Tommy Hunter's first start of the 2011 season ended after four innings. Hunter allowed four runs and eight hits, with no walks and one strikeout. He threw 78 pitches, 40 for strikes. The defense behind Hunter wasn't particularly sharp, but neither was Hunter. Bobby Bundy lasted two innings tonight at Double-A Bowie. He allowed five runs (two earned) and six hits, with two walks, one strikeout and one home run. His unofficial pitch count was 62. The defense behind Bundy wasn't...

Zach Britton went on the disabled list tonight with a left shoulder strain. Another young Orioles pitcher that showed promise now dealing with an injury. Since the announcement came at game time, no reporters have been able to talk with Britton or Buck Showalter to hear more about this. It's seemingly beyond unbelievable at this point with the young pitchers. Jake Arrieta is headed to see Dr. Yocum, Brian Matusz is at Triple-A after spending time earlier on the DL and now Britton. Makes me...

Adam Jones just tied his career high in home runs with his 19th tonight, a two-run shot that gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Jones also hit 19 homers the past two seasons. Blue Jays left-hander Brad Mills didn't locate a changeup, and Jones drove the ball an estimated 384 feet into the left field seats after Nick Markakis reached on an infield hit with one out. As I wrote earlier, manager Buck Showalter will explain his decision to remove first baseman Chris...

The Orioles were hopeful that Single-A Frederick first baseman Tyler Townsend would come off the disabled list on Sunday but that won't happen now. Townsend, out since July 13 with a recurring hamstring injury, tried to run this week but felt more soreness in that hamstring and now will remain on the disabled list. Townsend is headed to Sarasota to continue his rehab. When he has played this year, he has hit quite well. In 64 games with the Keys, Townsend was batting .318 with 23 doubles,...

The Orioles placed pitcher Zach Britton on the 15-day disabled list tonight with a strained left shoulder. Infielder Cesar Izturis will take Britton's spot on the 25-man roster. Britton allowed six runs (four earned) and 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings last night in the Orioles' 9-4 loss to the Royals. The rookie is 6-9 with a 4.66 ERA in 20 starts, with 122 hits, 40 walks and 68 strikeouts in 110 innings. The Orioles made room on the 40-man roster for Izturis by designating pitcher Brandon Erbe...

The Orioles today announced that they have activated infielder Cesar Izturis from the the 60-day disabled list. Izturis had been on the DL since May 13 with a right elbow ulnar nerve injury. The club has also placed left-handed pitcher Zach Britton on the 15-day disabled list with a left shoulder strain. To make room on the 40-man roster for Izturis, the Orioles designated right-handed pitcher Brandon Erbe for assignment. Izturis batted .192 (5-26) with four runs scored in 16 games for...

First baseman Chris Davis has been scratched from tonight's lineup. Mark Reynolds moves to first base and Josh Bell goes to third. Davis had an ice pack on his right shoulder earlier today. Bell won't be the corresponding roster move for Cesar Izturis. It looks like Blake Davis also is staying. Could J.J. Hardy be headed to the disabled list? More to come. For the Orioles: Robert Andino SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 1B Matt Wieters C Nolan Reimold...

Checking in with some stats and notes as the Orioles and Blue Jays begin a three-game series here tonight at the Yard. * If the Orioles beat Toronto tonight, they will have more wins this season against the Jays than they had all of last year. That is not saying much, however, since the Orioles were just 3-15 against Toronto then and are 3-6 now. They are 1-2 in Baltimore and 2-4 against Toronto this season on the road. * J.J. Hardy's homer in the fifth last night was his 19th of this season...

Former shortstop Mike Bordick begins his stint as interim bullpen coach tonight. "I'm looking at this as an opportunity to learn more about the game, that side of the game," he said. "It'll help when I go back down to the minor leagues. Maybe I can interject something to some pitchers, some stuff that I've learned from these guys. That's the way I'm looking at it. And obviously, being able to help throw BP and hitting ground balls and stuff. Maybe build some more relationship here at...

While there has been a debate ongoing here about whether Zach Britton should be back in the minor leagues now or continuing to pitch in the Orioles' rotation, it doesn't sound like the club had to debate the decision that much. Here is what Buck Showalter said today about whether the Orioles considered sending Britton back to the minors after his start in New York: "I think it was important for him to make another start (here) after that. He needed to put that behind him. Young pitchers...