I've actually sat at my computer for the past two hours looking at a blank screen trying to figure out how to exactly put into words at how absolutely heartbroken I am to hear that former Nationals closer

Orioles pitching prospect Dan Klein, a third-round pick out of UCLA last June, has been diagnosed with a small SLAP tear in his right labrum. Renowned orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum confirmed the tear while examining the MRI taken on Klein's shoulder last week in Baltimore. The Orioles believe that Klein can rehab the shoulder and avoid surgery, as Jason Berken and former Oriole Matt Albers have done. Klein will report to the minor league complex in Sarasota, Fla., on Monday, but it's not...

SALISBURY, Md. - Manny Machado is not the only Delmarva Shorebird position player here at the South Atlantic League All-Star game. Ty Kelly is batting ninth at second base for the North team. Kelly is 10th in the league batting at .312 in 52 games with seven doubles, three homers and 27 RBIs. He went 8-for-16 over his past four Shorebirds' games and, after hitting .259 for Delmarva last year, has taken his game to a higher level in 2011. "The more I think about it, there were times I...

SALISBURY, Md - Orioles Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver headlined the Fan Fest festivities today in Salisbury at the South Atlantic League All-Star game and signed autographs for around two hours for a steady stream of fans. Earl said the fans here kept asking him about returning to manage. "Since (80-year-old Jack) McKeon went back, if I would," Weaver said. "There is no way I can go back (with my arthritis). You just saw me hobble in here. I couldn't get up and down the dugout...

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman updated the status of a few pitchers before Tuesday's game against the Seattle Mariners. Reliever Cole Kimball told me over the weekend his shoulder is pain free after a couple of throwing sessions from 60 feet. He was scheduled to throw from 90 feet Sunday. Riggleman said Kimball is throwing a little bit and the reports his arm feels great. "His nature is very positive," Riggleman said. "He said he felt great before he went on the DL. He is just a...

The Washington Nationals today recalled from rehab and reinstated left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny from the 15-day disabled list and placed outfielder Rick Ankiel (left intercostal strain) on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 15. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Gorzelanny missed the last 24 games after being placed on the DL on May 27, retroactive to May 24, with left elbow inflammation. The...

SALISBURY, Md. - Orioles top prospect Manny Machado singled tonight in his first at-bat in the South Atlantic League All-Star game. Machado fell behind 0-2 on the count, got back to a full count and drove a ground ball up the middle for a single against Savannah's Taylor Whitenton. Machado was batting second and his single sent Hagerstown's Blake Kelso, who had singled, to third base. After a wild pitch sent Machado to second, Bryce Harper hit an RBI groundout to second to give the North a...

SALISBURY, Md. - There are seven first-round draft picks on the rosters here for the South Atlantic League All-Star game, but Single-A Delmarva reliever David Walters is not among them. The 23-year-old, right-hander, who leads the league with 17 saves, was actually signed by the Orioles as a free agent in June, 2009 after the draft out of Francis Marion University in South Carolina. He saw 50 rounds come and go and his name was not called. "I just wanted an opportunity and glad the Orioles...

Luke Scott has returned to left field after leaving Saturday's game in Washington with back spasms. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Derrek Lee 1B Matt Wieters C Luke Scott LF Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino 2B Jeremy Guthrie RHP

SALISBURY, Md. - In what is likely to be his last appearance for the Delmarva Shorebirds, Orioles' top prospect