Orioles pitcher Jake Arrieta underwent successful surgery today to remove a bone spur from his right elbow. Orthopedic specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum handled the procedure in California.
A team official said Arrieta is expected to be full-go for spring training, which is why it made sense for the pitcher to undergo surgery now instead of waiting until after the season or relying on cortisone injections and treatments.
Arrieta will return to Baltimore before the season ends.
Meanwhile, Tigers No....
Last night, the Chicago White Sox began their assault on Orioles starter Chris Tillman in the first inning by stringing together a single, home run, double, double and double.
Tillman was behind, 4-0, before recording his first out.
One night later, Orioles starter Alfredo Simon retired the first Detroit Tigers batter he faced before issuing a walk and allowing three consecutive singles.
Fortunately for Simon, the Tigers managed only one run, on Miguel Cabrera's single into left field....
A line drive from Robert Andino in batting practice struck Tigers reliever Al Alburquerque in the head, creating a frightening scene here at Camden Yards.
Alburquerque went down hard and was kicking his legs while players from both teams and members of the Tigers training staff gathered around him. Alburquerque left the field on a cart and was taken to a nearby hospital for a CT scan.
A photographer in the press box identified Alburquerque as the stricken player.
I'll pass along any updates...
The Orioles made their roster move official about an hour ago. Reliever Willie Eyre's contract was purchased from Triple-A Norfolk, and pitcher Jake Arrieta was placed on the 60-day disabled list to create room on the 40-man roster.
The club still hasn't received any information on Arrieta's surgery today to remove a bone spur from his elbow.
Second baseman Brian Roberts worked out in Sarasota, playing long toss and taking ground balls, among other things. He hasn't experienced any...
The Orioles have a new leadoff hitter tonight: left fielder Nolan Reimold.
Shortstop J.J. Hardy is batting second, and Vladimir Guerrero moves down to fifth.
For the Orioles:
Nolan Reimold LF
J.J. Hardy SS
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Mark Reynolds 3B
Matt Wieters C
Chris Davis 1B
Robert Andino 2B
Alfredo Simon RHP
Manager Buck Showalter began his postgame session with the media by talking about Chris Tillman's poor performance in a 6-3 loss to the White Sox. It wasn't until about halfway through that he mentioned a roster move.
Tillman was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, and Showalter said a reliever would fill the roster spot. He didn't mention anyone by name, but it's Willie Eyre.
Tillman allowed six runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings. He threw 77 pitches, 47 for strikes.
"It's frustrating,"...
The Orioles optioned starter Chris Tillman to Triple-A Norfolk after tonight's 6-3 loss to the White Sox at Camden Yards.
Chris Tillman talks with reporters after picking up the loss and being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk
Tillman allowed six runs and eight hits in 2 2/3 innings, raising his ERA to 5.52. It was a disappointing follow-up to his last start, when he held the Blue Jays to two runs over seven innings.
The corresponding move for Tillman hasn't been announced, but reliever...
I'll pass along new reliever Willie Eyre's uniform number as soon as I get it. That will be my first order of business today.
With Chris Tillman optioned last night, the Orioles will need a starter for Tuesday's game in Oakland after Tommy Hunter takes the mound for the series-opener on Monday. Brian Matusz would be working on normal rest and he's coming off his finest outing of the year. He would be the obvious replacement unless team officials want him to stay down a little longer....
Brad Bergesen replaced ineffective starter Chris Tillman in the third inning and gave the Orioles a fighting chance.
Bergesen shut out the White Sox on two hits over 4 1/3 innings, with one walk and no strikeouts. He threw 48 pitches, 33 for strikes.
In his previous outing, Bergesen held the Blue Jays to one run and three hits over three innings, with no walks and four strikeouts. Add it up, and he's allowed one run and five hits over his last 7 1/3 innings, with one walk and four...
The Orioles are trying to get back into this game.
J.J. Hardy singled with two outs in the third inning to score Nolan Reimold, who reached on a ground-rule double, and Nick Markakis followed with his 100th career home run.
The ball landed on the flag court in right field. Estimated distance: 368 feet.
White Sox 6, Orioles 3
Markakis' last home run came July 24 against the Angels.
Left-hander Mark Buehrle retired the first seven batters before Reimold's double.
That's two straight hits...
In his last start, Chris Tillman held the Blue Jays to two runs and four hits over seven innings in a 6-2 victory at Camden Yards.
In tonight's start, the first five White Sox's batters strung together a single, home run, double, double and double.
So much for building momentum.
Tillman was down 4-0 before recording his first out on his 20th pitch of the inning, getting a ground ball from Alex Rios that was met with a sarcastic ovation from fans.
Adam Dunn walked, but Tillman struck out...
The Orioles apparently are on the verge of purchasing reliever Willie Eyre's contract from Triple-A Norfolk.
Eyre isn't heading to Baltimore at this moment, but I'm anticipating another roster move within the next day or two.
Update: The Orioles could announce Eyre's promotion after tonight's game or before tomorrow's series-opener against the Tigers.
The club could choose to send down a reliever or a position player. Third baseman Josh Bell, whose playing time is limited again with...
No matter how hard the media tries, manager Buck Showalter is not going to provide a timetable for left-hander Brian Matusz's return to the Orioles.
Showalter said it wouldn't be "shocking" if Matusz was recalled before rosters expand on Sept. 1, but he's not looking to heighten expectations and place additional pressure on the young southpaw.
"If everybody feels like he's ready to come back, he will," Showalter said.
Matusz tossed a five-hit shutout today at Triple-A Norfolk, and...
Vladimir Guerrero has returned to the lineup and will bat fourth. J.J. Hardy returns to the leadoff spot.
For the Orioles:
J.J. Hardy SS
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Matt Wieters C
Mark Reynolds 3B
Chris Davis 1B
Nolan Reimold LF
Robert Andino 2B
Chris Tillman RHP
Left-hander Brian Matusz appeared to take another big step forward in his eventual return to the Orioles' rotation.
I say "appeared" because I don't have a scouting report from today's start against Lehigh Valley. But Matusz has blanked the Iron Pigs - yes, I just wrote that - on five hits over seven innings, with one walk, eight strikeouts and two hit batters.
Matusz has thrown 95 pitches, 64 for strikes. He's induced seven ground balls and three fly balls.
Matusz is locked in a duel...
Nolan Reimold hadn't homered since July 26 before tonight's big swing off White Sox reliever Jason Frasor.
Reimold was hitless in four at-bats tonight before stepping to the plate in the bottom of the 10th inning. He ended up with a pretty sweet 1-for-5.
"I was just trying to be relaxed," he said. "I was 0-for-4 at that point. Just relax and not be tense. I got a pitch to hit, my first pitch, so I didn't take it. I jumped on it and was happy to come through."
After getting pied in the...
Nolan Reimold ended tonight's game with one out in the 10th inning by launching a ball 430 feet into the visiting bullpen.
"Good for Nolan," manager Buck Showalter said after the Orioles' 6-4 win. "Put a good swing on it. You could tell he had little approach there, what he was looking for, and he didn't miss it.
"I think he just missed a ball earlier, too. Nolan's a strong guy with a lot of skills. Not very often do the waters part and there's just an open-end ticket. He's got...
The first 10,000 fans 15 and older who attend tonight's game will receive a Jake Arrieta T-shirt.
Yes, I know, a Brian Matusz bobblehead and a Jake Arrieta T-shirt. I can't wait for Jake Fox Photo Night.
Before you ask, the Arrieta bobblehead doesn't come with a little bone spur or a sling or a tiny Dr. Yocum. I've heard 'em all.
Well, feel free to add your own, but I've probably heard it.
Arrieta underwent a CT scan and MRI on his right elbow yesterday - taking the advice of agent...
Shortstop J.J. Hardy hit his 21st home run in the first inning to break a tie with Adam Jones for second place on the team behind Mark Reynolds (26).
Jones homered in the fifth to create another tie.
Talk about a short-lived lead.
At least the Orioles have held one since the first inning.
Jones' homer, measured at 405 feet, increased the Orioles' lead to 4-0 and gave him a career-high 71 RBIs.
Tommy Hunter retired nine in a row before Alex Rios led off the fifth with a double. He set...
J.J. Hardy is batting second tonight. He's mostly been leading off. He'd move down to ninth if manager Buck Showalter preferred it.
Hardy doesn't care where he hits.
The results are pretty much the same anyway.
Hardy homered again tonight, connecting off White Sox starter Philip Humber with one out and the count full in the first inning. The ball traveled an estimated distance of 382 feet and gave the Orioles a quick 1-0 lead.
Hardy has 21 home runs in 84 games. Remember that he missed...