If the Orioles stick to their current plan and activate catcher Taylor Teagarden from the 60-day disabled list before Friday night's game at Camden Yards, they will have to create room for him on the 40-man roster. One solution would be to designate catcher Ronny Paulino for assignment. Luis Exposito, who underwent surgery to remove part of a broken hamate bone in his right wrist - it's all the craze in this organization - has been playing for the Gulf Coast League Orioles and seems to be...

The Orioles have until Friday at 5 p.m. Eastern time to sign their top draft pick, LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman. An Orioles source tells MASNsports.com that the club made a new offer yesterday and that the Orioles "still feel pretty confident" that they will get this deal done. The club source would not reveal any details of the new offer, but the slot amount listed for the fourth pick in the draft is $4.2 million. "The ball is in their court," the source said. Gausman is the...

Here, at the All-Star break, let's take a moment. I think we need it. The Orioles have not been playing well for something like a month. Yet, as I wrote earlier this week over at The Loss Column, it's important to keep in mind that they're still not only above .500 but in playoff contention, as well. That this is the case despite the aforementioned substandard play is somewhat amazing. Possibly even cause for celebration. Let's not forget that we're in bonus territory here. Now, back...

I can't make up my mind on the first-half Most Valuable Oriole. Two months ago, I would have selected center fielder Adam Jones and assumed that he was the unanimous choice, and he's still a worthy candidate with a .289 average, 19 doubles, two triples, 20 home runs and 44 RBIs. But he didn't bust through the tape at the first-half finish line. Let's break down his production month-by-month: April: 23 games, .333/.368/.611, six homers, 12 RBIs May: 28 games, .298/.362/.623, 10 home runs,...

With the All-Star Game behind us - and boy, I'll miss it oh, so dearly - we can now start looking ahead to the second half of the season and some of the hot topics which await us. One of those hot topics is the trade deadline and how the Nationals might attack negotiations with other clubs given their legitimate playoff aspirations. There's been talk for a while now about the Nationals having interest in a center fielder with speed who can stabilize the leadoff spot. That's a hole that...

Chris Rahl added to what has been a powerful start to the season by winning the home run derby at the Eastern League All-Star festivities in Reading, Pa., Tuesday night. Rahl outpointed Richmond's Daniel Mayora by scoring bonus points for hitting a crane positioned past the outfield wall. Rahl has 10 homers in the first 79 games for the Senators this season, after hitting five all of last season. He has hit more home runs only once in his career, with 13 back in 2006. The Senators also...

Could we have Game 1 of the World Series in the nation's capital? The National League All-Star team is helping do its part to at least make that a possibility. The NL squad is dominating the American League All-Stars tonight, and has an 8-0 lead. Three San Francisco Giants have played a major factor in the lopsided score. Pablo Sandoval ripped a bases-clearing triple in the first inning, Melky Cabrera crushed a two-run homer in the fourth and starter Matt Cain pitched two scoreless...

The Orioles finally have a presence in the 2012 All-Star Game, and it only took until the top of the sixth inning. Adam Jones took over in center field. Matt Wieters moved behind the plate. Jim Johnson continued to sit in the bullpen. Two out of three ain't bad. Jones ran down Rafael Furcal's fly ball on the first pitch thrown by White Sox left-hander Chris Sale, and he also caught Jay Bruce's fly ball for the second out. Talk about making a late push for MVP! OK, seriously, the...

Can you believe we've reached the All-Star break already, Nats fans? Opening day seems like only yesterday, yet here we are in the dog days of summer, halfway through the season. For the Nationals, it's been a dream start to 2012. The Nats currently sit with the best record in the National League at 49-34 and are in position to not only capture the NL East crown, but the franchise's inaugural postseason berth since moving to Washington seven years ago. As for us at MASNsports.com, it's...

One order of business for the Orioles during the All-Star break involved left-handed reliever J.C. Romero, who could have opted out of his contract with Triple-A Norfolk if he wasn't promoted to the majors. Romero requested and was granted his release earlier today after the Orioles decided not to purchase his contract. He's now a free agent and can sign with any team. Romero allowed four runs and 10 hits in 14 1/3 innings, with five walks and 13 strikeouts in 17 appearances. He was forced...