Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel hasn't won since May 27. It's going to be a while before he can make another attempt to end the streak. Hammel was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to July 29, with a right flexor mass strain. In 21 starts for the Orioles, Hammel is 7-8 with a 5.20 ERA over 123 innings. "He's eligible on the 13th (of August), which is the first day we'd need a fifth starter if we want to use the off-days," Showalter said. "He's had some flexor mass tenderness...

Right-hander Jason Hammel placed on 15-day disabled list, Outfielder Steve Pearce reinstated from DL The Orioles today announced that they have acquired right-hander Bud Norris and International Signing Bonus Slot #91 from the Houston Astros in exchange for OF L.J. HOES, minor league left-hander Josh Hader and Baltimore's 2014 First Year Player Draft Competitive Balance Pick, Round A (selection #2). Norris, 28, was 6-9 with a 3.93 ERA (126.0IP, 55ER) and 13 Quality Starts in 21 starts for...

The news is coming in waves at Camden Yards. The Orioles acquired pitcher Bud Norris and International Signing Bonus Slot No. 91 from the Astros this afternoon for outfielder LJ Hoes and minor league left-hander Josh Hader - both local products - and the 2014 Draft Competitive Balance Pick-Round A, Selection No 2. That's not all. Jason Hammel is being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right arm. He's eligible to return on Aug. 13. Also, outfielder Steve Pearce will be taken...

DETROIT - The Nationals won't be too upset that their time in Detroit has come to an end. A 11-1 loss this afternoon caps off a horrific two-game series, in which the Nats were outscored 16-2 and out-hit 23-11. Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez got stuck with the losses, with Gonzalez allowing 10 earned runs and 11 hits in just 3 1/3 innings today. The Nats had their chances again today, namely in the first inning, when they loaded the bases with none out against Justin Verlander and got...

The Orioles have acquired right-hander Bud Norris from the Astros ahead of the 4 p.m. non-waiver trading deadline. To get the veteran starter, they had to part with outfielder LJ Hoes and minor league pitcher Josh Hader, a left-hander who was a 19th-round draft pick in 2012. In the trade, consummated at about 3:30 p.m., that the Orioles also sent the Astros the second selection in Round A of the competitive balance lottery in the 2014 draft. The deal will require Hoes and Norris to switch...

The rookie-level Gulf Coast League Nationals are off to a league-best 28-6 (.824) record in the East division this summer. The Nats have won 11 of their last 12 games and are 11 games ahead of the GCL Cardinals in first place. The roster is a mixture of young talent from the U.S., Dominican Republic and elsewhere, college kids and players out of high school. They were placed on the roster out of extended spring training and have bonded quickly, becoming a cohesive unit that has dominated the...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter is providing a little rest for Adam Jones, making him the designated hitter tonight against the Astros at Camden Yards. Jones will be serving as the DH for the fifth time this season. Nate McLouth is starting in center field tonight. LJ Hoes is back in left field. For the Astros Jonathan Villar SS Jose Altuve 2B Jason Castro C Chris Carter DH Brett Wallace 1B Marc Krauss RF Brandon Barnes CF Matt Dominguez 3B Robbie Grossman LF Brett Oberholtzer LHP For...

The Orioles will face a left-hander tonight. It just won't be Erik Bedard. The Astros have scratched Bedard and will give the ball to rookie Brett Oberholtzer, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. McTaggart adds that Bedard hasn't been traded, though he's on the block. And I should emphasis that I mean the trading block. We are, after all, in Baltimore. Oberholtzer, 24, has allowed six runs and 11 hits in 7 1/3 innings over three relief appearances for a 7.36 ERA. He's walked none,...

DETROIT - The Nationals had a chance to do some major damage off Justin Verlander in the top of the first when they loaded the bases with no outs. They got one run, but largely let Verlander off the hook. After Jayson Werth's sacrifice fly brought in Denard Span, Adam LaRoche struck out and Ian Desmond grounded out to end the inning. If you had a feeling at that point that the Nats would end up kicking themselves for not capitalizing further, you're probably not alone. In the second, the...

I'm getting ready to make the drive to Camden Yards, which should ensure that news breaks while I'm behind the wheel. The only question is whether it happens while I'm on Rt. 32, 70, 695 or 95. Take your pick. As far as we know, left-hander Erik Bedard remains the scheduled starter tonight for the Astros, but Bud Norris will take his place if the right-hander isn't traded. Orioles manager Buck Showalter has made out at least two lineups. He's ready for anything. An industry source...