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

Friday, February 17, 2017

Columns:

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy has sore lower back, sent for tests The Sun 2/17

Seth Smith looking forward to contributing to powerful Orioles lineup in any way he can

The Sun 2/17

Chris Davis is healthy and ready to bounce back from painful 2016 The Sun 2/17

Orioles reliever Brad Brach wins arbitration case, will make $3.05 million this season

The Sun 2/17

First full-squad workout should help Orioles forget unhappy 2016 ending The Sun 2/17

For Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop, playing in WBC is about more than pride

The Sun 2/16

Manny Machado, who brawled with Yordano Ventura, reached out to the Royals after his

death The Sun 2/16

Catcher Francisco Pena back in Orioles camp after clearing waivers The Sun 2/16

New infielder Chris Johnson hopes to re-energize his career with Orioles The Sun 2/16

Hardy slowed by back spasms, misses workout MLB.com 2/17

Davis enters Spring Training fully healthy MLB.com 2/17

Brach prevails in arbitration hearing MLB.com 2/17

Glove day brings out the kid in Orioles players MLB.com 2/16

Johnson ready to compete for utility job MLB.com 2/16

Showalter on Hardy: “Nothing’s in jeopardy” MASNsports.com 2/17

Hardy provides update on back spasms MASNsports.com 2/17

Hardy undergoing CT scan on lower back (updated) MASNsports.com 2/17

Brach wins arbitration hearing MASNsports.com 2/17

Davis on his health, Smith on his new team MASNsports.com 2/17

Brach back from arbitration hearing and ready to resume routine MASNsports.com 2/17

Can Bradley avoid being left out? MASNsports.com 2/17

Showalter on team “getting back together” MASNsports.com 2/16

Notes on Brach and today’s workout MASNsports.com 2/16

Beast of the East: Can anyone knock Boston off the top spot? MASNsports.com 2/17

Talking chemistry, PRP injections and a note from Aberdeen MASNsports.com 2/16

Reliever Brad Brach hands Orioles first arbitration loss in 22 years AP 2/17

Orioles pitcher Brad Brach asking for $3.05M in arbitration AP 2/16

Back Spasms Delay J.J. Hardy's Spring Training Debut PressBoxOnline.com 2/17

Glenn Clark: Orioles Shouldn't Play In World Baseball Classic, Because It's Stupid

PressBoxOnline.com 2/17

Five Things To Know About Orioles Outfielder Seth Smith PressBoxOnline.com 2/17

Jonathan Schoop Excited To Represent Netherlands In World Baseball Classic

PressBoxOnline.com 2/16

2017 Orioles Spring Training Preview: Injury Report PressBoxOnline.com 2/15

2017 Orioles Spring Training Preview: Who Comes Next? PressBoxOnline.com 2/15

Are The 2017 Orioles Actually Better Than They Were Last Year? PressBoxOnline.com

2/15

Orioles' 2017 Success Hinges On Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman PressBoxOnline.com

2/15

Baseball's Age-Old Debate: Pitching Vs. Hitting PressBoxOnline.com 2/15

Chris Tillman To Miss Opening Day With Shoulder Injury PressBoxOnline.com 2/14

Doug Glanville: Playing Deeper Could Make Adam Jones A Better Outfielder

PressBoxOnline.com 2/14

Welington Castillo Takes Field For First Time As Oriole PressBoxOnline.com 2/14

Orioles Reliever Donnie Hart ‘Is Healthy And Ready To Go’ CBS Baltimore 2/17

Orioles Lose 1st Arbitration In 22 Years; Brach Gets $3.05M CBS Baltimore 2/17

Orioles Holding Tryouts For Ballgirls And Ballboys On March 4 CBS Baltimore 2/17

Baltimore Orioles Players Reunite in Florida for Spring Training CBS Baltimore 2/16

Orioles Bring In Howie Clark As Assistant Major League Hitting Coach CBS Baltimore

2/16

Mark Viviano: Optimism High In Sarasota For O’s Spring Training CBS Baltimore 2/15

Chris Tillman to miss Opening Day NBC Sports 2/14

Thoughts on what Tillman’s injury means BaltimoreBaseball.com 2/15

Myriad Orioles Thoughts: Radio musings, Ynoa, Verrett, Castillo and Chris Johnson

BaltimoreBaseball.com 2/14

7th Annual OriolesREACH Birdland Golf Classic SNN News 2/15

Orioles VP warns county not to bite off more than it can chew with Braves WWSB

(ABC) 2/15

Orioles General Manager reacts to Braves possible move to Sarasota County for Spring

Training WWSB (ABC) 2/14

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck-blog/bal-j-j-hardy-has-sore-lower-back-sent-for-

tests-20170217-story.html

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy has sore lower back, sent for

tests

By Peter Schmuck / The Baltimore Sun

February 17, 2017

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy was not in uniform for the Orioles' first full-squad workout today.

He has been suffering from lower back spasms the past three weeks and was sent for tests

Thursday and today.

Hardy underwent an MRI on Thursday and a CT Scan on Friday. He said on Friday afternoon

that he also will undergo a bone scan to rule out any structural issues.

"I've been having back spasms for a couple weeks now, so we're running a bunch of tests just to

make sure we can rule everything out," he said. "...When we get all those tests back, we'll know

what's going on.

"It feels similar to everything I've had in the past and it's just kind of just spasms and they go

away and I'm normal until I take time off and start swinging again next spring. That's about all I

know."

Hardy said that he's not too concerned and feels that the extended length of spring training will

allow him to recover and get ready for Opening Day. He said that if he can get back to baseball

activities in early March and play in some exhibition games, he should have plenty of time.

Manager Buck Showalter indicated earlier in the week that Hardy would not be playing much

during the early part of the exhibition season, but seemed to say that was the plan all along

because of the extended length of spring training this year.

Showalter also said that the Orioles plan to play Manny Machado at shortstop to help him get

ready for the World Baseball Classic.

Hardy did not hint at any problems when he was interviewed by reporters at FanFest. The

veteran spent time on the disabled list last year, but it was for a small fracture he suffered when

he fouled a ball off his foot.

"Last year honestly was about as good as I've felt since high school, so I'm kind of building off

of that," Hardy said at FanFest. "I had the fluke injury with fouling the ball off my foot but other

than that I felt pretty good."

Hardy was last hindered by lower back issues in 2014, missing six games in April and five

games in September, but he never went on the DL for the injury.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck-blog/bal-seth-smith-ready-to-contribute-to-

powerful-orioles-lineup-in-any-way-he-can-20170217-story.html

Seth Smith looking forward to contributing to powerful

Orioles lineup in any way he can

By Peter Schmuck / The Baltimore Sun

February 17, 2017

Outfielder Seth Smith said on Friday that he’s looking forward to being part of the Orioles

power-packed lineup and hopes he’ll be able to contribute both on-base potential and a little

power of his own.

“At this point I am the kind of player that I am,’’ Smith said. “That’s what I’m going to try to

bring every day and do the best I can and if that’s getting on base, great. If I can hit a couple

homers like the rest of the guys, that would be good, too.”

Smith already showed the Orioles that he does have some pop. He homered in each game of

the Seattle Mariners’ four-game sweep of the O’s at Safeco Field last season.

Though he didn’t get to see the Orioles close up all that much, he was well aware of the way they

hit the ball out of the ballpark.

“I knew Mark [Trumbo] and I kept up with him a little bit,’’ Smith said. “And just watching the

lineup and some of the stars that are in the lineup, the big power guys, it’s fun. I didn’t check the

box score daily, but you watch highlights and you see the fun things that they’re able to do.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck-blog/bal-chris-davis-is-healthy-and-ready-to-

bounce-back-from-painful-2016-20170217-story.html

Chris Davis is healthy and ready to bounce back from

painful 2016

By Peter Schmuck / The Baltimore Sun

February 17, 2017

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis hit 38 home runs last season, but he's still looking at 2017 as a

comeback year.

Davis, who struggled with persistent soreness in his left hand for much of 2016, said at FanFest

that he was swinging without discomfort and added that he has continued to do so as he has

ramped up to the start of spring training.

"I think the biggest thing was really the rest and the time off and not having the physical contact

and the beating that I did every day when I was swinging and taking balls at first base,'' Davis

said, as he prepared to take the field for the Orioles' first full-squad workout on Friday. "Really,

after the first three or four weeks the swelling went completely away and I haven't had anything,

any issues or swelling since I started hitting. So, I think the biggest thing is just rest and

obviously I didn't have time to rest during the season last year."

He acknowledged that last season didn't end the way anyone on the club wanted it to, but doesn't

think there is going to be any hangover from the disappointment of the extra-inning playoff loss

to the Toronto Blue Jays.

"I think guys have done that and I think they're professional as far as dealing with the results and

reflecting and then moving on,'' Davis said. "Obviously, we weren't happy with the way that it

ended. We fought and clawed to get in that spot and the way it ended, just the timing of

everything, it was really tough. It's going to be interesting to see the attitude of the new guys and

the overall attitude of the camp over the next few days."

Davis batted .221 and still had the third-highest RBI total (84) on the team, but feels the work he

has done to strengthen his hands will give him a chance to produce a season more like 2015 (47

HR, 117 RBI) than 2016.

"I've done stuff here and there just to improve my hand strength," he said, "that's something I

always take a lot of pride in and that's something that's really helped me to be a productive hitter

in the past is having good form and hand strength. The way I injured it was kind of a freak thing.

It was a last-minute dive into the bag basically and I don't think there's any way you can prevent

that. It's just gotta go in feet-first and do whatever you can to protect your fingers."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-reliever-brad-brach-receives-a-

lesson-in-numbers-in-his-first-arbitration-hearing-20170217-story.html

Orioles reliever Brad Brach wins arbitration case, will make

$3.05 million this season

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 17, 2017

Orioles reliever Brad Brach admitted to being a little uneasy leading up to his arbitration hearing

Thursday in St. Petersburg, Fla., but he returned to camp on Friday glad that the process was

finally behind him.

“The last two nights, it’s just been tough with sleep,” Brach said. “I wasn’t nervous about it. I

just wanted it to be done with. After we went through everything yesterday, I just want to see

how we did basically. Nobody likes to lose. Hopefully I get some good news here.”

He did in fact get good news Friday morning, as he won his case. He will make $3.05 million

this season, more than doubling his $1.25 million salary from last year.

Brach's win marked the first time the Orioles have been defeated in arbitration in 22 years, since

right-hander Ben McDonald won his hearing in 1995.

It is just the second time that the Orioles have lost an arbitration hearing in 13 instances since

manager partner Peter Angelos took over the club. The Orioles had won nine straight hearings,

including one this offseason against catcher Calen Joseph.

Brach was one of the three Orioles’ arbitration-eligible players whose salary was unsettled by the

deadline for the team and player to exchange figures last month. The Orioles employed a “file-

and-trial” approach this year, telling players they were ready to go to an arbitration hearing with

all unsettled players with no further negotiation, but settled with right-hander Kevin Gausman

before his scheduled trial date. The Orioles beat catcher Caleb Joseph in arbitration.

Because he had the widest gap in figures – a $525,000 difference – Brach seemed headed to an

arbitration trial all along. He filed at $3.05 million, while the Orioles proposed a $2.525 million

salary. There was some negotiation leading up to the trial, but the sides ultimately went to a

hearing.

“We never really got close enough to the point where I was thinking about [settling] just because

I had a number set in my head,” Brach said. “We just were never able to get to that number. I

knew going into it what the process involves and I was just willing to go [to a hearing]. If there’s

a year to go, being an All-Star like I was last year and having the numbers I thought I put up, I

figured it was a good year to go."

Brach enjoyed his best season as a major leaguer last year, moving into the set-up role in right-

hander Darren O’Day’s absence. He was 10-4 with a 2.05 ERA, 24 holds and two saves in 79

innings. He posted a 0.91 ERA in 49 1/3 innings in the first half of the season, earning a trip to

his first All-Star game. His ERA in the second half rose to 3.94 over 29 2/3 innings. Brach held

right-handed hitters to a .126 clip, but lefties hit .288 against him, a mark that rose in the second

half because he struggled with his changeup.

Still, Brach’s wins above replacement (WAR) was 2.6, which was sixth best among all AL

relievers. Orioles closer Zach Britton lead all AL relievers with a 4.3 WAR.

Brach said that the Orioles – who were represented by Glenn M. Wong, who serves as an outside

counsel to the team – used many metric numbers to make their case, including ones that Brach

admitted he didn’t understand. One of those metrics was gmLI – or game leverage index – which

is a statistic to quantify the pressure situations a reliever is under when he enters the game.

Brach’s gmLI was 1.26, and by comparision, a neutral leverage situation is a gmLI of 1. Britton

led the Orioles with a 1.67 gmLI.

“It’s a lot of just numbers and those metric stuff that I don’t really understand, salary raise-type

stuff,” Brach said. “It’s a lot of stuff that’s not necessarily my stats versus theirs. … They try to

compare it any way they can to try and make it so I don’t get the raise I’m asking for.”

Brach said he didn’t take those arguments personally, realizing that it’s a part of the arbitration

hearing process.

“I can understand you taking it personally, but nobody from the team has said anything,” Brach

said. “I didn’t say anything. You just kind of sit there and you just have to understand that it’s

not personal. And if you take it personal, I can see how you can get mad and it could affect you,

but you just have to go in knowing that it’s not a personal thing.

“Like I said the other day, I’m extremely lucky to play this game and I get paid a really good

salary to play,” Brach said. “We all do and I think if I was going be mad over the difference, I

shouldn’t be playing. I should be doing something else. That’s just the way I look at it.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck-blog/bal-first-full-squad-workout-should-help-

orioles-forget-unhappy-2016-ending-20170216-story.html#nt=oft03a-2gp3

First full-squad workout should help Orioles forget unhappy

2016 ending

By Peter Schmuck / The Baltimore Sun

February 17, 2017

When the Orioles take the field Friday for their first full-squad workout of spring training, they

probably won’t be thinking about the frustrating way they ended the 2016 season.

They’ve had four months to wipe away the memory of their playoff loss to the Toronto Blue

Jays, but there's no substitute for getting back to work and focusing on the challenge of getting

back into position to make a deeper playoff run.

“It makes for a long offseason,” baseball operations chief Dan Duquette said, “but the thing

about this sport is you get to start over every spring. There’s always hope if you have a

contending team and there’s even more hope and reason to be optimistic in the spring.

“It’s gratifying to be in the playoffs, but I think everybody’s clear that we’d like to take another

step and win a championship.”

Though manager Buck Showalter took his share of after-action criticism for holding closer Zach

Britton back for a possible save situation in that extra-inning wild-card loss at Rogers Centre, he

said he didn’t really see a connection between that disappointment and the beginning of this

spring.

“Not me personally,’’ Showalter said. “I think the team is ready to move on from last year. There

were a lot of great things that happened last year. You try not to lose sight of that. I like to dwell

on the positives. … It’s the first time you kind of turn the page on the previous season. But you

have to have that ability with this game as a player, a coach, as a manager, as a general manager

and as a fan.”

The Orioles pitchers and catchers already have been working out for three days and most of the

position players had filtered into camp before Thursday’s official reporting date. Front-line

regulars Chris Davis, Mark Trumbo, Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop all were in the

clubhouse Thursday and some took their first rounds of batting practice.

The mood in the clubhouse has been upbeat and there is a lot more talk about the

upcoming World Baseball Classic and the new season ahead than about anything that happened

last year.

“It was a tough thing to swallow ending the season like that,” reliever Mychal Givens said, “but

that’s why we call it the past. So, we’ll leave that behind and start over with a new season and

we’re happy with the team we’ve got going forward. Hopefully, everything goes according to

plan and we’ll get back in the playoff hunt and hopefully win it.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-for-orioles-second-baseman-jonathan-

schoop-playing-in-wbc-is-about-more-than-pride-20170216-story.html

For Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop, playing in

WBC is about more than pride

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 16, 2017

Like many of those playing in next month’s World Baseball Classic, Orioles second

baseman Jonathan Schoop takes special pride in representing his home country, but for Schoop,

there’s added meaning to playing for the Kingdom of the Netherlands in this year’s WBC.

Schoop hails from Curacao – the tiny Dutch Carribbean island of roughly 150,000 people that

has become a burgeoning haven for baseball talent – and hopes another strong showing for the

Netherlands in Major League Baseball’s showcase international event will create more

opportunities for the next group of young baseball players on the island.

“For us, it’s important so we can send more scouts to Curacao, so we can sign [more players] so

their dreams can come true, too,” Schoop said. “For us to go and represent the country, it’s really

nice for everybody that we’re going to go play for the Netherlands.

Schoop has played a large role in putting Curacao on the baseball map, starting as a 13-year-old

playing for a team from Curacao that won the Little League World Series in 2004. He was also

the starting second baseman on the WBC team that advanced to the semifinals in the most recent

tournament in 2013.

The success of that team four years ago was based around a core group of young players –

including Schoop – who had yet to prove themselves in the majors. But those players have now

emerged into starring roles.

They are coming into their own at the same time, including the 25-year-old Schoop, who enjoyed

the best year of his career last season, hitting 25 homers and driving in 82 runs while playing

exemplary defense at second base and starting all 162 regular-season games.

In 2013, the Netherlands won its pool and beat Cuba twice in the second round to advance to the

semifinals before being eliminated by eventual champion Dominican Republic.

This year, the Netherlands' roster is more seasoned and full of household names. It includes a

talented group of infielders. Schoop will be the Netherlands’ starting second baseman. Gold

Glove winner Andrelton Simmons of the Angels will play shortstop. Red Sox shortstop Xander

Bogaerts will play third. Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius will slot into the infield but mainly

serve as the DH. Infielder Jurickson Profar will play left field.

“I think if we go there and represent the country the way I think we should, I think we’re going

to send more scouts down there and see more kids [playing professionally],” Schoop said. “I

think us [playing well] means they’ll support them.”

Because the Netherlands has its pool play round in South Korea, Schoop will leave Orioles camp

on Feb. 28 (the Orioles have their first full-squad workout on Friday and play their first spring

game on Feb 24). Schoop said having played in the WBC before will help him adjust to leaving

camp early.

“It makes it easier because you’ve got to be a step [ahead] at this time because you have to go to

the WBC and compete,” Schoop said. “It’s not like a game. You’ve got to win. I’m ready for it. I

come here, so I can do my job here, then leave and come here.”

Schoop’s only concern is having to go so far – more than 7,000 miles away – for his first games.

In 2013, the Netherlands opened in Taiwan. But Schoop, who speaks multiple languages, joked

he might ask Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim for a quick crash course in the language.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baltimore-sports-blog/bal-manny-machado-who-brawled-

with-yordano-ventura-reached-out-to-royals-after-his-death-20170216-story.html

Manny Machado, who brawled with Yordano Ventura,

reached out to the Royals after his death

By Jonas Shaffer / The Baltimore Sun

February 16, 2017

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado charged the mound against Kansas City Royals Yordano

Ventura in June in part because of a fundamental fear: that a pitch could keep him out of the

game he loved.

"When somebody's throwing 99 [mph] at you, it's going to hurt," he said after the benches-

clearing brawl at Camden Yards. "You can ruin someone's career."

But in that anger and resentment was a surprising sense of perspective. "Whatever happened,

happened," he said, and he pledged to move on from the night.

When Ventura died in a Jan. 22 car crash in his native Dominican Republic, remembrances of

the 25-year-old evoked his big fastball and the pitch's often troublesome deployment. There was

the Machado brouhaha, the stare down with Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout and a couple of

other dustups.

But bruises fade, tempers cool and players do indeed move on. Among the players who reached

out to the Royals, offering their condolences in the wake of Ventura's shocking death, was

Machado.

“Both those guys [Machado and Trout] reached out and made that sure we were all right,”

Kansas City first baseman Eric Hosmer told The Kansas City Star on Monday.

Royals manager Ned Yost said he wasn't surprised to hear that Machado and Trout had reached

out: Compassion is as much a part of the game as competition.

“Everybody knows that this game is meant to be competed fiercely and hard," he said. "And our

guys understand that. Mike Trout understands that. Because he competes just as hard. And so

does Manny."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-catcher-francisco-pena-back-in-orioles-

camp-after-clearing-waivers-20170216-story.html

Catcher Francisco Pena back in Orioles camp after clearing

waivers

Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

February 16, 2017

Catcher Francisco Pena, who was designated on Friday to make room for right-hander Gabriel

Ynoa, cleared waivers and was back in Orioles camp on Thursday.

Pena said it was difficult waiting, unsure whether he'd be going to another club.

“It’s tougher when you’re in a hotel room not knowing what to do,” he said. “It was good. It’s

baseball. I’m not the first one to go through it, but I’m ready to go. I’m happy to be here and I

can’t wait to get on the field and start working with the guys.

The Orioles’ calculated risk to slide Pena through waivers paid off. Pena was taken off the 40-

man roster and outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, meaning the team no longer must make a difficult

roster decision this spring because Pena had no minor league options remaining. Once he cleared

waivers, he had to accept an assignment to the minors because he has no previous outrights.

Pena and Caleb Joseph are both competing for the backup catcher job behind newcomer

Welington Castillo, and now either one could start the season in the minors without the Orioles

being at risk of losing them.

“I’ve been in this game for a while,” Pena said. You can’t take anything as a surprise in this

game. They just needed a move and it was me. I’ve been ready to go. I was playing winter ball

back home in the Dominican and I never stopped working. I’m still positive and I’m ready to go.

I think I’ve got a good chance with the catching situation here. Just keep working hard and show

what I can do behind the plate.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-chris-johnson-hopes-to-re-energize-career-with-

orioles-20170216-story.html

New infielder Chris Johnson hopes to re-energize his career

with Orioles

By Peter Schmuck / The Baltimore Sun

February 16, 2017

It would be easy to jump to the conclusion that veteran infielder Chris Johnson signed with the

Orioles for the opportunity to be in the same organization with his father, but he’s really here for

the preseason playing time.

The O’s have two starting infielders set to play in the World Baseball Classic, which means he'll

likely show up in a lot of exhibition lineups filling in for Manny Machado at third base.

“I think that was one of the things I liked about coming here,'' said Johnson, who reported to the

Ed Smith Stadium spring training complex on Thursday. "There are some guys in the infield who

are going to be going and playing and I’ll be able to get in there in spring training and show what

I can do. And that’s all I can ask is for an opportunity.”

He will be auditioning for a utility role at the major league level this spring, but likely will open

the regular season playing for his father -- Ron Johnson -- at Triple-A Norfolk. He said he’s not

sure what that would be like, since he never got much chance to play in front of his baseball lifer

dad.

“Weird, I’m sure,'' he said. "It’s weird even being in this locker room right now. He was here

yesterday and it’s just strange running into him, and him coming into the cage and stuff like that.

But I’m sure we’ll get past that weirdness and move on. It should be fun.”

Johnson, who played 136 games or more from 2012-2014 for the Astros, Diamondbacks and

Braves, struggled in a reserve role the past two seasons with the Indians and Marlins but thinks

he has figured out why.

“Probably a couple different things,'' he said. "Just tried to figure out that bench role and being in

there and out of there sometimes. And I think there were a couple mechanical things that I’ve

been working on this past offseason, too, so hopefully I can put all of those together.”

Hunter close with Rays: Right-hander Tommy Hunter, who returned to the Orioles last season

before becoming a free agent in November, reportedly has agreed to terms on a minor league

deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, pending a physical.

Hunter, who was traded to the Cubs at midseason in 2015 and came back late last August,

pitched in 12 games for the Orioles and posted a 2.19 ERA with no decisions.

Around the horn: Right-hander Brad Brach had his arbitration hearing as scheduled on

Thursday in nearby St. Petersburg, Fla. A decision on his case is expected Friday. … Several

position players arrived ahead of Friday’s first full-squad team workout and independently on

Thursday. Among the position players who took batting practice were Mark Trumbo, Chris

Davis, Joey Rickard, Trey Mancini, Chris Johnson, Christian Walker and Chris Dickerson.

Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop and Ryan Flaherty participated in fielding drills on the

facility’s artificial turf field. … Showalter announced the pitchers for the team’s two intrasquad

games next Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday, Mike Wright, Logan Verrett, Zach Stewart,

Jason Garcia, Jayson Aquino, Joe Gunkel will pitch for one team and Tyler Wilson, Gabriel

Ynoa, Donnie Hart, Oliver Drake, Parker Bridwell and Richard Rodriguez. On Wednesday,

Ubaldo Jimenez, Kevin Gausman, Darren O’Day, Brad Brach, Chris Lee, T.J. McFarland and

Jesus Liranzo will pitch for one team and Wade Miley, Dylan Bundy, Zach Britton, Logan

Ondrusek, Mychal Givens and Jed Bradley will throw for the other team. Each pitcher will throw

one inning.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/216306052/jj-hardy-misses-orioles-full-squad-workout/

Hardy slowed by back spasms, misses workout

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com

February 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy has been dealing with low back spasms for

three weeks, and the infielder is hopeful he can start baseball activities in early March.

Hardy -- who didn't participate in Friday's first full-squad workout -- expects to know more soon

but has dealt with back issues before.

"I've done an MRI, I've done a CAT scan, I've got one more bone scan coming up here. And then

when we get all those tests back, we will kind of know what's going on," the 34-year-old said.

"But it feels similar to everything I've had in the past, it was just kind of those spasms, and they

go away, and I'm normal 'til I take time off and start swinging again next spring. When we get

these tests back we'll be able to evaluate."

Hardy, who first felt something the day before he left for FanFest late last month, said at this

point he's "not too concerned" about the injury, noting that Spring Training is longer this year

with the World Baseball Classic.

Hardy was plagued by the issue most notably in 2014, missing several games but managing to

avoid the disabled list.

"Compared to 2014, I think, it happened the first week of the season, it started spasming, and

then I was able to stay off the DL, but I came back way too soon, and it lingered kind of the

whole year," Hardy said. "So it's nice it happened now, and we can kind of get ahead of it before

the season actually starts, so that's a good thing."

Hardy hasn't performed any baseball activities the past three weeks and isn't panicking right now,

though the veteran did acknowledge he'll need to start getting in his reps.

"There's a lot that goes into it to get ready for April 1, so I definitely want to be doing baseball

activities by early March and then [still] be able to get into games," he said. "We haven't set a

timetable because we have no idea what's going on, but that would be ideal for me."

Hardy wasn't expected to play much in Spring Training, particularly early on as Manny

Machado wants to play some shortstop in advance of his time with the Dominican Republic in

the World Baseball Classic. Still, any significant injury for Hardy would be a serious blow to the

Orioles infield.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/216292208/chris-davis-in-orioles-camp-fully-healthy/

Davis enters Spring Training fully healthy

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com

February 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- It took a few weeks for the swelling to go away and when Chris Davis

finally picked up a bat this offseason -- his left thumb injury behind him -- it was an eye opener.

"Because I hadn't realized the impact that it really had on me," said Davis, who suffered the

initial injury at the start of the 2016 season and played through it. "I had almost forgotten what it

felt like to be 100 percent and be able to swing with both hands. It was really a big relief to not

have any pain, and I'm looking forward to getting started again."

Davis, who still hit 38 homers last season, has done some extra stuff this winter to improve his

hand strength and enters Spring Training fully healthy.

"That's something I always take a lot of pride in, and that's something that's really helped me to

be a productive hitter in the past is having good form and hand strength," the 30-year-old said.

"The way I injured it was kind of a freak thing. It was a last-minute dive into the bag basically,

and I don't think there's any way you can prevent that. It's just gotta go in feet-first and do

whatever you can to protect your fingers."

Davis, who was third on the team with 84 RBIs and led the American League in strikeouts, still

feels like there's plenty of room to improve for 2017 and is cognizant that several of his

teammates are approaching free agency.

"You'd be foolish not to realize that or disregard that. We understand that not everybody is going

to be here their whole career, and very few guys play their entire career in one place," said Davis,

who signed a mega-deal with Baltimore last winter. "And we talked about it the last few years.

The older I get and the closer these guys get to free agency or whatever it is, the more you realize

that you have a sense of urgency about winning and going to the postseason with this group of

guys. It's a special group of guys, and there's nobody, no other group that I'd rather do it [with]."

The Orioles, who were able to retain Mark Trumbo and keep most of the clubhouse intact, won't

need to spend much time getting to know the new guys this spring. Instead, they'll continue to

sport a power-laden lineup and hope that one of the few new additions -- 34-year-old

outfielder Seth Smith -- helps steady a feast-or-famine offense.

"I think Seth is going to be good for us because he knows how to work the count, he knows how

to get on base," Davis said. "That's the thing, we know we can hit the ball out of the yard. But I'd

rather see us do it with one or two runners on, or even three -- instead of going up there hitting

solo shots. I think a lot of times when you hit a two- or three-run homer it's really deflating to the

other team as opposed to a solo shot. Really, there's no one person in our lineup who has more

power than the other guy. I think everyone 1 through 9 has the potential to hit the ball out of the

ballpark."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/216291826/orioles-brad-brach-wins-arbitration-hearing/

Brach prevails in arbitration hearing

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com

February 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Brad Brach, who made his first All-Star team last season, prevailed in his

arbitration hearing and will make $3.05 million in 2017.

The Orioles countered his camp's figure with $2.525 million. The news, delivered Friday

morning while the team was stretching, is just the second time in 13 arbitration hearings that an

O's player has won.

Baltimore won its other case with catcher Caleb Joseph already, and Brach's hearing completes

the team's arbitration process.

"The last two nights, it's just been tough with sleep. I wasn't nervous about it. I just wanted it to

be done with," Brach said Friday morning, before he found out the news. "After we went through

everything yesterday, I just want to see how we did basically. Nobody likes to lose."

Brach, 30, made $1.25 million last season and is coming off a career 2016 in which he had a 2.05

ERA, helping fill in the late innings without setup man Darren O'Day.

Brach said that while the two sides were never close to reaching a deal, he didn't harbor any

resentment over having to go to an independent arbitrator.

"I'm extremely lucky to play this game, and I get paid a really good salary to play," Brach said.

"We all do, and I think if I was going be mad over the difference, I shouldn't be playing. I should

be doing something else. That's just the way I look at it."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/216190430/orioles-players-receive-wilson-gloves/

Glove day brings out the kid in Orioles players

By Brittany Ghiroli / The Baltimore Sun

February 16, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- For about a dozen Orioles, Thursday morning was one of the best mornings

of the spring: glove day.

Guys like Zach Britton, Chris Tillman and Darren O'Day were greeted by Wilson Sporting

Goods reps as they picked out -- or picked up -- their desired new glove for 2017.

"They're all like little kids on Christmas," said Ryan Smith, Wilson's product line manager who

was on hand to help guys out.

"This is Christmas Day to them because they come out, they get to get their glove," Smith said.

"Every baseball player loves to come out and get their glove. Guys tweet about this leading up to

it, going, 'Oh man glove day is coming. Can't wait.' That's part of the fun, too. Guys come out,

and they're looking through the bags like little kids, [saying], 'Oh, what's new this year?'"

Some chose gloves right out of the bags with just a few on-site tweaks. Others, like Orioles

reliever Mychal Givens, had special, custom models made for the World Baseball Classic.

"It's really important, especially designing it," Givens said. "Dealing with Wilson the past few

years has been good and having them make my glove for the [World Baseball Classic] has been

a real honor."

Givens' glove is red, white and blue with the American flag on it as he'll play for Team USA

next month. Givens' glove from last season will eventually go into a case, carrying with it the

memories of his debut with the Orioles and going to the postseason.

Givens wasn't alone in asking Smith questions about the new gloves and making tweaks to what

he wanted. Players are very particular about their gloves, and rightfully so.

For Britton, who had the name of his two children etched into this year's model, his new gloves

are typically donated or put on display. The Orioles' closer has been using the same black Wilson

mitt since 2009 -- when he was playing at the Class A Advanced level -- and doesn't plan on

changing anytime soon.

"[It's] just comfort probably," Britton said. "I get a lot of ground balls so I want something that's

broken in that I can field the ground balls with. I had other companies before, but Wilson was it

seems like the most durable. They last a long time."

"There's memories involved," Smith added. "We have guys that use our gloves because they

used A-2000s when they were growing up or in high school, and that's the only glove they want

to use. So, they just keep using Wilsons. It's a really neat thing."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/216187170/chris-johnson-ready-to-compete-for-utility-

job/

Johnson ready to compete for utility job

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com

February 16, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Infielder Chris Johnson, who was signed to a Minor League deal on

Monday, was part of a large group of position players that filtered into the big league clubhouse

for the full-squad report date on Thursday.

Johnson, the son of Triple-A manager Ron Johnson, joked "Who?" when his father was brought

up and acknowledged it would be weird to play for Norfolk this season.

"It's weird even being in this locker room right now," Johnson, 32, said. "He was here yesterday,

and it's just strange running into him and him coming into the cage and stuff like that. But I'm

sure we'll get past that weirdness and move on. It should be fun."

Johnson is looking to rebound after a rough few years. Johnson had a breakout season in 2013

with Atlanta, when he batted .321/.358/.457 with 12 home runs and 68 RBIs. But he's struggled

to come close to that production since and is hopeful that Baltimore is the right landing spot to

get back on track.

"I believe in myself to go to any team and hopefully try to make it better," said Johnson, who is

expected to get a lot of playing time this spring with several infielders leaving for the World

Baseball Classic. "Whatever I have to do -- third base, first base, off the bench, a little bit of left

field -- whatever I can do to help the team and hopefully make the ballclub, then that's what I'll

do."

Pena returns

Francisco Pena, 27, was in Orioles camp on Thursday morning after the catcher cleared waivers

and was outrighted to Norfolk.

"You can't take anything as a surprise in this game," Pena said of the decision to designate him

for assignment last week.

"They just needed a move and it was me. I've been ready to go. I was playing winter ball back

home in the Dominican and I never stopped working. I'm still positive, and I'm ready to go. I

think I've got a good chance with the catching situation here. [I'll] just keep working hard and

show what I can do behind the plate."

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/showalter-on-hardy-nothings-in-

jeopardy.html

Showalter on Hardy: “Nothing’s in jeopardy”

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles held their first full-squad workout today and received more

attention for the one player who wasn’t on the field.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy’s absence, at first believed to be caused by an illness, was due to lower back

spasms that he said began on Jan. 27. He’s undergone an MRI and CT scan and has a bone scan

pending.

“The first one came back, it was good,” said manager Buck Showalter.

