SARASOTA, Fla.-What’s happening?—The Orioles play the Boston Red Sox in Sarasota tonight. Dylan Bundy, who was scheduled to start Tuesday against Minnesota, will start. David Hess, who was scheduled today, will start Thursday against Pittsburgh in Bradenton.
Rio Ruiz is battling with Renato Nunez for the third base job. Ruiz, who was claimed on waivers from Atlanta in December, has a .297 average with two home runs and eight RBIs in 15 spring games.
“Nothing to be nervous about,” Ruiz said. “I’ve done what I’ve had to do. I came into camp with a clean slate and an opportunity, and I’ve tried to take advantage of it.”
Ruiz says he’s been pleased with his spring.
“Without nitpicking, I think I’ve done pretty well for myself,” Ruiz said. “I feel like I’ve done everything that I’ve been asked to do. I think I’ve executed my plan. There’s still a week’s full of games left.”
Nunez, who missed Monday’s game because of a sore right arm, is batting .226 with two home runs and seven RBIs. He was not in the lineup for Tuesday’s canceled game.
Last year, Nunez hit .275 with seven homers and 20 RBIs in 60 games and had a 1.2 WAR (Wins over Replacement).
However, Nunez has no options remaining and must be exposed to waivers if he’s cut. Ruiz has two options left and can be sent to the minors.
“It’s ultimately their decision,” Ruiz said. “They put the team together and we all know at this point, in baseball, it’s a business. Whatever decision they make, wherever I end up at the start of the season, I’m going to put my best foot forward.”
The Orioles are bringing back Kids Cheer Free for the second year. Adults who purchase upper-deck tickets to a home game can take up to two children 9-and-under without charge.
What’s happened?—The Orioles and Minnesota Twins were canceled because of rain.
What’s up with-Tanner Scott. After not issuing a walk in his first four outings, Scott has issued four in his last three. He’s given up seven runs in six innings.
It looks as if Scott has a spot in the bullpen, but he’s not overly confident.
“I’m just going to keep going out there and getting outs,” Scott said. “You’ve got to get outs to go places.”
Scott walked 28 in 53 innings last season and knows that number has to come down.
“I think definitely this year will be a lot better than it was last year in cutting down the walks,” Scott said.
What’s what? Spring training rainouts aren’t made up. The Twins do play in Sarasota again on Saturday night. The Orioles had only one game affected by rain this season. On February 26, their 11-5 loss to Tampa Bay was halted in the eighth inning.
What’s the word? “When you [start] trying to play GM, you’re trying to figure what guys are going to do. When you start trying to figure out what guys are going to do, that’s when you’re wrong the majority of the time.’-Ruiz’s reaction to watching Sunday’s cuts.
What’s the number? 8. The Orioles open the season at Yankee Stadium on March 28, just eight days from now.
What’s the record? 12-11-2. The Orioles play the Boston Red Sox at 6:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota.
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Rich: The final roster cuts will be very interesting given the players that have already been sent down. I hope that, for our younger players, the front office doesn't resurrect the Norfolk shuttle but that is what it is looking like. Maybe it is necessary given the number of young players we have in the system. How do you see the final roster, position by position?
Spin, I may address the roster question later today. I can't pick a final roster because I think there may well be some additional acquistions on waivers as other teams trim their rosters.
I will make a prediction that the number of players used this year will come close to the franchise record of 56 last year.
I hope the Orioles hang on to Nunez as I thought he showed a lot of promise last year.Could be a power hitting third baseman (or first base).I realize Ruiz is better defensively and maybe even offensively but if Ruiz has a couple options and they can't keep both I say keep Nunez up here.Problen the Birds have is a longjam of potentially good players at certain positions (outfield,third,short,first,etc.)and as I think about it in actuality almost every position except pitching. I am talking about guys that look pretty darn good,at least in spring training anyways.Guys like Hays,Santander,Jackson,D Smith,Wilkerson,etc. and a couple others appear to be ready if not very close.In order to be safe and not lose a potential MLB player I would say do the right thing,at least for now.Not sure how everyone else sees it but I think there is reason for optimism but have a few barriers to cross.What is Davis going to contribute,Rickard,and one or two others I am not going to mention because people will disagree despite the fact I don't see that much out of them.Peterson is versatile and has good defense but still the bat is lacking.,Alcides a great veteran to have on the team if you were not in the position the Orioles are in.I don't know how they are going to decide but I would try to hold on to just about all of them if it is conceiveable.Outside of pitching most of the players who have promise have actually showed promise and then some.More so than the couple of veterans that have hung with the team and survived dismantling of the team,at least at this point.
Tony... Put all their names in a bowl and pull out a dozen. It might work and probably wouldn’t be any worse than what we’ll get. Just sayin...
Their main objective in final cuts is going to be keep as much talent in the organization as possible. Núñez probably stays and Ruiz goes down unless they find a spot on the 25, but doubtful. The team that goes north in 8 days will not be the same team in a few months. Just a temporary patch until more moves can be made later in summer.
Like everybody here, I'd like to see change for the better, but he New Boss seems to be using the International slot money and the Norfolk Shuttle just like the Old Boss. The rhetoric changes, but the policies not so much.
I like the Miranda monniker as it reminds me of Willy Miranda (I am a little outdated myself)who I loved along with Tito Francona and others and my all time favorite baseball player and hero "Gus Triandos".Rich probably has to look those names up,lol.Anyway that slot money has to be used up shortly or it disappears and the last pickup was the Rodriguez catcher from Philly who could surprise at sometime.There is not much available (players ) from what has been said so if you see someone with some kind of promise you might as well pick him up if there is room.Right now I am sticking with this new group (not that my opinion matters) as they seem to be on the right track and in order to keep from losing a prospect may have to use that so called shuttle for awhile.I don't believe it will be used as in the past because the old regime brought up and down the same old guys on a normal routine.Reason I believe is because they were not on top of things like this new group.Elias group is more in depth and aware of talent they have and how to work with them. Hope I am not wrong but I believe there is reason for optimism.
Tony, I know who Willy Miranda is. I certainly know who Tito Francona is, and Gus Triandos played in the first game I saw as a child, in 1963, the Yankees and the Tigers.
Ok Rich,that is good to know.I actually figured you knew those guys and meant more that you were too young to be around when they played.I am somewhat wrong I see.I live about 25 miles from Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame and saw Gus play in I believe 1958 at the Hall of Fame game.Never saw him play a regular game as we never had much growing up but he will always be my hero.
Just so everyone is aware, Tim Beckham currently leads Major League Baseball in batting average.
Banmo ... After 3 years ... you still make me laugh.
Should have resigned him for cheap won’t have hurt us
Well there it is--the "Arrietta Sydrome" has made it to the hitters(Beckham). I would much prefer Ruiz over Nunez(not a fan) even with a small sample size. Ruiz having 2 options has pretty much doomed him to Norfolk. Heard it said elsewhere that Hyde is more in favor of rewarding a pitcher by keeping him up rather than demoting him for a "fresh" arm from the minors(a Buck/Dan procedure). A little better on his psyche maybe. Interesting concept to keep an eye on.
I still like Nunez myself though Ruiz certainly is playing well.Probably not room for both right now.I heard Beckham homered also but haven't checked yet as I just got done watching the Orioles play Boston.Comedy of errors did them in though Bundy had a great game.