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 2012, 1996

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Game stories:

Orioles recap: Michael Saunders hits three homers in Blue Jays' 13-3 win over Birds The

Sun 6/17

Orioles can't contain hot-hitting Blue Jays MLB.com 6/18

Jays still wrong team for Wright (O’s lose 13-3) MASNsports.com 6/17

Michael Saunders homers three times as Blue Jays rout Orioles MASNsports.com 6/17

Saunders' 3 HRs, 8 RBIs carry Blue Jays past Orioles 13-3 AP 6/18

Wright, Jimenez Roughed Up In Orioles' 13-3 Loss CSN Mid-Atlantic 6/17

Columns:

Jake Arrieta reflects on time with Orioles, believes he could've become an ace in

Baltimore The Sun 6/18

Orioles face difficult roster crunch with pending moves, Machado suspension looming

The Sun 6/18

Orioles option Mike Wright to Triple-A Norfolk after poor start against Blue Jays The

Sun 6/17

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy expects to be activated from DL on Saturday The Sun 6/17

Manny Machado's base running is in the spotlight again, and not in a good way The Sun

6/17

Newly signed Orioles first-round pick Cody Sedlock wanted to 'get to it as quick as

possible' The Sun 6/17

Orioles notebook: Shortstop J.J. Hardy to return Saturday or Sunday The Sun 6/17

After injury, Orioles' Caleb Joseph thinks Kevlar cup will give him peace of mind behind

plate The Sun 6/17

Orioles on deck: Birds sign first-round pick, plus what to watch Friday vs. Blue Jays The

Sun 6/17

Five for Friday: Orioles who have hit 10 home runs The Sun 6/17

Wright optioned to Triple-A after rough start MLB.com 6/18

Gallardo set to return to face Dickey, Jays MLB.com 6/18

Hardy to return Saturday from DL MLB.com 6/17

Orioles sign first-round pick Sedlock MLB.com 6/17

Davis to be Casey Cares race ambassador MLB.com 6/17

Pending roster moves and today’s game MASNsports.com 6/18

Showalter speaks after 13-3 loss (Wright optioned) MASNsports.com 6/17

Pending moves and Machado’s suspension (O’s down 4-1) MASNsports.com 6/17

Quick hits from Camden Yards MASNsports.com 6/17

Orioles lineup (plus deal with first-round pick Cody Sedlock) MASNsports.com 6/17

Notes on O’s pitching, Yovani Gallardo and Michael Saunders MASNsports.com 6/18

Mike Wright on his poor outing, J.J. Hardy on returning to the Orioles (updated)

MASNsports.com 6/17

Michael Saunders homers three times as Blue Jays rout Orioles MASNsports.com 6/17

O’s game blog: First-round pick Cody Sedlock signs, plus tonight’s matchup

MASNsports.com 6/17

Chris Davis partners with Casey Cares Foundation, talks about Toronto series

MASNsports.com 6/17

Blue Jays-Orioles preview STATS, LLC. 6/18

Catastrophic combo a resounding reminder that Orioles need arm aid ESPN 6/18

Hardy Set To Be Activated By Orioles On Saturday CSN Mid-Atlantic 6/17

When Will Manny Machado's Suspension Begin? CSN Mid-Atlantic 6/17

Hardy Works Out For Orioles, Activation Likely This Weekend CSN Mid-Atlantic 6/17

Machado-Ventura Brawl Lives Forever In WWE 2K16 Video CSN Mid-Atlantic 6/17

Crab Cakes And Baseball That's What The Orioles Top Draft Pick Wants CSN Mid-

Atlantic 6/17

Orioles Host 35th Annual Brooks Robinson High School All-Star Game CBS Baltimore

6/17

Orioles Agree To Terms With MLB Draft Pick Cody Sedlock CBS Baltimore 6/17

Baltimore Orioles Are The First Team To Reach 100 Home Runs CBS Baltimore 6/17

101-Year-Old Orioles Fan To Throw First Pitch On Saturday CBS Baltimore 6/17

Chris Davis Named Race Ambassador For Casey Cares 5K Run/Walk CBS Baltimore

6/17

Here are five reasons the Orioles remain the surprise leaders of the AL East CBS Sports

6/18

Wright demoted to the minors; now what happens Wednesday? BaltimoreBaseball.com

6/18

Hardy expects to be activated from DL on Saturday (Wright optioned)

BaltimoreBaseball.com 6/17

O’s first-rounder Sedlock can’t wait to pitch again — or get a crabcake

BaltimoreBaseball.com 6/17

Pre-game O’s thoughts: Hardy could be activated Saturday; why Manny could drop his

appeal by Monday; who goes when Hardy returns BaltimoreBaseball.com 6/17

Orioles' Manny Machado enters equation of who’s best USA Today Sports 6/17

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-recap-michael-saunders-hits-three-

homers-in-blue-jays-13-3-win-over-birds-20160617-story.html

Orioles recap: Michael Saunders hits three homers in Blue

Jays' 13-3 win over Birds

By Peter Schmuck / The Schmuck Stops Here

June 17, 2016

The Toronto Blue Jays continued to hammer away at the Orioles’ struggling pitching staff Friday

night, knocking Mike Wright and Ubaldo Jimenez all over Camden Yards in a 13-3 victory that

featured a three-homer, eight-RBI performance by Michael Saunders and the Jays’ third straight

double-digit offensive barrage against the first-place O’s.

The Blue Jays (39-31) scored 11 runs on June 11 and 10 runs Sunday in Toronto, and have now

beaten the Orioles four straight times to climb into a virtual second-place tie with theBoston Red

Sox (37-29), just one game off the American League East lead.

Of course, it’s too early to make much of the standings, but it’s not too early to wonder about the

future of both Wright and Jimenez, both of whom no longer appear to be viable members of the

major league pitching staff.

Something has to give before Saturday’s late-afternoon game, since the Orioles (38-28) have to

make room on the roster for veteran starter Yovani Gallardo to return from the disabled list and

rejoin the rotation. It seems likely that Wright will be sent back Triple-A Norfolk, while

Gallardo’s first start after missing nearly two months with a sore shoulder has taken on even

more significance.

“We have to make two [roster moves],” manager Buck Showalter said. “We've got to make room

for Gallardo, and J.J. [Hardy] is going to be activated tomorrow. So we've got two moves to

make between now and tomorrow's game. … For sure, at least two.”

Somebody has to stop the bleeding against a Blue Jays offense that is rolling despite the loss of

slugger Jose Bautistato the disabled list with a foot injury. Saunders launched a three-run homer

in the first inning, hit another three-run shot in the fourth and added a two-run homer, his 15th of

the year, in the sixth. He got up one more time, but bounced into a double play in the eighth.

Wright was charged with eight earned runs on six hits, a walk and a hit batsman. He gave up

three homers, one each to Saunders, Josh Donaldson and Justin Smoak.

“When you're working harder than ever and get those results, it's tough,” Wright said.

Jimenez’s bullpen debut: Jimenez was summoned from the bullpen for his first relief

appearance of the year and it didn’t go well. He came on to replace Wright with the Orioles

trailing 6-2 with two outs in the fourth and it was 11-2 when the inning ended.

Jimenez let two inherited runners score and had three earned runs of his own that inning,

surrendering the two-run triple to Donaldson, a walk to Edwin Encarnacion and a the second

home run of the game by Saunders.

Home plate review: Way back when the game was still in doubt, manager Buck Showalter

challenged a play at home plate after Manny Machado was thrown out on the back end of a

double play after trying to tag up on a pop-up behind first base. It appeared that catcher Russell

Martin had denied Machado a path to the plate – which is a no-no under the new rules meant to

prevent collisions – but the New York replay crew did not agree and the out call stood.

When opportunity knocked…: The Orioles had a chance to do to Blue Jays starter Aaron

Sanchez what Toronto did to Wright and Jimenez, but they made the least of two huge scoring

opportunities in the first three innings. Following Saunders' three-run homer in the first, four

straight Orioles reached base to open the bottom of the inning, scoring a run on a single by

Machado and loading the bases. One more productive swing and the Orioles probably would

have gotten even, but Mark Trumbo and Pedro Alvarez struck out and Jonathan Schoop

grounded out.

The Orioles also loaded the bases with one out in the third after Trumbo drove in their second

run with a single, but Schoop popped into the aforementioned double play.

Ryan Flaherty added a solo homer in the ninth.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/184684214/blue-jays-homer-5-times-in-win-over-orioles

Orioles can't contain hot-hitting Blue Jays

By Gregor Chisholm and Ryan Baillargeon / MLB.com

June 18, 2016

BALTIMORE -- The Blue Jays' high-powered offense has officially returned, and that could

mean trouble for the Orioles and the rest of the teams in the American League East.

Toronto scored early and often in a lopsided 13-3 victory over Baltimore on Friday night at

Camden Yards. Michael Saunders homered three times and set a new career high with eight

RBIs. Josh Donaldson and Justin Smoak also went deep as the Blue Jays scored at least seven

runs for the fourth consecutive game.

The victory pulled the Blue Jays to within one game of Baltimore for first in the division.

Toronto also moved into a tie with Boston for second place, and with the offense having

averaged 9.3 runs per game over its past seven, momentum is on the Blue Jays' side.

"What's more important is that we won this game," a modest Saunders said afterward. "This is a

team that's ahead of us in the division right now, so this is a big series. We took three out of four

from them at home, and that was huge for us. We're playing great baseball right now from top to

bottom, and it was a big win for us."

Right-hander Mike Wright took the loss for Baltimore after surrendering eight runs on six hits

and a walk over 3 2/3 innings. Reliever Ubaldo Jimenez did not fare much better, as he allowed

five runs on four hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings.

Aaron Sanchez earned the victory for Toronto by scattering seven hits and two walks with six

strikeouts over six innings of work. He worked his way out of a bases-loaded situation in the first

inning and managed to keep the game in check until the Blue Jays' lineup did the rest.

"We had some opportunities early in the game to score a lot of runs," manager Buck Showalter

said. "Sanchez always had a strikeout there waiting."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

The hat trick: Leave it to the Canadian to score baseball's version of the hat trick. Saunders got

his night started in the first inning with a three-run shot to left-center field. In the fourth, he

added another three-run shot, and in the sixth it was a two-run homer over the wall in right field.

It was the first time in Saunders' career that he went deep three times in one game and the

seventh time in his career he hit at least two.

"I think hitting is ultimately all about getting a good pitch to hit and putting a good swing on it,"

Saunders said. "I felt like that's what I was able to do tonight."

Not the Wright guy: When Wright got a second chance June 6, just days after he was demoted to

Triple-A, he responded with seven innings without an earned run. But he couldn't back it up

against Toronto in his next start, allowing four runs in five-plus innings. And in his do-over

against the Blue Jays less than a week later, he fared even worse. Wright gave up a career-high

eight earned runs. He was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after the game.

Scoring the touchdown: Toronto took an early 4-2 lead through three innings, but it was the

fourth that put the game out of reach. The Blue Jays sent 11 batters to the plate, and Saunders'

three-run shot was only part of the story. Russell Martin doubled, Smoak homered and

Donaldson had a two-run triple. Toronto scored seven runs before it was all said and done while

chasing Wright from the game and making life equally as difficult on Jimenez.

"We've been playing good," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "People thought we were

dead in the water there for awhile. It's still a long way to go."

The glove and the arm: Before this game was put out of reach, Toronto second

basemanDarwin Barney protected his club's two-run lead in the third with a spectacular play in

shallow right field. With the bases loaded and one out, Baltimore's Jonathan Schoop hit a high

popup to the right side of the field. The ball was in serious danger of dropping for a hit, but

Barney was able to track it down on the run before turning and firing it home. Martin's tag

initially missed Manny Machado, but the Orioles' shortstop also didn't touch the plate on his

slide. That allowed Martin to tag him a couple of seconds later for the final out of the inning.

Baltimore asked for a review, but the call on the field was confirmed.

"That was huge," Sanchez said. "He has been making pl

ays all year like that, and it could not have come at a better time for me and the team."

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Saunders became the fourth Canadian in Major League history to record a three-homer

game. Joey Votto, Justin Morneau and Larry Walker previously did it, as well.

WHAT'S NEXT

Blue Jays: Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (4-7, 4.16 ERA) will take the mound when the Blue Jays

continue their three-game series against the Orioles on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. ET. Dickey has

surrendered three earned runs or fewer in each of his past four starts. He has faced Baltimore

once this season, and in that outing on April 20, he surrendered three runs over six innings.

Orioles: After nearly two months on the disabled list, righty Yovani Gallardo (1-1, 7.00 ERA)

will make his return to the Orioles' rotation. He allowed just one hit, a home run, in five innings

in his last of three rehab starts Monday.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/06/jays-still-wrong-team-for-wright.html

Jays still wrong team for Wright (O’s lose 13-3)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

June 17, 2016

The combination of Mike Wright and Ubaldo Jimenez didn’t work tonight at Camden Yards.

It did, however, stir up the home crowd, which offered up a selection of boos and sarcastic

applause after the top of the fourth inning came to a merciful halt.

Wright was charged with eight runs and six hits over 3 2/3 innings, his second-shortest outing of

the season. The last two runs scored after Jimenez replaced him.

More on Jimenez later. This was Wright’s start and he goes first.

Wright walked a batter, struck out three, surrendered three home runs and hit a batter. He was

gone after 73 pitches, including 50 for strikes.

In two starts since his “do-over” win against the Royals, Wright has allowed 12 runs and 12 hits

in 8 2/3 innings in a pair of starts versus the Blue Jays. He’s walked six and struck out six.

Wright’s ERA has increased from 5.31 to 6.12 in 64 2/3 innings. Whether he makes his next

start, slated for Wednesday against the Padres at Camden Yards, remains to be seen. But at least

he won’t be facing Toronto.

Before tonight, Wright was 0-3 with a 7.13 ERA and 2.208 WHIP in five career games (four)

starts against the Blue Jays spanning 17 2/3 innings. It’s gotten a lot worse.

Wright is now carrying a lifetime 9.28 ERA against the Blue Jays.

Wright threw 37 pitches in the first inning and surrendered a three-run homer to Michael

Saunders. He needed only 10 pitches to retire the side in the second, but Josh Donaldson hit a

solo home run in the third and the wheels came off in the fourth.

Russell Martin led off with a double and Justin Smoak hit a long home run to right field. Darwin

Barney singled with two outs, Wright nicked Ezequiel Carrera with a pitch and manager Buck

Showalter emerged from the dugout at the usual brisk pace.

Donaldson fell behind 0-2 to Jimenez and delivered a two-run triple to left-center field to

complete Wright’s line. Edwin Encarnacion walked and Saunders hit another three-run homer to

give him a career-high six RBIs and the Blue Jays an 11-2 lead.

Fans grew more restless, to put it mildly, when Martin walked on four pitches, but Smoak struck

out to at least stall the madness, if not end it completely.

This is Jimenez’s first relief appearance since Sept. 28, 2015. He retired the Blue Jays in order in

the fifth.

Does Wright get another start? The Orioles don’t have an obvious alternative with Yovani

Gallardo coming off the disabled list on Saturday as Jimenez’s rotation replacement.

David Hale, who’s on the 40-man roster, was scratched from tonight’s start at Triple-A Norfolk.

No explanation given at the moment.

Update: Hale was scratched due to calf spasms.

The Orioles have scored twice off Aaron Sanchez and wasted two prime bases-loaded situations.

They could have made life a little easier for Wright.

Manny Machado had an RBI single in the first and Chris Davis walked to load the bases with no

outs, but Mark Trumbo and Pedro Alvarez struck out and Jonathan Schoop grounded out.

Trumbo had an RBI single in the fourth after back-to-back singles by Hyun Soo Kim and

Machado to start the inning. Alvarez walked to fill the bases, but Schoop flied to right and

Machado was out at the plate on a disputed call.

The Orioles challenged, saying Martin violated the collision rule and didn’t give Machado a path

to the plate, but the argument fell on deaf ears. Or blind eyes in New York. Either way, Machado

was ruled out.

Update II: Saunders hit a two-run homer off Jimenez in the sixth, giving him a career-high three

home runs and eight RBIs and putting Toronto ahead 13-2.

Update III: Ryan Flaherty homered with two outs in the ninth in a 13-3 loss to the Blue Jays.

The Red Sox also lost, keeping the Orioles in first place in the American League East.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/06/mike-wright-on-his-poor-outing-jj-hardy-

on-returning-to-the-orioles.html

Michael Saunders homers three times as Blue Jays rout

Orioles

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

June 17, 2016

When the Orioles last saw the them - last weekend at Rogers Centre - the Toronto Blue Jays

scored 11 runs Saturday and 10 runs on Sunday.

The Blue Jays’ pounding of O’s pitching continued tonight at Camden Yards. Toronto scored

seven runs in the fourth to open an 11-2 lead and went on to win 13-3 in the series opener.

Toronto left fielder Michael Saunders has feasted on O’s pitching this year. Tonight, he hit three-

run homers in the first and fourth innings, and added a two-run homer in the sixth for his first

career three-home run night. He posted a career-high eight RBIs with his seventh career multi-

homer game and second of this season.

