The Orioles have made it through the first 30 rounds of the First-Year Player Draft. Bring on the last 20 picks tomorrow. So far, they've taken 10 right-handers, five left-handers, two catchers, one first baseman, four third basemen, two shortstops and six outfielders. They've selected 21 college or junior college players, including 12 of their 15 pitchers. Orioles right-hander Chris Jakubauskas is shutting out Oakland on two hits over four innings, with one walk and four strikeouts. He...

J.J. Hardy didn't have an official at-bat as a leadoff hitter in the majors until tonight. On the second pitch thrown to him, Hardy homered to left field to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead. It wasn't supposed to work out that way, but manager Buck Showalter will take it. Baseball-reference lists Hardy as appearing in the leadoff spot in one game, but not having an at-bat. Hardy can't remember the circumstances. Maybe he was part of a double-switch. Hardy jumped on an 0-1 pitch tonight from...

The Orioles took a Baltimore-area kid among their draft picks today when they selected Kevin "K.J." Hockaday in the 14th round with the 425th overall selection. Hockaday played high school ball at John Carroll in Harford County and the Joppatowne resident has a college commitment to play at the University of Maryland. His high school coach, Joe Stetka, is also an Orioles' associate scout. He said it was emotional for him and the Hockaday family today when the hometown kid got drafted by...

Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts won't be cleared to begin baseball-related activities for at least two more weeks after being reexamined today by Dr. Michael Collins, a concussion specialist based in Pittsburgh. Roberts reported that he's feeling a little better, and he could begin light activities, such as cardiovascular exercises, during this two-week period. "I wouldn't call it bad news," manager Buck Showalter said. "We knew the process and precautions that we have." Roberts...

In the 17th round of the First-Year Player Draft, the Orioles selected right-hander Nick Carmichael of Palomar (Calif.) College. In the 18th round, they took third baseman Bradley Roney of Wetumpka (Ala.) High. And in the 19th round, they selected Central Arkansas left-hander Dustin Ward. Yes, eighth-round pick Johnny Ruettiger, a center fielder from Arizona State, is the nephew of Daniel Ruettiger, the walk-on Notre Dame football player whose story inspired the movie "Rudy." I've been...

Luke Scott is looking forward to his return to the Orioles lineup tonight. He has not played since Friday against Toronto, but he's in there tonight batting seventh in left field. Scott got a cortisone shot in his ailing right shoulder on Sunday. It seems that shot has worked for him so far. "It feels the best it's felt in six weeks. That's a positive," he said in the clubhouse a few moments ago. Then he headed out for batting practice to test the shoulder in the cage for the first time...

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will not play tonight but is expected to play Wednesday night for Single-A Potomac Nationals. Zimmerman has gone 4-for-5 in two rehab starts as he recovers from abdominal surgery.

Justin Duchscherer left today's extended spring training game in the third inning with a sore hip, yet another setback that reduces that chances that he'll pitch for the Orioles this season. Duchscherer went four innings in his last outing and was supposed to go five today, but he didn't make it. The Orioles would have considered sending him on an injury rehab assignment if he had completed his start. Duchscherer is being paid $700,000 this year, and he would earned an extra $400,000 for...

During the next homestand, the Washington Nationals will raise funds for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help victims of recent tornadoes across the country. From Alabama to Missouri, the Red Cross has launched 20 separate relief operations in the United States since March 31. More than 4,500 Red Cross workers from all 50 states have been deployed to help those in need. A portion of proceeds from tickets purchased at nationals.com/relief will be donated to the cause. Tickets...

The Washington Nationals will launch a special initiative to support relief efforts in areas devastated by recent tornadoes. During the team's series against the St. Louis Cardinals and the Baltimore Orioles from June 14 to June 19, a portion of proceeds from tickets purchased at nationals.com/relief will be donated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund. Tickets eligible for the donation include: * LF/RF Baseline Reserved * LF/RF Corner * Outfield Reserved * Scoreboard Pavilion...