Matt Wieters on potential new deal for Adam Jones

Matt Wieters on potential new deal for Adam Jones
Orioles catcher Matt Wieters said that Adam Jones getting a contract extension would be well-received throughout the Orioles' clubhouse. "I think everybody would be very happy for Adam and very happy for the Orioles," Wieters said. "It would mean a great deal for both parties. You know, Adam is a great player, and it's moving in the right direction when you can get players like him to be here for a long time. Adam's been a big part of this team for some years now, so it's nice to keep...

Orioles lineup against Royals; Paulino is here

Orioles lineup against Royals; Paulino is here
It looks like the Orioles are switching backup catchers. Stu Pomeranz is sitting at his locker, but he's not yet listed among the available relievers. Pomeranz said he was pulled off the field yesterday and given the news of his promotion from Triple-A Norfolk. Update II: The moves are official. Pomeranz and Paulino have been recalled from Norfolk. Infielder/outfielder

A call to arms (more on Jones contract update)

A call to arms (more on Jones contract update)
So much for having a day off. It's back to the baseball grind tonight with the Royals arriving at Camden Yards for a three-game series. Jason Hammel turned in five quality starts out of six outings before his swollen right knee altered the early course of his season. He's allowed nine runs (eight earned) and 13 hits in his last two starts covering 10 1/3 innings, with five walks and eight strikeouts. He hasn't cleared the sixth in either start. The Orioles require more innings from Hammel....

Orioles recall Pomeranz and Paulino; Exposito optioned; Hall designated for assignment

Orioles recall Pomeranz and Paulino; Exposito optioned; Hall designated for assignment
The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-handed pitcher Stu Pomeranz and catcher Ronny Paulino from Triple-A Norfolk, optioned catcher Luis Exposito to the Tides and designated infielder/outfielder Bill Hall for assignment. Pomeranz has not allowed an earned run in 10 appearances this season with Triple-A Norfolk (five games, 10 IP) and Double-A Bowie (five games, 13.1 IP). He pitched more than one inning in nine of 10 appearances, striking out 35 and walking three. Pomeranz...

Pomeranz back in bullpen?

Pomeranz back in bullpen?
The Orioles are prepared to make a roster move today, since it's been so quiet around here. Seriously, it isn't all about Adam Jones today. Nothing is official, but reliever Stu Pomeranz is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and return to the Orioles bullpen. The Orioles optioned Pomeranz on May 13 when they purchased outfielder Xavier Avery's contract from Norfolk. Pomeranz threw four scoreless innings over two appearances with the Orioles after having his contract purchased...

ESPN's Tim Kurkjian: "The Orioles are for real in every way"

ESPN's Tim Kurkjian: "The Orioles are for real in every way"
Let's face it, some Orioles fans really get excited when they see or hear national reporters speaking well about their team. This year, they are finally getting to see and read some of that. Earlier this week, ESPN's Tim Kurkjian was a guest with Bob Haynie and Mark Zinno on 105.7 FM the Fan in Baltimore and had some glowing things to say about the Orioles. Kurkjian on Buck Showalter: "He has rescued this franchise in a lot of ways and made them relevant. He has changed the culture in a...

Matthew Taylor: In 1960, winning record was a welcome turn for O's. Baltimore

Matthew Taylor: In 1960, winning record was a welcome turn for O's. Baltimore
Most Orioles fans can name the last time that the team had a winning season: 1997. Fewer can name the first time that the team had a winning season: 1960. Baseball came to Baltimore in 1954; it wasn't until six years later that winning baseball arrived in town. While the 1957 Orioles finished an even 76-76, the Birds totaled more wins, 89, than losses, 65 for the first time in 1960. The 1960 team featured American League Manager of the Year Paul Richards, Rookie of the Year Ron Hansen and...

Romero almost part of combined no-hitter with Norfolk

Romero almost part of combined no-hitter with Norfolk
J.C. Romero made his debut tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, and he nearly became part of minor league baseball history. Miguel Gonzalez threw five hitless innings at Durham, allowing one walk and striking out four. Romero replaced him and retired the side in order in the sixth with two strikeouts in his first appearance since the Cardinals released him on May 14. Eddie Gamboa followed with two hitless innings, leaving the Tides three outs away from a combined no-hitter. But second baseman Ty...

Three O's minor league clubs going with six-man rotations

Three O's minor league clubs going with six-man rotations
As it turns out, not only will Dylan Bundy stay pitching in a six-man rotation when he makes his first start for Single-A Frederick on Saturday night, but starting this weekend, three Orioles farm teams will be using six-man rotations. As Bundy moves to Frederick, right-hander Mike Wright moves from Frederick to Double-A Bowie to start tomorrow night and Zach Britton makes his first outing for the Baysox on Saturday, three O's farm clubs - Delmarva, Frederick and Bowie - will be going with...

