News
By Brittany Ghiroli and Samuel Zuba / MLB.com
07/31/10 2:41 AM ET
- O's getting closer to signing top pick
- O's look to win one for departing skipper
- Berken available after taking break
Bell left the game suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion. The game-time temperature was 92 degrees with a heat index of 100.
With the scored tied at 3, Bell stood up from behind home plate and was met by third-base umpire Laz Diaz and Turner.
After further inspection, Bell and Turner walked off the field. Second-base umpire Todd Tichenor filled in for Bell behind the plate for the remainder of the game.
Athletic trainer Nick Kenny examined Bell and said his vitals were stable and he would not need to be transported to a hospital.
O's getting closer to signing top pick
KANSAS CITY -- The Orioles have started negotiations with No. 3 overall pick Manny Machado and scouting director Joe Jordan said on Friday that the organization is still optimistic the high school shortstop will sign before the Aug. 16 deadline.
"I think we have a kid that's ready to play baseball," Jordan said of Machado, who is a Scott Boras client, meaning contract talks will likely go down to the wire.
The Orioles have had some success in the last few days toward rounding out a top-10 class headed by Machado. The O's agreed to terms with eighth-round pick Wynston Sawyer on Friday and also inked right-handed pitcher Clayton Schrader (10) on Thursday. The pair of signings brings the Orioles total to 31 of their 49 selections in this year's Draft, and Jordan is confident they aren't done yet.
"Hopefully we will start to pull a lot of these guys in [the top 10] in now," Jordan said. "In the last 24 hours we've gotten a lot done."
The team had no comment on Machado's response on his Facebook page to top overall pick Bryce Harper, who declared he was "probably" going back to junior college instead of signing with the Nationals. Machado -- a 17-year-old shortstop -- reportedly said he would join Harper should he return to the College of Southern Nevada.
O's look to win one for departing skipper
KANSAS CITY -- As Juan Samuel's time winds down as the Orioles skipper, his team is looking to send him out on a high note.
That's why players have begun a "win one for Juan" campaign. With the hiring of new manager Buck Showalter, Samuel will manage his last game for the Orioles on Sunday in Kansas City. Baltimore is hoping to send Samuel out on a four-game winning streak.
"It means a lot to me that these guys think that way," Samuel said. "We should think that way every day, but it's a nice gesture for those guys knowing the situation that we're in. That is something that I will take with me. We had a good start [on Thursday night.]"
With Showalter taking over on Tuesday, Samuel has been offered his old position as third-base coach, but is unsure if he will return to his old post.
Samuel said he hopes to have a decision made by Monday
"I spoke with [president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail,] and we're going to meet on Monday when we get back," Samuel said. "Hopefully something will come out of that there. He wanted to meet face-to-face and talk things over. So we'll probably know something on Monday."
Berken available after taking break
KANSAS CITY -- The work horse of the Orioles' bullpen is rested and ready to go.
Right-handed reliever Jason Berken leads American League relievers with 56 1/3 innings pitched this season, but hasn't pitched since July 24 against Minnesota.
Berken appeared to have been over worked as he allowed nine earned runs over his lasts 11 1/3 innings after allowing only eight earned runs in his first 45 innings this season.
Orioles manager Juan Samuel said the 26-year-old reliever simply needed a break.
"My plan was to give him some time off," Samuel said. "We saw how much he pitched, there was only one guy coming out of our bullpen. We feel like he needed a break."
After sitting out for five games, Berken was ready and available for Friday's game against the Royals.
"[Thursday] night, we were close to bringing him in," Samuel said. "He is ready to pitch when we need him. We just wanted to give him some time off."
Unfortunately for the Orioles, Berken's vacation was short lived, as he entered following starter Jake Arrieta one out into the fifth inning of Friday's game. Berken yielded a run on two hits over 1 2/3 innings in the Orioles' 7-5 loss.
Brittany Ghiroli is a reporter for MLB.com. Samuel Zuba is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
