evan meek

The Washington Wizards' John Wall is the first player drafted by the franchise to be voted a starter in the All-Star Game since Earl Monroe

The Orioles announced Wednesday that they have outrighted right-handed relief pitcher Evan Meek to Triple-A Norfolk. Meek can reject the assignment and become a free agent.

By Dean Jones Jr.

Oct 29, 2014

Sitting at the media dais under the glare of television lights Thursday, left-hander Wei-Yin Chen made a prediction about his start Friday in Game 2 of the American League Division Series.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said before Thursday's game that he faced some difficult choices in selecting the team's American League Division Series roster, but he said the decision to add right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez gives his 11-man pitching staff a dynamic that he likes.

Over the past three seasons, one of the foundations of the Orioles success has been their defense. But in recent days, it's becoming evident that the team¿s defense isn't up to the standard that manager Buck Showalter has set.

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter beat the Orioles one last time, hitting a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 6-5 walk-off win Thursday.

If Derek Jeter could have scripted his perfect ending at Yankee Stadium, it would have looked a lot like what actually happened Thursday night, but it wouldn't have happened if the Orioles hadn't worked so hard on the rewrite.

The only thing in the way of the Orioles and their first American League East title since 1997 on Friday was a final stretch of 23 regular-season games against teams in their division.

The Orioles made a series of moves Monday, the first day that major league rosters could expand to include all players on a team's 40-man roster. And additional moves will happen Tuesday.

The Orioles added a pair of relievers Monday, the first day of expanded rosters, as they recalled right-hander Evan Meek from Triple-A Norfolk and purchased the contract of left-hander Joe Saunders from the Tides.

The Orioles will open their three-game interleague series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field leading the American League East by nine games over the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays. They are a season-high 21 games over .500 and have the best record in baseball since June 30, going 30-13 in that span.

As seen during this week¿s homestand at Camden Yards, the Orioles typically do all they can avoid doubleheaders ¿ and the obstacles they bring ¿ but playing one Saturday in Boston could prove to be beneficial to the Orioles in more ways than one.

Designated hitter Nelson Cruz and injured catcher Matt Wieters still lead their respective positions in American League All-Star Game voting, according to fan voting results released by Major League Baseball on Monday afternoon.

Showalter said Davis' ability to play third allows him to get Delmon Young's bat in the lineup

Starting with today's series opener against the Texas Rangers, the Orioles will play 14 games in as many days until the All-Star break. And their biggest challenge might be how to assemble a roster that keeps them competitive on a nightly basis.

Right-hander Evan Meek and left-hander Brian Matusz combined to give up nine runs -- including seven in a decisive sixth inning -- and the Orioles set a new season-high in runs allowed in a 12-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Camden Yards.

The Orioles bullpen went into the sixth inning of Sunday afternoon¿s game against the Tampa Bay Rays having allowed just one runs over the past 30 innings or work.

BALTIMORE ¿ The Orioles¿ bullpen has undergone a closer change and a multitude of shuffling pitchers between the majors and the minors.

With a decision on Manny Machado¿s appeal to reduce a five-game suspension still pending, the third baseman played Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Buck Showalter said the Orioles are '50-50' that they replace Machado during his suspension.

Chris Tillman has been searching for the consistency that turned him into an ace in 2013. The Baltimore Orioles right-hander had a complete-game shutout on May 16 against Kansas City. And then his next outing, he lasted just one inning.

Orioles' Nelson Cruz hit his 25th home run of the year in a 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 2 of a doubleheader.

Orioles right-hander Bud Norris said he was "a little bummed out" about being placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a right groin strain, but he understands the club is best served when he is fully healthy.

In a battle of minor league pitchers promoted for the afternoon game of Friday's day-night doubleheader, the Tampa Bay Rays' Alex Colome bested the Orioles' Kevin Gausman.

Orioles right-hander Bud Norris said he is "a little bummed out" about being placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a right groin strain, but he said he understands that the club is best served when he is healthy.

Seeking relief for their bullpen, the Orioles have optioned Kevin Gausman to Triple-A Norfolk, a move that is not expected to keep the right-hander out of the club's rotation for long.

The Orioles activated right-hander Tommy Hunter from the 15-day disabled list before Sunday's game against the Oakland Athletics at Camden Yards and optioned right-hander Evan Meek to Triple-A Norfolk.

J.J. Hardy had just one error heading into this week, but he committed three on Thursday and then made a crucial error in the 11th inning Friday as the Orioles lost 4-3 to the Oakland Athletics.

Kevin Gausman will make Saturday's start while Miguel Gonzalez goes on the DL.

DALLAS ¿ As the Orioles open a three-game series against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas, the club enters today optimistic that outfielder Nelson Cruz can return to the starting lineup tonight after he was hit by a pitch Sunday in Houston.

A trip to Houston to face the Astros could be just the right thing to break Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez out of a pair of sub-par starts.

It's expected that there will be another fresh pitcher in the bullpen tonight when the Orioles open a four-game series against the Cleveland Indians at Camden Yards after Chris Tillman could only go one-plus inning Wednesday.

For those who don't know him -- even for some who do -- Orioles bench coach John Russell is a tough read. It's difficult to know what he's thinking. But, rest assured, he's thinking.

Right-handed reliever Brad Brach had been in the majors for parts of three seasons with the San Diego Padres, but he admits he might have had some jitters when he made his Orioles debut on May 3, allowing three runs and getting just four outs against Minnesota.

Kevin Gausman was sent back to Triple-A Norfolk after his spot start Wednesday

After he pitched three innings Sunday against the Houston Astros, the Orioles optioned left-hander T.J. McFarland to Triple-A Norfolk.

Here are a few options the Orioles can call up from the Norfolk bullpen should the need arise.

After the Orioles' 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, there was definitely a rare tone of concern in manager Buck Showalter's voice.

Right-handed reliever Brad Brach will join the Orioles Friday and be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk before the team's series opener against the Minnesota Twins, according to an industry source.

The Orioles played almost eight hours of baseball last night, but came away with a pair of wins