Hammel encouraged after mound session

Hammel encouraged after mound session
Jason Hammel threw off a mound today for the first time since going on the disabled list with a strained right flexor mass. He used all of his pitches, including a slider that had brought the most discomfort to his arm, and is moving closer to an injury-rehab assignment. "It went real well," Hammel said. "It felt great. I felt the extension that I was looking for that I didn't have before, so outstanding. "We'll go again on Sunday. I'm not trying to stay on the DL, I'm trying to get...

It's Norris vs. Straily tonight at Camden Yards

It's Norris vs. Straily tonight at Camden Yards
It's back to baseball tonight, as the Orioles begin a three-game series against the Athletics at Camden Yards. One of the most important tasks of the day will be performed by Jason Hammel, who's scheduled to throw off a mound for the first time since going on the disabled list retroactive to July 29 with a right flexor mass strain. He's been playing catch and long tossing. Hammel is nearing an injury-rehab assignment. He's expected to make at least two starts before the Orioles add him to...

More pregame notes on Wieters and Johnson

More pregame notes on Wieters and Johnson
Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is doing his usual damage against the Rays, going 4-for-8 with a double, two home runs, four RBIs, a walk and four runs scored in the first two games of this series. He's batting .337 against the Rays since breaking into the majors in 2009, the highest average for any player. His 50 RBIs also rank first, and his 15 homers are tied for second. Wieters is heating up again as the regular season winds down. Despite the physical strain of catching, Wieters is a career...

Showalter on Hammel, Hardy, Betemit and call-ups (updated)

Showalter on Hammel, Hardy, Betemit and call-ups (updated)
Orioles starter Scott Feldman won the first battle today with Rockies first baseman Michael Cuddyer, retiring him on a force play to end the top of the first inning. Cuddyer began the day 7-for-13 with three doubles, two homers and five RBIs lifetime against Feldman. Manager Buck Showalter provided updates on some injured Orioles before today's series finale against the Rockies at Camden Yards. Showalter revealed that Jason Hammel will throw on flat ground Monday and Wednesday before moving...

A few injury updates

A few injury updates
Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel will throw on flat ground again on Monday and Wednesday before progressing to a mound on Friday, assuming there are no setbacks. Hammel already has played catch twice to test his right forearm. So far, so good. Hammel will need to make a few starts on an injury-rehab assignment before the Orioles activate him from the disabled list. They can find games for him, even if the affiliates are done playing. A few of the teams are in playoff contention, and Hammel could...

Pregame notes and Rockies lineup

Pregame notes and Rockies lineup
Orioles reliever Francisco Rodriguez won't be available for tonight's game against the Rockies, but he's avoided the disabled list. Rodriguez left last night's game in the eighth inning with a strained right groin. He's feeling better and will attempt to play catch today. Jason Hammel will do some long-tossing again today and take off Sunday. Hammel could throw from a mound on Monday or Tuesday. Wilson Betemit's injury-rehab assignment runs through Aug. 25, with the last four games...

A few notes before tonight's game

A few notes before tonight's game
Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel said his arm felt good today before he headed outdoors to play catch. If the session goes well, he'll do it again on Sunday or Monday. Hammel told manager Buck Showalter that he was ready to start Sunday. Showalter assumed that Hammel was joking. Bud Norris remains the scheduled starter for Saturday despite experiencing some lower-back tightness in his last outing. The Orioles gave him the option of starting Sunday, but he declined. Scott Feldman will start...

Another look at the starters

Another look at the starters
Chris Tillman turned in his 16th quality start in 24 outings yesterday before the blown save, the 14 innings, the gut-wrenching loss that completed Arizona's three-game sweep of the Orioles. The Orioles have posted seven quality starts in the last nine games, giving them a 2.88 ERA in that stretch. That's the good. Unfortunately, the starters have gone more than six innings in only three of the 12 games this month. Tillman was removed after the sixth yesterday, leaving a tired bullpen to...

Jones, Machado extend hitting streaks to seven games (Hardy homers)

Jones, Machado extend hitting streaks to seven games (Hardy homers)
Orioles center fielder Adam Jones continues to love life on the West Coast, producing an RBI single in the first inning tonight in San Francisco. Jones extended his hitting streak to seven games with a two-out single up the middle that scored Manny Machado. He's 13-for-25 with three doubles, a home run, six RBIs and six runs scored. Jones had a nine-game hitting streak on April 20-28. Tonight's RBI is his 80th this season. Machado doubled with one out, his 41st this season. He's also hit...

Hammel: "Definitely some good news"

Hammel: "Definitely some good news"
Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel was relieved today, and in a good way. Hammel told reporters that the MRI taken on his right forearm didn't reveal anything more serious than some inflammation. "Definitely some good news," he said. "Came back real good. No structural damage, but definitely inflammation around the ulnar nerve. We just have to calm that area down. "The forearm's a little stiff. I wouldn't call it tendinitis or anything, but it came back about as good as it could have...

Flaherty at shortstop, Casilla at second base (Hammel update)

Flaherty at shortstop, Casilla at second base (Hammel update)
Brian Roberts remains out of the Orioles lineup on paternity leave, which gives Alexi Casilla the start at second base. Ryan Flaherty isn't returning to the bench. He's replacing J.J. Hardy at shortstop. We'll find out later whether Hardy is being rested or if he's hurting. Hardy leads all major league shortstops with 971 1/3 innings played this season. Henry Urrutia moves up to seventh in the lineup as the designated hitter. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick...

Showalter waiting for updates on Roberts and Hammel

Showalter waiting for updates on Roberts and Hammel
Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts informed manager Buck Showalter at 10:30 a.m. this morning that he was headed to the hospital with his wife for the birth of their first child. Showalter hadn't spoken to him since around 2 p.m. and didn't have any updates for reporters this afternoon. Roberts isn't on paternity leave, and Showalter said "there's always the chance that everything goes real well and she's sleeping and Brian feels comfortable and he comes back here tonight." Roberts...

Fighting a non-waiver trade deadline hangover

Fighting a non-waiver trade deadline hangover
I won't challenge today to be more hectic than yesterday because it might take me up on the offer. I'm just going to quietly assume that it won't happen. I ventured inside manager Buck Showalter's office with WBAL Radio's Casey Willett shortly before 3:30 p.m. to tape his pregame show. Before we could get started, Orioles advance scouting coordinator Ben Werthan handed Showalter his cell phone so he could read a text message. Showalter turned to the wall that contains the names of every...

O's down 4-0, pregame quotes from Showalter

O's down 4-0, pregame quotes from Showalter
Well, that escalated quickly. Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez retired the Astros in order on only five pitches in the top of the first inning. He gave up four runs on two doubles, a single and a home run while throwing 24 pitches in the second. Catcher Jason Castro led off the inning with a double, but Gonzalez retired the next two batters on pop ups. Brandon Barnes doubled in a run, Matt Dominguez grounded a single up the middle to score a run and No. 9 hitter Robbie Grossman belted his...

Hammel on injury

Hammel on injury
Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel met with reporters in the home dugout during batting practice. Here's a sampling: "It started in spring training. I've been dealing with it all year," he said. "It's not really a pain thing. It's more of an uncomfortable thing. Hopefully tomorrow, the MRI will tell me something. When something doesn't hurt, it's confusing. When you feel all right to a certain extent and then things change as you get a little deeper into your outing. "Very disappointing....

Pearce batting ninth

Pearce batting ninth
Steve Pearce is in the new Orioles lineup, batting ninth and serving as the designated hitter. Adam Jones is in center field and Nate McLouth is in left. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Brian Roberts 2B Steve Pearce DH Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the Astros Jonathan Villar SS LJ Hoes RF Jose Altuve 2B Jason Castro C Chris Carter DH Brett Wallace 1B Brandon Barnes CF Matt Dominguez 3B Robbie Grossman...

Showalter on Hammel

Showalter on Hammel
Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel hasn't won since May 27. It's going to be a while before he can make another attempt to end the streak. Hammel was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to July 29, with a right flexor mass strain. In 21 starts for the Orioles, Hammel is 7-8 with a 5.20 ERA over 123 innings. "He's eligible on the 13th (of August), which is the first day we'd need a fifth starter if we want to use the off-days," Showalter said. "He's had some flexor mass tenderness...

Hammel going on disabled list (updated)

Hammel going on disabled list  (updated)
The news is coming in waves at Camden Yards. The Orioles acquired pitcher Bud Norris and International Signing Bonus Slot No. 91 from the Astros this afternoon for outfielder LJ Hoes and minor league left-hander Josh Hader - both local products - and the 2014 Draft Competitive Balance Pick-Round A, Selection No 2. That's not all. Jason Hammel is being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right arm. He's eligible to return on Aug. 13. Also, outfielder Steve Pearce will be taken...

Hearing from Markakis and Hammel after the O's loss to Boston

Hearing from Markakis and Hammel after the O's loss to Boston
A few minutes after the Red Sox had ended a six-series losing streak with a win over the Orioles, Nick Markakis talked about Boston taking two of three this weekend. "It's disappointing, especially when you come out with the first win," he said. "They're a good club, and we'll be seeing them down the road. It's not over yet. We need to put this behind us. Have a nice off-day tomorrow and finish up this homestand strong. "You know before the game it will be a battle (against Jon...

Showalter speaks after 5-0 loss

Showalter speaks after 5-0 loss
The Orioles suffered their fourth shutout loss of the season today and their first since June 8 at Tropicana Field. The Red Sox hadn't blanked the Orioles at Camden Yards since winning 4-0 on July 20, 2011. Manager Buck Showalter focused more on the offense today than starting pitcher Jason Hammel, who allowed three runs and walked a season-high five batters in 5 1/3 innings while remaining winless since May 27. "I see the things everybody looks at, the ERA and what have you, and I've seen...