There’s cautious optimism in camp regarding Hardy’s condition. He’s experienced back spasms

in the past, the most serious in 2014.

“Usually with J.J. and most players, especially when you’ve had them a while, you can kind of

tell from their body language and their face and he’s got a pretty good face about it,” Showalter

said.

“He was reaching for something at a little awkward angle right at the end of one of his workouts

in the offseason and he felt it grab a little bit. The muscles kind of do things to keep you from

doing something you shouldn’t do. We’ve got an idea what we’re dealing with and it’s nothing

that we haven’t managed in the past. He wouldn’t have played before March 5 anyway.

“I told Richie (Bancells) if everything checked out well, when can I expect him to be on the field

playing and it’s not that long after that, so nothing’s in jeopardy. As soon as we get this last test

in ... The one they had to inject dye on, that one came back pretty good. I’m not going to say I’m

not that concerned, but when we get this other test back, I’ll have a pretty good feel for what

we’re looking at. I don’t want to jinx us by getting ahead, but so far so good.

“It’s just something we want to take care of and not slow play and then a week from now, we

start doing these tests. Let’s just get it done now so we know what we’re dealing with.”

Hardy said earlier today that he wants to begin baseball activities in early March. The Orioles are

hoping he can play no later than March 10.

“I got a date from Richie and the doctors that if everything checks out with the second test, when

we could expect him to be playing in a game,” Showalter said. “Let me get this last test before I

start putting dates on it, but there’s plenty of time, plenty of time.”

Spring training is extended because of the World Baseball Classic, which mostly has brought

complaints but actually is beneficially under these injury circumstances.

“Those are the good parts of it,” Showalter said. “That’s why I think Richie and those guys, not

that they’re always proactive, but they want to move quick and say, ‘OK, here’s what we’re

dealing with, here’s the timeframe.’

“If something like this cropped up in the middle of March, we’d have a little bit different issue.

Right now, barring the third test coming back something negative we’re not foreseeing, then it’s

when and not if.”

In the meantime, Manny Machado worked out at shortstop this morning and will stay at the

position until leaving March 5 for the WBC. Ryan Flaherty and Robert Andino can play

shortstop. The club hasn’t reached out to veteran Paul Janish, who remains a minor league free

agent.

“I just went over Manny’s schedule down here,” Showalter said. “Ryan and Robert and we’ve

got some guys over (minor league camp). We’re in good shape.”

Machado is supposed to play shortstop in the WBC, but it’s possible that he could slide over to

third base after Adrian Beltre strained his left calf muscle. The Dominican

Republic roster includes Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez.

The Orioles have their own health issues, but no one left today’s workout with an injury. It

seemed to run smoothly.

“Everybody left the building last night in good spirits and it carried over today,” Showalter said.

“If we didn’t have the facility we had today, we wouldn’t have been able to get some things in

with the pitchers because it overlapped. We need five days to cover team defense with the

pitchers before the position players get here, which usually happens, but now it’s three and we’re

not going to turn them loose until we cover everything, so we had to use the small diamond and

rotate the fields. But we used every field today and the half field and the cages, and we were able

to kind of camouflage ...

“We got everything covered we needed to cover. Not many facilities could have withstood our

needs today.”

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/hardy-provides-update-on-back-

spasms.html

Hardy provides update on back spasms

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy spent about 3 1/2 minutes at this locker updating

the media on the condition of his lower back. He hasn’t done any baseball activities since the

spasms started.

“Backs spasms,” he said. “Had them for a couple weeks now. We’re running a bunch of tests to

make sure we can rule everything out. I’ve done an MRI, I’ve done a CT scan.

I’ve got one more, bone scan, coming up here. And then when we get all those tests back, we’ll

kind of know what’s going on.

“It feels similar to everything I’ve had in the past. It was just kind of those spasms and they go

away and I’m normal until I take time off and start swinging again next spring. When we get

these tests back we’ll be able to evaluate.”

On level of concern: “Not too concerned, just because I’ve dealt with this pretty much every

year. I don’t think it’s a big deal, but spring training has started early this year, so I feel like we

got enough time to not push it and get it right.”

On when spasms started: “It actually happened the day before I flew out to FanFest. I was

getting ready to work out, and it started spasming up. The flight out to Baltimore probably didn’t

help too much, and then the flight back from Baltimore probably didn’t help too much. That’s

why I think I’m still dealing with it a little bit now.”

On comparing the spasms to 2014: “Compared to 2014, I think it happened the first week of

the season, it started spasming and then I was able to stay off the DL, but I came back way too

soon and it lingered kind of the whole year. It’s nice it happened now and we can kind of get

ahead of it before the season actually starts, so that’s a good thing.

“It feels similar. The only difference is that this has taken a little longer than the times in the

past. I think that’s why we’re doing all the tests.”

On whether he would be slow-played without the spasms: “I could be connected with this, but

I think that was his plan anyway because spring training is so long this year. It actually works in

our favor to be able to take our time and get ahead of it and not worry about it the whole season

like in 2014.”

On importance of spring training: “It’s definitely important. Every spring training, I’ve been

able to do everything, get my repetitions in, get my ground balls, batting. There’s a lot that goes

into it to get ready for April 1, so I definitely want to be doing baseball activities by early March

and then (still) be able to get into games. We haven’t set a timetable because we have no idea

what’s going on, but that would be ideal for me.”

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/hardy-undergoing-ct-scan-on-lower-

back.html

Hardy undergoing CT scan on lower back (updated)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Shortstop J.J. Hardy remained absent from the Orioles’ workouts today as

the full squad gathered on the back fields. He also wasn’t in camp.

Hardy left the complex to receive a CT scan on his sore lower back. He had an MRI yesterday

and the Orioles wanted to follow up with further testing.

Hardy was in street clothes this morning while teammates put on their spring uniforms and

headed outdoors.

Manny Machado worked out at shortstop this morning for one of the drills on the Camden Yards

replica field. He’s going to play the position before heading to the World Baseball Classic on

March 5.

The Orioles would have slow-played Hardy, 34, but the discomfort in his back is keeping him

from performing drills.

Robert Andino worked out today upon his return to the Orioles and can play shortstop. Ryan

Flaherty is capable of playing all four infield positions. Veteran Paul Janish remains a minor

league free agent.

Hardy is in the final guaranteed year of his contract, which includes a $14 million vesting option

for 2018 and $2 million buyout. He told reporters at FanFest last month that he felt good

physically.

Hardy went on the disabled list May 3 with a fractured bone in his left foot. He wasn’t activated

until June 18. He began the 2015 season on the DL with a sore shoulder and returned to it in

August 2015 with a groin injury. He also missed time in 2014 due to back soreness.

Manager Buck Showalter will provide an update on Hardy following the workout.

Chris Tillman is expected to begin the season on the DL after receiving a platelet-rich plasma

injection in his right shoulder in late December, ending his streak of three consecutive opening

day starts.

Update: Hardy said he’s been experiencing back spasms since Jan. 27, the day before FanFest.

He’s got one more test scheduled and doesn’t seem concerned at the moment. The only

difference from previous episodes is the spasms started earlier.

Hardy said ideally he would begin baseball activities on March 1.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/brach-wins-arbitration-hearing.html

Brach wins arbitration hearing

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - As the Orioles went through their early stretching exercises this morning

prior to the first full-squad workout, manager Buck Showalter walked through a line of players

on one of the back fields and yelled, “Brach won!”

Teammates applauded reliever Brad Brach, the volume a little louder than the standard golf clap.

One player demanded that Brach pay for dinner tonight.

The price of winning an arbitration hearing.

Brach will receive $3.05 million instead of the $2.525 million offered by the club. He made

$1.250 million last season.

The Orioles are 11-2 in hearings since Peter Angelos became majority owner, the only previous

loss coming against pitcher Ben McDonald in 1995. They’re 3-1 since hiring Dan Duquette as

executive vice president of baseball operations, defeating pitcher Brad Bergesen in 2012,

outfielder Alejandro De Aza in 2015 and catcher Caleb Joseph this spring.

The Orioles settled with Kevin Gausman before his hearing and no longer have any cases

pending.

General counsel H. Russell Smouse was 8-0 in hearings, but he retired and didn’t handle any of

the cases this spring.

Brach was 10-4 with a 2.05 ERA and 1.038 WHIP in 71 appearances, and his 2.6 WAR ranked

sixth among American League relievers. He was chosen to his first All-Star team.

Meanwhile, shortstop J.J. Hardy is absent so far from today’s workout. He’s been sick for the

past few days and was in street clothes this morning.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/davis-on-his-health-smith-on-his-new-

team.html

Davis on his health, Smith on his new team

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis continues to swing a bat without pain in

his left thumb, one of the most positive developments in the first week of camp.

He’s no longer hindered by an injury that required constant treatments last season and forced him

to make adjustments at the plate that didn’t bring the desired results.

“I think the biggest thing was really the rest and the time off and not having the physical contact

and the beating that I did every day when I was swinging and taking balls at first base,” said

Davis, who finished with a .221/.332/.459 slash line, 21 doubles, 38 home runs, 84 RBIs and 219

strikeouts - most in the majors - in 157 games.

“Really, after the first three or four weeks the swelling went completely away and I haven’t had

anything, any issues or swelling since I started hitting. So, I think the biggest thing is just rest

and obviously I didn’t have time to rest during the season last year.

“I’ve done stuff here and there just to improve my hand strength. That’s something I always take

a lot of pride in and that’s something that’s really helped me to be a productive hitter in the past

is having good form and hand strength.”

The injury occurred on an awkward slide/dive into second base in April, a “freak thing,” as

Davis called it.

“I don’t think there’s any way you can prevent that,” he said. “It’s just got to go in feet-first and

do whatever you can to protect your fingers.

“It was kind of an eye-opener for me because I hadn’t realized the impact that it really had on

me. I had almost forgotten what it felt like to be 100 percent and be able to swing with both

hands. It was really a big relief to not have any pain and I’m looking forward to getting started

again.”

Davis is the latest Oriole to insist that the team has moved on from last year’s wild card game.

Nothing’s gained by dwelling on a loss.

“I think guys have done that and I think they’re professional as far as dealing with the results and

reflecting and then moving on,” he said. “Obviously, we weren’t happy with the way that it

ended. We fought and clawed to get in that spot and the way it ended, just the timing of

everything, it was really tough. It’s going to be interesting to see the attitude of the new guys and

the overall attitude of the camp over the next few days.”

The holdovers know about the window closing, the contracts that are set to expire this year and

in 2018. They feel the growing sense of urgency. No one denies that it’s there.

“You’d be foolish not to realize that or disregard that,” Davis said. “We understand that not

everybody is going to be here their whole career and very few guys play their entire career in one

place. And we talked about it the last few years.

“The older I get and the closer these guys get to free agency or whatever it is, the more you

realize that you have a sense of urgency about winning and going to the postseason with this

group of guys. It’s a special group of guys and there’s nobody, no other group that I’d rather do

it with.”

Most of the team is back, the core untouched beyond catcher Matt Wieters’ exit via free agency.

“That’s really nice to have whenever you walk in for a new season to have a lot of the same

group,” Davis said. “And not only the same group, but a lot of guys have been together for five

and six years. That’s a long time in this game.

“A lot of it has to do with the type of players we have and the type of guys we bring it. We take a

lot of pride in our clubhouse and the way we go about our business, to really respect each other

and enjoy being around one another.”

Outfielder Seth Smith is one of the newbies, his appeal being the career .344 on-base percentage

in 10 major league seasons. The Orioles could use the added dimension, increasing their total

from one.

“I think Seth is going to be good for us because he knows how to work the count, he knows how

to get on base,” Davis said. “That’s the thing. We know we can hit the ball out of the yard, but

I’d rather see us do it with one or two runners on, or even three instead of going up there hitting

solo shots.

“I think a lot of times when you hit a two- or three-run homer, it’s really deflating to the other

team as opposed to a solo shot. Really, there’s no one person in our lineup who has more power

than the other guy. I think everyone one through nine has the potential to hit the ball out of the

ballpark.”

Smith did it in four straight games against the Orioles last summer at Safeco Field.

“It was a fun four days for me and our team,” Smith said.

Smith hit 16 home runs last season for the Mariners, one below his career high set in 2010 with

the Rockies. But the Orioles would settle for having him set the table for their mashers.

“At this point I am the kind of player that I am,” he said. “That’s what I’m going to try to bring

every day and do the best I can and if that’s getting on base, great. If I can hit a couple homers

like the rest of the guys, that would be good, too.”

Smith is fast becoming one of the guys in a clubhouse that embraces outsiders.

“It’s been great,” he said. “Guys are welcoming and it does feel like a family-type atmosphere,

which I’ve been a part of in the past on other clubs. It’s nice when the guys are kind of all buying

in and on the same page. I’ve only been here 12 hours, but that seems to be the case so far.”

Smith has observed the Orioles from the opposite dugout, how they’ve led the majors in home

runs and beat teams into submission. The power displays will be more enjoyable from the inside.

“I’ve enjoyed watching the Orioles kind of do their thing for a while now and to be a part of it is

going to be fun,” he said.

“I knew Mark (Trumbo) and I kept up with him a little bit. And just watching the lineup and

some of the stars that are in the lineup, the big power guys. It’s fun. I didn’t check the box score

daily, but you watch highlights and you see the fun things that they’re able to do.”

It appears that every player has reported to camp besides pitcher Nate Adcock, who was removed

from the camp roster due to injury. We spotted Robert Andino, who smiled at all the familiar

faces in the media. Dariel Alvarez walked through the clubhouse this morning.

Adam Jones hasn’t been at his locker during the media’s access time, but we know that he’s

here.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/brach-back-from-arbitration-hearing-and-

ready-to-resume-routine.html

Brach back from arbitration hearing and ready to resume

routine

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles reliever Brad Brach should find out early this afternoon whether he

won or lost his arbitration hearing. He only knows now that there is no animosity and both sides

are ready to move on from the process.

Brach returned to Sarasota yesterday around 3:30 p.m. and did some throwing to work up a

sweat. Back to business as usual.

“It’s kind of like a rollercoaster,” he said. “When we said our case, it was great, and then when

they said theirs, I thought we were going to lose. I don’t know. We’ll see.

“It wasn’t as bad as we were expecting it to be. It’s not like they sit there and bash you for an

hour long. They just bring up, it seemed like now it was a lot of metrics. so it was a lot of stuff I

don’t understand. We’ll see today.

“I can understand you taking it personally, but nobody from the team has said anything. I didn’t

say anything. You just kind of sit there and you just have to understand that it’s not personal.

And if you take it personal, I can see how you can get mad and it could affect you, but you just

have to go in knowing that it’s not a personal thing.”

Glenn Wong, who serves as an outside counsel for the Orioles, handled the team’s case. H.

Russell Smouse retired with an 8-0 record in hearings.

Brach’s side noted his 10-4 record, 2.05 ERA, 1.038 WHIP and first All-Star selection, among

other positive attributes.

“It’s a lot of just numbers and the metric stuff that I don’t really understand, salary raise-type

stuff,” he said. “It’s a lot of stuff that’s not necessarily my stats versus theirs. They try to

compare it any way they can to try and make it so I don’t get the raise I’m asking for.

“The last two nights it’s just been tough with sleep. I wasn’t nervous about it. I just wanted it to

be done with. After we went through everything yesterday, I just want to see how we did,

basically. Nobody likes to lose. Hopefully, I get some good news here.”

Brach is getting a raise no matter the result. He made $1.250 million last season and will receive

$3.05 million or $2.525 million.

“Like I said the other day, I’m extremely lucky to play this game and I get paid a really good

salary to play,” he said. “We all do, and I think if I was going be mad over the difference, I

shouldn’t be playing. I should be doing something else. That’s just the way I look at it.”

The Orioles made one final attempt to reach agreement before the hearing.

“We never really got close enough to the point where I was thinking about it just because I had a

number set in my head,” Brach said. “We just were never able to get to that number. I knew

going into it what the process involves and I was just willing to go. If there’s a year to go, being

an All-Star like I was last year and having the numbers I thought I put up, I figured it was a good

year to go.”

Brach said he didn’t talk to manager Buck Showalter about the hearing. No one checked on his

mental state.

“If they were worried about me, I think they might have said something,” he said. “I understood

the process going in. Pretty much it was exactly what I thought was going to happen. They’re

going to look at the stats one way; we’re going to look at the stats the other way. Someone is

going to come out as the victor, I guess you could say.”

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/can-bradley-avoid-being-left-out.html

Can Bradley avoid being left out?

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will begin their first full-squad workout this morning still unsure

where they’re going to find another left-hander for their bullpen.

They’ve got Zach Britton to close, and each day this week has brought another reporter into

camp to set up at his locker. (See what I did there?) They’ve got rookie Donnie Hart to match up

against left-handed hitters. And manager Buck Showalter indicated this week that he could bring

another southpaw to Camden Yards, the preference being a long reliever.

He’s still trying to figure out what he’s got in Jed Bradley, one of the non-roster invitees on the

roster.

Bradley, as you may recall, was designated for assignment and outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk

one month after the Orioles claimed him off waivers from the Braves on Oct. 7. He was

supposed to provide left-handed bullpen depth, but could he offer more?

Showalter figured that Bradley would report to the minor league complex at Twin Lakes Park,

perhaps be summoned for a batch of Grapefruit League games to assure that the

Orioles wouldn’t run out of pitching. That seemed to be the plan, but it changed after Showalter

discussed Bradley with executive vice president Dan Duquette.

“The more that I listened to Dan and other people, they felt like he could compete for a spot,”

Showalter said.

New pitching coach Roger McDowell worked with Bradley in Atlanta and offered his

endorsement of the former first-round pick, who’s now 26 and pitching for this third

organization since the start of the 2016 season.

“Roger’s very familiar with him, had him last year,” Showalter said. “Good changeup, left-

handed, a lot of people think he could potentially fit in some left-on-left stuff. Could start for us.

Really good depth piece at the worst. But those guys have a way of emerging.

“Had a lot of people who thought we should take a look at him here in camp, so we did.”

Bradley’s major league resume consists of six relief appearances last summer. He allowed four

runs and seven hits in seven innings, walking six (two intentional) and striking out four. He was

scored upon in three of the six outings.

The splits were backward for Bradley, with right-handers going 1-for-11 and left-handers going

6-for-15.

Bradley was 9-5 with a 3.09 ERA in 35 minor league games, including 13 starts, between

Double-A Biloxi, Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. The Braves acquired him from

the Brewers on June 2 for a player to be named or cash considerations.

The most likely scenario places Bradley at Norfolk to start the season, especially if they don’t

break camp with 12 pitchers, but the Orioles will keep a collective open mind.

“Obviously, you try not to look too far ahead,” he said. “You want to come in, you want to have

a good camp and showcase my abilities and do the best I can and remove the expectation factor

from it. But yeah, I’d love to fill that spot, absolutely.”

The connection to McDowell won’t hurt, but he’ll still need to earn a job, earn the trust of his

current manager and staff.

“Anytime you can come into a camp and have somebody that previously had eyes on you, it’s a

huge benefit,” Bradley said. “I got to work with Roger a little in Atlanta in my very brief time

over there, but it’s definitely a positive.”

Bradley made the rounds his first day, introducing himself and shaking hands. He’s comfortable

in his new surroundings, a common occurrence around here.

“I think it’s a phenomenal camp,” he said. “So far I’ve just been here three days, but I’ve been

really impressed with how Buck runs this camp and the clubhouse environment has really been

incredible. Very welcoming. Can’t ask for any more than that.”

Well, maybe a spot in the bullpen.

Brad Brach will return to camp this morning after attending his arbitration hearing yesterday in

St. Petersburg, Fla. He’s going to find out whether the Orioles are paying him $3.05 million or

$2.525 million.

As they did with their other two pending cases, the Orioles made a final attempt to sign Brach

before the hearing. They couldn’t come to an agreement and the process played out.

Brach missed his hug from second baseman Jonathan Schoop, but it’s coming this morning.

Schoop had a warm embrace for everyone, the constant extending of his arms giving him a head

start on the morning stretches.

“This is the best thing ever, coming back and seeing them, because we text back and forth,” he

said. “We come back and see them and come back and see family. That’s the best thing. You

have your family back home and this is a part of my family, too.”

“Even in the offseason, we talk with each other. That’s chemistry. We have really good

chemistry down here and ever since I got called up, they treated me like I belong here.

That’s the best thing you can have.”

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/showalter-on-team-getting-back-

together.html

Showalter on team “getting back together”

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 16, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter monitored the rundown drills on every

back field this morning, offering instruction and making sure they were done properly before

moving to the next location. He also watched batting practice on the Camden Yards replica field,

chatting with Chris Davis as the slugger waited his next turn in the cage.

Showalter seemed to be at his happiest after spotting Manny Machado taking ground balls

beside Jonathan Schoop on the turf field. He walked over to his third baseman and hugged him.

All was right in his baseball world.

“There’s only two or three guys I haven’t seen,” Showalter said. “It’s nice. Other players see

that. It’s also a tribute to the facility. Guys like coming here. They all say it’s the best they go to,

especially guys coming to our organization. Getting back together.

“I try to leave them alone in the offseason, but it’s hard. I really like talking to them and being

around. Everybody does. I think it’s something we have going for us. Guys really sincerely

respect and like each other.

“When you’ve been through a lot of the battles we’ve been through together, there’s so many

things that are unspoken. You know just looking at each other. I don’t want to get too cuddly

here. You try to give them their space but you enjoy being around them. You enjoy what we’re

getting ready to undertake here.”

The first full-squad workout will be held on Friday, but today had a different feel to it as most of

the position players reported to camp.

“It was good to see Manny and them,” Showalter said. “I talked to Manny a little bit. Going to

play him at shortstop down here, get him ready for (the WBC). He’s kind of gotten verified he’s

going to be playing shortstop, so I want to get him ready for that.

“I told him tomorrow I’d give him a schedule of games and let him pick which ones he wants to

play shortstop in. It sounds like he wants to play a lot.”

J.J. Hardy wasn’t going to play much anyway in the early portion of the exhibition schedule.

“It doesn’t take anything away from him,” Showalter said.

Schoop will be the first Oriole to leave for the WBC, heading out on Feb. 28 to join Team

Netherlands.

“He’s looking forward to it,” Showalter said. “He looks good.”

Schoop will be one of the players who’s active in the early games because of his extended

absence later in camp.

“We’ll see if it’s so much that they make road trips,” Showalter said, smiling.

Showalter checked on Chris Tillman again today to make sure there were no shoulder issues

after yesterday’s game of catch.

“I caught him on a back field, Field 2, throwing a ball to home plate,” Showalter said. “I said, ‘I

caught you,’ and he goes, ‘No, I was way down here.’”

Tillman lowered his arm slot to show that he wasn’t technically throwing.

“I said, ‘No. Anything that you have to move your arm forward on is a no-no.’ “

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/notes-on-brach-and-todays-workout.html

Notes on Brach and today’s workout

By Roch Kubatko / The MASNsports.com

February 16, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Brad Brach had his arbitration hearing this morning in St.

Petersburg, Fla., with no agreement reached before entering the room. The result is expected on

Friday.

Manager Buck Showalter said there are only three position players that he hasn’t seen today, but

he’s been told they’re in town.

The Orioles team introductory meeting will take place tonight, allowing Showalter to take

attendance.

Chris Davis, Mark Trumbo and Chris Dickerson took batting practice in the same group. Manny

Machado played catch with Jonathan Schoop and took ground balls with him at shortstop.

Infielder Johnny Giavotella also reported today.

The media is waiting to see Seth Smith, Dariel Álvarez, Robert Andino and Logan Schafer.

Showalter confirmed that Machado will play shortstop here before leaving on March 5 for the

World Baseball Classic. Machado is allowed to pick the games.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy wasn’t going to play much in the early portion of camp, so he’s not really

impacted. Meanwhile, second baseman Schoop will be kept busy before leaving camp on Feb.

28.

Chris Tillman’s shoulder felt good after playing catch again yesterday. Showalter joked that he

caught Tillman throwing to the plate today on Field 2.

Former Orioles reliever Tommy Hunter agreed to a minor league deal with the Rays.

Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson are the starters for the intrasquad game on Feb. 21. Logan

Verrett, Zach Stewart, Jason Garcia, Jayson Aquino and Joe Gunkel also will pitch for Team 1,

and Gabriel Ynoa, Donnie Hart, Oliver Drake, Parker Bridwell and Richard Rodríguez will pitch

for Team 2.

Ubaldo Jiménez and Wade Miley are the starters for the intrasquad game on Feb. 22. Brach,

Kevin Gausman, Darren O’Day, Chris Lee, T.J. McFarland and Jesús Liranzo also will pitch for

Team 1, and Dylan Bundy, Zach Britton, Logan Ondrusek, Mychal Givens and Jed Bradley will

pitch for Team 2.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2017/02/beast-of-the-east-can-anyone-knock-

boston-off-the-top-spot.html

Beast of the East: Can anyone knock Boston off the top

spot?

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

February 17, 2017

Just like the Orioles, the Boston Red Sox failed to win a playoff game in 2016. But unlike the

Orioles, the Red Sox did use an 11-game September winning streak to surge to an American

League East division championship.

After finishing in last place in 2014 and 2015, Boston won 93 games last season and took the

division by four games over both Baltimore and Toronto. Now that Boston is back on top in the

AL East, the Red Sox look very much poised to stay there for a while.

It would be very hard to pick against them to win again this year and I don’t expect to see many

do that. Boston has a strong front office and farm system, a ballpark that is full every night, a

manager that has led the team to two AL East championships in four years and a big budget to

spend for talent. During the winter, they added left-hander Chris Sale, one of the best pitchers in

the game and Rick Porcello, a 22-game winner and last season’s Cy Young winner, may now be

no better than their No. 3 starter.

More notes on the team:

* Boston led the majors with 878 runs scored in 2016, the 10th-highest single-season total in

franchise history. The Red Sox scored five or more runs 93 times, most in MLB and went 78-15

(.839) in such games.

* Boston led the majors in batting average (.282), OBP (.348), slugging (.461), OPS (.810) and

doubles (343).

* The Red Sox ranked second in the majors with a +184 run differential. The only other AL team

with a run differential of at least +100 was Cleveland (+101).

* Six regulars in their lineup produced an OPS of .802 or better, three drove in 111 runs or more

and four hit 25 or more home runs.

While Boston does lose retired DH David Ortiz, who had an OPS of 1.021 and drove in 127

runs, they return the young trio of 24-year-olds in right fielder Mookie Betts and shortstop

Xander Bogaerts and 26-year-old center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to lead the team for years to

come. To that mix they add outfielder Andrew Benintendi, who is rated as the No. 1 prospect in

baseball by Baseball America, MLB.com and ESPN.

Is this an embarrassment of riches? Will they embarrass the rest of the AL East for the forseeable

future?

So, after all this, are there any reasons for Orioles fans to have hope that Boston may not be as

good as it looks on paper?

Yes, there are a few. For one, Ortiz is gone. Also, Porcello produced easily a career year, one

where his ERA dropped from 4.92 to 3.15 and his career ERA is 4.20. And of course, a few

players might be expected to see a drop-off in their stats and 2016 production.

Two players that may not fall off and more likely may be headed for stardom, if not there

already, are Betts and Bogaerts. Both had huge years last season, but they were already on the

rise by 2015.

But from 2013-2015, Bradley Jr. had a slash line of .213/.290/.349 and homered 10 times in 785

plate appearances. Then last year he hit .267/.349/.486 and mashed 26 home runs.

We know Dustin Pedroia, a four-time All-Star is pretty good. But his .825 OPS was his highest

since 2011 and his .318 batting average was his highest since 2008.

First baseman Hanley Ramirez hit .286/.361/.505 last year with 30 homers, 111 RBIs and an

OPS of .866. That was the most homers he has hit in a year since 2008 and a career-high in

RBIs. Also, just once since 2009 had he posted an OPS that good.

Some of these players may regress somewhat and the team’s offense overall may as well,

especially coming off such a strong season with the bats. But Sale and David Price, should Price

improve on his 3.99 ERA, could more than make up for any offensive fall-off.

Boston looks very good and you have to struggle to find some potential chinks in the armor.

When 162 games have been played, will the Red Sox look as good in the standings as they do

right now on paper, before a single game has been played?

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2017/02/talking-chemistry-prp-injections-and-a-

note-from-aberdeen.html

Talking chemistry, PRP injections and a note from Aberdeen

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

February 16, 2017

When it comes to baseball, there is seemingly a stat for everything. Beyond traditional stats, we

can find the so-called advanced stats such as Weighted Runs Created and Weighted On-Base

Average, and we can find stats for Defensive Runs Saved and pitching stats for Line Drive Rate

and Home Run to Fly Ball ratio. And that is just scratching the surface.

But can everything be explained with a stat - traditional or otherwise? Not really. Not hardly.

On MLB Network yesterday, “MLB Now” host Brian Kenny and his panelists discussed team

chemistry. Is it important? Jim Thome was on the panel and the one-time Oriole basically said

chemistry is very important.

Kenny is a lightning rod for criticism at times, for those that don’t buy into sabermetrics and

advanced stats to his level. I find his show enlightening and I’m open to listening to his thoughts

any time. Heck, I bought his book. Forked over, you know, actual dollars. But I don’t agree

when he dismisses the impact of chemistry.

I wonder if he and others feel that way because we can’t quantify it. I find some sabermatricians

always want to be able to explain with a stat why something happened. Why a team scored 50

more runs year over year or why a player hit 25 homers one year and 35 the next.

Chemistry is something you feel in a clubhouse. It’s a feeling you get being around a team. You

can’t quantify that or even know for sure it’s important. But so many players over the years have

told me it’s important that after a while you learn to believe them.

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy said this at FanFest: “Any time that you are close with a bunch of

guys in the clubhouse, the camaraderie and chemistry people talk about and don’t really

understand, but it’s true. When you come to the ballpark every day and like the people you’re

around, it makes it a lot easier.”

How many wins is that worth? No one knows. But it is important and in my opinion can’t be

dismissed just because we can’t put a number on it. Winning teams in just about every sport

seem to often cite chemistry. What comes first the winning or the chemistry?

Just because we can’t quantify it like a batting average, ERA or an on-base percentage is no

reason to diminish the importance of chemistry. There is a reason that many reporters and

players over the years have indicated it is important - because it is, even without a stat to back

that up.

Britton went through it, too: The news this week that Chris Tillman had a platelet-rich plasma

(PRP) injection in his right shoulder reminded me that several Orioles pitchers in recent years

have had such injections. This list includes Dylan Bundy, Hunter Harvey and Branden Kline.

Those three all eventually needed Tommy John surgery, but they had elbow issues and not

shoulder inflammation/soreness.

One pitcher that did have a shoulder PRP injection is Orioles closer Zach Britton. He had one in

March 2012 for an inflammed left shoulder, something similar that Tillman is dealing with now.

A few years after that - for this article in June 2015 - I asked Britton about his PRP injection.

Keep in mind Britton had this done at a time when they are not nearly as prevalent as they are

now.

Britton never needed shoulder surgery - he had inflammation, nothing more serious - and said the

PRP injection eventually led him back to full health. But he also said what he learned and has

done in the aftermath of getting the injection has proved very important for him and his left

shoulder.

“When I got it done, Dr. (James) Andrews told me there wasn’t a lot research on it, but he told

me he thought it was a way to help get blood flowing to the shoulder,” Britton said then. “The

biggest thing for me was the time off and the rehab. It helped jumpstart it a little bit.”

Since those type of injections were relatively new at that time, did Britton have any concerns

about getting one?

“Not really,” he said. “We didn’t want to do a cortisone shot at that time. That might just mask a

problem. We felt this was the best option to get some healing in there. We felt that was a good

route to go then.”

Britton also explained that “shoulder maintenance” became important to him even more so after

his PRP injection. That involved everything from shoulder exercises he began to do more to

adjustments he made to his long-toss program.

IronBirds new video board: The Aberdeen IronBirds, the Orioles’ short-season Single-A

affiliate, has announced plans for installation of a new 1,500 square foot high-definition video

board and live score line display at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium. Funded by Ripken Baseball,

the new additions will be fully installed and operational in time for the IronBirds’ 2017 home

opener against the Hudson Valley Renegades on June 19.

“Our investment represents much more than just an improvement to the facility,” said IronBirds

general manager Matt Slatus. “This project is a testament of our commitment to providing the

ultimate, family-fun experience, as well as our dedication to the Harford County community. Our

fans are going to love the upgrade and all that it brings.”

Manufactured and installed by industry-leader Daktronics, the display will measure 30 feet high

by 50 feet wide and feature a 15HD pixel layout for an enhanced viewing experience from all

parts of the ballpark. The new video board and line display will replace the original display that

was installed prior to the IronBirds’ inaugural season in 2002.

The IronBirds will also utilize the new display by hosting a monthly, free Community Movie

Night Series. Throughout the summer while the team is on the road, fans, families and the local

community will be invited to enjoy movies from the outfield comforts of Ripken Stadium.

This is great: Watch this video. The baseball team from the University of Arizona recreates

scenes from the film “Major League.” If they play this year as well as they produced this video,

they could have a big year.

“My kind of team,” skipper Lou Brown might say. “My kind of team.”

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18704638/baltimore-orioles-lose-first-arbitration-case-22-

years-brad-brach-gets-305m

Reliever Brad Brach hands Orioles first arbitration loss in

22 years

Associated Press

February 17, 2017

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Reliever Brad Brach became the first player to beat the Baltimore

Orioles in salary arbitration in 22 years, ending the team's nine-hearing winning streak.

Brach was awarded $3.05 million instead of the team's offer of $2,525,000 by arbitrators Edna

Francis, Robert Herzog and Sylvia Skratek. The panel issued its decision, Friday, a day after

hearing arguments.

Brad Brach's 10-4 record, 2.05 ERA and career-high 71 appearances last season helped the

reliever win his salary arbitration case against Baltimore.

A right-hander who turns 31 in April, Brach was 10-4 with a 2.05 ERA in a career-high 71

appearances last year and made $1.3 million. He struck out 92, also a career best, in 79 innings

and had two saves.

Baltimore had not lost since its case against pitcher Ben McDonald in 1995. Orioles backup

catcher Caleb Joseph lost his case this month and will get $700,000 rather than his $1 million

request.

Players and teams have split 14 decisions this offseason. New York Yankees reliever Dellin

Betances was the final case Friday, and the 15 hearings are the most since clubs won 10 of 16

decisions in 1994.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18698935/baltimore-orioles-pitcher-brad-brach-goes-

arbitration-asks-305m

Orioles pitcher Brad Brach asking for $3.05M in arbitration

Associated Press

February 16, 2017

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Reliever Brad Brach became the second Baltimore Orioles player to

go to arbitration this winter, asking for a raise to $3.05 million rather than the team's offer of

$2,525,000.

Arbitrators Edna Francis, Robert Herzog, Sylvia Skratek listened to arguments Thursday and are

expected to issue their decision Friday.

Orioles reliever Brad Brachs is hoping his 10-4 record, 2.05 ERA and a career-high 71

appearances last season will help him win his $3.05 million arbitration bid against Baltimore.

A right-hander who turns 31 in April, Brach was 10-4 with a 2.05 ERA in a career-high 71

appearances last year and made $1.3 million. He struck out 92, also a career best, in 79 innings

and had two saves.

Orioles backup catcher Caleb Joseph lost his case this month and will get $700,000 rather this

his $1 million request. The Orioles have won nine straight decisions since losing to pitcher Ben

McDonald in 1995.

Teams have won seven of 13 cases this offseason, and the sides are on track for 15 hearings, the

most since clubs won 10 of 16 decisions in 1994. New York Yankees reliever Dellin Betances is

the final case.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/02/17/back-spasms-delay-jj-hardys-spring-training-debut-

for-orioles

Back Spasms Delay J.J. Hardy's Spring Training Debut

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com

February 17, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy has yet to take a ground ball during spring

training, and he may not for a few weeks.

Hardy's lower back has been acting up. He received an MRI and CT-Scan Feb. 17 and will have

a bone density scan, but he says he's not worried about the setback.

"Not too concerned, just because I've dealt with this pretty much every year," Hardy said. "I don't

think it's a big deal, but spring training has started early this year, so I feel like we got enough

time to not push it and get it right."

At FanFest Jan. 28, Hardy said he felt strong. He did miss seven weeks during the 2016 season

because of a fracture in his left foot.

"Last year, honestly, was about as good as I've felt since high school," Hardy said. "I had the

fluke injury with the foul ball off my foot, but other than that, I felt pretty good."

Ironically, Hardy said his back began flaring up the day before FanFest and was exacerbated by

flights to and from Baltimore.

It's a big year for Hardy. If he has 600 plate appearances, a figure he hasn't reached since 2013,

his $14 million option for 2018 will kick in. Otherwise, the Orioles can buy him out for $2

million.

Hardy, who has been on the disabled list for shoulder, groin and oblique injuries during the first

six years of his Oriole career, missed time in 2014 with a back injury.

"I think it happened the first week of the season [in 2014], it started spasming, and then I was

able to stay off the DL, but I came back way too soon and it lingered kind of the whole year,"

Hardy said. "So it's nice it happened now, and we can kind of get ahead of it before the season

actually starts, so that's a good thing."

Third baseman Manny Machado was already going to play shortstop in the early part of spring

training to prepare for playing there with the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

"We've got an idea what we're dealing with, and it's nothing that we haven't managed in the past.

He wouldn't have played before March 5 anyway," manager Buck Showalter said. "I told [trainer

Richie Bancells], 'If everything checked out well, when can I expect him to be on the field

playing?' And it's not that long after that, so nothing's in jeopardy.

"I've got a date from Richie and the doctors that if everything checks out with the second test,

when we could expect him to be playing in a game. Let me get this last test before I start putting

dates on it, but there's plenty of time, plenty of time."

If Hardy misses time and Machado is gone, utility man Ryan Flaherty and non-roster infielder

Robert Andino are the most likely replacements. Free-agent infielder Paul Janish, who has filled

in for Hardy in 2015 and 2016 when he went on the disabled list, might get a call.

Hardy is confident he'll be ready for the opener April 3.

"There's a lot that goes into it to get ready for April 1, so I definitely want to be doing baseball

activities by early March and then [still] be able to get into games," Hardy said. "We haven't set a

timetable because we have no idea what's going on, but that would be ideal for me."

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/02/17/glenn-clark-orioles-shouldnt-play-in-world-

baseball-classic-because-its-stupid

Glenn Clark: Orioles Shouldn't Play In World Baseball

Classic, Because It's Stupid

By Glen Clark / PressBoxOnline.com

February 17, 2017

The World Baseball Classic is stupid. And a pussyfooter I am not.

Major League Baseball teams, including the Baltimore Orioles, reported to Spring Training at an

absurdly early date on the calendar. They did that, of course, because in the coming weeks, a

number of players will be headed to the quadrennial World Baseball Classic, including five

Orioles: center fielder Adam Jones, third baseman Manny Machado, right-handed reliever

Mychal Givens, second baseman Jonathan Schoop and catcher Welington Castillo.

With the NFL offering us a giant bag of nothing in the "sports-radio-topic" department this week,

hosts all across the country have searched far and wide for compelling topics. "Are you OK with

players from your team playing in the World Baseball Classic?" has been among them.

To be clear, the answer to this question is, "No." There's absolutely no reason for fans to be

accepting of players from their favorite teams participating in the WBC. I know that, typically, I

am to hot takes what President Donald Trump is to subtlety, but there's no gray area here. This is

flat-out dumb.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter knows it, too.

"People feel like it's great for our game, and whatever. That's fine, but I stand accused -- I'm

looking at what's best for the Orioles, and it's a challenge for the pitchers," Showalter said during

Orioles minicamp in January. "It is, because they're starting that competitive clock early and then

they're shutting it down and then they're turning it back on again. … You know, if the player

wants to do it, one, we're not allowed to give them any advice, and two … they are precious

commodities and assets to us and our fans, so I stand accused if I have some concerns about it,

because I do."

In fairness, of course Showalter wouldn't want his players participating in the World Baseball

Classic. Showalter probably doesn't like the idea of his players opening their own mail for fear of

paper cuts. (Side note: we're getting dangerously close to never being able to make analogies

about retro concepts like "mail.") But Showalter is right to be apprehensive for fear of injury, as

are Orioles fans.

But this isn't just about risk. There's an inherent amount of risk in anything these players might

be doing this March. If they don't play in the World Baseball Classic, they may well hurt

themselves playing in a meaningless spring training game. Perhaps they might even injure

themselves while hitting their own head with a bat or while sitting in a tanning bed.

Risk is an inherent part of athletic activity. ... Frankly, it's an inherent part of life. It's just that

this particular risk is so needless, so ridiculously stupid. Why? See paragraph one.

The World Baseball Classic is so incredibly stupid. It's so absurdly nonsensical. It's so

ridiculously pointless. Are we clear here? No? I can go on. Thesaurus.com is still a free website.

Perhaps I'm being a bit unfair. The World Baseball Classic is probably great for the participants

who aren't MLB players. For a team like Israel's, participating in such an event is likely a rather

wonderful opportunity that will create eternal memories.

For everyone else, the World Baseball Classic is as much a "Classic" as a man who can recite

every single oxymoron is a "moron." It's Diet Baseball. The players are supposed to try, but not

try too hard. Pitchers are on pitch counts. Part of the reason the Orioles are OK with Givens'

participation is because he's not going to be used too much. So he can attempt to help Team USA

win -- but if he's helpful, he has to stop helping. Oxymoron guy thinks that's moronic.

If Jones could help Team USA win the (soccer) World Cup, I'd personally offer to housesit for

him while he spent the summer of 2018 away from the Orioles to hang out in Russia. I'd feed and

walk the dogs and promise not to throw any parties or invite any girls over. (My wife might not

be thrilled, but I'm a freaking team player.) That's because the World Cup is a viable, high-level

tournament of significance to sports fans globally. The World Baseball Classic is ... not that. It

was an attempt by a former commissioner to create something similar, but the absurdity of

players competing while in spring training cannot be overcome.

I know the NHL might be bailing on participation in the Olympics -- but for the sake of

analogizing, stick with me. Imagine that Capitals goalie Braden Holtby is manning the pipes for

Team Canada next year. In a gold medal final, he's shutting out Finland late in the second period

while making spectacular play after spectacular play. But instead of coming back out for the

third period, he's pulled from the game because he'd already reached his "save limit."

It's nonsense. Late Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia would call it "pure applesauce." (Yeah.

A Scalia reference. Even stupid sports jocks have a little culture.)

Would it make more sense to play it in November? Maybe, but players wouldn't want to

participate after going through the rigors of 162 (or more) games, and the event would further

lose prominence in America in direct competition with football season.

So I'm with Showalter. It's whatever. And I'd rather not have Orioles players participate. But

since they are, here's to no one getting hurt and anyone at all winning.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/02/17/five-things-to-know-about-orioles-outfielder-seth-

smith

Five Things To Know About Orioles Outfielder Seth Smith

By Luke Jackson / PressBoxOnline.com

February 17, 2017

The Orioles acquired outfielder Seth Smith Jan. 6 from the Seattle Mariners for right-hander

Yovani Gallardo. Smith is expected to play against right-handed starters for the Orioles in 2017,

with most of his time likely spent in right field. Here are five things to know about the 34-year-

old Smith.

1. Huge Success Against Orioles

The Orioles traveled to Seattle last summer for a four-game series June 30-July 3. Smith hit a

home run in all four games, helping the Mariners to a four-game sweep. The homers came

against right-handers Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman, Tyler Wilson and Ubaldo Jimenez. Smith

had eight hits and knocked in 11 runs during the series. Hishomer off Jimenez July 3 was the

first grand slam of his career.

In fact, Smith has made a habit of hitting the Orioles hard throughout his career, batting

.274/.307/.548 in 88 plate appearances against the O's. One sequence in particular, May 19,

2015, illustrated how much he's hurt the Orioles, as Smith led off the game at Camden Yards

with a homer and then took a two-run shot away from Adam Jones in the bottom half of the first

inning.

2. Five Teams, Four Trades

Drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the second round of the 2004 draft out of Ole Miss, Smith

signed with the Rockies and eventually made his big league debut with the club in 2007. He

earned a cup of coffee in September and went on to make the playoff roster. Though the Rockies

eventually lost to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, Smith recorded three hits, including a

double, in six trips to the plate during that postseason.

Smith really carved out a role on the Rockies in 2009, when he hit .293/.378/.510 in 387 plate

appearances. Smith remained with Colorado until 2011, after which he was dealt to the Oakland

Athletics. He spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons with Oakland, both of which ended with losses to

the Detroit Tigers in the American League Division Series.

Oakland traded Smith to the San Diego Padres after the 2013 season in exchange for reliever

Luke Gregerson. He hit .266/.367/.440 in 2014 and signed a two-year extension (with a club

option) with the Padres during the season, but he was shipped to the Mariners for reliever

Brandon Maurer the following offseason. Smith spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons in Seattle,

which picked up his option for 2017 before trading him to Baltimore.

3. Mashes Right-Handers; Lefties, Not So Much

Perhaps one of the reasons Smith has been traded often is his typically limited role. He's very

good in this role, which has made him an attractive target for clubs, but there's also a fair bit he

can't do, which has made him expendable for those same clubs.

Smith is a career .272/.355/.472 hitter against right-handers; he's done well in the hitter's paradise

of Colorado's Coors Field as well as far more pitcher-friendly environments in Oakland, San

Diego and Seattle. Smith hit .256/.351/.431 against right-handers last year; the on-base capability

in particular will be a welcome addition to the Orioles' powerful lineup.

However, Smith is a career .202/.282/.312 hitter against lefties; in fact, the Mariners gave him 33

plate appearances against southpaws in 2016. He's also an average to below-average defensive

corner outfielder. For a team like Seattle looking to get more athletic in the outfield, Smith is

inessential; for a team like the Orioles that needed a lefty hitter with on-base skills, Smith is

enticing.

4. Backed Up Eli Manning

Smith played football and baseball at Ole Miss, backing up New York Giants quarterback Eli

Manning in the fall from 2001-03 and starring on the diamond in the spring from 2002-04. In

fact, when Smith was with the Rockies, he wasn't the only player on the team who played with a

Manning in college. First baseman Todd Helton, who retired from baseball in 2013 and may be

on his way to the Hall of Fame, did so as well.

Helton was the quarterback at Tennessee just before future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning took

over the starting duties for good in 1994. Smith, though, never saw the field at Ole Miss. He and

Helton were both coached by David Cutcliffe, now the head man at Duke. Cutcliffe was the

quarterbacks coach at Tennessee while Helton was there and was the head coach at Ole Miss

while Smith was around.

5. Rich Ole Miss History

Smith is part of an extensive list of Ole Miss ballplayers who have gone on to play pro ball.

Rebels who played in the big leagues last year include outfielders Chris Coghlan, Alex Presley

and Smith; shortstop Zack Cozart and pitchers Drew Pomeranz, Lance Lynn, David Goforth and

Mike Mayers.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter went to Mississippi State, one of Ole Miss' big rivals.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/02/16/orioles-jonathan-schoop-excited-to-represent-the-

netherlands-in-world-baseball-classic

Jonathan Schoop Excited To Represent Netherlands In

World Baseball Classic

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com

February 16, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Jonathan Schoop arrived in the Orioles' clubhouse for the first time this

spring knowing his time here will be short. The second baseman will leave spring training Feb.

28 to play for Team Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic.

The Netherlands advanced to the semifinals in 2013, but the Curacao native is hopeful his team

will do even better this year.

"In 2013, I was in Triple-A. Everybody was in the minor leagues. Only [Angels shortstop]

Andrelton Simmons was in the big leagues," Schoop said. "Now we have, like, five guys in the

big leagues and more experience. I think we're going to go farther this year. I hope so."

Schoop and Simmons return to the team, and they'll be joined by fellow major league infielders

Xander Bogaerts (Boston), Didi Gregorius (New York Yankees) and Jurickson Profar (Texas).

Schoop's younger brother, Sharlon, an Orioles minor league infielder, is also on the team.

Team Netherlands will begin WBC play against South Korea in Seoul March 7. Even though

Schoop played in 2013, he wasn't sure he was going to do it again this year.

"To be honest, a little bit," Schoop said. "It was 50-50. It was far to go, but I've got to be here

first. I've got to see if I'm ready [physically]. I cannot go at 60 percent and go play and hurt

myself. Right now, I feel 100 percent, and I feel good, and I feel I can go and come back and

keep strong.

"… The thing I'm concerned with is going to Korea. It's so far. It's far to go over there. I think

I'm going to go anyways to help my country a little bit."

The small island nation of Curacao has a population of about 150,000 but has more players

currently in the big leagues than does Baltimore. The WBC provides important recognition to

Schoop's country.

"For us, it's important so we can send more scouts to Curacao … so we can sign them, so their

dreams can come true, too," Schoop said. "For us to go and represent the country, it's really nice

for everybody that we're going to go play for the Netherlands.

"I do [think that way] because I think if we go there and represent the country the way I think we

should, I think we're going to send more scouts down there and [they will] see more kids. I think

us [playing well] means they'll support them."

ORIOLES ARRIVE: The official day for position players to report was Feb. 16, and manager

Buck Showalter said he'd seen all but three players and had heard those three were in town. He

expected the entire team for an evening meeting.

Third baseman Manny Machado took the field for infield practice with Schoop. Designated

hitter/outfielder Mark Trumbo arrived and took some batting practice.

Showalter said Machado could choose which games he wanted to play shortstop in before he

leaves to play for Team Dominican Republic in the WBC March 5.

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: Chris Johnson, an infielder who signed a minor league contract

with the Orioles Feb. 13, is the son of Triple-A Norfolk manager Ron Johnson.

If he doesn't make the Orioles, Chris Johnson could end up playing for his father at Norfolk. That

would be different.

"Weird I'm sure. It's weird even being in this locker room right now," Johnson said. "He was

here yesterday, and it's just strange running into him and him coming into the cage and stuff like

that. But I'm sure we'll get past that weirdness and move on. It should be fun."

NOTES: Former Orioles right-handed pitcher Tommy Hunter has reportedly reached an

agreement on a minor league contract with Tampa Bay. … Right-handers Mike Wright and Tyler

Wilson will start in the first intrasquad game Feb. 21. Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez and lefty

Wade Miley start in the second one Feb. 22. … Former Orioles outfielder L.J. Hoes has received

a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a drug of abuse. Hoes, who is a free agent, would

begin his suspension if he signs with a major league club. … Howie Clark was announced as the

Orioles' assistant hitting coach. … Catcher Francisco Pena, who cleared waivers Feb. 15, was

back in the Orioles' clubhouse.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/02/15/2017-orioles-spring-training-preview-injury-report

2017 Orioles Spring Training Preview: Injury Report

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com

February 15, 2017

The Orioles were a healthy bunch last season. They have five players who played in at least 150

games: Chris Davis, Adam Jones, Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop and Mark Trumbo.

Davis probably should have taken some time off to heal his injured left hand, but he played on.

Jones had several injuries, but Machado, Schoop and Trumbo were fairly healthy. Schoop played

in all 162 games. That probably won't happen again.

Hardy broke his left foot when he fouled a ball off it and missed seven weeks. He said he was in

the best shape since high school. At 34, Hardy would like to try and accrue 600 plate

appearances, which would trigger his $14 million option for 2018, as long as he passes a season-

ending physical. He hasn't had 600 plate appearances since 2013.

