Britton and Britton

Britton and Britton
While Zach Britton is holding the Yankees to an unearned run through five innings tonight, brother Buck has hit a two-run homer for Single-A Frederick. Buck had five RBIs last Thursday while Zach was throwing nine scoreless innings. The Yankees scored in the fourth on Alex Rodriguez's leadoff single - the ball snuck under shortstop J.J. Hardy's glove as he ranged in the hole - an error by Robert Andino and sacrifice fly by Nick Swisher. Rodriguez was picked off second, but Andino couldn't...
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Izturis to miss 6-8 weeks

Izturis to miss 6-8 weeks
Orioles infielder Cesar Izturis has decided to undergo surgery on his right elbow to move the ulnar nerve, a procedure that will sideline him six-to-eight weeks, according to president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. Izturis went on the disabled list today, with first baseman Brandon Snyder taking his roster spot. Signed to a $1.5 million contract over the winter, Izturis is batting .192 (5-for-26) with four runs scored in 16 games. Robert Andino received most of the starts at...
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Move with Patton still pending

Move with Patton still pending
Troy Patton is in Baltimore. Or as it's known to him - Limbo. He's here but he's not here. He's in the clubhouse but he's not on the roster. The Orioles flew Patton to Boston and brought him to Camden Yards in case they put first baseman Derrek Lee on the disabled list and returned to a 13-man pitching staff. Instead, Lee remains day-to-day. So does Patton. "I don't know what the deal is," he quipped. "I've been trying to ask around the front office peeps to get the inside scoop,...
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Duchscherer shut down

Duchscherer shut down
Justin Duchscherer was scratched from today's start at extended spring training, and it's unknown when he'll pitch again. Duchscherer was supposed to throw three innings, but he removed himself from the start. A team official said the reason didn't involve Duchscherer's back or hip. Duchscherer is eligible to come off the disabled list on May 30. He's being paid $700,000 and will make another $400,000 if he's on the 25-man roster. Today didn't bring him any closer to that bonus. The...
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Updates on roster and Roberts (and Simon)

Updates on roster and Roberts (and Simon)
The Orioles will put infielder Cesar Izturis on the disabled list if tonight's game is played. Brandon Snyder will be officially recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Snyder is in the clubhouse today. A decision on Derrek Lee could wait a few days. Troy Patton is here, but the Orioles don't have a pressing need for an extra reliever after last night's postponement, so the left-hander is in limbo again. Izturis is dealing with numbness in his right hand related to scar tissue in his elbow. He...
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Roberts out of lineup again (updated)

Roberts out of lineup again (updated)
Luke Scott is playing first base tonight, weather permitting, but it's more interesting that second baseman Brian Roberts is on the bench. Roberts wasn't in last night's lineup, but we blamed it on poor numbers against Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Roberts is 6-for-24 with seven walks lifetime against Yankees starter Bartolo Colon. Must be a health issue. We'll find out after the clubhouse opens to the media in about 20 minutes. For the Orioles: Felix Pie LF Adam Jones CF Nick...
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Getting to first base

Getting to first base
It's back to Camden Yards tonight, where rookie Zach Britton gets to pitch again with an extra day of rest. It happened in his last start and he shut out the Mariners over nine innings. I'm just saying... I wonder how he's done in the past with the tarp on the field? The forecast isn't promising. The Yankees are sending Bartolo Colon to the mound if the weather allows it. He tossed three scoreless innings against the Orioles on April 14 and is 10-7 with a 3.50 ERA in 21 career games...
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Six scoreless for Simon

Six scoreless for Simon
Making his third rehab start with Double-A Bowie, right-hander Alfredo Simon shut out Richmond on three hits over six innings before Daniel Klein replaced him in the seventh. Simon walked two and struck out four. He threw 83 pitches, 53 for strikes. Simon has allowed six earned runs (seven total) and 14 hits in 16 innings - all of them with Bowie - since beginning his rehab assignment. He's walked five and struck out 17. Simon retired 12 of the last 13 batters he faced. His only real...
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Roster moves coming (updated)

Roster moves coming (updated)
The Orioles are expected to place first baseman Derrek Lee and infielder Cesar Izturis on the disabled list before tomorrow night's game against the Yankees at Camden Yards. Brandon Snyder and Troy Patton, summoned from Triple-A Norfolk, will take their places on the 25-man roster. Lee has a strained left oblique. Izturis has nerve irritation in his right hand that's causing two of his fingers to go numb. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed the decision to place Izturis on the disabled list...
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Orioles lineup missing Roberts and Lee (game postponed)

Orioles lineup missing Roberts and Lee (game postponed)
First baseman Derrek Lee remains day-to-day with a strained left oblique. He hasn't gone on the disabled list, but I'm told Brandon Snyder just walked into the clubhouse. Second baseman Brian Roberts isn't starting tonight because he's 8-for-47 (.170) lifetime against knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. For the Orioles: Robert Andino 2B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Jake Fox 1B Zach Britton LHP Update:...
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Snyder and Patton in Boston, waiting on Orioles lineup

