The Orioles are proud to support Major League Baseball and Target in the People Magazine All-Sta Teachers program and are asking fans to nominate a current or retired teacher to represent the Baltimore Orioles at the 2014 MLB All-Star Game. Fans may nominate a teacher who made a significant impact on the lives of their students and communities. One current or retired teacher will be selected to represent each major league team at the 2014 MLB All-Star Game on July 15 at Target Field in...

On a day and night where the Orioles played two games, and 19 innings, and their starting pitchers covered just 10 of those innings, the O's bullpen was called on often during the doubleheader with Pittsburgh. The Orioles used six pitchers in Game 1 and seven in Game 2. Tommy Hunter, Brian Matusz, Darren O'Day and Ryan Webb pitched in both games. O'Day said he felt fine after pitching in both games and was glad to get the work after three days without a game. "You know it's funny,...

Jayson Werth hit the big game-tying ninth-inning double last Wednesday night, on a 3-0 pitch from Angels closer Ernest Frieri. Adam LaRoche took Fernando Salas to left in the next at bat for a walk-off winner that capped off an improbable comeback in a game the Nationals appeared out of until catcher Jose Lobaton homered to start the bottom of the ninth inning. Both Werth and LaRoche pointed to Lobaton's blast to right field as the spark that got the offense started after they were held to one...

While the Orioles decide whether to place pitcher Kevin Gausman on the minor league disabled list with an intercostal strain, they decided early this morning to recall reliever Brad Brach from Triple-A Norfolk. Brach replaces Evan Meek, who was optioned following the Orioles' 6-5, 10-inning victory over the Pirates in Game 2 of a doubleheader at Camden Yards. The doubleheader sweep taxed the bullpen, with Ryan Webb, Darren O'Day, Brian Matusz and Tommy Hunter pitching in both ends. Brach,...

Nationals outfielder Scott Hairston (oblique strain) had a positive rehab start Thursday for Triple-A Syracuse. Hairston played left field, going 1-for-3, with an RBI double and a walk. He also grounded into a double play. His double scored Josh Johnson from second to tie the game in the third inning. The Chiefs went on to win the game, 4-3. The rehab assignment is expected to last four games, which would take him through the weekend with Syracuse, He could then return to D.C. with the Nats...

What's it like to be a baseball mascot? Biographile provided a peek into the unseen world of the men behind the mascots on Thursday in its interview with AJ Mass, a former Mr. Met and author of "Yes, It's Hot In Here; Adventures in the Weird, Wooly World of Sports Mascots." The end result is what the article's author, Patrick Sauer, terms "Nine Mascot Life Lessons, one for each inning of life." I've learned some mascot lessons firsthand thanks to my own admittedly curious ambition and...

The Orioles will open a three-game series tonight in Minnesota, where they only have to worry about frostbite and a smoldering bullpen. They didn't have enough pitching to make it to Target Field without another roster move. Not a chance. And Evan Meek was the most vulnerable reliever, which is why he's headed to Triple-A Norfolk. Early this morning, I tossed out some possible names to join the Orioles - Preston Guilmet, Suk-min Yoon and Tim Berry. Kevin Gausman was the obvious choice until...

PHILADELPHIA - A little over a month into the 2014 regular season, there isn't a single National League East team with a sub-.500 record. Wait, what? The Marlins, who lost 100 games last season, are now 14-14 on the season after finishing off a three-game sweep of the Braves. Wait, what? The Mets, who were seven games under .500 last year and are without ace Matt Harvey, are 15-12 on the young season and actually have a positive run differential. Wait, what? The Phillies, who decided to...

Following Thursday night's game, the Orioles announced that they have optioned right-hander Evan Meek to Triple-A Norfolk. Meek, 30, appeared in 12 games for the Orioles, going 0-1 with a 6.94 ERA (11.2IP, 9ER). A corresponding move will be announced tomorrow.

The Orioles are expected to bring up a reliever for the trip to Minnesota after tonight's doubleheader sweep. The bullpen needs a fresh arm. It won't belong to Kevin Gausman. Gausman was scheduled to start tonight for Triple-A Norfolk - yes, we're past midnight - but an X-ray today revealed a strained intercostal muscle that could force him on the minor league disabled list. Gausman, who's 0-1 with a 2.53 ERA in five starts, would have been the likely choice without the injury. Manager...