Roch Kubatko
Roch Kubatko

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Steelers safety Troy Polamalu reportedly has insured his hair for $1 million. He stole the idea from Jake Arrieta, who did the same thing with his mustache. Triple-A Norfolk avoided being no-hit by Gwinnett's Scott Diamond last night. Nolan Reimold and Robert Andino doubled for the Tides. Single-A Delmarva shortstop Garabez Rosa has received mention here for his 40-something errors, so it's only fair for me to point out that he hit his fifth home run last night. If you were tracking Steve...
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Checking Norfolk's rotation (updated)

Checking Norfolk's rotation (updated)
Left-hander Zach Britton is listed as tonight's starter for Triple-A Norfolk, with Chris Tillman taking the hill tomorrow night. Tillman is expected to join the Orioles once teams are allowed to expand their rosters on Wednesday. The trick is finding room for him in the rotation. Britton's chances of coming up appear to be diminishing, but mostly because of space issues, not worries about the amount of innings that he's logged. Manager Buck Showalter seemed more optimistic about...
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Izzy the answer at short?

Izzy the answer at short?
I'm savoring my last morning before my daughter starts school. That means staying in bed past 6:30 a.m. and not trying to pack a lunch while half asleep. Tomorrow starts a whole new routine for me, so you'll see blog comments approved and entries filed a lot earlier. I suppose that's a good thing. How nasty was Michael Gonzalez's slider yesterday? Bobby Abreu had no chance at the last one. I just wish Gonzalez could avoid falling into the third base dugout on every pitch. If I'm a...
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Koji's closing again (w/minor league note)

Koji's closing again (w/minor league note)
Don't tell me that Koji Uehara isn't the closer on this team. Uehara has four saves since Aug. 21. He retired Torii Hunter on one pitch for the final out today to preserve a 1-0 victory and give the Orioles back-to-back shutouts for the first time since July 22 and 24, 2007 (Jeremy Guthrie and, yes, Daniel Cabrera.) Koji's the closer. I'll say it again: Koji's the closer. Wash my mouth out with soap, but Koji's the closer. Then again, Michael Gonzalez was called upon to strike out...
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New MLB rule?

New MLB rule?
According to plate umpire Brian Gorman, you can tag a runner with your hamstrings instead of the ball. Who knew? Gorman called out Josh Bell at the plate in the sixth inning after the Orioles rookie slid hard into Jeff Mathis, knocking the Angels' catcher on his backside. Bell touched the plate as Mathis tried to swipe at him with his mitt. He was clearly safe, except in the closed eyes of Brian Gorman. Nick Markakis lost an RBI. The Orioles will try not to lose a game. Matt Wieters'...
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And then there was one (w/Napoli note)

And then there was one (w/Napoli note)
Nice bench the Orioles are sporting these days. Can tomorrow's off-day, and roster expansion, come soon enough? Julio Lugo left today's game in the first inning after being drilled on the helmet by Jered Weaver's pickoff throw. As soon as Lugo hit the dirt, and stayed there, I began reworking the lineup in my head. Ty Wigginton to second base, Jake Fox to first. It didn't take long to break that code. What other choice did manager Buck Showalter have with Brian Roberts unavailable again...
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Quick Jones update

Quick Jones update
Orioles manager Buck Showalter believes Adam Jones could return to the lineup on Tuesday. Having tomorrow off gives Jones another day to recover after being hit behind the left shoulder by a Gavin Floyd fastball last Tuesday. Showalter told reporters that Jones is "more available" today than yesterday. Jones and Brian Roberts will report to Camden Yards tomorrow for treatment. Also, Showalter didn't dismiss the possibility that Jim Johnson could close some games before the season ends,...
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Still no Jones or Roberts

Still no Jones or Roberts
Julio Lugo 2B Felix Pie LF Nick Markakis RF Luke Scott DH Ty Wigginton 1B Corey Patterson CF Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis SS Josh Bell 3B Jeremy Guthrie RHP
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J.J. more than OK in return

J.J. more than OK in return
Vikings quarterback Brett Favre threw two interceptions last night. Save it for the playoffs, Brett. Nice outing by Jim Johnson last night in his first major league action since April 30. Hard to believe it's been that long. Manager Buck Showalter found an opportune time to take Johnson for a test-drive, in the ninth inning with the Orioles holding a 5-0 lead. The first batter reached on an infield hit, but Johnson didn't allow another baserunner. Most impressive to me, his fastball was...
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Bell's crushing the splits (updated)

Bell's crushing the splits (updated)
Josh Bell has always hit better from the left side of the plate. The splits are so uneven that many fans have suggested that he give up switch-hitting. Team officials have chosen to wait, but they're aware of the discrepancy. So explain how Bell's three major league home runs have come against left-handers. Bell just took Scott Kazmir deep with Cesar Izturis on base, giving the Orioles a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning. He went to the opposite field with an 0-2 count. Kazmir has lost six of...
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While waiting on Jones (still not playing)

While waiting on Jones (still not playing)
Still no Adam Jones in the lineup. This is the fourth straight game without him. Julio Lugo 2B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 1B Luke Scott DH Jake Fox LF Felix Pie CF Crag Tatum C Cesar Izturis SS Josh Bell 3B Kevin Millwood RHP Here's the Angels lineup: Bobby Abreu LF Howie Kendrick 2B Alberto Callaspo 3B Torii Hunter RF Hideki Matsui DH Mike Napoli 1B Erick Aybar SS Bobby Wilson C Peter Bourjos CF Scott Kazmir LHP
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Machado Man

Machado Man
If you're going to get your first professional hit, make it a home run. Don't fool around. First-round pick Manny Machado was 0-for-5 as a pro before launching a two-run homer in the sixth inning today for the Gulf Coast League Orioles. He had flied out to center field twice this morning after going 0-for-3 yesterday in his debut. He grounded to the pitcher in his last at-bat today. If you're going to start out 1-for-7 as a pro, make that one hit a home run. Machado will work out with...
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For Roberts, it's hip to be sore

For Roberts, it's hip to be sore
I couldn't fall asleep last night, so I tried counting Brian Roberts' injuries. Man, it's been a tough year for the Orioles' second baseman and leadoff hitter. I'm afraid to ask what's next. Roberts is day-to-day with a strained left hip. He told reporters that it began bothering him about a week ago and has gotten worse. It's doubtful that he'll play tonight, so look for Julio Lugo at second base against Angels left-hander Scott Kazmir. Roberts showed up at spring training with a...
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Roberts joins injured list (updated)

Roberts joins injured list (updated)
Brian Roberts was forced out of tonight's game with a strained left hip. Let's hope his day-to-day is shorter than Adam Jones' day-to-day. Josh Bell entered the game in the fourth and batted for Roberts in the sixth. He singled leading off the inning and scored with two outs on Luke Scott's infield hit, giving the Orioles a 2-1 lead. Bell was supposed to get the night off. He's been in a terrible slump since his two-homer game, striking out seven times in 14 at-bats. Julio Lugo, a...
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Quick check of the farm

Quick check of the farm
Lou Montanez hit his second home run tonight for Triple-A Norfolk. Tim Bascom held Charlotte to one run and five hits over seven innings. He threw 89 pitches, 59 for strikes. Ryan Adams is 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored for Double-A Bowie, raising his average to .305. Left Fielder Tyler Henson was 2-for-2 with a double and RBI before coming out of the game, causing a lot of position shuffling. Adams moved from second to third. Brandon Waring moved from third to first. Joe...
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Waiting on Jones (updated twice)

Waiting on Jones (updated twice)
The Orioles haven't posted their lineup because they're waiting to find out whether Adam Jones is healthy enough to play. Update: Jones remains out of the lineup. Mark Viviano reports that Felix Pie will start in center field, with Corey Patterson in left. Julio Lugo is starting at third base. Also, Jim Johnson threw off a mound and is available tonight. Update II: Pie is now starting in left, with Patterson going to center. Manager Buck Showalter just switched them. Man, that's a lot of...
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A few random notes (plus one more)

A few random notes (plus one more)
In case you forgot, reliever Jim Johnson was 1-1 with one save and a 6.52 ERA in 10 games with the Orioles before going on the disabled list and spending most of his days and nights in Sarasota. Johnson threw two innings on Tuesday for Double-A Bowie, so he should be available tonight if the Orioles need him. They wouldn't activate him this soon if he wasn't ready. The question is, how will they use him? Will he be eased back into major league competition or called upon late in a close...
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Machado's debut (updated)

Machado's debut (updated)
Orioles first-round pick Manny Machado played his first professional game today for the Gulf Coast League Orioles, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout as the designated hitter in a 1-0 victory over the Rays. He was lifted for a pinch-hitter before his fourth at-bat. Update: In case you missed it, Machado will work out with the Aberdeen IronBirds on Sunday and most likely play his first NY-Penn League game the following night. Ninth-round pick Parker Bridwell pitched the first inning, walking one,...
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Bordy breaks down Machado

Bordy breaks down Machado
Former Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick just spent three days with first-round pick Manny Machado, though two of them were abbreviated because of the Florida rain. The weather didn't dampen Bordick's enthusiasm for the kid. "I think the first impressions were great," Bordick told me in a phone conversation last night. "He's got a good attitude. He's excited about being there. I think those first impressions have a big impact on how you approach these guys. "It looked like he's anxious...
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Gabino optioned

Gabino optioned
The Orioles announced after tonight's loss that they've optioned Armando Gabino to Triple-A Norfolk. A corresponding roster move will be announced tomorrow. Jim Johnson will be activated from the disabled list. No big mystery here. Look for Jason Berken to be transferred to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Johnson on the 40-man roster. Gabino served up Alex Rios' two-run homer tonight. Nice parting gift. Gabino allowed seven earned runs in 4 2/3 innings over five appearances...
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