So far, during this 2012 season, it seems that leg cramps and neck spasms can slow Nolan Reimold's bat better than American League pitchers can. Flashing some of the potential that Orioles fans have seen before, Reimold is off to a fast start - when he can get on the field. In 11 games and 46 at-bats, he is batting .370 with four doubles, five homers, nine runs scored and a stolen base. He has a slugging percentage of .783 and an OPS of 1.166. If he had enough at-bats to quality for the...

Here's a quick update on Orioles' left-hander Zach Britton, who's been rehabbing his left shoulder at the minor league complex in Sarasota. Britton has spent the last few days long-tossing from 120-plus feet. He threw a few pitches off a mound today with a catcher in front of home plate. "Just an exercise to get my arm used to that angle again," he said. "My arm feels strong and healthy." Britton doesn't know when he'll be ready to pitch in a game. "I'm sure Chris (Correnti) and...

Things are going pretty well at the major league level for the Nationals, and within the organization, there's a lot of positive stuff going on at the minor league ranks, as well. Bryce Harper hit his first home run at Triple-A Syracuse yesterday, crushing a 3-1 pitch from Buffalo's Jeurys Familia out to right. It took 16 games and 61 at-bats for Harper to finally go yard with Syracuse, but the Nats' top prospect finds himself in the home run category.

Thoughts on the early going: * The Orioles are getting good pitching from Jake Arrieta and Wei-Yin Chen, but the most impressive aspect of the Orioles' start is their character. After getting swept in three games at home by the Yankees, the Orioles responded well on a road trip that took them to three time zones. They won series at Toronto and Chicago, and then managed to take one of three over the Angels after two late rallies in Sunday's 3-2 10-inning win. Given how the Yankees have...

When it comes to the Orioles, I usually have a great idea of what to say about the team, and generally, it's some kind of justified gripe. However, with the team off to a solid 9-7 start, I find myself slightly conflicted. I'd love to be one to take the optimistic route and say that the start is a sign. No, not even a sign for a pennant win or playoff security, but rather a sign to finish above .500 in what I believe is the toughest division in Major League Baseball. But I can't. Because...

The just-concluded road trip had the potential to be something special after the Orioles took two of three games in Toronto and three of four in Chicago. They lost two of three in Anaheim, removing some of the luster, but they finished above .500 on a three-city jaunt that could have sent them tumbling down the American League East standings. I think we can all agree that going 6-4 on the trip was a nice achievement, especially after the Yankees swept the Orioles at Camden Yards. And being 9-7...

Another Monday, another edition of Clubhouse Cliff Notes. As you might've noticed, there were a lot more wins than losses for the Nationals this week, so most of the chatter in the clubhouse was of an upbeat nature. Here you'll find some of the more interesting, humorous or insightful things said this week. As always, I've tried to keep this entry fresh by going with quotes that I didn't use in previous entries. And away we go: Ryan Mattheus April 18 pregame Context: On his most recent...

In his first three starts as an Oriole, pitcher Wei-Yin Chen is 1-0 with an ERA of 2.60. He has allowed two earned runs or less in each outing and the Orioles have won two of his three starts. Chen recorded his first career quality start Sunday in Anaheim, pitching a season-high 6 1/3 innings. He has a 15-to-6, strikeout-to-walk ratio in 17 1/3 innings. There are certainly some things to like about Chen. They include the fact he is left-handed, is just 26 years old, has some solid experience...

Syracuse Chiefs center fielder Bryce Harper crushed his first homer at the Triple-A level off of Buffalo Bisons starter Jeurys Familia. Harper also added a single and finished 2-for-3, his average now standing at .242. Buffalo won the game 6-1. Double-A Harrisburg Senators starter Jeff Mandel has added a breaking ball to his repertoire. The breaking pitch has more depth and is "coming along," according to a team source. Mandel is 1-1 with a 0.96 ERA in three starts, striking out 10 and...

It was easy to understand why Stephen Strasburg would get upset. Maybe it was the calls he got at San Diego State. Or maybe it was the wide strike zone he occasionally enjoyed at the minor league level. But in his first season, Strasburg would sometimes get riled up when strikes were called balls. He would lose focus and a walk or hit would follow. Suddenly, the opponent was under his skin and gained an edge they could use. Against Cleveland in June of his first season, Strasburg had...