FREDERICK, Md. - Single-A Frederick Keys shortstop Jonathan Schoop had a three-error top of the fifth inning tonight at Harry Grove Stadium. The first error came when he was charged with fielder's interference, ruled by the umpires, that sent a baserunner from second to third base and putting runners on the corners with no outs for Lynchburg. Bobby Bundy then issued his third walk of the night to load the bases for the Hillcats. Then came a bizarre play that ended with Schoop adding his...

Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson has been hospitalized as part of a follow-up procedure related to an infection he developed more than two months ago. He prefers to keep his health a private matter, but that's virtually impossible. Rather than have rumors and speculation continue to swirl, Robinson released the following statement earlier today: "As you may recall, I was hospitalized in April for a routine procedure. I was recently hospitalized for a follow-up procedure, also...

FREDERICK, Md. - The other Bundy is pitching well here tonight. Lynchburg leads Single-A Frederick 1-0 after four innings at Harry Grove Stadium. The Bundy already with the Orioles, Bobby, is on the mound for the Keys tonight, making his 12th start. He begins tonight with a 6-3 record and ERA of 2.73 that is eighth best in the Carolina League. The Hillcats scored off Bundy in the first when he walked the leadoff batter and the next hitter followed with a single. After a sac bunt, an Adam...

FREDERICK, Md. - Jonathan Schoop, the 19-year-old infielder from Curacao, was playing to rave reviews earlier this season when he was with the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds. That hasn't changed in the short time he has been here with the Single-A Frederick Keys, even though he has played in just six Frederick games. Schoop is batting .324 between both teams, the second-best batting average this year in the O's minors behind Kipp Schutz at .343. Schoop is tied for third in the organization...

FREDERICK, Md. - The Keys have the best record in the Carolina League, but for now they are playing without two of their best players. Within about five minutes of each other Wednesday night, the Keys' Tyler Townsend and Trent Mummey suffered hamstring injuries at Potomac that sent both to the disabled list. It's still too early to know exactly when either will return to the Keys' lineup. "It is one of those things we are being cautious with right now," Townsend told me a few minutes...

Justin Duchscherer will make another attempt next week to go five innings in an extended spring training game. Manager Buck Showalter said Duchscherer will pitch Tuesday or Wednesday. According to the Orioles, Duchscherer left Tuesday's game in the third inning with spasms in his gluteus. He had completed four innings in his previous start despite being hit in the stomach by a line drive in the first, and he was scheduled to go five in his next outing. The spasms apparently began after...

The Orioles announced today that they have recalled first baseman Brandon Snyder from Triple-A Norfolk. Snyder, 24, batted .222 (2-9) in five games for the Orioles earlier this season. In 47 games for Norfolk, Snyder batted .253 (48-190) with eight homers and 26 RBI.

J.J. Hardy will make his third career start tonight as a leadoff hitter. Pretty much a no-brainer there. And Brandon Snyder will start at first base against Rays left-hander David Price. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Nolan Reimold LF Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino 2B Brandon Snyder 1B Jeremy Guthrie RHP

When the Short Season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds begin a new season of New York-Penn League play next Friday, there is a good chance that Mychal Givens will be their starting shortstop. The 21-year-old Givens, the Orioles' second-round pick in 2009, would move to Aberdeen from Single-A Delmarva for two main reasons. One, it would give him a chance to play short. He's been playing at second base for Delmarva this year with Manny Machado first and later Jonathan Schoop playing at short for...

Teams in the American League East haven't been bunched this tightly this late since 1994. Going into Friday night, the first-place Boston Red Sox and last-place Baltimore Orioles were six games a part. The division is not known for parity, but it has it this year. The Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays are better. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have struggled with pitching. The Tampa Bay Rays are pitching, but have trouble scoring. Here's a look: * A year ago, the Orioles were the...