Duquette on Romero and rumors (Roberts update)

Duquette on Romero and rumors (Roberts update)
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette talked about the reasons why he signed veteran left-handed reliever J.C. Romero to a minor league contract earlier today and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk. "He's a solid left-handed pitcher who can be a specialist, and he's done that job on a championship team," Duquette said. "He can run his fastball in on left-handed hitters' hands. He's had a lot of success with that." The Cardinals released

Orioles sign Romero (Phillips on DL)

Orioles sign Romero (Phillips on DL)
The Orioles just announced that they signed veteran left-handed reliever Armando Benitez, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Benitez, 39, last appeared in the majors with the Blue Jays in 2008. Update II: Now we know how the Orioles are making room for Romero at Norfolk. Left-hander

For Oriole Advocates, Challenger Baseball is a rewarding endeavor

For Oriole Advocates, Challenger Baseball is a rewarding endeavor
The 16 teams that gathered on baseball diamonds in Thurmont, Md., last weekend for a baseball jamboree didn't focus on wins and losses, batting averages and ERAs. They were more attuned to the game's basic tenets - hitting a pitched ball, fielding and throwing, running the bases. When a physical or developmental disability makes it more difficult to play the game you love, you tend to focus on the little things - and like the saying goes, the little things often mean the most. Since 1991,...

This and that (and more)

This and that (and more)
In case you don't recognize it, the Orioles are experiencing what is commonly known as an "off-day." No reason to report to the ballpark. No workout, no game, no interviews. The rainout that proceeded the doubleheader against the Rangers doesn't count in manager Buck Showalter's book. Players still had to show up at Camden Yards. They hit in the indoor cage and watched video and dressed in front of each other. That's not an "off-day." I'm going to have one of those, too, but not...

Hearing from Arrieta and Johnson

Hearing from Arrieta and Johnson
Jake Arrieta allowed the leadoff hitter to reach base in four of his six innings today, running up his pitch count and lowering his chances of winning. "When you're pitching with a guy on and no outs to start off an inning, you put yourself in a tight situation," he said after a 6-5 loss to the Red Sox. "To start the game, my sinker was running all over the place. Had great life today, felt really good. Breaking balls were really spotty. Wasn't able to command them very well. Started them...

Brian Roberts: "A good first step tonight"

Brian Roberts: "A good first step tonight"
BOWIE, Md. - Even though he batted twice without once swinging at a single pitch, Brian Roberts was pleased with his first game back tonight at Double-A Bowie as he began a 20-day rehab assignment that he hopes leads him back to the major leagues. "Exciting. Fun," Roberts said of getting back in the batter's box for the first time since May 16, 2011. "You realize how much you enjoy playing the game and how fortunate and blessed I have been to play this long to begin with. Hoping to have...

Anthony Amobi: On Roberts and his attempt to return to O's

Anthony Amobi: On Roberts and his attempt to return to O's
As we all know, veteran Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts returned to competitive baseball last night as he played three innings for the Double-A Bowie Baysox last night. Roberts is playing for the Baysox as part of a rehabilitation assignment. He's missed much of the past two seasons dealing with post-concussion syndrome issues and other injuries. His Wednesday night was pretty mundane, as he walked in both his plate appearances and made some routine plays in the field. No matter what...

Kendall on plan for Roberts at Bowie and other notes

Kendall on plan for Roberts at Bowie and other notes
BOWIE, Md. - It was nice to see the familiar swing of Brian Roberts in the batting cage earlier today at Prince George's Stadium. Roberts sprayed some line drives around the ballpark batting left and right-handed. Richmond is starting a lefty tonight in Mike Kickham, who is 2-4 with an ERA of 4.04 and Roberts will leadoff and play second base for the Double-A Baysox. Bowie manager Gary Kendall talked about the plan tonight for Roberts as he plays in his first game since May 16, 2011 when he...

Roberts' first plate appearance is rather uneventful (second one also)

Roberts' first plate appearance is rather uneventful (second one also)
BOWIE, Md - In his first at-bat since May 16, 2011, Brian Roberts drew a five-pitch walk to lead off the bottom of the first for the Double-A Bowie Baysox tonight. You might have been looking for something more dramatic than that, but Roberts watched five consecutive pitches from Richmond Flying Squirrels lefty Mike Kickham and then ran down the line to take first base. Yes, this is a blog entry about a walk. But, heck, we've come all this way. After Buck Britton struck out, Roberts...

Showalter speaks after 6-5 loss

Showalter speaks after 6-5 loss
Orioles manager Buck Showalter was left to explain another disappointing outing from Jake Arrieta and his club's failure to take advantage of some late opportunities in a 6-5 loss to the Red Sox before 27,806 at Camden Yards. Arrieta was charged with four runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. "He's a pitch away from getting out of there with three runs in six innings," Showalter said. "He was so deep in the count. He had a lot of counts in his favor and couldn't put people away. I...

Bowie hosts Richmond tonight as Roberts returns to diamond

Bowie hosts Richmond tonight as Roberts returns to diamond
BOWIE, Md. - Hello from Prince George's Stadium, where the Bowie Baysox host the Richmond Flying Squirrels tonight in Eastern League baseball at 7:05 p.m. It is here where the Orioles' Brian Roberts will begin his 20-day minor league rehab assignment, playing in a game for the first time since May 16, 2011. He has missed 166 games since that time, playing in just 98 games combined for the Orioles over the last two seasons. Roberts has only played in 27 career games at Bowie. He began the...