by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (5/14/2013) The Orioles placed pitcher Wei-Yin Chenon the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a right oblique strain, the team announced. The move is retroactive to Monday, a day after exiting his last start against Minnesota with the injury.
Baltimore is expected to turn to Jair Jurrjens to take his spot in the rotation Saturday against Tampa Bay. There is no clear timetable for Chen's return to the rotation as the team continues to evaluate his MRI results.
"I'm very disappointed right now about my injury. The only thing I can do is just [let it heal] and come back and help the team," Chen told reporters through an interpreter. "It's not painful, it's just sore."
"It sounds like he’s a candidate for the 15-day disabled list," Duquette said. "He’s going to need some rest."
Chen left his start Sunday against the Twins after tossing five scoreless innings. Chen is 1-1 with a 4.11 ERA and .344 opponents' batting average through three May starts.
Wei-Yin Chen to be re-evaluated Monday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/12/2013) Orioles pitcher Wei-Yin Chen, who left his start Sunday against the Twins with a strained right oblique, will be re-evaluated Monday in Baltimore.
Chen threw five scoreless innings to earn his third win of the season despite leaving the game after the fifth. The 27-year-old told MASNSports.com that he felt discomfort while facing his last batter in the fifth. The pain intensified after throwing his final pitch. Chen also told reporters that he did not feel any pain after his last start.
Chen could be in danger of missing his next scheduled start Friday against the Rays, if his injury continues to linger.
Wei-Yin Chen cruising before oblique injury flares up
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/12/2013) Orioles starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen left his start Sunday against the Twins after tossing five scoreless innings because of a right oblique strain, according to MLB.com. Chen, who left with Baltimore up 6-0, allowed five hits and struck out three.
He lowered his ERA from 3.40 to 3.04. His next scheduled start for Friday against the Rays could be in jeopardy.
Wei-Yin Chen affected by rain delay
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/7/2013) Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen's biggest mistake was not coming out to pitch following a 48-minute rain delay Tuesday at home against the Royals. When play resumed, Brian Matusz allowed an inherited runner score on a two-run home run by Alex Gordon to tie the score at three.
Chen (2-3) settled for the no-decision, as he allowed two earned runs on nine hits and no walks scattered over 6 1/3 innings before the delay. He struck out two and threw 80 pitches, 56 going for strikes. His ERA is 3.40.
The 27-year-old lasted just four innings his last time out in a loss at Seattle but was much better Tuesday. He pounded the strike zone and limited damage by getting several double plays. Chen will look to keep pitching well when he next takes the mound Sunday at Minnesota.
Wei-Yin Chen is playing with fire
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/4/2013) Al Melchior is not convinced that Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen's pretty ERA is sustainable, but he still begrudgingly lists the 27-year-old as a top-60 starting pitching option in Week 6 (May 6-12) thanks to some favorable matchups. Why the apprehension with a young pitcher who has gotten off to a fast start?
Chen's ERA is better than last year's, but all of his other indicators are pointing in the wrong direction through six starts. His K rate has plummeted to 5.50 per nine innings, while his walk rate has shifted ever so slightly the wrong way. Home runs, the biggest issue for him as a rookie, have not been a problem so far, but even that seems like a fluke.
A disturbing 53.7 percent of Chen's batted balls have gone in the air, a truly monstrous rate, but he has given up just three home runs in 36 innings. An excellent 19.0 infield flyball rate indicates that he is generating plenty of weak contact, but he is still playing with fire by allowing so many balls in the air. Eventually, some more of them are going to find the seats.
Chen still has the makings of a solid pitcher entering his prime, but his ERA is hiding a weak foundation. Still, in Week 6, against the Royals and Twins, he should remain useful.
Wei-Yen Chen's game plan backfires in loss
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/2/2013) Orioles starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen had a disastrous performance Wednesday against the Mariners, allowing a season-high five runs on eight hits and three walks in four innings. Afterward, Chen tried to explain what went wrong.
"I tried to attack the zone today," said Chen, who won his previous two starts, per MLB.com. "I tried to throw first-pitch strikes. But I tried to think too much, I tried to attack both sides of the plate and it didn't work at all. I couldn't establish the first-pitch strike. And I didn't give our guys any opportunity to win the ballgame."
Mariners jump all over Wei-Yin Chen
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/2/2013) Orioles starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen fell below .500 Wednesday against the Mariners in his worst start of the season. Chen fell to 2-3 on the season in an 8-3 loss.
Chen lasted just four innings in his shortest start of the season. He allowed five earned runs on eight hits and three walks, including a two-run home run in the fourth inning that essentially ended his night. He allowed runs in three of his four innings. Chen did manage to strike out six batters, a season high.
This was the first time in six starts that Chen allowed more than three earned runs. He still has a 3.50 ERA in 36 innings of work, with 22 strikeouts and 12 walks. He has a 1.19 WHIP.
Chen is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday to open a series against the Royals. He will try to get back on track against a team that scored nine runs in 10 2/3 innings against him a year ago.
Wei-Yin Chen aims for third straight win
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) Orioles starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen heads into Wednesday's start at Seattle looking to lock down a third straight win. Chen has posted a 0.64 ERA in his last two starts, which included eight shutout innings Friday against the A's.
"It was the best start I had mentally," Chen said Friday through an interpreter, per MLB.com. "The last couple of outings I was thinking too much. I just wanted to throw the ball and not think."
Wednesday will be Chen's fifth road start in six outings. He's been unfazed pitching on the road, posting a 2.77 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in his first four road starts.
"He seemed like he was in a groove no matter what he did," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said about Friday's outing. "It was great to see that, especially on the road."
Wei-Yin Chen stays dominant vs. A's
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/27/2013) Orioles pitcher Wei-Yin Chen turned in another dominant outing as he picked up his second straight win Friday night against the Athletics.
Chen (2-2), who made his fifth start of the season, tossed eight scoreless innings and surrendered just two base hits in a 3-0 win. He struck out five and walked two in 106 pitches, 68 strikes. Chen has allowed just one run and five hits over his last 14 innings of work. He has watched his ERA drop from 4.00 to 2.53 over that span.
The 27-year-old will try to keep things going during his next start Wednesday at Seattle. He has allowed four runs and eight hits over 12 2/3 innings of work combined in his last two starts at Safeco Field.
Wei-Yin Chen gets in win column
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) Orioles pitcher Wei-Yin Chen earned his first win in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Dodgers. He allowed a run on three hits over six innings in the 6-1 victory.
The left-hander put two men on in the first before giving up a sac fly to Adrian Gonzalez for the only run. He gave up two hits over his final five innings and threw 55 of his 94 pitches for strikes.
Chen (1-2) also walked four and struck out two to end a six-game losing streak dating to Aug. 19.
His next start is Friday against the A's. In two starts against Oakland last season, Chen went 2-0 with a 0.71 ERA and struck out 16 in 12 2/3 innings pitched.
Wei-Yin Chen ready for home debut
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/19/2013) Orioles pitcher Wei-Yin Chen is scheduled to pitch the second game of Saturday's day-night doubleheader against the Dodgers.
Chen was originally scheduled to make his home debut Saturday afternoon before Friday's postponement. The left-hander has yet to face the Dodgers in his career and was 6-6 with a 4.11 ERA at home last season.
Wei-Yin Chen outdueled for second loss
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/14/2013) Orioles pitcher Wei-Yin Chen turned in his second straight quality start in Sunday's series finale against the Yankees but it was not enough to overcome his counterpart -- Hiroki Kuroda.
He allowed three runs on six hits over six innings of work in the 3-0 loss.
Chen (0-2) gave up all of his damage in the fifth when after a Jayson Nix sac fly, Brett Gardner launched a two-run homer off the left-hander.
The 27-year-old also struck out two and walked one while throwing 92 pitches, 63 for strikes.
His next start is scheduled for Saturday against the Dodgers.
Wei-Yin Chen starting Sunday in Bronx
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/10/2013) Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen will take the mound next on Sunday to close out a three-game series in New York against the Yankees, reports MASNSports.com. The Orioles rearranged their rotation some following the opening week of the season.
The 27-year-old Chen has gone 0-1 after two starts with a decent 3.75 ERA. He's struck out seven batters over his first 12 innings with a solid 1.17 WHIP.
Chen has gone 1-2 with a 5.25 ERA over four career starts against New York. He gave up three earned runs over 6 2/3 with four strikeouts in his only career start at Yankee Stadium.
One mistake sends Wei-Yin Chen to loss
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/8/2013) Orioles starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen was locked in a pitcher's duel with Clay Buchholz for six innings Monday, but the left-hander fell apart in the seventh inning and it proved costly in a 3-1 loss.
Chen (0-1) matched Buchholz for six scoreless innings before Boston opened up the game with a three-run seventh inning. The big blow was Daniel Nava's three-run homer, which ended Chen after 6 1/3 innings. Chen was charged with three runs on five hits and two walks. He struck out three.
Chen will be back on the hill Saturday at N.Y. Yankees. Chen was 1-2 with a 5.25 ERA in four starts last season against New York.
Orioles make rotation changes for Boston series
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/7/2013) The Orioles have announced their upcoming rotation probables for the three-game series in Boston beginning Monday. Baltimore manager Buck Showalter plans to startWei-Yin Chen Monday, Jake Arrieta Wednesday and Chris Tillman Thursday, reports MLB.com.
Miguel Gonzalez, who was expected to make his second start of the season Tuesday, will be pushed back to at least Friday in New York to open the series against the Yankees.
This arrangement should mean that Chen will make two starts next week.
Wei-Yin Chen comes undone in sixth
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/3/2013) Orioles starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen looked sharp for most of his outing Wednesday night in Tampa Bay. He was undone a bit in the sixth inning and his bullpen let him down.
The No. 2 starter for Baltimore went five straight scoreless innings to begin his night. He got double plays in each of the first three to help his cause. He began to tire in the sixth inning, however, and was removed after Ben Zobrist singled home Desmond Jennings.
Luis Ayala later served up a three-run homer to Shelley Duncan as the Rays took the lead. Chen settled for a no-decision. He allowed two earned runs on seven hits and no walks over 5 2/3 innings. Chen struck out four batters and threw 84 pitches.
The 27-year-old will make his next scheduled start Monday at Boston and is expected to make two starts next week for Baltimore.
Wei-Yin Chen has 200-inning goal
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/2/2013) Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen, who will take the mound against the Rays on Wednesday for his first start of 2013, is ready to begin his second major league season, MLB.com reports.
"I feel much more comfortable this year compared to last year. Last year, I was so nervous and excited," Chen said through interpreter Tim Lin. "This year, everything will be a lot easier for me. This year, I'm excited [for the season to start], but I don't want to be over-excited, because it's my first game. I just want to follow my pitches, follow my tempo."
Chen became the O's most reliable starter last year as a rookie as he went 12-11 with a 4.02 ERA over 192 2/3 innings in 32 starts. He led the Orioles in wins, innings, games started and strikeouts with 154.
Chen's main goal for 2013 is to get to 200 innings pitched.
"Of course," Chen said. "I know that depends on certain pitch counts, but definitely, I want to go deeper and deeper into the game and help the team win."
Wei-Yin Chen 'ready for the season'
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/28/2013) Orioles starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen took the hill in a minor-league game Thursday for his final tune-up of the spring. Facing Rays' minor-leaguers, Chen allowed a solo home run to Brandon Guyer and walked one in five innings. He threw 82 pitches.
"This was a really good accomplishment," Chen said through his interpreter, Tim Lin, per MASNsports.com. "I feel like I accomplished something today. The first two innings, I couldn't feel anything, probably because I was pitching in the minor leagues, but after the third inning, I felt like I turned my game around and everything was great."
