disclosed.

"I would expect that the others would fall into line," said John Mansell, a sports and media

consultant based in Northern Virginia.

But no deal has yet been struck with MASN, which is shared by the Orioles and Nationals.

Dodgers' fans are in the same situation.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has said the goal is for all 30 teams to have their games

streamed in their home markets.

"There are ongoing conversations in an effort to make sure fans of all teams will have access to

in-market streaming as part of the commisioner's directive," said a spokesperson for MLB

Advanced Media, a company created by league officials in 2000 so its streaming and other

online activities could be under one roof.

The Orioles and MASN declined comment because the discussions are continuing.

MASN is involved in a long-running, unrelated dispute with Major League Baseball over

whether the network must pay tens of millions of dollars a year more to the Nationals in

television rights fees. The matter is before a New York appeals court.

The current streaming package appears to work fine for Baltimoreans who have moved away but

retain their baseball loyalties.

"During the week I watch most of the games," said Avi Miller, a longtime Orioles' season-ticket

holder who left Baltimore in 2014 and now does communications work at a Boston-area

information technology company. "I used to have a limited data plan. Now I have unlimited, so

I've been streaming a lot more with it."

But even in Boston, Miller found some Baltimore games blacked out.

He lives in the market of the Boston Red Sox, who played the Orioles 19 times last year. Just as

Orioles games are blacked out in Baltimore, Red Sox games weren't shown in the Boston market

on his streaming package. That is expected to change this season.

"Those games (in 2016) had to be watched through NESN," Miller said. "And I don't have

cable."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-adam-jones-game-saving-catch-robs-

teammate-manny-machado-20170319-story.html

Adam Jones' game-saving catch robs teammate Manny

Machado in WBC

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

March 19, 2017

Few things can stop an entire clubhouse of major league players in their tracks, but when the

highlight of Adam Jones’ highlight-reel robbery of Orioles teammate Manny Machado's would-

be homer in Saturday night’s World Baseball Classic elimination game was played on the

televisions inside the team clubhouse Sunday morning, all eyes were fixed on the screens.

Jones’ leaping grab over the center-field wall at Petco Park, which came at a critical moment in

Team USA’s elimination-game win over the Dominican Republic in Jones’ hometown of San

Diego, was spectacular by any standard. But it was also the latest big moment in a WBC that has

given Jones national recognition on an international stage. It occurred well after midnight

Saturday, so few on the East Coast saw it live, but the buzz around the grab lingered well into

morning.

With the United States leading 4-2 in the seventh inning, Machado hit a blast to center. Jones

sped to his left and, just in front of the 396-foot outfield marker, jumped against the wall

midstride, fully extending his arm over the wall as he hit the barrier to keep Machado’s ball in

the ballpark. All while avoiding several fans attempting to take home a souvenir.

Jones bounced off the wall and took the ball out of his glove for all to see as Machado, who'd

thought his blast was a home run, doffed his helmet and tipped it in Jones’ direction as he

rounded first base.

“Oh, my goodness,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of the catch. “Unfortunately, I saw it

live. That was a great moment. I loved the way Manny handled it. If you didn’t know they were

teammates before the game, you know it now. … The thing I loved about it the most is that there

was a Yankee fan trying to get into the field of play that he took it away from. That was probably

the highlight for me.”

The catch was pivotal in Team USA’s do-or-die win against the Dominican Republic, as it

advanced to the WBC semifinals for the first time in tournament history. Robinson Cano

followed Machado with a solo homer, meaning the game could have been tied had Machado’s

ball left the yard.

“I'm still in kind of shock that I even got to that ball,” Jones said in the postgame news

conference. “I mean, off the bat, I'm just, like, 'This ball's hit really far, so just keep going, keep

going.' You know this California air's going to slow it down, and just never quit. That's just the

style I play with. I don't mind running into a wall or two. I just kept going after the ball, and I've

seen the replay after the game, and I went for the catch.”

Showalter said Jones probably had an idea of how to position himself in the outfield against

Machado.

“There’s a lot of guts it takes to make those plays, but I got out of it that a lot of people don’t

play [Machado] where he was playing him,” Showalter said. “I think he knew kind of where he

might hit it if it stayed in the park, and that one didn’t stay in the park until it got into Adam’s

glove.”

Both Jones and Machado, the two biggest faces of an Orioles franchise that hasn't received much

national attention despite its recent success, have taken advantage of the WBC's big stage.

Machado was the Most Valuable Player of last weekend’s pool-play games in Miami as the

Dominicans finished 3-0.

Jones similarly has emerged as the face of the U.S. run to the semifinals, even given the

unofficial tag as this team’s "Captain America." Jones had a walk-off hit to beat Colombia in

pool play. He belted a game-tying home run against Venezuela on Wednesday and added another

homer in the second round against Puerto Rico.

“It’s not surprising to us who get to see them,” Showalter said. “It’s great for some of the people

that haven’t get to see it. … I don’t know why people don’t see it. You’d have to tell me. But we

see that every night.”

All those moments were critical to moving the United States to within two wins of its its first

WBC title — it plays Japan on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium — but the image of Jones

reaching over the center-field fence as Petco Park, the Team USA logo across his chest,

American flags waving behind him, might be one of the most memorable of the tournament.

“I think when you watch him make plays like that, you fall back to people who think he’s

actually an average outfielder in the big leagues,” Orioles closer Zach Britton said. “We’re like,

‘Do these people actually watch him play?’ And these people watch this and we’re like, ‘Well,

we already know he was a great player.’ I just think [the reaction] is kind of funny when we see

him make plays like that. Maybe we take it for granted, too.”

In the postgame news conference, Jones’ catch was compared to a leaping, home-run robbing

catch by Angels center fielder Mike Trout in 2012. But Jones noted that that grab — of a blast by

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy — was made in the first inning of a regular-season game in late

June.

“This was on a different scale, different magnitude,” Jones said. “Unbelievable catches, both of

them. Just showing the athleticism that we both have.”

Jones hadn’t checked his phone for a text message from Machado before speaking to reporters

after the game, but Britton said Jones will definitely make sure Machado remembers it.

“It’s fun watching those guys compete because there’s that friendly rivalry,” Britton said. “I

guess Manny’s just going to have to hit it further next time. That’s what Jonesy’s gonna tell him

when he gets back.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-make-four-roster-cuts-after-sunday-

s-game-20170319-story.html

Orioles make four cuts to spring training roster, including

reliever Jesus Liranzo

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

March 19, 2017

The Orioles made their largest round of roster cuts this spring after their 7-1 Grapefruit

League loss to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, trimming their spring training roster by four

players.

Among the cuts was right-handed reliever Jesus Liranzo, who was optioned to Double-A Bowie.

The club also reassigned three nonroster players — outfielder Logan Schafer, infielder-outfielder

David Washington and catcher Austin Wynns — to minor league camp at Twin Lakes Park.

The Orioles’ roster is now at 46 players.

Liranzo, 22, made an impression this spring. Added to the organization’s 40-man roster early in

the offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, Liranzo entered his final outing Sunday

having allowed just one earned run in seven spring training appearances.

Liranzo did have a rocky performance in his final spring training outing, hitting two batters and

allowing a two-run homer to John Hicks in the ninth inning Sunday.

“You know what I liked today?” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “He hit two guys. I

didn’t like that, but I liked the fact that it didn’t affect him. I turned to [pitching coach]

Roger [McDowell] and said, ‘This is going to be an interesting first pitch.’ Next pitch was

fastball, strike. And he didn’t sit there and feel overly sorry about hitting him. … If he stays

healthy, he’s going to be a contributor.”

Liranzo has plus stuff, highlighted by a high-90s fastball, but must improve his control. After

making the jump from Low-A Delmarva to Double-A Bowie in late July, Liranzo posted a 3.38

ERA in 18 2/3 innings, averaging 9.6 strikeouts but also 5.8 walks per nine innings.

This spring, Liranzo posted a 3.38 ERA in eight Grapefruit League innings, allowing three runs

on just three hits. He recorded nine strikeouts, seven walks, two hit batters and three wild

pitches.

“We’re going to option him to Double-A because that’s where he needs to be until he develops a

track record of throwing the ball over the plate consistently,” Showalter said. “You can get

fooled in spring training. He’s had good command here with the exception of today some. We’ll

see if he can take the next step. He’s 22. He’ll start there. We’ve done a good job in the

organization, I think, of developing relief pitchers. We’ve got to do a better job of developing

relief pitchers.”

Schafer, meanwhile, lived up to his reputation as a plus defender at all three outfield positions,

but he struggled offensively, going 3-for-31 (.097 batting average) in 18 games.

Washington provided some late-inning power for the Orioles, hitting two homers in 21

Grapefruit League at-bats. But he batted just .143 (3-for-21) overall and struck out nine times

while drawing one walk.

Wynns was added to the big league camp roster late after starter Welington Castillo left to play

in the World Baseball Classic. He played in three games and was 0-for-2 at the plate.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-notes-tillman-s-restart-delayed-

machado-castillo-returning-to-cam-after-wbc-20170319-story.html

Orioles notes: Tillman's restart delayed; Machado, Castillo

to return soon after WBC

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

March 19, 2017

Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman, who was slated to resume throwing in the middle of this

week, now will restart his throwing progression next Sunday, manager Buck Showalter said.

