He's been shut down since pitching in a Triple-A game on April 19 and Orioles pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada said today that he will head to California on Sunday for a Monday appointment with Dr. Lewis Yocum about his ailing left elbow. He said that Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery is a possibility. Wada will be getting a second opinion from Dr. Yocum after seeing the Orioles orthopedist, Dr. John Wilckens. "Dr. Wilckens said that he could have a surgery or he could not have a surgery...

Jim Johnson's condition has improved, and he could be released from the hospital later tonight or, more likely, tomorrow morning. Johnson will attempt to eat today. If he can hold down his food, his chances increase of being sent home. Manager Buck Showalter doesn't know whether Johnson would be available to pitch tomorrow night if he returns to Camden Yards. Tsuyoshi Wada will fly into Los Angeles on Sunday and have his left elbow examined the following day by renowned orthopedist Dr....

After missing the last four games, Nolan Reimold is back in left field tonight for the Orioles. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis DH Mark Reynolds 3B Nick Johnson 1B Ryan Flaherty 2B Brian Matusz LHP For the Jays: Escobar SS Lawrie 3B Bautista RF Encarnacion 1B Thames LF Francisco DH Davis CF Arencibia C Vizquel 2B Hutchison RHP

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg knows first-hand what it is like to be the No. 1 selection of a franchise and can empathize with what Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III is going through as he gets ready for the opportunity to join the Washington Redskins. But Strasburg believes Griffin has the makings of an elite quarterback in the NFL because of his physical talent and his overall makeup. "You don't see too many quarterbacks that have all the tools that he has," Strasburg...

There have been plenty of positives for the Nationals through the season's first 18 games - the franchise-best start, the league-best ERA, the clutch hitting and the play of the Nats' bench to name just a few. Individually, there has been plenty to like, as well. A number of Nationals players have gotten off to hot starts and have helped lead the team to the best record in the National League. But I'm curious as to who you think has been the most impressive performer so far this...

How many Orioles fans were outraged by the February trade that sent No. 1 starter Jeremy Guthrie to the Colorado Rockies for pitchers Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom? How many national publications ripped it to shreds - one of them calling it the worst deal of the offseason? It's too early to evaluate any trade made over the winter. We're 18 games into the 2012 season. But Hammel improved to 3-0 with a 1.73 ERA last night after tossing seven shutout innings, and Lindstrom struck out two in...

The Orioles are expected to move 27-year-old right-hander Stu Pomeranz to Triple-A Norfolk in time for the Tides' next game Friday. Norfolk is currently one player under the 25-man limit after Jason Berken joined the Orioles. Pomeranz, who can throw his fastball into the mid-90s, was off to a great start with Double-A Bowie. Over his first 13 1/3 innings, he allowed seven hits, two runs (none earned) with a 20-to-1 strikeout-to-walks ratio. He has pitched three innings in each of his last...

Late last night - or earlier today, if you're one of those who works the morning shift - ex-Oriole Eric Byrnes offered an interesting opinion while recapping the highlights of Wednesday's games on MLB Network's "Quick Pitch." "The cartoon bird," Byrnes said, referring to the logo that adorns the O's new retro-style caps, "I think he needs a name." Byrnes was an Oriole for only 52 games in 2005, a season which also saw him patrol the outfield for the A's and Rockies, who swapped him...

Heading into the 2012 season, Matt Wieters has emerged as a leader for the Orioles. Many have argued whether or not he is a bust - despite only having played in the major leagues for less than three full seasons. That being said, he is far from that. So Wieters has not turned into the next Johnny Bench or a Joe Mauer with power. The promise of the night when he debuted is still there, but it has taken a while to come to the surface. Various television shows, Web sites, sports talk radio...

When Adam LaRoche crossed the plate with the Nationals' seventh run yesterday, those in the visiting dugout at Petco Park must not have known how to react. First of all, their seven runs scored matched their season high. Compared to the Nats' previous five wins (in which they scored a combined 12 runs), yesterday seemed like an absolute offensive explosion. Secondly, they'd actually gotten starter Jordan Zimmermann some run support. Accustomed to pitching in games in which his offense...