News and Notes

by Tom Peace

The Orioles are five days away from Opening Day and the ballclub still needs to make some roster moves. Here are the moves the have made in the last week to get ready for the season.

The long wait is over on who will be the Opening Day starter for the Baltimore Orioles. Jake Arrieta was given the nod from manager Buck Showalter to take the hill this Friday against the Minnesota Twins.  Arrieta started in 4 games this spring for the ballclub going 1-0 with a 6.14 ERA.  Though, the right-hander stuck out 12 batters and only walked 4.

Starting pitcher Chris Tillman was optioned to AAA Norfolk. The right-hander had moderate spring training. According to Orioles.com, the Orioles want him to be a starter and get some more innings down on the farm before being brought back up to the majors.

The Orioles’ designated Dana Eveland, 28, for assignment last week after going 1-2 with a 3.46 ERA in six games (three starts). The Orioles then claimed utility infielder Zelous Wheeler off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Baltimore acquired Eveland in a trade during the Winter Meetings back in December. Wheeler, in five Minor league seasons batted .271 and had a .371 OBP. The young third baseman is another example of Executive Vice President Dan Duquette going after high on-base percentage guys.

The chances of non-roster invitee, catcher Ronny Paulino making the 25 man Opening Day roster improved this past week as Taylor Teagarden was placed on the disabled list.  Teagarden hasn’t played in a game since March 6th and will have a second epidural in his lower back.