SEATTLE - Lefty John Means, who was scheduled to start tomorrow night, was placed on the 10-day injured list today with a shoulder strain. So the Orioles need a starter for Friday night at T-Mobile Park. "As of right now for tomorrow we have a bullpen day," manager Brandon Hyde said. "We're going to see how today plays out and kind of go from there. Nothing really is certain at this point." Left-hander Sean Gilmartin would be one candidate to make the start. He's been stretched out a bit...

SEATTLE - After being outscored by 20 runs during a three-game series where they were swept in Oakland, the Orioles road trip moves to Seattle tonight. The O's (21-53) will by trying to snap a season-long eight-game win streak in tonight's series opener. Baltimore has been outscored 75-26 during the season's longest losing stretch, topping the seven straight losses from May 18-24. They lost by scores of 3-2, 16-2 and 8-3 in Oakland. The Orioles offense came up with only seven runs and 13...

Double-A Bowie outfielder Yusniel Diaz was chosen as the Eastern League's Player of the Week on Monday and hasn't appeared in a game since receiving the honor. Fans are curious about his disappearance. I'm here to clear up any confusion that I don't create on my own. Diaz, 22, was placed on the temporary inactive list because he's on paternity leave. He's put baseball on hold for his baby. Diaz went 8-for-19 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in his last five games. The jewel of the Manny...

Following a 30-minute rain delay, the Nationals did a nice job of making Phillies right-hander Nick Pivetta work in the first two frames. Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto doubled in the first to make it 1-0. Soto was tagged out at third base when the ball got away momentarily on the relay in from left fielder Jay Bruce. Pivetta threw to Maikel Franco at third to tag out Soto. Following a Howie Kendrick single to lead off the bottom of the second inning, Kurt Suzuki lined a two-run shot over the...

SEATTLE - It seems the Orioles got fortunate yesterday with the injury news about Trey Mancini and it is similar today with left-handed starter John Means. The Orioles top starting pitcher for the year - he's 6-4 with a 2.67 ERA - is certain he will return when his 10-day injured list stint is up on an off-day, the day before the O's host Cleveland June 28. He was placed on the IL today, retroactive to June 17, with a left shoulder strain. Means said what he felt at the end of his last start...

The Orioles arrive in Seattle with a season-high eight-game losing streak and Dylan Bundy attempting tonight to extend his streak of eight consecutive starts allowing three earned runs or fewer. Bundy has surrendered only two earned runs (three total) and seven hits with 16 strikeouts in three career games against the Mariners covering 14 2/3 innings. Tonight marks his second start. Former Orioles infielder Tim Beckham has two career hits against Bundy and both are home runs. Trey Mancini is...

The Nationals were at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago last week when a foul ball went screaming into the stands down the third base line and struck a woman, who then needed to be hospitalized. Players had long expressed concerns about dangerous moments like that and supported the idea of extending protective nets at ballparks farther down the lines, and that incident only bolstered their opinion. So today's announcement by managing principal owner Mark Lerner that the club will extend the...

Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who is on the injured list with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, went through full batting practice again Thursday. Between games of the Wednesday doubleheader against the Phillies, he ran the bases and simulated baserunning scenarios out of the box. He said his foot is making progress. Zimmerman has missed 46 games. "It's getting better," Zimmerman said. "I'm starting to run. You just have to do it a few days in a row, get nothing (going wrong),...

What a treat to be able to introduce you to the co-producer of "Hitting the Books," Olivia Witherite. She has been the coordinator and videographer of this blog from day one and an uncompromising supporter of what we do here. She takes the video and edits it to what you see, while working with her social media department to get this blog up and running each time. Today she will tell us about her favorite book of the moment, "The Book Thief," one she could not have more highly recommended to...

The Orioles have designated Dan Straily for assignment today while also losing the most effective pitcher on their staff. John Means is headed to the 10-day injured list with a strained left shoulder. The move is backdated to Monday and he's eligible to return for the series against the Indians that begins June 28 at Camden Yards. A series of moves today also included outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. coming off the concussion injured list and returning to the active roster and reliever Evan...