The Orioles have released their autograph schedule for FanFest on Saturday, Jan. 21. You can go over the particulars about the autograph policy and purchasing autograph vouchers here. The procedure is identical to the system introduced at last year's FanFest. Vouchers go on sale at www.orioles.com/fanfest at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7. Last year, all vouchers sold out before FanFest, so plan accordingly, using the following schedule of player, manager and alumni appearances: ESSKAY...

New Harrisburg Senators manager Matt LeCroy will see some very familiar faces as he takes the helm at Metro Bank Park this spring in his first season as a Double-A skipper. LeCroy said his team in Potomac persevered when it did not appear to be a formidable offensive threat early on. But behind quality pitching, the team defied a difficult first half, and scraped together hits and rallies in the final month of season to earn a playoff spot. This experience at Single-A will be a major boost...

Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis underwent surgery yesterday in Philadelphia to repair a torn muscle in his abdomen, but the club expects him to be ready for opening day. Markakis left the final regular season game on Sept. 28 against the Red Sox after making a diving catch. He was expected to visit a specialist this winter as a precaution, but the injury didn't heal properly and surgery was recommended. Scar tissue was preventing the tear from closing. The surgery was performed by sports...

For the sake of discussion, let's assume that Prince Fielder doesn't end up in D.C. in 2012. No majestic home runs reaching the second deck in right field. No snide comments about his weight the first time he goes into a slump. No spring training negotiations between Fielder and Jayson Werth - for cash, vintage automobiles, jewelry, etc. - over who gets to don jersey No. 28. If Fielder doesn't sign with the Nationals, could you stand to have a healthy, productive Adam LaRoche at first...

With a career record of 4-15 and ERA of 5.48 in 158 innings since the Orioles selected him with the fifth pick in the 2009 draft, right-hander Matt Hobgood has gotten plenty of criticism from fans and he has come to expect that to be the case. He continues to work to rehab his right shoulder and said he hasn't felt right and completely healthy with the shoulder for even one day since he first pitched for Rookie League Bluefield in 2009. Last year, he went 0-6 with an ERA of 8.76 between the...

Another day passed without any news from the warehouse, leaving me with little to do besides count the number of calls and text messages that went unreturned and sweeping up about 12 pounds of pine needles that fell off my Christmas tree as I carried it outside. At least some of my energy wasn't wasted. For what it's worth, I've heard from an industry source that the Orioles and Cubs discussed a trade involving Alfonso Soriano. It may have been a while ago and it may not have gone far -...

Nationals minor league pitcher Zech Zinicola has received a 50-game suspension from Major League Baseball for a second violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, according to a press release. The 26-year-old Zinicola's ban stemmed from a "drug of abuse," according to the release, meaning it wasn't for using performance-enhancing drugs. He was on the Triple-A Syracuse roster. The right-hander, a sixth-round pick of the Nationals in 2006, was 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA...

Limber up your typing fingers. Make sure your mouse-clicking wrist is at its most flexible. You'll need both come Saturday, Jan. 7, when vouchers for autograph sessions for the 2012 Orioles FanFest go on sale at 10 a.m. at www.orioles.com/fanfest. The list of autograph session times and who will be signing will be available at that same Web address by 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6. FanFest will be held Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Baltimore Convention Center from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., though season plan...

Vouchers for autograph sessions at the Orioles' 2012 FanFest will go on sale this Saturday, January 7, at 10:00 a.m. The list of autograph session times and participants will be posted online for preview at www.orioles.com/fanfest by 9 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 6. Orioles FanFest will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Baltimore Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with early entry for Orioles Season Plan Holders to begin at 10 a.m. At this year's FanFest, the Orioles will continue an...

I'm starting to feel like I know Prince Fielder better than I should. Isn't it bad enough that I owned his slugging father Cecil on my American League Rotisserie team for many years, gambling a pick on the elder when he came back from Japan after rediscovering his home run stroke (and, apparently, a lot more rice than sushi)? But I've resigned myself to the fact that until he signs elsewhere, Prince will be dominating discussion in NatsTown. At least hot stove season isn't boring,...