The delay isn’t because of a setback suffered after a cortisone injection Wednesday but because

of the desire to give Tillman a full 10 days to allow the shot to take full effect.

He will begin his return with a throwing session from 60 feet and 90 feet, the beginning of any

rehabilitative throwing progression. He will throw again March 28 before the team decides his

next step.

When Showalter said Saturday that Tillman would resume throwing Wednesday, he was

optimistic that Tillman wouldn’t have to entirely restart his progression, which ended when his

third bullpen session was abruptly cut short after just 10 throws.

“The doctors, they all convened and talked through a lot,” Showalter said. “They want to let that

shot go seven, 10 days. After talking it through, they want to let that run its course. They just

want to take the full time. They’re the experts, and that’s what we’re doing.”

The delay shows the Orioles’ continuing caution with Tillman and their efforts to alleviate his

lingering shoulder discomfort before he continues throwing.

To return to the rotation in time for the club’s stretch run last season, Tillman received an

injection in August for his shoulder, then took a platelet-rich plasma injection in December when

soreness in his shoulder interrupted his offseason routine.

By allowing the injection to run its full course, the Orioles hope the pain in Tillman’s shoulder

will completely subside, allowing him to pitch through the season. But the change in schedule

pushes back his projected return until after April.

Orioles getting back Machado, Castillo: Since the Dominican Republic's World Baseball

Classic team was eliminated by Team USA on Saturday night, Orioles third baseman Manny

Machado and catcher Welington Castillo likely will return to the club soon.

One of Showalter’s biggest concerns about the WBC has been how players have to prepare for

high-intensity games, then return to the lower-profile exhibition schedule as they ready for the

regular season.

Showalter said he texted both players, telling them to take their time in returning to camp. He has

said he prefers that his WBC players take a few days off to rest before returning. Showalter said

he will talk to each player about how much playing time they want in the final weeks of spring

training.

They received plenty of at-bats in the WBC: Machado had a team-high 26 at-bats with the

Dominicans, hitting .269. Castillo caught every inning of all six games and hit .250 in 22 at-bats.

“I don’t want them to feel like they’ve got to be here today” Showalter said. “I want them to get

away from it a little bit. Now, if they come in and say, ‘No, I want to get right into the flow right

away,’ if I’m a betting man, I’m thinking they’re going to want to be in the locker room and kind

of give and take with their at-bats because they have plenty of at-bats. They would have led our

team in plate appearances last year where they are, and [in] innings played. That’s the only two

things we keep up with them. I haven’t looked at a stat sheet all spring in terms of what they’re

hitting.”

Around the horn: The club will make about six roster cuts after Sunday’s game. … Showalter

said utility player Ryan Flaherty, who received a cortisone injection for a sore shoulder, likely

will return for Tuesday’s home game against the Toronto Blue Jays. … Outfielder Seth

Smith (hamstring) could return shortly after that.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-right-hander-chris-tillman-to-

resume-throwing-on-wednesday-20170318-story.html

Orioles notes: Right-hander Chris Tillman to resume

throwing Wednesday

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

March 18, 2017

Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman, who received a cortisone injection to quell the nagging

discomfort in his throwing shoulder, is scheduled to resume throwing Wednesday with a long-

toss session.

The club hopes the injection provides Tillman the ability to pitch throughout this season, but

when he will be able to return to the club’s rotation is still unclear.

Tillman, who has provided the Orioles with 14 wins, 32 starts an 190 innings per year over the

past four seasons, will certainly not be ready for Opening Day and manager Buck Showalter said

he won’t likely get into a game before the team breaks camp in two weeks.

“It’s frustrating for him, especially when you’re talking about a guy who’s been an Opening Day

starter for us,” Showalter said. “He knows what he means to the club. But never have I had a

feeling that anything’s crept in there as far as his status at the end of the season. It’s really never

been in his mindset.

“You look at him and it’s all about getting [back]. … We feel comfortable with that. It’s just that

we take the right steps that [allow him] to take the ball in May through the end of the season,

whenever that may be.”

Those steps begin with Tillman throwing a long-toss session Wednesday and then another one

Friday after a day of rest. After that, Showalter said the team believes Tillman can pick up where

he ended his progression, when he his third full-mound bullpen session after 10 throws

last Sunday.

“If that goes well, we’ve got it mapped out all the way through April if he goes well,” Showalter

said. “But he could have one day that could change all that. If the first one goes bad, [who

knows?] It’s just a little push. We need to get an idea of what we’re dealing with. We feel good

about it structurally.”

Because the Orioles have three days off in the first eight days of the regular season, they don’t

need a fifth starter until April 15, and one of the focuses of camp in recent days has been

evaluating candidates who can fill Tillman’s rotation spot while he’s out. Among those in the

mix for that assignment are right-handers Mike Wright, Tyler Wilson and Gabriel Ynoa, and

lefties Chris Lee and Jayson Aquino.

“We’ll have a meeting on [Wednesday] to get some of those ideas that everybody has,”

Showalter said. "There are different scenarios, but I’ve been planning since Chris had some

trouble last time out. … I wasn’t counting on him anyway, so all of my plans have been without

him there for April since last time. With all the off days, there’s some maneuverability there.”

Tillman received a platelet-rich-plasma injection in December when he felt lingering shoulder

discomfort similar to what sent him to the disabled list last August.

He was brought along methodically and was progressing until the premature scrapping of his

third bullpen session. There was some concern whether the soreness was a side effect of an

antibiotic Tillman took. But after a few days, the decision was made to get an injection to ease

the discomfort.

Aquino continuing to impress

Aquino has emerged as one of the candidates competing to fill the early season rotation spot

open with Tillman likely to open the season on the disabled list. And Aquino continued his

strong spring Saturday, tossing two scoreless innings in relief in the Orioles’ 5-4 Grapefruit

League win over the New York Yankees.

Aquino retired six of the seven batters he faced, allowing just one hit. The lefty was so efficient

in his outing that he went to the bullpen for another simulated inning.

The Orioles used three starting pitchers in Saturday’s game, a sign that spring training innings

are going away as starters increase their inning counts. But Showalter said he’s confident the

club has enough innings to have Aquino continue to build his innings while competing for a

roster spot by pitching other starters in minor league games or B games.

“We’re going to take some of those guys, the Bundys, the [Kevin] Gausmans, [Ubaldo] Jimenez

and let them have their outings down below and continue to look at guys that we’re thinking

about as the fifth starter in the better look because they’re going to start to see better hitters in the

lineup for longer stretches, especially with the WBC done,” Showalter said.

Around the horn

Showalter said outfielder Seth Smith (hamstring) should return to game action early next week.

... Utility man Ryan Flaherty, who received a cortisone shot for a sore shoulder, could return to

Grapefruit League games as soon as Monday. ... The Orioles should have at least two of their

five players in the World Baseball Classic returning soon. Team USA, which includes outfielder

Adam Jones and reliever Mychal Givens, plays the Dominican Republic, which has third

baseman Manny Machado and catcher Welington Castillo, on Saturday in a game that will

eliminate the loser from the tournament.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-spring-training-0319-20170318-

story.html

Orioles' backstop boom eases transition to post-Matt

Wieters era

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun

March 18, 2017

Scan the lockers at the back of the Orioles clubhouse at Ed Smith Stadium, where the team's

catchers are lined up in a row, and there's no greater representation of how the position has

changed, both around the game and in this organization.

The Orioles' camp roster this spring featured myriad catchers — defensive studs, strong hitters

and overall label-dodgers — each working toward improving the one thing needed to solidify

himself as a major leaguer, and each going about it in his own way.

Their presence represents not only a testament to the drafting and development at the position,

but also a massive upgrade in catching options as the team confronts life without Matt

Wieters going forward.

"When we first started here, it was a challenge for us," manager Buck Showalter said. "It was

Matt, then hold your voice down. It's hard to find. It's become a strength, the depth of the

catching."

"Of course, the loss of Wieters stings, but you have quite a few options that bring a little bit of

something different every time," catcher Caleb Joseph said. "I think the experience factor is the

one thing that's missing. Other than that, there's all kinds of talent down the row. That's

something to be excited about. I know they've done a nice job with trying to build up the

catching depth. That's been a point of emphasis over the past few years, and the fruits of the

labor are showing."

With free agent Welington Castillo, who signed a one-year deal to be the starter, away at

the World Baseball Classic, the team's variety of talented backstops have been put in the shop

window during Grapefruit League games.

Joseph has handled most of the work, but behind him are Chance Sisco, Francisco Pena and

Audry Perez, all of whom could be ticketed for Triple-A Norfolk and thus one step from the

majors. Austin Wynns joined camp recently, with Yermin Mercedes heading back to minor

league camp in his place.

"We look at them all as potential everyday catchers," Showalter said. "Let's be frank. Some of

them, the thing that really puts them into that limelight is if they're a good defensive catcher and

an offensive threat. Those guys are really hard to find in today's game. You can count them on

one hand.

"That's one of the things that's intriguing about Welington. But they come in all shapes and sizes.

You attack their weaknesses and realize that maybe they're better than you think they are. I've

been impressed with all of them."

They all show no two catchers are built alike, though there are challenges and checkpoints each

has to go through to catch at the major league level. They use a deep bench of coaching wisdom

and each other to pull themselves there.

