Jake Arrieta did not make tonight's start for Norfolk vs. Buffalo. I have found out he is not hurt, this has nothing to do with any injuries. Is he Baltimore bound? There is no word on any of that at this point, but he did not make tonight's start for Norfolk as scheduled. Andy Mitchell is on the mound.

Some of the numbers on the Orioles recent lack and season-long lack of offense. *The O's are on a pace to score 530 runs this year (3.27 per game) which would be the fewest in team history. The fewest number of runs scored by the O's during a 162-game season was 550 by the 1988 Orioles. Of course, the O's are also on pace for a record of 44-118. *The Orioles have scored just eight runs over the past seven games and just 14 runs during their nine-game losing streak. They have just 11...

According to Elias Sports Bureau, Juan Samuel suffered the second-worst loss for a manager in his first game dating back to 1900. Milwaukee's Buck Rodgers lost, 15-2, to the Minnesota Twins in 1980. The Orioles are 15-40 this season. The 1988 team was 13-42 after 55 games. The 1962 Mets were 16-39 on their way to a 40-120 record, the worst in the modern era. The Orioles remain the only team in the majors without a home run from a first baseman. (Garrett Atkins hit one while serving as the...

The Nationals are advising fans to arrive early for Tuesday's major league debut of #1 selection Stephen Strasburg versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Gates and the Miller Lite Scoreboard Walk open at 4:30 p.m. Fans are also urged to pick up their tickets for Tuesdays game early. Will Call windows are open Sunday at 9 a.m. until 30 minutes after the game, Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday at 9 a.m. Parking is limited, but available at Lots HH and W for $5 and $10 respectively. More...

Well, not in the big leagues, but he'll take the ball tonight at home for Triple-A Norfolk vs. Buffalo. Arrieta is 3-0, 0.82 over his last three starts and in 22 innings has allowed just two earned runs with 16 hits and 23 strikeouts. After his last start, he told me he felt 100 percent ready for the Majors. Arrieta leads the International League in ERA and is tied for first with 71 innings. Opponent batters have hit just .183 against him and he is fifth in the league with 62...

O's right-hander Brad Bergesen last pitched in relief during the 2008 season, once for Bowie and once for Frederick. But he will be in the bullpen tonight here at Camden Yards vs. Boston. With Orioles' starters, including Bergesen, having pitched just 9 1/3 innings combined over the last three games, Bergesen is in the pen tonight. As for how long he stays, there, the O's are not saying for certain right now. "I am going to the bullpen for tonight. I'm going to skip at least one...

Michael Gonzalez's bullpen session in Sarasota today didn't go well, and he's been instructed to rest the next two days and try again on Tuesday. Interim manager Juan Samuel was told that Gonzalez's velocity is still down and the left-hander couldn't hit his spots. "That's what I was informed by our pitching coach. His session wasn't that good," Samuel said. Gonzalez is scheduled to throw Tuesday, rest two more days and take the mound again on Friday. I'm not feeling real good...

Injured second baseman Brian Roberts sat out today's extended spring training games in Sarasota after receiving treatment on his sore back. The Orioles played two games against Tampa Bay, winning them both, but Roberts pushed back his debut for the second straight day. No games are scheduled tomorrow, so Roberts will have to wait until Monday if he's deemed ready. "Hopefully, whatever is bothering him will clear up by then," said Gary Kendall, the Orioles' extended spring training...

I woke up this morning convinced that the day would move at a much slower pace than yesterday. We're back on a standard schedule. Get out of bed, check the blog comments and file my first entry. Arrive at the ballpark around 3 p.m., fire up the laptop and check the blog comments. Enter the clubhouse at 3:35 p.m. and copy the lineup. Run up to the press box and post the lineup. Go back down to the clubhouse and talk to a few players. Head for the interview room at 4 p.m. for the manager's...

Here is the final part of my series of interviews with Jim Callis of Baseball America. Today he discusses the O's drafts under Joe Jordan and the dollars the Orioles have spent on the draft. He gives Jordan solid marks for his drafts. "They've been good. I know some Baltimore fans, at least from the emails I get, are a little impatient, saying Matt Wieters isn't all he was cracked up to be and Brian Matusz is struggling. But those were two very good picks. They were guys that didn't...