Poor Bud Norris. Norris pitched two innings against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Aug. 23 before a 3 hour, 9 minute rain delay ended his afternoon. His next start went uninterrupted, but he's back in the clubhouse tonight after allowing an infield single to Reds leadoff hitter Billy Hamilton. A heavy rain began to fall with a 2-2 count on Todd Frazier. Time was called at 7:36 p.m. The game started 23 minutes late due to rain. Norris threw 10 pitches before the next storm arrived. The...

LOS ANGELES - Adam LaRoche and Denard Span both get the day off with the Nationals facing Cy Young Award favorite Clayton Kershaw tonight at Dodger Stadium. LaRoche's back has been bothering him and he's considered day-to-day after leaving Monday's game with tightness. Span isn't in the lineup for the first time since Aug. 13. The Nats center fielder had played every inning of each of the 18 games since, but he is 0-for-5 in his career against Kershaw. With those two not starting, Bryce...

When the Cincinnati Reds played at Camden Yards in 2011, it was their first visit to Baltimore since the 1970 World Series. Tonight they make their second trip since then. The Orioles went 2-1 in that series three years ago and the clubs have split six all-time regular season meetings. Brooks Robinson was the MVP of the 1970 Series that the Orioles took four games to one. He played pretty well then, you can look it up. He is also among the all-time nicest humans ever. Pretty sure that has...

Orioles first baseman Steve Pearce said he'll attempt to swing a bat in the next few days while recovering from a strained right abdominal muscle. He's been playing catch as the only approved baseball activity. Pearce is aiming for a return this weekend against the Rays at Tropicana Field. "I think we're just being extra-cautious right now," Pearce said. "Just want to make sure there's nothing going on. They want me symptom-free so we can make a run down the stretch. "Even though...

The Orioles' expanding roster added four players today. Pitcher Ryan Webb was recalled from Triple-A and outfielder Quintin Berry had his contract purchased from Triple-A. Steve Clevenger and T.J. McFarland were activated after a very short stay with short-season, Single-A Aberdeen. To make room for Berry on the 40-man roster, Manny Machado was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Webb went 3-2 with a 3.80 ERA earlier in 42 Orioles games before being sent to the minors in early August....

The Orioles are done with their September call-ups unless an injury necessitates another roster move. Infielder Garabez Rosa, who batted .282 with 27 doubles, 11 home runs and 69 RBIs in 124 games at Double-A Bowie, will join the taxi squad in Sarasota. Manager Buck Showalter said he expects shortstop J.J. Hardy to start Wednesday night against the Reds. Hardy is available tonight. Showalter added that first baseman Steve Pearce is "real close." I wrote earlier today that Pearce is...

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy said his back feels much better and he expects to return to the lineup Wednesday night at Camden Yards. Hardy left yesterday's game after the seventh inning with a spasm in his lower back. Asked how the back feels today, Hardy replied, "Normal." "I'd say it's as close to 100 percent as possible," he added. "I think it's just kind of avoid what happened in April, take another day and be safe and be good to go tomorrow." Hardy missed five games in April with...

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-hander Ryan Webb from Triple-A Norfolk and catcher Steve Clevenger and left-hander T.J. McFarland from Class-A Aberdeen. Additionally, the club has selected the contract of outfielder Quintin Berry from the Tides. To make room for Berry on the 40-man roster, infielder Manny Machado has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Webb, 28, went 3-2 with a 3.80 ERA (42.2IP, 18ER) in 42 appearances for the Orioles earlier this...

J.J. Hardy isn't in the Orioles lineup for tonight's series opener against the Reds at Camden Yards. Hardy is day-to-day after leaving yesterday's game with a lower back spasm. Ryan Flaherty is starting at shortstop tonight. Alejandro De Aza is in left field. Nick Markakis is serving as the designated hitter tonight, with Nelson Cruz in right field. The Orioles made their roster moves official, recalling relievers Ryan Webb and T.J. McFarland and catcher Steve Clevenger, and selecting the...

Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche was taken out of Monday's matchup against the Dodgers with a recurring back issue. LaRoche told reporters the back had been barking for a while. "It's been tight for a while," LaRoche said. "Last couple days, it's gotten tighter late in the game. In the fourth, fifth inning, it starts really tightening up from just standing around. I've had it before. I hope it's quick, a day or two. But again, you never know." It might be a good time to rest...