luis ayala

Orioles manager Buck Showalter led the Orioles to success as part of a wave taking over the game that emphasize bullpen usage and defense. That the rest of the league caught up and passed them on that front doesn't take away from the success it brought.

Jones allowed just two runs in 15 innings this past week.

The Orioles announced the signings of nine minor league free agents Wednesday, including two who were in the organization last season -- left-hander Chris Jones and infielder Michael Almanzar.

The shirt Jeremy Guthrie wore to his postgame press conference Tuesday sparked outrage from Orioles' fans.

Orioles right-handed relievers Darren O'Day and Tommy Hunter have been good friends for years. They even have vacationed together in the offseason. But there is a friendly rivalry brewing between the two, caused by bullpen-homer-gate.

Kevin Gausman gets the call to start Wednesday afternoon versus Detroit

Left-hander Johan Santana, who threw 28 pitches in his first extended spring training outing Monday, was pleased with his progress.

Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold saw his first simulated game action in several weeks, seeing five plate appearances in a simulated game on the Camden Yards field at the complex.

Left-hander Troy Patton, who is currently serving a 25-game suspension for testing positive for an amphetamine, is eligible to come off the restricted list on April 30, and the Orioles might have a tough time finding a spot for him when he is able to return.

Six games into the season, Orioles left fielder David Lough has started four times and batted first twice.

Manny Machado will have another "functional" work day on Sunday

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles manager Buck Showalter has talked often this spring about the challenge of selecting the club¿s Opening Day roster ¿ and saying the best 25 players might not necessarily be the right 25 players to start the season with.

SARASOTA, Fla. ¿ The Orioles have agreed to terms with former Astros first baseman Brett Wallace on a minor league contract.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado returned to Sarasota on a red-eye flight from Los Angeles late Thursday night, but it¿s still unclear when Machado could return to playing in game.

The Atlanta Braves are traveling down from Disney World today to play the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium for their only spring meeting.

The Orioles are working on a minor league deal with right-hander Luis Ayala, according to industry sources.

The Orioles have released left-handed reliever Chris Jones, who was designated for assignment on Monday to make roster space for Nelson Cruz.

SARASOTA, Fla. ¿ The Orioles made their one-year deal, $8-million deal with free-agent slugger Nelson Cruz official on Monday evening.

The Orioles¿ signing of pitcher Kelvin De La Rosa on Monday was the latest addition to the club's growing group of left-handed relievers who could compete for bullpen spots in 2014.

The Orioles haven't negotiated with any of their seven free agents yet as the exclusive signing period ended. But that's not too surprising.

The Orioles made several roster management moves Monday, including officially declining the $3 million option for 2014 in infielder Alexi Casilla's contract, buying it out for $200,000.

The Orioles signed veteran right-hander Jon Rauch to a minor league deal, and the reliever will report to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, the team announced Saturday.

Orioles left-hander Zach Britton was hoping to get more than one start to show the organization that he had regained the form that made him one of the club's most promising pitchers a few years ago. He is going to have to do that again at Triple-A.

A week ago, Manny Machado was about to head onto the field from the dugout at Camden Yards when someone yelled out to him, "Hey Manny." Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson wanted a few seconds of Machado's time.

Orioles still have not named a starter for Monday in Seattle.

Members of the Orioles starting rotation have had their struggles getting deep into games, but right-hander Jason Hammel gave the team a gritty six-inning effort against the Dodgers in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader.

Lost in the Orioles¿ 3-0 shutout loss to the Yankees Sunday night at Yankee Stadium was the relief performance of Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland.

Orioles minor-league outfielder/first baseman Conor Jackson -- who was the final cut in major league spring training this season -- has abruptly retired, Triple-A Norfolk announced today.

The Orioles have claimed right-hander Alex Burnett off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays, the club announced before Friday¿s game at Yankees Stadium.

The Orioles have traded reliever Luis Ayala to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor league left-handed reliever Chris Jones, the team announced on Wednesday.

The Orioles' trade of veteran right-hander reliever Luis Ayala allowed the team the get back to 12 pitchers and it was also a show of confidence in T.J. McFarland.

Baltimore Orioles left fielder Nolan Reimold had to be removed from Sunday's game with a tight hamstring and reliever Luis Ayala was taken to a local hospital after becoming ill during the middle innings

The Baltimore Orioles (3-3) dropped the rubber match of a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, 4-3.

Left fielder Nolan Reimold had to be removed from Sunday¿s game with a tight hamstring and reliever Luis Ayala was taken to a local hospital after becoming ill during the game, which left the Orioles scrambling to position possible roster replacements in case either one needs to be placed on the disabled list.

But when Matt Joyce¿s solo homer off reliever Tommy Hunter sailed into the right field seats ¿ giving the Rays an 8-7 walk-off win over the Orioles ¿ it ended a bullpen outing very uncharacteristic of the 2012 Orioles.

The Orioles' 25-man roster is nearly complete with two days to go before the list needs to be submitted to Major League Baseball.

Each Wednesday, Baltimore Sun blogger Matt Vensel will highlight five statistics that really mean something for the Baltimore Orioles.

The Orioles must determine whether to put T.J. McFarland, their impressive Rule 5 sinker-baller, onto the 25-man roster.

The Orioles only need a fifth starter once in the first 20 days of April. What will they do?