More on Means tonight and what else is happening this week

Nineteen games remain for the Orioles, but it feels like the first time for John Means.

The left-hander gets back on the mound tonight, finally past his Tommy John surgery and pulled muscle in his upper back and the litany of questions about his recoveries and status. He doesn’t need to say that he’s fine starting or relieving or attempt a guess at his return date.

Means wants to start. He’s a team player and will go along with the program, but yes, he definitely wants to be in the rotation. And the return date is Sept 12, 2023.

The ovation for Means could bring down the center field roof deck bar. Windows could shatter in the warehouse. Jack Flaherty could smile.

(I kid. He’s a serious guy. It’s OK.)

September brings new prizes from MASN's "Touch 'Em All" Orioles Rewards

September brings new prizes from MASN's "Touch 'Em All" Orioles Rewards
Launched in July, MASN has been rewarding its top fans on social media with exclusive Orioles prizes. By sharing Facebook posts, retweeting our writers, tagging Instagram pictures with #masnOrioles and more, fans have earned points, which at the end of the month, accumulated and earned them signed gear from their favorite Orioles. Well, this month is no different. Signed Adam Jones baseballs and a bat autographed by the center fielder are on deck for September. Be sure to sign up for "Touch...

Jones on his struggles and Reimold's departure

Jones on his struggles and Reimold's departure
Even though Corey Patterson had not yet arrived when the media was allowed in the Orioles clubhouse today, Nolan Reimold was already gone. He was hitting just .205 in 25 games. Not far from where Reimold had his locker, Adam Jones talked about Reimold's departure. "It's kind of sad. Everybody knows the process of getting sent down, you have to go down there and work your way back here. There is no other outlook on it. "I'm just hearing it, wow. Let it sink, in. Wow. That's part...

Looking closer at the Adam Jones enigma

Looking closer at the Adam Jones enigma
O's outfielder Adam Jones is struggling at bat, and the worry for fans - and for team officials as well - is that this could be more than just a slump. It hasn't been only a series, road trip or month where Jones has been not great at bat, but all season, and his struggles date back well into last year. This time in 2009, Jones was looking great at the plate, just like the All-Star he would soon be. But the story has been different since the first of June last season, after Jones' torrid...

Lunch with Adam Jones

Lunch with Adam Jones
Get your Adam Jones baseball cards, T-shirts, photos, and baseballs ready for an autograph, as the Orioles centerfielder will be the first Bird to participate in an O's autograph series brought to fans by Wendy's. The young slugger will be at the Wendy's on West Nursery Road in Linthicum, Maryland (1589 West Nursery Road, Linthicum, MD 21090), signing autographs and posing for photos with fans from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10. At Wendy's, you'll likely find that Jones is every...

Behind the scenes of the Bobblehead giveaway

Behind the scenes of the Bobblehead giveaway
It's finally here. Adam Jones Bobblehead Night. You're excited. You're ready to get here early - or at least you were before the sky opened up into a downpour in downtown Baltimore. And a few of you have even said you know right where you'll put yours. But what goes into a bobblehead night at Camden Yards? - A good bit of time, consideration, photos, and discussion, according to Orioles Director of Public Relations Monica Barlow with input from Manager of Programs and Promotions Stasia...

Adam Jones on the New Year

Adam Jones on the New Year
The list of professional athletes with Twitter accounts continues to grow as fast as ESPN can quote them; but still only one Oriole has ventured down the Twitter road, and who might you expect more than the young, outgoing Adam Jones. On the verge of a new year, the approachable Adam Jones took a few minutes to answer a quick handful of questions via, you guessed it, Twitter. Here's what he had to say in 140 characters or less... First, how has the offseason been treating...

Pie and Jones report

Pie and Jones report
Felix Pie and Adam Jones have reported to camp, joining the pitchers and catchers who are required to be here. Pie missed the last nine games after straining his left quadriceps muscle, and the healing process has been painfully slow. He's been in Sarasota for 1 1/2 months and finally is able to run sprints. "My leg is completely better," he said. "It took me like five months to be ready. Every time I'd start to run, it hurt, but it doesn't hurt anymore. "I'm ready to do my...

Roberts, Jones and Millwood

Roberts, Jones and Millwood
The Orioles still expect Brian Roberts to be a full-go when he reports to camp. They haven't received any reports to the contrary. Manager Dave Trembley was asked whether Adam Jones might have gotten a little ahead of himself at one point last season (I know the guy's fast, but I didn't think he was that fast.) "I think he probably wanted to do a little bit too much too soon. I think he got out of his lane a little bit because he wants to do so well," Trembley replied. "We have to...

After illness Marrero feeling confident about 2010

After illness Marrero feeling confident about 2010
I had a nice talk with Nationals minor league first baseman Chris Marrero today as he gets ready for this season. Marrero was a busy man this past season with stops in Potomac, Harrisburg and Phoenix, spanning over 150 games. Chris feels better this week after getting over a bout of food poisioning (possibly from some undercooked chicken) that landed him in the hospital for a night. I talked to him about his season with Potomac and Harrisburg and Arizona winter ball: "My number one goal...

Stammen stamping out his place in Nats rotation

Stammen stamping out his place in Nats rotation
Craig Stammen is one step closer to being named the fifth starter for the Nats rotation to begin the 2010 campaign. He has held his own in spring training and done a good job getting ready for the season. Saturday, Stammen pitched 5 innings and allowed only 2 earned runs. Stammen told me he is learning a lot during his side sessions with Steve McCatty. "I feel comfortable (on the mound) right now, back to where I was before the surgery. My fastball is good, I am throwing it for strikes, I...

How Datz landed in Baltimore as the O's new bench coach

How Datz landed in Baltimore as the O's new bench coach
New Orioles' bench coach Jeff Datz already had one of the most special days of his baseball life in Baltimore. Now he hopes for more after joining the O's coaching staff Thursday. "I'll never forget I got my first Major League hit in Baltimore in 1989 and was able to hand that baseball to my mom and dad. "Being from south Jersey I had about 30 family members there. I was a September callup of the Tigers in '89 and got a base hit off Gregg Olson. I only got 10 at bats that year and...

Quick updates (updated)

Quick updates (updated)
Cesar Izturis was sent back to the team hotel because of a sore throat. Blake Davis has replaced Justin Turner at second base. Turner took a line drive off his foot during batting practice, but he could enter the game later tonight. Brad Bergesen threw another live batting practice session, and has one more scheduled for Sunday. If he continues to feel good, he could start Wednesday's game. Chris George, slowed by a sore hamstring, also threw live BP. Nolan Reimold and Felix Pie took...

Post-game Trembley

Post-game Trembley
Orioles manager Dave Trembley said he removed Brandon Snyder from the game as a precaution after the infielder was hit on the side of his left knee. "It's cold out here," Trembley said. "You get hit like that, get out of the game. He'll be fine." Trembley was especially impressed with two of the club's pitchers. "(Chris) Tillman showed three quality pitches. His fastball was good. I like (Luis) Lebron. He's got a good fastball." Asked about Tillman again, Trembley replied, "He...
Tags:

Looking ahead

Looking ahead
The Orioles play three straight home games after today before subjecting us to back-to-back night games in Bradenton on Wednesday and Fort Myers on Thursday. The Friday afternoon game against the Florida Marlins in Sarasota will be a tough turnaround, but that's why they have spring training. We're getting ready for a 162-game season. Jeremy Guthrie starts against the Boston Red Sox tomorrow. Mark Hendrickson, Kam Mickolio, David Hernandez and Will Ohman also are scheduled to...
Tags:

Gonzo almost a go

Gonzo almost a go
Closer Mike Gonzalez threw a bullpen session this morning and expects to pitch in Friday's game in Clearwater. "A couple batters came up and I tried to let it go a little bit," he said. Gonzalez, who has been dealing with tightness in his lower back, will play light catch tomorrow. "It's just little nagging aches," he said. "I've got to get it out."
Tags: