Eveland outrighted again (updated)

Eveland outrighted again (updated)
Left-hander Dana Eveland has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk for the second time this year. Eveland was designated for assignment on Saturday to make room for reliever Miguel Socolovich on the 25- and 40-man rosters. He went through the same process on March 29 after the Orioles claimed infielder Zelous Wheeler off waivers from the Brewers. Coincidentally, Wheeler moved up today from Double-A Bowie to Norfolk. Eveland, acquired from the Dodgers during the winter...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
The Orioles have lost five of their last seven series after winning four in a row. Left-hander Brian Matusz served up a grand slam in the first inning last night at Triple-A Norfolk, and followed up with six scoreless innings. One of the runs was unearned. Pedro Viola blew the save for Matusz, who allowed five hits, walked four and struck out two in seven innings. He threw 110 pitches, 72 for strikes. In two starts with the Tides, Matusz has permitted three earned runs and nine hits in 16...

Showalter speaks after 4-0 loss (So does Andino)

Showalter speaks after 4-0 loss (So does Andino)
Before manager Buck Showalter can dissect a game, he has to provide an injury update. It's become a tradition here. Here's the Showalter told reporters concerning second baseman Robert Andino: "Dove, landed on his shoulder. He's going to stay back and take an MRI hopefully tomorrow morning and get some information. The trainers are telling me what docs said and what initially they think, but it's just pure speculation until they get the pictures back. I think we'll be able to make a...

Steve Johnson optioned after game, Andino update

Steve Johnson optioned after game, Andino update
Steve Johnson appeared in his first major league game today, served up his first major league home run and was optioned to the minors for the second time. That's enough to make anyone's head spin. The Orioles needed to create room for tomorrow's starter, Chris Tillman, on the 25-man roster. Johnson threw 47 pitches in two innings, including a changeup that Miguel Cabrera deposited into the right-center field seats, and didn't figure to be available for a few days. Johnson shook hands...

Steve Johnson makes major league debut (O's lose 4-0)

Steve Johnson makes major league debut (O's lose 4-0)
The local kid already made good. Today, he made better. Steve Johnson, a graduate of St. Paul's who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk this morning, made his major league debut in the eighth inning and received a loud ovation from the Camden Yards crowd. Johnson, pitching for the first time since July 8, walked the first two batters he faced. He ran the count full to Jhonny Peralta and went 3-1 on Alex Avila. The last pitch to Peralta was extremely close. Ramon Santiago laid down a...

Andino leaves with injury

Andino leaves with injury
The injuries keep mounting for the Orioles. Second baseman Robert Andino left today's game in the top of the sixth inning after appearing to jam his left shoulder while diving for a ball. Alex Avila singled to score Prince Fielder and extend Detroit's lead to 3-0. Andino continued to lie face-down on the ground, as if frustrated that the ball got past him. He actually was dealing with the pain. Andino paced around the infield with assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel at his side and...

Game and Hammel updates

Game and Hammel updates
Miguel Gonzalez has allowed one run with his name spelled incorrectly on the back of his jersey and one run with the proper spelling. Maybe he should try "Miguel" and see how that works for him. Austin Jackson hit a leadoff home run in the first inning while Gonzalez wore a jersey with "Gonzales" stitched on the back. He changed jerseys in the second inning and the Tigers scored again on Brennan Boesch's double and Jhonnhy Peralta's RBI single. Gonzalez allowed only one run over seven...

The two newer faces in the clubhouse

The two newer faces in the clubhouse
Let's start with Steve Johnson, who found out late last night that the Orioles were calling him up for a second time. "It was after the game," he said. "I was about to head out the door and they told me to hold up and called me in. I packed my stuff and started driving." Johnson spent two days with the Orioles in Seattle, but he never got in a game. He has no idea how long he'll be with the club or whether he's going to accompany them to Minnesota. The only certainty is that Johnson...

Britton confirmed for Tuesday, Matusz not candidate for Wednesday

Britton confirmed for Tuesday, Matusz not candidate for Wednesday
The Orioles' rotation for the series in Minnesota that begins tomorrow will not include left-hander Brian Matusz. Chris Tillman will start tomorrow after making it through yesterday's bullpen session without a recurrence of the back spasms that flared up on Thursday. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Zach Britton will start Tuesday, marking the left-hander's first appearance in the majors this season. However, Showalter eliminated Matusz from consideration for Wednesday's...

Teagarden behind the plate today (Hammel surgery Monday)

Teagarden behind the plate today (Hammel surgery Monday)
Taylor Teagarden played in his first game with the Orioles yesterday. He hit his first home run, and the first walk-off shot of his career. Today, he gets to start his first game behind the plate. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Jim Thome DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis LF Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Taylor Teagarden C Robert Andino 2B Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the Tigers: Jackson CF Berry LF Cabrera 3B Fielder 1B Boesch DH Peralta SS Avila C Santiago 2B Kelly...

Orioles will recall Steve Johnson

Orioles will recall Steve Johnson
Orioles manager Buck Showalter used six relievers last night after starter Jason Hammel exited in the fourth inning with a knee injury. He used seven relievers tonight because the game lasted 13 innings. Needing a fresh arm for the bullpen, the Orioles will recall Steve Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk and get him to Camden Yards in time for tomorrow afternoon's series finale against the Tigers that also concludes a brief homestand. Johnson qualifies as a fresh arm. He hasn't pitched since...

Showalter speaks after 8-6, 13-inning victory

Showalter speaks after 8-6, 13-inning victory
Taylor Teagarden hadn't hit a home run in the major leagues since Aug. 18, 2010. He hadn't played in a major league game since Aug 20, 2011. Of course, Teagarden homered tonight to break a 6-6 tie in the bottom of the 13th inning and give the Orioles a rousing 8-6 win over the Tigers before 43,215 at Camden Yards. The Orioles blew a 4-1 lead in the ninth. They overcame a 5-4 deficit in the 11th. They overcame a 6-5 deficit in the 13th. Manager Buck Showalter referred to the Orioles as a...

Surgery likely for Hammel (updated)

Surgery likely for Hammel (updated)
Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel said he's "leaning toward" having surgery to remove a piece of loose cartilage from his right knee. Hammel is expected to be placed on the disabled list tomorrow, and he could make his decision before leaving Camden Yards. Hammel said the MRI taken today didn't reveal any new damage, but the cartilage has floated to a location where it's pressing against a nerve whenever he bends the knee. Manager Buck Showalter suggested that Hammel could return by early...

Chen music soothing to Orioles (Teagarden with walk-off HR)

Chen music soothing to Orioles (Teagarden with walk-off HR)
Winless since June 17, left-hander Wei-Yin Chen is pitching today like the Orioles' staff ace. He pretty much inherited the title, since he's the only one left from the opening day rotation who hasn't been demoted or injured. Chen is on his game today, retiring 13 Tigers in a row as we head to the bottom of the fifth. He's allowed one hit, Prince Fielder's RBI double with two outs in the first. He's walked one and struck out five, including Jhonny Peralta and Gerald Laird in the top of...

Hammel will miss next start (Andino breaks tie)

Hammel will miss next start (Andino breaks tie)
Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel will miss his next start, according to a team spokesman. Manager Buck Showalter will provide more details following today's game. Hammel underwent an MRI on his right knee at 1 p.m. At this point, there's been no indication that he's facing surgery. We're told that Showalter will discuss Hammel's treatment. Hammel limped off the field in the top of the fourth inning last night after throwing a pitch to Tigers outfielder Brennan Boesch. He said the pain was...

Tillman pushed back to Monday, more on roster moves (updated)

Tillman pushed back to Monday, more on roster moves (updated)
Lots and lots of activity today at Camden Yards, and the game isn't scheduled to start for more than two hours. Chris Tillman's next start has been pushed back to Monday in Minnesota after he experienced back spasms a few days ago. Miguel Gonzalez will move up a day and pitch tomorrow against the Tigers at Camden Yards. The Orioles still don't have an update on Jason Hammel, whose MRI took place at 1 p.m. The good news is his right knee didn't swell up during the night. Reviewing the...

Markakis leading off again today (plus roster moves)

Markakis leading off again today (plus roster moves)
Nick Markakis remains atop the order for today's game against the Tigers. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Jim Thome DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis LF Mark Reynolds 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Robert Andino 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP Ronny Paulino is listed among the reserves. No sign of Taylor Teagarden. Update: Teagarden is at Camden Yards, so a roster move could be coming. Update II: The Orioles have activated Teagarden from the 60-day disabled list and selected the...

Rotation would take another hit without Hammel

Rotation would take another hit without Hammel
A reminder that the Orioles will honor Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer today with the unveiling of his statue at 2:15 p.m. All gates open at 2 p.m. Is he available to pitch? Executive vice president Dan Duquette is trying to acquire a starting pitcher. To which I say, "Why only one?" The only good news is that Brian Matusz and Zach Britton were exceptional in their most recent starts, and Tommy Hunter had one bad inning last night out of 7 1/3. I don't need to be reminded that they're...

MRI scheduled for Hammel (with more quotes)

MRI scheduled for Hammel (with more quotes)
Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel will undergo an MRI on his right knee tomorrow at 1 p.m. Hammel exited tonight's game in the fourth inning after throwing his sixth pitch to Tigers right fielder Brennan Boesch. He limped off the field with manager Buck Showalter and assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel after attempting a few warmup tosses. Hammel wasn't available to reporters while receiving treatment on his knee in the trainers room following a 7-2 loss to the Tigers, but he sent along a...

Hammel leaves game with injury (another update on injury)

Hammel leaves game with injury (another update on injury)
Did the Orioles just lose another member of their opening day rotation? Jason Hammel's night is over after three innings and six pitches in the fourth, the shortest outing of his Orioles career. Hammel appeared to land awkwardly on his left leg while delivering a pitch to Brennan Boesch leading off the fourth. Assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel and manager Buck Showalter came to the mound, and Hammel limped off the field after a few warmup tosses. Luis Ayala replaced Hammel, who's...