Saunders batted with the bases loaded against T.J. McFarland in the eighth, looking for a four-

homer game, but he bounced into a double play. Josh Hamilton and Rocky Colavito are the only

two players to ever homer four times in one game against the Orioles.

On the year versus the Orioles, Saunders is 18-for-33 (.545) with six doubles, five homers and 12

RBIs. Saunders has 15 homers on the year and has hit five in his last four games versus

Baltimore pitching.

Mike Wright had another poor night and you have to wonder how much longer the Orioles can

keep him in their rotation. Toronto scored three off him in the first and knocked him out during

the seven-run fourth inning.

Wright went 3 2/3 innings, allowing six hits, a career-high eight runs and three home runs. He

falls to 3-4 with an ERA of 6.12. His last two starts have come versus Toronto and he’s allowed

12 runs over 8 2/3 innings. His ERA in starts this season against American League East teams is

10.46. Ubaldo Jimenez pitched in relief and allowed four hits and five runs on two homers over 2

1/3 innings.

Last weekend, Toronto scored 30 runs in four games against the Orioles. In their last three games

versus Baltimore, they have scored 11, 10 and 13 runs.

The Orioles scored on Manny Machado’s RBI single in the first and Mark Trumbo’s single in the

third. They loaded the bases in both of those innings and failed to score more than once each

time. Ryan Flaherty hit a solo homer in the ninth.

Six of the first seven games between these two teams this year were decided by one run, but this

one was a blowout. The Orioles fall to 38-28 for the year and to 24-12 at home. Toronto has won

four in a row and seven of eight to improve to 39-31. Toronto is 11-5 in June and has scored 104

runs this month.

In the second game of this series, on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m., Yovani Gallardo (1-1, 7.00

ERA) returns to the rotation and pitches against R.A. Dickey (4-7, 4.16 ERA).

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=360617101

Saunders' 3 HRs, 8 RBIs carry Blue Jays past Orioles 13-3

Associated press / ESPN

June 18, 2016

BALTIMORE -- One slugger goes down, another steps in. There is seemingly no limit to the

depth of the Toronto Blue Jays' lineup -- or the damage it can inflict.

Michael Saunders set career highs with three homers and eight RBI, and the Blue Jays blew past

the Baltimore Orioles 13-3 on Friday night for their fourth straight victory.

Hours after Toronto put outfielderJose Bautista on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left

big toe, Saunders carried an offense that has been bludgeoning the baseball over the past week.

Saunders connected with two on against Mike Wright (3-4) in the first inning, added another

three-run drive off Wright in the fourth and went deep against Ubaldo Jimenez with a man on in

the sixth.

"I think my hitting is all about getting a good pitch to hit and putting a good swing on it,"

Saunders said. "I thought that's what I did tonight."

Batting in the eighth inning against T.J. McFarland and with the chance to tie the major league

record of four homers in a game, Saunders bounced into a bases-loaded double play.

"He did a good job throwing sinkers under my hands," he said.

That did little to ruin Saunders' finest game in the big leagues since he debuted with Seattle in

2009. He raised his home run total for the season to 15, second-most in his career behind the 19

he hit for the Mariners in 2012.

"Michael's in an excellent groove," manager John Gibbons said. "He's had a great year for us,

showing good power. He's using the whole field too. He's not just hitting home runs pull-side.

He's driving some balls out there the other way, Great effort by him."

Both of Saunders' home runs off Wright were opposite-field pokes to left. In eight games against

Baltimore this season, Saunders is 18 for 33 with five home runs and 12 RBI.

"He's doing a lot of good things for them," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "He's handling

left-handed pitching, too. He gives them some real protection for those guys."

Josh Donaldson and Justin Smoak also homered for the surging Blue Jays, who have won seven

of eight to move within a game of first-place Baltimore in the AL East.

The Blue Jays have outscored the opposition 65-32 in their last seven games.

"We're built to hit, just like them," Gibbons said. "Pitching wins it, but you've got to slug it out in

this division. We play in those small ballparks, and if you can't score you're not going to win.

That's just a fact. But we've been on a nice little roll."

Saunders led the charge in this one. His first homer gave Toronto the lead for good, and his

second of the night was the key blow in a seven-run fourth inning that made it 11-2.

Aaron Sanchez (7-1) allowed two runs and seven hits over six innings to earn his second win

over the Orioles in a six-day span.

Wright surrendered eight runs in 3 2/3 innings and Jimenez yielded five in 2 1/3 innings.

"I threw some good pitches, threw some bad pitches," Wright said. "They hit them both."

Ryan Flaherty homered for Baltimore in the ninth.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Blue Jays: SS Troy Tulowitzki (right quad) is close to coming off the DL. "You might see him

in the next couple days," Gibbons said.

Orioles: SS J.J. Hardy (fractured left foot) will come off the DL on Saturday, Showalter said.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays: Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (4-7, 4.16 ERA) starts on Saturday in the second game of

the series. He's 2-6 lifetime against the Orioles.

Orioles: Yovani Gallardo (1-1, 7.00) comes off the DL to make his first start since being

sidelined in late April with right shoulder biceps tendinitis.

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/baltimore-orioles/wright-jimenez-roughed-orioles-13-3-loss

Wright, Jimenez Roughed Up In Orioles' 13-3 Loss

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Mid-Atlantic

June 17, 2016

BALTIMORE—Mike Wright paid the price for his awful performance against the Toronto Blue

Jays. Earlier this month, Wright was sent down to Norfolk for a day without actually reporting,

and given a reprieve because of an injury to Darren O’Day, did not get one this time.

He allowed eight runs in 3 2/3 innings and was sent to Norfolk after the game.

Ubaldo Jimenez, who was sent to the bullpen earlier this week after he imploded in Toronto,

gave up five more in 2 1/3.

The Orioles lost 13-3 to the Blue Jays before 38,306 at Oriole Park on Friday night. The 13 runs

were the most runs they’ve allowed in 2016.

Michael Saunders hit three home runs and drove in eight runs.

Yovani Gallardo will be activated from the disabled list on Saturday, and Wright was sent down

to make room for him, and after the game manager Buck Showalter said that J.J. Hardy will be

activated on Saturday as well.

With Manny Machado’s suspension coming soon, Showalter has several issues to solve.

“We have to make two spots tomorrow. At least two, maybe three. With Manny's looming

departure it's tough to send out infielders and play with two guys on the bench, none of which are

infielders. Pretty complicated. After each game, especially one like this, the chairs kind of move

around,” Showalter said.

Jimenez has nearly a season-and-a-half remaining on the four-year, $50 million contract he

signed in 2014.

While jettisoning Jimenez may be a popular move, the Orioles may not be ready for it yet. But,

outings like Friday night may make it more palatable.

Besides, the Orioles may need another rested reliever, and Jimenez isn’t ready for regular relief

work.

Wright (3-4) gave up three runs in a 37-pitch first inning. With one out, Josh Donaldson walked,

Edwin Encarnacion singles, and l Saunders, who’s building a case as a possible All-Star, hit his

first three run home run.

The first four Orioles (38-28) reached in the bottom of the first off Aaron Sanchez, but only one

scored.

Adam Jones, Hyun Soo Kim and Manny Machado began the first with singles, and Jones scored.

Chris Davis walked to load the bases, but Sanchez struck out Mark Trumbo and Pedro Alvarez

and got Jonathan Schoop on a grounder to short.

Donaldson hit his 17th home run in the third for a 4-1 Toronto (39-31) lead.

Trumbo’s RBI single made it 4-2 in the bottom of the third when Schoop’s pop to short right was

caught by second baseman Darwin Barney who threw Machado out at the plate trying to score.

Showalter challenged the call, saying that Toronto’s Russell Martin had blocked the plate, but

the call was upheld.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-schmuck-column-arrieta-0619-20160618-

column.html

Jake Arrieta reflects on time with Orioles, believes he

could've become an ace in Baltimore

By Peter Schmuck / The Baltimore Sun

June 18, 2016

It certainly is no secret in Baltimore and beyond that the Orioles starting rotation is in crisis,

which just makes it that much more frustrating for fans to watch from afar as 2015 National

League Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta continues along his merry way.

If it's any consolation, he's not gloating, though he would have every right.

Arrieta has picked up right where he left off last year, when he won 22 games and pitched his

first no-hitter. He pitched his second one on April 21 and has again been all but unbeatable as

the Chicago Cubs have run away from the NL Central pack in building the best record in either

league.

He could have turned a lengthy interview last week into a seminar on why the Orioles have had

trouble developing some very talented young pitchers, but he largely glossed over the

organizational mistakes that led to his departure — and professional rebirth — in 2013.

Instead, he seemed almost nostalgic about his six years in the Orioles organization.

"No, it wasn't a bad time at all," Arrieta said. "It's just that I went through difficult situations. I

had great teammates. Adam Jones took great care of me. Mike Gonzalez took good care of me. I

had teammates like Chris Davis. Manny Machado was really young and such a good kid. Seeing

his development, it's ridiculous. He's going to get bigger. He's going to get stronger. He's going

to get even better."

When you start your career in one organization and spend most of your career there, you make a

lot of friends, which makes it tougher to go away mad.

"I keep close tabs on everyone over there," Arrieta said. "All the guys I played with are still

there. Nolan Reimold. Ryan Flaherty. [Chris Tillman] It's awesome to see Tilly pitch that way.

I've seen him at his best. I've seen him struggle for an extended period of time. We've all been

there. To kind of persevere and get on track and do what he's doing now is great to see. I love

seeing those guys have success over there. I wouldn't change anything I went through for the

world, because it got me here."

No doubt, Orioles fans would rather hear him voice their frustration over the sad fact that he left

in a four-player deal for journeyman starter Scott Feldman three years ago instead of being

currently paired with Tillman (9-1, 2.87 ERA) in one of the best 1-2 pitching combinations in the

sport.

Arrieta could easily look back in anger at the way the team tinkered with his delivery and forced

him to scrap a cut fastball that now is a huge part of his repertoire. He could throw it all on

former Orioles pitching coach Rick Adair or minor league pitching guru Rick Peterson, or just

the organization's reluctance to let any of its young pitchers throw the cutter.

That would be fair game and Arrieta laid a lot of it out in a Sports Illustrated profile this spring,

but it's old news and he's never been a guy to live in the past.

"You could say that, but at the same time, players have to take ownership of their own careers at

some point and either do things one way or go down another path that can be negative," he said.

"I tell a lot of young guys that. You've got to look in the mirror and be comfortable with, 'Hey,

did I do it my way? Did I try it my way before I either quit playing or listened to somebody else?'

I think you have to do that. You have to trust yourself.

"Everyone individually knows what they're capable of … knows that there are certain things they

can do to be successful. And that's kind of where I stood at the time. I knew there were things

different I could do to be better. That's kind of what is showing here."

So, what is it about the Cubs organization that seems to make struggling pitchers more

comfortable? Fellow former Oriole Jason Hammel has experienced something of a renaissance in

Chicago, though certainly nothing comparable to the resurrection of Arrieta's career. Setup

reliever Pedro Strop, the other pitcher lost in what is now considered one of the worst trades in

Orioles history, also has flourished there.

"People have confidence in you," Arrieta said. "It's easy to have confidence in somebody that's

going out there every night and giving the team a chance to win. That's kind of what I've been

able to do. In Baltimore, I was still trying to figure out who I was as a player. I wasn't sure. Was

I strictly a power pitcher? Did I need to use finesse within the game to manage the game? I went

back and forth. I would pitch a certain way one game and pitch completely different the next

game. I was just searching for answers.

"The environment here is basically, I have been able to go out there and just be myself. Not

worry about my mechanics, just understand that my job is just to execute pitches and to be

comfortable and to try to do all that on a consistent basis. So, mechanically, my timing is where I

would like it, and in Baltimore I didn't have it and I didn't know how to find my timing. I

searched for it."

When he found it, his whole world changed. Arrieta was 20-25 with a bulging 5.46 ERA in parts

of four seasons with the Orioles. He is 47-14 with a 2.17 ERA over about the same timespan in

Chicago.

Here's what's really scary. Cubs manager Joe Maddon said the other day that Arrieta has not

realized all of his potential.

Really? How much better can you be when you're 11-1 with a 1.74 ERA and you just ended a

20-decision winning streak that included two no-hitters?

"He's been really good," Maddon said, "and he's done that without having his total fastball

command yet. It's going to happen and you'll know. You'll see it. There's another level of him.

When you watch [Clayton] Kershaw and he's pitching with everything going on … Jake is

pitching really well and he doesn't have everything going on now."

Arrieta agrees with that assessment, but he's always worn his tremendous self-confidence on his

sleeve. It got him in trouble early on in the Orioles clubhouse, but he always knew there was

more to come.

"Five years ago, would I see myself in this position? I don't know," he said. "It's tough to answer

that question. I always knew that I could pitch this way. You remember me saying it and I got

criticized for that, but if that's the way I truly feel in my heart, why not express that? Some

people didn't like it, but that's just the way I am."

Arrieta has faced the Orioles since he left Baltimore, but not at Oriole Park. He won't this year

unless the Cubs and Orioles meet in the World Series, but he's looking forward to the chance to

come back and pitch in front of his old fan base.

"I would love to pitch at Camden again," he said. "Everyone, no matter which team they play for,

says it's their favorite stadium. It was and is one of my favorite parks. It was the first of a new

wave of ballparks. The way everything is structured and laid out, it was just a great place to play.

The ball flies a lot more than [pitchers] would like it to, but the history there with Cal [Ripken

Jr.] and a lot of the other great players who have been there, it's just a great place to play."

There is a school of thought that Arrieta never was going to pop in Baltimore, that he's a classic

change-of-scenery guy who just needed a fresh start and a few new sets of eyes to help him

figure himself out.

Maybe so, but you'll never convince him of that. He firmly believes that if he had stayed with the

Orioles he would be a premier starting pitcher right now.

"I think so," Arrieta said. "Would I have won the Cy Young Award and had a 1.77 ERA? I don't

know, but I knew I'd get there. I knew I would."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-face-difficult-roster-crunch-with-

pending-moves-machado-suspension-looming-20160617-story.html

Orioles face difficult roster crunch with pending moves,

Machado suspension looming

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

June 18, 2016

After the Orioles took a 13-3 beating from the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night at Camden

Yards, manager Buck Showalter said he was heading to his office to meet with executive vice

president Dan Duquette to discuss the team’s lineup for Saturday.

Shortly after, the team announced it was optioning right-hander Mike Wright, who allowed a

career-high eight runs over 3-plus innings on Friday, to Triple-A Norfolk. That will make roster

space to activate right-hander Yovani Gallardo from the disabled list to start Saturday against the

Jays.

But the Orioles still need to make at least one more roster move to create 25-man space for

shortstop J.J. Hardy. He is expected to come off the DL before Saturday’s game and make his

first start since May 1 after missing six-plus weeks with a fractured bone in his left foot.

That move isn’t as easy, especially with Manny Machado’s four-game suspension appeal

looming on Tuesday. The Orioles will get Hardy back, which is good timing, but once Machado

has to serve any suspension, the Orioles must play a man down, and that could happen as soon as

Wednesday.

“With Manny's looming departure it's tough to send out infielders and play with two guys on the

bench, none of which are infielders,” Showalter said. “Pretty complicated. After each game,

especially one like this, the chairs kind of move around.”

The Orioles bullpen also had to account for 5-plus innings on Friday night, and they had to use

long relief arms T.J. McFarland (two innings) and Ubaldo Jimenez (2-plus innings). Showalter

purposely tried to stay away from multiple-inning relief arms Dylan Bundy and Odrisamer

Despaigne, but the bullpen is still hanging by a thread. It’s another sign of how the Orioles really

miss right-handed set-up man Darren O’Day.

Jimenez’s first relief outing since being demoted to the bullpen was unsettling. He allowed five

runs on four hits over 2-plus innings, allowing a two-run triple to Josh Donaldson on the first

batter he faced, then a three-run homer to Michael Saunders two batters later.

The fear that Showalter talked about in sending Jimenez to the pen became reality on Friday.

Being moved to the pen isn't a banishment. Jimenez still needs to get outs, and he allowed a

triple, a homer and two walks to the first four batters he faced. He settled down after that, but if a

long man’s job is to keep a game somewhat within reach, Jimenez didn’t do that.

And because Jimenez can't be sent to the minors without his permission, he's another

unoptionable arm that makes it more difficult to keep the bullpen fresh if they need to add an arm

from the minors.

This was supposed to be a part of the schedule where the Orioles would have a chance to breathe

-- looking at three off days over eight days following Sunday’s series finale against Toronto. But

The Orioles lost their Monday off day because they have to make up a rained out game in Texas

that night. And next Saturday they will play a doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays to

make up for another rainout, and they might have to do that playing one man down if Machado is

serving his suspension.

So after an ugly game Friday, it’s not getting any easier for the Orioles.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-option-mike-wright-to-triple-a-

norfolk-after-poor-start-against-blue-jays-20160617-story.html

Orioles option Mike Wright to Triple-A Norfolk after poor

start against Blue Jays

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

June 17, 2016

The Orioles have a pitching problem.

