The Orioles have summoned reliever Jason Berken from Triple-A Norfolk, and he could be officially recalled if the club decides to place infielder Cesar Izturis on the 15-day disabled list. Izturis left yesterday's game in the fifth inning with a strained left groin, and he's "probably a little more sore" today, according to manager Buck Showalter. It's possible that a roster move will be announced later today. Berken could fill the bullpen spot vacated by left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes, who...

The National League East is all but over. The other five division championships have boiled down to a two-team race with the exception of the American League Central. The Detroit Tigers lead the surprise Cleveland Indians, but how about the Chicago White Sox, the third place team that started a four-game series Monday in Baltimore? The White Sox are defined by inconsistent play this season, but they are coming off a weekend sweep in Minnesota, a team they were 8-28 against in the previous 36...

Shortstop J.J. Hardy has returned to the lineup after leaving Thursday night's game with a sore left ankle, but first baseman Chris Davis remains on the bench with a sore right shoulder. I'll pass along an update after manager Buck Showalter meets with reporters around 4 p.m. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 1B Nolan Reimold LF Matt Wieters C Robert Andino 2B Josh Bell 3B Jeremy Guthrie RHP

Single-A Potomac Nationals right-hander Adam Olbrychowski is on a roll recently in Woodbridge, Va. The Pepperdine hurler has allowed three hits or less in three of his last four starts. His most recent start, Aug. 5, was his best in over a month and his top outing since he returned to a starting role nine games ago. Friday at Myrtle Beach, Olbrychowski went a career-high eight innings, allowing three hits, one run, three walks and had six strikeouts for his fourth win of the season, a 6-1...

Keep things in perspective. It's a motto that works for sports and for life. Some of us need to be reminded about perspective more often than others. Given my favorite team's misfortunes, I may as well have those words marked on every page of my Orioles desk calendar. Rather than focus on the day-to-day frustrations of the Birds' 14th consecutive losing season, I'm attempting to consider the big picture and keep things in perspective. After all, how bad could it be? Well ... * The...

As he continues his comeback from a strained rotator cuff,

Despite all the issues swirling around the Orioles, it's still hard to believe that they haven't won a series since June 24-26 against the Reds. You'd think it might happen by accident. They've got four games coming against the White Sox beginning tonight. A split doesn't count. It's got to be at least three out of four. We might have another roster move today, depending on the severity of Cesar Izturis' strained left groin. Izturis could go back on the disabled list, which would...

Recently promoted catcher David Freitas has done quite well as the lead catcher for the Suns, batting .288 with 100 hits in 102 games. He has cranked out 25 doubles, 12 homers and 63 RBI. "David has had an incredible year," Harris said. "He is an extremely mature player both offensively and defensively and we couldn't be happier with his progress." Freitas could get his chance soon with the Potomac Nationals because Devin Ivany was placed on the disabled list and Brian Peacock was...

Washington Nationals right-handed starter Stephen Strasburg, dubbed "Baseball Jesus" by a teammate last season during spring training, made his much-anticipated return to a baseball field facing batters paid to beat him Sunday, as he took the mound for the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns against the Greensboro Grasshoppers (no joke) in his first minor league rehab appearance, as he continues his recovery from ligament replacement surgery. The appearance comes two weeks less than one calendar...

ABERDEEN, Md - After pitching very poorly in his last two starts, with the results to show for that, Orioles 2009 first-round pick