More pre-game Showalter
More pre-game Showalter
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
On the challenges associated with losing David Hernandez and Jason Berken in the bullpen: "It's probably not something that's foreign here. This year's been a challenge physically, and I look at it as an opportunity to see some other people and see them rise to the occasion. (Armando) Gabino, we've heard so much about his slider and we've gotten to see that through necessity some. We've got other people. As the old scouts say, 'Never overlook an orchid while searching for a rose.' I...
This and That
This and That
Josh Land
Orioles
As the O's return home for the start of a seven-game homestand, the Players Trust's annual Buses for Baseball program will visit the ballpark tonight to host children with cancer. Young O's fans from the Cool Kids Campaign will meet O's players Jeremy Guthrie, Ty Wigginton, Luke Scott, Brian Matusz, and Corey Patterson. Buses for Baseball provides the kids with roundtrip transportation to Major League ballparks, and once there, the kids receive free tickets, food, beverages, and...
Berken to DL (w/quotes)
Berken to DL (w/quotes)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles are making the expected move and placing Jason Berken on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right shoulder. Rick VandenHurk is joining the club from Triple-A Norfolk and will be available tonight. Manager Buck Showalter didn't want to discuss the MRI results until the doctor met with Berken, but he said it isn't a surgery situation. The Orioles are hoping that Berken can pitch again this season. Berken's DL assignment is retroactive to Friday. He's eligible to return on Aug....
Matt Bywater update
Matt Bywater update
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Pepperdine pitcher Matt Bywater, the Orioles seventh-round draft pick, said he has had some phone conversations with club officials today, but he still does not have an agreement with the team as of a little after four this afternoon. "Not so much progress at this point," Bywater said. "I'd like to be optimistic, I guess we are kind of at a standstill," he said. The 21-year-old lefty went 6-5, 2.40 in college this year with five complete games and four shutouts. He fanned 83 in 97 2/3...
Orioles lineup (w/note added)
Orioles lineup (w/note added)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott DH Adam Jones CF Felix Pie LF Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis SS Josh Bell 3B Brad Bergesen RHP Update: Jason Berken is still awaiting the results of his MRI, but pitcher Rick VandenHurk appears among the relievers on the magnetic board outside the clubhouse.
Zimmermann: "everything is good" for Syracuse again
Zimmermann: "everything is good" for Syracuse again
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals right-handed starter Jordan Zimmermann had another successful outing for Syracuse at Indianapolis as he prepares to return to the big club, which could be as early as August 25. Zimmermann threw 73 pitches (43 strikes) over five innings, scattering six hits, allowing one run, one walk and striking out three. He is 0-0 with a 0.75 ERA in three starts for Syracuse, a span of 12 innings. Zimmermann said "everything is good. All my pitches are working well. I am especially pleased...
O's 3rd-round pick missed 2009 but is healthy now
O's 3rd-round pick missed 2009 but is healthy now
Steve Melewski
Orioles
While awaiting tonight's draft developments... The Orioles are excited that their third-round draft pick, pitcher Dan Klein of UCLA, should be pitching sometime soon for the Aberdeen IronBirds. Klein was 6-1, 1.90 with ten saves for the Bruins team this year that made the College World Series. It was a big year for Klein as he showed the scouts he was healthy after he took a redshirt year and didn't pitch for UCLA in 2009. Klein missed some time the previous season as well due to shoulder...
Burgess promoted to Harrisburg; eligible for AFL roster
Burgess promoted to Harrisburg; eligible for AFL roster
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Washington Nationals have promoted outfielder Michael Burgess from Potomac to Double-A Harrisburg. The Tampa, FL native hit .262 with 12 home runs and 70 RBI in 101 games this year for Potomac. Burgess crushed 37 homers and drove in 160 in parts of three seasons for the P-Nats. He was the 49th overall selection in the 2007 draft and was voted "Best Outfield Arm" in the Carolina League by Baseball America. With the move being made before August 17, Burgess is eligible to be placed...
Urban hopeful he'll be an Oriole
Urban hopeful he'll be an Oriole
Steve Melewski
Orioles
As of a little after two o'clock this afternoon, there is no announcement of any additional signings of O's draft picks. But there is a long way to go before the midnight deadline. One player the O's still could sign is right-handed pitcher Austin Urban from Richland High in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Urban was taken in the 27th round and told me a few moments ago that he hopes this day ends with his agreeing to terms with the Orioles. He has a college commitment to Penn State, but said...
More suggestions for the Braves' organist
More suggestions for the Braves' organist
Josh Land
Nationals
For Stephen Strasburg's first game in Atlanta, we asked you to provide song suggestions to Matthew Kaminski, the organist for the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Kaminski seeks tips from fans and tries to match up songs to visiting players and pitchers. The Nationals face the Braves this week for a three game series and you'll have another chance to show-off of your cleverness. Scott Olsen, Livan Hernandez and John Lannan are the probable starters, so that's a good place to...