Overarching philosophy

When dealing with the human body, and all its various oddities and forms, one thing that's

stressed is there's no point in creating cookie-cutter copies when it comes to catchers. They were

paired at Norfolk all of last year, but there's no way what works for the 6-foot-2 Pena is the same

as for the defensively advanced Perez, who is four inches shorter. Sisco stands as tall as Pena,

but is listed 35 pounds lighter.

When it comes to bodies, minor league catching coordinator Don Werner said flexibility is key

over anything else. The days of the squat, stocky catcher are gone, with leaner athletes now

taking hold behind the plate.

Everyone in the Orioles' program acknowledges that the core values are the same, no matter your

size — prioritize defense, provide your pitcher with a good target, present the pitch as a strike to

the umpire, be everything your pitcher needs.

"But how you get to them is kind of your own personal flair," Joseph said. "So with that, not as

much, but I don't even know if there's any two catchers that even catch alike. It's a bit like hitters.

It's such an artsy position. You have a lot of self-expression in the way you frame the pitch,

throwing the ball back to the pitcher. There's all kinds of different ways, body language that you

give."

For someone who grew up catching, those things are acquired over time. For others, like Sisco,

who began to work as a catcher in his senior year in high school, it's learning under the scrutiny

that comes with professional baseball.

"It's whatever you're comfortable with and whatever you're confident in," Sisco said. "I've gone

back and forth on things and tried out different things. I'm eventually finding out what's best for

me and what makes me confident and comfortable behind the plate.

"… I'm happy that they let me kind of, I wouldn't say struggle, but they let me work through the

aches and pains of learning the catching spot. That's why they drafted me, to be a catcher. They

didn't draft me to play catcher or play somewhere else, so I'm going to go through the aches and

pains of learning the spot and getting better behind the dish every single day."

Checking all the boxes

Showalter can rattle off catchers who, just by seeing them in workouts, look like big leaguers to

him. Wynns is one. Perez could do the job, too, and he's already seen Joseph and Pena show

themselves as major league catchers.

But what keeps so many of them from reaching and sticking in the majors is the bat. For the rest,

it's that they can't handle the position at the highest level despite a big league-ready bat.

The reason Joseph was stuck in the minors until he was 27 was because his glove, or at least the

perception of it. But before that was ready, his bat was and the team tried him at first base and in

the outfield to try to find an easier home for his bat at the next level.

Sisco is coming along well enough behind the plate that his bat, which scouts believe will be a

true asset in the majors, won't push him away from the position. Joseph and Pena have both said

they've seen improvement from him this offseason, as has Werner.

Werner views what he does when he pops into affiliates to work with the catchers as good for

getting them to the cusp of the majors, and what bench coach John Russell does in spring

training as finishing school.

Werner and Russell are catching resources that the crew in major league camp gush about. And

Werner hopes the same thing that helped get Joseph beyond Bowie could help Sisco. Werner

picked up what he called a "cheat" from Wieters that allowed for a quick transfer and throw, and

it brought Joseph under the elusive two-second pop time mark that the team was looking for. If

such tips take for Sisco, he could have what Werner believes is the final piece.

"I think the adjustments that they're making with his throwing, because he's just not blessed with

a strong arm, I think it's really helping him right now," Werner said. "And that, to me, is the

missing link to where he can go out there and control the running game.

"His receiving, I think, is just top notch. I think his blocking, he's one of our better blockers, and

he's got a real good feel for the game. The last link here is getting his throwing together. I think

he can be a lot like Caleb Joseph as far as his throwing, so it's great that he's hanging around with

him and John Russell now in spring training."

Sisco gets all the attention as the organization's top prospect, but there's more than one man in

the minors who the team could call on in a pinch. That they're so different means that while they

compete for the same two roster spots, each knows a spot could be calling their name depending

on what the team needs.

"We try to help each other," Pena said. "If you notice, not only on this team but any team, it's a

brotherhood. Playing any position, but especially catcher, you have to have really good

communication with each other because we command the game most of the time. We have to

have a really good bond and try to help each other in what we can. Everybody's different.

Everybody can bring something different to the game, and that's the nice thing about this game."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-rule-5-pick-anthony-santander-s-

sore-elbow-feeling-better-20170318-story.html

Orioles Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander's sore elbow feeling

better

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

March 18, 2017

Tests performed on outfielder Anthony Santander’s sore right elbow revealed only inflammation,

and the Orioles’ Rule 5 draft pick could return to games as soon as Monday.

An MRI-arthrogram, in which a dye is injected to reveal a clearer picture, was done Thursday

and camd back promising, Santander said Saturday morning.

“I feel much better today,” Santander said through interpreter Ramon Alarcon. “Just an [MRI]

and there was only small inflammation on it because I have so many days without throwing. But

[I’m] feeling better now. … I think it’s just a matter of a few days.”

The switch-hitting Santander, 22, had a slow start to this spring, striking out in 10 of his first 22

plate appearances. But he then homered in back-to-back games last Saturday and Sunday. He is

7-for-28 (a .250 batting average) with two homers and a team-high seven RBIs overall this

spring.

Santander hasn’t played since Tuesday.

Since he’s coming off offseason shoulder surgery, he has yet to play the

outfield. That's something manager Buck Showalter said he hopes Santander will do beginning

this week as the Orioles try to figure out whether they can carry him on the 25-man roster.

"That’s what I’m hoping,” Showalter said. “Otherwise it’s going to be a really hard evaluation

for us with the Rule 5."

“It’s very important for me because the team selected me in the Rule 5 for something and I really

want to show them what I can do,” Santander said.

“But the reality is that it’s out of my control, so I’m just taking it a day at a time.”

Santander’s shoulder problems were well known, but he revealed he previously had two

surgeries on his elbow to remove bone chips.

When the Orioles drafted Santander from the Cleveland Indians and Aneury Tavarez from the

Boston Red Sox, the team was in need of outfield help. But since then, the Orioles have placed a

focus on adding more veteran outfielders, signing Craig Gentry and Michael Bourn to minor

league deals.

Most recently, the club experimented with first baseman Trey Mancini in right field and

signed Pedro Alvarez to play the outfield exclusively. Alvarez will make his first Grapefruit

League start in right field Saturday against the New York Yankees at Steinbrenner Field.

That will make it extremely difficult for the Orioles to carry one – let alone both – of their Rule 5

selections. However, they could find a way to keep Santander, at least in the short term, by

placing him on the 10-day disabled list. A player must be on the major league roster for 90 days

to meet Rule 5 requirements.

“We definitely talked about that,” Santander said. “But we understand the situation that we’re in.

It’s a competition right now. Both of us could make the team. At the same time, we could be

returned to our previous team, so we understand it’s a tough situation, but we just go out there

and work hard.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-spring-training-0318-20170317-

story.html

Gabriel Ynoa, Chris Lee audition to fill Chris Tillman's spot

in Orioles rotation

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

March 17, 2017

The Orioles' audition for a rotation candidate who could potentially slide into right-hander Chris

Tillman's spot to open the season will continue into the final days of the Grapefruit

League schedule. But the past two games provided some insight into two contenders who carry

as many questions as they do intrigue.

Less than 24 hours after left-hander Chris Lee received his first career spring start Thursday

night against the Philadelphia Phillies, the team received a closer glimpse of offseason

acquisition Gabriel Ynoa on Friday afternoon against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ynoa made his

second start of the spring in the Orioles' 8-6 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park.

Evaluating both based on their body of work so far this spring is a mixed bag. But the message

was sent to both: There is an opportunity to be had.

The Orioles know what they have in right-hander Mike Wright — who started in the B game

Friday against the Pirates — and right-hander Tyler Wilson, both of whom opened last season in

the majors but couldn't stick there. Left-hander Jayson Aquino's compelling spring has also

thrown him into the conversation as a dark horse.

"We have a lot of options and we've got plenty of time to shake it out, and we'll continue to do

that," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Friday.

Neither Ynoa nor Lee won a roster spot with his most recent outing. Both battled through deep

counts that abbreviated their starts. A day after Lee pitched three scoreless innings despite

allowing five base runners, Ynoa failed to get out of the third inning. He allowed two runs on

five hits and one walk against the Pirates.

Showalter has always been cautious about putting too much stock in spring training stats,

especially in the middle portion, and said both pitchers will be evaluated on their bodies of work.

"You're talking about the possibility of three more starts for anybody," Showalter said. "Keep in

mind we're in the middle of a normal spring training. There's a lot of time left. We're talking

about over two weeks. … You try to keep in mind that it's so challenging because everybody

wants to make so much of one outing or one game."

Ynoa and Lee built reputations as strike-throwers in the minor leagues — pitchers with strong

ground-ball-inducing fastballs that can also be used to strike out the opposition, but both are still

refining their breaking pitches. On Thursday and Friday, however, both struggled to get balls in

play and put hitters away.

Lee reached a full count against six batters Thursday, and Ynoa threw five or more pitches to

seven batters, including three seven-pitch counts.

"There's one thing to throw strikes and there's another thing to throw quality strikes, and it's

another thing to do it when the big lights come on," Showalter said. "If you just base it on pure

walk totals, you're going to miss it sometimes. But I've seen some guys who have great walk

totals in the minors leagues and they get to the big leagues and they walk a lot more people

because of the fear of the barrel of the bat."

