Left-hander Sammy Solis was back. He had recovered from Tommy John surgery. He was pitching again in the game he loved. But something still wasn't quite right. And he was starting to get nervous. "It was one day at a time," Solis said on his May return to high Single-A Potomac. "Every day was different with my arm. One day, it would feel great, the next day it was like, 'Oh, my. Do I need surgery again?' The biggest thing on field to overcome was just my arm tightening up between every...

On behalf of the Lerner Family and the Washington Nationals, we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Michael Weiner. His commitment to the game of baseball was well-recognized throughout the industry and his contributions will have a lasting impact on its long-term vitality. We send our deepest condolences to his family and the many friends and colleagues who mourn his loss.

Nothing from the Orioles so far today. No major league or minor league signings. No new hires in the farm system. Don't despair. I've made plans on Saturday to meet up with my parents and great niece at my sister's house. The last time I paid them a visit, the Orioles traded Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop to the Cubs for Scott Feldman and Steve Clevenger. I found out approximately 25 seconds after walking through the door. So, you know, it's probably going to happen again. Not the same...

Camden Yards is a gem, a rare baseball cathedral that blends classic, retro style with today's version of the national pastime. But its lush outfield grass and manicured infield don't happen by accident. They're the result of a year-round effort by head groundskeeper Nicole McFadyen and her talented grounds crew. Each month during this offseason, Orioles Buzz will check in with McFadyen to see what's happening on the field at Camden Yards as the grounds crew prepares for the 2014...

We're all aware of how good Tyler Clippard has been since joining the Nationals in the trade that sent Clippard to D.C. and Jonathan Albaladejo to the Yankees. Fairly lopsided deal there, huh? Wonder how the Yanks are feeling about that one. In his five years with the Nats, Clippard has appeared in 337 games (an average of 67 per season) and pitched to a 2.72 ERA with a 1.036 WHIP and 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings. Yeah, decent numbers. This season, however, Clippard was so good that...

If you're anything like me, the blockbuster trade announced this week - sending Ian Kinsler to Detroit and Prince Fielder to Texas - made you that much more excited for baseball season. Is it opening day yet? More specifically, is it May 30? On this date, the Astros and Orioles will play in MLB's annual Civil Rights Game in 2014. Should be a game to remember and an awesome event. So, it's not May 30? Is it Feb. 1 yet? The O's announced the date as the day of FanFest. In addition, the...

The baseball world was rocked this week by a huge trade. The Tigers sent Prince Fielder and $30 million to the Rangers for Ian Kinsler. What offseason? While the blockbuster trade dominated national headlines, the Nationals were busy filling vacancies and finalizing their 40-man roster this week. The Nats brought in a familiar face as their new third-base coach. Bob Henley, who has been with the Nats/Expos for the last 11 years, was hired as the new windmill, filling the vacancy created by...

Because I care so much about your early morning nutrition, I'm heating up more leftovers for breakfast. Use your napkin or sleeve. We're not fussy here. Executive vice president Dan Duquette explained yesterday why the Orioles chose to purchase the contracts of pitchers Tim Berry and Eddie Gamboa, and catcher Michael Ohlman, and protect them in next month's Rule 5 draft. "Tim Berry's got a chance to be a left-handed starter in the big leagues and he had a terrific year," Duquette said....

A few quick thoughts while wondering if Alex Rodriguez still thinks everyone is out to get him. Let's look at some payroll math and see which American League East team was most efficient with its spending in 2013. Here were opening day payrolls for each team last year and the wins that money produced: Orioles at $92.2 million for 85 wins Red Sox at $154.5 million for 97 wins Rays at $61.9 million for 92 wins Yankees at $228.1 million for 85 wins Blue Jays at $119.3 million for 74...

Add another Schoop to the Orioles organization. The Orioles announced this afternoon that they signed Jonathan's older brother, infielder Sharlon Schoop, and outfielder Ronald Bermudez to minor league contracts. Sharlon Schoop, 26, signed with the Royals as a minor league free agent on Nov. 25, 2011. He didn't play this year. Schoop is a career .256/.322/.353 hitter in eight minor league seasons, never rising above Double-A. The Giants signed him as a non-drafted free agent in 2004 and he...