The Orioles need a starter for Tuesday night's game in Minnesota, and left-hander Zach Britton did nothing tonight at Triple-A Norfolk to hurt his candidacy. Britton tossed seven scoreless innings against Lehigh Valley, allowing only four hits, walking none and striking out six. He threw 93 pitches, 64 for strikes. In his last five starts, Britton has permitted 10 earned runs and 24 hits over 32 innings, with 12 walks and 23 strikeouts. It's clear that his command has improved over the...

With less than 24 hours now until Friday's 5 p.m. deadline to sign 2012 draft picks, the Orioles remain optimistic that they will come to terms with their top pick, LSU pitcher Kevin Gausman. The Orioles and Gausman's representatives at Legacy Sports have had ongoing talks throughout today, and it appears that they have closed the gap somewhat in terms of a signing bonus. The pool allotment for the draft's fourth pick is $4.2 million, and an industry source said he believed Gausman's reps...

It was announced this afternoon that Bryce Harper was named as the Nationals' team winner of the 2012 Heart and Hustle Award, given out by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. The award honors active players who demonstrate a passion for the game and best embody the values, spirit and tradition of the game of baseball. What a shocker - Harper winning an award for demonstrating passion and hustle. If there was ever was an award that screamed out "Bryce Harper," it's this...

One of the most important acquisitions for the Orioles last winter can't be found on the major league roster or at one of the minor league affiliates. He's currently in Costa Rica on another scouting mission. Fred Ferreira, hired in December as the executive director of international recruiting, is responsible for this week's signing of 25-year-old Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia. Urrutia, who received a $778,500 bonus, batted .397/.461/.597 with 12 homers, 32 walks and 23 strikeouts in 305...

Remember that stretch earlier this season where the Nationals played 32 straight games against teams from either the National League East or American League East? That was a massively important span of games in the Nats' first half. It was a portion of the schedule which was either going to validate the Nationals as legitimate contenders or show them as a team still a year away from being able to compete with the big boys. The Nats came through that 32-game stretch with an 18-14 record....

Last night, I spotted former reliever Arthur Rhodes hanging with friends in Ocean City. He hasn't signed with the Orioles and he isn't reporting to Triple-A Norfolk so he can be stretched out as a starter. That was my first thought. As for current Orioles, since I debated who was the most valuable of the first half yesterday morning, it only seems right to shift the attention to the most disappointing. Keep in mind that I'm not declaring my candidates to be lost causes in 2012. They've...

Chris Rahl and Erik Davis made contributions, but in the end, the Eastern division beat the Western division All-Stars 5-4 in the Double-A Eastern League Midsummer Classic from Reading, Pa. With the scored tied 4-4, Harrisburg closer Hector Nelo was not on target in the bottom of the ninth. Nelo got the call with two outs and walked Troy Hanzawa. Kevin Mahoney singled and Hanzawa went to third. Eric Campbell then singled in Hanzawa for the game-winning run, and Nelo took the loss. Rahl...

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...