If I appear to be typing more slowly this morning, it's because I'm feeling a little dizzy. I struck out at a bar last night and hit myself over the head with a beer bottle. We're still waiting to find out which coaches, if any, will return in 2011. Each one has met with manager Buck Showalter within the past week. "It's emotional for me," Showalter said. "You care. I'm just trying to be honest and sincere and paint a picture of what the timeframe is and what we're...

By the end of the 2010 season, Jake Arrieta was what we thought he was. One of the top pitching prospects in baseball. In his last three starts, which were against Boston, New York and Toronto, Arrieta went 2-0, 2.60. Over 17 1/3 innings, he walked just two and fanned 13. The reduced walk number was a key stat for Arrieta during his 18 Major League starts this season. Arrieta when he walked 2 or less: 5-0, 2.66 in 8 starts. Arrieta when walking 3 or more: 1-6, 6.70 in 10 starts. That,...

Major league baseball announced Tuesday that pitchers Tim Hudson and Francisco Liriano have each won the Comeback Player of the Year Award. Hudson won the National league honor and will start Game 3 of the NLDS between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants. Liriano helped guide the Minnesota Twins to the American League Central title with a 14-10 record and a 3.62 ERA. He will start game 1 of the ALDS versus the New York Yankees Wednesday night. Both players returned from...

It's my understanding that second baseman Brian Roberts hasn't undergone a CT scan, and the club hasn't scheduled one at this time. Roberts has complained of headaches and dizziness since Sept. 27 in St. Petersburg, when he slammed his helmet with his bat after striking out in the ninth inning. He missed the last six games, but his condition must be improving. Manager Buck Showalter spoke yesterday with head athletic trainer Richie Bancells. "That was a possibility that they were going...

Nolan Reimold admits he had reached a real low point in his season. Expecting to be an every day player in the Orioles lineup, instead he was the regular left fielder in Norfolk. And he was struggling badly at bat. His average was low and so were his spirits. He needed someone, anyone to reach out to for some advice, tips or anything that could get his bat going. He was given the phone number of former Orioles outfielder Brady Anderson. "I had his number for two weeks and then just...

Four Orioles minor leaguers have elected to become free agents: Infielder Scott Moore, first baseman Michael Aubrey and pitchers Cla Meredith and Alberto Castillo. Moore batted .209 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 41 games with the Orioles. Meredith, acquired from the Padres in the Oscar Salazar trade, went 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 21 games. Castillo was 1-0 with a 10.13 ERA in 14 appearances. Aubrey never made it to Baltimore this season. He batted .235 with 22 homers and 68 RBIs in 102 games...

Well, it's not raining this morning, but I woke up with the covers pulled over my head. I refuse to turn on the heat. It's not happening in the first week of October. Meanwhile, my daughter sleeps with her ceiling fan on full-blast. Says it has to be "freezing" in her room. Apparently, it also has to be noisy, because the television stays on all night. She's back in school today. Thanks for all the well-wishes and medical advice. Taking New England -1 last night worked out well for me,...

Potomac Nationals catcher Derek Norris has one more day at instructional league before heading to the Land of the Sun and the Arizona Fall League. The first workout is scheduled for Thursday and the first game is October 12. Norris says he is excited to be able to catch Brad Peacock, Adam Carr and Cole Kimball. Norris caught Kimball for one game and has never caught Carr. He says he can learn from calling games for other pitchers. "I am really looking forward to working with a guy like...

Coming off a 2009 season where he hit .279-15-45 in 358 at bats, Nolan Reimold looked poised to have a solid sophomore season in the Major Leagues. But it started with an injury and later it was his bat that wasn't well and he spent more time in the minors than the big leagues in 2010, playing 94 games with Norfolk and just 39 with the Orioles. Reimold said he can sum up his season in one word. "Brutal. If there is one word to describe it, it's probably that. It's been a tough year,...

Forget the standings that are running in your local newspaper and on-line. Derf did a little research, and a little match, and passed along the AL East standings since Aug. 3. First, here's how the division stacked up before Buck Showalter arrived in Baltimore, including records, winning percentage and games trailing the leaders: New York 66-39 .629 Tampa Bay 66-39 .629 Boston 60-46 .566 6 1/2 Toronto 55-51 .519 11 1/2 Orioles 32-73 .305 34 Here's the division since Aug. 3: Orioles 34-23...