ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Pedro Strop is listed among the Orioles' relievers on their lineup card today, so he's coming off the disabled list. The lineup doesn't offer any surprises. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Dickerson DH Ryan Flaherty 2B Kevin Gausman RHP For the Rays Matt Joyce RF Ben Zobrist 2B Kelly Johnson LF Evan Longoria 3B James Loney 1B Desmond Jennings CF Luke Scott DH Jose...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen threw from 120 feet today for the first time since going on the disabled list May 12 with a strained oblique. Chen made 25 throws in the outfield at Tropicana Field, with pitching coach Rick Adair, head athletic trainer Richie Bancells and assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel paying close attention. Chen made 25 throws at 90 feet before increasing the distance. He finished up with 10 throws at 60 feet and said he felt good. "It's a...

When Nationals second-round pick Jake Johansen went to D.C. to work out for the Nats leading up to the draft, general manager Mike Rizzo and scouting director Kris Kline told him that they viewed him as a starter, which went contrary to what Johansen was hearing from other scouts, who projected him as a reliever at the pro level. That was something that immediately stood out in the 22-year-old's mind. "I logged it away and I was just hoping that the Nationals would be able to get the chance...

For the Orioles scouting staff, the home stretch has arrived. Months of scouting, watching video, talking to coaches and players, and writing reports culminates in what has happened the last two days with the actual drafting of players. Ten rounds of this draft is in the books and the draft concludes today, starting at 1 p.m., with rounds 11 through 40. In an interview last night after day two was in the books, O's scouting director Gary Rajsich looked ahead to today. He said the deeper...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Brian Roberts sat at a table in the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field after last night's game, a plate of food in front of him and first baseman Chris Davis sitting to his right. Roberts smiled, nodded and dug his fork into a late dinner as Davis engaged him in conversation. Once again, Roberts was part of the team, even though he wore a sweater and jeans instead of a uniform. Roberts took a break from his rehab in Sarasota to visit teammates, walk around the...

The Orioles announced after tonight's game that they have optioned left-hander Mike Belfiore to Triple-A Norfolk. Belfiore was recalled from Norfolk prior to tonight's game. He was also with the Orioles earlier this season, May 12-13, but did not appear in a game. A corresponding roster move will be announced tomorrow.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - For the second day in a row, the Orioles recalled a player from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned him following the game. One and done. Left-hander Mike Belfiore was sent back to Norfolk after tonight's 2-1 loss to the Rays. He wasn't being punished. He didn't pitch. He just sat in the bullpen and watched for nine innings. The move was anticipated, and it's a clear signal that the Orioles plan to activate reliever Pedro Strop from the 15-day disabled list before...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - James Loney led off the bottom of the seventh inning tonight with a single into left-center field, putting the tying run on base against Orioles starter Jason Hammel. Desmond Jennings stepped to the plate, and a few Orioles anticipated a bunt to move Loney into scoring position. Jennings swung at the first pitch and launched a two-run homer to center field. "I went up there thinking he might bunt him over," said Manny Machado following the Orioles' 2-1 loss to the...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles made a minor league trade tonight, acquiring first baseman Seth Loman from the Chicago White Sox organization for cash considerations. Loman, 27, was batting .223/.390/.471 with six doubles, eight homers and 19 RBIs in 39 games at Triple-A Charlotte. He's a career .282/.382/.509 hitter with 123 homers and 424 RBIs in 668 minor league games over eight seasons. Loman has played 319 games at first base. He also can play the outfield. MLB.com first reported...

The Orioles drafted three high school catchers in the first six rounds of this year's draft and have taken four catchers among their first 11 picks so far. Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich said tonight that was not necessarily to help a position that some consider lacking in depth in the organization. "Well, I know what it looks like, but really, in a year like this where there is so much good catching depth in the draft, you kind of have to get it while it's there," Rajsich said....