ARLINGTON, Texas - The Orioles have purchased the contract of veteran left-hander Johan Santana from Triple-A Norfolk and placed him on the 15-day disabled list while he recovers from left shoulder surgery. Santana had a provision in his contract that he could request his unconditional release if not added to the major league roster by May 30. The Orioles already had an opening on their 40-man roster, which Santana will fill, after they outrighted reliever Evan Meek. "His rehab took a...

The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of left-hander Johan Santana from Triple-A Norfolk and placed him on the 15-day disabled list (recovering from left shoulder surgery). Santana, 35, was signed to a minor league contract on March 4. A two-time Cy Young Award winner (2004 and '06), four-time All-Star (2005-07 and '09) and a Gold Glove winner (2007), Santana is 139-78 with a 3.20 ERA (2025.2IP, 721ER) in 360 career games (284 starts) with the Twins and Mets since...

ARLINGTON, Texas - The swelling in Nelson Cruz's left hand has lessened to the point where he can grip a bat without pain, according to team officials. If he gets through batting practice on Tuesday, he should be in the Orioles lineup for their series opener against the Rangers. Manager Buck Showalter may wait to post his lineup, which he's been known to do, until making certain that Cruz gets through BP without a hitch. Cruz, named the American League's Player of the Week earlier today,...

Manager: Ron Washington, eighth year Record: 29-28 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: LF Shin-Soo Choo (.289/.414/.456, 6 HR, 18 RBIs); RF Alex Rios (.320/.352/.473, 22 XBH, 29 RBIs, 11 SB); 3B Adrian Beltre (.291/.354/.442, 5 HR, 20 RBIs); RHP Nick Martinez (1-1, 2.75 ERA) Season series vs. O's (2013): 2-5, 25 runs scored, 32 runs allowed Pitching probables June 3: Joe Saunders vs. Ubaldo Jimenez, 8 p.m., MASN2 HD June 4: Nick Martinez vs. Bud Norris, 8 p.m., MASN2 HD June 5: Colby Lewis vs....

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Orioles have until midnight to work out an agreement with veteran left-hander Johan Santana to push back the opt-out date on his minor league contract, and they remain optimistic that he will remain in the organization. Santana didn't make his scheduled start today at extended spring training. He was supposed to go six innings or throw 85 pitches. Santana threw 76 pitches in 4 1/3 innings in his most recent outing, allowing two runs and six hits, walking none and...

Manager: Ryne Sandberg, second year Record: 24-31 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 2B Chase Utley (.319/.378/.517, 30 XBH, 27 RBIs); RF Marlon Byrd (.274/.330/.476, 8 HR, 17 doubles, 32 RBIs); 1B Ryan Howard (.226/.300/.428, 11 HR, 40 RBIs); RHP A.J. Burnett (3-4, 3.79 ERA) Season series vs. Nats: 2-1, 11 runs scored, 7 runs allowed Pitching probables June 3: David Buchanan vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 7 p.m., MASN HD June 4: A.J. Burnett vs. Stephen Strasburg, 7 p.m., MASN HD June 5: Kyle Kendrick...

Nelson Cruz already tops the major leagues in home runs and RBIs. Now he leads in another category. Cruz, who has hit 20 homers and collected 52 RBIs this year, is now the American League leader among designated hitters in the most recent All-Star Game balloting results. Cruz jumped ahead of Boston's David Ortiz in the latest figures after setting an Orioles record for the most RBIs before the end of May. Cruz has received 888,855 votes and leads Ortiz (766,631), Victor Martinez of the Tigers...

ARLINGTON, Texas - Have yourself a day, Nelson Cruz. And a week. Cruz has been named the American League's Player of the Week after batting .476 (10-for-21) with three doubles, four home runs, eight RBIs, five runs scored and four walks in seven games. Cruz led all major league hitters in slugging percentage (1.190) and was second overall with 25 total bases. Among his AL counterparts, Cruz was tied for second in batting average and homers and was third in RBIs and on-base percentage...

DALLAS - Orioles outfielder Nelson Cruz has a swollen left hand and an inflated vote total. Cruz has passed Boston's David Ortiz for first place among designated hitters in the latest round of All-Star balloting. Cruz, who leads the majors with 20 home runs and 52 RBIs, has received 888,855 votes to surpass Ortiz (766,631), a nine-time All-Star. Cruz would become only the fifth different fan-elected starter at the position, joining Edgar Martinez (1997, 2001, 2003), Jose Canseco (1999),...

One of the top reasons Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo had his eyes on center fielder Denard Span while he was with the Minnesota Twins was his ability to not only get on base, but while he was on base, steal some, and get in a spot where his team can get him home. Recently, Span has been able to take an extra base and force the defense to make a play. In the last series for the Nationals, Span scored from first base thanks to a bad throw to third base. On Sunday Span swiped his eighth...