I placed a call to pitcher Brad Bergesen shortly before 9 p.m. last night, which he returned about 20 minutes later. We had a nice chat, though I kept it brief. The poor kid will be dealing with the media on a daily basis beginning next week, so I try not to intrude much during the winter months. I wanted to check on his health, and whether the rumors were true that he sustained an injury while shooting a commercial two months ago. I heard some whispers, and they grew loud enough yesterday...

Of all the Orioles' efforts in the community, Brian Roberts' work with the University of Maryland hospital for children is one of the most well known. Though B-Rob sometimes prefers to keep the specifics of his visits to the hospital out of the limelight, he's always looking for ways to make an impact, and there's no bigger example than his annual Baseball Bash. But this time, Roberts is looking to make a difference for those kids beyond his late summer Baseball Bash and the typical...

The Orioles announced that they've reached agreement with Jeremy Guthrie on a one-year contract, thus avoiding an arbitration hearing next week and any potential hard feelings. Guthrie filed for $3.625 million and the Orioles countered with $2.3 million. They agreed to $3 million, the projected figure based on past settlements. Guthrie earned $650,000 last season while going 10-17 with a 5.04 ERA and a league-high 35 homers allowed in 33 starts covering 200 innings. Also, a public viewing...

This week marks the fourth round of the O's Buzz photo feature 'Where in the Yard?' and more than a few of you are showing just how well you know your very own Camden Yards. We'll really find out how well you're doing when we post a few standings here in the O's Buzz following next week's photo challenge. But in Week 4, I'm predicting that there might be a wide range of guesses, as the old cartoon Bird has nested in various places around the Yard. If your guesses are all over Oriole...

Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie and his representatives were prepared for an arbitration hearing, and confident in their chances of winning it, but they elected to avoid the process and reached an agreement with the Orioles earlier today on a one-year deal. "It's exciting to come to an agreement that both sides agree is fair," Guthrie said during our phone conversation a few minutes ago. "We've been working on this for about a year, anticipating this part of my career - with my agents and with...

The Orioles today announced a multi-year partnership with NewsRadio 910 WSBA to air Orioles baseball in York, Pa. WSBA aired Orioles baseball in Central Pennsylvania from 1988 through 2006. The Orioles then made the switch to WOYK 1350, where Yorkers listened to Orioles games for the past three seasons. But after a brief separation, the O's and WSBA have renewed their partnership, and starting again this season, WSBA will air regular season games, select spring training games (starting in...

Calling into last night's Hot Stove Show on 105.7 The Fan, Orioles pitcher David Hernandez conceded that he needs to command his fastball down in the strike zone. He can't always live dangerously with the high heater. "You keep repeating the upper strike," he said, "and hitters start looking at that one area." The kid is learning. Hernandez notices that he's constantly mentioned in the same sentence as Jason Berken (see, it happened again), though they're totally different pitchers....

Calling into Friday night's Hot Stove Show on 105.7 The Fan, right fielder Nick Markakis said he doesn't care whether he bats second or third this season. He pointed out that it really doesn't matter after the first inning. Markakis will mostly hit third, as he did last season, but the Orioles aren't settled at the second and cleanup spots. He'll move around on occasion. Markakis hit second in 14 games last season, batting .317 with seven doubles, two homers, eight RBIs and a .925 OPS....

Orioles spring training tickets go on sale at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 16. If that doesn't tell you that baseball season is right around the corner, what does? The countdown to spring training has officially begun, and in case you're on the fence as to whether you want to make the trip down to the Orioles' first spring training in Sarasota, a handful of O's fans took a break from planning their trips to share their plans with the Orioles Buzz. One O's fan, Monte Schisler, a...

By this time tomorrow, I'll probably be standing in line to check my bag at the AirTran counter. Or I'll be sitting in the back of a cab on my way to the airport to stand in line to check my bag at the AirTran counter. Or I'll be trying to calm my nerves while standing in line to book another flight at the AirTran counter after mine is cancelled because of the snow. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow. I've packed a carry-on bag, but I still have to load up my suitcase. I've gathered...