Mark Reynolds is batting eighth tonight for only the fourth time in his career. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Kansas City that Reynolds will be hitting in another spot tomorrow afternoon. But he also pointed out that Reynolds' slotting is up to the third baseman, who began tonight batting .168 with three homers and 15 RBIs. Reynolds is in a 3-for-25 slump. Or it's a 5-for-36 slump if you go back to his last 10 games. Or it's a 7-for-62 slump if you go back to April 14. Reynolds...

There are some encouraging words late this afternoon coming from Single-A Frederick Keys outfielder Trent Mummey after his scare during today's game at Harry Grove Stadium. Mummey tweeted this via his Twitter account a few moments ago: Thanks for all the wishful thoughts! Scary moment but I'm thanking god that everything is going to be ok. #countingmyblessings Mummey's head hit the outfield wall in the top of the second as he dove for a ball. He was down for several minutes and taken off...

Second baseman Brian Roberts is back in the lineup after missing last night's game in Kansas City following a root canal. Vladimir Guerrero will sit for the first time. Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Luke Scott DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Felix Pie LF Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino SS Jake Arrieta RHP Here's the Royals' lineup: Aviles 2B Cabrera CF Gordon LF Butler DH Francoeur RF Betemit 3B Ka'aihue 1B Treanor C Escobar SS Davies RHP Arrieta is 3-0 with a 2.12...

The Orioles offense continues to be a mixed bag of some good and some not so good. After last night's loss in Kansas City, the team batting average is .238 and the club is averaging 4.2 runs per game. The Orioles have scored 29 runs in the five games of the road trip. After getting double-figure hits just five times as team over the first 20 games, they have had 10 or more hits five times over the last eight games. They still don't steal many bases, but Adam Jones got one last night. The...

The Washington Nationals have announced that right-handed starter Cameron Selik has been promoted to Single-A Potomac after an almost perfect month of April on the mound for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Selik is 3-0 with a 0.31 ERA in five starts. He allowed his first run of the season in his last start Saturday at the Rome Braves, which snapped an astounding 37.0 consecutive scoreless innings streak that dated back to 2010. Selik's 0.31 ERA is not only the best earned run average in the...

I just chose the order at random. Brian Matusz threw a bullpen session and live batting practice today at Twins Lakes Park in Sarasota. Matusz felt strong and had good command of his fastball. He also threw some breaking balls. Matusz threw 30 pitches in the bullpen and 20 more to live hitters. He'll start Saturday's extended spring training game. The Orioles confirmed via a press release that Alfredo Simon will start tomorrow for Double-A Bowie. The Baysox are hosting Harrisburg at Prince...

Condolences go out to former Orioles second baseman and manager Davey Johnson, whose stepson Michael Jacob 'Jake' Allen, 34, died Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the Washington Nationals. Allen died from pneumonia and infection at Florida Hospital in Orlando with his parents and siblings at his side. He had been hearing and visually impaired since birth. In lieu of flowers, the Johnson family requests that contributions be made, in Jake's memory, to Lighthouse Central Florida...

This has been a brutal Wednesday in the Orioles minor leagues. Earlier, I posted the info on Trent Mummey leaving the Single-A Frederick game and Jesse Beal's surgery. Now comes word that Billy Rowell has been placed on the seven-day disabled list at Double-A Bowie with a left ankle injury and Joe Mahoney, the Orioles' 2010 minor league Player of the Year is probably headed there, too. Mahoney is still having discomfort because of a quad injury that earlier had him sidelined from April...

The Orioles are busy today doing a makeover on Double-A Bowie's roster. They traded outfielder Jeff Fiorentino to the Braves for cash considerations. They promoted outfielder Kyle Hudson from Single-A Frederick to Bowie. And they're placing infielder Billy Rowell on the seven-day disabled list with tendinitis in his left ankle. Rowell is batting .231 with four RBIs, two walks, 12 strikeouts and a .510 OPS in 14 games and 39 at-bats in his first season in the Eastern League. He spent the...

Some of the news coming out of the Orioles minor leagues today is not good. Single-A Frederick is playing Winston-Salem at home right now in a day game and center fielder Trent Mummey has left that game in the second inning after crashing into the center-field wall. He was taken by ambulance from Harry Grove Stadium. If there is further word later, I will pass it along. Meanwhile, Jesse Beal, a promising young right-handed pitcher that was at Single-A Delmarva last summer, had surgery...