Easter Sunday Orioles News

Lots of Orioles news to get to, and some minor league info, too. Happy Easter if that's applicable, Happy Passover to those who celebrated. We'll all be celebrating the return of Orioles baseball tomorrow!

Stults, Braves Beat Orioles 5-3 to Wrap up Spring Training - ABC News
"Eric Stults celebrated his return to the major leagues, allowing one run in five innings to lead the Atlanta Braves past the Baltimore Orioles 5-3 Saturday in a spring training wrap-up." Technically, that was the Orioles, but that lineup....Eesh.

Orioles tell Nolan Reimold he is headed to minors - Baltimore Sun
"Nolan knows what the deal is. He'll start the season in Norfolk," Showalter said. "But we've got a lot of irons in the fire in the next 20 hours and we'll see what happens. It could change." Nolan Reimold, latest passenger on the Norfolk Express.

Schmuck: Kevin Gausman looking like odd man out of Orioles' rotation - Baltimore Sun
"Spring training has come to an end and the Orioles still have too many starting pitchers, which is a good problem to have if you're not the guy who will have to wait around indefinitely for his chance to join the rotation. That apparently will be top pitching prospect Kevin Gausman, who is expected to open the season either in the bullpen or at Triple-A Norfolk."

Orioles acquire Michael Bowden, will start season at Triple-A : Fantasy News
"The Orioles acquired reliever Michael Bowden from the Reds in exchange for cash considerations, according to MASN Sports on Saturday. Bowden, who went 3-5 with a 4.51 ERA over his big-league career, will start the season at Triple-A Norfolk."

Scouting the AL East: Orioles have fewer flaws than the rest - NY Daily News
"The O’s ain’t a great team, but they have fewer flaws than the rest of the underwhelming AL East."

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones on the 'bidding war' for Cubans - Baltimore Sun
"You can't fault the player. It's never the player's fault. They're going to offer it, you're damn right you're going to take it as a player." - Adam Jones

MINOR LEAGUE ROSTERS NEWS

Many holdovers likely on Tides' 2015 roster | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com
"Right-handers Tyler Wilson, Mike Wright and Eddie Gamboa were listed among Norfolk's starting pitchers on the Orioles' official "Break Camp" roster Saturday as they played their final spring training game. Relievers Steve Johnson and Chris Jones also were potential returning players named."

Kline lands in Bowie - The Frederick News-Post : Baseball
"Branden Kline’s professional baseball career moved another rung up the ladder Saturday when it was announced the 23-year-old Thomas Johnson High School graduate would begin the minor league season as a starting pitcher for the Class AA Bowie Baysox."

Prospects Abound on 2015 Break Camp Roster | Frederick Keys News
"Catcher Chance Sisco highlights the Keys opening day roster. The top-ranked catching prospect in the Orioles farm system and the organization's No. 4 overall prospect, the 20-year-old led the South Atlantic League with a .340 batting average, setting a Delmarva Shorebirds single-season club record."

Gonzalez, Murphy among names on Shorebirds' 2015 roster - DelmarvaNow.com
"The Baltimore Orioles' top pick from the 2014 MLB Draft will pitch for the Delmarva Shorebirds to start the season. Brian Gonzalez, the Orioles' third-round pick, was one of the 25 players announced to make the Shorebirds' break camp roster on Saturday."

ELSEWHERE IN BASEBALL

Nationals Park expected to be named host of 2018 All-Star Game - Baltimore Sun
"Nationals Park is expected to be announced as the host of the 2018 All-Star Game before the Washington Nationals' season opener Monday, a person familiar with the situation said."

Happy Birthday to Steve Clevenger, who will most likely get sent down or traded later today on his birthday. It's just business, Steve, never personal. Other former O's with birthdays include Winston Abreu, Fred Besana, Roger Marquis, and Ron Hansen.

On this day in Orioles history, in 1966 - "Pitcher Don Larsen, who is the last active major leaguer who played for the St. Louis Browns, is released by the Orioles. As a rookie in 1953, Larsen posted a 7-12 record for the hapless franchise which lost 100 games in its final season in St. Louis."

In 1979 - Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver wins his 1,000th game as a skipper.

In 2013 - Chris Davis becomes the fourth player to homer in his team's first four games of the season, joining Willie Mays, Mark McGwire and Nelson Cruz in elite company. His 8th-inning grand slam off Tyler Robertson propels the Orioles to a 9 - 5 win in their home opener. With a sacrifice fly earlier in the game, Davis drives in 5 runs to bring his RBI total to 16 on the season, obliterating the old record of 12 after four games held by three players."

In one other historical note, Turner Field hosted its first sleepover on this date, the day after its first game. Its replacement is currently being built, just 18 years later. Camden Yards is now 23 years old. Just thought I'd point that out.

If your kid (or roommate) hurls on your sofa, don’t panic. Make a paste of baking soda and water, and take a spatula or spoon, generously spreading it onto the affected area (be sure to hold your breath or you might vomit too). Let it dry overnight, and you’ll be able to easily vacuum the whole thing up. Also works for urine and carpets (hooray).

Consider this your discussion space for the Women’s NCAA Tournament: UConn vs. Maryland, ESPN at 9 p.m. GO TERPS!

Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We Open Thread, Open Thread.