Orioles set new attendance records in Sarasota

Posted Mar 31, 2011 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 31, 2011 at 04:41 PM

The Baltimore Orioles set a new franchise attendance record after selling out 10 of their 16 home games thanks to the $31 million makeover at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. The team announced that 115, 506 fans attended games at the renovated stadium this spring, easily eclipsing the 102,219 fans from a year ago.

The 8, 549 attendance for the March 19 game against the Phillies was a single game record.

This spring’s total also surpassed the previous record for the spring training venue set by the Chicago White Sox during the 1994 season in which Michael Jordan was a part of. 

“The combination of a beautifully renovated ballpark and a loyal and supportive fan base, not to mention some near-perfect weather, made 2011 a record-setting spring,” said Director of Communications Greg Bader.

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Phillies closer Lidge out 3-6 weeks with shoulder injury

Posted Mar 29, 2011 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 29, 2011 at 06:09 PM

Phillies closer Brad Lidge is expected to miss three to six weeks after an MRI exam Tuesday showed he has a strained right shoulder.

Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the reliever will not need surgery to fix the problem, deemed a posterior rotator cuff strain.

Lidge will start the season on the disabled list. The NL East champions open at home Friday against Houston.

“It’s an issue obviously when you lose your closer,” Amaro said. “It’s not good news.”

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said prior to Tuesday night’s exhibition game against Pittsburgh that Jose Contreras likely would begin as the team’s closer. Setup man Ryan Madson is another option for Manuel.

Lidge had issues with his velocity during spring training. Last season, he was 1-1 with a 2.96 ERA while converting 27 saves in 32 chances.

“We knew something was going on in there,” Amaro said. “We’re just glad it’s not a labrum. It doesn’t need to be surgically repaired.”

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Hendrickson, Winn among Orioles’ final cuts

Posted Mar 28, 2011 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 28, 2011 at 11:12 PM

Veteran left-hander Mark Hendrickson has been cut from the Baltimore Orioles’ major league roster, along with right-hander David Riske.

The Orioles also told outfielder Randy Winn he wouldn’t be part of the 25-man roster.

Hendrickson was signed Jan. 31 as a minor league free agent. He spent the past two seasons pitching in relief with the Orioles and lifetime is 57-74 with a 5.02 ERA.

Hendrickson had a 3.86 ERA in six appearances this spring. He has been invited to pitch for Baltimore’s Triple-A club, but manager Buck Showalter says the pitcher will weigh his options before making a decision.

Like Hendrickson, the 34-year-old Riske can seek a major league job elsewhere.

Other cuts Monday included pitchers Ryan Drese, Rick VandenHurk and Clay Rapada and infielder Nick Green.

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Twins set spring training attendance record

Posted Mar 28, 2011 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 28, 2011 at 11:10 PM

The Minnesota Twins have set a new franchise record for attendance at spring training.

The Twins say they have set a 16-game season record with 129,453 fans moving through the turnstiles at Hammond Stadium in Ft. Myers, Fla., this year.

The only time the Twins attracted more fans to spring training fans was 2007, when 129,543 fans attended over 17 games.

This year the Twins also set a franchise record for highest per-game attendance during the preseason spring training, drawing an average or nearly 8,100 fans to each game.

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Feliciano expects to be out 2 weeks

Posted Mar 28, 2011 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 28, 2011 at 03:49 PM

TAMPA — Yankees left-hander Pedro Feliciano expects to miss two weeks because of upper arm-shoulder soreness.

Feliciano said on Monday that he still feels discomfort in his pitching arm, but that it shouldn’t take an extended period for the injury to heal.

The reliever added that it hurts knowing he won’t be with the team for Thursday’s regular-season opener against Detroit.

Also, the Yankees purchased the contract of infielder Eric Chavez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Chavez, signed to a minor league deal during the offseason, had a strong spring training and will be the backup for third baseman Alex Rodriguez and first baseman Mark Teixeira.
-The Associated Press

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Guthrie named Orioles’ opening day starter

Posted Mar 24, 2011 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 24, 2011 at 04:46 PM

SARASOTA - Jeremy Guthrie will start on opening night for the Baltimore Orioles in Tampa Bay on April 1.

Manager Buck Showalter made the announcement Thursday, saying, “I don’t think that’s some big secret.”

It will be the third opening day start in four years for the right-hander. Guthrie went 11-14 with an 3.83 ERA last season.

Showalter says lefty Brian Matusz will start the second game in Tampa Bay, and second-year pitcher Jake Arrieta will likely pitch in the home opener against Detroit on April 4. The competition for third starter remains open.

Veteran Justin Duchscherer, who has been bothered by a hip injury for much of the spring, will probably start the season on the 15-day disabled list. The Orioles hope he can return on April 21, the first time Baltimore will need a fifth starter in the rotation.

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Philly ace Oswalt feeling good after being struck by line drive

Posted Mar 24, 2011 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 24, 2011 at 10:39 AM

CLEARWATER — Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Roy Oswalt is in good spirits the day after taking a line drive under the right ear while pitching against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Oswalt says Thursday that he has a small lump on the back of his head, but doesn’t have a headache. He says he remembers being on the ground thinking “Did I just get hit in the head?”

In the fourth inning of Wednesday’s spring training game in Port Charlotte, Fla., Oswalt threw a pitch to Manny Ramirez. When the liner came right back at him, the pitcher had little time to get out of the way and was hit below the ear. X-rays and a cat scan were negative.

He says he slept well but was “a little bit stiff this morning.”

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Castillo reports to Phillies’ training camp

Posted Mar 22, 2011 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 22, 2011 at 10:50 PM

Luis Castillo reported to Philadelphia Phillies’ spring training camp in Clearwater Tuesday, four days after the second baseman was released by the New York Mets.

The 35-year-old Castillo signed a minor league deal with the Phillies on Monday and he could earn regular playing time with Chase Utley out because of a right knee injury.

“I’m trying to find a job here,” Castillo said. “I want to compete, I want to win the job. I want to play. I have 10 days to prove it and get ready.”

Castillo was let go by the Mets despite being owed $6 million in the final year of a four-year deal. If he makes the team, the Phillies would only be responsible for $414,000, the major league minimum.

The three-time All-Star hit .235 last year and sat much of the second half after returning from a heel injury, falling out of favor with the Mets’ staff. He was in a competition with four others for the second base job this spring with New York.

Castillo hit .235 with Mets in 2010, but was limited to just 86 games while battling a right heel injury.

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Yankees CF Granderson out with strained muscle

Posted Mar 22, 2011 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 22, 2011 at 10:47 PM

Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson was scratched from the starting lineup for Tuesday game’s against Baltimore because of a strained muscle on his right side.

Granderson injured his oblique muscle on his last swing in batting practice, but did throw and run before being shutdown. He will be reevaluated Wednesday.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is hopeful it’s a low-level concern, though he doesn’t know yet about Granderson’s status for opening day.

“He felt something,” Cashman said. “We’ll get a better feel in the next few days. We’ll take the cautious road. I know he’s not really concerned from his end, but oblique’s can be tricky. It’s too early to tell. Try and be cautious and hope we’ll have success.”

Granderson was replaced by minor leaguer Melky Mesa.

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Orioles to hold food drive at Ed Smith

Posted Mar 18, 2011 by TBO.com

Updated Mar 18, 2011 at 01:48 PM

As part of the community outreach program, the Baltimore Orioles will hold a food drive on Sunday, March 27 at their spring training home Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota.

Fans are asked to bring non-perishable food items or a cash donation to that day’s 1:05 p.m. game against the Boston Red Sox. 

All donations will benefit the All Faiths Food Bank of Sarasota.  The first 500 fans who donate at least three canned goods or $5.00 will receive a collectible baseball card autographed by an Orioles player. 

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