masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles don’t have an extra-base hit since Garrett Atkins homered on Wednesday.

It’s time to raise the singles bar. Make mine a double.

Brian Roberts took live batting practice from both sides of the plate earlier today in Sarasota. Those baseball-related activities are increasing. So are the chances that he’ll get back in the lineup in a few weeks.

The Orioles aren’t completely ruling out June 9, the date Roberts is eligible to come off the disabled list, but he might need a little…The Orioles don’t have an extra-base hit since Garrett Atkins homered on Wednesday.

It’s time to raise the singles bar. Make mine a double.

Brian Roberts took live batting practice from both sides of the plate earlier today in Sarasota. Those baseball-related activities are increasing. So are the chances that he’ll get back in the lineup in a few weeks.

The Orioles aren’t completely ruling out June 9, the date Roberts is eligible to come off the disabled list, but he might need a little more time.

I’m looking forward to watching Chris Tillman pitch today. It’s still May and I’m already scrambling for reasons to get excited about this team – or at least stay indoors.

Let’s see if Tillman is ready to stick in the majors and become one of the young anchors of this rotation. Let’s see if Bergesen can repeat his last start and Brian Matusz can get back to being Brian Matusz. Let’s see if Jake Arrieta can kick down the door and make his major league debut this summer.

It beats waiting for the Orioles to play spoilers in September. I’ve seen that movie more times than Caddyshack.

Tillman, by the way, is wearing No. 24.

In case you missed it, the Oakland A’s purchased the contract of former Orioles outfielder Val Majewski from the independent York Revolution. Majewski, signed to a minor league deal, ranked seventh in batting in the Atlantic League with a .328 average and was third in RBIs (24), tied for fourth in runs (22) and tied for second in hits (39), doubles (10) and extra-base hits (13).

Majewski, who turns 29 next month, hasn’t played in the majors since tearing the labrum in his left shoulder in 2004.