The Orioles acquired Ynoa, 23, in an offseason trade with the New York Mets, so he's in many

ways an unknown commodity. While Lee, 24, has been in the Orioles organization for nearly

two years, he spent most of last season shelved by a lat muscle injury.

"Guys have to know what's going on, he and Chris," Showalter said. "Stuff-wise, [Ynoa is] fine.

Just needs a little better command of something soft. The arm is not an issue. … Stuff-wise,

[Lee] can pitch here. It's just we're trying to get a feel of whether we're going to be able to trust

the other stuff."

Despite control problems in this week's auditions, both have strong stats this spring. Ynoa hasn't

allowed a run in two of four spring outings and he has a 3.12 ERA over 82/3 innings. He has six

strikeouts and just two walks. Lee has posted back-to-back scoreless outings of three innings,

and has allowed just two runs over 11 innings, good for a 1.64 ERA. He has three times more

strikeouts (nine) than walks (three).

Both are embracing the opportunity to crack the rotation.

"Yeah, I feel ready," Lee said after Thursday's start. "Whatever role they give me during the

season, I'll just try to go out there and do my best and try to put up zeros and try to get us into the

playoffs."

Said Ynoa: "I feel that I am definitely making improvements every day, working hard, trying to

earn a spot in the rotation. … I'm ready for the opportunity. Looking forward to earn the spot and

I think I'll be ready for the season."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/220110642/orioles-wade-miley-scratched-due-to-flu/

Miley scratched due to flu-like symptoms

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

March 20, 2017

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Wade Miley was scratched from Monday's start against the Red Sox

because of flu-like symptoms and was replaced by fellow left-hander Vidal Nuno.

Miley wasn't feeling well after his last start on March 14, but manager Buck Showalter said that

he suffered a relapse and was being driven back to Sarasota.

Nuno and right-hander Oliver Drake were scheduled to follow Miley. The Orioles already had

five pitchers on hand from Minor League camp, but Miley's illness convinced them to add two

more, right-handers Stefan Crichton and Scott McGough.

Showalter said that because Miley hadn't been feeling well, he missed some between-starts

activities.

"He looks rough," Showalter said. "We thought he was over it.

Showalter said that Miley's preparation for the 2017 season should be unaffected.

• In other rotation news, Showalter has decided not to pitch right-handers Dylan

Bundy and Kevin Gausman in Major League games in their next scheduled starts.

Showalter wants to see some of the contenders for the fifth-starter's job pitch in those games, and

he's scheduled left-hander Chris Lee and right-hander Tyler Wilson to pitch Wednesday against

the Rays, right-handers Mike Wright for Friday and Gabriel Ynoa on Saturday, both against the

Twins.

• Outfielder Anthony Santander, a Rule 5 Draft choice, who had an MRI on his elbow Friday, is

still in a holding pattern, and his return is not imminent, Showalter said.

• Third baseman Manny Machado and catcher Welington Castillo are taking some time off after

playing for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic and could return to action

after the Orioles' off-day on Thursday.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219994804/buck-showalter-on-adam-jones-classic-catch/

Showalter revels in Jones' grab on Machado

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

March 19, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles manager Buck Showalter marveled at the wonderful catch his

center fielder, Adam Jones, made for Team USA, robbing his third baseman, Manny Machado of

Team Dominican Republic, of a home run Saturday in the World Baseball Classic.

"Oh my goodness," Showalter said. "Unfortunately, I saw it live [after midnight]. It was a great

moment. I love the way Manny handled it [by doffing his helmet to Jones]. If you didn't know

they were teammates before that game, you know it now."

The O's manager has been closely following the Classic, especially those games involving his

own players. Since the Dominican Republic was eliminated in Team USA's 6-3 victory, he'll be

getting Machado and catcher Welington Castillo back.

Showalter isn't sure when the two will return, but noted that they played intense innings and may

want some down time.

"If they need to take some time, that's fine, just communicate and let me know what they're

thinking," Showalter said.

Fans who don't normally see Orioles games were amazed at Jones' and Machado's defensive

gems.

"I think we've all seen good if not better," Showalter said. "They haven't done a single thing we

haven't seen."

Showalter often says the game is being played at a higher level now than it's ever been played.

"Something happens every night during the season that I go 'Wow,' that's pretty special,"

Showalter said.

Tillman's long-toss pushed back

In injury news, Showalter said that right-hander Chris Tillman, who had a cortisone shot in his

right shoulder Wednesday, will begin long-tossing next Sunday instead of this Wednesday

because doctors want Tillman to rest seven to 10 days before resuming throwing

After Tillman begins throwing, Showalter thinks he'll throw every other day. On Saturday,

Showalter said that he had mapped out a schedule of five rehab starts through April.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/220065254/orioles-jesus-liranzo-among-four-roster-cuts/

Liranzo optioned to Double-A as O's make roster cuts

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

March 19, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Orioles made four roster cuts Sunday, optioning right-handed

pitcher Jesus Liranzo to Double-A Bowie and assigning outfielder Logan Schafer,

infielder/outfielder David Washington and catcher Austin Wynns to Minor League camp.

In his first Major League Spring Training, Liranzo had a 3.38 ERA, allowing three runs in eight

innings. Liranzo gave up two runs in Sunday's 7-1 loss to the Tigers.

Schafer, a veteran of six Major League seasons was 3-for-31 (.097) with three RBIs. Washington

hit .143 (3-for-21) with two home runs and four RBIs, and Wynns played in three games with no

hits in two at-bats.

The Orioles have 46 players remaining in Major League camp with 12 non-roster players.

http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2017/03/19/220008852

Adam Jones' World Baseball Classic robbery already has its

own Topps card

By Chris Landers / MLB.com

March 19, 2017

Adam Jones delivered arguably the best play of the 2017 World Baseball Classic on Saturday

night, soaring through the air to bring back a Manny Machado home run and preserve Team

USA's 6-3 win over the Dominican Republic. Less than 24 hours later, the moment has already

become iconic -- Twitter lost its collective mind, and the fans at Petco Park are their very own

meme.

And now, Jones' feat has received one of baseball's very highest honors: It's got its very own

Topps card.

The latest member of the Topps NOW series -- which has honored such momentous occasions

as Bartolo Colon 's first homer -- you can buy a piece of World Baseball Classic history for just

$9.99 until tomorrow afternoon.

Sadly, this fan's card will just have to wait.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/220011512/orioles-hope-to-keep-unearthing-talent-in-

2017/

Davis embodies the new 'Orioles way'

By Richard Justice / MLB.com

March 19, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. – In their very first conversation almost six years ago, Orioles manager Buck

Showalter told his new first baseman things he hadn't heard in awhile.

Showalter told Chris Davis he believed in him. OK, it was a lot more than that. There was some

psychological stuff and some technical stuff. In the end, though, it amounted to one thing.

The Orioles were going to give Davis a legitimate opportunity to play, and he was going to

accomplish great things. He would no longer have to look over his shoulder. If he was ever going

to be the impact player he thought he could be, this was his time.

Davis arrived in Baltimore at a time when his confidence was down, his career teetering with the

Rangers. Now, he's one of the most productive -- and one of the highest-paid -- players in the

game.

"I don't think it was ever a question of whether I belonged or not," Davis said. "It was more, was

I ever going to get the opportunity again? I struggled for several years with the Rangers

organization. After awhile, I [started] thinking I'm only going to get one more shot."

Davis' 164 home runs since the start of the 2013 are the most in baseball. He's 16th in OPS (.865)

and 26th in Wins Above Replacement (16.2) during that time.

"I was just ready to start over," Davis said. "Wipe the slate clean and get another opportunity. I'm

very grateful for the confidence Buck had in me, the chance he took on me.

"There are a lot of people that saw the potential and had high hopes for me. Maybe some of them

believed I'd be able to make it translate someday. He was the one guy [who] actually put it on the

line and put me out there. I really appreciate that."

The O's have had a lot of success stories in the five seasons since their renaissance began.

They've won more regular-season games than any other American League team (444) and earned

three trips to the postseason.

In Adam Jones and Manny Machado, as well as Chris Tillman and Zach Britton, the Orioles

have done a fabulous job of acquiring talent. But one of the things they've done better than

almost anyone is work around the edges of traditional player acquisition methods to acquire

players who tapped into O's magic.

Among those who hit their stride with the Orioles: Mark Trumbo, Pedro Alvarez, Nelson

Cruz, Steve Pearce, Miguel Gonzalez and Wei-Yin Chen.

That history of success is especially relevant in a Spring Training like this one, when the O's are

nearly a consensus choice of many to finish last in the AL East.

"I think that's about five years in a row, isn't it?" Davis said.

Well, uh, yes, if, you know, you're keeping track. That said, picking the Orioles to finish last is

reasonable even with a team that should be excellent in three areas: offense, defense, bullpen.

What the O's aren't so sure about is their rotation. Their No. 1 guy, Tillman, is sidelined

indefinitely with an achy right shoulder. Their next two guys, Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy,

are high-ceiling arms who are still establishing themselves. Veterans Ubaldo Jimenez and Wade

Miley round out the group.

