Orioles outfielder Felix Pie cleared waivers today and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. And while Pie has the right to refuse the assignment, I'm told that he plans to accept it and report to the Tides. Pie would have to forfeit the remainder of the $985,000 salary he's receiving this year, which doesn't make much sense. Pie has to inform the Orioles of his decision by Saturday, but it appears that he's staying in the organization. The minor league seasons ends in a few weeks, so...

There has been a stunning turnaround by the Orioles' starting pitchers in the series at Minnesota. In the first three games of the series - all Orioles wins - the starting pitchers' ERA was 1.35. The staters in the series before today - Zach Britton, Alfredo Simon and Jeremy Guthrie - had combined to give up just three earned runs and 14 hits over 20 innings. Today, Jo-Jo Reyes has given up just one run over the first five innings of a 1-1 tie. Craig Tatum's two-run double in the sixth...

Nationals right-handed reliever Ryan Mattheus remembers a year after his July 2009 Tommy John surgery and how physically demanding his rehab workouts had become. He can empathize with Stephen Strasburg, who is scheduled to make his fifth rehab start Saturday night in Syracuse for the Triple-A Chiefs. Strasburg is scheduled to pitch a maximum of 80 pitches or five innings and then have another rehab start Wednesday, most likely in Double-A Harrisburg. "I know this part of my rehab, I was dead...

The Orioles are trying to conduct business as usual today. They're trying to complete their first-ever sweep of a four-game series in Minnesota. They're just trying to get through the day and head back to Baltimore. Today's MASN broadcast is more subdued than usual. Jim Hunter and Jim Palmer have referenced Mike Flanagan multiple times, though usually in relation to his work with a particular pitcher. The last time the Orioles won four straight games in Minnesota was April 15-September 5,...

Adam Jones isn't in the lineup after leaving last night's game with more discomfort in his chest that's believed to be caused by a strained muscle. Matt Angle gets his first major league start in center field. Vladimir Guerrero returns to the lineup after being scratched last night. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 3B J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 1B Nolan Reimold LF Ryan Adams 2B Craig Tatum C Matt Angle CF Jo-Jo Reyes LHP Also, ignore the rumors...

The Orioles will play an afternoon game today and the lineup should be posted shortly, but it still doesn't feel like a normal day. Far from it. This team has won three games in a row, has finally won a series, and it seems so insignificant. The news of Mike Flanagan's death knocked the wind out of us. Trying to make sense of it is a futile exercise. It wasn't until late last night that I realized Flanagan was the first major league player that I interviewed for a game story. I was...

The images of Mike Flanagan during his long Orioles career come rushing back in a slideshow format of memories: the mane of hair tucked under the cartoon bird cap, the lefty staring out through eye slits at an opposing batter, World Series in 1979 and 1983, tenures as a coach and teacher, standing at a podium or prowling the back fields at Fort Lauderdale Stadium as a club executive, his engaging way in the MASN broadcast booth. Flanagan's tragic passing at 59 on Wednesday brings back a flood...

A tough day has dawned for Orioles fans as they are remembering Mike Flanagan and still dealing with the sadness of his passing yesterday. Earl Weaver was a guest on 105.7 FM The Fan this morning, remembering the pitcher that won the American Cy Young Award in 1979. "He came through our system," Weaver said on the "Norris & Davis" morning show. "Mike was quiet and went about his business as well as any pitcher that I've had. Very intelligent person that had a great sense of humor. What...

How is it that a 6-foot-2, 245-lb.,36-year-old can be one of the game's most consistent starters? That is the question on everyone's mind as Livan Hernandez puts together yet another incredibly dependable season. Amazingly, Hernandez has started at least 30 games in each season dating to 1998. Despite bouncing around the league having pitched for seven different clubs, Hernandez may be best known for his time with the Nationals/Expos franchise. For a team that has been anything but steady...

How is it that a 6' 2", 245-pound 36-year old be one of the games most consistent starters? That is the question on everyone's mind as Livan Hernandez puts together yet another incredibly dependable season. Amazingly, Hernandez has started at least 30 games in each season dating back to 1998. Despite bouncing around the league having pitched for seven different clubs, Hernandez may be best known for his time with the Nationals/Expos franchise. For a team that has been anything but steady...