Information on "Birdland Social" and other notes (updated)

The Orioles will host "Birdland Social," a Social Media Night event at Camden Yards on July 28 prior to the 7:05 p.m. game against the Braves. The exclusive pregame party on the center field Roof Deck will host 250 of the Orioles' most engaged social media followers.

I'll join former pitcher and current MASN analyst Jim Palmer for a Q&A session with fans, continuing my Hall of Fame tour. Cal Ripken Jr. yesterday, Palmer on July 28.

Someone get Brooksie on the phone.

Tickets for the Birdland Social pregame party range from $30 to $60 and include access to the party, a catered menu, two drink coupons per person, a ticket to the game (Roof Deck, Eutaw St. bleachers or upper reserve with varied pricing) and an exclusive T-shirt with a unique social media design. The party will run from 5-6:30 p.m.

A limited number of tickets are available at www.orioles.com/birdlandsocial.

Additionally, the Orioles are offering fans the chance to vote on one of three unique designs for the Birdland Social T-shirt. Fans may vote via individual hashtags on Twitter or Instagram. Real-time results of the voting and the T-shirt designs are viewable on www.orioles.com/birdlandsocial.

The Giants signed former Orioles infielder Everth Cabrera to a minor league contract, according to CBSSports.com.

The Orioles released Cabrera on June 13 after designating him for assignment a week earlier. He batted .208/.250/.229 in 29 games while filling in at shortstop and second base.

The Orioles signed Cabrera to a $2.4 million deal in February. They had no interest in bringing him back to the organization on a minor league deal.

I ran the idea past executive vice president Dan Duquette, who replied, "We're set."

Hunter Harvey, the 22nd overall pick in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, started a throwing program last week in Sarasota and hasn't experienced any issues with his right arm.

Harvey, on the minor league disabled list with a strained right flexor mass, is throwing from 60 feet on flat ground. He had been shut down after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection on May 18.

As a reminder, here are the pitching matchups for the three-game series against the Tigers at Comerica Park:

Friday: Ubaldo Jimenez (7-4, 2.81 ERA) vs. Anibal Sanchez (8-7, 4.63 ERA)
Saturday: Chris Tillman (6-7, 5.40 ERA) vs. David Price (9-2, 2.38 ERA)
Sunday: Miguel Gonzalez (7-6, 4.24 ERA) vs. Justin Verlander (0-2, 5.34 ERA)

Update: Triple-A Norfolk pitcher Michael Bowden opted out of his contract, as expected. The Tides made the announcement on Twitter.

Bowden was 7-2 with a 1.91 ERA, 20 walks and 52 strikeouts in 24 games over 75 1/3 innings. His ERA led the International League.

There were mixed opinions in the organization whether Bowden would have similar success at the major league level. Either way, the Orioles didn't have a spot for him on the pitching staff.