Hammel will miss next start (Andino breaks tie)

Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel will miss his next start, according to a team spokesman. Manager Buck Showalter will provide more details following today's game. Hammel underwent an MRI on his right knee at 1 p.m. At this point, there's been no indication that he's facing surgery. We're told that Showalter will discuss Hammel's treatment. Hammel limped off the field in the top of the fourth inning last night after throwing a pitch to Tigers outfielder Brennan Boesch. He said the pain was located in the same area that's required treatment throughout the season. However, the knee didn't swell during the night, which brought some encouragement. Left-hander Brian Matusz is considered the favorite to take Hammel's scheduled turn Wednesday night in Minnesota. Showalter brought up the possibility during his pregame session with the media, and Matusz tossed a four-hit shutout in his first start at Triple-A Norfolk. Matusz is listed as Sunday's starter for Norfolk, but he'll likely be replaced in the Tides' rotation. Hammel is 8-6 with a 3.54 ERA in 109 1/3 innings and has lost his last four starts. As for today's game, the Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning against Wei-Yin Chen on Prince Fielder's two-out RBI double, but Jim Thome doubled in the bottom half to score Nick Markakis, who led off with a double. Thome produced his first extra-base hit and second RBI since joining the Orioles. J.J. Hardy, who began the day in a 3-for-44 slump, laid down a sacrifice bunt following Markakis' double. Down on the farm, Triple-A Norfolk Tides infielder Bill Hall was placed on the disabled list today with a left hamstring injury, and catcher Chris Robinson was activated. Left-hander Pedro Viola pitched for the Tides last night, becoming the 64th player to appear in a game this season and setting the franchise record. Update: Robert Andino's two-run homer in the bottom of the second inning gave the Orioles a 3-1 lead. Markakis followed with his second double. I think this leadoff role agrees with him.