No, I'm not talking about my trip to Vegas, which was lots of fun but will not be discussed in this space. I can tell you that I'm back on the East Coast in one piece, sunburn-free and with more money than when I left. So that's all good news. Not much went down Nationals-wise while I was away, unless you count an injury to the Nats' top pinch hitter, a change in the starting rotation, a sweep of a hot division rival, another (yes, another) Nats catcher being knocked out of a game due to...

Here it is: Over their last 22 games, Orioles starting pitchers have worked to an ERA of 5.53. That is a troubling statistic. Orioles rotation this year: * A 3.38 ERA in 27 games, with 15 quality starts through May 5. * A 5.53 ERA in 22 games with 10 quality starts since May 6. Over those first 27 games, the Orioles went 18-9 and their starters were averaging 6.1 innings per outing. In the last 22 games they have gone 11-11 and the starters have averaged 5.82 innings per outing. Yes, that...

Tommy Hunter didn't record an out in the fourth inning last night, giving the Orioles their shortest outing of the season and raising serious questions about his immediate future. Hunter hasn't won since April 24 and his ERA's up to 5.59. He's surrendered 13 home runs in 58 innings. The Orioles can go in a variety of directions with Hunter. They can leave him in the rotation, move him to the bullpen, option him to Triple-A Norfolk today while activating outfielder Endy Chavez from the...

Double-A Harrisburg Senators outfielder Jeff Kobernus. Lecroy said they are watching Kobernus' status and being careful with him as well. "Kobernus has been bothered with a thumb (injury)," Lecroy said. "He hasn't played the last four games. We are resting him on the precautionary side to make sure he is healthy when he comes back. "He has had a solid year so far. The way he prepares every day for each game is just showing his maturity as a player. Hopefully, when we get him back, he...

This post was inspired by Neal Shaffer's guest blog from last Wednesday entitled, "Tell the truth: Do you want Brian Roberts back?" I thought about responding to his post in the comments, but had so many opinions on the subject, it seemed like it needed its own post. First, let's discuss Brian Roberts. Earlier this season, I wrote a post arguing that Roberts was the greatest second baseman in Orioles history. I also made the proclamation that I seriously doubted that he would have any...

Tommy Hunter entered this start winless since April 24 with a 6.17 ERA over his past four starts, and things didn't get any better for him tonight in Toronto. Hunter was knocked out even before getting an out in the bottom of the fourth as the Blue Jays beat the Orioles 6-2 at the Rogers Centre. The Orioles have now lost three in a row to match a season high and have lost six of their last eight games to fall to 29-20. Hunter gave up a run just two batters into the game. He allowed homers...

Tonight, the Orioles are trying to avoid matching their season-long losing streak, which is just three games. That came when they got swept in a three-game series by New York in the second series of the year. The O's lost the last two games of the Kansas City series and scored just five total runs in those games. They left a combined 19 runners on base in the games and went 1-for-13 when hitting with runners in scoring position. The Orioles have been in first place every day since they were...

The Nationals made a roster move after today's 5-3 loss to the Miami Marlins, optioning first baseman/outfielder Tyler Moore to Triple-A Syracuse. They are expected to recall catcher Jhonatan Solano from Syracuse before Tuesday's game to serve share duties with catcher Carlos Maldonado, who went 0-for-4 in today's defeat. The only other catcher on the active roster is Jesus Flores, who left Sunday's game with a mild right hamstring strain. The impending arrival of the 26-year-old Solano...

It wasn't long ago that manager Buck Showalter talked about the welcomed challenge of making room for players who were rehabbing at extended spring training in Sarasota and readying for minor league assignments. Reliever Stu Pomeranz already was a strong candidate to come off the 25-man roster, since the Orioles were carrying an extra reliever, and the decision became a slam-dunk yesterday after he suffered an oblique injury. A spot opened for infielder Mark Reynolds, who was activated from...

Following today's game at Miami, the Washington Nationals optioned infielder Tyler Moore to Syracuse of the International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Moore, 25, batted .158 (3-for-19) in 12 games this season with Washington.