The Orioles today announced that they have optioned RHP Jason Berken to Triple-A Norfolk, recalled LHP Pedro Viola from Double-A Bowie and selected the contract of LHP Mike Ballard. Berken, 27, has gone 1-2 with a 6.27 ERA (37.1IP, 26ER) in 31 games with the Orioles this season. Viola, 28, went 3-1 with three saves and a 2.10 ERA (30.0IP, 7ER) in 28 games for the Baysox. He pitched to a 9.82 ERA (3.2IP, 4ER) in four games for the Orioles earlier this season. He will wear #47. Ballard,...

The Orioles tonight announced that they have acquired minor league 1B Aaron Baker from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for 1B Derrek Lee. Baker will be assigned to Single-A Frederick. Baker, 23, has batted .285/.353/.474 with 21 doubles, 15 home runs and 72 RBI in 102 games for Single-A Bradenton this season. The Pirates' 11th round pick in the 2009 First Year Player Draft, Baker has batted .263/.344/.452 with 70 doubles, 36 home runs and 183 RBI in 289 games over three minor league...

The Orioles optioned reliever Jason Berken to Triple-A Norfolk, recalled left-hander Pedro Viola from Double-A Bowie and purchased left-hander Mike Ballard's contract from the Baysox. Berken gave up seven runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings in Game 2 last night. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in New York that there were two reasons for Berken's demotion. "We have a need for pitchers," Showalter said, "and he hasn't pitched well." Berken was optioned earlier this season. He's...

Chris Davis will make his Orioles debut today at first base. He's batting fifth behind Vladimir Guerrero. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Chris Davis 1B Mark Reynolds 3B Felix Pie LF Craig Tatum C Robert Andino 2B Jake Arrieta RHP

On a day they gave up 25 runs, 35 hits, 12 runs in one inning and lost a doubleheader, I guess it wasn't all bad on Saturday for the Orioles. Most fans seem excited about the acquisitions the Orioles got from Texas for Koji Uehara in Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter. No, they are not stars and no one knows if they will prove to be answers to some of this organization's many questions, but I don't see how anyone can find much fault with the deal. This being a public forum, some of you have....

The Orioles have summoned left-hander Pedro Viola from Double-A Bowie, but no decision has been made whether to recall him for today's game against the Yankees. Viola knows the drill. He's been through it before. The bullpen was abused in yesterday's doubleheader, and it didn't help that Mark Hendrickson and Michael Gonzalez were hit by comebackers in the nightcap. Troy Patton pitched both ends. Jason Berken took a beating after replacing rookie Zach Britton. The Orioles could make...

It was a crucial moment for the Nationals Saturday against the New York Mets. Starter Yunesky Maya had slightly hurt himself running the base paths after five seamless innings on the hill. In the top of the sixth, with the Nationals clinging to a 3-0 lead, manager Davey Johnson had considered pulling Maya when he saw him come up lame. But Maya convinced Johnson to stay in and got Mets second baseman Justin Turner to fly out to center field for the first out. However, the next two batters,...

The Yankees completed their doubleheader sweep with a 17-3 victory in Game 2. They only outscored the Orioles 5-3 after the first inning, so the game was closer than...never mind. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail talked about the appeal of trading for first baseman Chris Davis and pitcher Tommy Hunter, who will join the Orioles tomorrow in New York. Buck Showalter talks with Gary Thorne about the Orioles' 17-3 loss to the Yankees "We got two 25-year-old players who have...

The Washington Nationals today recalled right-handed pitcher Yunesky Maya from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The 29 year-old Maya joins the Nationals for a second time this season, as he went 0-1 with a 6.86 ERA in four starts with Washington from May 29-June 14. Maya, who will get the start tonight vs. New York (NL) in place of the recently-traded Jason Marquis, is...

The Washington Nationals today acquired 21 year-old switch-hitting shortstop Zachary Walters from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jason Marquis. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. In his second professional season, Walters is a career .302 (192-for-636) hitter with 45 doubles, 10 triples, 13 home runs and 26 stolen bases in 166 games. Walters earned All-Star status (2011 Midwest League,...