Right-hander Mike Wright allowed a career-high eight runs over 3 2/3 innings against

the Toronto Blue Jays, and finished on the wrong side of a 13-3 rout.

Afterward, the Orioles optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk, opening a roster spot for

veteranYovani Gallardo to return from the the disabled list Saturday.

To say that Wright has struggled against Toronto might be an understatement. In six career

appearances (five starts) against the Blue Jays, he is 0-4 with a 9.27 ERA, including a 9.20 ERA

in three starts this season.

Four batters into Friday's game, Wright already trailed, 3-0. He walked Josh Donaldson, allowed

a single to Edwin Encarnacion and then yielded the first of Michael Saunders' three homers on

the night.

“He was missing," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "The first couple pitches he threw the

ball down and away, quality. A tough at-bat and won the battle, first hitter. And then just

couldn’t command the baseball after that. Good hitters made him pay.”

Wright allowed three homers on the night, also allowing solo shots to Donaldson and Justin

Smoak. He left the game trailing, 6-2, with two on and two out in the fourth after allowing a

single to No. 9 hitter Darwin Barney and hittingEzequiel Carrera with a pitch.

Ubaldo Jimenez, making his first relief appearance since being demoted to the bullpen, didn't

fare much better. He allowed two runs charged to Wright on a two-run triple by Donaldson and

gave up a three-run homer to Saunders two batters later.

"I threw some good pitches, threw some bad pitches," Wright said. "They hit them both. ... I had

a walk, gave up three home runs and then gave up too many runs."

As much as he has struggled against the Blue Jays, Wright's numbers against the American

League East are actually worse. He owns a 10.46 ERA in 11 career games (nine starts) against

division competition.

"I’m working harder than ever," Wright said. "When you’re working hard, and get those results,

it’s tough."

Wright was also optioned to Triple-A following his shortest start of the season, a 2 2/3-inning,

six-run outing against the Boston Red Sox on June 1. But he returned one day later when setup

man Darren O'Day went on the DL.

He took advantage of his "do-over," as Showalter called it, holding the defending

champion Kansas City Royals to one unearned run over seven innings on June 6. But in his next

start, he didn't get an out in the sixth inning against the Blue Jays, walking a career-high five

batters and allowed four runs over five innings.

"That’s when the hard work started," Wright said of his start against Kansas City. "Got really

good results at first and then ran into the Blue Jays twice."

Asked about Wright's spot in the rotation before Friday's demotion, Showalter didn't give a solid

answer. The Orioles needed to make roster space for Gallardo and still need to do so to activate

shortstop J.J. Hardy from the DL.

"Mike's an option for us next Wednesday," Showalter said right after the game. "We'll consider

where we are. But we have to make two spots tomorrow. At least two, maybe three. With

[Manny Machado's] looming departure it's tough to send out infielders and play with two guys

on the bench, none of which are infielders. Pretty complicated. After each game, especially one

like this, the chairs kind of move around."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-shortstop-j-j-hardy-expects-to-be-

activated-from-dl-on-saturday-20160617-story.html

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy expects to be activated from DL

on Saturday

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

June 17, 2016

After Friday's game, Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy said he expects to return from the disabled list

Saturday.

“I felt really good today. I played those last three days at Bowie, and each day was better than

the previous,” Hardy said. “I'm excited about that improvement, and today was really good. …

Of course, it doesn't need to get much better than it was today, but if it gets even better than that,

great.”

Hardy worked out before batting practice, took live BP and did regular infield drills before the

Orioles' series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night. Orioles manager Buck

Showalter said that depending on how Hardy responded to that, he could return from the DL as

early as today, or he could play one more minor league rehabilitation game at High-A Frederick

today and be activated Sunday.

Hardy, who has been on the DL with a fractured bone in his left foot for the past six weeks,

finished his three-game stint at Double-A Bowie on Thursday, playing all nine innings and going

1-for-5 at the plate.

“[It was] good just to see how it was today," Hardy said. "To play a full nine innings last night

and then be able to run around like I was today, it’s good.”

Hardy said Wednesday that he didn't feel any discomfort in his left foot at the plate or playing

defense, but had some stiffness in his ankle area when running the bases.

Hardy said he believed that discomfort was rooted in his foot being in a boot for five weeks after

fouling a pitch off it May 1. But he responded well to his work Friday.

“I felt I was running pretty good today. Better than I expected,” Hardy said. “I can do it here. It's

time. If my ankle's ready — I say ankle because that's what I kind of was dealing with. The

bone's been fine for about a week and a half, but I feel like I was ready to go.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck-blog/bal-manny-machado-s-baserunning-is-in-

the-spotlightagain-and-not-in-a-good-way-20160617-story.html

Manny Machado's base running is in the spotlight again,

and not in a good way

By Peter Schmuck / The Baltimore Sun

June 17, 2016

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado raised some eyebrows -- particularly in the Orioles

television and radio booths -- over the past two nights for not appearing to hustle on a couple of

hits.

He hit a long drive at Fenway Park on Thursday that rattled around the triangle in deep center

field and cruised into second base with a double, but Orioles analyst and Hall of Famer Jim

Palmer clearly thought that Machado should have hustled all the way to third base on the play.

On Friday night, Machado hit a high fly ball to right field that appeared to have a chance to reach

the flag court. He apparently thought so, because when it bounced off the scoreboard he had

barely rounded first base and had to settle for a single.

Radio broadcaster Joe Angel also got into the act with a tweet that didn't sugarcoat the situation:

"Come on Manny....run!!!!! Did that at Fenway too. Good thing Trumbo didn't hit into. Double

play!!#Orioles"

Manager Buck Showalter took no issue with the comments from the two broadcasters, conceding

after the game that Machado had assumed those balls would be home runs and didn't hustle out

of the batter's box. Showalter said he was planning to meet with Machado to talk about the

situation later Friday night.

"I try to keep in mind that he's a young player who has played 200-some straight games,''

Showalter said, "so I've tried to cut him some slack. He's a 23-year-old player and young players

make mistakes some times."

Machado has faced criticism for his base running on several occasions this season, but those

instances were for overhustling. He got thrown out at third base a couple of times -- once trying

to stretch a double with no one out and once trying to steal with two outs and slugger Chris

Davis at the plate.

Machado has played every game this season, but likely will get a rest starting Monday, when he

is expected to drop his appeal of the four-game suspension that he received for punching Kansas

City Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-sign-first-round-pick-cody-sedlock-

20160617-story.html

Newly signed Orioles first-round pick Cody Sedlock wanted

to 'get to it as quick as possible'

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

June 17, 2016

Just eight days after making Cody Sedlock their first-round pick in this year’s draft, the Orioles

officially signed the former Illinois right-hander Friday, one of the team’s quickest first-round

signings in recent years.

Sedlock, who signed for the slot bonus of $2,097,200, was the first player of the Orioles’ 41-pick

draft class to sign, although scouting director Gary Rajsich said he expects several more signings

within the next week.

“There were really no questions about it,” Rajsich said. “It’s just a matter of paying a little

attention to the details, if you will, but we were happy to have him. We were anxious to sign him

and he was ready to sign, so it kind of came together really fast. We’re very close on several

others. … Hopefully several more next week.”

Sedlock, who went 5-3 with a 2.49 ERA and a school-record 116 strikeouts in 101 1/3 innings

this past season as a junior, earning Big Ten Pitcher of the Year honors, was eager to start his pro

career. Since the Illini didn’t make the Big Ten tournament, his season ended just under a month

ago.

“Ever since then, I just want to get back on the mound as quick as possible and get in the system

and just work,” Sedlock said. “… Ever since I heard my name called, I wanted to get right here

and sign the papers and get to it as quick as possible.”

Sedlock was the first of three college arms the Orioles took with their first selections, hoping

the three can move up the system quickly. Sedlock worked as a reliever his first two years at

Illinois, making the transition to starting while earning the reputation for getting deep in games.

“Every time I step on the mound, I want to finish the game myself,” Sedlock said. “Personally, I

take pride in that.”

Sedlock, who has been in the area the past few days while completing his deal, said he took

notice of how many people he sees wearing Orioles gear, but said he still needs one thing to

make his trip complete.

“I can’t wait to get myself some crab cakes,” he said. “I haven’t gotten any of those yet.”

Rajsich said that Sedlock will report to the team’s spring training facility in Sarasota, Fla., for an

orientation and to throw some bullpens. But he will eventually return north to begin his pro

career with short-season Single-A Aberdeen.

“We’ll see how far he is and how far along he is and how close he is to getting in a game,”

Rajsich said. “He may even throw one or two innings down there, but they’ll evaluate where he’s

at and as soon as they think he’s ready, they’ll send him up.

“What we particularly like about Cody … is that he has the ability to take his stuff up a notch

with runners on base. His compete level is really good and that’s one of the things that drew us to

Cody.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-shortstop-j-j-hardy-to-return-to-orioles-on-

saturday-or-sunday-20160617-story.html

Orioles notebook: Shortstop J.J. Hardy to return Saturday

or Sunday

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

June 17, 2016

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy, who was back at Camden Yards on Friday participating in pregame

activities, will be activated from the disabled list either on Saturday or Sunday, manager Buck

Showalter said.

Hardy worked out before batting practice, took live BP and did regular infield drills before the

Orioles’ series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. Showalter said that depending on

how Hardy responds to that, he could return from the DL as early as Saturday, or he could play

one more minor league rehabilitation game at High-A Frederick on Saturday and be activated

Sunday.

Hardy, who has been on the DL with a fractured bone in his left foot for the past six weeks,

finished his three-game stint at Double-A Bowie on Thursday, playing all nine innings and going

1-for-5 at the plate. Hardy said Wednesday that he didn’t feel any discomfort in his left foot at

the plate or playing defense, but had some stiffness in his ankle area when running the bases.

Hardy said he believed that discomfort was rooted in his foot being in a boot for five weeks after

fouling a pitch off it on May 1.

“We’re leaning on J.J. on this,” Showalter said. “He knows he’s real close. There’s one little

thing he wants to feel good about. He’s moving real well defensively. I think plus-plus speed has

not been his forte … but he wants to be able to score from second on a single and score from first

on a double and do the things he needs to do. But we’re looking forward to getting him back. It’s

been a long road."

So Hardy should be back by the time Manny Machado – who has been filling in at shortstop in

Hardy’s absence – has his four-game suspension appeal heard, which is scheduled to happen

Tuesday.

Most appeal rulings are handed down within 48 hours of the hearing, and Machado would have

to then serve any suspension immediately after. Machado could drop his appeal at any time

leading up to the hearing.

Pitchers going back to basics

Showalter said pitchers will do early work before Saturday’s 4:05 p.m. game to emphasize

fielding fundamentals the team has struggled with recently.

Showalter has expressed his frustration with the fact that Orioles pitchers entered Friday with 10

errors this season, equaling the number of errors they made all of last year.

“Almost a third of our errors this year are by our pitching staff and they’re usually pretty good at

it,” Showalter said. “We’re going to try to do some things tomorrow. Some of the things we do

with holding runners has gotten a little sloppy. We want to clean that up.”

Showalter said the pregame work isn’t unusual, and that they do some form every other

homestand. But Showalter, pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti wanted

to take some time to emphasize the fielding fundamentals.

“Some of our pitchers, the situations they’ve put themselves in, have been self-inflicted — some

double-play balls, some stuff back at them, throwovers, just little things,” Showalter said. “Like

you’ve got swinging bunts and the guy is definitely safe and you throw the ball ill-advised. Just

some mental things. Unfortunately, some people’s delivery doesn’t allow them to be in a good

position to field. That’s probably not going to change with some of the guys.”

Around the horn

Whether Hardy returns Saturday or Sunday, the Orioles must make a roster move to make 25-

man roster space for him. They will likely have to lose an infielder. Utility man Ryan

Flaherty has options, but can play seven different positions. Veteran infielder Paul Janishwould

have to clear waivers before he could be sent to the minor leagues. … The Orioles must also

make a move to make room for right-hander Yovani Gallardo, who returns from the DL to start

Saturday. … Showalter said right-hander Darren O’Day had “a good day” in his recovery from a

hamstring injury. O’Day’s progress has been slower than expected. ... Showalter is still confident

that right-hander Vance Worley (groin) will be able to return from the DL when he is eligible on

June 28.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-caleb-joseph-0618-20160617-

story.html

After injury, Orioles' Caleb Joseph thinks Kevlar cup will

give him peace of mind behind plate

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

June 17, 2016

Caleb Joseph can smile about it now, and even the boisterous Orioles catcher has taken part in

the sneers and snickers that typically follow seeing a man get hit below the belt. But when he

took a foul ball in the groin area on Memorial Day, it was the most painful experience he could

imagine.

What ensued was even scarier, as he underwent emergency surgery to repair damage the impact

had done to his right testicle.

Joseph won't be cleared to catch in a game until June 27, which will mark four weeks since his

surgery, but he has been cleared to do all other baseball activities. So he will begin his minor

league rehabilitation assignment Friday with High-A Frederick, where he will log at-bats at

designated hitter in games and begin to catch bullpen sessions before games.

He's still waiting to heal completely from his surgery. Physically, he can do everything he could

before the procedure. But when Joseph steps behind the plate for a first time in a game, he still

must overcome a mental hurdle when returning to the catching position — where his body

typically takes a beating from wild pitches and foul tips — to gain confidence that his freak

injury won't occur again.

"It's more [nonathletes] who have something like this [happen] and they're not putting

themselves back in harm's way for the potential of another one, whereas any time you get behind

the plate again you're at risk," Joseph said.

Joseph believes his saving grace will be the new protective cup he will wear from now on. It's

made by a St. Louis-based company named Nutshellz, which makes a cup out of Kevlar — the

material used in bulletproof vests — as well as carbon fiber and aerospace epoxies, like ones

used in assembling fighter jets. The company claims the cup is indestructible.

"I know we joke around about this impenetrable cup, but there's something to be said about

peace of mind when you feel completely protected now," Joseph said. "The CEO has shot a

bullet into this thing, so if it's good enough for a bullet, it's good for me."

The company, which is owned by Jeremiah Raber and Matt Heck, began about six years ago.

Raber, a former kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter, wanted to create a more comfortable and less

restrictive cup. After designing the product, Raber was able to produce it using Kevlar and

carbon fiber — he knew people who used carbon fiber to make race cars — with the goal of

making it the more durable cup available, one that could be marketed to not only athletes but also

to law enforcement and the military.

"Even though it wasn't made out to be a bulletproof cup, when it was all said and done, it

worked," said Heck, who is the company's chief operations officer. "It stopped a .357 Magnum at

close range with no penetration."

The duo began selling the cups in 2013. Looking for investors to help increase production, they

were set to go on the ABC TV show "Shark Tank" two years ago, but they were bumped from

the show at the 11th hour.

So in an attempt to gain more exposure for the product, they decided to post a video of Raber

getting shot wearing the cup with a Smith & Wesson .22-caliber rifle to prove it was bulletproof.

The video, which begins with Raber insisting viewers not try the stunt at home, went viral. The

YouTube version has nearly 650,000 hits and included raw versions it estimated to be viewed 3

million times.

"It was a swing-for-the-fences deal," said Heck, who was the shooter. "We really needed

something to spike our business. We always had this idea in the back of our mind. We may have

to shoot one of us with the cup at some point. I think we were just so ready to go for a final

attempt at it to get some exposure."

Heck is an experienced shooter, and Raber was wearing a bulletproof vest and had additional

protection in his abdomen and legs, just in case the demonstration didn't work.

"At the same time, when you shoot a guy in the [groin] at 18 feet, there's still a great deal of risk

involved," Heck said. "We did it because we knew it would work and we knew it could get us on

the map. … It only penetrated the first layer of Kevlar."

The company approached Joseph through Twitter a few days after his injury, and that video was

all Joseph needed to see to be sold. The company sent two cups — one for Joseph and one for

catcher Matt Wieters.

"Wiety tested it out that day in the game and comfort-wise he said it was amazing," Joseph said.

"Comfort-wise, it looks like a regular cup, just that it's made with Kevlar material. It's a little

heavier than other cups, but when you're running slow as molasses, you're not worried about

being weighed down as much.

"It gives you peace of mind immediately when you watch the video and then you feel it and you

tap it against something and it's like, 'Ding, ding, ding.' Old-school cups back in the day, they

were made out of metal, so cups have evolved so they can make them more comfortable because

they were super uncomfortable and that's how I got in trouble because I got hit on the side."

Since Joseph was hit in the groin area on May 30 by a foul tip off the bat of Boston Red

Sox third baseman Travis Shaw, other similar injuries have occurred. One week later,Cleveland

Indians catcher Yan Gomes suffered a testicular contusion after taking a ball in the groin area off

a foul tip from Seattle Mariners first baseman Dae-Ho Lee.

Indians third baseman Juan Uribe was hit in the groin area by a batted ball that had an exit

velocity of 106 mph Sunday. He fell to the infield dirt in pain, was carted off the field and taken

to a local hospital. Uribe was not wearing a cup.

Also, home plate umpire David Rackley was forced from a game May 22 after being on the

wrong side of a foul tip to the groin area in a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San

Diego Padres.

Joseph is friends with Gomes and when he heard of his injury, he told Gomes about the

Nutshellz cup. The company speed mailed a cup to him so he could play three days after the

injury.

"Yan called me from the hospital about getting a product," Heck said. "We overnighted it to him

because he was so desperate to get it before his last game back. They couldn't locate it in L.A.,

where he was traveling. He was texting me at 1 in the morning because he was trying to find

where the product was. He did not want to get behind the plate without it."

A higher-grade version of the cup is also available for those who actually could need protection

from a bullet, such as law enforcement and military personnel. While most sales for those cups

are on an individual basis, Heck’s hope is to make more deals soon.

Heck, who said overall production volume of the cups doubled in 2015 over the previous year,

said that the company has reached out to the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, which

develops new technology for the army, to pursue making their cup the standard issue model. But

Heck said the focus is now establishing a relationship with U.S Special Operations Command

outfit special forces troops and "establish the need and proof of concept."

Heck also said he has been in discussion with a police department in Texas about ordering the

cup in advance of sending officers to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

The Nutshellz version for athletes already has a growing list of users. Clients include mixed

martial artist Daron Cruickshank and several minor league hockey players.

"If it's good enough for police officers and military guys to stop bullets, it's good enough for

athletes," Heck said. "It's basically indestructible in the high-impact sports world. We've got

some hockey players, some defensemen and goalies, who have said specifically to us, 'I don't

even hesitate going down in front of a shot to block it. I don't have any issues with confidence

because I know this thing is basically indestructible.'"

Heck said Nutshellz will be featured on an episode of the CNBC show "West Texas Investors

Club" this summer. The owners will campaign for a $300,000 investment. The show has already

been filmed, and Heck said he can't divulge what happened but is excited just from the exposure

the company could get.

As for Joseph, he not only committed to wearing the cup during games, he said he might wear it

all the time off the field.

"I've had peace of mind," Joseph said. "You don't know how much contact your groin has with

the everyday world until you get hit there, and I'm seriously considering wearing it all around

every day. I have a 15-month-old right now and all he does is want to hit me. … The thing you're

worried about with this super-durable cup is mobility and comfort and I can't even tell a

difference right now between this one and the other one. So this company, they make cups for

people in law enforcement and military to withstand traumatic events, so why wouldn't you

introduce it to the sports world?

"Everybody I talk to, I try to push it on them because trust me, nobody wants to experience what

I had to experience. It was terrible. It was awful. And if you could prevent it somehow, why

wouldn't you?"

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-on-deck-what-to-watch-friday-vs-

blue-jays-20160617-story.html

Orioles on deck: Birds sign first-round pick, plus what to

watch Friday vs. Blue Jays

By Josh Land / The Baltimore Sun

June 17, 2016

Orioles (38-27) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (38-31)

Where: Camden Yards

First pitch: 7:05 p.m.

TV/Radio: MASN/105.7 The Fan

Starting pitchers: Orioles RHP Mike Wright (3-3, 5.31 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RHP Aaron

Sanchez (6-1, 3.38 ERA)

Orioles sign first-round pick Cody Sedlock

The Orioles signed 2016 first-round draft pick Cody Sedlock this afternoon, the team announced.

The former Illinoisright-hander was selected with the 27th overall pick last week.

Sedlock, 20, went 10-6 with a 2.96 ERA and 175 strikeouts in 47 games (19 starts) over three

seasons with Illinois. In 14 starts this past season with the Illini, Sedlock went 5-3 with a 2.49

ERA and 116 strikeouts in 101 1/3 innings. He was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, a

First Team All-American by Baseball America, and a unanimous All-Big Ten First Team

selection.

Sedlock was ranked the No. 26 overall draft prospect by MLB.com and No. 42 overall

by Baseball America. He was the first college pitcher picked by the Orioles in the first round

since Kevin Gausman in 2012.

What to watch

1. Another battle for first. The Orioles enter the series with a two-game lead over the Blue

Jays, making this weekend a potential battle for first place. The Orioles can put that to bed

somewhat with a win tonight, ensuring they'll still be ahead of the Blue Jays come Monday.

After losing three of four in Toronto last weekend, can the Orioles get their revenge at home?

2. Rookie parade. Since being removed from the rotation and then added back without missing

a turn, Mike Wright had his best start of the season followed by a dud in Toronto (four earned

runs in five innings on June 11). One night after Tyler Wilson pitched eight scoreless innings in

Boston, can Wright catch the bug and pitch more like he did two starts ago?

3. What a June for Jones. Adam Jones entered June with five homers and 23 RBIs in 46 games.

In 15 games this month, he has eight homers and 17 RBIs. Can he continue to lead the Orioles

offense against the Blue Jays?

Orioles lineup

CF Adam Jones

LF Hyun Soo Kim

SS Manny Machado

1B Chris Davis

RF Mark Trumbo

DH Pedro Alvarez

2B Jonathan Schoop

3B Ryan Flaherty

C Francisco Pena

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-five-for-friday-orioles-who-have-hit-10-

hrs-20160617-story.html

Five for Friday: Orioles who have hit 10 home runs

By Jake Lourim / The Baltimore Sun

June 17, 2016

When second baseman Jonathan Schoop launched a solo home run over Fenway Park’s Green

Monster on Tuesday night, he became the fifth Oriole with 10 or more homers this season.

And the Orioles became the third club to reach that milestone this year, after the Seattle

Mariners did so Sunday and the Washington Nationals on Monday. They have a league-leading

103 bombs as a team and are on pace for 257, near the all-time record of 264.

Click on the photos to see the five sluggers who have reached double-digits so far.

1. Manny Machado

Machado was the first to hit double-digits, on May 10 at Minnesota. He now has 17, most

recently a two-run shot Tuesday that helped the Orioles beat the Boston Red Sox.

2. Mark Trumbo

Trumbo has the most homers on the team with 20. He reached 10 the day after Machado, then

went deep again later that afternoon. He has four multi-homer games this season.

3. Chris Davis

Davis has been streaky this year, hitting four home runs in his first eight games before cooling

off, then going deep five straight games from June 7-12. He now has 16 homers.

4. Adam Jones

Jones shook off a slow start to the season (he was hitting .200 with one home run on May 9) and

now has 13 homers, including four in his last four games.

5. Jonathan Schoop

The second baseman isn’t known for his power, but he’s on pace to shatter his career high of 16

round-trippers in a season. He has two multi-homer games this year.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/184750558/orioles-mike-wright-optioned-to-triple-a

Wright optioned to Triple-A after rough start

By Ryan Baillargeon / MLB.com

June 18, 2016

BALTIMORE -- Mike Wright's second chance with Orioles has ended for now. After the right-

hander's previous demotion to Triple-A in early June lasted just a day because of an injury to

teammate Darren O'Day, Baltimore has sent Wright down to Norfolk again, the team announced

after his start Friday night.

The 26-year-old allowed a career-high eight earned runs in 3 2/3 innings Friday in a 13-3 loss to

Toronto.

In the moments after the lopsided defeat Friday, manager Buck Showalter said Wright was an

option to start next Wednesday when his turn in the rotation came around, but he also noted the

Orioles needed to make at least two roster moves Saturday to clear room forYovani

Gallardo and J.J. Hardy.

About an hour later, the Orioles announced Wright had been sent down, meaning he frees up

roster space for either Gallardo or Hardy. Baltimore will still need to make at least one more

move before Saturday afternoon's game.

"With Manny [Machado's] looming departure, it's tough to send out infielders and play with two

guys on the bench, none of which are infielders," Showalter said. "Pretty complicated. After each

game, especially one like this, the chairs kind of move around."

When Wright met with reporters after Friday's loss but before his demotion was announced, he

summarized his outing.

"I threw some good pitches, threw some bad pitches," Wright said. "They hit them both."

Four batters into the game, Toronto already had three runs, part of a three-homer day for the

Blue Jays off Wright. While the long ball didn't hurt Wright in his past two starts entering

Friday, the Red Sox belted four in the June 1 start that temporarily cost him his spot in the

Majors.

He managed to bounce back from that start against Boston by tossing seven innings without an

earned run June 6, but he's allowed 12 earned runs in his past 8 2/3 innings to balloon his ERA to

6.12.

"I'm working harder than ever," Wright said. "When you're working hard, and get those results,

it's tough.”

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/184729632/gallardo-set-to-return-to-face-dickey-jays

Gallardo set to return to face Dickey, Jays

By Ryan Baillargeon / MLB.com

June 18, 2016

It's been nearly two months since Orioles righty Yovani Gallardo pitched in a Major League

game and even longer since he's toed the rubber at Camden Yards, but the wait ends Saturday

against Toronto.

After making four starts to begin the season, Gallardo was placed on the disabled list with right

shoulder/bicep tendinitis April 23. He's made three rehab starts and will take on a red-hot

Toronto lineup in his return to the Orioles' staff.

"He can be big for us. He's a veteran pitcher," O's first baseman Chris Davis said. "He

understands what he's capable of an

d what we can do. I just hope he can stay healthy and be the guy he was last year."

Before his stint on the DL, Gallardo went 1-1 with a 7.00 ERA. In his lone start at Camden

Yards, he allowed one run in five innings.

The Blue Jays will counter with knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who has a 2.45 ERA in his past

three starts.

Things to know about this game

• Dickey allowed three runs in six innings on April 20 in his only game against the Orioles this

season. Baltimore faced another knuckleballer, Boston's Steven Wright, on Wednesday and

managed three runs against him in 7 1/3 innings.

• Orioles center fielder Adam Jones has been on a tear in June, but he's struggled against Dickey

in his career. He is 3-for-27 (.111) with six strikeouts against the knuckleballer.

• Gallardo has made 248 career starts, but just three against the Blue Jays. He is 3-0 with a 1.33

ERA in those three starts.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/184642378/jj-hardy-returning-from-dl-this-weekend

Hardy to return Saturday from DL

By Ryan Baillargeon / MLB.com

June 17, 2016

BALTIMORE -- Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy's month-and-a-half wait to return to Major League

action after his left foot fracture will end Saturday. Manager Buck Showalter announced after

Friday's 13-3 loss to Toronto that Hardy will be activated for Saturday's contest.

Hardy has been sidelined since May 1, but he said he made progress each day during his three-

game rehab stint at Double-A Bowie this week. Running was giving him some trouble still, but

his pregame workout went well Friday at Camden Yards.

"I felt I was running pretty good today," Hardy said. "Better than I expected. Today was really

good. …Of course, it doesn't need to get much better than it was today, but if it gets even better

than that, great."

In three rehab games with Bowie this week, Hardy went 4-for-11 (.364) with a walk.

Being away from the team for a long stretch has been tough on Hardy, who said he didn't get the

Orioles' games on TV at the place where he was staying in Florida. He was left refreshing the

box score of the game for updates. So he's excited to be back with the team and get a chance to

contribute.

"We're looking forward to getting him back," Showalter said. "It's been a long road."

Worth noting

• Catcher Caleb Joseph (testicular injury) was cleared to try and play in both games of

Frederick's doubleheader Friday as the designated hitter. Joseph won't be cleared to catch in a

game until June 27, but he can catch bullpens, run and throw in addition to playing DH.

• Showalter said reliever Darren O'Day (right hamstring) had a "good day" Friday after he's been

"kind of inching along." O'Day was placed on the DL on June 3 and still doesn't have a timetable

for his return.

• Righty Vance Worley (groin) felt better Friday, and Showalter said he expects him to make the

15-day DL window.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/184626800/baltimore-orioles-sign-draft-pick-cody-sedlock

Orioles sign first-round pick Sedlock

By Joe Trezza and Ryan Baillargeon / MLB.com

June 17, 2016

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles agreed to terms on Friday with Cody Sedlock, their first-round

selection of the 2016 MLB Draft, the team announced.

"Ever since I heard my name called, I wanted to get right here and sign the papers and get to it as

quick as possible," said Sedlock, who added that the O's made his childhood dream come true.

The No. 26 overall Draft prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, Sedlock went 10-6 with a

2.96 ERA over three seasons at the University of Illinois, where he racked up 175 strikeouts in

47 career games. The Orioles selected Sedlock, the 2016 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, with the

No. 27 overall pick in the Draft, and he is their first selection to sign.

Sedlock said part of the reason he signed quickly was to get back on the mound as soon as

possible. Because Illinois missed the Big Ten Tournament, he said it's been a month and a day

since he last pitched in a game.

While Orioles director of scouting Gary Rajsich said he doesn't know the exact plans for

Sedlock, he said the right-hander will head to Florida for an orientation before he's assigned to a

Minor League affiliate.

"He will throw a couple bullpens," Rajsich said. "We'll see how far he is and how far along he is

and how close he is to getting in a game. He may even throw one or two innings down there, but

they'll evaluate where he's at, and as soon as they think he's ready, they'll send him up."

A 6-foot-4, 204-pound righty with four pitches, Sedlock made a successful transition from

reliever to starter this season with the Illini, setting the school's single-season strikeout record in

the process. He relies primarily on a heavy sinker that he throws between 91-93 mph to go along

with a four-seamer that can touch 96.

In his past five starts at Illinois, Sedlock went at least nine innings four times, something he said

he prides himself on. That competitiveness is something the Orioles noticed.

"What we particularly like about Cody … is that he has the ability to take his stuff up a notch

with runners on base," Rajsich said. "His compete level is really good."

Sedlock, an Illinois native, said he's spent the past couple of days in Baltimore and has enjoyed

his time in the city. He noted that everyone he's seen while driving around is clad in Orioles gear.

Plus, he's eager to try the food Baltimore's known for.

"I can't wait to get myself some crab cakes," Sedlock said. "I haven't gotten any of those yet."

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/184677152/chris-davis-to-be-casey-cares-race-ambassador

Davis to be Casey Cares race ambassador

By Ryan Baillargeon / MLB.com

June 17, 2016

BALTIMORE -- After signing a seven-year contract in the offseason to remain with the

Orioles, Chris Davis is continuing his participation in the community. The O's first baseman will

serve as the race ambassador for the seventh annual Casey Cares 5K Run/Walk at Camden Yards

on Aug. 6.

"It's something that my wife and I are extremely excited about," Davis said.

Davis and his wife, Jill, a former nurse, have helped out the past few years, but they are taking

on a larger role this year.

The event, a 3.1-mile run/one-mile walk that ends on the field, helps raise money for the Casey

Cares Foundation, a nonprofit that helps critically ill children and their family members

throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Staying involved in the community was one of the reasons Davis chose to remain with the

Orioles, whom he has played for since 2011.

"That was one of the big draws of coming back here, was knowing that we could continue the

relationships that we had and really cultivate some new ones," Davis said. "We love the city of

Baltimore. We have lived in the city for several years. We enjoy being around the people of the

city, and we are going to do anything we can to help."

Davis said the chance to stay active around Baltimore outside of baseball helps put the grind of a

162-game regular season in perspective.

"A lot of times, with such a long season, it can kind of work on you a little bit," Davis said.

"When you get a chance to go out in the community and see the impact that you can have, it

brightens up your day and gives you a sense of worth and makes coming to the ballpark every

day a little more special."

Registration for the race is open. The entry fee is $45 per person through Friday, Aug. 5, or $50

per person on race day (cash or check only). Children under 8 years old can register for $20. To

register, visit orioles.com/caseycares.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/06/pending-roster-moves-and-todays-

game.html

Pending roster moves and today’s game

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

June 18, 2016

With Mike Wright optioned to Triple-A Norfolk last night, the Orioles found a way to create

room for Yovani Gallardo on the 25-man roster and hand him the ball for today’s game against

the Blue Jays.

That’s one move.

The Orioles can figure out later who makes Wednesday night’s start against the Padres. They

need Wright to figure out how to regain his command and position himself for another

promotion later in the summer, whether he’s in the rotation or the bullpen.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy also comes off the disabled list today. Manager Buck Showalter mentioned

how he needs to make sure that he’s got an infielder on the bench while Manny Machado serves

his suspension, raising more questions about the corresponding move.

Ryan Flaherty or Paul Janish could play third base in Machado’s absence, with Hardy back at

shortstop, but who’s the utility infielder? Pedro Alvarez can play the corners, but he’s not

backing up in the middle.

Maybe it’s not that important with Machado gone for a maximum of four games. The temporary

replacement at third can slide over to shortstop or second base if needed. No need to overthink it.

So, we’re back to the two obvious solutions. Janish is designated for assignment or Flaherty, who

doubled and homered last night, is optioned to Norfolk.

We’ll find out later today if the Orioles made a third move and brought up a reliever. They have

no idea whether Gallardo can give them length in his first major league start since April 22,

butOdrisamer Despaigne and Dylan Bundy are available to consume innings

Gallardo has made four starts as an Oriole, going 1-1 with a 7.00 ERA. He’s allowed 14 runs and

23 hits in 18 innings, with seven walks and nine strikeouts. But he’s surrendered only one home

run, so he’s got that going for him.

Gallardo also has a healthier and stronger right shoulder. Let’s see if it makes a difference today.

