The big three: Will the Orioles sign Bundy, Esposito and Delmonico?

The big three: Will the Orioles sign Bundy, Esposito and Delmonico?
So now we are two days away from the deadline day to sign 2011 draft picks. The Orioles have three main targets to try to get signed. They are first-round pick Dylan Bundy, the Oklahoma high school pitcher, along with second-round selection, Vanderbilt third baseman Jason Esposito and sixth-round pick, high school third baseman Nicky Delmonico. In recent days I had a feeling the Orioles would get Bundy and one of either Esposito or Delmonico. Now, I sense the Orioles have a good shot to get...

Orioles are set to move their third and fourth-round picks to Single-A Delmarva

Orioles are set to move their third and fourth-round picks to Single-A Delmarva
The Orioles are expected to move pitchers Mike Wright and Kyle Simon, this year's third and fourth-round draft picks, today from short-season Single-A Aberdeen to Single-A Delmarva. Wright, taken in round three out of East Carolina, was 2-1 with an ERA of 3.77 over seven starts for Aberdeen. In 31 innings, he has given up 29 hits with six walks and 29 strikeouts. Over his last three IronBirds' starts, Wright allowed just two earned runs over 16 innings. He also has a 2.33 ground to air out...

Matusz to make Tuesday start (with lineup)

Matusz to make Tuesday start (with lineup)
As expected, the Orioles will recall Brian Matusz to make Tuesday night's start in Oakland. The decision came down to Matusz or reliever Brad Bergesen, who has been valuable coming out of the bullpen. He's allowed one run in his last two appearances covering 7 1/3 innings. Matusz is coming off a five-hit shutout of Lehigh Valley on Thursday. In his last three starts for Triple-A Norfolk, he's allowed four earned runs over 23 innings while also doing a better job of maintaining his...

How low should Hardy go?

How low should Hardy go?
The Orioles are a season-worst 26 games below .500, but who's counting? I completely forgot to pass along reliever Willie Eyre's uniform number yesterday when I first entered the clubhouse. He wore No. 50, which you probably noticed if you watched the game. Chris Davis produced three great plays at first base last night. He made a diving stop of Victor Martinez's smash along the line and got the out, saving two runs in the process. He made a lunging grab of an Alex Avila line drive to end...

More clubhouse chatter

More clubhouse chatter
Adam Jones nearly tied the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, but center fielder Austin Jackson made a leaping catch at the fence to take away a home run. "I've done it before to people, so I know the feeling," Jones said. "A hell of a play. He's turned himself into a one of the best center fielders in the game. I'm a fan of his and I've watched him throughout the years. I've seen his progression at the major league level. He continues to excite people." Adam Jones talks about...

More notes and Showalter quotes

More notes and Showalter quotes
A line drive from Robert Andino in batting practice struck Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque in the head, creating a frightening scene here at Camden Yards. Alburquerque went down hard and was kicking his legs while players from both teams and members of the Tigers training staff gathered around him. Alburquerque left the field on a cart and was taken to a nearby hospital for a CT scan. A photographer in the press box identified Alburquerque as the stricken player. I'll pass along any updates...

The newest Orioles pitcher quickly makes his way to Baltimore

The newest Orioles pitcher quickly makes his way to Baltimore
The newest Orioles pitcher checked into the clubhouse today. Right-hander Willie Eyre is back in the big leagues for the first time since he pitched in 17 games for Texas in 2009. "It's been a long way to get back up," Eyre said. "I've thrown the ball well over the last year and a half or so. It's exciting." The 33-year-old Eyre recently opted out of his contract and left the Oakland organization where he pitched this year at Triple-A Sacramento for the River Cats. He was signed Aug. 3...

Showalter speaks after 5-4 loss

Showalter speaks after 5-4 loss
Tonight's attendance: 21,465 Alfredo Simon allowed a career-high 11 hits in only 4 2/3 innings. He's given up 10 runs (eight earned) and 20 hits in his last two starts covering 9 2/3 innings. Manager Buck Showalter offered the following assessment of tonight's outing: "Just inconsistent. He didn't have much command. I think we gave up 19 or 20 baserunners. We were real lucky to even be in that ballgame. He had one inning that was pretty good crisp-wise, but it was a struggle for...

The Eyre up there (O's lose 5-4)

The Eyre up there (O's lose 5-4)
I've been saving that one. Willie Eyre made his Orioles debut tonight, relieving left-hander Troy Patton with two runners on base and one out in the top of the eighth. The Tigers were looking to build on their 5-4 lead. Eyre was looking to make a good first impression. He made a great one. Eyre kept pumping four-seam fastballs, and he escaped the jam by striking out Magglio Ordonez and retiring Miguel Cabrera on a fly ball to center field. Eyre's fastball hit 93 mph on three occasions. He...

Hardy homer notes and Guerrero's RBI (updated)

Hardy homer notes and Guerrero's RBI (updated)
Shortstop J.J. Hardy has produced his third multi-homer game of the season and the seventh of his career. Bat him first. Bat him second. Just keep him in the lineup. Hardy took Tigers starter Brad Penny deep again in the bottom of the fifth inning to reduce Detroit's lead to 4-3. Adam Jones doubled with two outs and scored on a single by Vladimir Guerrero, who produced his first RBI since Aug. 3. Hardy also homered twice on July 26 and July 28 in Toronto. In between, he went 0-for-4 with...

