It's been a stunning fall from grace for Brad Bergesen. A few months ago he was being featured in that TV promo to promote the upcoming season. Even though that didn't work out well, he was considered important enough to this season that he was chosen for that spot. Now he is headed back to the minors after just three starts in 2010. I'm surprised the O's are sending him out. It will be a popular move with the fans who get restless after a player's performance falls off, even over a...

MASN broadcaster Johnny Holliday has been recognized by The Maryland Daily Record as an 'Influential Marylander' in the newspaper's fourth annual list honoring local residents for accomplishments and service. The publication chose sixty Marylanders for the impressive honor. Holliday and the other recipients will be formally feted at a ceremony on April 21st at the Grand Lodge in Cockeysville, Md. Johnny Holliday is in his fourth year with MASN as the host of the Nationals' network's Nats...

We've learned at least one thing from the Orioles' decision to option Brad Bergesen to the minors, a move that will be made official later today: They don't believe that he's injured. He's going to Triple-A Norfolk, not the disabled list. Update: The Orioles just confirmed that Bergesen is going to Triple-A. They'll announce the corresponding roster move later today. The word out of Norfolk is that left-hander Alberto Castillo is joining the team in Seattle. If you're there, please...

It looks that way. I woke up to a flashing red light on my BlackBerry and a text message that Brad Bergesen is heading to the minors. I'm assuming that president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail would prefer that I not attempt to contact him at 3 a.m., so confirmation will have to wait until later. But I trust the person who's alerting me. Bergesen is 0-2 with a 12.19 ERA after allowing seven runs (four earned) in only 2 2/3 innings tonight. We almost forget that he still has...

Not tonight: One night after scoring a season-high eight runs, the Orioles were no-hit thru six innings Monday in a 8-2 loss to Seattle. They were held to just five hits, tying their low total for the season. The Orioles have scored two runs or less in seven of their last 10 games and three runs or less 10 times on the year. The O's fall to 2-12 on the year and have lost 10 of their last 11 games. They are 1-4 on this ten-game road trip, and 2-6 in road games. The Orioles are now 0-5 in...

The first red flag for me regarding Brad Bergesen didn't come after he got knocked out of a game early or failed to get the same sink on his ball. It happened when he suggested that his confidence might not be at the usual level. What transpired tonight in Seattle won't have Bergesen puffing out his chest. He allowed four earned runs - seven total - and six hits, with three walks, in only 2 2/3 innings. That's the earliest exit of his career, and it left quite a stain on tonight's...

Last year, Brad Bergesen gave up 5 ER just once in 19 starts for the Orioles. This year he has allowed 5 ER twice in two starts. His ERA last year was 3.43 and he went 5-3, 2.49 in 11 starts in June and July. Now he is 0-1, 11.74. Here is what some must be wondering. Has the league figured out Bergesen? Was last year's success a little bit of a fluke? Two starts to me does not wash away his tremendous success from 2009 when he was the Orioles best starter. Bergy contends his mechanics...

Orioles manager Dave Trembley told reporters in Seattle that Lou Montanez could get the majority of the starts in left field because of his mobility, while Nolan Reimold serves as the designated hitter to keep his bat in the lineup. Brian Roberts still hasn't been cleared to perform baseball-related activities after back specialist Dr. Lee Riley examined him today at Johns Hopkins. Roberts is a long way from being ready. MASN's Amber Theoharis also passed along that Koji Uehara threw 35...

For the Orioles: Adam Jones CF Ty Wigginton 3B Nick Markakis RF Nolan Reimold DH Matt Wieters C Luke Scott 1B Lou Montanez LF Julio Lugo 2B Cesar Izturis SS Brad Bergesen RHP For the Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki RF Chone Figgins 2B Franklin Gutierrez CF Jose Lopez 3B Ken Griffey Jr. DH Milton Bradley LF Casey Kotchman 1B Rob Johnson C Jack Wilson SS Doug Fister RHP

In honor of Jackie Robinson Day (last week), can you guess where this #42 is displayed? Be specific since this one is a little bit easy. Answers will be posted on Wednesday. Ready for a great homestand? T-Shirt Tuesday? Elvis wigs? Fireworks? I hope so. See you at Nats Park! Answer: Jackie's commemorative #42 hangs in left field near the visitor's bullpen. Great work!