The deadline to announce if draft picks have been signed is inching ever closer. Jim Callis, executive editor of Baseball America, is pretty confident the Nationals will be able to sign most of their top five selections, including first round selection, third baseman Anthony Rendon out of Rice. "Rendon had a shoulder injury that hampered him this spring but I still thought he was the best player in the draft," Callis said. "I still think he will command a major league contract that could...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter hasn't made a final decision on Tuesday night's starter against the White Sox at Camden Yards, but the prime candidates are relievers Jo-Jo Reyes and Brad Bergesen. There are several factors to consider, including how much Showalter uses them out of the bullpen over the weekend. Showalter is hoping to get Reyes into tonight's game to give the left-hander some work, but it would amount to a bullpen session if Reyes is given Tuesday night's assignment. He...

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis said his sore right shoulder feels better today and he thinks he can play tonight. He missed yesterday's game after sleeping funny on the shoulder and developing discomfort and he underwent an MRI earlier today. The results of that are still not known and for now, Davis is not in tonight's starting lineup. "I got X-rayed yesterday, before the game and they didn't really tell me anything," Davis said before batting practice. "I feel pretty normal today. I...

The Orioles really need J.J. Hardy's CT scan on his left ankle to come back clean, and Chris Davis' MRI on his right shoulder to bring the same positive result. It wouldn't matter who was pitching for the opposition, but consider that Hardy is 2-for-3 with two homers and three RBIs lifetime against Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow, and Davis is 2-for-4 with a double, home run and two RBIs. Small sample sizes, but you should want them facing Morrow tonight. Nick Markakis is 4-for-10 with...

Left-handed relief pitcher Ashur Tolliver is on a bit of a roll these days pitching for the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds. The 23-year-old Tolliver is now 1-2 with a 2.60 ERA in 22 games on the season. But he has not allowed a run over his last seven games, with 13 consecutive scoreless innings. Over his past 11 games, Tolliver has allowed just one earned run over 19 innings for an ERA of 0.47 with six walks and 21 strikeouts. A fifth-round pick in 2009, Tolliver has been particularly tough...

After spending time in Baltimore last year, but not pitching much, maybe Troy Patton's time has come. In the chances he is getting, he has done well. Patton pitched the fifth, sixth and seventh in relief last night, with nine up and down. He gave up an infield hit, walk and bunt hit in the eighth and was replaced. One run did score and was charged to his record. But since his latest recall on July 16, he has pitched 9 1/3 innings over six appearances. He has given up three runs on eight hits...

That's Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter, not Blake Davis and Jim Hunter. And not Geena Davis and Luke Scott, who's an avid hunter. Chris Davis discussed his shoulder injury that will require an MRI tomorrow. Apparently, it happened in the bedroom. Don't let your imaginations run wild. "It was just a few nights ago," he said. "I slept funny with my arm above my head, kind of just laying at a weird angle. I've done it before and it's been a little stiff for the next couple of days, but...

The "manager's decision" to scratch Chris Davis was made because of the first baseman's sore right shoulder, not for disciplinary reasons. "Right shoulder," manager Buck Showalter said. "He came in today and Richie (Bancells) has been playing with his shoulder. He's getting an MRI on it tomorrow, around 1:45. J.J. (Hardy) is going to get, I think, a CT scan on his ankle. "Chris tried to take batting practice and was still feeling some discomfort with it throwing. We'll see where we...

The Orioles grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first inning on Adam Jones' two-run homer, but new starter Tommy Hunter gave up two runs in the second and two more in the third. The Blue Jays never trailed from that point, winning the first game of this series, 5-4, before 18,770 on Fireworks Night at Camden Yards. Robert Andino singled off Jon Rauch with two outs in the ninth and scored on Nick Markakis' double to right, but Jones popped up an 0-1 pitch to end the game. Troy Patton was charged...

We'll find out later today whether shortstop J.J. Hardy and first baseman Chris Davis can avoid the disabled list and get back into the lineup. Hardy will have a CT scan on his left ankle. Davis will have an MRI on his right shoulder. Manager Buck Showalter will have more challenges filling out his lineup card. Will he need another shortstop and leadoff hitter tonight? He used Robert Andino for both roles last night, and he could do the same thing tonight. He also put Felix Pie atop the...