Jordan Zimmermann is getting just 2.1 runs of support while he's in the game this season, the third-lowest total in the majors. That number isn't rising tonight. Zimmermann has done his job on the mound this evening, holding the Reds to just one run through five innings of work, but outside of a Wilson Ramos solo home run, the Nationals' starter hasn't gotten much offensive help from his teammates. We're tied 1-1 after five frames. Part of the reason why Zimmermann doesn't have...

Bill Hall didn't see his name in Triple-A Norfolk's lineup yesterday, so he grabbed an outfielder's glove and shagged fly balls during batting practice. He did it on a whim, having no idea that he'd be starting in left field tonight for the Orioles. Worked out pretty well for him. Hall is known primarily as a third baseman, but he's played in the outfield in 240 major league games - including 78 in left. He's played third base in 271 games over his 1o-year major league career. "I'm...

The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of infielder Bill Hall from Triple-A Norfolk and placed infielder Mark Reynolds on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique, retroactive to May 11. Hall, 32, is batting .222/.269/.381 with two home runs and seven RBI in 15 games with the Tides after signing as a minor league free agent on April 25. He had a nine-game hitting streak, April 28-May 6. Hall set career-highs with 35 home runs and 85 RBI in 2006 with...

Those who are getting after Bryce Harper and calling his bat accident last night immature need to relax, in my opinion. Yeah, Harper's 19 and still has some growing up to do. But this was a legitimate bit of misfortune and shouldn't be overanalyzed. You see players spike their batting helmets and toss bats to the ground after striking out all the time. I bet there have been countless times this season when a Nationals player has gone into the tunnel and thrown something after a poor...

After he had hit .259 with 156 strikeouts last year with Double-A Bowie, there was some talk that outfield prospect Xavier Avery would have to go back to Double-A for the 2012 season. But the Orioles instead sent him to Triple-A Norfolk, where he has been hitting well, and tonight, after just 33 games with the Tides, Avery is getting on a plane in Indianapolis and will fly to Baltimore. He is expected to be activated by the Orioles in time for Sunday's game. The reports of Avery joining the...

The Orioles have designated pitcher Brad Bergesen for assignment to make room for Bill Hall on the 40-man roster. Bergesen is 1-2 with a 5.13 ERA in eight games, including six starts, at Triple-A Norfolk. He's allowed 45 hits, walked 13 and struck out 17 in 33 1/3 innings. Bergesen tossed five scoreless innings in Thursday's start after rejoining the Tides' rotation. Bergesen, who lost his arbitration hearing this winter and is making $800,000 instead of the $1.2 million he sought, is...

Matt Lindstrom is waiting to hear the results of the MRI taken on his right middle finger. And he's crossing his fingers that the news will be good. Lindstrom injured the finger during Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Rangers, when he allowed his first two earned runs of the season. Lindstrom hadn't given up an earned run in his first 12 appearances spanning 13 innings, walking three batters and striking out 14. "I still don't know right now," he said. "I'm sure there...

The Orioles haven't announced how they'll make room for Bill Hall on the 40-man roster, but pitcher Brad Bergesen appears to be safe. Hall is wearing No. 35 tonight, which used to belong to Bergesen. However, the corresponding move apparently does not involve him. The Orioles could transfer second baseman Brian Roberts to the 60-day disabled list, but they really want to avoid it. Another 25-man roster move is forthcoming. The Orioles will add a position player, probably by tomorrow, and...

Keep those roster moves coming. Third baseman Mark Reynolds is headed to the disabled list with an oblique injury that he sustained while throwing yesterday in batting practice. The Orioles have purchased Bill Hall's contract from Triple-A Norfolk, and he'll take Reynolds' spot on the 25-man roster. However, the Orioles must clear room for Hall on the 40-man. Reynolds has never been on the disabled list before today. "I hurt my oblique yesterday, and it's not too bad, but it's one of...

A day after accidentally hitting himself in the face with a bat and opening a cut over his left eye, Bryce Harper is in the Nationals' starting lineup. Tough kid. Manager Davey Johnson had suggested that Harper might need a couple days off after the bizarre wall-meet-bat, bat-meet-face incident yesterday, but the 19-year-old will be back in right field tonight, hopefully sans blood dripping down his face. The Nationals will face Reds righty Mat Latos, who allowed two runs and five hits over...