NEW YORK - Conor Jackson was the Orioles' final cut in spring training, losing out to Steve Pearce for the last bench spot on the 25-man roster. He figured to get back into the majors this summer. It was only a matter of time. Nine games into his Triple-A season, Jackson has decided to retire. Jackson informed team officials of his decision today, and the Norfolk Tides sent out a tweet confirming it. Outfielder Lew Ford has been promoted from Double-A Bowie to Norfolk as Jackson's...

While it's certainly tough to see Wilson Ramos land on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring after all he's been through in the last couple of years, the Nationals don't believe Ramos will be on the DL for more than the required 15 days. General manager Mike Rizzo said today that the Nats got positive news from an MRI taken on Ramos' hamstring and that doctors believe Ramos won't be out long term. "We don't think it's too serious," Rizzo said, "but it's not something we...

The Nationals placed catcher Wilson Ramos on the 15-day disabled list Sunday morning, and recalled catcher Jhonatan Solano from Triple-A Syracuse to take Ramos' spot on the 25-man roster. Ramos strained his left hamstring in Saturday's loss to the Braves. He was hitting .300 with two homers and three RBIs while splitting catching duties with Kurt Suzuki. Solano, who was hitting .150 in five games at Syracuse, batted .314 with two homers and six RBIs in 12 games with the Nationals last...

The Washington Nationals today recalled catcher Jhonatan Solano from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and placed catcher Wilson Ramos on the 15-Day Disabled List with a left hamstring strain. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Solano batted .314 with three doubles, two home runs, six RBI, two walks and six runs scored in his 12-game debut last season with the Nationals. He posted .351 on-base and .571...

NEW YORK - I was flipping through Sports Illustrated's baseball preview issue, because I tend to fall behind in my reading, and noticed an ominous prediction regarding Orioles closer Jim Johnson. Strikeout rate is the single-best predictor of a pitcher's longevity and effectiveness, according to the magazine, and Johnson fanned only 15.2 percent of the batters he faced last year while setting a franchise record with 51 saves. Since 2000, nine pitchers have recorded 40 or more saves with a...

When the Orioles bullpen gave up six runs in the second game of the season against Tampa Bay, there were already some observers firing off a certain type of comment: "I told you so," they said. They said the Orioles' 2012 bullpen performance could not be duplicated. It was not sustainable. I love that word. Not really. First of all who are they and why do they talk so much? I digress. Listen, the Orioles bullpen may well have plenty of struggles yet, but this 'pen looks good again and...

NEW YORK - Here's a sampling of manager Buck Showalter's comments following today's 5-3 Orioles win over the New York Yankees. On Jason Hammel: "He was pretty good. His command was good. He threw a lot of strikes, threw enough breaking balls, got some big outs when he needed it, like you always say. He made the lead matter. He got it over to our bullpen. They did a great job and Ham was the difference-maker today. You've got to have a quality start. He continues to keep our bullpen in a...

NEW YORK - Jason Hammel earned his second victory today, both of them on the road. He berated himself after the game against the Tampa Bay Rays, but he found more to like this afternoon against the New York Yankees. "Much better," he said after allowing three runs (two earned)in six innings in the Orioles' 5-3 victory. "I still think there's room for improvement, but I feel everything coming around. I know when I'm going good. The slider and fastball command is much better. I was...

The Orioles hit three solo homers and put last night's ugly loss behind them, beating the Yankees 5-3 today behind Jason Hammel at Yankee Stadium. The Orioles even this series at a win each and improve to 5-3 in American League East games and 6-5 overall. The Orioles hit Yankee starter Phil Hughes pretty hard and got to him for solo homers in three consecutive innings. Ryan Flaherty hit his first of the season in the second inning, Nick Markakis hit his second an inning later and Nolan...

NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter appeared to be bothered more by the number of walks and hit batters from his pitchers last night than Adam Jones' dropped fly ball and the triple play that contributed to an 8-5 loss to the New York Yankees. Jason Hammel has been a comfort to Showalter this afternoon. Hammel issued only one walk in six innings, and he left the game with the Orioles ahead, 5-3. Brian Matusz has replaced him in the seventh with the top of the Yankees' order due...