Good news on Arrieta (updated twice)

Good news on Arrieta (updated twice)
Orioles pitcher Jake Arrieta underwent successful surgery today to remove a bone spur from his right elbow. Orthopedic specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum handled the procedure in California. A team official said Arrieta is expected to be full-go for spring training, which is why it made sense for the pitcher to undergo surgery now instead of waiting until after the season or relying on cortisone injections and treatments. Arrieta will return to Baltimore before the season ends. Meanwhile, Tigers No....

Once again, the O's are in need of a good starting pitching performance

Once again, the O's are in need of a good starting pitching performance
Alfredo Simon did not get his start tonight off to a promising start. The right-hander gave up single runs in the first two innings against Detroit on five singles and two walks. Simon enters with a record of 3-5 and 4.08 ERA and has never made a start against Detroit. The Orioles are once again in need of a good starting pitching performance. Chris Tillman went just 2 2/3 last night and O's starters pitched just 13 1/3 innings in the four-game series with Chicago, allowing 20 hits and 14...

Stringing along the Orioles again in the first (updated twice)

Stringing along the Orioles again in the first (updated twice)
Last night, the Chicago White Sox began their assault on Orioles starter Chris Tillman in the first inning by stringing together a single, home run, double, double and double. Tillman was behind, 4-0, before recording his first out. One night later, Orioles starter Alfredo Simon retired the first Detroit Tigers batter he faced before issuing a walk and allowing three consecutive singles. Fortunately for Simon, the Tigers managed only one run, on Miguel Cabrera's single into left field....

Guerrero and Reynolds look to get offense going as Detroit hits town

Guerrero and Reynolds look to get offense going as Detroit hits town
The only times this year that Vlad Guerrero did not bat fourth for the Orioles were when he pinch hit in interleague games in the ninth spot in the batting order and on July 24 when he played for Double-A Bowie and batted second in the order. Tonight, Guerrero will bat fifth after Adam Jones and before Mark Reynolds, as he tries to snap a 1-for-22 slump over his last six games that has seen his average drop from .285 to .271. He has gone seven games without an RBI. Meanwhile, Reynolds, who...

A few pregame notes (and Tigers lineup)

A few pregame notes (and Tigers lineup)
The Orioles made their roster move official about an hour ago. Reliever Willie Eyre's contract was purchased from Triple-A Norfolk, and pitcher Jake Arrieta was placed on the 60-day disabled list to create room on the 40-man roster. The club still hasn't received any information on Arrieta's surgery today to remove a bone spur from his elbow. Second baseman Brian Roberts worked out in Sarasota, playing long toss and taking ground balls, among other things. He hasn't experienced any...

Orioles announce Nickelodeon Day at Oriole Park

Orioles announce Nickelodeon Day at Oriole Park
The Orioles have teamed up with Nickelodeon to bring SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer to Camden Yards for "Nickelodeon Day at Oriole Park." On Sunday, Aug. 14 when the Orioles take on the Detroit Tigers, the two characters will be on site for a variety of activities including Bird Baseball with the Oriole Bird, greeting fans and posing for photographs. SpongeBob and Dora will also be on-field following the game for the exclusive Dugout Club Members-only Kids Run the Bases. As part...

Reimold leading off tonight

Reimold leading off tonight
The Orioles have a new leadoff hitter tonight: left fielder Nolan Reimold. Shortstop J.J. Hardy is batting second, and Vladimir Guerrero moves down to fifth. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Alfredo Simon RHP

Orioles select contract of RHP Willie Eyre from Triple-A Norfolk

Orioles select contract of RHP Willie Eyre from Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles announced today that they have selected the contract of right-handed Willie Eyre from Triple-A Norfolk. Eyre, 33, is 5-5 with a 3.31 ERA (65.1 IP, 24 ER) in 42 games with the Tides and the Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland A's, this season. Eyre, who signed with the Orioles as a minor league free agent on Aug. 3, is 5-6 with a 5.14 ERA (145.1IP, 83 ER) in 92 career major league games with the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers. He last pitched in the major...

Brian's Bash canceled

Brian's Bash canceled
Some disappointing news to report, fans. Brian's Bash, the annual fundraiser hosted by Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, has been canceled. According to a release issued a few minutes ago, the event has been canceled due to Roberts' injuries. Known as a staple each season, Brian's Bash is a yearly fundraiser benefiting the University of Maryland Children's Hospital and hosted by Roberts. The sixth annual Bash was scheduled for Aug. 28 at Dave and Buster's at Arundel Mills Mall. For...

The comeback trail: 2009 pick Ryan Berry is working his way back with Aberdeen

The comeback trail: 2009 pick Ryan Berry is working his way back with Aberdeen
Ryan Berry was looking forward to the 2011 season. The right-hander went 2-2 with a 3.04 ERA in 17 games last year at Single-A Frederick and it was likely he would have started off this season in the pitching rotation at Double-A Bowie. But he never made it there. The Orioles' ninth-round pick out of Rice from the 2009 draft got sidetracked by shoulder tendinitis in the spring. "Last year, I threw 117 innings and I felt fine," Berry said recently at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen. "I took...