Right-hander Matt Hobgood reported to the O's minor league camp several weeks early this year and his goal was to make the Delmarva starting rotation this season. Mission accomplished. The 19-year-old that the O's selected with the fifth pick in round one of the draft last June, will head north this weekend with the rest of the Shorebirds. "I'm really excited about my first year of long season ball," Hobgood said. "We should have a really young team and I'd like to think a lot of us...

We began playing Where at Nats Park in early January and many of you have contributed to the fun. We're going to keep it going into the new season, but I wanted to get an offseason tally to see where we stand. We have a clear winner in NatsNut. She provided nine correct answers over the past twelve weeks. Congratulations to her! I'm still trying to see how a prizing system might work and what prizes might be available, so hold tight on that but keep playing! And go play Fantasy...

On Saturday, the Nationals honored season ticket holders with special photo opportunities and a town hall meeting with manager Jim Riggleman. Fans could take photos with all of their favorite Nationals including Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Dunn, John Lannan and Nyjer Morgan, as well as with new faces like Pudge Rodriguez and Brian Bruney. At the town hall meeting, fans asked questions directly to Riggleman and Opening Day starter John Lannan. Fans wanted to know about final roster decisions, game...

The Orioles have discussed possibly limiting the innings of their rookie pitchers in September or maybe even shutting them down at some point during the month. O's 21-year-old right hander Chris Tillman could understand if that happens, but he says right now, it's not really necessary for him. After throwing about 135 innings each of the last two seasons, Tillman is at 131 now between Norfolk and Baltimore. "I feel great, other than that last start, it was weird, I felt drained. But...

Game Preview Yankees (83-48) at Orioles (54-78) Despite a tough schedule coming up, the Orioles hope that September will be a better month for them than August was. The O's finished the month playing and pitching a little better and won six of the final 12 games in the month. But overall, the Orioles lost 20 of 30 games in August. Tonight they begin September by hosting the Yankees in game two of a three-game series. David Hernandez (4-6, 4.24) will pitch vs. the Yankees A.J. Burnett...

There were a flurry of roster moves made today around the O's farm system. OF Dave Krynzel from Bowie to Norfolk OF Ambiorix Concepcion from Bowie to Norfolk IF Miguel Abreu to Bowie inactive list IF Paco Figueroa to Bowie inactive list OF Danny Figueroa to Bowie inactive list RHP Zach Clark from Frederick to Norfolk OF Matt Angle from Frederick to Bowie IF Pedro Florimon from Frederick to Bowie RHP Brian Parker from Frederick to Bowie IF Brandon Waring from Frederick to Bowie LHP Brett...

O's manager Dave Trembley today said he expected Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman to each make "three starts maximum" before being shut down for the remainder of this season. O's president Andy MacPhail also spoke about limiting appearances and innings for the rookie pitchers. "With Brian you have to remember this is his first year of pro experience. He doesn't have the innings built up that even Chris Tillman or Berken or Hernandez have that have been pitching professionally. You...

RHP David Hernandez (4-6, 4.24) tonight makes his 14th start of the season, his 7th at home and his 2nd of the year vs. New York. Hernandez did not get a decision in his last start vs. Cleveland when he gave up two runs over six innings. Hernandez, 2009 season: In July: 2-0, 2.45 in four starts In August: 1-4, 5.83 in six starts Right-handed batters hit .283 off Hernandez while lefties bat .271 and he gives up an average of just .156 when pitching with runners in scoring position. The...

Luke Scott hit a huge three-run homer, it was a bomb, but it didn't hit the Warehouse in case you were wondering. He hit it 412 feet down the right-field line onto Eutaw Street, but it would have needed to go 439 feet to reach the Warehouse. Still, off the bat it made you wonder, that was crushed. The three-run shot off A.J. Burnett in the fifth, gave the O's a 6-5 lead. It was Scott's 21st homer of the year. It was the 52nd homer in Camden Yards history onto Eutaw Street and the 22nd...

The 2009 Orioles Yearbook is out already this season, and this year's is a good one. The gray "Baltimore" road jersey is pictured on the cover in front of the classic O's brick backdrop. Inside you'll find bios for the various members of the Orioles ownership and front office (Here's a fun fact you may or may not know: author Tom Clancy is actually the Vice Chairman of Community Projects and Public Affairs for the O's). Following the front office are pages for the manager, coaches...