There are plenty of people rooting for Jake Arrieta to perform better consistently at the big league level, including those who have worked the most and closest with him. Like Orioles pitching coach Rick Adair. What does he want Arrieta to accomplish when he joins Triple-A Norfolk after being optioned to the minors today? "I don't think there is any one thing," Adair said this afternoon. "Just get to the point where he can get out there like he did in the third yesterday and do damage...

Orioles pitcher Jake Arrieta emerged from a closed-door meeting with manager Buck Showalter this afternoon and headed to the video room to watch more tape of himself. The work continues. The process of turning him into a consistent major league pitcher continues. Arrieta said he understood why the Orioles optioned him today to Triple-A Norfolk. "I wasn't doing my job well enough. That's the bottom line," he said. "The team needs me. They need me to be better. That's the bottom line,...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter just completed his pregame media session, and I'll post his comments later this afternoon. In the meantime, Showalter stressed that Jake Arrieta was sent down today only because the Orioles needed a long reliever for the next few days after using Tommy Hunter and T.J. McFarland for multiple innings the past two games. Otherwise, Arrieta would still be on the 25-man roster. Showalter said he's convinced that Arrieta is a guy who could help the Orioles make the...

Today, on Earth Day, the Orioles have announced a series of "Go Green" initiatives for 2013. In partnership with the Maryland Stadium Authority, Delaware North Sportservice and the Maryland Transit Administration, the Orioles are working to make Oriole Park even more environmentally friendly. Below are some of the Orioles' green initiatives that have been activated for this season: Ballpark Operations: * Recycling: Oriole Park recycles over 600,000 pounds of materials each year. *...

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-hander Alex Burnett from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned right-hander Jake Arrieta to the Tides. Burnett, 25, was claimed off waivers from Toronto on April 12. He went 4-4 with a 3.52 ERA (71.2IP, 28ER) in 67 appearances for Minnesota in 2012. Burnett is 1-0 in three scoreless appearances for the Tides this season. He will wear uniform #68. Arrieta, 27, is 1-1 with a 6.63 ERA (19.0IP, 14ER) in four starts for the Orioles this season.

The Cardinals return to D.C. today for the first time since rudely knocking the Nationals out of the 2012 playoffs in Game 5 of the National League Division Series. I'm guessing Pete Kozma won't be getting too many free beers in the district over the next three days. The Cards, like the Nats, have a 10-8 record on the season. They've won six of their last 10. Shelby Miller, St. Louis' young stud, will take the mound tonight. He's gotten off to a really nice start to the season, going...

The newest Oriole is Alex Burnett, who joined the club today from Triple-A Norfolk. He takes the roster spot of Jake Arrieta, who was optioned to the Tides. The Orioles claimed the 25-year-old right-hander off waivers from Toronto on April 12 and he had pitched in three games with the Tides, going 3 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on two hits with no walks and four strikeouts. It has been a whirlwind few weeks for Burnett. He was with the Twins the last three seasons, but was claimed off...

Alex Burnett is in the Orioles clubhouse and Jake Arrieta just left Orioles manager Buck Showalter's office. Draw your own conclusions. We were waiting for a roster move, and that could be it. Nothing official yet, but it looks like there is a No. 68 jersey waiting for Burnett. Burnett is a 25-year-old right-hander who was claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays on April 12. Ironically, tonight's opponent is the Blue Jays. He's 8-11 with a 4.61 ERA in 174 career major league games with the...

Veteran right-hander Chris Young will report to Triple-A Syracuse and start for the Chiefs Tuesday night, according to a club source. Young has been pitching in extended spring training after being re-signed to a minor league deal with the Nationals on April 4. Young went 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in four starts over 16 innings, striking out nine and walking seven. He has pitched eight seasons in the majors with Texas, San Diego and the New York Mets, compiling a 53-43 record with a 3.79 ERA. From...

Having Brooks Robinson back at Camden Yards on Saturday eulogizing former Orioles manager Earl Weaver wasn't necessarily a somber occasion. In fact, leading into Saturday's "Celebration of Earl," many fans were telling me they were most looking forward to having the chance to see, listen to, perhaps even meet Robinson. That's the Brooks effect. His mere presence makes wherever he is, whatever is happening a little more special and a lot more enjoyable. He's a civic treasure, to be...