This spring, Showalter is running a tryout camp of sorts for starting pitching. Here are three

names to keep in mind: right-hander Gabriel Ynoa and left-handers Chris Lee and Jayson

Aquino.

If there are poster boys for this new "Orioles way," they are it. To get them, executive vice

president of baseball operations Dan Duquette gave up international signing slots for Lee and

cash for Aquino and Ynoa.

All of them have pitched well this spring, and Duquette has done this sort of thing often enough

that it would be silly to doubt them.

Back to Davis, who typifies the "Orioles way" perhaps better than anyone. The Rangers called

him up in 2008, and he hit 38 home runs in 736 plate appearances in those first two seasons.

Then, Davis struggled and spent most of the 2010 and '11 seasons in the Minors.

"It's such a snowball game," Showalter said. "Like I told him, you've got to shorten the valleys

and stretch out the peaks. When things are going good, write it down. What are you feeling in the

on-deck circle? What are you feeling during batting practice? What are you feeling when you're

walking around in the locker room and you're going good? Write those things down, not where

are my hands, where are my feet, what kind of bat am I using."

When Davis signed a seven-year, $161 million contract before the 2016 season, it was the final

validation he had arrived. He said those struggles helped him appreciate his success.

"No doubt, absolutely," said Davis. "And I'm grateful and thankful to a certain extent that I went

through that. Not that it was fun or that I enjoyed any part of it. But I think it made a big

difference in the way I approach the game and really the respect I have for the game. There's no

doubt the struggles for those first few years, they were tough. But I learned a lot from them."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219997874/craig-gentry-returning-to-form-with-orioles/

Gentry reviving career this spring with O's

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

March 19, 2017

ARASOTA, Fla. -- One of the happiest surprises of Orioles Spring Training has been the

addition of outfielder Craig Gentry. The 33-year-old was signed to a Minor League contract Feb.

18 to help improve the team's outfield defense.

Two days after the Orioles signed Gentry, much more attention was heaped on the signing

of Michael Bourn, who played for Baltimore in the last month of the 2016 season.

Bourn hasn't played this spring because he broke his right ring finger catching a football in a

workout Feb. 24. Gentry has filled in and made quite an impression.

"I'm telling you, about two or three years ago, he was, I thought the best fourth outfielder in

baseball -- a plus defender at three positions, plus thrower, plus runner, did well against left-

handed pitching and could play at times against right-handed pitching if you needed. He brought

a lot of energy, a smart player," manager Buck Showalter said.

The past two seasons have been rough for Gentry, who played just 40 games for the A's and

Angels, hitting a combined .131.

Those two injury-ravaged years are in the past in Gentry's mind, and over the past winter,

Orioles hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh, who worked with Gentry with the Rangers when he had

his best seasons, noticed that the outfielder looked much stronger in workouts.

Coolbaugh called Showalter and recommended Baltimore sign Gentry, who had some excellent

years in Texas.

"He was huge," Gentry said of Coolbaugh. "He went to bat for me, and he got me here. I'm very

grateful for that. He was huge, and he helps a lot. I work with him all the time. He's a great

hitting coach. There's a lot of comfort there. We understand each other, and it's an easy

relationship."

On Sunday, Gentry was 0-for-3, and he's batting .306 in 19 games. His speed seems to have

returned this spring. In 2013 and '14, he stole 44 bases in 49 attempts. He's already stolen two

bases for the Orioles, a team that had just 19 steals in '16.

"I've recovered and I feel healthy and your perspective changes a lot," Gentry said. "I'm trying to

put those years behind me and move on. Hopefully get an opportunity here and make the most of

it.

"I've been working hard. I've gotten some results lately, so that's always encouraging, and I love

being here and love the opportunity that they've given me, so really enjoying this."

Not only is Gentry showing off his speed, he's showing some power, too. In parts of eight

seasons, Gentry has only four home runs, but this spring has hit two.

"I was able to get some good swings on a couple of pitches," he said. "That's what I attribute it

to. I work hard every day and just was able to work out like that. I can't really attribute it to one

specific thing."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219994220/os-francisco-pena-pulls-for-mates-in-classic/

Pena sees dad's team lose, but happy for Jones

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

March 19, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Francisco Pena has divided loyalties in the World Baseball Classic.

Pena, an Orioles catcher, is the son of Dominican Republic manager Tony Pena, and played for

his father when their home country won the World Baseball Classic four years ago, but he also

loved Adam Jones' home run-robbing catch on Manny Machado in Team USA's 6-3 win over the

Dominican Republic on Saturday night.

"Unbelievable. It was a great catch. It couldn't happen to a better person. It was pretty cool when

Machado tipped his cap to Jonesy," Pena said.

"I'm rooting for the Dominican the whole time because my dad is there," Pena said. "It's pretty

cool to see your teammates go after it the way they did and play 100 percent for their country."

Pena knows his dad had a difficult job massaging the egos of some of the Dominican players.

"Everybody thinks it's easy to manage the Dominican team with all those All-Stars, but it's tough

at the same time when you have to make a decision what lineup to put, with all those superstars

and what people are going to think back home in the Dominican," Pena said.

Now that the Dominican Republic is out, Pena who also holds a U.S. passport, is rooting for

Team USA or Puerto Rico to meet Team Netherlands. Mychal Givens is with Jones on Team

USA and Jonathan Schoop is on Team Netherlands.

"I've still some got some teammates there, and I know a lot of guys from Team Puerto Rico. I've

got to root for the Netherlands, too because Schoopy is there," Pena said.

"It's going to be good for the game, and you can see all the talent that's around the world."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219956510/adam-jones-robs-manny-machado-of-home-

run/

Unforgettable catch by Jones: Perfect-O!

By Phil Rogers / MLB.com

March 19, 2017

His country needed him, and Adam Jones leapt into action.

Literally.

In one of the most compelling World Baseball Classic highlights we've seen, the 31-year-old

center fielder from Morse High School in San Diego raced across the Petco Park outfield, and

almost into the arms of dozens of fans beyond the center-field fence. He soared higher and

higher, farther and farther, and finally the beautiful white baseball was in his glove.

Jones had robbed his Orioles teammate, Manny Machado, of a seventh-inning home run and

helped Team USA beat the Dominican Republic, 6-3. Jim Leyland's U.S. team rolls on to

Dodger Stadium for a Tuesday night semifinal against Japan, while the proud defending champs

return to their camps in Arizona and Florida to prepare for Opening Day.

No one who was in the crowd of 43,002 or watching on MLB Network is going to forget this

play any time soon. It was a catch that put the Classic in World Baseball Classic, a signature

moment with the kind of star power and imagery that transcends. Every person in the shot told

the story. It was perfect. There was no fan interference. Just pure athleticism by a hometown

giant in front of a patriotic, flag-waving, America-loving crowd in San Diego.

USA against the defending champs in a won-or-done game. If you don't think the WBC matters,

try telling that to the sellout crowd, to social media, and especially to the players on both sides.

This moment was magical. This was magical. Bring on the Hollywood ending in Los Angeles.

We have a blockbuster on our hands.

After the catch was made, with the crowd thundering its approval, there were snapshots that told

the story.

Machado tipping his cap. The fan on the left soaking it in as it happened, appreciating it in slow

motion. Another, behind Machado, with his mouth formed in a perfect circle, disbelieving the

play even as it happened before his wide eyes. Flags waving. Some of the best players in the

world reacting with the innocent joy of Little Leaguers.

Worth a thousand words. You bet your caps.

Leyland has seen things. He said afterward the only catch he could remember that compared to it

was one that the Braves' Otis Nixon made against his Pirates. This was 25 years ago and the sight

of Nixon climbing the wall to rob Andy Van Slyke of a home run and preserve a 13-game

winning streak for his rivals is still fresh in his mind.

Twenty-five years from now, Machado's going to know the feeling.

"A lot of times it's not where you make the play, it's when you make the play," Leyland said.

"That just took a little wind out of their sails. I think they thought there was one on the board,

obviously."

Jones didn't really believe he could catch up to the drive that came on a 2-1, 91-mph fastball

from Yankees reliever Tyler Clippard. But if there was a way to get there, he was going to get

there.

"I'm still in kind of shock that I even got to that ball," Jones said. "I mean, off the bat I'm just like

this ball's hit really far, so just keep going, keep going. You know this California air's going to

slow it down, and just never quit. That's just the style I play with. I don't mind running into a

wall or two."

According to Statcast™, the ball left Machado's bat with an exit velocity of 106.2 mph and a

launch angle of 26 degrees. According to Hit Probability, a new Statcast™ metric, that exit velo-

launch angle combo leads to a hit 95 percent of the time, just not this time.

Not only is it a hit 95 percent of the time, it's a home run almost as often. Batted balls with those

exact specifications have left the yard more than nine out of 10 times in the Statcast™ era

(beginning in 2015).

The ball Adam Jones just caught is a HR 94% of the time. 106 MPH at a 26 degree launch angle.

Wow amazing.

Statcast™ also tells us that Jones played as shallow as any regular center fielder last season,

starting out an average of 307 feet deep (tied with Andrew McCutchen for shallowest). But with

the US leading 4-2 and Machado batting, Jones was 321 feet from the plate. That 14-foot

difference over his '16 average made a big difference.

