A line drive from Robert Andino in batting practice struck Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque in the head, creating a frightening scene here at Camden Yards. Alburquerque went down hard and was kicking his legs while players from both teams and members of the Tigers training staff gathered around him. Alburquerque left the field on a cart and was taken to a nearby hospital for a CT scan. A photographer in the press box identified Alburquerque as the stricken player. I'll pass along any updates...

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg getting ready for his second rehab assignment with 6,600 expected at a sold-out Pfitzner Stadium. The crowds were lining up at 4 p.m. outside the two main gates here at the stadium in anticipation of seeing the Nationals top pick from two years ago. The sun is bearing down on the field but it is absolutely perfect conditions. Strasburg is scheduled to pitch three innings and throw a maximum of 50 pitches. Strasburg likely will go...

The newest Orioles pitcher checked into the clubhouse today. Right-hander Willie Eyre is back in the big leagues for the first time since he pitched in 17 games for Texas in 2009. "It's been a long way to get back up," Eyre said. "I've thrown the ball well over the last year and a half or so. It's exciting." The 33-year-old Eyre recently opted out of his contract and left the Oakland organization where he pitched this year at Triple-A Sacramento for the River Cats. He was signed Aug. 3...

The Orioles made their roster move official about an hour ago. Reliever Willie Eyre's contract was purchased from Triple-A Norfolk, and pitcher Jake Arrieta was placed on the 60-day disabled list to create room on the 40-man roster. The club still hasn't received any information on Arrieta's surgery today to remove a bone spur from his elbow. Second baseman Brian Roberts worked out in Sarasota, playing long toss and taking ground balls, among other things. He hasn't experienced any...

The Orioles have a new leadoff hitter tonight: left fielder Nolan Reimold. Shortstop J.J. Hardy is batting second, and Vladimir Guerrero moves down to fifth. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Alfredo Simon RHP

The Orioles announced today that they have selected the contract of right-handed Willie Eyre from Triple-A Norfolk. Eyre, 33, is 5-5 with a 3.31 ERA (65.1 IP, 24 ER) in 42 games with the Tides and the Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland A's, this season. Eyre, who signed with the Orioles as a minor league free agent on Aug. 3, is 5-6 with a 5.14 ERA (145.1IP, 83 ER) in 92 career major league games with the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers. He last pitched in the major...

The catching depth in the Washington Nationals organization continues to show itself in the lower level minor league teams with Adrian Nieto and David Freitas in Single-A Hagerstown. Meanwhile, up one level in Woodbridge, Va., after a slow start at the plate, High-A Potomac Nationals catcher Sandy Leon is beginning to get on a hitting roll. Leon has batted .273 in the last 10 games with a double, three homers and seven RBI. He has had those three round trippers in his last 10 outings, with...

Some disappointing news to report, fans. Brian's Bash, the annual fundraiser hosted by Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, has been canceled. According to a release issued a few minutes ago, the event has been canceled due to Roberts' injuries. Known as a staple each season, Brian's Bash is a yearly fundraiser benefiting the University of Maryland Children's Hospital and hosted by Roberts. The sixth annual Bash was scheduled for Aug. 28 at Dave and Buster's at Arundel Mills Mall. For...

Earlier this week it occurred to me that I didn't know the Nationals' record. It felt like we were a bit under .500, but before looking it up, I couldn't tell you if we were two games under .500, five games under, or worse. I also didn't know if the team was again in last place in the National League East, or instead in next-to-last or maybe even within sight of third place behind the Phillies and the Braves. It's not a good sign when I don't know where my Nationals stand because it...

Earlier today, I wrote about pitcher Ryan Berry and his comeback from right shoulder tendinitis that is continuing now with the short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds. Berry had some shoulder issues in college and was limited to 81 2/3 innings in 2009 as a junior when he was one of the top pitchers in college baseball, going 7-2 for Rice with an ERA of 2.42. That June the Orioles selected him in round nine of the draft. "I had some tendinitis and actually my junior year missed about six...