When the Orioles traded relievers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Dec. 6 for third baseman Mark Reynolds, they also were supposed to receive a player to be named later. It's later. And he's been named. The Orioles also have received catcher John Hester, who was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk. Hester, a 13th-round pick out of Stanford in the 2006 draft, is batting .263 with three doubles, one homer and five RBIs in 10 games with Triple-A Reno. He's thrown out...

On Monday, the Washington Nationals will host Military Appreciation Night. As part of the celebration, the Nationals will donate thousands of complimentary tickets to military families for the series finale with the Giants. Military personnel can receive four complimentary tickets with a valid ID. Those tickets are available for pick up at the Grand Staircase Box Office beginning at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Tickets may also be picked up prior to the game at the Main Box Office during non-game...

With an afternoon game looming tomorrow, Jake Fox will start behind the plate tonight while Matt Wieters rests. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Jake Fox C Robert Andino SS Chris Tillman RHP For the White Sox: Juan Pierre LF Alexei Ramirez SS Carlos Quentin RF Paul Konerko DH Adam Dunn 1B Alex Rios CF A.J. Pierzynski C Mark Teahen 3B Gordon Beckham 2B Philip Humber RHP

I hope you're not playing a drinking game where you do a shot each time Vladimir Guerrero draws a walk. Then again, if you plan on driving later, it's the perfect game. Guerrero is the first non-pitcher in Orioles history to not draw a walk in his first 100 plate appearances. He walked 35 times with the Rangers last season. If it happens during a game at Camden Yards, I really hope the Orioles halt play and retrieve the ball for him. The pitcher could sign it first. The Orioles have...

Charlie Sheen would like the Orioles' minor league affiliates these days as they have been doing a lot of winning lately. Triple-A Norfolk has won four of its last six games to get to 7-15 on the season. Double-A Bowie is 6-3 over its past nine games to get to 11-10. Single-A Frederick has won five of six to get to 10-10 and Single-A Delmarva has won eight in a row to improve to 13-9. That is the Shorebirds' longest win streak since a nine-gamer in May of 2006. At Norfolk, Brandon Snyder is...

Single-A Hagerstown Suns outfielder Bryce Harper continues on a tear since the team left Maryland for road trip in West Virginia. Harper has hit .438 (14-for-32) with five doubles, four homers and 12 RBIs in his last 10 games. During that span, his slugging percentage has reached .969. Harper's season average is up to .333 (22-for-66) with six doubles, five homers and 18 RBIs. With runners on base, Harper is .412 with two homers and 15 RBIs. In five games from April 21 to April 27, Harper...

This has been a pretty good week for Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond. As has been well documented, on Tuesday, his first child Grayson was born. In two games since returning to the ball club, Desmond is 5-for-7 with two doubles, one triple, one homer, three runs, one stolen base and one RBI. Friday, in the 3-0 win over the San Francisco Giants, Desmond went 3-for-3. Along with a Laynce Nix two-run homer, the offense provided just enough cushion for Jason Marquis to do his job. Marquis...

I had to use some form of the word "bust." Matt Wieters is having himself quite a night. He's doubled, homered, driven in four runs and scored twice, and the Orioles have taken a 10-4 lead over the White Sox in the seventh inning. Wieters is 9-for-10 with two doubles, three homers and 15 RBIs with runners in scoring position this season. With two outs, he's 6-for-7 with two doubles and 10 RBIs. Matt Wieters talks about his big night at the plate as the O's beat Chicago 10-4 For the...

Too bad White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen didn't tweet last night. I bet he could have strung together lots of profanities in 140 characters. Brian Roberts leads the Orioles with 19 RBIs. If you predicted it back in spring training, you're wasting your talents doing whatever you do for a living. It was interesting that Roberts told reporters in Chicago he's been dealing with a sore hamstring that kept him from stealing bases. We assumed he was being cautious, at the urging of the club,...

Nationals starting left-hander John Lannan takes on the Giants' southpaw Jonathan Sanchez (2-1, 3.21 ERA) in Game 2 today at Nationals Park. The Nationals are seeking their third win in a row. The Giants have been shutout in two of their last three games. Lannan will look to keep the pitching momentum going for the Nats following Jason Marquis' amazing complete game five-hit shutout Friday night, 3-0. Lannan (2-2, 4.05) is coming off a tough loss in a rain-delayed game at Pittsburgh Monday,...