Hardy out of lineup, Izturis in it

Hardy out of lineup, Izturis in it
Robert Andino is starting at shortstop and batting first tonight against the Blue Jays. We can assume that Cesar Izturis has been activated, because he's starting at second base. For the Orioles: Robert Andino SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Nolan Reimold LF Cesar Izturis 2B Tommy Hunter RHP

While waiting for the lineup ...

While waiting for the lineup ...
It may be a while before manager Buck Showalter posts his lineup for tonight's series-opener against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Showalter will need to check the availability of shortstop J.J. Hardy, who's having his sore left ankle examined by team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens. We're also waiting for the Orioles to announce Cesar Izturis' activation from the disabled list and the corresponding roster move. Tommy Hunter makes his first start for the Orioles tonight, and his first...

Game gets out of hand in sixth (O's lose 9-4)

Game gets out of hand in sixth (O's lose 9-4)
The hits just kept coming against Zach Britton tonight. Twelve, to be exact. Britton left the game in the sixth inning with the score tied, 4-4, and two runners on base. Billy Butler grounded a single into left field off reliever Jim Johnson, and Alex Gordon raced home with the go-ahead run. It got worse. Buck Showalter speaks with Jim Hunter about Britton's second outing back from the minors Another run scored that was charged to Britton, completing his line, and Johnson surrendered three...

Griffin on Tillman

Griffin on Tillman
The Orioles will recall Chris Tillman from Triple-A Norfolk to make tomorrow night's start against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. A shortage of candidates for the rotation requires the Orioles to have short memories. Tillman was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after Game 1 of last Saturday's doubleheader in New York, part of the weekend craziness that included two trades and the Yankees' 12-run first inning in Game 2. He'll be replacing an injured player, right-hander Jake Arrieta, so he...

Hardy hits century mark

Hardy hits century mark
J.J. Hardy hit the 100th home run of his career tonight, and it enabled the Orioles to tie the Royals, 3-3, in the fifth inning. Hardy led off the inning with his 19th homer of the season, a drive to left field off Kansas City southpaw Jeff Francis. Francis had retired Hardy twice before that at-bat, leaving the Orioles' shortstop in a 2-for-26 slump. The Orioles have battled all the way back after falling behind, 3-0, in the first. Left-hander Zach Britton has allowed one earned run and...

Bordick to the bullpen (Britton to the 2nd inning)

Bordick to the bullpen (Britton to the 2nd inning)
Former shortstop Mike Bordick will take over as interim bullpen coach during the upcoming homestand that begins tomorrow night against the Blue Jays. Bordick currently serves as the Orioles' coordinator of offensive fundamentals, though he's also known to work with the infielders. Don Werner, who took over for Rick Adair, will resume his duties as minor league catching instructor. Maybe you'll get a turn before the season ends. Also, Chris Tillman is expected to start Saturday night...

Orioles lineup against Royals

Orioles lineup against Royals
Left-hander Zach Britton will try to complete the first inning tonight for the first time in his last three major league starts. Britton has allowed 17 runs (13 earned) and 13 hits, with three walks, in one inning over his two previous starts with the Orioles. He was optioned to Double-A Bowie in between those outings in Boston and New York. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Nolan Reimold...

A few more minutes with Cal Ripken

A few more minutes with Cal Ripken
I'm pretty sure you'll find Nolan Reimold in the lineup tonight against Kansas City's Jeff Francis. Reimold is 3-for-3 with two home runs against him. Count on it. Mark Reynolds is 10-for-25 with two doubles against Francis. Adam Jones is 3-for-5. J.J. Hardy is 3-for-12 with two doubles. He could use a few hits tonight. Hardy is in a 2-for-24 slump. It's also a 5-for-33 slump and a 7-for-42 slump. Depends how far back you choose to go. I asked Cal Ripken yesterday whether Hardy reminds...

A few minutes with Cal Ripken

A few minutes with Cal Ripken
Because they're pretty much involved in everything these days, it comes as no surprise that Cal and Billy Ripken are lending their names and a hand to the 2011 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game that's being played Aug. 13 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. This is the fourth year that Under Armour and Baseball Factory have collaborated to present the game, which showcases the country's elite high school baseball players. Baseball Factory scouts thousands of athletes worldwide before making...

The remnants of a 6-2 loss

The remnants of a 6-2 loss
Jeremy Guthrie survived the non-waiver trade deadline, but not the Kansas City Royals. Guthrie had a quality start in his back pocket, but Billy Butler's three-run homer in the seventh inning completed the scoring in the Royals 6-2 victory over the Orioles. Guthrie was charged with six runs and eight hits in seven innings. Buck Showalter talks with Jim Hunter about the Orioles' 6-2 loss to the Royals Brad Bergesen loaded the bases in the eighth and left a mess for new Oriole Jo-Jo Reyes,...

Reyes replaces Hendrickson, O's lineup

Reyes replaces Hendrickson, O's lineup
The Orioles added left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes to the 25-man roster for tonight's game in Kansas City. To make room, they have optioned veteran left-hander Mark Hendrickson to Triple-A Norfolk. Hendrickson is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in seven appearances, with 13 hits, six walks and five strikeouts in 10 innings. Left-hander Troy Patton's hearing in Texas was postponed until later this month, so he remains with the club. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir...

More roster moves coming (Bundy and Hoes honored)

More roster moves coming (Bundy and Hoes honored)
It seems like I've written that title more than once this season. And this week. What time is it? Left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes is joining the Orioles and the bullpen today in Kansas City. He'll likely take the roster spot of left-hander Troy Patton, who's leaving the team to attend a hearing in Texas related to his DWI arrest over the winter. The Orioles most likely will place Jake Arrieta on the disabled list with a sore elbow that's expected to require surgery. He wouldn't be available to...

Rotating names in a rudderless rotation

Rotating names in a rudderless rotation
I hustled over to the gym between games of Saturday's doubleheader and news broke of the Koji Uehara trade. I brought my laptop with me and did my writing and made my phone calls from Triangle Fitness. I went to the gym yesterday, pulled into my parking spot and received an e-mail from the Orioles detailing the Jo-Jo Reyes waiver claim, Justin Duchscherer's release, Brad Bergesen's return from paternity leave and Luke Scott's transfer to the 60-day disabled list. I didn't bring my laptop,...

Simon taking care of business tonight (Reynolds, Davis homer)

Simon taking care of business tonight (Reynolds, Davis homer)
LJ Hoes has homered in both ends of Double-A Bowie's doubleheader tonight, giving him six in the last eight days. Hoes hit a three-run shot in Game 2, giving him 41 RBIs. Cesar Izturis had the game-winning RBI in Game 1. Maybe they'll have a bobblehead night for him at Prince George's Stadium. Mark Reynolds joins the O's Xtra crew to talk about his five-RBI night in the O's 8-2 victory Now let's go to Kansas City, where the Orioles are holding a 4-1 lead in the top of the seventh...

Arrieta to DL? (with note)

Arrieta to DL? (with note)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Kansas City this evening that pitcher Jake Arrieta will see renowned orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum on Aug. 10 because of recurring discomfort in his right elbow. Arrieta was skipped in the rotation earlier this season because of inflammation related to a bone spur. Apparently, he's now dealing with a fibrous mass that could force him to the disabled list. Buck Showalter meets with the media to talk about Jake Arrieta's injury This partially...

Orioles and Royals lineups

Orioles and Royals lineups
Chris Davis makes his second start for the Orioles. He's been lowered to seventh in the order against Royals left-hander Bruce Chen. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Nolan Reimold LF Robert Andino 2B Alfredo Simon RHP Jones is hitting .342 with five homers and 17 RBIs in his last 21 games. For the Royals: Gordon LF Cabrera CF Butler DH Hosmer 1B Francoeur RF Moustakas 3B Pena C Getz 2B...

More on Reyes and Norfolk update

More on Reyes and Norfolk update
Newly signed left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes will report to the Orioles tomorrow. He was scheduled to pitch against them Thursday in Toronto, but the Blue Jays designated him for assignment. Right-handers are batting .314 against Reyes in his career. Left-handers are batting .260. Reyes has a career ERA of 6.69 in April, 4.95 in May, 4.66 in June, 8.94 in July, 7.24 in August and 5.14 in September. Reyes has made two starts against the Yankees. He's allowed 12 runs and 15 hits in 8 1/3 innings,...

Orioles add lefty Reyes on waiver claim (updated)

Orioles add lefty Reyes on waiver claim (updated)
The Orioles have claimed left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes on waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. Reyes, 26, went 5-8 with a 5.40 ERA in 20 starts for the Blue Jays this season. He spent parts of the previous four seasons with the Atlanta Braves. In 61 career major league games (57 starts), Reyes is 10-23 with a 6.04 ERA in 304 innings. To make room for Reyes on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have transferred Luke Scott to the 60-day disabled list. Reyes will be added to the 25-man...

It's a boy!

It's a boy!
Pitcher Brad Bergesen and his wife, Shea, are the proud parents of a boy named Parker Steven, who was born yesterday at 12:57 p.m. Parker weighs in at 8 pounds, 7 ounces and is 21.5 inches long. Everyone is doing well, according to a team official. No word on whether Parker throws right-handed or left-handed, or whether he can hold runners. And no, pitching coach Rick Adair didn't tweak Shea's delivery. Bergesen is rejoining the Orioles today in Kansas City. He's the one kicking and...
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Talking starters, Hoes and Jones

Talking starters, Hoes and Jones
So Derrek Lee is traded to Pittsburgh and he hits two home runs in his debut. Of course he does. Trade Felix Pie and watch him win the Triple Crown. Deal Kevin Gregg and watch him have a 1-2-3 inning. The Orioles are back on the field tonight, and that means more roster moves are coming. New pitcher Tommy Hunter will be added to the 25-man roster, and Brad Bergesen will return after being placed on paternity leave. The Orioles have two openings after they optioned left-handers Pedro Viola...