steve clevenger

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.

Chris Tillman¿s four-seam fastball was in the 87-to-91-mph range Friday night, certainly not what it can be or what it has been in the past. In some instances, it would be a cause for alarm.

Chris Tillman allowed just five hits and one walk while fanning three in the 25-year-old¿s first career shutout. He had never thrown more than 8 1/3 innings before in his big league career.

When Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander threw a 94-mph fastball behind designated hitter Nelson Cruz in the fourth inning, it injected life into the sleepy Orioles offense. But it still wasn't enough as the Orioles lost, 7-5, in front of an announced 36,727 at Camden Yards.

Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph picked up his first career major League hit in the bottom of the fourth inning Tuesday night when he lined a fastball from Tigers left-hander Drew Smyly on an 0-1 count to center field.

Bud Norris silenced the Detroit Tigers¿ bats early Monday night, but he left his longest outing of the season after hearing it from Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter.

Mount St. Joseph graduate Steve Clevenger is now the starting catcher for his hometown Orioles and has been called on to replace the injured Matt Wieters, one of the best at the position.

Even though right-hander Preston Guilmet has been primarily a one-inning reliever pitching at Triple-A Norfolk this season, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he believes Guilmet can provide the club the length it needs.

The Orioles have added one of their top players back into the lineup Sunday, and they have lost another for at least 15 days.

Catcher Steve Clevenger wore a fitting T-shirt during his postgame interview following the Orioles' 10-inning, walk-off, 5-4 win over Houston

Following a 55-minute rain delay Saturday night, the Orioles had new life against the Houston Astros.

It didn't happen immediately, but Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen is slowly emerging this season as the pitcher who excelled for the club in its surprising playoff run.

Second baseman Ryan Flaherty, making just his second start in 10 days, drove in the winning run with an RBI single in a two-run eighth inning, giving the Orioles a 5-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in front of an announced 11,855.

Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is scheduled to see Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday for persisting soreness in his right elbow, the club confirmed Tuesday.

Despite only making two starts and playing three games at first base in his nine-season big league career, Nick Markakis said he enjoys playing first on occasion.

The Orioles don't have a lot of appealing options if Chris Davis is our for a while.

Tuesday night's 9-3 loss to the Blue Jays marked the fifth time in the past six games that an Orioles starter has failed to go six full innings.

The overused Orioles bullpen -- asked to do so much over the first five games of this road trip -- gave up a pair of three-run homers in the eighth inning in a 9-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

If you just look at the 9-3 final score from the Orioles' loss Tuesday night in Toronto, you'd never know that the club is riding a strange wave of reversible momentum.

The Orioles have been able to catch up on their sleep after completing two games over a 20-hour span in Boston. But they haven't played well in Toronto recently.

The Orioles didn't show any sign of fatigue early, jumping on Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz for six runs in the third inning. And they withstood a late rally by Boston for a 7-6 victory in front of an announced sellout crowd of 37,513 at Fenway Park.

J.J. Hardy is back in the Orioles lineup for the first time since last Saturday.

NEW YORK ¿ Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is out of today¿s starting lineup again with back spasms, but said he is feeling better after receiving his first round of treatment.

The 29-year-old right-hander lasted just 3 1/3 innings and gave up a career-high-tying seven earned runs, a total reached just twice before in his career, the last time on Aug. 30, 2013 at Yankee Stadium.

Orioles catcher Steve Clevenger regularly made it to Opening Day at Camden Yards growing up, even if it meant missing school.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles outfielder Nelson Cruz, who was hit in the helmet by a pitch during Thursday's Grapefruit League finale and was forced out of the game, is feeling better today and will be ready for Opening Day on Monday.

Miguel Gonzalez struggled in his final tune-up before the regular season, but the Orioles still rallied to beat the Boston Red Sox, 5-4, in the Orioles' split-squad day game.

There are probably four spots still up for grabs on the Orioles' roster

Orioles pitcher Bud Norris has talked this spring about showing Baltimore fans what he can do when he is healthy and pitching at the level he demands from himself. He used the Grapefruit League to make his point, finishing a good spring with a solid effort Tuesday in a 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

Bud Norris pitched into the sixth inning in his last Grapefruit League tune-up before the regular season, but the Orioles dropped a 4-1 decision to the Minnesota Twins.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Even though Steve Clevenger was told by Orioles manager Buck Showalter on Monday that he has won the team¿s backup catcher position to open the season, the Pigtown native and Mount St. Joe grad isn¿t taking it for granted that something could still happen to affect the position between now and Opening Day.

The Orioles will travel to Fort Myers today for a 1:05 p.m. game against the Minnesota Twins.

The Orioles added another player to their infield mix Monday, acquiring switch-hitting local product Steve Lombardozzi Jr. in a trade that sent veteran infielder Alex Gonzalez to the Detroit Tigers.

The Orioles made a pair of significant roster cuts following their 7-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, optioning South Korean right-hander Suk-min Yoon and catcher Johnny Monell to Triple-A Norfolk.

Which Orioles player still fighting for a roster spot do you most want to see run down the orange carpet on Opening Day?

The Orioles really want Ubaldo Jimenez to pitch enough innings this spring, and they aren't going to let the weather mess with his schedule.

Miguel Gonzalez escaped a fourth-inning jam -- and several hard comebackers again -- to turn in a strong performance in the Orioles' 4-3 loss in 10 innings to the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon.

Orioles pitcher Suk-min Yoon will make his major league debut in a Grapefruit League game Saturday.

The Orioles announced Tuesday that they had agreed to terms on one-year deals with 19 players on for this season and renewed third baseman Manny Machado's contract.

BRADENTON, Fla. ¿ Orioles manager Buck Showalter is considering opening the season with a short bench in order at keep a 13th pitcher on the Opening Day roster.