O's select contract of Avery, option Pomeranz; Antonelli designated for assignment

O's select contract of Avery, option Pomeranz; Antonelli designated for assignment
The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of outfielder Xavier Avery and optioned right-hander Stu Pomeranz to Triple-A Norfolk. Avery, 22, batted .273/.373/.469 with five home runs and 16 RBI in 33 games for the Tides. He hit safely in eight of his last nine games, including multi-hit games in each of his last four. Avery will wear uniform number 13. Pomeranz has made two scoreless appearances (4.0IP, 4H, BB, 3K) for the Orioles since having his contract selected on...

Nationals place Ramos on DL, select Leon from Double-A Harrisburg

Nationals place Ramos on DL, select Leon from Double-A Harrisburg
The Washington Nationals today selected catcher Sandy Leon from Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League and placed catcher Wilson Ramos on the 15-Day Disabled List with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (right knee). Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Leon, who will wear No. 41 when he joins the Nationals for their series finale today at Cincinnati, batted .319 with 10 doubles, one home run and 12 RBI in 27 games...

Orioles select Hall's contract, place Reynolds on disabled list

Orioles select Hall's contract, place Reynolds on disabled list
The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of infielder Bill Hall from Triple-A Norfolk and placed infielder Mark Reynolds on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique, retroactive to May 11. Hall, 32, is batting .222/.269/.381 with two home runs and seven RBI in 15 games with the Tides after signing as a minor league free agent on April 25. He had a nine-game hitting streak, April 28-May 6. Hall set career-highs with 35 home runs and 85 RBI in 2006 with...

O's acquire Belfiore from D-backs to complete Bell trade

O's acquire Belfiore from D-backs to complete Bell trade
The Orioles today announced that they have acquired minor league left-hander Mike Belfiore from the Arizona Diamondbacks and assigned him to Double-A Bowie to complete the trade that saw infielder Josh Bell go to Arizona. Belfiore, 23, was a first round sandwich selection (45th overall) in the 2009 First Year Player Draft. He pitched to a 2.37 ERA (19.0IP, 5ER), recording one save, striking out 28 and walking five for Class-A Visalia this season.

Orioles introduce "Birdland Passport" program

Orioles introduce "Birdland Passport" program
The Orioles today unveiled the Birdland Passport program, which will reward fans who visit Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the Orioles' local minor league affiliates. All five minor league affiliates - the Norfolk Tides, Bowie Baysox, Frederick Keys, Delmarva Shorebirds and Aberdeen IronBirds - are participating in the program. "The program is designed to encourage our fans to frequent not only Oriole Park at Camden Yards, but also all of our minor league affiliates' ballparks, which are...

O's unveil Birdland Passport Program

O's unveil Birdland Passport Program
If you're one of those fans who enjoys seeing the Orioles of the future as much as you do heading to Camden Yards for the O's of the present, you'll be interested in the new Birdland Passport Program. The program, unveiled today, rewards fans who visit Camden Yards and the O's minor league affiliates - Triple-A Norfolk, Double-A Bowie, Single-A Frederick, Single-A Delmarva and short-season Single-A Aberdeen. "The program is designed to encourage our fans to frequent not only Oriole Park...

Reliever Hall was a constant of early O's World Series squads

Reliever Hall was a constant of early O's World Series squads
Think about the core group of players that helped the Orioles to four World Series between 1966-71, and you'll likely focus on the powerful bats and slick fielders that made the offense/defense combination of winning baseball in Baltimore - names like Andy Etchebarren, Boog Powell, Davey Johnson, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson and Paul Blair. However, there were Orioles pitchers who appeared in the 1966, 1969, 1970 and 1971 Fall Classics, too. Left-hander Dave McNally and right-hander Jim...

Kestler chosen as O's Honorary Bat Girl

Kestler chosen as O's Honorary Bat Girl
Sunday will be a big day for Tammy Kestler, a mother of three from Glen Burnie. And not just because it's Mother's Day. The Orioles, Major League Baseball and Susan G. Komen for the Cure have announced Kestler as the O's winner of the Honorary Bat Girl contest, a campaign to recognize incredible MLB fans who are going to bat against breast cancer in their daily lives. Kestler, a one-year survivor of breast cancer, has served as team captain for her Young Survivors Group for Komen's Race...

Orioles launch MLB At the Ballpark check-in promotions

Orioles launch MLB At the Ballpark check-in promotions
The Orioles have announced new promotions to accompany the free MLB At the Ballpark application at Camden Yards during the 2012 season. At the Ballpark offers mobile check-in, social media, special offers, rewards and exclusive content for anyone with an Android or iOS device. Incentives for fans to "check-in" using At the Ballpark include many new promotions for the 20th Anniversary season of Camden Yards. First, an "I'm Checked In" T-shirt for the first 20 fans who check in and visit...

O's promote Berken, Pomeranz; option Paulino, Hunter

O's promote Berken, Pomeranz; option Paulino, Hunter
The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-hander Jason Berken, selected the contract of right-hander Stu Pomeranz from Triple-A Norfolk, and optioned catcher Ronny Paulino and right-hander Tommy Hunter to the Tides. left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Pomeranz on the 40-man roster. Berken, 28, is being recalled for the second time this season (also April 25-27). He has pitched to a 1.23 ERA (22.0IP, 3ER) in five starts...

Wang sharp, picks up victory in rehab start; Twins claim Komatsu

Wang sharp, picks up victory in rehab start; Twins claim Komatsu
Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang allowed two runs - one earned - on three hits in six innings tonight on an injury rehabilitation start for Single-A Hagerstown against Rome, a Braves affiliate. Wang, who is on the disabled list and rehabbing a hamstring injury sustained in spring training, was scheduled to start Thursday night for Double-A Harrisburg. But he was scratched from the assignment after a lengthy rain delay, and started tonight for Hagerstown instead. He struck out seven and walked...

Orioles disable Reimold, recall Exposito

Orioles disable Reimold, recall Exposito
The Orioles today announced that they have placed outfielder Nolan Reimold on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 1, with a herniated disc and recalled catcher Luis Exposito from Triple-A Norfolk. Reimold, 28, is batting .313/.333/.627 in 16 games this season. He had a career and team season-high 14-game hitting streak, April 7-29. Exposito, 28, was claimed on waivers from Boson on April 17. He batted .310/.356/.429 in 10 games with the Tides this season and will be making his...

Dempsey's Brewpub and Restaurant now open on non-game days

Dempsey's Brewpub and Restaurant now open on non-game days
If you live or work near Camden Yards, you now have a new dining option for days when the Orioles aren't playing at home. Beginning today, Dempsey's Brewpub and Restaurant is now open for both lunch and dinner. You can eat, drink and be merry on the first floor of the B&O Warehouse beginning at 11 a.m. Slide into Dempsey's - the namesake of former O's catcher, 1983 World Series MVP and current MASN broadcaster Rick Dempsey - for a midday meal, then stop back after work for another of the...

Brooks Robinson sculpture unveiling moved from Saturday, May 12 to Saturday, Sept. 29

Brooks Robinson sculpture unveiling moved from Saturday, May 12 to Saturday, Sept. 29
The Orioles today announced that the BROOKS ROBINSON sculpture unveiling originally scheduled for Saturday, May 12 has been postponed until Saturday, September 29. Robinson's sculpture will be unveiled as part of the Orioles Legends Celebration Series, in which the six greatest Orioles of all time will have a larger-than-life bronze sculpture dedicated in the newly designed centerfield picnic grove. "I am sorry I am unable to be there for the originally scheduled unveiling of the Brooks...

Brooks Robinson sculpture unveiling, promotional giveaway postponed until Sept. 29

Brooks Robinson sculpture unveiling, promotional giveaway postponed until Sept. 29
If you were planning to attend the scheduled May 12 unveiling of the Brooks Robinson sculpture as part of the Orioles Legends Celebration Series at Camden Yards, you're going to have to rework your calendar. Because of health issues, Robinson will not be able to participate in the originally scheduled May 12 event. To allow him to participate in the festivities, the Orioles are moving the statue unveiling to Sept. 30, a Saturday home game against the Red Sox on the regular season's final...

D.C. Sports Hall of Fame inductees to be honored before May 6 Phillies-Nationals game

D.C. Sports Hall of Fame inductees to be honored before May 6 Phillies-Nationals game
The six newest members of the Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame will be honored prior to the Washington Nationals series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, May 6 at Nationals Park. This year, the legendary sports club will enshrine the following inductees: * Glenn Brenner, Celebrated WUSA Sportscaster (inducted posthumously) * Adrian Dantley, Former NBA All-Star and Basketball Hall of Famer * Joe Gallagher, Former St. John's College High School Head Basketball Coach and...

"America's Night of Hope" at Nationals Park postponed

"America's Night of Hope" at Nationals Park postponed
Due to the possibility of inclement weather on April 28, Joel Osteen Ministries has decided to move "America's Night of Hope" to tomorrow, Sunday, April 29, at 4:00 p.m. Gates will open at 2:30 p.m. and original tickets will be accepted for admission. For more information, call: 1-888-567-JOEL (5635).

Flashback: Frank Robinson and the Orioles' transformation into a contender

Flashback: Frank Robinson and the Orioles' transformation into a contender
There's no way around it: Frank Robinson's arrival via trade in December 1965 transformed the Orioles, pushing a club on the precipice of contention into the postseason - immediately. Considered an old 30 and expendable by the Reds, Robinson flourished in Baltimore. He won the Triple Crown in 1966 - leading the American League with a .316 average, 49 homers and 122 RBIs - and sent the Orioles into the World Series, where they shockingly swept the vaunted Dodgers. More accolades followed, as...

Nationals renew agreement with physical therapist Gordon

Nationals renew agreement with physical therapist Gordon
The Washington Nationals have renewed their working agreement with Angela T. Gordon, MPT, ATC, retaining her as the team's physical therapist. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Gordon provides comprehensive outpatient physical therapy services for the Washington Nationals' players, covering the team's pre-season evaluations in Florida and 40 home games during the regular baseball season. Among the job...

In-game All-Star voting begins tonight at Camden Yards

In-game All-Star voting begins tonight at Camden Yards
In-park voting for the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game begins with tonight's game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and continues through Wednesday, June 13. Fans can vote for their favorite Orioles by visiting multiple locations throughout the ballpark, including Fan Assistance Centers, or by obtaining a paper ballot distributed by ushers in the seating bowl and collected in-game. Fans can also cast their votes for Orioles players up to 25 times online at www.orioles.com/allstar...