Joey Rickard didn't play after July 20, 2016 due to ligament damage to his right thumb. He's

checked out well and even played some basketball with vice president of baseball operations

Brady Anderson during the winter.

There are few injury questions about the starters. Chris Tillman spent three weeks on the

disabled list in August and September with a right-shoulder injury, but he seems to be fine.

A year ago, the Orioles were concerned about how Dylan Bundy would stand up to his first big

league season. After carefully spaced out relief appearances, Bundy started in the second half of

the season and did well. The 2017 plan is for Bundy to pitch many more innings.

Darren O'Day missed more than half of last season with injuries to his groin and right shoulder,

but he goes into this year much healthier.

O'Day's first extended absence allowed Brad Brach to shine and make the All-Star team, but he

struggled during the second half of the season.

Outfielder Anthony Santander, a Rule 5 pick, had shoulder surgery after last season and could be

a candidate to start on the disabled list.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/02/15/2017-orioles-spring-training-preview-who-comes-

next

2017 Orioles Spring Training Preview: Who Comes Next?

By Rich Dubroff/ PressBoxOnline.com

February 15, 2017

Barring injuries, much of the roster is set, but there are several players, both on the 40-man roster

and some not, who could conceivably make an impact on the 2017 Orioles.

A few of these players have a chance to start the season with the team, but as the recent years

have shown, major impact players are often not on the team when the season begins.

Christopher Lee

Lee is a left-handed pitcher, who is on the 40-man roster but is expected to start the season at

Norfolk. Lee had a strong start with Bowie a year ago, but he didn't pitch after May 23 due to a

late injury. The Orioles thought he could have been a contributor late last season, and the injury

pushed back the timetable a year. At the very least, the Orioles are expecting Lee to be in the

starting rotation conversation a year from now.

Jesus Liranzo

Last year was a breakout season for the soon-to-be 22-year-old right-hander. He pitched

brilliantly for Single-A Delmarva and skipped Class-A Frederick. After pitching well for Bowie,

Liranzo was placed on the 40-man roster. He could begin the season at Norfolk, and if there's an

opening in the Orioles' bullpen, he could get an early call-up.

Parker Bridwell

Bridwell, a 25-year-old right-hander, has been in the Orioles' organization since 2010 and was

stuck at Delmarva for three years. He finally made his major league debut last August, and

though he wasn't around for the September playoff push, Bridwell could be back later this

season. The Orioles have a glut of right-handers with options: Logan Verrett, Tyler Wilson and

Mike Wright are presumably all ahead of Bridwell, and so is Oliver Drake, who doesn't have

options. Like Verrett, Wilson and Wright, Bridwell can start and relieve.

Jason Garcia

Garcia and Verrett were Rule 5 draft picks in December 2014. Garcia stayed with the Orioles in

2015, though he spent nearly three months on the disabled list. He showed some incremental

signs of progress late in 2015, but as a starter, Garcia had a disappointing season at Bowie in

2016. It's a big year for Garcia, who remains on the 40-man roster. He must show the Orioles

he's worth the years they've already invested in him.

Cody Sedlock

Sedlock, who was the top draft choice a year ago, pitched well for short-season Class-A

Aberdeen and is slated to begin 2017 at Frederick. If he pitches well for the Keys, the right-

hander could move quickly through the system and possibly be a September consideration.

Chance Sisco

The Orioles are hoping Sisco, who was their second-round pick in 2013, is their catcher for 2018

and beyond. Sisco has hit well in the minor leagues with a .323 batting average and .402 OBP.

The question is his defense, and after spring training, Sisco, who is not on the 40-man roster, is

slated to go to Norfolk and work on his catching. While Welington Castillo has a player option

for 2018, a good defensive showing by Sisco this season could convince the team he's ready for

full-time duty next year. Sisco could be a September call-up.

Audry Perez

Perhaps the most solid defensive catcher in the Orioles' organization, Perez will be in spring

training, but he isn't on the 40-man roster. Perez played three games for St. Louis throughout two

seasons (2013-14) and is back for a third year, presumably at Norfolk. If the Orioles have an

injury or two behind the plate, Perez could get a call later this season.

Robert Andino

One of the most beloved characters in recent Orioles history, Andino returned to the team on a

minor league contract just before spring training began. Andino, who helped turn around the

franchise's history with a game-winning single that knocked the Boston Red Sox out of the 2011

playoffs, projects to be Norfolk's starting shortstop. He probably will play a lot during spring

training, while Jonathan Schoop and Manny Machado are playing for Team Netherlands and

Team Dominican Republic, respectively

Johnny Giavotella

Giavotella signed a minor league contract with the Orioles in early February, and should

Jonathan Schoop be injured, could slide in at second base. He has six years of major league

experience with the Royals and Angels but is limited in the field. Giavotella could help himself

by playing more in the outfield and at short and third during spring training.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/02/15/are-the-2017-orioles-actually-better-than-they-

were-last-year

Are The 2017 Orioles Actually Better Than They Were Last

Year?

By Glenn Clark / PressBoxOnline.com

February 15, 2017

Despite spring training having officially already begun, there is no certainty the Orioles’

offseason is finished. But the caliber of free agents remaining on this year’s market is not quite

what it was in 2014 or 2016 when the Orioles made significant additions after already arriving in

Sarasota, Fla.

Assuming the roster is at least largely in place, there’s one examination that needs to be made.

It’s a simple question: “Are the Orioles actually better today than they were when the 2016

season ended in Toronto?”

It’s a question that should have guided the organization throughout the offseason. While making

the postseason for a third time in five seasons was a noteworthy accomplishment, even those

within the franchise know it’s no longer enough for a fan base starving to compete for a

championship. In fact, manager Buck Showalter explained it at FanFest Jan. 28 by telling

reporters, “This is real hard to do, but I keep telling the fans today, and the players know, that

being competitive and making the playoffs isn’t good enough for us anymore.”

So the Orioles have to be better than the team that had inconsistent starting pitching throughout

the 2016 season and saw its offense down the stretch become more “all or nothing” than long-

forgotten, early 2000s boy band O-Town.

(If you get that obscure pop culture reference, we should probably get an apartment together.)

This is probably where I’m supposed to answer the question. Are they better? Well ... no. At

least I don’t think they are. But I’m starting to talk myself into the idea that they could be.

Maybe. An overall look at the 2017 Orioles on paper shows a team largely similar to the squad

that made a Clint Howard-like cameo in the 2016 postseason.

Welington Castillo replaces Matt Wieters as the team’s primary option behind the plate, offering

a largely similar skill set (solid bat, lack of pitch framing) while giving up the “don’t even think

about it” arm threat. On paper, it’s no upgrade from where the team was a year ago.

Third base, shortstop, second base and center field will all remain the same. The other four spots

in the lineup -- first base, right field, left field and designated hitter -- will primarily be handled

by some combination of Chris Davis, Mark Trumbo, Hyun-Soo Kim, Joey Rickard and Seth

Smith. Outfielder Smith is the only real chance for any upgrade, as the Orioles traded off some

of the power designated hitter Pedro Alvarez provided for a better on-base option.

As far as pitching is concerned, the bullpen is largely the same (which is rather desirable

considering how well it performed), and the pitching staff only switches out right-hander Yovani

Gallardo for (hopefully) a full season of righty Dylan Bundy.

It’s not better. It’s mostly the same with slight alterations. Considering the Boston Red Sox were

really good even before they got Chris Sale-d this offseason, it’s hard to fathom a team so similar

to last year’s being capable of doing any better in the division or having any better fortune in the

postseason. It has the smell of another season in which the Orioles outperform the projections of

experts but yet never look like a serious threat to snap the now 34-year World Series drought.

(Don’t look now, but with the Chicago Cubs off the table, only seven franchises have longer

droughts in their current city.)

But yet, there’s this other feeling that sort of creeps in when I try to figure this team out. It’s the

feeling where I start thinking “maybe third baseman Manny Machado could still be even better”

and “maybe second baseman Jonathan Schoop is about to make his star turn” and “Davis should

probably be better this year than he was last year.” In fact, I even think “lefty Wade Miley

couldn’t be as bad as he was last year” and “maybe right-hander Kevin Gausman and/or Bundy

is truly ready to become a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher.”

In fact, those scenarios start seeming realistic enough that your only fear for the Orioles is closer

Zach Britton is really good. That’s not a typo. If Britton is only really good this season that’s

problematic, because he was perfect in 2016. Just being “really good” would actually cost the

Orioles a few wins they can’t really afford to part with.

So are they better? No. On paper, the Orioles aren’t any better at all this season and expecting a

World Series run doesn’t make much sense. But they’re good enough to think that if enough

things go reasonably better, they could be.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/02/15/orioles-2017-success-hinges-on-dylan-bundy-

kevin-gausman

Orioles' 2017 Success Hinges On Dylan Bundy, Kevin

Gausman

By Dan Connolly / PressBoxOnline.com

February 15, 2017

A baseball team consists of 25 players competing together for one goal.

In the Orioles' case, it usually requires 40 to 50 guys in any given season to get them into the

playoffs. Under manager Buck Showalter and executive vice president of baseball operations

Dan Duquette, it has taken a village of minor league signings, under-the-radar pickups and

unheralded promotions from Triple-A Norfolk and Double-A Bowie to lead the Orioles to the

postseason three times in the past five years.

So, yes, it has to be a team effort, and not one particular player has been responsible for the

club's recent successes or failures.

Which is why the following statement may seem a little dramatic at best, completely exaggerated

at worst.

The 2017 Orioles will rise or fall based on the performances of young right-handers Kevin

Gausman and Dylan Bundy.

Gausman and Bundy are the two wild cards on a team of known commodities. Barring injury,

most of the current Orioles are going to reach a certain, expected level of performance. There

will be some fluctuation, of course, but for the most part, there should be few surprises involving

the club's core.

Gausman's and Bundy's potential for 2017, however, could be wildly enigmatic. They could

falter, maintain 2016's level or really soar. And, if they soar, well, the Orioles will soar.

Is that too much pressure to put on a duo with a combined 86 starts in the majors? Probably.

But the Orioles didn't make a concerted effort to improve their rotation this offseason. In fact,

they traded away a starter -- right-hander Yovani Gallardo -- to land Seth Smith, an outfielder

who should improve the club's subpar on-base percentage.

The Orioles didn't make a splash for a starting pitcher this winter because no potential splashes

were available; barely a ripple was attainable via free agency. And the Orioles don't have what it

takes in quantity and/or quality in the minors to land an ace such as left-hander Chris Sale via

trade.

Still, one of the key reasons the Orioles didn't actively seek a rotation upgrade is because they

think that's about to occur anyway. They believe Gausman, 26, and Bundy, 24, will take the next

step in 2017 and give the club its strongest rotation in years.

There's reason to believe it could happen.

Both have impressive pedigrees: Bundy was the fourth pick overall in the 2011 amateur draft out

of Owasso High School in Oklahoma, and Gausman was the fourth pick overall in the 2012

amateur draft out of LSU.

They both have the talent.

In 38 big league games, all but two coming in 2016, Bundy is 10-6 with a 3.96 ERA and has

struck out 104 batters in 111.1 innings. Gausman has a 3.97 ERA in four seasons as a pro,

striking out 414 batters in 453 innings.

And they both showed significant promise last year. Bundy, pitching in the big leagues for the

first time since having Tommy John surgery in 2013, blew away the 80-inning limit initially

proposed for him in 2016. And he finished the season healthy. Gausman posted a 3.61 ERA in 30

starts, including a team-leading 18 quality starts, and posted a 2.83 ERA in his final 12 outings.

Most important, Showalter said there are no specific limits on either of these guys this season. If

they are healthy, they are going to go out and pitch every fifth day.

"Being able to develop those guys, it's going to be nice this year not to have those restrictions on

them," Showalter said. "We're still going to have some, like we would with any pitcher, to keep

them healthy. They're a precious commodity."

But no detailed innings limitations. No shutting down Bundy at 160 because that's 50 more

innings than he has thrown in the past.

"Everybody's going to put these exact, cute numbers on everything. … There's no studies, no

scientific stuff, nothing to back any of that stuff up," Showalter said. "It's just a bunch of people

trying to create some niche that exactly this many innings and exactly this many increments, you

have to do exactly this. It's a crock. And anybody that gives that any credence doesn't know what

they're talking about. So, he's fine to go, and if there's a problem along the way, we'll back up

and leave it alone. But people in the arena chuckle at people that try to say, ‘This is what you've

got to do when a guy reaches X amount of innings.' It's a human body. It's not a machine."

What this means is Bundy and Gausman will get a chance to prove they are what the Orioles

believed they would be when the club invested so much time and money into the duo. The

pitchers are eager to show what they can do.

"You can learn from the good times just as much as the bad," Bundy said. "[2016] was fun. We

didn't get where we wanted to go. We want to win the last game of the year. That's our goal, and

as starting pitchers we've got to do a better job. And I'm looking forward to trying to do a better

job."

What this also means is Bundy and Gausman must do a better job. Because they really are the

difference between the 2016 and 2017 clubs. Chris Tillman is steady, and Ubaldo Jimenez and

Wade Miley are wildly inconsistent. There's no indication those variables will change.

The overwhelming expectation is the Orioles' bullpen has the personnel to be dominating again.

The defense should be above average, and the offense will hit a lot of homers and will suffer

droughts when the power isn't working.

In other words, 2017 should be a lot like 2016.

And then there are Gausman and Bundy.

It may be unfair to say those two young pitchers, in a clubhouse full of veterans, are the most

important ingredients in the club's recipe for success. But that's the reality. How the Orioles pitch

will determine how far the club goes. And how well Gausman and Bundy perform will go a long

way toward determining the effectiveness of the staff.

"Any time you're picked fourth overall, you're going to have high expectations, and we've both

been linked from Day One," Gausman said. "It's exciting."

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/02/15/jim-henneman-on-baseballs-age-old-debate-

pitching-vs-hitting

Baseball's Age-Old Debate: Pitching Vs. Hitting

By Jim Henneman / PressBoxOnline.com

February 15, 2017

It was Connie Mack who allegedly first uttered the phrase "baseball is 75 percent pitching,"

which many now claim is an understatement.

Yogi Berra wasn't worried about mathematical balance when he said "baseball is 90 percent

mental and the other half is physical," but that declaration doesn't seem any more out of whack

these days than the pay structure in Major League Baseball.

Mack is the winningest and losingest manager in history (3,731-3,948), mainly because he was

also the owner during most of his 50-plus-year career, so he was speaking from experience when

he assessed the value of pitching. Berra, on the other hand, knew a lot about hitting -- and more

than a little bit about the mental approach to the game.

Chances are Mack and Berra would be hard-pressed to explain the modern approach to the game,

which is dominated by strikeouts and home runs. They probably would give in to the theory

"good pitching will beat good hitting," the universally accepted standard. Although pitcher Bob

Veale threw in the pertinent addendum "and vice versa" after an ineffective outing in 1966.

Leave it to a left-hander to put the subject in perspective.

Six years ago, there was a statistical analysis (just imagine) at the University of Delaware,

headed by professor Charles Pavitt, that charted almost a half-century worth of games (1951-

1998), and it came to a conclusion drastically different from accepted theory. It determined that

winning, or losing, games was determined 45 percent by hitting and 25 percent each for pitching

and defense. It also came to the conclusion stolen bases were overrated, and presumably the

missing ingredient involved in the other 5 percent was luck.

Obviously, Pavitt's study was in such stark contrast to accepted baseball wisdom that it hasn't

carried much weight. At least that's the conclusion we're almost forced to make in light of some

recent free-agent signings, and it's weird how much difference a year makes.

One year after first baseman Chris Davis led the American League in home runs (47) and got a

seven-year, $161 million contract to re-up with the Orioles, outfielder Mark Trumbo duplicated

the feat, but the bidding stopped (and apparently started) at $37.5 million for three years -- a

startling difference of almost $10 million per year on average. First baseman Chris Carter led the

National League with 41 home runs in 2016 and ended up with a one-year deal from the Yankees

for $3.5 million.

Now we understand the trio of aforementioned sluggers is also the strikeout kings of the

universe, on average in the vicinity of the 200 mark. But the differences in those salaries are so

out of whack it's almost mind-boggling.

Especially when offered in comparison to mediocre (sometimes inferior) pitching. As a for

instance, Trumbo's contract is similar in annual dollars but shorter in length than the one the

Orioles gave right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez four years ago and only marginally more than the

$8.9 million lefty Wade Miley will earn in 2017.

This might be a chicken-and-the-egg thing because good pitching only works when a team has

enough runs to hold a lead, but if those numbers aren't out-of-whack well ... let me give you

another one by posing a question.

Who would you rather have on the Orioles' roster this year: Mark Trumbo or lefty Wei Yin

Chen?

I mean, if that's not case opened and closed, then I'm more confused than originally believed.

Chen was a nice pitcher for four years, capable of going six innings most of the time, logging

190 innings (twice) and giving his team a chance to win. At $15.86 million for four years, he was

a bargain. At $80 million over five years, the deal super agent Scott Boras was able to negotiate a

year ago with the Marlins, well, as the saying goes, there's some ‘splaining to do.

If pitching is 75 percent of the game, or even more as some claim, then it seems the accepted

standard should be beyond mediocrity. Once you get past the super pitchers of the era, the ones

making $25 million or more per year, starting pitchers are being asked to go five innings, six

maximum, and they are being paid disproportionately. Three earned runs in six innings equates

to a 4.50 ERA, reduce the number of innings to five and the ERA works out to 5.40.

A team like the Orioles, with its preponderance of home runs and strikeouts, is vulnerable to

good pitching, one reason it is consistently dismissed by the analytics experts. But it is also a

team that will win a lot of games if it can hold the opposition to three runs or fewer over the first

two-thirds of the game. The equivalent of a 4.50 or 5.40 ERA suddenly looks appealing --

provided, of course, it produces a lead entering the final three or four innings of the game.

Which, of course, is where hitters come into play and where the debate really begins.

With the advent of one-inning specialists, baseball has become a six-inning game. Within that

time frame, it seems to me Pavitt's breakout of hitting accounting for 45 percent has some merit.

After the seventh inning, there's no debate; pitching is at least 95 percent of the game.

I'll leave it to the experts to figure out the exact percentages (the above formula comes out to less

than 50 percent), but while they're at it, I hope they can find a way to explain how a 4.50 ERA is

a match for 40-plus home runs.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/02/14/orioles-chris-tillman-to-miss-opening-day-with-

shoulder-injury

Chris Tillman To Miss Opening Day With Shoulder Injury

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com

February 14, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Chris Tillman has started the past three Opening Days for the Orioles, but

he won't be starting a fourth.

Manager Buck Showalter revealed Feb. 14 that Tillman received a PRP (platelet rich plasma)

injection on his right shoulder in mid-December, and his spring schedule is being slowed.

Showalter said the 28-year-old right-hander may not have to start the season on the disabled list,

but he won't be ready for the opener April 3.

The Orioles have devised a schedule where Tillman won't begin to throw in drills until March 3,

pitch in a simulated game until March 14 and pitch in a Grapefruit League game until March 17.

Showalter cautioned that if Tillman, who spent three weeks on the disabled list last summer with

soreness in that shoulder, had any further setbacks, the timetable would have to be adjusted.

"To get him where he needs to be, it won't fall on Opening Day," Showalter said.

Showalter said Tillman contacted trainer Richie Bancells in mid-December because he didn't like

how his shoulder felt.

"I think it was two weeks after the injection, two or three weeks before you do anything. Kind of

got set back," Showalter said. "After a lot of discussion with Richie and Chris and the doctors,

we think it's best … basically picking up his program three weeks later.

"We've got it mapped out where he'll be one of our five starters to start the season, but right now,

Opening Day, he probably won't be an option."

Tillman was unavailable for comment, and he is scheduled to address the media Feb. 15.

"That's a pretty tight schedule that doesn't allow for setbacks much," Showalter said.

If Tillman is not placed on the disabled list, he could throw 75 pitches in a game as early as April

7. If he starts the season on the new 10-day disabled list, Tillman could be eligible to pitch April

9.

With three off days in the first eight days of the season, the Orioles won't need a fifth starter until

April 15.

"He could be pitching for us before the 15th. It's not that we're pushing him all the way back

there," Showalter said. "Any setback in the schedule would make us have to … if he misses a

side day or anything, it's pretty tight.

"We're going to make sure we get it right. This is as fast as we feel comfortable going safely."

Had Tillman started his fourth consecutive Opening Day, he would have tied Jim Palmer (1974-

77) for the club record.

Showalter will now search for a new Opening Day starter, and Kevin Gausman seems most

likely to make the April 3 start against Toronto.

The other Orioles starters are Dylan Bundy, Ubaldo Jimenez and Wade Miley. Showalter, who

said at FanFest Jan. 28 he might begin the season with 10 or 11 pitchers, said Tillman's potential

absence won't necessarily open another spot for a starter.

"I've got high hopes that we get this resolved and he pitches all year for us," Showalter said.

Last season, Tillman spent three weeks on the disabled list in August and September with a

right-shoulder injury, but Showalter said Tillman showed no ill effects when he came back to

pitch Sept. 11, and he started the Oct. 4 Wild Card Game.

"He managed it real well when he rested it," Showalter said. "Then when he cranked it up back

this offseason, it wasn't responding like he wanted it to. I wish we could have caught it a little

earlier, but he came to us. A guy in Chris' situation, knowing Chris like we know him, when he

complains about anything or just brings it to our attention, you know it's something that you

should probably address."

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/02/14/doug-glanville-playing-deeper-could-make-orioles-

adam-jones-a-better-outfielder

Doug Glanville: Playing Deeper Could Make Adam Jones A

Better Outfielder

By Kaitlyn Wilson / PressBoxOnline.com

February 14, 2017

Orioles pitchers and catchers reported to spring training in Sarasota, Fla., Feb. 13, but it was

former MLB outfielder and current ESPN analyst Doug Glanville who ended up making

headlines.

When speaking about the Orioles' outfield, and specifically center fielder Adam Jones, Orioles

executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette mentioned Glanville.

"I noticed Doug Glanville recommended Adam could play a little bit deeper … to improve the

Orioles' outfield defense," Duquette said.

Duquette's comments drew quite a bit of media attention and elicited some comments from

Orioles manager Buck Showalter.

In an appearance on Glenn Clark Radio Feb. 14, Glanville talked about Jones' defensive play and

answered the question: would positioning himself deeper make Jones a better outfielder?

"If you want to talk about individual metrics, the answer is yes," Glanville said. "... Jones is one

of the shallowest, from an average depth position, shallowest in Major League Baseball, and he

was sort of neck-and-neck with [former Cubs and current Cardinals outfielder] Dexter Fowler.

So the Cubs made an organizational decision to push Fowler back about 15 feet, and it really

changed everything. So it depends on your team's point of emphasis."

Speaking at FanFest in Baltimore Jan. 28, Jones said he thought the Orioles should sign better,

more athletic outfielders. The comments made headlines then and are still garnering plenty of

attention.

But should Jones have made the comments in the first place?

"Well, the etiquette would say you don't want to embarrass your teammates and all that, but you

also know Jones is a leader. He's a captain, he's respected, and I think they, internally, know how

to take things," Glanville said. "And the fact is, defense has become more and more, as it should,

a single organism. So you have to see yourself connected in a bigger picture and a bigger scheme

with your other outfielders and your other defenders."

Glanville said it's important for teams to evolve and adapt throughout the season based on the

situation. Outfield positioning can also depend on the pitcher. When closer Zach Britton comes

in, Jones doesn't necessarily need to play any deeper, since Britton induces weak ground balls at

such a staggering rate.

With spring training underway, the Orioles' outfield appears set, with Jones in center, Hyun Soo

Kim and Joey Rickard platooning in left, and Smith and Mark Trumbo sharing time in right.

Glanville said the 2017 Orioles definitely have some questions, particularly surrounding their

starting pitching, but he thinks if young right-handers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman can

continue to develop, the Orioles will continue to compete.

"They're going to be competitive. I mean, Showalter's a fantastic manager, they have nice

pieces," Glanville said. "... They could put more pressure on the bases; that could be an asset.

Just small things, because they have so much power that they can make you sit back and wait for

that three-run homer.

"Those are small adjustments -- positioning, being aggressive on the bases -- and just hope they

get strong performances from a Gausman or a Bundy, and these guys really evolve over a short

period of time. That'll change absolutely everything. If those guys are dependable starters every

fifth day, they're going be in contention."

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/02/14/welington-castillo-takes-field-for-first-time-as-

oriole

Welington Castillo Takes Field For First Time As Oriole

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com

February 14, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- As pitchers and catchers took the field for the first time at the Ed Smith

Stadium complex Feb. 14, the Orioles had a new catcher in charge.

With Matt Wieters, who was the team's No. 1 catcher for nearly eight seasons, still looking for a

new address, Welington Castillo, who replaces him, is getting to know his team.

Castillo, who was non-tendered by Arizona, was signed as Wieters' replacement Dec. 16, 2016.

He signed a $6 million contract with a $7 million player option for 2018.

While at first torn about whether to represent the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball

Classic, Castillo finally decided that it was something he wanted to do.

"Honestly, I was a little bit in between because I know I'm going to a new team, new players,

new pitching staff," Castillo said. "I'm going to have time to get to know them. At the same time,

I want to represent my country. It's a really good experience [when] you go there."

Castillo, who will leave camp to join the Dominican Republic's team March 5, is excited about

the WBC.

"We are blessed because the Dominican Republic has a lot of good players," Castillo said, "but

the WBC is every three or four years, so who is going to guarantee me that I'll still be in baseball

in three or four more years? Why not go there and get the experience?

"I have a lot of guys there who I practice with in the offseason, so you're going to be around

them. And you're competing against other teams and other players, too, so I think it's going to be

a good experience, and the competition is going to be good, too."

Castillo has less than three weeks to learn the pitching staff before he leaves for the WBC, and if

the Dominican Republic reaches the final, he'll have barely a week of Grapefruit League play

remaining before the season begins.

"I think I'm going to have enough time to know them. I know there's a lot of guys in here,"

Castillo said. "Day-by-day, I'm going to get to know them. I've been in touch and asking Caleb

[Joseph] about them, each pitcher because I don't know anybody here. It's not going to take me a

long time because when I was traded to Arizona, it's going to be the same thing almost like

[when] you get traded to another team when you don't know the pitching staff, you've got to get

to know them pretty quick. I feel that I'm going to be good and that everybody in here knows

what to do, too, so it's going to be easier for me."

"When the bullpens start today, it's going to be easier, too because I'm going to get to know them

and ask them, 'What do you like to do? Where do you like to set up?' Stuff like that. That's how

you get to know them and you might have an idea about what like might like to do, too."

Joseph, who lost his arbitration hearing Feb. 1 and will be paid $700,000 for this season, is eager

for the year to begin and to forget about the arbitration experience.

"For me, 2016 is in the books. Gone. Excited to move forward. Very hopeful and optimistic,"

Joseph said. "I feel great. But yeah, that entire trial … I will say this, I really appreciated the way

they went about the trial. Their arguments inside the trial, they were very respectful. I didn't walk

out of there with any hard feelings. None whatsoever. I don't feel like the relationship changed at

all. And I did want to say that because it was a very straight-forward, factual trial. I heard some

horror stories from people about how bad the experience can be, but for me it was not that bad.

And that was good. I'm glad about that."

Joseph knows his 2016 RBI-less season will be continually brought up -- until he drives in a run

in 2017.

"You want to get off to a good start, but I don't come into spring feeling like there's a monkey or

a gorilla or a host of gorillas on my back," Joseph said. "I really don't. I know I'm a valuable part

of this team, period. I'm not going in scared or nervous or shaking if I don't get a hit my first at-

bat. ... I believe in myself way too much to feel that way."

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/02/17/orioles-reliever-donnie-hart-is-healthy-and-ready-to-

go/

Orioles Reliever Donnie Hart ‘Is Healthy And Ready To Go’

CBS Baltimore

February 17, 2017

Orioles reliever Donnie Hart joined the show today to talk about last year’s campaign, his off

season habits and expectations for the 2017 season.

Donnie Hart says he’s excited to be back with the Orioles and is hoping to build off his

performance in 2016. “It was a fun year, that’s for sure. I was fortunate enough to have the guys

in the bullpen that we have. We had three All-Star relief pitchers in our bullpen and those guys

made it easier for me whenever I got up there, but it was a lot of fun,” said Hart.

Health has been an issue early on with the Orioles just a week into Spring Training after news of

Tillman broke, but Donnie tells us that he’s feeling 100 percent and ready to go.

He also gives us some insight into the mindset of the rest of the bullpen and the type of work the

staff puts in together saying.

The Orioles first Spring game comes next Friday, February 24 against the Detroit Tigers at 1:05

p.m.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/02/17/orioles-lose-1st-arbitration-in-22-years-brach-gets-3-

05m/

Orioles Lose 1st Arbitration In 22 Years; Brach Gets $3.05M

CBS Baltimore

February 17, 2017

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Reliever Brad Brach became the first player to beat the

Baltimore Orioles in salary arbitration in 22 years, ending the team’s nine-hearing winning

streak.

Brach was awarded $3.05 million instead of the team’s offer of $2,525,000 by arbitrators Edna

Francis, Robert Herzog, Sylvia Skratek. The panel issued its decision, Friday, a day after hearing

arguments.

A right-hander who turns 31 in April, Brach was 10-4 with a 2.05 ERA in a career-high 71

appearances last year and made $1.3 million. He struck out 92, also a career best, in 79 innings

and had two saves.

Baltimore had not lost since its case against pitcher Ben McDonald in 1995. Orioles backup

catcher Caleb Joseph lost his case this month and will get $700,000 rather this his $1 million

request.

Players and teams have split 14 decisions. New York Yankees reliever Dellin Betances was the

final case Friday, and the 15 hearings are the most since clubs won 10 of 16 decisions in 1994.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/02/17/orioles-holding-tryouts-for-ballgirls-and-ballboys-on-

march-4/

Orioles Holding Tryouts For Ballgirls And Ballboys On

March 4

CBS Baltimore

February 17, 2017

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The Baltimore Orioles will conduct an open tryout to find ballgirls and

ballboys for the 2017 season at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, March 4.

The judges will include members of the Orioles’ front office and CBS RADIO personalities Greg

Caprenter, co-host of Today’s 101.9 WLIF’s morning show, and Reagan Warfield, co-host of

MIX 106.5’s morning show.

Outgoing and athletic men and women ages 18 and older who are interested in serving as

ballboys and ballgirls for the Orioles during the upcoming 2017 season are invited to try out for a

position at Oriole Park beginning at noon on March 4.

Those interested should dress casually, bring their own gloves, and use the Home Plate Plaza

entrance to Oriole Park on the southwest corner of the ballpark. Resumes are also recommended.

Complimentary parking will be available in Lot A.

In addition to being able to handle a glove and field ground balls, interested candidates should be

personable, customer-service oriented, and available to work the entire 2017 season.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/02/16/baltimore-orioles-players-reunite-in-florida-for-spring-

training/

Baltimore Orioles Players Reunite in Florida for Spring

Training

By Mark Viviano / CBS Baltimore

February 16, 2017

BALTIMORE (WJZ)– Plenty of hugs and high five’s at O’s camp Thursday and it’s not because

anyone hit a home run. Guys are just happy to see one another again in a spring training family

reunion.

Chris Davis takes batting practice swings. Mark Trumbo warms up in the outfield and Manny

Machado fields ground balls. The position players have arrived to join pitchers and catchers

who’ve been in camp for three days.

Baseball teams are a close-knit group, they’re together every day for eight months and after a

brief off-season. The Orioles family is back together.

“It feels like everyone in here is your brother, you spend more time with them than your wife and

kids, every time you have to go, you’re going to miss em,” says Ubaldo Jimenez.

“Even in the off-season we talk with each other — that’s chemistry, I feel like I belong her.

That’s the best feeling ever,” says Jonathan Schoop.

Camaraderie on the ball club can be critical and winning can bring a team even closer together.

The o’s are enjoying a 5-year run of success that heightens their family feel.

“It’s kind of a little brotherhood we got here, I’m not sure how it is with other teams, but it’s

special here and Buck’s brought that since he got here,” says Zach Britton.

“I try to leave em alone in the off season but it’s hard, I really like talking to them and being

around them, everyone does. The guys sincerely respect and like each other,” says Buck

Showalter.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/02/16/orioles-bring-in-howie-clark-as-assistant-major-

league-hitting-coach/

Orioles Bring In Howie Clark As Assistant Major League

Hitting Coach

CBS Baltimore

February 16, 2017

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The Baltimore Orioles named Howie Clark as Assistant Major League

Hitting Coach.

Clark will join Scott Coolbaugh (Hitting Coach), Einar Diaz (Major League Coach), Bobby

Dickerson (Third Base Coach), Wayne Kirby (First Base Coach), Roger McDowell (Pitching

Coach), Alan Mills (Bullpen Coach), and John Russell (Bench Coach) on the Orioles Major

League coaching staff.

Clark, 43, served as hitting coach for the Double-A Bowie Baysox last year after previously

serving as the hitting coach for the Class-A Delmarva Shorebirds in 2015.

Clark played six Major League seasons with the Baltimore Orioles (2002, 2006), Toronto Blue

Jays (2003-04, 2007), and Minnesota Twins (2008) batting .262/.329/.358 with three home runs

and 26 RBI in 134 career Major League games.

Over 18 professional seasons, Clark played with four different organizations including Baltimore

(1992-2002, 2006), Toronto (2003-04, 2007, 2009), Pittsburgh (2005), and Minnesota (2008). He

hit .286/.359/.407 over 1,436 career minor league games while slugging 84 home runs with 598

RBI. Originally selected by the Orioles in the 27th round of the 1992 First-Year Player Draft, the

California native last played for Triple-A Las Vegas in the Blue Jays organization in 2009.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/02/15/mark-viviano-optimism-high-in-sarasota-for-os-spring-

training/

Mark Viviano: Optimism High In Sarasota For O’s Spring

Training

By Mark Viviano / CBS Baltimore

February 15, 2017

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Optimism is high at the Orioles complex in Sarasota, Florida, as they

prepare for the upcoming season.

WJZ sports director Mark Viviano is there among the palm trees and the sunshine.

It’s an upbeat mood all around at the annual warm up for the seasonahead, he reports.

The players are happy to be getting back in the “swing,” and fans are getting a rare front row

view.

