Chen's chance at quality start ends in first inning (O's lose 5-0)

Chen's chance at quality start ends in first inning (O's lose 5-0)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - This is no way to end a five-game losing streak. The Rays sent 10 batters to the plate in the first inning and scored five runs to take a 5-0 lead against Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. The rotation posted an 8.10 ERA in the past four games, and Chen is going to inflate that number. Chen gave up five hits in the first, including Hideki Matsui's two-run bomb to right field with two outs. He also walked two batters and didn't return to the dugout until striking out...

Britton to continue rehab assignment (with quotes)

Britton to continue rehab assignment (with quotes)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles don't need a fifth starter at the moment and Zach Britton's rehab assignment hasn't run its course, so the left-hander will make another start in the minors. Britton is expected to pitch Tuesday for Triple-A Norfolk. Double-A Bowie also is being considered, but the Orioles are leaning toward sending him to the International League. Dr. Brian Schofield will remove the wrap from Nick Markakis' surgically repaired right wrist on Monday. Markakis plans to...

Markakis talks about his surgery and eventual return

Markakis talks about his surgery and eventual return
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Nick Markakis arrived in the clubhouse today with his right wrist wrapped and his arm in a sling, which he said wasn't needed. He was a little groggy, but he still exchanged quips with catcher Matt Wieters, who asked whether Markakis could play tonight "with that thing." "I can pinch-run," he replied. Markakis underwent a 20-minute procedure this morning to remove the broken portion of the hamate bone in his right wrist. The hook on the bone cracked in half during...

Hall in right, Hardy batting third

Hall in right, Hardy batting third
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter is breaking out his most interesting lineup of the season. With Nick Markakis on the disabled list, Bill Hall is starting in right field and J. J. Hardy is batting third. Steve Tolleson is in left field, giving the Orioles another right-handed hitter against Rays starter David Price. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B Steve Tolleson LF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis DH Wilson Betemit 3B Bill Hall RF Wei-Yin...

Machado at third base for Bowie (updated)

Machado at third base for Bowie (updated)
The Double-A Bowie Baysox tweeted their lineup for tonight's game against Reading at Prince George's County Stadium, and it included Manny Machado at third base for the first time in his professional career. Brian Roberts has returned to Bowie to continue his rehab assignment, and he's starting at second base. Jonathan Schoop, who had been replacing Roberts at second, is starting at shortstop. Machado, the Orioles' top position prospect, is batting .250/.349/.375 with 13 doubles, two...

Welcome back, Bill Hall (Markakis surgery update)

Welcome back, Bill Hall (Markakis surgery update)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Remember when Bill Hall was removed for a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning last night at Triple-A Pawtucket? I guess he needed more time to pack his bags. Hall is in Tampa - he confirmed it on Twitter - and will be added to the 25- and 40-man rosters for tonight's game against the Rays. Hall is replacing Nick Markakis on the 25-man. Markakis underwent surgery this morning to remove a broken hamate bone in his right wrist. The Orioles could transfer second baseman...

On the road again

On the road again
I'm taking my 10-3 road record to St. Petersburg, Fla. for the three-game series against the Rays, following by a flight to Boston for a three-game series against the Red Sox. If nothing else, I'm guaranteed of still being above .500 when I return home. Nick Markakis is expected to meet with reporters at Tropicana Field this afternoon after undergoing surgery to remove a broken hamate bone in his right wrist. It's a 15-20 minute procedure - the ultimate in out-patient surgery. The only...

Markakis to undergo surgery for broken bone

Markakis to undergo surgery for broken bone
Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis will undergo surgery at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow morning in Sarasota to remove a broken hamate bone from his right wrist. The procedure will be performed by hand specialist Dr. Brian Schofield. Markakis will be placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career, with a corresponding roster move to be announced later. It's believed that Markakis sustained the original injury while sliding into second base a week to 10 days ago, but the complete break...

Orioles waiting for reinforcements (updated)

Orioles waiting for reinforcements (updated)
The Orioles need to get healthy, and that includes their sickening stretch of futility that's threatening to drop them down the American League East standings as if there's an anchor tied to their waists. If that were actually true, they'd probably end up with strained obliques and intercostals. The Orioles have lost five in a row and eight of their last 10, but the schedule cuts them a break. No game until tomorrow night in St. Petersburg. Left-hander Zach Britton won't be idle tonight....

Hammel homers hurting Orioles (O's lose 4-1)

Hammel homers hurting Orioles (O's lose 4-1)
Jason Hammel doesn't give up home runs. Until tonight. Now he's passing them out like ballpark peanuts. Hammel has served up four home runs in five innings, all of them solo shots to give Toronto a 4-1 lead. The roll call consists of Edwin Encarnacion, Rajai Davis, Brett Lowrie and Colby Rasmus. I'm waiting for Pat Borders and Garth Iorg to grab a bat. Once again, starting pitching is hurting the Orioles. So is their lack of offense. Maybe they need to get angry again. Where's...

Markakis out of lineup

Markakis out of lineup
As expected, Nick Markakis will sit out tonight's game while nursing a sore right wrist. Endy Chavez will play left field and Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty will start in right. Chris Davis will bat third, as Markakis vacates the lineup for the first time this season. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Ryan Flaherty RF Robert Andino 2B Jason Hammel RHP For the Blue Jays: Yunel Escobar SS Colby Rasmus...

Updating Markakis' wrist injury

Updating Markakis' wrist injury
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed in a text message today that right fielder Nick Markakis is scheduled to have his right wrist examined by a hand specialist tomorrow in Sarasota during the club's off day. X-rays taken on Markakis' wrist came back negative. Markakis' status for tonight's series finale in Toronto remains unknown. Manager Buck Showalter won't post his lineup until later this afternoon. Markakis has started all 50 games this season - 48 in right field...

Orioles desperately need Hammel to be the stopper

Orioles desperately need Hammel to be the stopper
The Orioles are still tied for first place in the American League East. They lost last night, Tampa Bay lost last night and no ground was lost. That's the good news. There isn't much of it to pass along these days. I'll give Jake Arrieta credit for not blaming plate umpire Doug Eddings for last night's terrible outing. Interviewed on MASN after the Orioles' 8-6 loss, Arrieta credited Blue Jays left-hander Ricky Romero for adjusting to Eddings' lousy strike zone and not letting it...

Now the concern shifts to Markakis

Now the concern shifts to Markakis
Orioles manager Buck Showalter, being interviewed by MASN play-by-play man Gary Thorne after tonight's 8-6 loss to the Blue Jays, indicated that right fielder Nick Markakis might have injured his wrist late in the game. Showalter mentioned a possible injury after Thorne asked whether the roster was set for at least the next few days. Pressed to identify the player, Showalter said Markakis "tweaked" his right wrist while taking a swing in his last at-bat. Markakis lined out to right fielder...

Orioles go from Arrieta to awful (O's lose 8-6)

Orioles go from Arrieta to awful (O's lose 8-6)
The Orioles began tonight having lost six of their last eight games. And now there's this debacle. The Orioles have committed three errors, and we're only in the fifth inning. Jake Arrieta was charged with six earned runs (seven total) and six hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Betemit in left field tonight, Reynolds at first base (Reimold note)

Betemit in left field tonight, Reynolds at first base (Reimold note)
The Orioles activated Endy Chavez from the disabled list today, but he won't be in their lineup against Blue Jays left-hander Ricky Romero. Wilson Betemit is starting in left field. Mark Reynolds, who came off the DL yesterday and went 2-for-3 with a walk and RBI, is starting at first base. Steve Tolleson, whose roster spot appeared to be in jeopardy, is starting at third base. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds...

Hunter and Avery optioned; Chavez and Gonzalez join team

Hunter and Avery optioned; Chavez and Gonzalez join team
The Orioles made two more roster moves today, optioning pitcher Tommy Hunter and rookie outfielder Xavier Avery to Triple-A Norfolk, reinstating outfielder Endy Chavez from the disabled list and purchasing pitcher Miguel Gonzalez's contract from Norfolk. Hunter didn't record an out in the fourth inning last night against the Blue Jays, allowing six runs (five earned) and nine hits in a 6-2 loss. He's 2-3 with a 5.59 ERA in 10 starts. This is the second time that Hunter has been optioned...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Tommy Hunter didn't record an out in the fourth inning last night, giving the Orioles their shortest outing of the season and raising serious questions about his immediate future. Hunter hasn't won since April 24 and his ERA's up to 5.59. He's surrendered 13 home runs in 58 innings. The Orioles can go in a variety of directions with Hunter. They can leave him in the rotation, move him to the bullpen, option him to Triple-A Norfolk today while activating outfielder Endy Chavez from the...

The next roster move (O's lose 6-2)

The next roster move (O's lose 6-2)
It wasn't long ago that manager Buck Showalter talked about the welcomed challenge of making room for players who were rehabbing at extended spring training in Sarasota and readying for minor league assignments. Reliever Stu Pomeranz already was a strong candidate to come off the 25-man roster, since the Orioles were carrying an extra reliever, and the decision became a slam-dunk yesterday after he suffered an oblique injury. A spot opened for infielder Mark Reynolds, who was activated from...

Reynolds in tonight's lineup (with notes & Jays lineup)

Reynolds in tonight's lineup (with notes & Jays lineup)
Mark Reynolds is in the Orioles' lineup tonight, batting eighth and serving as the designated hitter. Wilson Betemit gets the start at third base, with Chris Davis playing first. For the Orioles: Xavier Avery LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 3B Chris Davis 1B Mark Reynolds DH Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP Down on the farm, Brian Roberts went 1-for-3 with a double today at Double-A Bowie. That's two doubles in two days. Endy Chavez...