Josh Bell is serving as Triple-A Norfolk's designated hitter for today's game against Buffalo. Bell missed the last two games because of spasms in his neck. He's being eased back into the lineup as the DH, with Paco Figueroa starting at third base. Bell has hit .333 (16-for-48) with eight doubles and eight runs scored in his last 13 games. Left-hander Troy Patton is on the mound for the Tides. Jake Arrieta is still scheduled to start Thursday after throwing two innings in relief on...

Starting this afternoon at 3:30, I'll be hosting a live radio-type podcast here at MASNSports.com. You can call in then with your comments and questions on the draft at 914-338-0105. I hope to take a lot of your calls beginning today at 3:30pm. Here is the link to listen to the radio show. It now appears just about definite that the Orioles will wind up with high school shortstop Manny Machado with the third pick in tonight's draft. ESPN's Buster Olney reported earlier today that the...

Because the Nationals are off tonight, you might want to consider taking a trip to Woodbridge to catch Pudge Rodriguez make a rehab start for the Potomac Nationals. Rodriguez should play about six innings and if he feels good during the game, he's expected to catch the debut of Stephen Strasburg on Tuesday at Nationals Park. Monday night is also Dollar Night at Pfitzner Stadium. Tickets and hot dogs are just a dollar, so it's a great opportunity to watch some minor league baseball for an...

Happy Draft Day everyone - As the O's prepare to make their selections in this year's First-Year Player Draft, we're back for another 'Where in the Yard?' here in the Orioles Buzz. Though this week's image (unfortunately) isn't draft related, you've probably seen them as you've made your way around the ballpark for games here at Camden Yards. So take a look at the photo below and let us know what the item is and where it's located in or around Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Update:...

Back this week and ready to stump you. Can you figure out where this is at Nationals Park? Good luck! Answers will be revealed on Wednesday. Answer: Apologies for the late update here. I think we all had a busy week last week. The answer is the flooring inside the Exxon Strike Zone for kids.

Well, draft day is finally here. It feels like I've been writing about the draft for weeks, but it's only been about the last week. It's an important three-day stretch for the Orioles. They seem certain to get a highly-touted prospect with their first-round pick tonight, but all of their picks will be important. The Tampa Bay Rays hit big on some draft picks over the years and that helped them climb to the top of the American League East. But while fans are excited about the Orioles...

Sorry to leave the comments unattended for so long. I ended up in Canton last night and...well, I ended up in Canton. I could use a little more sleep, but I'm playing tennis in about an hour and I wanted to get the blog cranked up before I dragged my tired body onto the court. The Orioles will make their selection in tonight's First-Year Player Draft no later than 7:15 p.m. Each team is on the clock for five minutes now that MLB Network has gotten involved and we have to milk this sucker...

Many fans are wondering if the Orioles will make a concentrated effort to add some offense in the First-Year Player Draft that begins with the first round tonight at 7 p.m. With the third overall pick in round one tonight the O's could wind up with prep pitcher Jameson Taillon or high school shortstop Manny Machado. Most draft projections have the O's taking one of those young players, which ever the Pirates don't select with the second pick. After that, there are indications the O's...

A familiar criticism of the Orioles at times in recent years has been that there is a losing culture around the organization. They need more players that have toughness and just refuse to lose, some say. O's scouting director Joe Jordan said, in addition to talented players, he is looking for players just like that this year in the First-Year Player Draft, which begins at 7:00 p.m. Monday night. "I don't want to make a statement against anyone that's here, but what we've really tried to...

Nick Markakis made sure we didn't endure a 12th inning today, lining a single into left-center field to touch off a wild, and rare, celebration at home plate. So this is how a win looks and feels? Amber Theoharis talks with Nick Markakis after his game winning hit in the 11th inning "We've battled," Markakis said. "We were in games and lost them. But we didn't let this one get away. Our bullpen did a great job. (David) Hernandez came in and did as good of a job as you could ask that...