A sampling of Hardy and Wieters from upcoming "Babe's Birthday Bash"

A sampling of Hardy and Wieters from upcoming "Babe's Birthday Bash"
Among the more humorous social media reactions to the Orioles moving back the left field fence approximately 30 feet this season is how former shortstop J.J. Hardy would have scored standing up on Delmon Young's bases-clearing double in Game 2 of the 2014 American League Division Series against the Tigers. The loudest moment in Camden Yards history. The press box literally shook. The new dimensions would have removed the heart-pounding excitement of a close play at the plate. Hardy's...
    

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Pirates traded starter Jameson Taillon to the Yankees yesterday, surrendering a pitcher who underwent two Tommy John surgeries after becoming the second-overall pick in the 2010 draft. They received four prospects in return. There's a tie to the Orioles beyond his arrival in the American League East. Pittsburgh's choice in the draft came down to Taillon or prep shortstop Manny Machado, with the Orioles selecting third. Scouting director Joe Jordan would have pounced on Taillon if the...
    

A look at the minor league rosters and pitching rotations

A look at the minor league rosters and pitching rotations
A new minor league season will begin tonight for three of the four Orioles full-season affiliates. Double-A Bowie, Single-A Frederick and Single-A Delmarva will get its seasons going while Triple-A Norfolk plays its opener on Friday night. Bowie, managed by Gary Kendall, hosts Harrisburg at Prince George's Stadium at 6:35 p.m. Frederick, managed by Ryan Minor, plays at Myrtle Beach at 7:05 p.m. Delmarva, and its first year manager Buck Britton, opens at home hosting Asheville at Perdue Stadium...
    

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
Someone who's much smarter than me, and that's a deep pool of candidates, noted that this year's World Series between the Astros and Dodgers features two 100-win teams for the first time since 1970. The date jumped out at me straight from my childhood. It was a little dusty. My first memories of the Orioles were born in the '70 season. I'm forever grateful that I have no recollection of the loss to the Miracle Mets in '69. Same with Super Bowl III and the NBA Eastern Division semifinals...
    

Former Oriole Delmon Young arrested (and other notes)

Former Oriole Delmon Young arrested (and other notes)
Former Orioles outfielder Delmon Young was arrested in Miami last night and charged with battery after he allegedly choked and threatened to kill a valet attendant and used ethnic slurs, according to Andy Slater of 940 AM radio. Young allegedly grabbed the attendant by the neck at the Viceroy hotel in Miami after being denied access to a club. Police made the arrest at Young's residence. According to a report, Young answered the door naked from the waist down and was unsteady on his feet....
    

Because You Asked - With A Vengeance

Because You Asked - With A Vengeance
As you may have noticed, I don't own the stereotypical mailbag, where I take original questions from fans. That would be boring. Much better to heap on the sarcasm while constantly repeating myself. Nothing wrong with having a little fun, especially during a lull in the activity. You know the drill. You ask, I answer, you ask again, I answer again. And I blame the repetition for my alcohol consumption. Got a favorite sequel? I may be running out of names. Heck, I may have used the same one in...
    

Orioles release Delmon Young and reinstate Nolan Reimold

Orioles release Delmon Young and reinstate Nolan Reimold
The Orioles announced today that they released outfielder Delmon Young and reinstated outfielder Nolan Reimold from the paternity list. Reimold had to be added to the 25-man roster today despite the Orioles being idle. A stint on the paternity list lasts up to three days. Reimold flew home to Jacksonville on Sunday night for the birth of his daughter, Charlotte Rose. He's batting .244/.340/.463 (10-for-41) with a double, triple, two home runs, five RBIs and seven runs scored in 17 games since...
    

Duquette on Young and trade priorities (plus other notes)

Duquette on Young and trade priorities (plus other notes)
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette is continuing his attempts to trade outfielder Delmon Young, who was designated for assignment on July 1. The Orioles had 10 days to trade or release Young, who was batting .270/.289/.339 with six doubles, two home runs and 16 RBIs in 52 games in his second season with the team. He was 2-for-19 in his last eight games. "We're still working with a couple of teams and hopefully it will come together," Duquette said. "We have a couple more...
    

Zach Wilt: Reacting to O's decision to DFA Delmon Young

Zach Wilt: Reacting to O's decision to DFA Delmon Young
For weeks, we have speculated. But on Wednesday afternoon, the tough decision was finally made. Dan Duquette opted to designate Delmon Young for assignment and added reliever Tyler Wilson to the Orioles roster. Unlike previous seasons, the Orioles roster is filled with players who are out of options, which forced the club to part with a guy who slashed .270/.289/.339 for them this season. Like many fans in Charm City, on October 3, 2014, I screamed so loud that I lost my voice. I could actually...
    

Chen on his outing, plus Hardy on his homer, Machado's defense and Young being DFA'd

Chen on his outing, plus Hardy on his homer, Machado's defense and Young being DFA'd
Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen was a bit of a stopper tonight for the Orioles. Sure, he did give up two homers, but they were solo shots and he held down a Texas team that had scored 16 runs and hit eight homers the past two nights. But don't call him a stopper though. "I didn't even think about that," he said through his translator. "All I wanted to do is focus on my game plan and not anything else." That he did, not allowing a run after the fourth inning and pitching eight strong innings on...
    

Buck Showalter on bullpen and 4-2 win

Buck Showalter on bullpen and 4-2 win
Orioles manager Buck Showalter indicated tonight that he won't have a seven-man bullpen for Thursday's series finale against the Rangers. However, starter Bud Norris will be available in relief in an emergency. It appears that Tyler Wilson, recalled today, will be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for starter Kevin Gausman. Wei-Yin Chen allowed two solo home runs over eight innings, throwing only 87 pitches, in the Orioles' 4-2 win before 23,019. Zach Britton struck out the side in...
    

Dan Duquette talks about today's roster move (O's win 4-2)

Dan Duquette talks about today's roster move (O's win 4-2)
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette expressed confidence tonight that the club will be able to trade outfielder Delmon Young, who was designated for assignment to create room for pitcher Tyler Wilson on the 25-man roster. Duquette doesn't expect a deal to be completed tonight, but the Orioles have 10 days. "Delmon is a qualified major league hitter," Duquette said, "and hopefully we will be able to find a spot for him in a few days." Manager Buck Showalter met with Young after...
    

Delmon Young designated for assignment

Delmon Young designated for assignment
The Orioles designated outfielder Delmon Young for assignment today to make room for pitcher Tyler Wilson on the 25-man roster. The move was announced after the club took batting practice. Young was batting .270/.289/.339 with six doubles, two home runs and 16 RBIs in 52 games in his second season with the team. He was 2-for-19 in his last eight games. Manager Buck Showalter wanted to keep "all the pieces," as he says, but the Orioles have a glut of outfielders with no minor league options....
    

Tyler Wilson will be recalled tonight

Tyler Wilson will be recalled tonight
Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed that right-hander Tyler Wilson will be in the bullpen for tonight's game against the Rangers at Camden Yards. He arrived at the ballpark this afternoon. A corresponding move will be announced before first pitch and all signs point to an outfielder coming off the 25-man roster. Nolan Reimold appears to be safe. Showalter said Reimold is going on paternity leave following Sunday's game in Chicago and must return to the roster on Thursday, though the...
    

Orioles lineup vs. Rangers

Orioles lineup vs. Rangers
Adam Jones is back in the Orioles lineup tonight after sitting out Game 2 of last night's doubleheader. Nolan Reimold is in left field and Delmon Young is in right against Rangers left-hander Wandy Rodriguez. Chris Davis is serving as the designated hitter. The Orioles are 10-1 at home and 18-8 overall in June. The last time they posted 20 wins in a calendar month was September 1999 (20-8). Manny Machado is batting .419 (18-for-43) with five doubles, two home runs and 10 RBIs during a 10-game...
    

The challenge of making room for Wei-Yin Chen

The challenge of making room for Wei-Yin Chen
The roster moves continue for the Orioles. If you've got them memorized without taking notes, move up to the front row of the classroom. Better yet, take over for the professor. Wei-Yin Chen will be recalled from Single-A Frederick to make tonight's start against the Indians at Camden Yards. It's time to kick off another homestand after a three-city road trip. The bullpen is down to seven relievers after the Orioles optioned Mychal Givens yesterday, so a position player is expected to come...
    

Adam Jones, MLBPA reps spend time with the kids at James Mosher Little League

Adam Jones, MLBPA reps spend time with the kids at James Mosher Little League
In a joint effort of Orioles outfielder Adam Jones and the Major League Baseball Players Association, several former players joined Jones this morning in West Baltimore at the James Mosher Fields, the home of one of the country's longest continuously operating African-American Little League. After the recent rioting in Baltimore, it was about spending time with the kids and letting them see that some baseball stars care about them. "It was for the community of Baltimore," Jones said this...
    

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees

Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
The Orioles will attempt to run their winning streak to six games tonight and move above .500 for the first time since May 3. They've won seven of their last eight games. Left-hander Brian Matusz's suspension ends on Sunday. The Orioles are 6-1 while playing with a 24-man roster. One more to go. Nolan Reimold remains in left field tonight against Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia. Delmon Young is in right field and batting cleanup. Chris Davis is serving as the designated hitter, with Steve...
    

Orioles and Indians lineups

Orioles and Indians lineups
Matt Wieters is serving as the Orioles' designated hitter today after catching last night in his first game since May 10, 2014. Delmon Young is batting second and playing right field. Steve Pearce is in left field. For the Orioles Manny Machado 3B Delmon Young RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters DH Steve Pearce LF J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty 2B Caleb Joseph C Ubaldo Jimenez RHP For the Indians Jason Kipnis 2B Carlos Santana 1B Michael Brantley LF Brandon Moss RF Nick Swisher DH Lonnie...
    

Wieters batting fifth tonight

Wieters batting fifth tonight
Matt Wieters is in the Orioles lineup tonight for the first time since May 10, 2014, catching and batting fifth against Indians right-hander Shaun Marcum. Shortstop J.J. Hardy returns to the lineup after missing three straight games in Houston and being inserted yesterday as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning. David Lough is in left field tonight and Travis Snider is in right. Jimmy Paredes is serving as the designated hitter and batting sixth. For the Orioles Manny Machado 3B Travis...