Chen was 1-1 with a 8.22 ERA and 1.96 WHIP in three spring starts. He will make his season debut Tuesday at Tampa Bay.
"I'm ready for the season," he said. "I'm in my best shape and best condition right now, so everything will be fine and I'm looking forward to the season."
Wei-Yin Chen named Orioles' No. 2 starter
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (3/27/2013) The Orioles have tabbed Wei-Yin Chen in the No. 2 slot of the rotation, putting him on track to face the Rays Wednesday in the Orioles' second game of the season. Chen enjoyed a successful first season in the majors in 2012, winning 12 games while posting a 4.02 ERA and 1.26 WHIP, but has suffered through a rocky spring performance. His opponent on the mound has yet to be officially announced.
Wei-Yin Chen blasted by Phillies
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/23/2013) Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen had an awful start on Saturday in Grapefruit League play against Philadelphia. Chen couldn't finish the fourth inning and was blasted from the beginning of the game.
Chen gave up two homers to Chase Utley, another to Ryan Howard and allowed seven runs -- six earned -- on eight hits and two walks over 3 1/3 innings. He struck out two and his Grapefruit League ERA is now at 8.22.
Chen figures to open the season as the Orioles' No. 2 starter. He'd been seeing a lot of innings against minor-league competition and had pitched only 4 1/3 innings against Grapefruit League teams entering Saturday. He went 12-11 with a 4.02 ERA over 32 starts as a rookie last year with 154 strikeouts over 192 2/3 innings.
Wei-Yin Chen's tempo thrown off by pesky minor-league hitters
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/18/2013) Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen wasn't on his game as he faced low-level minor league hitters on Monday at Twin Lakes Park, reports MASNSports.com.
In fact, it was the young, inexperienced hitters that was throwing Chen off.
"I tried my best, but these minor leaguers swing at every pitch I throw, so it messed up my tempo a little bit," Chen said.
Chen's day was considered a success despite him allowing three runs -- two earned -- on five hits and a walk with two Ks and a hit batter against the Tampa Bay Rays Class A players. He was able to stretch out to five innings and threw 79 pitches, 53 for strikes.
"I still felt really strong in my last inning," he said. "I was only working on my fastball and change-up and they hit all my fastballs. That's the only thing."
Chen gets his work in
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/13/2013) Baltimore starter Wei-Yin Chen pitched four innings at the minor league complex on Wednesday for the Orioles, reports MASNSports.com. Chen gave up one run in the first frame and threw 62 pitches before leaving. "He got his work in," manager Buck Showalter said.
Chen with another solid outing
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/8/2013) Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen turned in another solid outing in Friday's Grapefruit League contest against the Pirates. Chen allowed one hit and two walks in 2 1/3 innings. He gave up two runs -- one earned -- and struck out four while throwing 54 pitches, 33 of which were called strikes. “I felt good on my four-seamer and two-seamer today and it's OK on my changeup. I'm still working on my slider because it's not there, yet,” Chen said through an interpreter. “My slider was off today; it's always high. It makes me behind [in] the count all the time, so I should work on that.”
Chen off to solid start
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/2/2013) Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen made his Grapefruit League debut on Saturday in a start against Tampa Bay. Chen gave up two hits in his first inning but no runs. He got stronger in his second frame and finished two innings with just the two hits and no walks allowed. “Last year, I felt a little bit scary about pitching because of soreness in my knee,” said Chen, who had his shoulder and knee wrapped in ice as he talked to reporters. “This year, I feel totally fine. I’m really lucky enough to be pitching again today.”
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/17/2013) Baltimore starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen posted a 7-5 record and 3.93 ERA during the first half of his rookie campaign last year. And then the wheels seemingly fell off for the left-hander. Chen was winless in his last seven starts of the regular season (five losses and two no-decisions) as he tumbled to a 12-11 overall record for the year. After displaying quality damage control throughout the season -- the Taiwan's native's first taste of the majors -- his earned-run average spilled over 4.00 for the first time Sept. 7 following a rough outing against the Yankees.
