The NFL draft is over, leaving Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander alone on the clock. Santander had to stay in the majors for the first 44 days of the season to lose his Rule 5 status and allow the Orioles to option him to the minors. No need to put him on waivers or offer him back to the Indians, who gladly would take him. Manager Buck Showalter rattled off the date recently while talking about Santander's development. The calendar has included a circle around May 12. Does he stay or does...

The Nationals get on the board first on a home run from an unlikely source. Third baseman Wilmer Difo, batting out of the No. 9 hole, crushed a Chad Kuhl pitch over the right-center field wall in the bottom of the third. It was Difo's first home run since August 30, 2017, against Miami. Trea Turner reached on a fielding error by third baseman Colin Moran. But for the first time this season, Turner was caught stealing on a throw from catcher Francisco Cervelli to shortstop Jordy Mercer at...

Chris Davis has returned to the Orioles lineup tonight, batting seventh as the first baseman. Davis sat out the last two games against the Tigers at Camden Yards. Pedro Álvarez remains at third base, with Danny Valencia on the bench. Mark Trumbo is the designated hitter after coming off the disabled list earlier today. Chance Sisco is behind the plate to catch Alex Cobb. On this date in 1970, Terry Crowley hit his first career home run, a shot off Twins right-hander and Baltimore native Dave...

This week, I wanted to shift gears, just like the weather finally seems to be, and focus on some fun things going on at some of the Orioles' minor league affiliates' ballparks this weekend. Three of the four O's full-season affiliates will be home this weekend, with the high Single-A Frederick Keys being the lone affiliate on the road. The Triple-A Norfolk Tides, Double-A Bowie Baysox and low Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds will all be home and there is a lot of fun to be had at their...

The latest strokes to the Orioles' 25-man roster were applied today prior to the start of their three-game series in Anaheim. Mark Trumbo has been activated from the disabled list and likely will make his debut tonight, whether he's in right field or serving as the designated hitter. Trumbo has been on the disabled list with a strained right quadriceps muscle, an injury that surfaced in spring training and worsened after one exhibition game. He just completed his rehab assignment at Triple-A...

The sight of Daniel Murphy on the field at Nationals Park this afternoon, hitting balls over the fence during batting practice and moving well as he fielded grounders at second base, could be viewed as nothing but encouraging for a team and a fan base desperate for a boost to their struggling lineup. But the sight of Murphy pulling up short of first base as he tried to run after getting his surgically repaired right knee worked on by a trainer and abruptly halting today's workout could be...

Manager Davey Martinez made an opening statement following the Nationals' 3-2 series-opening win over the Pirates Monday night. He came into the press conference room and said the team has to score more runs and take advantage of opportunities, even after a win. Missed opportunities have slowed their progress to begin the season, starting 13-16. "We got to start scoring runs when we can," Martinez said post game Monday night. "They're playing well. They really are. But when we have a...

ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Orioles begin a six-game West Coast trip here tonight as they play three games against the Los Angeles Angels before moving on to Oakland for three games there this weekend. When the Orioles beat Detroit on Sunday, they won a series for just the second time all year (now 2-7) and the first time at home (now 1-4). At 8-20, they have lost six of eight, 12 of 15 and 14 of their last 18 games. They are 3-10 in road games and have lost six in a row. That all came during the...

Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager is done for the season because of an elbow injury that requires Tommy John surgery. Does that mean that the Dodgers will be calling the Orioles about shortstop Manny Machado, who is eligible for free agency after the season? Like the Orioles, the Dodgers are off to a slow start. The Dodgers' problems are many. They have a thin bullpen and closer Kenley Jansen hasn't dominating. Their starting pitching is thin. Pitcher Rich Hill, third baseman Justin Turner and...

ANAHEIM, Calif. - As the calender turns to May, the Orioles' four full-season minor league teams have a combined record of 46-45. Triple-A Norfolk is 11-10, with Double-A Bowie 11-11, Single-A Frederick 8-16 and Single-A Delmarva at 16-8. The Shorebirds remain in first place by two games over three other teams in their division of the South Atlantic League. Meanwhile, for a 28th round draft pick last year out of UNC-Charlotte, Delmarva left fielder Zach Jarrett is sure looking good right now....