Norris tries to hold on to his rotation spot

[Nevermore]

It's about winning.

Exactly. Winning is a lot more important than money. Otherwise we wouldn't have had a $40M long reliever last August.

[Nevermore]

Not at all costs. They have to pitch both Ubaldo and Norris no matter how bad they are for at least 10 starts probably more.

Even if they both lose? Can Buck really aford for the team to take 15-20 losses? I don't think so.

[eddie83]

Bud Norris is not losing his job based on spring training results, plain and simple.

[wildcard]

Bud Norris is not losing his job based on spring training results, plain and simple.

The results aren't there for Norris, which Showalter attributes to command issues.

"Command hasn't been very good, as good as he's capable of," Showalter said. "He's an athletic guy, can throw it where he wants to most of the time. He hasn't been very consistent with that yet. He's crisp with most things, just not consistency of command."

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/03/norris-on-outing-and-hirschbeck-exchange.html

Its pretty obvious that though Norris is a major league pitcher who has not found his command yet this year. He better find it fast because Buck can't just put him on the mound to lose. Not when Buck has better options.

[eddie83]

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/03/norris-on-outing-and-hirschbeck-exchange.html

Its pretty obvious that though Norris is a major league pitcher he has not found his comment yet this year. He better find it fast because Buck can't just put him on the mound to lose. Not when Buck has better options.

So Ubaldo is a better option? Somebody isn't going to be in the rotation. It is much more important who is there in September than on Opening Day. If the Orioles have such little faith in Bud Norris that a poor spring will send him to the pen then they should have traded him. As I have said before Norris can't be sent to the minors so the longer he would be in the pen the longer it would take to stretch him out. The guy started two games in the playoffs last year and after a poor spring he will be sent to the pen? Not gonna happen.

The whole benefit of keeping 6 starters is for depth. If they didn't want the depth then they should of traded someone. Gausman has options, Gonzalez can be sent down. They always try to take it easy with Miguel when they can.

[weams]

Norris might lose his job in April or May but it sure doesn't sound like he's going to lose it in March. Listen to Buck.

And Ubaldo might go to the Pen in August for three appearances. But he won't in April May or probably June. No matter what his record is.

[weams]

So Ubaldo is a better option? Somebody isn't going to be in the rotation. It is much more important who is there in September than on Opening Day. If the Orioles have such little faith in Bud Norris that a poor spring will send him to the pen then they should have traded him. As I have said before Norris can't be sent to the minors so the longer he would be in the pen the longer it would take to stretch him out. The guy started two games in the playoffs last year and after a poor spring he will be sent to the pen? Not gonna happen.

The whole benefit of keeping 6 starters is for depth. If they didn't want the depth then they should of traded someone. Gausman has options, Gonzalez can be sent down. They always try to take it easy with Miguel when they can.

Miguel is such a really nice young fellow. I really think he would have been our Ace back in the days of Brad Bergesen and Rodrigo Lopez as our opening day starters.

[Nevermore]

Bud Norris is not losing his job based on spring training results, plain and simple.

That may be a correct assessment. Buck and Dan have to include several factors, and what he did last year weighs heavily on where he starts the season this year.

Having said that, I'd still like to get information about the reports of Bud having problems with his back. Having back problems can certain impact a pitcher's performance. Bud might be gritting his teeth and trying to pitch through his back problems, but that may very well be why he is doing so badly during ST.

[Nevermore]

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/03/norris-on-outing-and-hirschbeck-exchange.html

Its pretty obvious that though Norris is a major league pitcher who has not found his command yet this year. He better find it fast because Buck can't just put him on the mound to lose. Not when Buck has better options.

Could trying to pitch through an injury cause Bud command problems? I know I'm harping on Bud's injury status, but I never saw any updates about Bud's reported back stiffness.

[wildcard]

Could trying to pitch through an injury cause Bud command problems? I know I'm harping on Bud's injury status, but I never saw any updates about Bud's reported back stiffness.

You are right. No one is talking about it like it does not exist. I guess Bud, the trainers, Buck and Dan are the only ones that know for sure.

[Nevermore]

You are right. No one is talking about it like it does not exist. I guess Bud, the trainers, Buck and Dan are the only ones that know for sure.

So what may happen to clear the starter logjam (at least for now) is that Os management will put Bud on the DL.