For the first time since 2005, the Orioles will have more than one representative at the All-Star Game. Their streak remains of not having a player voted in - seven years and counting - but center fielder Adam Jones, closer Jim Johnson and catcher Matt Wieters were selected and will represent the Orioles in Kansas City on July 10. A fourth Oriole could join his teammates as a Final Vote candidate, so it's possible that the Orioles will have another representative. UPDATE: Jason Hammel is...

In a move that was anticipated after today's game, the Orioles have optioned right-hander Tommy Hunter to Triple-A Norfolk. No corresponding roster move was announced. Jim Thome will be added to the 25-man roster tomorrow, but the Orioles also are expected to add pitcher Miguel Gonzalez, who was scratched from tonight's start at Norfolk. Hunter is 3-4 with a 6.11 ERA in 15 games, including 13 starts. He relieved left-hander Dana Eveland today and allowed five runs and eight hits in 1 2/3...

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired DH Jim Thome from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for minor league RHP Kyle Simon and CA Gabriel Lino. Thome, 41, is a five-time All-Star and is currently tied with Sammy Sosa for seventh place on the all-time home runs list with 609. He is second among active players in home runs behind Alex Rodriguez (642) and trails only Barry Bonds (762) and Ken Griffey Jr. (630) among left-handed batters. Thome's 1,689 career runs batted in are...

The Orioles tonight announced that they have optioned right-hander Tommy Hunter to Triple-A Norfolk. Hunter is 3-4 with a 6.11 ERA (81.0IP, 55ER) in 15 games (13 starts) for the Orioles this season.

The Orioles are prepared to make two roster moves tomorrow after Dana Eveland threw 77 pitches in 3 2/3 innings and Tommy Hunter threw 51 in 1 2/3 relief innings in an 11-5 loss to the Indians before 35,335 at Camden Yards. Veteran designated hitter Jim Thome will arrive tomorrow, but the Orioles apparently aren't ready to go back to a four-man bench with left-hander Brian Matusz starting the series finale. Miguel Gonzalez was scratched from tonight's start at Triple-A Norfolk, with Oscar...

After he talked about today's game and his homer against Cleveland, Chris Davis was asked about the Orioles adding Jim Thome to the team. "I think it's exciting. He's a guy I loved to watch play growing up. I have a lot of respect for him and I'm excited to have him here, not only as a player, but as kind of a mentor. He's been on winning teams," Davis said. "He obviously knows the game and I've heard nothing but great things about him as far as his character and his personality....

The Orioles completed a trade today that brings veteran designated hitter Jim Thome to Baltimore for Single-A Frederick pitcher Kyle Simon and Single-A Delmarva catcher Gabriel Lino. Thome is expected to be in uniform for tomorrow's game against the Indians. Executive vice president Dan Duquette told reporters that the two sides were engaged in trade talks for about a week before completing it today. "Jim Thome's a real pro and he specializes in hitting home runs and getting on base....

OK, first question. Did the Orioles give up too much for Jim Thome in trading prospects Kyle Simon and Gabriel Lino? Simon, their fourth-round pick out of Arizona last year, is a 21-year-old righty that was with Single-A Frederick. He is 2-8 with a 3.96 ERA over 14 starts. In 72 2/3 innings, he has walked 21 and fanned 49. Simon was supposed to start for Frederick tonight at Winston-Salem, but I heard that he was told a few hours before the game he was not pitching. After going 0-4 with an...

The 104-degree heat in Atlanta got the better of Stephen Strasburg today. The Nationals ace was pulled from today's game after just three innings due to what the team is calling "heat-related issues." Strasburg was really laboring this afternoon and clearly wasn't himself. He walked four hitters and needed 67 pitches to get through his three frames. The righty's final line: three innings, three runs, two hits, four walks and four strikeouts. Only 36 of his 67 pitches were for...

The Orioles are close to completing a trade for a hitter, according to a source outside the organization, and speculation centers on veteran Jim Thome, who isn't in the Phillies lineup today. No one with the Orioles will confirm that a deal is in place, but an announcement is expected following today's game against the Indians at Camden Yards. Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia is reporting that the Orioles and Phillies are engaged in serious talks involving Thome. It appears that an...