Left-handers batted .343 against him in those four games and right-handers hit .297. Lots of

room for improvement here.

While Wright keeps getting steamrolled by the Blue Jays, Gallardo is 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA in

three career starts against them, with three runs allowed in 20 1/3 innings.

Jose Bautista is 1-for-14 against Gallardo, but he’s on the disabled list. So is Orioles reliever

Darren O’Day. This series is no fun.

Edwin Encarnacion is 6-for-18 with three home runs. Keep that in mind each time he steps to the

plate today. Darwin Barney is 3-for-25 with seven strikeouts and Justin Smoak is 0-for-5 with

four strikeouts.

The Orioles get their second knuckleballer in less than a week. Steven Wright has been replaced

by R.A. Dickey, who’s 4-7 with a 4.16 ERA in 14 starts.

Dickey faced the Orioles on April 20 and allowed three runs and five hits in six innings. He’s 2-6

with a 3.97 ERA in 15 career games against them, including 12 starts, and 1-3 with a 3.32 ERA

in seven games (six starts) at Camden Yards.

Machado is 7-for-19 with three doubles against Dickey. Janish is 3-for-3.

Adam Jones is 3-for-27 with six strikeouts, Alvarez is 2-for-14, Flaherty is 2-for-11 with a home

run and Jonathan Schoop is 1-for-9 with a home run.

Dickey is 0-5 with a 5.36 ERA in seven home games and 4-2 with a 2.98 ERA in seven road

games.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/06/showalter-speaks-after-13-3-loss.html

Showalter speaks after 13-3 loss (Wright optioned)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

June 17, 2016

The Orioles will activate shortstop J.J. Hardy from the disabled list before Saturday afternoon’s

game against the Blue Jays, forcing them into at least two roster moves. They already intended to

activate right-hander Yovani Gallardo to make the start, his first since April 22.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette was headed to manager Buck Showalter’s office to

discuss whether a fresh bullpen arm also was needed after tonight’s 13-3 loss to the Blue Jays

before 38,306 at Camden Yards.

“We’ve got two moves to make between now and tomorrow’s game for sure. At least two,”

Showalter said.

“We were going to wait until after Mike (Wright’s) start to see when the smoke cleared where

we were. We knew coming out of the last seven games we were going to have some challenges

with that off-day taken away from us. It creates some challenges for us.”

Wright was charged with eight runs and six hits in 3 2/3 innings. He surrendered three home runs

and took home an ERA that’s risen to 6.12 in 64 2/3 innings.

“I threw some good pitches, threw some bad pitches,” Wright said. “They hit them both.”

Showalter said Wright is “an option” for Wednesday’s start against the Padres at Camden Yards.

Other candidates will be considered.

The Red Sox also lost tonight, allowing the Orioles to stay in first place in the American League

East.

There wasn’t much else to feel good about on the home side.

Wright has allowed 12 runs and 12 hits in 8 2/3 innings in his last two starts, both against the

Blue Jays. Command remains a big issue.

“He was missing,” Showalter said. “The first couple pitches he threw the ball down and away,

quality. A tough at-bat and won the battle, first hitter. And then just couldn’t command the

baseball after that. Good hitters made him pay.”

Ezequiel Carrera grounded out on the ninth pitch of the at-bat, but Josh Donaldson drew an

eight-pitch walk. Ball four was borderline, raising the question of whether it broke his

concentration.

“I hope not, I hope not,” Showalter said.” A lot of those pitches can go either way. It was

probably letter of the law a tad off, but he’s not going to get that very often, that matchup. But

it’s kind of after the fact.

“You’re going to have a lot of things like that, borderline pitches that go your way or against

you. You can probably go through and find some that were called strikes that may not have been

strikes, so those things, I’d hate to think that was the case.”

So what about Wright’s next turn?

“Mike’s an option for us next Wednesday,” Showalter said. “We’ll consider where we are. But

we have to make two spots tomorrow. At least two, maybe three.

“With Manny (Machado’s) looming departure, it’s tough to send out infielders and play with two

guys on the bench, none of which are infielders. Pretty complicated. After each game, especially

one like this, the chairs kind of move around.”

Ubaldo Jimenez has moved from the rotation to the bullpen, and he let two inherited runners

score on Donaldson’s triple. He was charged with five runs in 2 1/3 innings, surrendering the

third home run hit by outfielder Michael Saunders, and came out after 62 pitches.

“Just make a couple decent pitches, good pitches, and then breaking ball wouldn’t have much

bite to it,” Showalter said. “He’s equipped to throw 100 pitches tonight and we were hoping ... I

was looking at, they used three pitchers out of the pen and we used three out of the pen. A lot

different results.

“Mac (T.J. McFarland) threw the ball pretty well, (Brian) Duensing, but a situation where we

really needed to get some length there if we can, especially with a pitcher pitching tomorrow

who hasn’t pitched in the big leagues in a month or two.”

Showalter didn’t want to use Odrisamer Despaigne and Dylan Bundy tonight, making them

available on Saturday.

The Orioles loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning without adding a second run. They

got an RBI single from Mark Trumbo in the third, loaded the bases with no outs and failed to

score again.

Machado was thrown out at the plate after tagging up on Jonathan Schoop’s pop up to the right

side. The Orioles challenged the call, insisting that catcher Russell Martin violated the collision

rule and didn’t allow for a clear path to the plate, but it was confirmed.

“Pretty blueprint, blocking the plate without the ball,” Showalter said. “One of our players said if

that’s not blocking the plate, they might as well throw the rule out.

“That’s not what beat us. We had some opportunities early in the game to score a lot of runs.

(Aaron) Sanchez always had a strikeout there waiting. We got it back to 3-1 in two innings and

didn’t get much.

“That first-pitch strike to Pedro (Alvarez) his first at-bat was a big pitch because we had them in

a hole. All of sudden that turned it around. Obviously, a ball.”

Also obvious is the challenge of making room on the roster Saturday for two players coming off

the disabled list and figuring out which pitcher gives the Orioles the best chance to win

Wednesday night.

Update: The Orioles have announced that Wright has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. He’s

no longer an option to start Wednesday.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/06/pending-roster-moves-and-machados-

suspension.html

Pending moves and Machado’s suspension (O’s down 4-1)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

June 17, 2016

The Orioles will activate pitcher Yovani Gallardo from the disabled list before Saturday

afternoon’s game against the Blue Jays. That’s the one certain move for the weekend.

How they make room for him on the 25-man roster is another story.

There’s also the chapter on shortstop J.J. Hardy, who could join Gallardo or continue his injury

rehab assignment at Single-A Frederick. He’s already played three games at Double-A Bowie,

but he may want to test the foot again before returning.

“He did early work every day over there,” said manager Buck Showalter. “I was impressed he

was six, seven and nine innings and got all his at-bats. He finished the game last night. Got a

great scouting report on Bowie from him. He went down the whole roster. He’s a watcher.

“We’re leaning on J.J. on this. He knows he’s real close. I know there’s one little thing he wants

to feel good about. He’s moving around well defensively. Plus-plus speed has not been his forte,

so we’re not looking, but he wants to be able to score from second on a single and from first on a

double and do the things he needs to do. But we’re looking forward to getting him back.

“It’s been a long road. And once again, those guys down in Sarasota, Dave Walker and them,

they do some kind of job for us.”

The Orioles will have to remove an infielder to make room for Hardy after he comes off the

disabled list. Ryan Flaherty has options, but they could choose to designate Paul Janish for

assignment.

Showalter loves Janish’s defense and was glad the veteran infielder chose to re-sign as a minor

league free agent over the winter instead of accepting the Astros’ offer. However, the Orioles

may have to risk losing him on waivers. We’ll see how it plays out.

Hardy’s return ties in nicely with Manny Machado’s pending suspension. He’s going to be added

to the roster before Machado’s scheduled hearing on Tuesday. Machado could choose to drop it

and begin serving the four games.

“We’ll see how it shakes out and then we’ll talk about it,” Showalter said. “Probably shouldn’t,

but we will anyway.”

Should Machado go through with a hearing, the Orioles may know the outcome within 24-48

hours.

In that sense, Major League Baseball decides when Machado serves the suspension. Otherwise, it

can stay in the Orioles’ hands if he drops the appeal.

As an example, Machado could choose to start serving it on Monday while the Orioles are in

Texas for their makeup game - the dreaded one-day road trip. The suspension would continue

Tuesday and Wednesday while the Orioles play the last-place Padres, carry past Thursday’s off

day and end after Friday night’s series opener against the Rays.

The Orioles would consider it a win if Machado missed only one division game.

Showalter said he already spoke to Machado about relinquishing the shortstop position when

Hardy is activated.

“Why would I wait until he came back?” Showalter asked.

“Manny’s got a lot of respect for J.J. and so does Jon Schoop. I was talking a little bit the other

day. He’s really looking forward to him coming back because it makes us a better team.”

The suspension will provide a brief rest period for Machado that could prove beneficial. He’s the

current active leader in consecutive games played with 227.

“The one good thing I said before, I was going to give him a day or two, like a Sunday before a

Monday off-day, so that part of it is good,” Showalter said. “I was hoping it was like two days

instead of four or three, whatever it ends up being, but I think Manny could use a few days. He

won’t ever admit it. I think with this thing, I’ll be glad to kind of get it behind us.”

Update: Mike Wright threw 37 pitches in the top of the first inning and surrendered a three-run

homer to Michael Saunders.

Wright allowed two hits, walked a batter and struck out two. Leadoff hitter Ezequiel Carrera

worked him for nine pitches before grounding out and Josh Donaldson drew an eight-pitch walk.

Update II: The Orioles got a run back in the first on consecutive singles by Adam Jones, Hyun

Soo Kim and Manny Machado. Chris Davis walked to load the bases with no outs, but Aaron

Sanchez didn’t allow another run.

Sanchez threw 32 pitches in the first.

Josh Donaldson homered into the Orioles bullpen in the third to give Toronto a 4-1 lead.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/06/quick-hits-from-camden-yards-2.html

Quick hits from Camden Yards

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

June 17, 2016

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy could be activated from the disabled list on Saturday after working

out for about an hour today at Camden Yards.

The alternative is to send Hardy to Single-A Frederick this weekend and continue his rehab

assignment. He played in three games at Double-A Bowie and stayed on the field for nine

innings last night.

Hardy went 4-for-11 with a walk and strikeout at Bowie. The Orioles are letting him decide

whether he’s ready to come off the disabled list after fracturing his left foot on May 1.

“We’re leaning on J.J. on this,” said manager Buck Showalter. “He’s moving around real good

on defense.”

The final test for Hardy is running the bases without discomfort or any restrictions. He wants to

be able to score from second base on a single and from first base on a double.

The Orioles aren’t certain whether Manny Machado will go through with his hearing on Tuesday

or drop his appeal and begin serving a four-game suspension for charging the mound and

throwing a punch at Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura.

The club will have to play a man short during the suspension, but having Hardy back lessens the

impact.

It seems unlikely that Machado’s suspension will be reduced, since Major League Baseball

didn’t impose a stricter penalty. Four games is reasonable considering the circumstances and past

punishments.

Showalter said he already spoke to Machado about moving back to third base after Hardy

returns. He wasn’t going to wait.

The Orioles will need to make a roster move to accommodate Hardy, and another one on

Saturday when Yovani Gallardo comes off the disabled list.

Catcher Caleb Joseph will serve as the designated hitter for Single-A Frederick today and could

handle those duties in both ends of the doubleheader. However, he still won’t be cleared to catch

until June 27.

Reliever Darren O’Day, on the disabled list with a strained hamstring, had a “good day,”

according to Showalter. The recovery process has been slow.

“You could tell he felt a lot better about it,” Showalter said.

Showalter still believes that reliever Vance Worley will be ready to come off the disabled list

when his 15 days are up. He’s sidelined with a strained right groin muscle.

Orioles pitchers will be on the field early Saturday for fielding drills and to work on holding

runners.

Pitchers have accounted for 10 of the club’s 37 errors.

Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista was placed on the 15-day disabled list today with a toe injury.

For the Blue Jays

Ezequiel Carrera RF

Josh Donaldson 3B

Edwin Encarnaction DH

Michael Saunders LF

Russell Martin C

Justin Smoak 1B

Kevin Pillar CF

Ryan Goins SS

Darwin Barney 2B

Aaron Sanchez RHP

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/06/orioles-lineup-plus-agreement-with-first-

round-pick-cody-sedlock.html

Orioles lineup (plus deal with first-round pick Cody

Sedlock)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

June 17, 2016

The Orioles have reached agreement with their first-round draft pick, University of Illinois right-

hander Cody Sedlock, who will be introduced to the media later today at Camden Yards.

The lineup for tonight doesn’t include shortstop J.J. Hardy. He was on the field taking ground

balls, but he must not be coming off the disabled list.

Francisco Pena is behind the plate after Matt Wieters caught all three nights in Boston.

For the Orioles

Adam Jones CF

Hyun Soo Kim LF

Manny Machado SS

Chris Davis 1B

Mark Trumbo RF

Pedro Alvarez DH

Jonathan Schoop 2B

Ryan Flaherty 3B

Francisco Pena C

Mike Wright RHP

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Tyler Wilson is the third Orioles rookie starting pitcher in

the last 25 years with an outing of at least eight shutout innings and three hits or fewer, joining

left-handers Chris Waters (2008) and Zach Britton (2011).

With Brian Matusz now in the Cubs organization, first baseman Chris Davis will serve as race

ambassador for the seventh annual Casey Cares 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Aug. 6 at Camden

Yards.

“We thank the Orioles for again serving as an integral partner of Casey Cares this season,” said

Casey Baynes, executive director of the Casey Cares Foundation. “Last year, with the support of

the Birds, Casey Cares was able to provide more than 19,000 activities to our community. The

Orioles’ ongoing commitment to the critically-ill children in our programs helps these kids have

an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Davis and his wife, Jill, a former nurse, have supported Casey Cares for several years. Davis has

previously attended the organization’s Extra Innings Event, where critically ill children and their

families meet with Orioles players to learn the fundamentals of baseball. Davis will be attending

the Extra Innings Event again this year.

The 3.1-mile run/one mile walk starts at 8 a.m. at Camden Yards and ends on the field.

Participants will partake in a pre-race warm-up with the Oriole Bird, music and other

entertainment, and will enjoy post-race refreshments. Top race winners will be announced in a

pregame ceremony prior to the Aug. 16 game against the Red Sox.

Registration for the race is now open. Entry fees are $45 per person through Friday, Aug. 5, or

$50 per person on race day (cash or check only). Children 8 and under can be registered for only

$20. To register, visit www.orioles.com/caseycares.

The Mariners designated former Orioles pitcher Steve Johnson for assignment.

The Baltimore native was 1-0 with a 4.32 ERA in 16 relief appearances. His ERA was 2.87

before he allowed three runs without retiring a batter on June 12. He worked a scoreless inning

two days later in his final outing.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/06/notes-on-os-pitching-yovani-gallardo-and-

michael-saunders.html

Notes on O’s pitching, Yovani Gallardo and Michael

Saunders

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

June 18, 2016

Captain Obvious said the Orioles need to start giving up fewer runs against the Toronto Blue

Jays. They have allowed 10, 11 and 13 runs in their last three games against the Blue Jays. They

actually almost won one of those games, losing 10-9 last Sunday at Rogers Centre.

But the O’s are 3-5 this year against the Blue Jays and they’ve allowed 52 runs in those games.

Over those last three games, the Orioles have allowed 34 runs, 40 hits and 10 homers against

Toronto.

There has to be a concern for the Orioles that they have pitched poorly often this year against the

two teams that are now just one game behind them for the division lead - Boston and Toronto.

O’s team ERA against AL East teams:

* 1.88 with 2-1 record versus Tampa Bay

* 3.44 with 4-2 record against New York

* 5.52 with 6-4 record versus Boston

* 6.46 with 3-5 record against Toronto

Go time for Gallardo: Right-hander Yovani Gallardo returns to the Orioles’ rotation today for

the first time since April 22. While I would caution fans to give him four or five starts before

judging him, I know better. Some fans will pronounce him a great addition or bust after one or

two innings today and they will look only at radar gun readings. I think they will be missing a

few things, but that is the nature of it right now. It is about instant reactions and judgements.

These often prove wrong.

Before you think pitching Gallardo against Toronto is a recipe for trouble, let me point that last

year Gallardo made two regular-season starts against the 2015 Blue Jays team that led the majors

in scoring. He went 2-0 with an ERA of 0.00 in those games. Over 13 2/3 innings he allowed six

hits (all singles) and Toronto hit .136 against him. He also beat the Blue Jays in Game 1 of the

American League Division Series, allowing two runs over five innings. So that is two runs

allowed over 18 2/3 innings in 2015 versus Toronto.

Asking him to do that today is probably asking for too much. But it would be a good sign to see

some of the late life and movement on the ball that Gallardo said he had in three rehab starts. A

Gallardo pitching with late life and movement and solid command could and should look more

like the pitcher that went 13-11 with a 3.42 ERA for Texas last season. The O’s rotation could

use a pitcher like that right now.

The last five games, O’s starters have pitched 1/3, seven, three, eight and 3 2/3 innings. The O’s

rotation has an ERA of 7.15 the past eight games. That won’t get it done, obviously. Can

Gallardo return today and provide a lift?

Saunders sizzles versus the O’s: When fans look at the Toronto lineup they often worry about

players like Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson and Edwin Encarnacion. Those three are pretty good.

But they have five combined homers this year against the Orioles. After hitting three last night,

Michael Saunders has five homers by himself this year against Baltimore pitching.

In last weekend’s four-game series in Toronto, Saunders went 9-for-16 with two homers against

the Orioles. On the season he has these remarkable numbers in eight games versus the Baltimore

staff: A batting average of .545 (18-for-33) with six doubles, five homers and 12 RBIs to go with

a slugging percentage of 1.182 and OPS of 1.749. Over his last three games against the O’s,

Saunders is 9-for-13 with four homers and 10 RBIs.

Before you think they’ll never get this guy out, they will at some point. Hopefully more sooner

than later. On May 31-June 1, Boston’s Mookie Betts hit five homers against the Orioles. In the

four games since then he is 4-for-16 with no homers and one RBI against Baltimore pitchers.

So the Orioles are still 10 games over the .500 mark. But their lead over the Blue Jays and Red

Sox is down to one game. They have played their last eight games against Boston and Toronto,

going 3-5.

They could use a win today. They could use a well-pitched game this afternoon at Camden

Yards.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/06/mike-wright-on-his-poor-outing-jj-hardy-

on-returning-to-the-orioles.html

Mike Wright on his poor outing, J.J. Hardy on returning to

the Orioles (updated)

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

June 17, 2016

It was a little over a year ago when Orioles right-hander Mike Wright pitched 14 1/3 scoreless

innings over his first two big league starts. But his current struggles reached another low point

tonight.

He gave up a career-worst eight runs and six hits, including three homers, over just 3 2/3 innings.

The team that has tormented him before did it again, as he took the loss in the Orioles’ 13-3

defeat against Toronto. His last two starts have come against this team and Wright has allowed

12 runs in 8 2/3 innings.

The frustration level, naturally, is extremely high for Wright and his postgame interview, like his

outing tonight, was rather short.

Wright was asked why he struggled against the Blue Jays. “Um, they’re a really good team,” he

said

How did he feel about his mechanics and location? “I threw some good pitches, threw some bad

pitches. They hit them both,” he said.

Was there anything he could pinpoint that went wrong? “I mean I had a walk. Gave up three

home runs. Gave up too many runs,” Wright said.

How difficult is this stretch for him right now? “Yeah, I’m working harder than ever, you know,”

he said. “When you are working harder than ever and you get those results, it’s tough.”

Is it even more frustrating to have had the good start against Kansas City, but now two poor ones

versus Toronto? “Yeah, absolutely. I mean, that is when the hard work started. Got really good

results at first and then ran into the Blue Jays twice,” he said.

That was that. End of interview for the 26-year-old right-hander who pitched seven scoreless

innings versus Kansas City just three starts ago. But now his ERA is up to 6.12 for the season. In

six career games against Toronto, he is 0-4 with an ERA of 9.28. In 11 career games versus

American League East teams, he is 1-6 with an ERA of 10.46.

Toronto is 5-3 against the Orioles this year and has scored 34 runs in winning the last three times

the teams have played. Since the start of the four-game series last Thursday at Rogers Centre,

Toronto has scored 43 runs in five games versus the Orioles.

There was better news across the Orioles clubhouse tonight. Shortstop J.J. Hardy said he expects

to be activated off the disabled list tomorrow after missing time with a fractured left foot.

“I mean, I felt really good today,” Hardy said. “Played those last three days in Bowie and each

day was better than the previous. I was excited about that improvement and today was really

good. So I guess it doesn’t really need to get much better than what it was today. But if it gets

better than that, great.”

Is Hardy running at 100 percent right now?

“Yeah, I felt like I was running pretty good today. Better than I expected,” he said.

If Hardy does play Saturday, it will be his first Orioles game since May 1. He was been

rehabbing the injury at the Orioles’ spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla., before he headed

north to join Bowie. He worked out at Camden Yards before tonight’s game. He was pleased that

he was able to play a full nine innings last night, his last game with Bowie.

“Good just to see how it was today,” he said. “To play the full nine last night and then be able to

run around like I was today, you know it’s good. It’s time if my ankle is ready. I say ankle

because that is kind of what I was dealing with. The (fractured) bone has been fine for a week

and a half. Yeah, I mean I feel like I’m ready to go.”

Toronto outfielder Michael Saunders recorded the first three-homer game of his career tonight

and drove in a career-high eight runs. It was the 19th three-homer game in Toronto franchise

history and first since Edwin Encarnacion on Aug 29, 2015 versus Detroit. Of Saunders’ last 36

hits, 19 have gone for extra bases. This year against the Orioles, Saunders is batting .545 (18-for-

33) with six doubles, five homers and 12 RBIs. Saunders has 15 homers on the year and has hit

five in his last four games versus Baltimore pitching.

Right-hander Yovani Gallardo (1-1, 7.00 ERA) is set to come off the disabled list and make his

first start tomorrow since April 22. We will see if he can slow down this Toronto team as he

pitches against R.A. Dickey (4-7, 4.16 ERA).

Update: The Orioles have optioned Wright to Triple-A Norfolk.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/06/michael-saunders-homers-three-times-as-

blue-jays-rout-orioles.html

Michael Saunders homers three times as Blue Jays rout

Orioles

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

June 17, 2016

When the Orioles last saw the them - last weekend at Rogers Centre - the Toronto Blue Jays

scored 11 runs Saturday and 10 runs on Sunday.

The Blue Jays’ pounding of O’s pitching continued tonight at Camden Yards. Toronto scored

seven runs in the fourth to open an 11-2 lead and went on to win 13-3 in the series opener.

Toronto left fielder Michael Saunders has feasted on O’s pitching this year. Tonight, he hit three-

run homers in the first and fourth innings, and added a two-run homer in the sixth for his first

career three-home run night. He posted a career-high eight RBIs with his seventh career multi-

homer game and second of this season.

Saunders batted with the bases loaded against T.J. McFarland in the eighth, looking for a four-

homer game, but he bounced into a double play. Josh Hamilton and Rocky Colavito are the only

two players to ever homer four times in one game against the Orioles.

On the year versus the Orioles, Saunders is 18-for-33 (.545) with six doubles, five homers and 12

RBIs. Saunders has 15 homers on the year and has hit five in his last four games versus

Baltimore pitching.

Mike Wright had another poor night and you have to wonder how much longer the Orioles can

keep him in their rotation. Toronto scored three off him in the first and knocked him out during

the seven-run fourth inning.

Wright went 3 2/3 innings, allowing six hits, a career-high eight runs and three home runs. He

falls to 3-4 with an ERA of 6.12. His last two starts have come versus Toronto and he’s allowed

12 runs over 8 2/3 innings. His ERA in starts this season against American League East teams is

10.46. Ubaldo Jimenez pitched in relief and allowed four hits and five runs on two homers over 2

1/3 innings.

Last weekend, Toronto scored 30 runs in four games against the Orioles. In their last three games

versus Baltimore, they have scored 11, 10 and 13 runs.

The Orioles scored on Manny Machado’s RBI single in the first and Mark Trumbo’s single in the

third. They loaded the bases in both of those innings and failed to score more than once each

time. Ryan Flaherty hit a solo homer in the ninth.

Six of the first seven games between these two teams this year were decided by one run, but this

one was a blowout. The Orioles fall to 38-28 for the year and to 24-12 at home. Toronto has won

four in a row and seven of eight to improve to 39-31. Toronto is 11-5 in June and has scored 104

runs this month.

In the second game of this series, on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m., Yovani Gallardo (1-1, 7.00

ERA) returns to the rotation and pitches against R.A. Dickey (4-7, 4.16 ERA).

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/06/os-game-blog-cody-sedlock-signs-and-

tonights-matchup.html

O’s game blog: First-round pick Cody Sedlock signs, plus

tonight’s matchup

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

June 17, 2016

Orioles first-round draft pick Cody Sedlock said today that when he was 5, he wrote down on

paper that he wanted to be a pro ballplayer. Today, that dream has been realized for him.

The right-hander out of the University of Illinois today signed his first pro contract for a slot

bonus of $2,097,200. Taken 27th overall in the First-Year Player Draft, Sedlock is expected to

report to Sarasota, Fla., for an orientation and then join the short season Single-A Aberdeen

IronBirds. It is possible he could first pitch in a game or two in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast

League.

“I want to thank the Baltimore Orioles organization for giving me this opportunity and making

my dreams since I was 5 years old become reality,” Sedlock said today at a Camden Yards press

conference. “I want to thank everyone that has been there from the start - my parents, who have

made the trip here, all my past coaches at Illinois and high school. I can’t wait to get some crab

cakes, haven’t gotten any yet. You know Baltimore has been so welcoming to me in my couple

of days here. I’m really looking forward to the future and helping the big league squad as fast as

possible.”

Sedlock’s best pitch, per scouting reports, is a fastball with heavy sink from 91 to 93 mph that

touches 96 mph.

“Cody had an excellent college season and was named Big Ten Conference Pitcher of the Year,”

O’s scouting director Gary Rajsich said. “You can see he is big (6-foot-4, 205 lbs.), strong and

durable. He has a good arm, a four-pitch arsenal with a good, solid and balanced delivery. He has

a good fastball, a good breaking ball, both a curve and slider. Has a good feel for a changeup,

and he holds runners well and is quick to the plate, which our major league manager will like.

“What we particularly like is he has the ability to take his stuff up a notch with runners on base.

His compete level is really good and that is one of the things that really drew us to Cody.”

Sedlock went 5-3 with a 2.49 ERA in 14 starts this season and fanned a school-record 116 over

101 1/3 innings. He pitched nine innings or more in four of his last five starts, once pitching 10

2/3 innings.

“I just really hope in seeing that, that people see my competitiveness,” Sedlock said. “Knowing

that every time I step on the mound I want to finish the game myself. Personally, I take pride in

that. I know there is great history here and this is such a great ballpark. But being in Baltimore

the past couple of days, it’s been unbelievable. My attitude toward the organization is on cloud

nine right now.

“One thing I noticed, if you’re driving down the street, everyone is wearing Orioles stuff.

Everyone you meet, they are big Orioles fans. The fans in the city and the outside areas are the

best in the country. They were so welcoming to me.”

It’s the O’s and Blue Jays tonight: With a 38-27 record, and leading the American East by one

game over Boston and two games over Toronto, the Orioles begin a three-game series against the

Blue Jays tonight at Camden Yards. The O’s are 24-11 at home and are 8-1-2 in 11 home series.

On the mound, Mike Wright (3-3, 5.31 ERA) faces Toronto right-hander Aaron Sanchez (6-1,

3.38 ERA). Wright faced the Blue Jays on Saturday while Sanchez faced the Orioles on Sunday.

On June 6, Wright pitched seven innings, allowing one unearned run against Kansas City. But on

Saturday at Rogers Centre, he went five innings, allowing six hits and four runs in a game that

Orioles would lose 11-6 as Toronto scored eight runs in its last three at-bats. He issued a career

high five walks that day, throwing just 49 of 103 pitches for strikes.

Wright is 2-2 with a 4.67 ERA in seven home games this year. He has an ERA of 9.45 when

facing an AL East teams, allowing 35 earned runs over 33 1/3 innings.

Sanchez gave up six runs and 10 hits, including four homers, in five innings Sunday against

Baltimore. He had allowed four homers all year in his first 12 starts and 80 1/3 innings, then

gave up four in one game. The four homers were a career high and he became the first Toronto

pitcher in team history to allow four home runs and still get a win. The 10 hits he gave up also

matched his career high.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/06/chris-davis-partners-with-casey-cares-and-

also-talks-about-toronto-series.html

Chris Davis partners with Casey Cares Foundation, talks

about Toronto series

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

June 17, 2016

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis will serve as race ambassador for the seventh annual Casey

Cares 5K Run/Walk at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, Aug. 6, as the Orioles and

OriolesREACH once again partner with the Casey Cares Foundation to host the race.

All proceeds will benefit the Casey Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides

personalized, uplifting and ongoing programs with a special touch to critically ill children and

their family members throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Over the past two years since moving

to Oriole Park, the race has raised nearly $300,000.

“It is something that my wife and I are extremely excited about,” Davis said this

afternoon. “Kind of had our hand in it the last few years. Think Nicky (Markakis) was the head

of this the first couple of years we were here and then Brian (Matusz) last year.

Now neither one of those guys are here now, so we’re stepping in. It means a lot to us.

“It is something we want to do. One of the big draws coming back here (re-signing over the

winter) was knowing we could continue the relationships that we had and cultivate some new

ones. We love the city of Baltimore and we’ve lived in the city for several years. We enjoy being

around the people of the city and we are going to do anything we can to help.

“It puts things in perspective. When you have a chance to go out in the community and see the

impact you can have, it brightens up your day. It really gives you a sense of worth and makes

coming to the ballpark every day a little bit more special.”

Registration for the race is open now and both teams and individuals are encouraged to register.

Entry fees are $45 per person through Friday, Aug. 5, or $50 per person on race day (cash or

check only). Children 8 and under can be registered for only $20. To register,

visitwww.orioles.com/caseycares.

“We thank the Orioles for again serving as an integral partner of Casey Cares this season,” said

Casey Baynes, executive director of the Casey Cares Foundation. “Last year, with the support of

the Birds, Casey Cares was able to provide more than 19,000 activities to our community. The

Orioles’ ongoing commitment to the critically ill children in our programs helps these kids have

an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

As for the Orioles outlook heading into the weekend series with Toronto, Davis said it got a

positive jolt last night when Tyler Wilson pitched eight scoreless innings in the win at Fenway

Park, as the Orioles won that series.

“That was huge for us,” Davis said. “The way the road trip started, we weren’t necessarily

happy, but we felt like on offense we were swinging well and putting some things together. To

see Tyler throw the ball like he did last night was great. The talent is obviously there. To see him

put it all together was pretty impressive.”

The Orioles (38-27) lead the American League East by one game over Boston and two over

Toronto. They host the Blue Jays for three games this weekend after Toronto took three of four

last weekend at Rogers Centre.

“I think it’s big. Anytime a division rival comes in it’s going to be a big series and we are

starting to get to the middle of the season,” Davis said. “Not only that, but we’re starting to roll

right now and we want to take advantage of that and win as many as possible. A weekend series

against a division rival at home, that is when we expect to come out and play our best ball.”

http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/preview?gameId=360618101

Blue Jays-Orioles preview

STATS, LLC. / ESPN

June 18, 2016

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles are hoping Yovani Gallardo's return from the disabled

list can provide a boost to their starting rotation, especially when it comes to slowing the Toronto

Blue Jays.

Toronto slugged five home runs Friday night as they defeated the Orioles 13-3 to pull within one

game of first-place Baltimore in the AL East.

Going back to last weekend's series in Toronto, the Blue Jays have score 34 runs in their last

three games versus Baltimore.

"It's an American League lineup," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of Toronto. "It creates

stress for pitchers all the way through and it grinds on you."

The Blue Jays (39-31) teed off on Mike Wright and Ubaldo Jimenez in Friday night's win,

including three home runs by Michael Saunders and one each by Josh Donaldson and Justin

Smoak.

Saunders became the fourth Canadian-born player to hit three homers in a game and is now

batting .314 with 15 homers and 32 RBI.

"He's doing a lot of good things for them," Showalter said. "He's handling left-handed pitching,

too. He gives them some real protection for those (other) guys."

Toronto has won four straight. Over their last seven games, they have outscored the opposition

65-32, averaging 9.3 runs per game.

"We're built to hit. Just like (the Orioles)," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said.

"Pitching wins it, but you've got to slug it out in this division. We play in those small ballparks

and if you can't score, you're not going to win. That's just a fact."

Last Sunday, Jimenez didn't make it out of the first inning and was sent to the bullpen. Friday

night Wright lasted just 3 2/3 innings and was demoted to Triple-A Norfolk after the game.

Now it's Gallardo's turn. Signed as a free agent in the offseason, he's been on the disabled list

since April 23 with right biceps tendinitis. Before that he was 1-1 with a 7.00 ERA in four starts.

He threw 90 pitches and allowed one run in five innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk at

Charlotte on Monday night.

Baltimore (38-28) is also expected to welcome back shortstop J.J. Hardy(left foot fracture) on

Saturday.

Toronto's RA Dickey (4-7, 4.16 ERA) has shaved over a run-and-a-half off his ERA since the

beginning of May, allowing three earned runs or less in all but two of his starts.

He lost to the Orioles 4-3 on April 20th, when he allowed three runs on five hits over six innings,

and is 2-6 with a 3.97 ERA in 15 career games -- 12 starts -- versus Baltimore. At Camden Yards

however, his ERA is 3.32 in seven appearances, six starts.

