Let the second half begin. If I remember correctly, the Orioles won the toss back in April and elected to receive, so they'll begin tonight's game on defense. They've got a spot to fill on their roster after placing catcher Matt Wieters on the disabled list, retroactive to Saturday. Third baseman Josh Bell is expected to be recalled. Update: The Orioles just confirmed that they called up Bell. Felix Pie is available tonight after injuring his quad last Friday night while swinging at a...

Among those that think Buck Showalter is the right man to become the next manager of the Orioles is ESPN's Tim Kurkjian. Kurkjian was on the Scott Garceau show Thursday that airs on MASN and O's flagship station, 105.7 the Fan. He told co-hosts Jeremy Conn and Pete Medhurst that Showalter is the right guy to lead the Orioles. "I think he will manage the Orioles and I think he's the perfect man for the job. I know Buck better than most, having sat next to him on Baseball Tonight many...

Brandon Waring hit his second homer in his last two games with Double-A Bowie, and his third in 10 games, raising his season's total to 15 and giving him 48 RBIs. Waring went 2-for-4 to bump up his average to .245, and the Baysox rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to take an 8-6 victory over Richmond. Ryan Adams, Tyler Henson and Joe Mahoney each had two hits for Bowie. Henson drove in the tying run in the ninth, and Mahoney tripled in two more to provide the winning margin. Steve...

The Orioles placed catcher Matt Wieters on the 15-day disabled list today with a strained right hamstring. The move is retroactive to July 10. A corresponding roster move will be announced tomorrow. The Orioles held a workout at Camden Yards earlier today, and Wieters' leg must not be responding to rest. Better to go with a full bench. I'm expecting Craig Tatum and Jake Fox to handle the catching load. The Orioles could recall Josh Bell as an injury replacement. Bell didn't play for...

The Orioles today announced that they have placed CA Matt Wieters on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring, retroactive to July 10. Wieters, 24, has batted .245 (66-269) with six home runs and 29 RBI in 77 games for the Orioles. A corresponding roster move will be announced tomorrow.

WOODBRIDGE, Va. -- The day following his third rehab start for Potomac, Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann says he was most pleased with how well his changeup was working Wednesday against Kinston. Jordan went four innings, scattering six hits, allowing one unearned run, no walks and striking out four. Jordan threw 53 pitches, 40 for strikes. "I thought it went pretty well. I threw a lot more changeups then I usually do. I have been working on that with (pitching coach) Paul (Menhart). ...

The Orioles will unveil a new and improved Carvel Kids' Corner when the team opens their homestand tomorrow, Friday, July 16, against the Toronto Blue Jays at 7:05 p.m. Improvements and enhancements to the new Carvel Kids' Corner, located inside Gate C at Camden Yards, include two new interactive games that young fans will be able to play whenever they visit Oriole Park. "Home Run Derby" will give youngsters the chance to take their hacks in a batting cage, while "Strike Zone", featuring...

You won't find a Hallmark card to commemorate the occasion, but Rafael Palmeiro joined the 3,000-hit club exactly five years ago tonight. Palmeiro made history by lining a double off Seattle's Joel Pineiro in the fifth inning at Safeco Field. I didn't realize it happened on this date until reading Billy Ed Smith's comment, which I'll post below. On this final off day before the second half slog begins, we as Orioles fans should mark this solemn anniversary. Five years ago today, Rafael...

The All-Star Game earned its lowest rating on Tuesday. See what happens when you don't let Ty Wigginton bat? Luke Scott is listed on the Gulf Coast League Orioles' roster today, joining second baseman Brian Roberts. Scott has been running and hitting at the minor league complex in Sarasota, and he's serving as the designated hitter and batting third today against the GCL Twins in his first injury rehab game. Roberts is leading off and playing second base. Update: Roberts lined a single...

Nationals pitcher John Lannan had his best start of the four outings so far at Harrisburg July 10 against the Reading Phillies. Lannan went six innings and allowed five hits and two runs, while striking out six batters and walking only one. Pitching coach Randy Tomlin says Lannan is gaining his confidence back with each start. "John did very well in his last outing. He needed to spot the ball more consistently and he did that. He is feeling really good about himself and the adjustments...