Robinson Cano, the next hitter for Tony Pena's Dominican team, blasted a homer that was just

beyond the reach of left fielder Christian Yelich. Had Jones not soared through the air like a

superhero coming to the rescue, maybe Machado would be heading to Dodger Stadium while

Jones returned to Orioles camp in Sarasota, Fla.

But the Dominican Republic had its fun a week earlier, recovering from a 5-0 deficit to win 7-5

on Nelson Cruz's homer at Marlins Park in Miami. This night it was American flags waving at

the end of one of the greatest games ever played in March.

Jones stole a home run from his teammate, and in the process kept Team USA rolling toward the

WBC '17 title it covets.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219895998/orioles-pedro-alvarez-sees-action-in-right/

Alvarez sees first action in right field

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

March 18, 2017

TAMPA, Fla. -- In his first game in right field, Pedro Alvarez caught the only ball hit his way

when the Yankees' Starlin Castro led off the sixth by flying to right-center.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter, who convinced Alvarez last September to try the outfield as a

way to help his career, said that he and Alvarez were relieved when the first fly ball was caught.

"I don't think anything is routine yet," Showalter said.

When Alvarez caught it, he told Showalter: "Now I got that one out of the way."

Alvarez hit an RBI single in the fourth and a home run in the seventh, but it was his play in the

outfield that was of more interest in the Orioles' 5-4 win on Saturday.

"[Alvarez has] really engaged in it. He knows it could mean a lot to him and his career. He sees

some guys, for instance, what it did for Mark [Trumbo] last year and what it's done for a lot of

guys," Showalter said. "He's really … embraced it."

"I told him regardless from what this year brought for him with us or somebody else, he really

had to think long and hard about embracing that. It would open up a lot of avenues to him --

especially, it would keep him in the lineup."

On Friday, Alvarez played six innings in a "B" game against Pittsburgh in Sarasota, but he didn't

catch a fly.

"I mean, you know, you always want to get some action when you're out there. But I was ready,

ready for it, and I'll be ready for it every pitch when I'm out there," Alvarez said on Friday.

"Different, different, but I've been going out there as much as possible to get a comfortable look

and a comfortable feel, and I felt pretty good. I'm happy with where I'm at. Obviously when it's

games, it's a little different, but I'm glad I was able to feel comfortable, and I know I'm only

going to feel more and more comfortable with each rep that I get."

Showalter doesn't expect Alvarez, who played first and third base for Pittsburgh from 2010-15,

to instantly feel comfortable in right field.

"He's going to have some [hurdles]. He's talked a lot about what physically he needs to do to be

able to do it. He's on that path. He's going to bring some things that are hard to find out there.

With the arm strength, he's going to throw well," Showalter said.

Could Alvarez learn the outfield quickly enough to make the Opening Day roster? "I'm not going

to go there yet," Showalter said. "I think he knows realistically it's a long shot on paper, but

things can change."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219872856/orioles-chris-tillman-following-rehab-plan/

After cortisone shot, Tillman set for long toss

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

March 18, 2017

TAMPA, Fla. -- Manager Buck Showalter said that right-handed starter Chris Tillman, who had

a cortisone shot in his right shoulder last Wednesday, will begin long tossing on Wednesday and

should toss again on Friday.

Tillman, 28, who hasn't pitched in Spring Training, won't be ready to start the season for the

Orioles, but Showalter has mapped out a rehab plan that includes five starts.

"We've got it mapped out through the end of April if it goes well, but he could have one day that

could change all that," Showalter said. "I feel good about this structurally."

With Tillman out to start the season, Showalter hasn't decided whether to carry 11 pitchers and

14 position players. The Orioles will have an organizational meeting Wednesday to discuss

roster plans.

Those plans were complicated when Tillman couldn't even begin his planned bullpen session last

Sunday.

"I've been planning since Chris had some trouble last time," Showalter said. "I wasn't counting

on him, anyway. All my plans have been without him there for April."

"It's frustrating for him, especially when you're talking about a guy who's been an Opening Day

starter for us. He knows what he means to the club. Never have I had a feeling that anything's

crept in there as far as his [free-agent] status at the start of the season," Showalter said.

"We feel confident that he'll take the right steps [so] that he'll be able to take the ball in April

until the end of the season, whenever that may be."

Worth noting

• Outfielder Seth Smith, who hasn't played since March 8 with a strained right hamstring, should

be ready to play early next week.

• Infielder Ryan Flaherty, who had a cortisone shot on his right shoulder, is expected to play

Monday in Fort Myers against Boston.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219866222/orioles-anthony-santander-progressing/

Santander progressing, close to playing outfield

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

March 18, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles Rule 5 Draft choice Anthony Santander had an MRI on his right

elbow on Thursday, and two days later, reported that the elbow felt better.

"There was only small inflammation on it because I have so many days without throwing, but

feeling better now," Santander said through an interpreter.

The Orioles drafted Santander from Cleveland in December, and though he's an outfielder,

offseason shoulder surgery has prevented him from playing in the field. He's been exclusively a

designated hitter.

Manager Buck Showalter had said he was eager to look at Santander in the outfield.

"Knowing the history of everything he's had, it's something we want to make sure we get our

arms around before he goes into the outfield," Showalter said.

Santander said he wasn't far away from playing. "I think it's just a matter of a few days. Monday

I start my regular routine again, so I think it's just a few days away," Santander said.

Santander, 22, knows he has to prove himself.

"It's very important for me because the team selected me in the Rule 5 for something, and I really

want to show them what I can do. But the reality is that it's out of my control, so I'm just taking it

a day at a time," Santander said.

Santander is one of two Rule 5 Draft picks contending for an outfield spot. Aneury Tavarez,

drafted from Boston, is the other.

"We definitely talked about that, but we understand the situation that we're in. It's a competition

right now. Both of us could make the team. At the same time, we could be returned to our

previous team, so we understand it's a tough situation, but we just go out there and work hard,"

Santander said.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/219761568/gabriel-ynoa-aims-for-orioles-rotation-spot/

Ynoa has sights set on O's 5th rotation spot

By Rich Dubroff / MLB.com

March 17, 2017

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Gabriel Ynoa is one of five contenders manager Buck Showalter has

mentioned to replace Chris Tillman in the Orioles' starting rotation while Tillman is unavailable

to pitch.

Ynoa, the 23-year-old right-hander acquired from the New York Mets for cash considerations on

Feb. 10, made just his second Grapefruit League appearance since March 1 and gave up two runs

on five hits in 2 2/3 innings in an 8-6 win over the Pirates. He is the Orioles' No. 12 prospect,

according to MLB Pipeline.

"I think I was throwing a good game. Unfortunately, some things happen in the game, but that is

just part of the game," Ynoa said through an interpreter. "My slider was working. Also my sinker

to both sides of the plate. And the changeup as well."

Besides Ynoa, Showalter listed left-hander Chris Lee, who pitched three scoreless innings

against the Phillies on Thursday night, right-hander Mike Wright, who threw four innings in a

"B" game against the Pirates earlier in the day, lefty Jayson Aquino and righty Tyler Wilson as

candidates to step in for Tillman.

Showalter isn't close to making a decision, he said.

"You're talking about the possibility of three more starts for anybody. Keep in mind we're in the

middle of a normal spring training. There's a lot of time left. We're talking about over two

weeks," Showalter said.

"I feel that I am definitely making improvements every day, working hard, trying to earn a spot

in the rotation," Ynoa said.

With just two weeks left before the season, there isn't much time for Ynoa to make an

impression.

"All of my games are very important, but as Spring Training winds down and the season comes

closer and closer, I know the intensity level becomes higher and higher, and it's just more

important as the games go on," Ynoa said.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/wade-miley-scratched-from-todays-

start.html

Wade Miley scratched from today’s start

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

March 20, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Wade Miley has been scratched from today’s start against the

Red Sox in Fort Myers because he’s feeling ill.

Vidal Nuño will make the start instead of pitching in relief.

Manager Buck Showalter will have more details for reporters during batting practice. He stayed

back in camp as usual before heading over to JetBlue Park with a few of his coaches.

Miley was supposed to make his fifth spring start. He’s allowed seven earned runs (eight total)

and 16 hits over nine innings. Miley’s walked only two batters.

One start in Bradenton lasted only an inning-plus because of a line drive that glanced off his left

forearm and struck his ribcage area. He took his next turn as scheduled.

Nuño, a favorite to break camp as a long reliever, has totaled five innings in his three Grapefruit

League appearances. He’s allowed one run and four hits, with no walks and four strikeouts.

Nuño will be pitching for the second time since returning from the World Baseball Classic. He

permitted one run and two hits Friday afternoon in one inning against the Pirates in Bradenton.

The Orioles brought pitchers Brian Moran, Jefri Hernandez, Michael Zouzalik, Luis

Gonzalez and Cody Satterwhite from minor league camp.

Meanwhile, ESPN basketball analyst Dick Vitale is visiting the Ed Smith Stadium complex this

morning. I have nothing else to add except he was there.

For the Red Sox

Marco Hernández 2B

Pablo Sandoval 3B

Mookie Betts RF

Hanley Ramírez DH

Jackie Bradley Jr. CF

Allen Craig 1B

Bryce Brentz LF

Sandy León C

Deven Marrero SS

Kyle Kendrick RHP

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/chris-lees-next-start-and-other-notes.html

Chris Lee’s next start (and other notes)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

March 20, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Chris Lee is getting another start in spring training as

the Orioles continue their evaluation of him and decide on their opening day rotation.

