Guerrero, Mora among newcomers on Hall of Fame ballot

Guerrero, Mora among newcomers on Hall of Fame ballot
Ten former Orioles are included on the latest Hall of Fame ballot released today by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The most prestigious newcomers are Vladimir Guerrero, Manny Ramirez and Ivan Rodriguez. Guerrero concluded his 16-year career with the Orioles in 2011, batting .290/.317/.416 with 30 doubles, 13 home runs and 63 RBIs in 145 games. The 13 home runs were his lowest total since he hit 11 in 90 games with the Expos in 1997. Other former Orioles include first-timers...

O's lose nightcap, 17-3, MacPhail talks about trade, Lee trade official

O's lose nightcap, 17-3, MacPhail talks about trade, Lee trade official
The Yankees completed their doubleheader sweep with a 17-3 victory in Game 2. They only outscored the Orioles 5-3 after the first inning, so the game was closer than...never mind. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail talked about the appeal of trading for first baseman Chris Davis and pitcher Tommy Hunter, who will join the Orioles tomorrow in New York. Buck Showalter talks with Gary Thorne about the Orioles' 17-3 loss to the Yankees "We got two 25-year-old players who have...

Lee to Pirates close, Guthrie likely to stay, Gonzalez hurt

Lee to Pirates close, Guthrie likely to stay, Gonzalez hurt
The Orioles are getting close to a trade that would send first baseman Derrek Lee to the Pirates for a lower-level minor league player. They'd like to get it done before tomorrow. Either way, first baseman Chris Davis and pitcher Tommy Hunter are joining the Orioles in New York tomorrow. Hunter will take Koji Uehara's place on the roster. Davis would replace Lee if the Orioles can complete the deal with Pittsburgh. Nothing is finalized, but it's the next logical step after today's trade...

Lee looking like trade chip (Tigers out on Guthrie?)

Lee looking like trade chip (Tigers out on Guthrie?)
With so much attention given to the non-waiver trade deadline and players increasing their value, it was easy to overlook how the Orioles actually beat the Yankees last night in New York. Oh, by the way ... It seems like such a rare occurrence, it should be savored instead of ignored. Now, getting back to the trade deadline and players increasing their value, it wouldn't surprise me if Derrek Lee is the first Oriole to change teams this weekend. Jeremy Guthrie and Koji Uehara are the prime...

Showalter shows faith in Davis

Showalter shows faith in Davis
If you told me back in March that the biggest buzz yesterday would be created by Blake Davis' return to the lineup, I would have handed you a small plastic cup and pointed you toward the bathroom. Then I would have remembered that I'm not in the medical profession and have no real reason to test you for mind-altering drugs, and we would have shared a laugh. Then you would have reported me to the authorities. Anyway, Davis wasn't on the 40-man roster and wasn't invited to spring training....

Nobody doesn't like Derrek Lee tonight

Nobody doesn't like Derrek Lee tonight
Well, unless you're a Reds fan. First baseman Derrek Lee hit the third walk-off home run of his career, the others coming May 11, 2005 off Heath Bell and July 3, 2000 off Turk Wendell. Yes, Lee's been playing this game for a while. Derrek Lee after his dramatic walk-off home run in the bottom of the 12th Friday night against the Reds "I hit that one good," he said of tonight's shot into the left field seats off Cincinnati's Jose Arrendondo. "It felt good to finally get one over the...

Showalter speaks after 5-4, 12-inning win

Showalter speaks after 5-4, 12-inning win
Like everyone else in the Orioles' dugout, manager Buck Showalter was happy for first baseman Derrek Lee, who hit the walk-off home run that produced a 5-4 win in 12 innings. Buck Showalter's postgame comments after Friday's uplifting 5-4 win against Cincinnati "I'm happy for us, too," Showalter said. "That's a really good club over there. I said before, they won the National League Central in a tough division. MVP, three Gold Glove guys, a great manager. That was a battle. And I...

Another opportunity goes up in flames (Lee with the walk-off)

Another opportunity goes up in flames (Lee with the walk-off)
The Orioles blew a 4-0 lead tonight. Now they've blown another chance to end this game. J.J. Hardy opened the bottom of the 11th inning with a double to center field off Cincinnati reliever Jose Arredondo, the ball deflecting off Drew Stubbs' glove as he slowed near the warning track. Nick Markakis swung at the next pitch and grounded to third baseman Scott Rolen. Pull the ball and Hardy advances to third with one out. Or bunt him over. That was the crucial at-bat of the inning. Adam...

Lee stays hot (updated twice)

Lee stays hot (updated twice)
WASHINGTON - Adam Jones singled with two outs in the top of the fifth inning to score J.J. Hardy, and Derrek Lee followed with a double to increase the Orioles' lead to 5-2. That's it for Nationals left-hander Tom Gorzelanny. The Orioles have salvaged the inning after a highly questionable send by third base coach John Russell resulted in pitcher Chris Jakubauskas being thrown out at the plate by a wide margin. Jakubauskas collected his first major league hit, a single leading off the...

Lee in the clutch (Adams, too, but Lind homers)

Lee in the clutch (Adams, too, but Lind homers)
Derrek Lee was hitting .132 with runners in scoring position before stepping to the plate with no outs in the ninth inning and the potential go-ahead run 90 feet away. Lee hit a slow chopper to third, and Nolan Reimold beat the throw home. Credit Lee with an RBI on a fielder's choice that gives the Orioles a 3-2 lead. OK, so it wasn't the most dramatic at-bat in history. It wasn't the shot heard 'round the world. But the Orioles needed Lee to do something besides strike out or ground into...

Pregame tidbits, new Rays lineup (and quotes)

Pregame tidbits, new Rays lineup (and quotes)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said the reason he returned shortstop J.J. Hardy to the leadoff spot is "two-fold." Hardy's put together good at-bats, which will be needed against red-hot Rays pitcher Jeremy Hellickson, and Felix Pie seems more comfortable batting lower in the order. First baseman Derrek Lee is eligible to return to the Orioles on Sunday, but he's still expected to join them in Toronto for the series that begins Tuesday. Lee was extremely close to his grandfather, and he's...

Quick Berken update (with Lee update)

Quick Berken update (with Lee update)
Jason Berken made his fourth start for Triple-A Norfolk today, going five innings and leaving with the Tides trailing Pawtucket, 2-1. The Orioles want to stretch out Berken, and he cooperated by throwing 93 pitches today. However, I'm sure they want him going deeper into the games. Berken allowed two runs and six hits, with two walks and five strikeouts. He threw 56 strikes among his 93 pitches before left-hander Mark Hendrickson replaced him. Berken threw 84 pitches over 5 2/3 innings in...

Lee leaving team tomorrow, another local kid drafted

Lee leaving team tomorrow, another local kid drafted
First baseman Derrek Lee will leave the team tomorrow to attend his grandfather's funeral. Lee expects to be gone through Sunday, which means he'll miss three games. The Orioles will place Lee on the bereavement list that covers three days, including tomorrow's open date on the schedule. Technically, Lee could return Sunday, but he's informed the team that he'll be gone through the weekend. Right now, the Orioles are leaning toward bringing up a position player, with Triple-A Norfolk...

Lee in Orioles lineup, batting fifth

Lee in Orioles lineup, batting fifth
First baseman Derrek Lee will be activated from the disabled list today, start at first base and bat fifth against Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Ricky Romero. Left-handed reliever Pedro Viola will be optioned to make room for Lee, who went 2-for-3 with a walk last night at Double-A Bowie. Viola pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in his only appearance after being recalled from Bowie. Also, Adam Jones will bat third tonight. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF...

Waiting on Lee

Waiting on Lee
Derrek Lee went 2-for-3 with a walk last night at Double-A Bowie, proving that you don't have to be a prototypical leadoff hitter to bat first. Manager Buck Showalter and president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail have discussed whether Lee is ready to come off the disabled list. We'll get confirmation later today. You can believe that Showalter wants him in tonight's lineup. Does Lee slip back into the third spot in the order once he's activated? That's the assumption. And does...

More on Britton, Lee and Bergesen

More on Britton, Lee and Bergesen
In his last three starts, left-hander Zach Britton has allowed 14 earned runs (16 total) and 25 hits in 16 2/3 innings. He's also walked eight batters. OK, it isn't quite as easy as he made it look when he first came up. Britton didn't really make a bad pitch to catcher J.P. Arencibia, who golfed it into the left field seats for a grand slam. But the rookie wasn't sharp and he's no longer breezing through the early innings. Down on the farm, Derrek Lee is 2-for-3 as Double-A Bowie's...

Checking on Britton, Lee and Bergesen (updated)

Checking on Britton, Lee and Bergesen (updated)
The homestand isn't off to a promising start. The Orioles are losing, 3-0, to the Blue Jays in the fourth inning. Two of the runs off Zach Britton are unearned after third baseman Mark Reynolds committed his 11th error, but Britton has allowed four hits, issued an intentional walk and thrown a wild pitch. Britton hadn't allowed an earned run in two straight starts covering 16 innings before surrendering nine runs and 19 hits in his last two outings covering 11 1/3 innings. He's having...

Quick Lee update

Quick Lee update
Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee will begin his injury rehab assignment tonight at Double-A Bowie. Lee was supposed to report to the Baysox last night, but took some time to attend to his family after his grandfather passed away. Lee has been on the disabled list since May 17 with a strained left oblique. The veteran first baseman is hitting .231 with four home runs and 14 RBIs in 40 games this season.

A first for Markakis (and much more)

A first for Markakis (and much more)
No game today. No position changes, no roster moves - well, I'm going out on a limb here by predicting that the roster stays the same - and no lineup shuffling. I'll revel in the calm and wait for the next storm. I had planned on driving to Double-A Bowie tonight for Derrek Lee's first injury rehab game, but manager Buck Showalter told reporters yesterday that Lee's grandfather passed away. The first baseman's assignment will be delayed for a few days. So far, 2011 has been an...

Showalter speaks before game (with more Matusz)

Showalter speaks before game (with more Matusz)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter provided surgery and rehab updates during today's pregame session with the media. He also provided a clearer picture of how his rotation will unfold the rest of the week. On Cesar Izturis: "Izzy had his surgery today. It went well. I'm not sure if he's back home yet, though. The plan was to release him at some point today. We think he is. They found what they thought, moved the nerve over there and six to eight weeks from what I understand. You can backdate...