Manny Machado is 7 for 19 against Dickey over the past five seasons, according to MLB.com,

while Chris Davis is 5 for 22 with two homers and seven RBI.

The Blue Jays, who were 19-23 a month ago, will be looking for their eighth win in their last

nine games.

"We've been playing good," Gibbons said. "People thought we were dead in the water there for a

while. There's still a long way to go."

http://espn.go.com/blog/baltimore-orioles/post/_/id/1004/catastrophic-combo-a-resounding-

reminder-that-orioles-need-arm-aid

Catastrophic combo a resounding reminder that Orioles

need arm aid

By Eddie Matz / ESPN

June 18, 2016

BALTIMORE -- Orioles fans don’t boo often, but when they do, they prefer to boo Ubaldo

Jimenez.

In the top of the fourth inning of Friday’s 13-3 loss to Toronto, the frequently forgiving fans at

Camden Yards rained boos down on reliever Ubaldo Jimenez after he allowed a three-run homer

to Blue Jays outfielder Michael Saunders.

And no, you didn’t read that last sentence wrong: reliever Ubaldo Jimenez.

If the Orioles’ goal was to make fans feel good about Jimenez -- the 32-year-old vet who was

demoted to the bullpen after lasting just a third of an inning in his most recent start -- having him

relieve Mike Wright was as good a strategy as any. Or so it seemed.

But as ineffective as Wright was in the series opener, allowing eight runs on six hits (including

three jacks) in three-plus innings, Jimenez was just as bad, if not worse. The first five batters

Jimenez faced went like this: triple, walk, home run, double, home run. It was after that first

bomb, the one by Saunders (his second of three dingers in the game), that the boo-birds starting

booing the Birds.

At the time, it was hard to tell whether O’s fans were jeering A) Jimenez, B) Wright, C) the

Orioles organization for not having a better option than Jimenez or Wright, or D) all of the

above.

What’s easy to see is that if the Orioles -- who have been in first place for the majority of the

season -- have any chance of staying at or near the top of the American League East, they need to

make some changes to the rotation, and stat.

Including Friday’s debacle, Wright and Jimenez have started a total of 25 games and have a

combined 6.73 ERA that goes a long way toward explaining why the Baltimore rotation has the

third-highest ERA in the AL (4.93). The hope is that offseason acquisition Yovani Gallardo, who

went on the DL in late April and returns Saturday, can help stabilize the staff. But given how

hittable he has been over the past year (1.71 WHIP since last season’s All-Star break), that seems

like wishful thinking. Even if Gallardo resembles the Gallardo of old, Baltimore’s starting five

still has issues. Major issues.

Aside from ace Chris Tillman, who has been studly enough to merit legit Cy Young

consideration, the rest of the rotation is riddled with question marks. When will former first-

rounder Kevin Gausman start fulfilling his promise (and win a game)? How much longer can

soft-tossing Tyler Wilson impersonate a major league pitcher? Can Gallardo regain his form?

Can Robin save Batman from the calamitous clutches of the evil Penguin (just checking to see if

you’re actually still reading)? Throw in the double-dose of ugliness from Wright and Jimenez on

Friday, and the O’s are in serious trouble rotation-wise.

It’s the kind of trouble that trades are made of. Problem is, when it comes to trade bait, the

Orioles -- whose farm system was ranked 27th by Baseball America in February -- don’t have a

whole lot to offer in return. Even if they did, with a thin free-agent pitching class this offseason,

there aren’t likely to be a whole lot of options out there.

For now, Buck Showalter’s club has more immediate concerns -- like who will start five days

from now, when Wright’s turn in the rotation comes up again. The whole situation is

complicated by the return of Gallardo and shortstop J.J. Hardy, who’s also expected to be

activated on Saturday.

“Mike's an option for us next Wednesday,” Showalter said. “We'll consider where we are. But

we have to make two spots tomorrow. Pretty complicated. After each game, especially one like

this, the chairs kind of move around.”

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/baltimore-orioles/hardy-set-be-activated-orioles-saturday

Hardy Set To Be Activated By Orioles On Saturday

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Mid-Atlantic

June 17, 2016

BALTIMORE—J.J. Hardy fielded ground balls, threw, ran and took batting practice, and on

Saturday he’s slated to play his first major league game since he fractured a bone in his left foot

on May 1.

Hardy had three rehab games at Bowie, and they went well. On Thursday night, he played the

entire game.

“I felt really good today. I played those last three days at Bowie, and each day was better than

the previous. I’m excited about that improvement, and today was really good,” Hardy said. “Of

course, it doesn’t need to get much better than it was today, but if it gets even better than that,

great.”

Hardy said he was running better than expected and he doesn’t need another rehab game.

Manager Buck Showalter said that Hardy could play at Frederick on Saturday if he needed

another minor league rehab game.

“I can do it here. It’s time. If my ankle’s ready; I say ankle because that’s what I kind of was

dealing with. The bone’s been fine for about a week-and-a-half, but I feel like I was ready to go,”

Hardy said.

“To play a full nine innings last night and then be able to run around like I was today, it’s good.”

Hardy, who spent more than three weeks in Florida, had said when he first when to the DL, that

he hoped the Orioles would still be in first place when he returned.

They’re a game ahead of Boston for the AL East lead.

“I haven’t been able to watch all the games. I was down in Florida. The TV where I was staying

didn’t have any games so I was checking the box scores every 30 minutes. It’s nice to see

everyone playing well, and in first place still,” Hardy said.

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/baltimore-orioles/when-will-manny-machados-suspension-begin

When Will Manny Machado's Suspension Begin?

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Mid-Atlantic

June 17, 2016

BALTIMORE—Manny Machado’s hearing is likely to be held on Tuesday. However, Machado

could decide to drop the appeal on his four-game suspension for fighting with Kansas City’s

Yordano Ventura on June 8.

Machado has played every game this season and played all 162 games last season.

“I was going to give him a day or two [rest],” Showalter said. “That part of it is good. I was

hoping it was going to be two days instead of four or three, whatever it ends up being. I think

Manny could use a few days. He’ll never admit it.”

If the appeal goes through, Showalter says that he expects to hear the results within a day or two.

In 2014, Machado appealed his five-game suspension for bat throwing a bat, but it was not

reduced.

“This thing has been dragging. Get it behind us,” Showalter said.

NOTE: Toronto placed Jose Bautista on the 15-day disabled list with a toe injury.

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/baltimore-orioles/hardy-works-out-orioles-activation-likely-

weekend

Hardy Works Out For Orioles, Activation Likely This

Weekend

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Mid-Atlantic

June 17, 2016

BALTIMORE—J.J. Hardy was on the field on Friday afternoon taking groundballs and batting

practice. Manager Buck Showalter said that Hardy’s workout went well, but the Orioles aren’t

activating him yet.

“We’ve got to make the decision whether he will play in Frederick tomorrow or be activated, but

I think it will be Saturday or Sunday,” Showalter said.

Hardy, who is on the disabled list with a fracture in his left foot, played three games for Bowie

this week. He played six, seven and nine innings in his three games.

“We’re leaning on J.J. on this. He knows he’s real close. There’s one little thing he wants to feel

good about. He’s moving around well defensively,” Showalter said.

“We’re looking forward to getting him back. It’s been a long road, a long road once again.”

Hardy suffered the injury on May 1.

Showalter has spoken about Manny Machado, who has played shortstop in Hardy’s absence

about his move back to third.

“I’ve already,” Showalter said. “Why would I wait until he came back? Manny’s got a lot of

respect for J.J. and so does Jon Schoop. He’s really looking forward to [Hardy] coming back

because it makes us a better team.”

Caleb Joseph, who is recovering from testicular surgery, has reported to Frederick. Joseph could

be the designated hitter for both games of the Keys’ doubleheader on Friday. He’ll be able to

catch bullpens, but won’t be able to catch in games until June 27.

Darren O’Day (hamstring) and Vance Worley (groin) both had strong workdays.

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/baltimore-orioles/machado-ventura-brawl-lives-forever-wwe-

2k16-video

Machado-Ventura Brawl Lives Forever In WWE 2K16

Video

By Troy Machir / CSN Mid-Atlantic

June 17, 2016

Although Manny Machado is probably hoping to put his June 8 brawl with Royals pitcher

Yordano Ventura in the past, the Internet is making sure we never forget.

Machado's decision to charge the mound and hit Ventura in the face after Ventura plunked him is

now part of a video game.

But not any old baseball game.

One that serves as the perfect canvas for this situation.

ESPN's Dave Szymborski came up with the brilliant idea to recreate the brawl using the WWE

2K16 video game "Create a Superstar" feature, and the results are pretty incredible.

http://www.csnmidatlantic.com/baltimore-orioles/crab-cakes-and-baseball-thats-what-orioles-

top-draft-pick-wants

Crab Cakes And Baseball That's What The Orioles Top

Draft Pick Wants

By Rich Dubroff / CSN Mid-Atlantic

June 17, 2016

BALTIMORE—Moving quickly, the Orioles signed their first-round draft pick, Cory Sedlock, to

a contract on Friday.

Sedlock, who was 10-6 with a 2.94 ERA in 47 games in three years at the University of Illinois

signed for a reported $2,097,200, which is the slotted amount for the 27th draft pick.

“I can’t wait to get myself some crab cakes. I haven’t gotten any of those yet,” Sedlock said.

Sedlock was drafted eight days ago, and is the first one of the Orioles’ 41 picks to sign.

“Ever since I heard my name called, I wanted to get here and sign the papers,” Sedlock said.

“My college team this year, at Illinois didn’t make the Big Ten tournament this year, so it’s been

a month and a day since I’ve pitched last. Ever since then, I wanted to get back on the mound as

quick as possible.”

Orioles Director of Scouting Gary Rajsich found Sedlock agreeable.

“We were happy to have him. We were anxious to sign him, and he was ready to sign, so it came

together really fast,” Rajsich said.

Sedlock has enjoyed visiting Baltimore the last few days, and has been impressed with what he’s

seen.

“One thing I noticed is if you’re driving down the street, and you see anyone, everyone’s

wearing Orioles stuff. Everyone you meet are big Orioles fans,” Sedlock said. “They’re so

welcoming to me.”

The 20-year-old will report to Sarasota, Fla. for orientation, and should be with Aberdeen shortly

afterwards.

Rajsich said that he’s hoping to have more draft choices signed next week.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/06/17/orioles-host-35th-annual-brooks-robinson-high-school-

all-star-game/

Orioles Host 35th Annual Brooks Robinson High School All-

Star Game

CBS Baltimore

June 17, 2016

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The Orioles will host the 35th

annual Brooks Robinson High

School All-Star Game at Oriole Park on Sunday, June 19, following the 1:35 p.m. game between

the Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays.

Hosted by the Orioles for the past 35 years, the Brooks Robinson High School All-Star Game

showcases the best high school baseball players in Maryland.

The game will feature the top players from northern Maryland against the best players from

southern Maryland.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/06/17/orioles-agree-to-terms-with-mlb-draft-pick-cody-

sedlock/

Orioles Agree To Terms With MLB Draft Pick Cody Sedlock

CBS Baltimore

June 17, 2016

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The Orioles have agreed to terms with their first round selection of the

2016 First-Year Player Draft, RHP Cody Sedlock, from the University of Illinois. Sedlock was

selected with the 27th

overall pick in the first round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft.

As a junior in 2016, he was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, a First Team All-American

by Baseball America, and a unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection. Sedlock set the

University of Illinois single-season strikeout record (116) in 2016, leading the Big Ten in

strikeouts.

Sedlock finished his career ranking second in University of Illinois history with a 1.86 ERA in

Big Ten games.

He was rated as the No. 26 overall draft prospect by MLB.com and No. 42 overall in Baseball

America’s Top 200 Prospects.

He became the first collegiate pitcher to be selected by the Orioles in the first round of the First-

Year Player Draft since Kevin Gausman in 2012.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/06/17/baltimore-orioles-are-the-first-team-to-reach-100-

home-runs/

Baltimore Orioles Are The First Team To Reach 100

Home Runs

CBS Baltimore

June 17, 2016

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Back on top of the American League East, the Orioles had a solid week

of baseball which led to becoming the first team in major league baseball to reach 100 homeruns

this season.

After the series against the Boston Red Sox, during which Tyler Wilson kept the Red Sox

scoreless for eight innings, the total number of homeruns hit 103.

Chris Davis was recently named the American League Player of the Week for homering in five

consecutive games, Adam Jones is back on a hitting streak with eight for the month and Mark

Trumbo (now tied with Nolan Arenado) leads all of major league baseball with 20 homeruns.

No wonder the Orioles are climbing the ballots for the All-Star Game.

Let’s Go Os!

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/06/17/101-year-old-orioles-fan-to-throw-first-pitch-on-

saturday/

101-Year-Old Orioles Fan To Throw First Pitch

On Saturday

CBS Baltimore

June 17, 2016

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Prior to the Orioles game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday,

June 18, Martha Ahlfeldt will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Ahlfeldt, who will soon celebrate her 102nd

birthday, was born on July 16, 1914, in Baltimore.

She is a mother of two, grandmother of 11, great-grandmother of eight, and great-great-

grandmother of two.

Her love for the Orioles started in the 1940’s when her father took her to see the International

League Orioles. She and her husband, Charles, held Orioles season tickets in the 1960’s and

1970’s at Memorial Stadium.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/06/17/chris-davis-named-race-ambassador-for-casey-cares-

5k-runwalk/

Chris Davis Named Race Ambassador For Casey Cares

5K Run/Walk

CBS Baltimoe

June 17, 2016

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Orioles first baseman Chris Davis will serve as race ambassador for the

seventh annual Casey Cares 5K Run/Walk at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, August

6.

The 3.1 mile run/one mile walk starts at 8:00 a.m. and begins at Oriole Park and ends on the

field. Participants will partake in a pre-race warm-up with the Oriole Bird, music, and other

entertainment, and will enjoy post-race refreshments. Top race winners will be announced in a

pregame ceremony prior to the August 16 game against the Boston Red Sox.

Davis and his wife, Jill, a former nurse, have supported Casey Cares for several years. Davis has

previously attended the organization’s Extra Innings Event, where critically-ill children and their

families meet with Orioles players to learn the fundamentals of baseball. Davis will be attending

the Extra Innings Event again this year.

“Jill and I are honored to partner with Casey Cares in support of this incredible event,” said

Davis. “Everyone involved in this race plays an important role in bringing joy to the children and

families who most need our love and support.”

The 3.1 mile run/one mile walk starts at 8:00 a.m. and begins at Oriole Park and ends on the

field. Participants will partake in a pre-race warm-up with the Oriole Bird, music, and other

entertainment, and will enjoy post-race refreshments. Top race winners will be announced in a

pregame ceremony prior to the August 16 game against the Boston Red Sox.

Registration for the race is open now and both teams and individuals are encouraged to register.

Entry fees are $45 per person through Friday, August 5, or $50 per person on race day (cash or

check only). Children 8 and under can be registered for only $20. To register,

visitwww.orioles.com/caseycares.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/here-are-five-reasons-the-orioles-remain-the-surprise-

leaders-of-the-al-east/

Here are five reasons the Orioles remain the surprise leaders

of the AL East

By R.J. Anderson / CBS Sports

June 18, 2016

Part of what makes baseball fun is the near-annual surprise team -- the club that outpaces

expectations deep into the summer, leaving us wondering a. whether they can keep it up through

the fall, and b. how we undersold them in the spring.

For the most part, this season has missed that element. Almost all of the division leaders are who

we expected them to be -- even the Indians, the closest thing to a feel-good team in the American

League Central, were a trendy preseason pick due to their young arms.

There is an exception, however, and it's a big one: the Orioles.

The momentum of a bad winter combined with a horrible exhibition season pushed Buck

Showalter's club down the wrong side of Prognosticators Hill. The Orioles finishing in last

seemed like the surest thing in the American League East.

Yet the O's have flipped those expectations upside down: They've had at least a share of first

place in the division on every day since June 5, and haven't been more than a game out since

June 1. Friday night's loss included, the Orioles still entered the weekend with a one-game lead

over their rivals in Boston and Toronto.

Of course, it's one thing to document what the Orioles are doing, it's another to

explain how they're doing it. Consider that the Fightin' Showalters have J.J. Hardy, Caleb

Joseph, Darren O'Day, and Vance Worley on the disabled list; that Yovani Gallardo (also on the

DL) and Ubaldo Jimenez each have ERA exceeding 7.00; that Adam Jones is on pace for his

worst OPS+ since he was 22 (he's 30); and that their defense is one of the worst in the majors.

Take all of that together and you can't help but ask: just how are the Orioles in first place?

Let's take a look at a few reasons why.

1. Manny Machado

You can make the argument that Machado would be the odds-on favorite to win the MVP were it

not for Mike Trout (and, if you're big into using team results to determine individual awards, you

might make the case that Machado is the MVP regardless). He has the ninth-best OPS+ in

baseball, and has posted those marks while sliding from third base to shortstop to cover for the

Hardy injury, thus giving him an edge over Josh Donaldson.

What's more is Machado is weeks away from turning 24 years old. He's no longer one of the best

young players in baseball, he's now one of the best players period -- and he's the key to

Baltimore's continued success.

2. An elite bullpen trio

The 2014-15 Royals receive a lot of credit for covering their weak rotations with strong bullpens.

But the Orioles had been hip to that strategy since back when Wade Davis was a mediocre

starter. Baltimore's current end-game trio -- Zach Britton, Mychal Givens, and Brad Brach --

have combined for a 1.71 ERA this season, and are part of the reason the O's have won nearly 90

percent of the games they've led in after six innings. The trio's overall marks aren't as impressive

as Baltimore's peers in New York, but those three guys are nonetheless significant members of a

pitching staff that lacks depth.

3. Seeming mistakes turned assets

At some point or another, the Orioles' decisions to add Mark Trumbo andHyun Soo Kim were

each questioned. Trumbo looked like an awkward, overpriced fit after Chris Davis re-signed, and

Baltimore reportedly valued Kim so much that it considered shipping him to the minors or to

Korea duringspring training. Yet both have turned in impressive performances.

Once a perennial non-tender candidate, Trumbo is now leading the AL in home runs and seems

like a candidate to receive the qualifying offer after the season. Kim, meanwhile, has excelled

with his contact and on-base skills, and has formed a surprisingly productive left-field platoon

with Nolan Reimold. Not bad for a pair of moves the Orioles might've requested a mulligan on

three months ago.

4. Chris Tillman

Tillman isn't your typical front-of-the-rotation stud, but he deserves an acknowledgment. He's

done a swell job putting a rough 2015 behind him, to the extent that he currently has the best

ERA, FIP, and strikeout rate of his career. (His 9-1 won-lost record is candy to old-timers' eyes,

too.)

Tillman's success is owed in part to an altered approach: he's throwing more sinkers and cutters

in place of his four-seamer. That change seems to be paying off, since he leads the O's in innings

per start and quality start percentage. Tillman is by no means Clayton Kershaw, but he's the most

predictable member of an O's rotation that's light on sure things, and that counts for something.

5. Buck Showalter

Admittedly, this is more speculative than the other reasons listed. Still, Showalter has

consistently gotten the most from Baltimore rosters that underwhelm on paper -- put another

way, he's made good-tasting macaroni and cheese even though he's been forced to use water

instead of milk.

This year has been no exception, as Showalter has showed a deft hand in juggling platoons,

overcoming injuries, and hand-waving off a rough offseason and spring. The Orioles have been a

few wins lucky, according to their run differential, but the rule of thumb is that a good manager

can help squeeze out an extra win here and there. Showalter seems like a good manager.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2016/06/18/wright-demoted-minors-now-happens-

wednesday/

Wright demoted to the minors; now what happens

Wednesday?

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com

June 18, 2016

Mike Wright has been the odd man out once already this year, but received a reprieve.

He won’t get a second stay of demotion after another rough showing Friday night against the

Toronto Blue Jays.

He was in line to start Wednesday against the San Diego Padres, but the Orioles need to make

two moves Saturday to activate shortstop J.J. Hardy and Saturday’s starter Yovani Gallardo from

the disabled list. They also may need to bring up a third player from the minors to pitch behind

Gallardo, who hasn’t appeared in a big-league game since April 22.

Wright and his 6.12 ERA couldn’t survive those transactions. He was sent back to Norfolk after

Friday’s game.

“After each game, especially one like this, the chairs kind of move around,” Orioles manager

Buck Showalter said.

What’s complicated is what the Orioles do for a starter Wednesday and then again as part of

Saturday’s doubleheader.

We’ll get to that in a second.

First, let’s discuss Wright, who gave up a career-high eight runs and lasted just 3 2/3 innings

Friday. It was worse than his outing Saturday in Toronto, when he yielded four runs in five

innings. He’s an honest guy, that’s for sure.

“I threw some good pitches, threw some bad pitches. They hit them both,” said Wright, who is

now 3-4 with one quality start in his last six outings. “I’m working harder than ever. When

you’re working hard, and get those results, it’s tough.”

Take away his “do-over start June 6 – he allowed one unearned run in seven innings against

Kansas City after initially being sent to the minors earlier in the week – and Wright has allowed

18 earned runs in 11 1/3 innings in those three outings.

“That’s when the hard work started,” he said of the Kansas City game. “Got really good results

at first and then ran into the Blue Jays twice.”

So the thought is he’ll pitch in the Norfolk rotation, though I’d still like to see him go to the

Tides’ bullpen and unleash that arm one inning at a time; the Orioles aren’t ready to make that

transition with the 26-year-old.

That leaves a TBA for Wednesday’s game. It could be Odrisamer Despaigne, who was promoted

this week and is pitching out of the bullpen, but was in Norfolk’s rotation. It’s possible it could

be lefty T.J. McFarland or, gasp, Ubaldo Jimenez, though the deposed starter was bad again

Friday, serving up two homers and five runs in 2 1/3 innings of relief.

With every awful pitch, there’s more pressure on executive vice president Dan Duquette to cut

bait with the 32-year-old Jimenez, who now has a 7.34 ERA and roughly $21 million left on the

four-year deal he signed in 2014.

The Orioles could reach back into the minors for Wednesday’s starter, but again there are no

obvious answers. David Hale, who was on the 40-man roster, was scratched from his start Friday

with a right calf injury. Lefty Chris Lee is on the DL at Double-A Bowie. Joe Gunkel could get a

shot, perhaps.

The Orioles also will need a starter for one of Saturday’s doubleheader games. That could be

another reprieve for Wright, who could come back as the 26th man to spot start in one of those,

even though he wouldn’t have been in the minors for the required 10 days following a demotion.

He’d have to go right back down to the minors – and he wouldn’t be able to start this week for

the Tides if there is a plan for him to pitch for the Orioles on Saturday.

As Showalter said, many moving parts, many possibilities.

As I paraphrase, no particularly inspiring possibilities right now.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2016/06/17/hardy-expects-activated-dl-saturday/

Hardy expects to be activated from DL on Saturday (Wright

optioned)

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com

June 17, 2016

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Friday afternoon that he trusted shortstop J.J. Hardy to let

him know when he is ready to come back from the disabled list.

After Friday’s loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, Hardy said he feels ready to play for the Orioles for

the first time since May 1, when he broke a bone in his left foot.

“Yeah. I think so. I think so,” Hardy said Friday evening when asked whether he expected to be

activated Saturday.

Hardy played three injury rehab games at Double-A Bowie this week – including all nine innings

Thursday – and then re-joined the Orioles for on-field work and batting practice Friday.

“I felt really good today,” Hardy said Friday night. “I played those last three days at Bowie, and

each day was better than the previous. I’m excited about that improvement, and today was really

good.”

Hardy said the bone has healed, but he was experiencing some soreness in his ankle when he ran

previously. He tested it again Friday and it was, “better than I expected.”

Hardy, who was hitting .244 with two homers in 22 games this season before the injury, will

move back to his accustomed shortstop spot while Manny Machado will return to third base.

The Orioles likely will do something with one of their current infielders – either demote Ryan

Flaherty or designate Paul Janish for assignment on Saturday – even though the club expects to

lose Machado to a four-game suspension this week. That would leave the Orioles with no reserve

infielders, though Chris Davis or Pedro Alvarez could play third in a pinch.

The club also must make a move to activate right-hander Yovani Gallardo from the DL to start

Saturday’s game. Showalter said he and executive vice president Dan Duquette will look at their

options and make two or three moves before Saturday’s game.

Friday’s starter Mike Wright is one of those moves. After allowing eight runs in 3 2/3 innings

and pushing his season ERA to 6.12, Wright was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk post-game. He is

expected to go back into the Tides’ rotation, though he might remain a possibility to make an

emergency start as the Orioles’ 26th man as part of next Saturday’s doubleheader.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2016/06/17/first-pick-sedlock-cant-wait-pitch-get-crabcake/

O’s first-rounder Sedlock can’t wait to pitch again — or get

a crabcake

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com

June 17, 2016

The Orioles didn’t take long to wrap up their first pick of the draft, announcing Friday that they

had agreed to terms with University of Illinois right-hander Cody Sedlock, who was taken 27th

overall last Thursday.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder signed for the suggested slot bonus of $2,097,200, according to an

industry source.

“Everything was open and on the table right away and there were really no questions about it. It

was just a matter of paying a little attention to the details, if you will,” said Orioles scouting

director Gary Rajsich at Friday’s news conference to introduce Sedlock. “We are happy to have

him. We were anxious to sign him and he was ready to sign, so it just kind of came together

really fast.”

The 20-year-old will report to the organization’s minor league complex in Sarasota, Fla., to be

evaluated and throw several bullpens – and maybe an inning or two in the Gulf Coast League –

but he likely will be pitching at Short-A Aberdeen fairly shortly.

And that’s great for Sedlock, who said he hasn’t pitched in a month and a day – not that he is

counting – since his Illini squad’s season ended.

“Ever since then I just want to get back on the mound as quick as possible and get into the

system,” he said.

Rajsich said Sedlock is the first of several high picks whose signings will be announced within

the next week.

“We are very close on several others,” Rajsich said. “I can’t announce any signings at this time,

but hopefully by next week we will have several more in the nest.”

The Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and a Baseball America All-American, Sedlock has an arsenal

of four pitches, including a mid-90s fastball, an above-average slider, a changeup and, as Rajsich

called it, a “hammer” curve.

Attending the news conference with his parents, Sedlock said he’s spend the last couple days in

Baltimore – all draftees have to go through a team physical before signing — and has been

thoroughly impressed by the passion of the fans.

“One thing I noticed is that if you are driving down the street, and you see anyone, everyone is

wearing Orioles stuff,” said Sedlock, who attended high school in Rock Island, Illinois.

“Everyone you meet, they are big Orioles fans and it just seems like the fans in this city, and the

outside areas, are the best in the country. They’re so welcoming to me.”

He also likely endeared himself to Baltimore-area fans with this nugget: “I can’t wait to get

myself some crabcakes, I haven’t gotten any of those yet.”

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2016/06/17/pre-game-os-thoughts-hardy-activated-saturday-

manny-drop-appeal-goes-hardy-returns/

Pre-game O’s thoughts: Hardy could be activated Saturday;

why Manny could drop his appeal by Monday; who goes

when Hardy returns

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com

June 17, 2016

J.J. Hardy, who has been out since May 2 with a fracture in his left foot, is at Camden Yards on

Friday, working out on the field and taking batting practice.

He’ll likely be activated Saturday or Sunday; Orioles manager Buck Showalter suggested that

Hardy could play one game at Single-A Frederick before returning so he can test his baserunning

one more time before returning to the big leagues.

Knowing Hardy, though, you have to imagine he is back and starting at shortstop as soon as

possible, which would be Saturday.

The Orioles will have to make room for him on the 25-man roster; the logical move would be

designating defensive stalwart Paul Janish, who has played excellent defense, but is hitting .185.

He could be lost on waivers, however. Ryan Flaherty, who is hitting .208, can be sent to the

minors without passing through waivers. So that may be a consideration, but one of the reserve

infielders will be gone.

The important thing here for the Orioles is that Hardy will definitely be back before Manny

Machado has to serve his four-game suspension for fighting with Kansas City’s Yordano

Ventura.

Machado’s hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, but he may decide to cancel the hearing and just

start serving the suspension before then.

Why?

Because the best the Orioles can hope for is having it reduced from four games to three. And

he’d have to begin serving it as soon as the decision is rendered – which likely would be

Wednesday or Thursday.

So that means – best-case scenario – Machado gets it reduced to three, misses Wednesday’s

game against San Diego and then two against a division rival, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Showalter made it clear Friday that he doesn’t want Machado to miss a lot of games versus

teams in the AL East.

Given all that, the most likely scenario — in my opinion — is for Machado to drop his appeal

before Monday’s game at Texas. Miss that one-game road trip to Arlington – which is a pain

anyway — miss the two versus San Diego and then just one versus Tampa Bay on Friday.

And then he would be back for Saturday’s doubleheader versus the Rays at Camden Yards.

By the way, in case it was ever in doubt, Hardy will return to shortstop and Machado will go

back to third. Showalter said he’s already talked to Machado, and they all agreed it’s the best

decision for the team.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/06/17/orioles-manny-machado-enters-equation-

whos-best/86052324/

Orioles' Manny Machado enters equation of who’s best

John Perrotto, Special / USA TODAY Sports

June 17, 2016

The conversation about the best player in baseball seems to begin and end with Mike Trout and

Bryce Harper.

A case can be made for either player.

Trout, the Los Angeles Angels center fielder, has won one American League MVP award and

finished second in the voting three other times despite being just 24 years. Harper, the

Washington Nationals right fielder, is a year younger than Trout at 23 and added the National

League MVP to the top of his ever-growing résumé last season.

However, there is a case that Baltimore Orioles third baseman/shortstop Manny Machado should

at least be in that conversation as the game’s top player.

“He’s awfully good,” Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona says. “He can take over a game

with his bat, he makes great plays on defense and he just has a great feel for the game for

someone so young. He’s one of those rare players who can beat you all by himself.”

In Baseball-Reference.com’s version of Wins Above Replacement (WAR), which measures

offensive and defensive prowess, Machado was fifth in the major leagues at 3.5.

Machado cooled after a torrid start that netted him AL player of the month honors but was still

hitting .308 with 17 homers and a .978 on-base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS) through

65 games.

The 23-year-old also made a flawless move from third base to shortstop when J.J. Hardy went on

the disabled list May 2 with a broken left foot.

Though Machado was drafted as a shortstop, he was converted to third base in 2012 at Class AA

Bowie (Md.) in time to join the Orioles for the stretch drive as they made the playoffs for the

first time since 1997. He played exclusively at the hot corner until last season when appeared in

seven games at shortstop.

“Playing shortstop is what I did for basically 20 years, so it wasn’t a big deal moving back

there,” Machado says. “We’re a better team when I’m at third base and J.J. is at shortstop, but

my dream ever since I started playing baseball was to be a major league shortstop.”

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was not surprised that Machado could make a smooth

transition back to shortstop.

“I never take Manny for granted, that’s sure,” Showalter said. “He’s a special player, a special

talent and special person. He makes the game look easy a lot of times and it’s not. The reason he

makes it look so easy is because he puts a lot of work into it.”

Machado is talented, which is why the Orioles used the third overall pick to select him from

Brito Private School in Miami in the 2010 amateur draft. Harper went first to the Nationals and

the Pirates then selected right-hander Jameson Taillon, a well-regarded prospect who has yet to

reach the major leagues while battling injuries.

Machado has overcome having two major knee operations during his five-year career. After

being injured late in the 2013 season, he had reconstructive surgery on his left knee in which a

hamstring tendon was used to graft a replacement for a ruptured patellofemoral ligament. He had

the same procedure performed on his right knee less than a year later when he was injured again

in August 2014.

He made a strong return last season and was the only player in the major leagues to play in 162

games. He finished fourth in the AL MVP voting as he hit .286 with 35 homers, 20 steals and a

.861 OPS.

Machado also had played in each of the Orioles’ 62 games, although that streak was in jeopardy

with his potential four-game suspension for last week’s brawl with the Kansas City Royals’

Yordano Ventura after Ventura hit him with a pitch. Machado has appealed.

“I love to play and I take pride in being in the lineup every day,” Machado says. “I know that in

order to do that I’m going to have to work hard every day for the rest of my career. I need to get

in the weight room to keep my needs strong. I need to come in early every day and get in the

trainer’s room for treatment.

“If there’s a silver lining to having the surgeries, it’s that it has made me have a better work

ethic. It’s not like I felt like I didn’t work hard before but I’ve had to take to a whole different

level and it’s made me a better player and person.”

Machado says the biggest disappointment of the second injury was that he missed the postseason

as the Orioles advanced to the AL Championship Series for the first time since 1997 before being

swept by the Kansas City Royals.

The Orioles slipped to 81-81 last season but are in first place in the AL East at 38-27.

“It was hard to have to watch the playoffs two years ago,” Machado says. “I think we have a

great ballclub here, we have the people we need to surround ourselves to get us to the place we

want to go.”

Machado makes no secret of his desire to spend his entire career with the Orioles and he is not

eligible for free agency until after the 2019 season.

However, speculation has already started that Machado could land a contract worth at least $400

million, especially if he an everyday shortstop, which is most likely because Hardy is under

contract through with 2017 with a vesting option for 2018.

The seven-year, $161 million contract Orioles first baseman Chris Davis signed this past

offseason caught Machado’s attention.

“That brings out hope that maybe I can be here for the long term,” Machado says. “I know

they’ve got the money for it. I hope I can stay. I came up with the organization. I’d love to stay

with the organization but that’s out of my hands. The only thing I can do is do what I’m doing

now. I’d love to stay here. This is all I know. This is all I’ve known about. I bleed orange.”

However, if Machado is still in the best-in-baseball running with Trout and Harper in 2019 — or

perhaps even surpassed them — then it will take a lot of green to keep him in orange.

“If people want to say I’m one of the best players in baseball, that’s great, but I never think about

it,” Machado says. “It’s not like you go out on the field thinking about stuff like that.”