The news of yesterday's explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon may have affected Orioles infielder Ryan Flaherty more than anyone else inside the clubhouse. Flaherty is a native of Portland, Maine, and he has a deep appreciation for Patriots' Day, which always includes the marathon. He sat quietly in his Baltimore apartment yesterday, staring at the horrific images flashing on his television screen that will stay with him for a very long time. "In New England, Patriots' Day...

Before the Orioles played the Yankees, New York had scored 32 runs in its previous three games. Tampa Bay has scored three runs in its previous three heading into the series beginning tonight at Camden Yards. The Orioles held New York to 11 runs and we're about to see how they fare against a badly struggling Tampa Bay offense. The Rays left Boston Monday after getting swept by scores of 2-1, 5-0 and 3-2. In 12 games so far, Tampa Bay has a team average of just .205 to go with a slugging...

Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts hasn't been cleared for baseball activities, and he won't be ready to come off the disabled list when eligible on Saturday. It was considered a long shot anyway after an MRI revealed a ruptured tendon behind Roberts' right knee. He sustained the injury on April 4. "He's feeling a little better each day," said manager Buck Showalter. "Still not doing baseball activities, though, so I would think the 20th isn't going to be an option for us." Steve...

Even though he was hitless on Sunday night against Hiroki Kuroda - like most of his teammates - Orioles leadoff man Nate McLouth feels his swing is pretty solid right now as the Orioles host Tampa Bay tonight to begin a nine-game homestand. "I feel good about it. I'm happy with my at-bats. Maybe don't have a ton to show for it yet, but feel like I've been pretty decent so far this season and yeah, I feel good," said McLouth, who is batting .263 in 10 games. The Orioles got shut out in...

Many around minor league baseball, and scouts I talk to, believe high Single-A Potomac Nationals shortstop Jason Martinson deserves to be playing in Double-A. This week he demonstrated he certainly deserves attention for his play at Potomac, earning Carolina League Player of the Week honors. Martinson started the season hitting .303 (10-for-33), with a .429 on-base percentage and a .788 slugging percentage through nine games. The 24-year-old Texas State product had a pair of doubles, one...

Davey Johnson is using this series against the Marlins as a chance to get his bench guys into the mix. After resting Adam LaRoche yesterday and starting Tyler Moore at first base, Johnson has opted to give Bryce Harper and Denard Span their first days off of the season tonight. Harper has struggled over the last few games, going 0-for-13. Moore will play left field tonight, while Roger Bernadina will get the start in center. With Span out, Jayson Werth will return to the leadoff spot in the...

Back home for just their fourth game at Camden Yards this season, the Orioles are using a pretty familiar lineup - the very same one they employed in each of their last two contests. Nate McLouth is in left and leading off for the third straight game. Nolan Reimold is at designated hitter and Ryan Flaherty is playing second. The rest of the usuals are in their normal spots for the series opener against the Rays. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones...

We're only 13 games into the regular season, so we all need to be careful not to read too much into a starting pitcher's numbers just yet. Teams are not even three turns through the rotation at this point, after all. That said, we've seen some very encouraging signs from both Jordan Zimmermann and Ross Detwiler early in the 2013 campaign. Zimmermann made his third start of the season last night, throwing the first nine-inning complete game in his career, and now has three quality starts...

In recognition of the 66th anniversary of Jackie Robinson becoming the first African-American player in Major League Baseball, the Orioles will honor a Jackie Robinson Foundation scholar in a special pre-game ceremony before their game this evening against the Tampa Bay Rays. Brittany Thomas, a sophomore at Johns Hopkins University majoring in Public Health Studies and Global Environmental Change and Sustainability, will be presented with a #42 jersey by Orioles outfielder Adam Jones and will...

Teams are scrambling as a slew of big-name players wind up on the disabled list. The Blue Jays lost shortstop Jose Reyes with an injury to his left ankle, and the Dodgers will be without pitcher Zack Greinke because of a broken collarbone suffered in a fight with the Padres' Carlos Quentin. The Angels are without pitcher Jered Weaver because of a broken left elbow. The Nationals lost catcher Wilson Ramos. Oakland is without outfielder Yeonis Cespedes, and the Reds, after not having an injury...