Lee also gets another prime time game, taking the ball Wednesday night against the Rays in

Sarasota, a game that will be televised on MASN. His first Grapefruit League start came last

Thursday night against the Phillies, when he tossed three scoreless innings in a 2-2 tie.

Lee threw 66 pitches and only 34 for strikes. He allowed two hits, walked two batters and struck

out one, and admitted afterward that he was nervous and barely slept the previous night.

In his three relief appearances before the start, Lee allowed two runs and five hits with one walk

and eight strikeouts over eight innings.

Lee threw a bullpen session yesterday and waited for his next assignment.

The Orioles know that Chris Tillman is headed to the disabled list and may not pitch for them in

April. Kevin Gausman seems to be set as the opening day starter, with Wade Miley, Ubaldo

Jiménez and Dylan Bundy following in whatever order. Gausman pitched yesterday, Miley goes

today against the Red Sox and Jiménez starts Tuesday against the Blue Jays.

Lee has been thrust into a competition that also includes Mike Wright, Tyler Wilson, Gabriel

Ynoa and Jayson Aquino.

Ryan Flaherty is working out again this morning and will be available to play Tuesday afternoon

against the Blue Jays in Sarasota. He received a cortisone injection in his right shoulder and said

he’s feeling much better.

Flaherty has been able to swing a bat without discomfort. Throwing has been the issue.

Seth Smith doesn’t know when he’s going to get back in the lineup, but he said this morning that

his right hamstring is improving and he’s continuing workouts.

“Better. It’s going in the right direction,” he said.

“Just kind of adding things each day and building on it.”

Smith and the Orioles endorse a more cautious approach after similar discomfort last spring

carried into the start of the regular season. However, he batted .298/.423/.544 with four home

and 10 RBIs in April.

Asked if it’s taking longer to recover than expected, Smith said, “You never know, especially

when you’re trying not to push it. It will take a little bit longer than you probably anticipate, but

we are getting really close now.

“Every day we see how much improvement there is, so it’s definitely coming to a head.”

Smith has accumulated only 11 Grapefruit League at-bats - he doubled in the exhibition against

the Dominican Republic - but the Orioles can get him into B games and minor league games to

speed up the process.

“There are at-bats available every day, so as soon as I am ready, I should be able to put some at-

bats together in quick order,” he said.

Oliver Drake and left-hander Vidal Nuño are listed as the relievers today behind Miley. The Red

Sox are listing starter Kyle Kendrick and relievers Heath Hembree, Noe Ramirez, Austin

Maddox and Jamie Callahan.

MASNsports.com’s Steve Melewski is in Fort Myers for today’s game.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/orioles-lineup-vs-red-sox-17.html

Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

March 20, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pedro Álvarez gets another look in right field today, as the Orioles travel to

Fort Myers to play the Red Sox.

Rule 5 pick Aneury Tavárez is in left field and Chris Dickerson is starting in center.

Chance Sisco is catching starter Wade Miley.

For the Orioles

Aneury Tavarez LF

Johnny Giavotella 2B

Hyun Soo Kim DH

Pedro Alvarez RF

Trey Mancini 1B

Chris Dickerson CF

Chris Johnson 3B

Chance Sisco C

Robert Andino SS

Wade Miley LHP

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/hart-breaking-camp-story.html

Hart breaking camp story

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

March 20, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Donnie Hart is cementing his spot in the Orioles bullpen by

allowing only one run this spring. He would have needed to pitch his way off the team and it

hasn’t happened.

One run and three hits in eight innings over eight appearances. Eight strikeouts. An 0.63 WHIP

and an opponents’ batting average of .115. And the person least impressed by it is Hart.

“It’s been good. The results have been good,” he said.

“Obviously, some things I want to get better at. I think my last outing my fastball command

wasn’t really that great.”

Hart got by without it, holding the Pirates scoreless on one hit and two strikeouts. He threw a

bullpen session yesterday to “work on it.”

“Results can be fooling at times,” he said. “I haven’t gone out there and felt like everything was

working in one outing. There’s been certain things that have been a little off in outings, but other

than that, I feel good about them. They’re certainly not disappointing to me, but there’s

obviously room for improvement there to get everything going all together, all three pitches, and

then the command side of it, as well.”

Hart may pitch on back-to-back days this week to further prepare for the start of the regular

season. He’s mostly had two days off between appearances this spring, though he most recently

pitched on Wednesday and Friday.

“Not disappointed,” he repeated, “but room to improve.”

Results also are important for a rookie in his first major league camp, but Hart did enough in 22

appearances last summer to set himself up for an introduction on opening day.

“I’m not a fan of, ‘Well, I’m just working on stuff’ kind of deal,” he said. “When I step between

the lines, I never want to use the excuse that I’m working on stuff. That’s a competitive

atmosphere out there and you, as an athlete and a competitor, to me it never crosses my mind.

I’m trying to get outs out there, so that’s the way I look at it. Results are going to matter.”

They count against left-handed hitters, who were 5-for-38 against him last season, and right-

handers, who were 7-for-24.

Able to shed the specialist role in spring training, Hart has been exposed to his share of right-

handed hitters. The only run off him this spring came on Jorge Polanco’s homer, but he’s

allowed two hits to right-handers over 4 2/3 innings.

“I would certainly like to stop getting deeper into counts against those guys from that standpoint,

but my fastball in has been getting there,” he said. “It’s getting better and better, the movement

late in the zone in there is getting better. My changeup has been good so far against those guys

and I’ve mixed in a few sliders against those guys, which was one of the things I wanted to work

on.

“You tiptoe a fine line throwing pitches (and) you don’t know if they’ll work against those guys

or not in a spring training game, but they’ve worked out so far. They paid off, so I’m happy with

that so far.”

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/orioles-make-four-cuts-wrapping-up-7-1-

loss.html

Orioles make four cuts, wrapping up 7-1 loss

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

March 19, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made four camp cuts today following their 7-1 loss to the

Tigers. They optioned pitcher Jesus Liranzo to Double-A Bowie and reassigned outfielder Logan

Schafer, infielder/outfielder David Washington and catcher Austin Wynns to minor league camp.

The spring roster is down to 46 players, and two more cuts are expected on Monday. There are

12 non-roster invitees remaining.

Liranzo gave up a two-run homer to John Hicks in the ninth inning and hit two batters, but it

wasn’t representative of his spring. Put on the 40-man roster before the Rule 5 draft, Liranzo

made a solid impression by allowing only one run and two hits in his first seven outings and

striking out nine batters in seven innings before today.

Liranzo’s fastball has topped out at 99 mph this spring and he just turned 22 earlier this month.

“He hit two guys today. Didn’t like that. But I liked the fact that it didn’t affect him,” said

manager Buck Showalter. “After he hit the first guy, I turned to Roger (McDowell) and said,

‘This is going to be an interesting first pitch.’ The next pitch was a fastball strike.

And he didn’t sit there and seem overly sorry about hitting them. Does that make any sense?

“If he stays healthy he’s going to be a contributor.”

The Orioles sent Liranzo to Bowie in order to develop a track record of throwing the ball over

the plate consistently. He walked seven batters in eight innings this spring and walked 12 in 18

2/3 innings with the Baysox last summer after moving up from low Single-A Delmarva.

“You can get fooled in spring training,” Showalter said. “He had good command here with the

exception of today some. We’ll see if he can take the next step. He’s 22. He’ll start there.

“We’ve done a good job in the organization I think of developing relief pitchers. We’ve got to do

a better job of developing starting pitchers.”

Schafer was 3-for-31 in Grapefruit League games, but Showalter raved about his defense,

especially in center field. Washington was 3-for-21 with a double and two long home runs,

including a walk-off. Wynns arrived late in camp due to an ankle injury, but Showalter is

impressed with his work behind the plate.

Kevin Gausman threw five scoreless innings today, allowing only two hits and striking out eight.

He threw first-pitch strikes to 12 of his first 15 batters.

“Really good,” Showalter said. “First guy to get to five. Got his pitch count actually where we

wanted to get it, a little bit below 80. He was really good, especially when you consider the

hitting conditions today. You won’t see a better outing with a gale blowing out.”

Gausman is in his fifth camp with the Orioles, making him a spring veteran and certainly more

comfortable with each passing year.

“Oh, yeah. There’s a lot of things different about him in his life,” Showalter said. “He got

married, kind of established himself as one of those guys that’s at the back of the process where

he’s in a position to really move forward with his career in a lot of ways. So many things that

young pitchers have to go through that he’s kind of got behind him, very similar to Dylan

(Bundy).”

Asked what Gausman has to do in order to keep his pitch count down and get deeper into games,

Showalter replied, “A lot of what he did today.”

“He had a lot of counts in his favor,” Showalter said. “A good example, he went 0-2 on a guy

and so many times you see a couple of pitches thrown from guys that serve no purpose. They’re

a ball right out of their hand, and he dotted a fastball away for strike three. That’s the type of

thing you’ve got to do. Some weak contact early in the count. And he was carrying command of

three pitches today, so that won’t happen much during the season for any pitcher.”

Showalter often speaks of “the process,” which he believes will allow Gausman and Bundy to

take the next step.

“I’ve said it a hundred times, if you try to cheat that process you’re going to get burned,”

Showalter said. “We want it to happen so fast, especially in today’s game, because pitching -

especially young affordable pitching with upside - is such a commodity everybody’s looking for.

Especially us. We’ve got to develop our own pitchers or we won’t be able to survive.”

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/five-scoreless-today-for-kevin-

gausman.html

Five scoreless today for Kevin Gausman (O’s down 7-1)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

March 19, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Kevin Gausman pitched today like an opening day starter.

The Tigers didn’t bring their A lineup, but Gausman still earned a passing grade by tossing five

scoreless innings with eight strikeouts. He allowed two hits and walked one batter.

Gausman struck out five of the first nine batters he faced and threw first-pitch strikes to nine of

11 and 12 of 15. He walked James McCann with two outs in the first and Andrew Romine

singled with two outs in the third on a fly ball that fell in right-center field. Mikie Mahtook

singled with two outs in the fourth, but Dominic Ficociello became Gausman’s seventh strikeout

victim.

Manager Buck Showalter sent Gausman back out for the fifth and the former LSU standout

became the first Orioles pitcher to complete it, retiring the side in order on 11 pitches and

collecting his eighth strikeout. Left-hander Richard Bleier replaced him to start the sixth.

I have Gausman with 78 pitches, including 49 strikes. His fastball was 93-94 mph when I

bothered to check the stadium gun.

Gausman has allowed two earned runs (three total) and six hits in 13 spring innings. He’s walked

three batters and struck out 14. And he’s made it quite clear that he should start the April 3

opener with Chris Tillman headed to the disabled list.

Back-to-back doubles by Chris Davis and Trey Mancini in the second inning gave the Orioles a

1-0 lead against Tigers left-hander Matthew Boyd. Davis was 3-for-21 before the hit. Mancini

improved to 14-for-41 with five doubles, two home runs and eight RBIs.

Davis also singled in the fourth, so make him 5-for-23 this spring.

For everyone asking, Mancini has a shot to break camp with the team because the Orioles are

expected to carry 11 pitchers and an extra bench player for the first few weeks. But a four-man

bench could push Mancini back down to Triple-A Norfolk.

It still seems more likely that Joey Rickard and Craig Gentry are carried as extra outfielders to

platoon with Hyun Soo Kim and Seth Smith. Mancini isn’t a backup catcher or super utility

player. He deserves to stick in the majors, but how is it possible without an injury?

Rickard singled with one out in the third inning and improved to 12-for-34 (.353) with a double,

three home runs, seven RBIs and four stolen bases. He can be the leadoff hitter against left-

handers, as he’s doing today.

Mancini caught fly balls in the first and second innings as the right field experiment continued.

Maybe he would work into an experiment platoon with Pedro Álvarez, who caught a fly ball

yesterday in Tampa.

Update: Bleier allowed two runs in the sixth and Zach Stewart served up a two-run homer to

Matt Murton in the seventh to give Detroit a 4-1 lead.

Stewart gave up three runs and three hits in 1 1/3 innings in his last outing against the Pirates. He

also let two inherited runners score.

Update II: Stewart allowed another run in the eighth on Michael Almanzar’s RBI single, the ball

scooting past Garabez Rosa at third base. Tigers 5, Orioles 1

Update III: John Hicks hit a two-run homer off Jesus Liranzo in the ninth to increase the Tigers’

lead to 7-1.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/showalter-on-jones-wbc-catch-oh-my-

goodness.html

Showalter on Jones’ WBC catch: “Oh, my goodness”

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

March 19, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter stayed up past midnight to watch Team

USA’s win over the Dominican Republic and center fielder Adam Jones’ spectacular catch to

rob Manny Machado of a home run in the World Baseball Classic.

“Oh, my goodness,” he said. “Unfortunately, I saw it live, as you can tell. No, that was a great

moment. I loved the way Manny handled it. If you didn’t know they were teammates before that

game, you know it now.”

Machado figures to hear about it from Jones after they reunite in Sarasota.

“I don’t know about ribbing,” Showalter said. “It’s one of those things, sometimes life’s greatest

emotions show themselves in silence.

“The thing I loved about it the most was there was a Yankee fan that was trying to get into the

field of play that he took it away from. That was probably the highlight for me. Sorry.”

It’s tough to rank Jones’ greatest catches, but this one has to be high up on the list for degree of

difficulty and the setting.

“Maybe in the circumstances and the stage, but I think we’ve all seen as good, if not better,”

Showalter said. “Keep in mind some of his depths make them even more. It’s another tribute to

his post-up ability and staying on the field for his team by the way that he plays here. The guts it

takes to make those plays. But I got out of it that a lot of people don’t play (Machado) where he

was playing him. I think he kind of knew a little bit where it might be hit if it stays in the park.

And that one didn’t stay in the park until it got in Adam’s glove.”

Jones and Machado are getting lots of national attention for their exploits at the plate and in the

field, “but they haven’t done a single thing we haven’t seen,” Showalter said.

“It’s not surprising to any of us who get to see them. It’s great that some of the people who

haven’t get to see it, but I don’t know why people don’t see it. You’d have to tell me. We see that

every night, it seems like.

“I also realize that every catch, you can get to a highlight and see anything. Some of that might

have been happening with Paul Blair. We see certain things with Brooks Robinson because it

was in a World Series. It’s like Jim Palmer said today, ‘Heck, he was doing that every night.’

People didn’t see (Mark) Belanger and him and Blair making those plays. So I think we have to

temper that with the fact that we have the avenues to see every play nowadays.”

Showalter doesn’t know when Machado and catcher Welington Castillo will rejoin the team.

“I texted both of them. They’re probably traveling,” he said.

“I told them congratulations and how proud we are of them and I told them if they need to take

some time, that’s fine. Just communicate and let me know what you’re thinking. So hopefully I’ll

know what they’re thinking shortly. I’m sure they responded unless they’re in flight now.

“I don’t know what they’re thinking. I know Castillo has caught a lot of innings. Very quietly,

you talk about Adam and you talk about Manny, but Castillo has had a great WBC. He’s been

very impressive. You can see why they selected him.”

Showalter can’t say with any certainly how much rest each player requires.

“The way I’m going to treat it is everybody’s different,” he said. “Adam’s been texting every

day, ‘How’s J.J. (Hardy’s) back, how’s (Chris) Tillman’s shoulder?’ He’s connected. This is his

priority. We’re so proud of all of them. They represented our club and our fans with a lot of

pride.

“I don’t want them to feel like they’ve got to be here today. I want them to get away from it a

little bit. Now, if they come in and say, ‘No, I want to get right in the flow right away ...’ If I’m a

better man, I think they’re probably going to want to be in the locker room and everything and

give and take about their at-bats.”

The Orioles are trying to find out whether reliever Mychal Givens will stay on Team USA’s

roster for the semifinals. Pitching coach Roger McDowell is reaching out to Team USA pitching

coach Jeff Jones.

As I wrote earlier today, Tillman will play catch from 60-90 feet next Sunday.

“They wanted to let that shot go seven to 10 days, so they’re going to let it run its course,”

Showalter said. “They just want to take the full time. They’re the experts and that’s what we’re

doing. It will be every other day after that.”

Former Orioles Rule 5 pick Michael Almanzar made the trip today with the Tigers.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/03/early-notes-on-tillman-flaherty-machado-

castillo-and-more.html

Early notes on Tillman, Flaherty, Machado, Castillo and

more

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

March 19, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman will wait until next Sunday to begin long-tossing, his throws

coming from a distance of 60 to 90 feet.

The Orioles first scheduled Tillman to throw on Wednesday, but doctors want to give the

cortisone injection a few more days to work. Manager Buck Showalter said there hasn’t been a

setback.

Tillman will throw every other day once he’s back on the field.

Infielder Ryan Flaherty’s shoulder is much better and he’ll play in Tuesday’s game against the

Blue Jays in Sarasota. He won’t make Monday’s trip to Fort Myers.

Showalter texted third baseman Manny Machado and catcher Welington Castillo and told them

to take a few days off following the Dominican Republic’s elimination in the World Baseball

Classic. He didn’t want them to rush back and should know later today when the players will be

in camp. He’s leaving it up to them.

The Orioles will make roster cuts today and Monday.

Jesus Liranzo, Zach Stewart and Richard Bleier are the listed relievers today behind

starter Kevin Gausman. Wade Miley starts Monday versus the Red Sox’s Kyle Kendrick in Fort

Myers, and Ubaldo Jiménez starts Tuesday versus the Blue Jays’ Aaron Sanchez in Sarasota.

Infielder Robert Andino, who isn’t in today’s lineup, is 2-for-35 with two doubles this spring.

Outfielder Logan Schafer, also on the bench today, is 3-for-30 but impressing with his defense in

center field.

Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo are a combined 8-for-48 with no home runs and five RBIs.

The Tigers changed their lineup. Here’s the new one:

Andrew Romine SS

Alex Presley LF

James McCann C

Steven Moya RF

Mikie Mahtook DH

Dominic Ficociello 3B

Efren Navarro 1B

Dixon Machado 2B

Juan Perez CF

Matthew Boyd LHP