The Orioles are likely to play again tonight without one of their hottest hitters. Luke Scott, who suffered a left shoulder strain in Sunday's game at Washington, missed Tuesday's game and is not in tonight's starting lineup. But he said the injury is progressing. "Better. I just took some dry swings (swinging but not at live pitching or BP pitching). I didn't take anything off the tee. Talked to (trainer) Richie (Bancells) and he said we're just going to give it another complete...

After a bout with pneumonia and two nights in a hospital, O's second baseman Brian Roberts has resumed light baseball activities. He will head to Sarasota, Florida on Friday to continue his rehab. He still fully intends to return this season but admits now that the date of June 9th, when he can return from the disabled list, might be a little optimistic for his return to the Orioles at this point. He said he cannot be certain when he will return to a Major League field, but remains...

The Orioles today announced that they have placed RHP ALFREDO SIMON and RHP KOJI UEHARA on the 15-day disabled list, recalled LHP ALBERTO CASTILLO from Triple-A Norfolk and selected the contract of RHP FRANK MATA from the Tides. To make room for Mata on the 40-man roster, the club has transferred LHP MICHAEL GONZALEZ to the 60-day disabled list. Simon was placed on the DL with a left hamstring strain, retroactive to May 24. Uehara was diagnosed with a right forearm strain and his DL...

Second baseman Brian Roberts and relievers Koji Uehara and Alfredo Simon will fly to Sarasota on Friday. I wonder which one gets the middle seat. Roberts is eligible to come off the disabled list on June 9, but the first week at the minor league complex will be like spring training for him. He'll have to play in some games and go on an injury rehab assignment. I wouldn't circle June 9 on my calendar. "I'm not sure that's an attainable goal, to be honest with you," manager Dave...

Corey Patterson LF Ty Wigginton 1B Nick Markakis RF Miguel Tejada 3B Matt Wieters C Adam Jones CF Scott Moore 2B Garrett Atkins DH Cesar Izturis SS Brian Matusz LHP

At last year's First Annual Orioles Cook-Off, it was obvious that Gregg Zaun was in it to win it. This year, that Oriole was Luke Scott. And his quiet intensity paid off, as Scott was eventually awarded the title of Best Chef in Birdland at the conclusion of the Second Annual Orioles Cook-Off, held this afternoon at the ESPN Zone in Baltimore. Luke Scott's surf and turf, featuring filet mignon and salmon topped with scallops and cream sauce beat out Kevin Millwood's chicken enchiladas...

I'll pass along the lineups in about an hour. I ducked into the MASN WebStudio to file a quick entry on today's Orioles Cook-Off and to revel in the air conditioning. I took a little walk through the Inner Harbor. In the direct sunlight. Wearing a black shirt and gray slacks. You get the picture. My car temperature was 96 degrees after I retrieved it from one of the public lots on Commerce St., and it only got down to 95 by the time I pulled into Camden Yards. Anyway, enough about my...

Luke Scott is still scheduled to appear at today's Orioles Cook-Off at ESPN Zone. He didn't cancel after being scratched from last night's lineup with a sore left shoulder. Scott couldn't swing a bat yesterday without experiencing discomfort in the shoulder, but he can wield a spoon. Scott told reporters last night that he might undergo an MRI today. I don't know if his appearance downtown means that his condition improved dramatically and he might be able to play, or if he didn't want...

You might have been thinking it. I know that I was thinking it. "Why is Will Ohman coming into this game?" (And why am I using quotation marks for a thought? Good question.) I suggested to a few reporters in the press box that I'd bring back Mark Hendrickson for the ninth. The tall lefty had cruised through two innings, allowing only an infield hit and striking out one. He threw 14 of his 21 pitches for strikes. I've rarely seen him better. Put him back on the mound in the ninth inning,...

So what do CC Sabathia, Justin Verlander, Felix Hernandez, Mark Buehrle, John Lackey, Rick Porcello and Gil Meche all have common? Besides being pretty good pitchers they all have ERA's higher than Jeremy Guthrie right now. I wonder how many fans would admit they wanted Guthrie gone after he led the AL in losses and homers allowed last year. He went 10-17, 5.04. Now after ten starts, he is 3-4, 3.64. He is tied for first in the AL with eight quality starts and that is in ten outings. He...