Snyder and Patton in Boston, waiting on Orioles lineup
Batting practice was canceled because of the rain, but it didn't stop Triple-A first baseman Brandon Snyder and left-hander Troy Patton from flying into Boston. Snyder and Patton have joined the Orioles - according to tweets from The Sun's Peter Schmuck and Jeff Zrebiec, and also confirmed by a team official - and will be activated if first baseman Derrek Lee and infielder Cesar Izturis go on the disabled list. They're in a holding pattern. Again, not because of the weather. I'm sure you...
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Still waiting on possible roster moves (Simon update)

Still waiting on possible roster moves (Simon update)
The Orioles won't know whether they'll need to make any roster moves today until first baseman Derrek Lee shows up at Fenway Park and infielder Cesar Izturis is examined back in Baltimore. Lee left last night's game in the third inning with a strained left oblique. The club listed him as day-to-day, and he'll be reevaluated once he arrives at the ballpark and heads to the trainer's room. Izturis flew back to Baltimore yesterday after complaining of some numbness in his right hand. He'll...
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Matusz probably Bowie-bound

Matusz probably Bowie-bound
Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz will most likely make his second injury rehab start Saturday at Double-A Bowie. The club also considered Triple-A Norfolk, but it appears that Matusz will take the mound at Prince George's Stadium for a 6:35 p.m. game against Erie. Last night, Matusz allowed one run and two hits, with two walks and two strikeouts, in four innings at Single-A Frederick. He threw 60 pitches, 37 for strikes. The Orioles want to extend Matusz to 75-80 pitches Saturday. They'll...
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Orioles need the 'pen to be mightier

Orioles need the 'pen to be mightier
I should have stayed in Frederick last night. The Single-A Keys rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and defeated Potomac, 3-2. Left-hander Brian Matusz was spared the loss in his first injury rehab start when Jacob Julius stroked a pinch-hit, game-tying single and Buck Britton followed with a two-run single. Brother Zach would be proud. Yes, I should have hung around Harry Grove Stadium on Bark in the Park night. And yes, I'm trying to come up with a dog-related joke...
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Tillman left game with back tightness

Tillman left game with back tightness
Manager Buck Showalter used six relievers tonight. That's a lot of baton passing. Kevin Gregg finally dropped it at the end, walking two batters and surrendering Adrian Gonzalez's two-run double. Oriole relievers allowed five earned runs (eight total) and 10 hits, with four walks, in 3 1/3 innings. So why did Showalter remove starter Chris Tillman after five innings and 88 pitches? It's always a good idea to wait for the explanation instead of immediately ripping a decision. Showalter...
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Gonzalez and Accardo continue to struggle (O's lose 8-7)

Gonzalez and Accardo continue to struggle (O's lose 8-7)
A 6-0 lead wasn't passed to steady hands. Michael Gonzalez replaced Chris Tillman in the bottom of the sixth and allowed four runs (one earned) and three hits in one-third of an inning. Jeremy Accardo replaced him and let two inherited runners score, along with one of his own. Gonzalez has allowed runs in his last three outings and hits in his last five. In five appearances covering four innings, he's surrendered seven runs (four earned) and 10 hits. Accardo has allowed runs in five...
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Strange happenings in Boston

Strange happenings in Boston
I tried listening to the Orioles game on my ride home from Harry Grove Stadium, but I kept losing the signal. I heard enough to know that first baseman Derrek Lee left the game with a strained left oblique, which a team spokesman confirmed in a quick phone call to the Fenway Park press box. The Orioles are listing him as day-to-day. I've been asked on Twitter about the severity of the injury. It just happened a few innings ago and I was in Frederick, so a definite answer isn't coming...
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Simon back in U.S., Matusz talks about outing

Simon back in U.S., Matusz talks about outing
FREDERICK, Md. - Alfredo Simon has returned to the U.S. tonight after flying to the Dominican Republic on Saturday. He's expected back in Baltimore around 10:30 p.m. and will pitch for Double-A Bowie tomorrow night in Richmond. This will be Simon's third rehab start with the Baysox. Brian Matusz said he felt good tonight while throwing 60 pitches in four innings against the Single-A Potomac Nationals, "but I felt better in the bullpen warming up before the game." Matusz allowed one run...
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Matusz has scoreless 3rd (and 4th)

Matusz has scoreless 3rd (and 4th)
FREDERICK, Md. - Brian Matusz stranded a runner on third base in the third inning, getting a strikeout and fly ball. He threw 10 pitches, six for strikes. Matusz has thrown 47 pitches, 29 for strikes. He's on a 55-60 pitch limit. Potomac's No. 9 hitter, Eury Perez, reached on a bunt single, stole second with one out and took third on catcher Brian Ward's throwing error. Jeff Kobernus struck out and Destin Hood flied to center. Matusz is working quickly, and he's not getting much rest....
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Matusz breezes through 1st inning (but not the 2nd)

Matusz breezes through 1st inning (but not the 2nd)
FREDERICK. Md. - Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz retired the side in order in the top of the first inning, throwing 10 of his 14 pitches for strikes. Cutter Dykstra, son of former major leaguer Lenny Dykstra, flied to center field on a 1-1 pitch. Jeff Kobernus struck out on three pitches, and Destin Hood shattered his bat while grounding to third base on a 2-2 pitch. The radar gun readings that are posted on the scoreboard don't appear to be accurate. One pitch was clocked at 51 mph. A...
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