Quick Adam Jones update (and more)

Quick Adam Jones update (and more)
Orioles manager Buck Showalter, interviewed on MASN2 after tonight's 8-1 win over the Twins, said center fielder Adam Jones left the game in the second inning because he felt weak. Doctors couldn't find a specific cause, and Jones was sent to a local hospital for more tests. It's not known whether he'll stay overnight. It doesn't sound too serious, but any trip to the hospital is cause for at least a little concern. Hopefully, Jones will tweet an update on his condition later...

Simon simply sensational (O's win 8-1)

Simon simply sensational (O's win 8-1)
Just when I'm convinced that Alfredo Simon should be used as a power arm in the bullpen, he turns in a start like this one. Simon has held the Twins to one run and three hits over seven innings, his only mistake resulting in Danny Valencia's homer in the third. He's walked one and struck out seven. Simon is nearing the end. He's thrown 103 pitches 68 for strikes. In his last three starts, Simon had allowed 16 runs (13 earned) and 29 hits over 15 2/3 innings, with five walks and four home...

A little more on Pie, plus Berken and the doubleheader

A little more on Pie, plus Berken and the doubleheader
The Orioles are hoping that Felix Pie clears waivers and accepts an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk. Manager Buck Showalter just met with reporters before tonight's game in Minnesota. He talked about the risk of designating Pie for assignment. "The bad side of that is somebody could pick him up or he could become a free agent," Showalter said. "But we got to a point where if he can't get at-bats and get back to being what he's capable of being, it wasn't going to work out for...

Jones leaves game with illness (O's lead 8-1)

Jones leaves game with illness (O's lead 8-1)
Matt Angle pinch-hit for Adam Jones with two outs in the top of the second inning and struck out. I know the Orioles like Angle, but that's a pretty big responsibility. Batting for the likely Most Valuable Oriole in the second inning? Actually, the Orioles announced that Jones exited because of an illness. Though the Orioles recalled Angle today, Nolan Reimold figures to get most of the starts in left field as the club continues to evaluate him. But just in case...it's not a bad idea to...

Pie DFA, Orioles and Twins lineups

Pie DFA, Orioles and Twins lineups
The Orioles continued their roster shakeup by designating outfielder Felix Pie for assignment and recalling outfielder Matt Angle from Triple-A Norfolk. Pie has played only once since Aug. 13 and he had a rough day in left field during Sunday's game in Anaheim, losing one ball in the sun and failing to track down two others hit to the fence. He's batting .220 in 85 games. Angle is batting .272 with 13 doubles, three triples, four homers, 33 RBIs and 27 stolen bases in 107 games with...

Minor league notes

Minor league notes
The Double-A Bowie Baysox are trying to become the fourth Orioles farm club to make the playoffs, joining the Gulf Coast and Dominican Summer League teams and the Single-A Frederick Keys. Bowie beat Akron 9-1 last night, snapping a six-game losing streak against that club. The Baysox are now a half-game behind first-place Harrisburg, but two games ahead of Richmond for second place and a playoff spot. Bowie is 70-57 with 14 games to play. The Baysox are 35-28 at home and 35-29 on the...

Case closed with Gregg? (with Fox update)

Case closed with Gregg? (with Fox update)
If we can believe Facebook, Jake Fox is replacing Blake Davis on the 25-man roster. Here's what he posted on his page: "I got the call today. I am headed back to be an Oriole in the morning. I have mixed feelings about going back because I was really looking forward to playing for team USA. Going back to the big leagues takes away my eligibility from playing in the world cup and pan am games. I am excited to be back in the big leagues, but disappointed I will miss the opportunity to...

It's up to the bullpen after Britton (O's win 4-1, Davis optioned)

It's up to the bullpen after Britton (O's win 4-1, Davis optioned)
The Orioles got five innings out of Zach Britton tonight. Now it's up to the bullpen. Britton allowed one run and six hits, with four walks and four strikeouts. He threw 98 pitches, 57 for strikes. That's a lot of baserunners and pitches over five innings, but he was a master at damage control. We'll find out later whether Britton's pitch count was the deciding factor in manager Buck Showalter removing him from the game, or if there's a health issue. Chris Jakubauskas tossed a perfect...

A new homer career high for Wieters

A new homer career high for Wieters
By homering in each of the last two games, Orioles catcher Matt Wieters now has hit a career-high 13 homers on the year. Wieters hit nine in 2009 and 11 last year. Wieters has homers in back-to-back games for the first time all season. Plus, he has now hit three homers over his last seven games after going 21 games without one. Here is another interesting note about Wieters' hitting this year: He is batting much better this season when he bats right-handed, thus facing lefty...

Lauren Tilley: Zach Britton's wild ride

Lauren Tilley: Zach Britton's wild ride
Zach Britton has had a tumultuous rookie year with the Orioles. He expected to begin this season in the minors until an unfortunate injury to Brian Matusz caused Britton to make his debut at the major league level a night later. In that debut, he went six innings of three-hit, one-run ball against the Rays to allow the O's to sweep Tampa Bay in the first series of the season. From there, he went 5-2 over 7 starts with a 2.93 ERA. Pretty good for a rookie. At this point, everyone was talking...

Orioles option Blake Davis to Triple-A Norfolk

Orioles option Blake Davis to Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles announced after tonight's game that they have optioned infielder Blake Davis to Triple-A Norfolk. Davis has batted .254 (15-59) in 25 games for the Orioles this season. A corresponding roster move will be announced at a later time.

Adams announces his presence (so do Hardy and Wieters)

Adams announces his presence (so do Hardy and Wieters)
Ryan Adams was officially recalled today and immediately placed in the starting lineup at second base. Adams didn't waste any time making sure he got noticed. His single into center field in the top of the third inning gave the Orioles a short-lived 1-0 lead against Twins right-hander Carl Pavano. The Twins scored the tying run in the bottom half of the inning against left-hander Zach Britton, who officially came off the disabled list today. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in...

Can Britton begin to regain his earlier form tonight at Minnesota? (Britton through three)

Can Britton begin to regain his earlier form tonight at Minnesota? (Britton through three)
Zach Britton will be back on a major league mound tonight when the Orioles play at Minnesota. He'll be looking to regain the form that saw him win five of his first six Orioles starts and had him being mentioned as an early Rookie of the Year candidate. On May 18, Britton pitched seven shutout against the New York Yankees and, at the end of that night, had an ERA of 2.14 through nine big league starts and a batting average against of .210. Who knew then that down the road he would face...

Adams starting at second base (Berken to DL)

Adams starting at second base (Berken to DL)
Ryan Adams, recalled today from Triple-A Norfolk, is starting at second base for the series-opener in Minnesota. Robert Andino is starting at third. Mark Reynolds is back in the lineup at first base. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Robert Andino 3B Nolan Reimold LF Ryan Adams 2B Zach Britton LHP For the Twins: Revere CF Plouffe SS Mauer 1B Cuddyer RF Kubel LF Thome DH Valencia 3B Hughes 2B...

O's activate Britton, recall Adams and place Berken on DL

O's activate Britton, recall Adams and place Berken on DL
The Orioles today announced that they have activated left-handed pitcher Zach Britton from the 15-day disabled list. Britton will make tonight's start against the Minnesota Twins. The club has also recalled infielder Ryan Adams from Triple-A Norfolk and placed right-handed pitcher Jason Berken on the 15-day DL with a right forearm strain. Britton is 6-9 with a 4.66 ERA (110.0IP, 57 ER) in 20 starts for the Orioles this year. Adams batted .217 (5-23) in nine games with the Orioles earlier this...

It's time to find out if Ryan Adams can play at the major league level

It's time to find out if Ryan Adams can play at the major league level
The reporters with the Orioles in Anaheim, Calif., are indicating that Ryan Adams is expected to return to the club for the series in Minnesota. If Adams does rejoin the Orioles, I hope they plan to use him more this time. From May 20 to June 17, Adams was with the club for his first stay in the majors. He had just six starts in the 25 games he was with the club and only 23 at-bats. He went 5-for-23 with one RBI. It has become more than clear that Buck Showalter is a real Robert Andino fan...

Swept away by L.A.: O's stumble and bumble way to latest loss

Swept away by L.A.: O's stumble and bumble way to latest loss
Probably the best thing that could be said about today's Orioles game is that it's over. In a game that featured a season-high four errors, shaky starting pitching, mental mistakes and overall lackluster play,the Los Angeles Angels beat the Orioles 7-1 to complete a three-game sweep. The Orioles have now allowed 38 runs during a five-game losing streak and fall to 47-77 on the year. They are 17-46 for a winning percentage of just .270 since June 10. Brian Matusz talks to Jim Hunter about...

So what's next?

So what's next?
If you're a fan of the Seattle Seahawks, this tweet yesterday from ESPN's John Clayton (@claytonESPN) should send chills down your spine: "Tavaris Jackson remains the Seahawks starting QB, but Charlie Whitehurst is closing the gap" See you in the Super Bowl. In the darkest of seasons, fans usually can find a sliver of light. I'm just not sure what the Orioles have done this season to brighten your days. They're on pace for more than 100 losses, but at least ... I've got nothing. A...

There are still at least a few reasons to watch the Orioles

There are still at least a few reasons to watch the Orioles
This just in: Orioles games have become difficult to watch and some fans are tuning out early. How can that not be true of a team that is 17-46 over its last 63 games and played what sure looked like very uninspired baseball over the weekend? Today, I am going to take a shot at some reasons to continue to watch the Orioles and retain interest in the games. It is not the easiest exercise, but there are some things still worth watching and tracking. Here is my list: * Can Adam Jones finish...

Weekend tormentor on Halos has a strong Orioles connection

Weekend tormentor on Halos has a strong Orioles connection
To answer one of the extra credit-seeking students at School of Roch, Angels outfielder - and weekend Orioles tormentor - Peter Bourjos does, indeed, have a Baltimore connection. Bourjos is the son of Orioles scout Chris Bourjos, who is based in Scottsdale, Ariz. The elder Bourjos is a former major leaguer, having had a cup of coffee with the San Francisco Giants in 1980. Chris Bourjos joined the Orioles' scouting staff in 2010 after serving in a similar capacity with the Blue Jays...