The Orioles traded for Omar Quintanilla this summer because they regarded him as a defensive upgrade in the middle infield. As a guy who could add speed to the lineup. As a guy who might improve the team's on-base percentage. He wasn't supposed to hit home runs. Quintanilla belted his third homer with the Orioles tonight, a solo shot leading off the bottom of the third inning that broke a scoreless tie. The ball appeared to land on Eutaw St., though we never got an announcement from the...

Jayson Werth was scratched from yesterday's lineup due to a sore right ankle. He underwent an MRI on the ankle today, but apparently everything checked out just fine. Werth is back in the Nationals lineup for tonight, hitting fourth and playing right field. While Werth will take his hacks against Giants starter Madison Bumgarner, Michael Morse will not. Morse was pulled from yesterday's game in the fifth inning due to a jammed right thumb. Manager Davey Johnson told reporters last night...

The Orioles made room for left-hander J.C. Romero on their 40-man roster today by designating reliever Miguel Socolovich for assignment. Socolovich posted a 1.90 ERA in 28 games at Triple-A Norfolk and was named to the International League All-Star team. However, he registered a 6.97 ERA in six appearances and 10 1/3 innings with the Orioles during two stints with the club. The Orioles will outright Socolovich to Norfolk if he clears waivers. The Orioles also made Steve Johnson's promotion...

BOWIE, Md. - This is your destination tonight for all the news and notes of Dylan Bundy's first Double-A start. I will keep this blog live during tonight's Bowie-Erie game, updating it often as Bundy pitches, coming up at 6:05 p.m. in his first Bowie start. Bundy is 7-3 with an ERA of 1.92 this year over 19 starts between Single-A Delmarva and Single-A Frederick. He began this season with 33 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run before that ended in his first Frederick...

Manager Buck Showalter casually mentioned the Orioles' plans to convert left-hander Brian Matusz to a reliever. He was asked whether he was disappointed that Matusz and Jake Arrieta hadn't dominated at the Triple-A level. He noted that Arrieta usually is bitten by one bad inning. Then, he surprised reporters with news about Matusz's changing role. Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette have discussed the move with Norfolk manager Ron Johnson and pitching coach Mike Griffin,...

The Orioles have discussed placing left-hander Brian Matusz in Triple-A Norfolk's bullpen, a move that is expected to happen in the near future and could lead to a role change in the majors. Matusz is still scheduled to make another start for the Tides, but he most likely will be pulled from the rotation. Manager Buck Showalter said the club has discussed this move for a few weeks, and the lefty is open to the idea. Anything to get back in the majors. Left-handers are batting .223/.281/.384...

The Nationals announced Tuesday that top infield prospect Anthony Rendon has been promoted to Double-A Harrisburg. In years past, players had to be on the Double-A roster by Aug. 1 to be eligible to participate in the Arizona Fall League. But under new roster guidelines, teams can send seven players to the AFL. The seven appointments can include two low Single-A or first-year draft picks signed by July 13, two high-A players and three Double-A or higher participants. Further, a team is...

BOWIE, Md. - Yes, there is a little excitement at Prince George's Stadium as Dylan Bundy gets set to make his Double-A debut at 6 o'clock in Game 1 of a doubleheader. Bowie's Gary Kendall has never managed Bundy but he saw him in spring training in Sarasota. He was impressed with what he saw. "How focused he was," Kendall said. "There is urgency with him. He wants to move up as quick as he can. Not to say that isn't in every kid, but you see it in him more. You see really good work...

Troy Patton sprained his right ankle Sunday night after rolling it in his parking garage, a "freakish" injury that's forcing him on the 15-day disabled list. "I was walking in the garage where I stay and caught it on the edge of the curb, at angle, and just turned it quick," he said. "I didn't think it was very bad until I woke up the next day, and it was very, very swollen. I thought it was just a little tweak, no problem." It's a problem. Patton will go on the disabled list...

Wei-Yin Chen remains the starter for tonight's series opener against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Steve Johnson and J.C. Romero are listed among the relievers. Troy Patton, with crutches leaning against his locker, is headed to the disabled list with an ankle injury. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 1B Manny Machado 3B Omar Quintanilla 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP