I'll start with Derrek Lee, since it's the shortest transcription. Lee is clearly frustrated that he's on the disabled list. Can't say that I blame him after dealing with thumb, wrist and foot questions in spring training. A strained oblique is the cherry on top of his melted sundae. Reporters got their first chance to talk to Lee today since he went on the disabled list. He was nice enough to grant an interview and he remained courteous as always, but anyone who's had contact with him...

Second baseman Brian Roberts is eligible to come off the disabled list on Tuesday, but he hasn't started baseball-related activities and the headaches haven't completely gone away. They're not as persistent or intense, but he retains some of the same symptoms that he experienced during the final week of the 2010 season. In other words, don't look for him to be activated on Tuesday. Asked earlier today whether he could return on Tuesday, Roberts replied, "I'm not sure at this...

Jason Berken could start for Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday against Louisville at Harbor Park. Berken needs to be stretched out. He's "too strong," according to manager Buck Showalter, who noted that Berken's fastball was 92-95 mph last night. Berken still projects as a reliever, but building up his pitches and innings would allow the Orioles to consider him for starts later this summer. Derrek Lee will need at-bats, either with affiliates or at extended spring training, before coming off...

The Orioles will try to snap a four-game losing streak today with a 4:05 game against the Nationals. That's the starting time. I'm hoping it's not the time of game, especially with the world ending later today. By the way, even if the word ends, I'm still posting a blog entry in the morning. No worries. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Mark Reynolds 3B Nolan Reimold LF Brandon Snyder 1B Jeremy...

It was less than a week ago. Last Sunday, the Orioles blew out the first-place Rays on the road 9-3. At that point, they had won five of six games and were just a game under .500, at 19-20. They took that momentum to Fenway Park and led Boston 6-0 in the sixth inning the next night. But they blew that game. The Orioles haven't won since. After a Tuesday rainout, they lost in 15 innings to the Yankees on Wednesday and wasted Zach Britton's great pitching. Now they have given up 30 runs over...

Good luck trying to memorize the 25-man roster. The Orioles keep changing it. Pitchers come and pitchers go - sometimes in one day. The right side of the infield is on the disabled list. The bullpen is on fire. It's become a daily game show at Camden Yards, and your next contestant hails from the Dominican Republic. Alfredo Simon is hoping not to return there for a while. Simon will be removed from the restricted list today and placed on the 25- and 40-man rosters. Infielder Cesar...

Sometimes when you get to talk to the Orioles players as much as we do, you find out there are some good guys in that clubhouse. Guys any fan would want to root for. Jason Berken is one of those guys. Right now he is having a tough time getting people out and it got worse for him in the loss to the Nats when he gave up six runs and two homers in one inning. Berken has allowed 14 earned runs over his last 8 2/3 innings. He was sent to the minor leagues after Friday's loss to...

Reliever Jason Berken, part of a bullpen that has allowed 22 earned runs in its last 22 1/3 innings over four games, met with the media tonight before the Orioles optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk. He spoke of having to "figure it out." He'll make that attempt against International League hitters. "It's just been up in the zone," he said. "It's been a problem for me as of late and it's going to be a problem for anybody. I've got to figure out why I've been up in the zone, I got to...

BALTIMORE, Md. - Nationals starter Jason Marquis was the beneficiary of six runs early on from the offense for his second straight start, but this time he was not around long enough to factor into the decision. It was the first no decision for Marquis since way back on April 10. Marquis managed to get through the first two frames unscathed, but the Orioles scored three runs in the third inning, benefiting from a Roger Bernadina misplay in center field that allowed two runs to score with two...

Manager Buck Showalter said it's "very possible" that the Orioles make at least one roster move to aid their bullpen. It happened before I left the press box. The Orioles optioned reliever Jason Berken to Triple-A Norfolk after he allowed six runs in one inning. A corresponding move will be announced tomorrow, but you can expect Alfredo Simon to be removed from the restricted list and placed on the 25- and 40-man rosters. Buck Showalter meets with the media to talk about the O's 17-5...