“Spring training means it’s a rebirth,” says Allen File, of Richmond. “It’s a start over, forget last

year, let’s start this year, gets your hopes going on for this year and think ‘Well, maybe this will

be our year.'”

“Getting to see the guys up close, seeing all the hard work that Buck and the team puts into it on

behalf of all the fans and all the stadium workers back in Camden Yards,” says Bill Andrews, of

Baltimore.

The Orioles have come a long way from their days as a perennial losing team. For five straight

years, they’ve been contenders. And in three of those seasons, they’ve made the playoffs.

That’s a point of pride for players who have been part of the rebirth of the birds.

“Since I’ve been here in 2012, it’s kind of turned around a little bit,” says pitcher Darren O’Day.

“We’ve put pretty good quality teams on the field every year. Hopefully something the fans

enjoy watching.”

“We made the moves to put ourselves in a good position to be playingin October,” says Chris

Tillman. “And I think that’s a great thing to be a part of.”

Tillman also told WJZ that he’s actually feeling pretty good despite reports about an injured

shoulder this week.

http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2017/02/14/chris-tillman-to-miss-opening-day/

Chris Tillman to miss Opening Day

By Craig Calcaterra / NBC Sports

February 14, 2017

Orioles starter Chris Tillman has pitched on Opening Day for the past three years. He is not

expected to pitch Opening Day for the Orioles this year, however, after receiving a platelet-rich

plasma injection his right shoulder in December.

The therapy has him three weeks behind schedule and, even with the slightly longer than usual

spring training due to the World Baseball Classic, there isn’t enough time to make it up.

If he proceeds well from here on out he could avoid a DL stint to start the season as the O’s

likely don’t need a fifth starter until the middle of April.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/02/15/thoughts-tillmans-injury-means/

Thoughts on what Tillman’s injury means

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com

February 15, 2017

The news of Chris Tillman’s lingering shoulder injury and the possibility that he could start the

season on the disabled list was met with a healthy serving of panic and a side order of horror

from the Social Media Alarmists, whose last order of business was firing manager Buck

Showalter in October.

They should relax a little – at least right now.

Showalter told the media in Sarasota, Fla., on Tuesday that Tillman informed the team in

December that his shoulder wasn’t fully responding to his offseason throwing program. He had a

platelet-rich plasma injection to curtail inflammation and speed the healing process, but he’ll be

delayed several weeks in his spring preparation.

If all goes well, Tillman is tentatively slated to pitch in an exhibition game in mid-March, and

could be back starting a regular season game in early to mid-April. His three-year of streak of

starting Opening Day, however, will come to an end.

Any time your rotation’s top starter is dealing with an injury, it’s disconcerting. Any time a

starting pitcher is dealing with a shoulder injury, it’s doubly concerning, especially considering

Tillman missed a chunk of August with shoulder inflammation.

So, how concerned should the Orioles be? Are the Social Media Alarmists justified? Is the

season over before it started?

Well, here are some thoughts:

MLB teams, including the Orioles, traditionally downplay injuries initially Years ago, I was taught by the late, great Baltimore Sun baseball writer Joe Strauss never to

underplay an injury – and an Orioles’ injury, in particular. The initial diagnosis and timetable

rarely matches reality. This isn’t necessarily the Orioles being coy or potentially misleading, as

Strauss firmly believed, though. I just think that’s the medical game these days.

Timetables are nice for us to have something tangible in the beginning, but teams are usually

medically conservative with players – a team’s primary investment – and, ultimately those vague

timelines are rarely met. The Orioles, for one, definitely err on the side of caution when it comes

to activating injured personnel, and that’s perfectly OK.

Showalter and company are paid to get the most out of a team for a 162-game season; if a player

misses a week or two longer than initially projected, that’s acceptable, especially if the

alternative is watching that player re-injure himself because he wasn’t quite ready to return.

If I’m a betting man, I’d put money down that Tillman will begin the season on the disabled list

(which is now 10 days, not 15) and that he’ll be back at some point in mid-to-late April. That’s a

fairly safe bet, since the Orioles won’t need a fifth starter until mid-April anyway. Could it be

longer than that? That’s always possible when dealing with arm discomfort and a pitcher.

Tillman’s a tricky case when it comes to injuries The Orioles have had their share of tough guys over the years, led of course by Iron Man Cal

Ripken Jr. It’s sort of a you-understood thing in the Orioles’ clubhouse. You play hard, and you

play banged-up if you can do so without negatively affecting the team.

Tillman’s in that tough-guy mold, one of the toughest pitchers I’ve been around. He has quietly

pitched hurt at times throughout his career. I still firmly believe his rough 2015 was partially due

to Tillman’s insistence on pitching less than 100 percent, because he didn’t want to let his

teammates down in a pennant race.

There’s a fine line, of course, between playing banged-up and being an injury detriment. It’s a

no-win situation for players. If they embrace time off to rest their bodies, they are considered

soft. But if they play hurt and do poorly, then they are selfish and have damaged the team.

This time off is going to be a challenge for Tillman, who hates not taking the baseball every fifth

day. But he can’t rush back. For the Orioles to be successful this year, they most likely need 30

starts and close to 200 solid innings from Tillman. He has to keep that in mind as he pushes

through his rehab at what I’m sure will be a pace too slow for his liking.

No worries about contract status affecting Tillman’s timeline One thing I don’t think is a concern is that Tillman will allow his pending free agency at the end

of the year to determine his timeline. He’s just not wired that way. He’s not going to be fretting

about what the injury may mean to his statistics and, consequently, his potential free-agent

worth.

Obviously, making money is important to everyone. But Tillman is about the last guy I would

expect to allow those thoughts to get into his head. If he rushes back too soon, it’s because the

stubborn son-of-a-gun wants to pitch and win – not because a prolonged absence hurts his value.

One other thing on this – as I hinted earlier – head athletic trainer Richie Bancells and Showalter

aren’t going to let Tillman rush back, anyway. That’s just not their styles.

This could be good for Gausman Many people have been waiting for Kevin Gausman to pass Tillman in the rotation’s hierarchy.

Whether he does in 2017 won’t be determined or several months. But you have to assume that

Gausman will get the Opening Day start in Tillman’s absence.

And that’s a good development. Tillman could be gone next year. It’s time for Gausman to take

more of a leadership and spotlight role. Remember, this is a kid who pitched on Friday nights in

front of soldout crowds in the SEC. He’s not intimidated. So, he should get a chance to see what

it’s like to be the man to start a MLB season, even if that experience is brief. I see no drawback

to that.

Time to go get another veteran starter This has been on Dan Duquette’s offseason wish list since the offseason began. It became more

imperative when he dealt away sixth starter Yovani Gallardo. Now, with Tillman out at least

temporarily, it demonstrates again how fragile a MLB rotation can be.

So, Duquette needs to buy insurance ASAP.

Jorge De La Rosa, Doug Fister and Colby Lewis are among the veteran free agents still

available. The Orioles shouldn’t hesitate in grabbing one. Even if Tillman is back by early April,

rotation depth is instrumental for teams with playoff aspirations.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/02/17/brach-wins-arb-case-os-actually-lose-one/

Brach wins arb case — or O’s actually lose one

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com

February 17, 2017

The Orioles’ arbitration cases are over – and so is their streak.

A three-person arbitration panel ruled in favor of Brad Brach Friday, according to multiple

reports. The right-handed reliever will receive $3.05 million, more than doubling his salary

($1.25 million) from 2016.

The Orioles had countered with $2.55 million and the two sides participated in a hearing

Thursday in Florida – the second the Orioles have had this spring. They won earlier in the month

against catcher Caleb Joseph.

The loss to Brach was the first time the Orioles hadn’t won an arbitration hearing since 1995,

when pitcher Ben McDonald was victorious. The Orioles are now 11-2 in arb hearings since

attorney Peter Angelos took over as majority owner of the team.

I believe the Orioles had won their last 10 hearings – and all three previously under executive

vice president Dan Duquette.

The club had roughly a dozen potential cases for arbitration at various points this offseason, but

settled with most. Only three – Brach, Joseph and pitcher Kevin Gausman, who ultimately

settled – filed salary figures this year.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/02/14/myriad-orioles-thoughts-radio-musings-ynoa-

verrett-castillo-chris-johnson/

Myriad Orioles Thoughts: Radio musings, Ynoa, Verrett,

Castillo and Chris Johnson

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com

February 13, 2017

I had my fourth radio show on WOYK 1350 on Monday – you can listen here or download it as a

BaltimoreBaseball.com podcast from iTunes – and one of my guests was Marc Carig, who

covered the Orioles for The Washington Post about a decade ago.

Carig is now the New York Mets beat writer for Newsday, and he had a chance to watch right-

hander Gabriel Ynoa pitch for a chunk of 2016.

His assessment is exactly what I gathered from talking to other people: The Orioles may have

gotten a steal last Friday when they traded cash considerations to the Mets for the 23-year-old

Ynoa.

Carig said he was a bit surprised that the Mets gave up on Ynoa, and that it was more because of

a crowded 40-man roster than anything Ynoa did or didn’t do. Carig said the emergence of right-

handers Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo “bumped Ynoa down the ladder,” and when the Mets

had to make a 40-man roster move to make room for free-agent relievers, Ynoa became “the odd

man out.”

Carig, however, still believes that Ynoa, a sinkerballer with good control, can be an effective

major league starter, and he thinks the plan detailed by Orioles’ executive vice president Dan

Duquette is right on: Insert Ynoa into the Triple-A rotation and let him sink or swim there

instead of moving him between the rotation and long relief in the majors the way the Mets did.

Although he doesn’t have the same upside as Ynoa, Carig also believes 26-year-old right-hander

Logan Verrett, whom the Orioles acquired from the Mets in November for cash considerations,

can help the Orioles this year.

I asked Carig whether he thought Verrett, whom the Orioles had briefly as a Rule 5 player two

springs ago, was a legitimate major-league pitcher. Carig immediately said yes. He thinks Verrett

may have put too much pressure on himself when he was given an opportunity to stick in the

Mets’ rotation. But as a swingman/long reliever, Carig thinks Verrett will do fine in Baltimore.

Check out the link above for more of the interview.

Castillo’s WBC decision a questionable one Also as part of Monday’s show, I talked with MASNSports.com’s Roch Kubatko about a few

issues facing the Orioles this spring. One of the more intriguing developments is the involvement

of several players in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Kubatko points out that the initial concern was about the workload for young Team USA pitcher

Mychal Givens, but the Orioles have received assurances that his use will be monitored and he

won’t be called on to make multiple-inning appearances.

And that, Kubatko said, means the club’s biggest concern now is catcher Welington Castillo’s

decision to play for the Dominican Republic team. I share the Orioles’ disappointment on that

one.

Yes, playing for your country is a real honor. And that’s especially important for players that

come from Latin American countries where baseball is king and being able to compete with

much bigger nations is a tremendous source of pride.

Plus, Castillo is 30; he may never get this chance again. So, I get why he would feel drawn to

play for the Dominican. But it just seems like a bad idea given that he is entering his first – and

perhaps only – year with the Orioles. He doesn’t have a relationship with the club’s pitchers yet.

He isn’t known for his defense. And he’s replacing Matt Wieters, an exceptionally popular

player among teammates, including pitchers.

This is a huge year for Castillo, who was non-tendered by the Arizona Diamondbacks in

November. A productive season at Camden Yards and he could be looking at a financial windfall

next winter. A slow start — offensively, defensively or both — could really hamper him

throughout the summer.

It’s admirable he wants to play for his country. But his first priority should have been the team

that is paying him to perform in 2017 and the new pitchers he must learn.

O’s sign Johnson as inexpensive insurance, good story Chris Johnson may not be the best on-field fit for the Orioles. He’s 32, has had consecutive down

seasons and basically only plays the corner infield, where the Orioles are set.

But the Orioles have tried to get him for years, partially because they like his grittiness and

partially because no one in the organization knows the veteran better than Triple-A Norfolk

manager Ron Johnson, Chris’ dad.

The younger Johnson likely will play this year for his father at Norfolk, but is a cheap insurance

policy in case Manny Machado, Chris Davis and/or Mark Trumbo get hurt. Johnson is still owed

$9 million this year (and $1 million as part of a buyout in 2018), which is the responsibility of

the Cleveland Indians.

So, the Orioles are only on the hook for the prorated league minimum (of $535,000) if Johnson

plays at the major-league level at all in 2017.

At worst, they have a cool, father-son story at Norfolk. At best, they have a seasoned veteran

available at the lowest possible salary.

http://www.snntv.com/2017/02/15/7th-annual-oriolesreach-birdland-golf-classic/

7th

Annual OriolesREACH Birdland Golf Classic

By Ben Bobick / SNN News

February 15, 2017

MANATEE COUNTY – When the O’s come to town they don’t spend all their time on the

baseball diamond. The team looks forward to playing some golf, but more importantly, helping

out the Miracle League of Manasota.

“All you have to do is go out to one of these fields or just see the impact it has on our neighbors

here in Sarasota, it’s special. It’s a very easy sell to our players. They actually wish we could do

it more times,” says Orioles Manager Buck Showalter.

It’s the 7th Annual OriolesREACH Birdland Golf Classic and with the past 6, they’ve raised

collectively more than $200,000. This year is no different.

“Our goal this year is to net 50. So, I think last year we were just under that so hopefully we’re

going to beat it,” says Birdland Golf Classic Chairman Max Levine.

2013 and 2015 MLB home run leader Chris Davis says nothing beats getting out on the golf

course with community members and teammates. Also, nothing beats beating your buddies.

“We can’t do anything without competing so it’s fun to see who can play a little bit and who’s

not very good. I’m sure there will be some trash talking,” says Davis.

It’s truly amazing the impact one nice, fun day on the golf course can have on so many deserving

individuals.

“This is our flagship event. The bread and butter for the Miracle League of Manasota. The

money we raise here today alone will operate our league for a full calendar year,” says Levine.

http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/local/orioles-vp-warns-county-not-to-bite-off-more-

than/article_a0021084-f3d3-11e6-99e8-f3c80d4c16b7.html

Orioles VP warns county not to bite off more than it can

chew with Braves

By Adam Cellini / WWSB (ABC)

February 15, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Atlanta Braves spring training in Sarasota County could cost around $80

million, and we're learning more about where the public portion of that money may come from.

One official from Sarasota's current team, however, is warning the county not to bite off more

than it can chew.

"I think the same criteria that we had to meet needs to apply to all of these things whether it's

biking, rowing, or baseball," says John Angelos, Executive Vice-President of the Baltimore

Orioles,

Since 2010, the Orioles and Sarasota County have been a spring training success story. Fan

support at games has been record breaking, and year-round tourism from the Baltimore area has

skyrocketed. A $24 million investment from the county the Orioles say is now an $89 million

annual return on that investment.

Angelos says that success should now be the standard if Sarasota county wants to bring in

another team.

"As the County moves to do more and more sports facilities, I think that's a very flattering thing

for the Orioles," he says.

The Orioles settled for a renovated stadium, but the Atlanta Braves want a more expensive new

facility.

Fine by Angelos, as long as it doesn't affect their budget.

"If the county has identified the funding for the Orioles and the Braves and all their other sports

investments, then fabulous let's go ahead," he says "But let's make sure we've done that."

The county recently broke down the funding sources for a Braves facility. They hope $20 million

will come from state grants, $22 Million from tourist development dollars over 20 years, a

portion from the team and West Villages Developers, and now North Port says they're willing to

spend 4-5 million from unspecified sources.

North Port Vice-Mayor Vanessa Carusone says the goal is to find sources that won't impact

residential taxpayers at all, like impact fees.

"No matter what it is that we invest, it's going to far outweigh what it is that will come back in,"

says Carusone. "Right now we don't have a lot of tourist development dollars coming in to the

city because we don't have a lot of tourism type activities here."

Visit Sarasota may also have to split their marketing budget between the two teams. It will be

easier if Atlanta makes a $1 million dollar per year commitment to advertising like Baltimore

does.

"The extent that we have with Baltimore is a first of its kind," says Visit Sarasota Executive

Director Virginia Haley.

The county also puts $150,000-$200,000 into a capital improvement fund every year, which the

Orioles match. It's a savings account for any improvements the stadium may require over the 30-

year contract. It's something else the county will likely have to at least double to make the same

promise to the Braves.

http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/local/orioles-general-manager-reacts-to-braves-possible-

move-to-sarasota/article_0bf8a528-f2df-11e6-8942-73f2f2872590.html

Orioles General Manager reacts to Braves possible move to

Sarasota County for Spring Training

By Ray Collins / WWSB (ABC)

February 14, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Dozens of Baltimore Orioles baseball fans came out to watch the first day

of pitchers and catchers working out for Spring Training at Ed Smith Stadium.

Among those around the practice field, General Manager Dan Duquette who said he's glad to be

back in Sarasota for another season.

"The Orioles love Sarasota, we love being part of the community. Since the Orioles started

training here in this beautiful facility, we've had a really good record," Duquette said.

Duquette said he's aware Sarasota County is in exclusive negotiations to bring the Atlanta Braves

to North Port, and believes it's a win-win for everyone involved.

"To travel to one central area to see a lot of teams in the Spring... so I think it's going to be a big

plus for the community and for Orioles fans since now they can go close by and see another ball

club," Duquette said.

The Orioles open a week from Saturday, Feb. 25th, against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton.