Waiting on J.J.
Waiting on J.J.
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Dr. James Andrews, the world-famous orthopedist and surgeon to the stars, will examine Jim Johnson's elbow on Thursday in Birmingham, Ala. Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail just confirmed the date in a text message. Johnson is seeking a second opinion after team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens diagnosed the reliever with a strained ligament in his elbow. Assuming that Andrews tells him the same, Johnson will remain shut down until he's cleared to begin a throwing...
Turning the Tides
Turning the Tides
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I'm watching Tom Davis' Take Me Out to the Ballgame on MASN and wondering who's the guy sitting next to him in the wrinkled shirt and jeans? Apparently, there's no dress code for guests. I'd rethink that position (that's what she...never mind.) It's been a slow day, so I'll pass along a few Triple-A tidbits: Dennis Sarfate's fastball was clocked in the 94-96 mph range during Saturday's scoreless outing with Norfolk after the Orioles activated him from the disabled list. Protect...
Where at Nats Park? (Updated)
Where at Nats Park? (Updated)
Josh Land
Nationals
In honor of the Nats' hot start to the season and the cold, windy game yesterday, here's this week's Where at Nats Park. Can you guess what this is? Do you know where it's located at Nationals Park? Answers will be posted on Wednesday. Good luck! Answer: Mayorga Coffee Stand in 111 and 129...great for those real cold nights at the ballpark. You can also feel good about your purchase as Mayorga believes in sustainable practices and "shade grown," pesticide and herbicide-free...
Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
Josh Land
Orioles
Monday sure rolls around fast when summer finally hits, doesn't it? But at least Monday always means one thing here in the Oriole Buzz on MASNsports.com - Another 'Where in the Yard?' photo challenge to get you through the day until the O's take on the Mariners at Camden Yards tomorrow evening. By now, many of you know the drill, but since it is Monday after all, we'll review: Simply take a look at the photo below and let us know what the item is and where it's located in or around...
Is a roster move coming?
Is a roster move coming?
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Tigers Woods withdrew from The Players Championship because he has a bulging disk. I know what you're thinking. Stop it. So, is that different from a herniated disk? Which one is worse? Is it more painful to hit a tee shot or a fastball? So many questions, so little time. I'm hearing strong rumblings that the Orioles will make a roster move today. I figured it might happen before tomorrow night's game. Either way, I think a change is coming. I'll go back to Corey Patterson, who's...
Rizzo and 33 days
Rizzo and 33 days
Byron Kerr
Nationals
With the Nationals' victory over the Florida Marlins 3-2 Sunday, the Nats are 17-14 and won their 17th game of the season 33 days faster than last year's pace. The Nats did not secure the team's 17th win until June 11 last season and by then the Nats were close to 20 games out of first place. I caught up with Nats General Manager Mike Rizzo during the game and we reflected on the Nats great start and how he played it in spring training. He said he told the team to do three things this...
Hard throwing Cooney off to great start at Frederick
Hard throwing Cooney off to great start at Frederick
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After pitching very well late last season for Frederick, right-handed reliever Brandon Cooney is using his plus 90's fastball and an amazing ground-ball ratio to put up numbers there again. Cooney, a 30th-round pick in 2007 out of Florida Atlantic, is 2-0, 0.60 with five saves for the Keys. Over 15 innings, the Keys closer has allowed 12 hits and just one earned run on the season, with seven walks to 18 strikeouts. "I feel really comfortable this year. I walked a few early, but I...
O's lose at Minnesota as offense fires blanks again
O's lose at Minnesota as offense fires blanks again
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Scott Baker had an ERA of 5.35 and Nick Blackburn 5.79. But those two pitchers shut down the O's over the last 24 hours as the Orioles lost the last two games in Minnesota, scoring a total of one run on ten hits. Gary Thorne and Mike Flanagan discuss the O's 6-0 loss with Dave Trembley Today the final was Twins 6, O's 0 as Brian Matusz allowed six runs over 3 2/3. Blackburn had given up 21 hits over his last two starts and opponent hitters were batting .338 against him. But the O's...
Tillman's big day (and Bowie's bad day)
Tillman's big day (and Bowie's bad day)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Chris Tillman didn't throw another no-hitter - he's a tough act to follow - but he held Toledo to one run over seven innings in Triple-A Norfolk's 4-1 victory. Tillman allowed four hits, walked one and struck out 10 while improving to 3-3 with a 3.49 ERA. Is he knocking on the door? Tillman's last six outs came via strikeouts. He faced four batters over the minimum. Can you hear him knocking? Tillman is 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA, four walks and 24 strikeouts in his last four starts. Knock,...
Lesson learned
Lesson learned
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Never make a guarantee at 1 a.m. And that includes anything involving baseball. Left-hander Brian Matusz gave up six runs and nine hits over 3 2/3 innings, falling well short of my prediction of seven innings and a victory. Good luck to Alfredo Simon if he's trying for a save in this one. Nick Blackburn held the Orioles to one hit through five scoreless innings, so Matusz needed to be perfect today. He wasn't up to the task. I'm not staying up late before making my next guarantee.