A’s plane damaged by storm, delaying trip out of Texas

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The A’s had to work hard to hold off the Rangers and earn a split of their four-game series yesterday. The day didn’t get much easier once they tried to leave Texas after the game.

Some big time storms blew threw Dallas late yesterday afternoon. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported last night that the Athletics’ charter plane was damaged when heavy winds blew some mobile stairs into their plane, damaging the wing. The A’s were still at the ballpark when it happened and ended up cooling their heels there for several hours while they waited for a replacement plane to be flown in from California.

The team wasn’t able to leave for Tampa, where they’ll take on the Rays in a three-game set starting tonight, until 10PM last night.

The kicker:

Not the greatest road trip ever.

Orioles option LHP Bruce Zimmermann to minors

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SARASOTA, Fla. – The Baltimore Orioles have optioned left-handers Bruce Zimmermann and Nick Vespi and reassigned infielder Lewin Díaz, left-hander Darwinzon Hernandez and catcher Mark Kolozsvary to minor league camp.

The Orioles announced the moves Monday.

Baltimore’s spring training roster now has 46 players.

Zimmermann made 13 starts last season. He went 2-5 with a 5.99 ERA.

The competition for rotation spots with the Orioles has been a significant story during spring training, but after the team acquired Cole Irvin and Kyle Gibson in the offseason – and with top prospect Grayson Rodriguez in the mix as well – there were a lot of pitchers Zimmermann needed to beat out.