We should receive official word today that reliever Mark Hendrickson has re-signed, though he may choose to make the announcement at the next Oriole Advocates luncheon. Hendrickson apparently has passed his physical. The MLB offices were closed over the weekend, which explains the delay. Am I the only person around here who isn't getting all sentimental over Melvin Mora's departure? Mora spent 10 seasons in Baltimore, including the second half of 2000 after coming here in the Mike...

Mark Hendrickson didn't complete his physical on Friday, so the medical stuff continued today. And while the club expects him to pass, his official signing could be delayed until later in the week. I apologize if I lost anyone with the phrase "medical stuff." I understand that some of you prefer layman's terms. The Orioles also won't expect to have Dennis Sarfate's situation resolved until later in the week. They designated him for assignment on Wednesday to make room for Miguel Tejada...

If you've been keeping those fingers crossed that catcher Robby Hammock would re-sign with the Orioles, he signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies. Says so right here in Baseball America's latest minor league transactions. Hammock will dress in the same spring training clubhouse as Melvin Mora and Jay Payton. Also, catcher Gustavo Molina, who appeared in seven games with the Orioles in 2007, signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox. Best of luck to Kevin Millar as...

In case you skipped over the most recent batch of comments attached to today's blog entry, "Buddy" provided a link to an article from the Ball State Daily News regarding former Oriole Larry Bigbie. Bigbie is being inducted into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, an honor that might seem predictable given his status as a first-round draft pick and the years he spent in the majors. But you had to wonder whether the university would distance itself from Bigbie after his inclusion...

You want to know what it's like to move from shortstop to third base? You wonder about the adjustments, both mental and physical, that come with it? You need to know whether Miguel Tejada can make the switch so late in his career? Here's my question: Why are you asking me? Instead of subjecting you to my theories and speculation, I'll just let Cal Ripken take it from here. He's more qualified, from what I've been told. "The hardest part is reworking the way that you think about...

I'm told that the official announcement on Mark Hendrickson's one-year deal with the Orioles could come tomorrow. I wouldn't expect to hear anything today. I guess physicals take longer for guys who are 6 feet 9 or taller. The Orioles re-signed pitcher Andy Mitchell to a minor league deal, according to Baseball America's Matt Eddy. Mitchell's name isn't included on the list of spring training invites, which ends one of my favorite baseball traditions - watching him warm up in the...

Dennis Sarfate has cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week, and the Orioles outrighted him to Triple-A Norfolk. Sarfate received an invitation to spring training and will attempt to make the club as a non-roster pitcher. I would expect to see Sarfate back in Baltimore at some point this summer if he remains in the organization. His primary competition in Sarasota will come from Matt Albers, Cla Meredith and Kam Mickolio. The Orioles also could move David Hernandez or...

I've had a few readers wonder why a growing number of players are spending their winters at the Athletes' Performance Institute in Arizona, rather than working out at their local gym or hiring a personal trainer who makes house calls. Minor league catcher Caleb Joseph lived with Brian Matusz for part of the offseason, and they joined Brian Roberts and Adam Jones for daily sessions at API that concentrated on fitness and nutrition. I'm told Joseph returned home in better condition, and...

I'll be joining Tom Davis and Phil Wood today for a special edition of "Wall to Wall Baseball" on MASN. The show runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and includes a call-in segment with manager Dave Trembley around 4:15 p.m. I'll torture him and ask for his Opening Day lineup and rotation. The latest on Erik Bedard includes a blog out of Seattle from MLB.com's Jim Street that implies, but doesn't confirm, that the Mariners have prepared an offer to the left-hander. Maybe they've made an...

Orioles minor league pitcher Brian Parker has received a 50-game suspension from the office of the commissioner after a second positive test for a "drug of abuse" that violates the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension for Parker, currently on Double-A Bowie's roster, will begin at the start of the 2010 season. Parker led Single-A Frederick with 35 appearances last season, going 4-3 with a 4.31 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings.