michael gonzalez

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.

By Peter Schmuck

Jun 18, 2016

With the Orioles set to face the Toronto Blue Jays at Camden Yards in their home opener today, here are some of our favorite Opening Day memories.

The Orioles don't have an established closer, but the Rays have shown in the past that you don't necessarily need one.

The Orioles traded Jim Johnson so they could use his projected salary elsewhere. But they won't have much left if they buy another closer.

If you went to bed early last night, you woke up this morning to the news that the Orioles suddenly have an opening at closer.

Jim Johnson and Jason Hammel got big paydays on Friday, and are set up for bigger paydays later

The Orioles' Pedro Strop goes back to the slider to fool the Rangers' Josh Hamilton in a key seventh-inning showdown Tuesday night

Traveling to Texas is as much a homecoming as it is another tough road trip for the Orioles. Chris Davis, Tommy Hunter, Omar Quintanilla, Darren O'Day, Taylor Teagarden and Pedro Strop played for the Rangers.

Orioles middle reliever Pedro Strop took a long road to the big leagues, where a refined pitch has helped him baffle hitters

It¿s true that the Orioles have faced a fierce lineup of arms over the past seven games, but with another dreadful offensive performance Saturday night against the Washington Nationals, their bats have suddenly gone silent.

This is probably a good time to point out that a lot of people thought Dan Duquette was crazy when he traded Jeremy Guthrie to the Colorado Rockies for starting pitcher Jason Hammel and reliever Matt Lindstrom. Of course, he was crazy like a fox.

The Orioles have built a bullpen full of versatile veteran pitchers. The Orioles have a cadre of relievers who have both closing and multiple-inning experience.

Pedro Strop is trying to find a spot in the Orioles' crowded bullpen. The promising 26-year-old continues to turn heads, but the Orioles have many right-handed short-relief options.

Orioles may find fit with players represented by agent Scott Boras

Orioles target Francisco Cordero reportedly agreed to a contract with the Blue Jays. The reliever will be the setup man in Toronto, meaning the Orioles likely will have Jim Johnson close games.

The Orioles have expressed some interest in the lone viable free-agent closer, Francisco Cordero, according to an industry source.

President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail turned down owner Peter Angelos' request for him to stay

Here's a look at five important questions concerning the 2012 Baltimore Orioles, no matter who is in charge.

The streaking Orioles beat the Tigers, 6-5, on Thursday night, giving them their eighth win in 10 games. ... Brian Matusz could get one more start. ... Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron defended the offense¿s pace of play in the fourth quarter of Sunday¿s loss.

Orioles notebook: Orioles lefty Brian Matusz has a 9.56 ERA in last three games but will continue working through problems in majors

Tyrod Taylor left the first quarter with a bruise on his left shoulder and didn't return in the Ravens' 21-7 victory over the Falcons on Thursday night. ... The Ravens decided to take the cautious route by sitting their starting offensive line for the preseason finale. ... Anquan Boldin is OK. ... IndyCar drivers found a number of flaws during their first up-close-and-personal look at the course for this weekend's inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix. ... The Orioles lost to the Blue Jays (one more loss and this will officially be another losing season). ... The Orioles made some roster moves. ... Jeremy Guthrie will continue to wear No. 46.

Orioles: Orioles call up pitcher Rick VandenHurk, outfielder Kyle Hudson. More moves could be coming; several Orioles get stuck in Grand Prix traffic.

The Orioles lost to the Blue Jays, 13-0, on Wednesday night. It was their most lopsided shutout loss since July 4, 2006. ... The Orioles introduced first-round draft pick Dylan Bundy to Baltimore during the game. ... The Orioles dealt Michael Gonzalez to the Rangers in a waiver trade for reliever Pedro Strop. ... Rookie Tyrod Taylor, who will get the majority of the snaps in Thursday night's preseason game in Atlanta, is out to prove he's a viable No. 2 quarterback. ... Maryland tailback D.J. Adams and offensive lineman Cody Blue were suspended for Monday night's season opener against Miami for violating team rules.

Dylan Bundy, who agreed to a guaranteed $6.25 million major league contract on Aug. 15, said he is excited to get back on the mound after spending most of the summer in a holding pattern as he and his agent negotiated with the Orioles.

Two months ago, Michael Gonzalez was trying to regain a late-inning role out of the bullpen for the last-place Orioles. Lately, though, the left-hander has been so dominant that the Texas Rangers had to have him for their playoff run.