Spring Training

Spring Training Primer: Britton’s oblique; Intrasquad opener; Joseph on Wieters

What’s happening: The Orioles are scheduled to play their second intrasquad game today at 1:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium.  Rain is forecast, and if the game can’t be played, it will be moved to Thursday morning.

Wade Miley and Ubaldo Jimenez, both projected to be in the club’s 2017 rotation, are today’s scheduled starters. Dylan Bundy and Mychal Givens are also among those scheduled to pitch.

Manager Buck Showalter said that nearly all the pitchers who didn’t work in Tuesday’s game would pitch today.

CONTINUE READING BELOW

What’s happened: Midway through Tuesday’ scoreless, six-inning intrasquad game, the Orioles announced a trade, acquiring left-hander Richard Bleier from the New York Yankees for a player to be named later.

First baseman/outfielder Christian Walker, who was designated for assignment to make room for Bleier on the 40-man roster, was a late scratch from Tuesday’s lineup and was replaced at first base by non-roster infielder David Washington.

Bleier’s acquisition took the attention away from the first game of camp, which was dominated by pitching.

Non-roster outfielder Craig Gentry made an excellent catch on Welington Castillo’s fly ball, leaning over into the stands to snare it. Gentry also stole two bases.

CONTINUE READING BELOW

What’s up with: Closer Zach Britton, who was scheduled to pitch in today’s intrasquad game, will be held out due to a potential oblique injury, according to Showalter. If this were in-season, Showalter suggested that Britton could continue to pitch with the soreness.

What they’re saying: “For me, ‘irreplaceable’ is the best word. He took me under his wing a couple years ago — actually more than a couple years ago — taught me a lot of what I know. Not only helped me get here, but also stay here. But off the field, he’s been even more. He’s been a mentor … a friend … a guy to lean on. That’s kind of the stuff you miss.” — Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph on Matt Wieters signing with the Washington Nationals.

What’s the number? 8 — That’s how many new players the Orioles have added in the past two weeks. Three of them, right-hander Gabriel Ynoa and left-handers Vidal Nuno and Bleier, are on the 40-man roster. The other five — infielders Robert Andino, Johnny Giavotella and Chris Johnson and outfielders Gentry and Michael Bourn — are veteran players signed to minor league contracts.

Rich Dubroff covers the Orioles for PressBoxOnline.com. You can read his stories here.

 

 Scroll Down to ** LEAVE A COMMENT **

Rich Dubroff

Rich Dubroff grew up in Brooklyn as a fan of New York teams, but after he moved to Baltimore, quickly adopted the Orioles and Colts. After nearly two decades as a freelancer assisting on Orioles coverage for several outlets, principally The Capital in Annapolis and The Carroll County Times, Dubroff began covering the team fulltime in 2011. He spent five years at Comcast SportsNet’s website and for the last two seasons, wrote for PressBoxonline.com, Dubroff lives in Baltimore with his wife of more than 30 years, Susan.

Share
Published by
Rich Dubroff

Recent Posts

  • Rich Dubroff

Pete Alonso reveals reasons for joining Orioles: ‘This partnership to me it was just head and shoulders above everybody else’

On Friday, Pete Alonso spoke at length about what attracted him to the Orioles and…

December 15, 2025
  • Mailbag

Is Pete Alonso the most important Orioles’ acquisition since Frank Robinson? | MAILBAG

Question: Is it possible that the signing of Pete Alonso may be the most important…

December 15, 2025
  • Rich Dubroff

Showalter thinks Alonso is the perfect fit for Orioles: ‘If you’re going to give a guy a five-year contract, that’s the guy’

Buck Showalter had the second-longest tenure of any manager in Orioles history and grew fond…

December 14, 2025
  • Rich Dubroff

Elias on Alonso joining Orioles: ‘We have arguably the best batting lineup in Major League Baseball right now’

BALTIMORE—The Orioles rarely hold press conferences to celebrate their new acquisitions. Pete Alonso is different,…

December 13, 2025