There's always intrigue down on the farm. Craig Tatum was catching tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, but backup John Hester pinch-hit for him in the bottom of the second inning. Tatum never received an at-bat in the game. Is he hurt? Did the Orioles pull him from the game so they could make a roster move? Wouldn't they have held him out of the starting lineup if that were the case? Am I speculating too much? Update: I'm told that Tatum was removed because of slight shoulder soreness. Back...

A couple of notes on tonight's game with Tampa leading the Orioles 3-0 in the fourth. *Zach Britton had given up just one run in the first and second innings over his first six starts, until Tampa got to him for three runs and four hits in the top of the second tonight. The Rays four hits in that inning was more than the three hits they had versus Britton when he pitched six innings against them in his major league debut. *Tampa starter James Shields is 2-0 with an ERA of 0.69 over his last...

Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco has five strikeouts through two innings but somehow the Nationals got something going in the second. After two outs, Pudge got a base hit. Jerry Hairston followed with a double that scored Pudge. Ian Desmond then struck out swinging to end the inning. Nolasco struck out the side and had five strikeouts through two frames. The Nationals led 1-0 heading to the third. Jordan ZImmermann has allowed a first inning single to former National Emilio Bonifacio, but...

Zach Britton was impressive in the first inning, retiring the side in order on 12 pitches, but he allowed back-to-back doubles and a two-run homer leading off the second to fall behind, 3-0. Britton got a grounder and two fly balls in the first. The first two fly balls in the second, from Evan Longoria and B.J. Upton, reached the right field fence. The fly ball from Brandon Guyer cleared the left-center field fence. That's not nearly as good. Guyer was batting for the first time in the...

The MRI on Manny Machado's left knee found that he has a patellar sublaxation. I am not a doctor and cannot give more inside info on that, but it still doesn't appear to be too serious. While Machado is likely to go on the seven-day disabled list, it remains possible that he will not. If the club sees improvement in the next day or two, he may not go on the DL and could return to action in less than a week. Machado will remain with the Shorebirds, who are currently on a road trip in...

Orioles shortstop prospect Manny Machado dislocated his kneecap last night and will likely go on the seven-day disabled list. Machado, playing for Single-A Delmarva, suffered the injury in the first inning while running to third base. He was carried off the field and underwent an MRI today that confirmed the dislocation. Team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens will examine Machado on Monday or Tuesday. The Orioles are optimistic that he'll be ready to play again before the seven days are...

After a three-hit game on Wednesday in Kansas City and with four hits over his last six at-bats, Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds hopes he is on the verge of a hot streak at the plate. "I had a pretty good stretch for a couple of games in K.C.," Reynolds said today in the Orioles' clubhouse. "Some times that is all it takes. Get a couple hits and get that snowball effect going. Hope I can keep it up and start driving the ball. I am seeing pitches better and squaring some stuff up. I...

For Tampa Bay: Sean Rodriguez 2B Ben Zobrist RF Johnny Damon DH Evan Longoria 3B B.J. Upton CF Brandon Guyer LF Kelly Shoppach C Dan Johnson 1B Elliot Johnson SS James Shields RHP Orioles manager Buck Showalter doesn't seem concerned about minor league shortstop Manny Machado's left knee. He's waiting for the results of today's MRI, but conversations with team officials didn't send up any red flags. "Initially, they didn't think it was anything serious," Showalter said. "They were...

Nationals high draft picks A.J. Cole and Robbie Ray have been promoted to the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Cole starts Saturday and replaces Cameron Selik who was promoted to high Single-A Potomac. "They are both throwing very well in extended (spring training)," Nationals pitching coordinator Spin Williams said. "We wanted to give them an opportunity to pitch under the lights." Ray will start Monday for the Suns and replaces Taylor Jordan. Jordan is being placed on the seven-day...

Orioles outfielder Luke Scott is in the lineup again tonight. He continues to play with some pain in his right shoulder. He is going to have an MRI Monday so doctors can take a more complete look. "I want to just see if there is anything going on in there," Scott said. "And, if there is, what to do and if there isn't, what to do. Just know exactly what to do and go from there. I've been playing with this for pretty much the (whole) season but it's been bothering me pretty good for about...