If the Orioles are to get their struggling offense going tonight here at Camden Yards, they'll have to do it against left-hander Ricky Romero, who is pitching very well right now. Over his last four starts, Romero is 3-0 with an ERA of 1.21 and a .194 batting average against. He has needed just 13.9 pitches per inning in that stretch. Romero is 5-4 with an ERA of 2.88 overall that is 10th best in the American League on the season and is 3-2 with an ERA of 3.60 in eight career starts against...

Robert Andino is making another start at second base, which keeps Ryan Adams glued to the bench Adams has made three starts since the Orioles purchased his contract, and he's 2-for-12 after batting .303 with Triple-A Norfolk. Andino is the leadoff hitter when Felix Pie isn't in the lineup, and Showalter is going with the better defensive player at second. Showalter is hoping that Adams is learning a thing or two from the dugout. "As much as you tell him, it's kind of up to him just a...

For the first time since May 16, first baseman Derrek Lee is expected back in the Orioles' lineup tonight. If he comes through batting practice fine, he will officially be back on the roster. He is listed on tonight's lineup card, batting fifth. Lee spent some time in extended spring training in Sarasota and then played for Double-A Bowie last night, going 2-for-3 with two singles and a walk. "I just felt like swinging was the big deal. If I could do that with full force, then I could...

Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will be reevaluated on Tuesday by Dr. Michael Collins, a Pittsburgh-based specialist in sports-related concussions. Roberts hasn't played since diving into first base during a May 16 game in Boston. Collins examined him for the first time on May 24 and recommended that Roberts be shut down for two weeks. Roberts had complained of dizziness and other symptoms that he related to motion sickness. Justin Duchscherer, who still hasn't pitched for the Orioles...

First baseman Derrek Lee will be activated from the disabled list today, start at first base and bat fifth against Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Ricky Romero. Left-handed reliever Pedro Viola will be optioned to make room for Lee, who went 2-for-3 with a walk last night at Double-A Bowie. Viola pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in his only appearance after being recalled from Bowie. Also, Adam Jones will bat third tonight. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF...

I'll be posting the lineup within the next 30 minutes, unless manager Buck Showalter is waiting for a health update on a specific player. It would seem to be an opportune time to sit Luke Scott, who's 2-for-21 and hasn't homered since May 3 in Kansas City. The Blue Jays are starting a left-hander, Ricky Romero, and Scott is 1-for-12 with three strikeouts lifetime against him. That one hit, however, is a home run. Jake Fox isn't here to serve as a right-handed hitting first baseman. Mark...

I published some comments today from ESPN's Keith Law as he sized up some of the best pitching prospects in this year's draft, which begins Monday. Law appeared on my radio show this week on 105.7 FM The Fan in Baltimore. While he was on air, I asked his opinion of Orioles' scouting director Joe Jordan. Law said overall Jordan has a done a good job with more successes than failures and he talked about his selections of Billy Rowell and Matt Hobgood. You can hear that comment below. ...

In his mock draft from May 18, ESPN's Keith Law had the Orioles taking Oklahoma high school pitcher Dylan Bundy with the fourth pick in Monday's draft. In his mock draft out yesterday, Law now projects University of Virginia lefty Danny Hultzen to be the O's pick. He has Pittsburgh taking UCLA pitcher Gerrit Cole with the first pick before Seattle takes Anthony Rendon of Rice and Arizona selects UCLA hurler Trevor Bauer. Law was a guest on my radio show this week on 105.7 FM in Baltimore...

The Nationals' three-game winning streak has come to an end, thanks to a 4-0 victory Friday night by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Washington managed just three hits off Arizona right-hander Josh Collmenter, while Michael Morse, the team's hottest hitter, went 0-for-4, including striking out for the game's final at-bat. It was the first time Morse had been held hitless in 12 games. Johnny and Phil ask Jim Riggleman his thoughts on the Nats' 4-0 loss to the Diamondbacks Nationals right-hander...

Derrek Lee went 2-for-3 with a walk last night at Double-A Bowie, proving that you don't have to be a prototypical leadoff hitter to bat first. Manager Buck Showalter and president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail have discussed whether Lee is ready to come off the disabled list. We'll get confirmation later today. You can believe that Showalter wants him in tonight's lineup. Does Lee slip back into the third spot in the order once he's activated? That's the assumption. And does...