Second baseman Brian Roberts still hasn't been cleared for baseball-related activities after back specialist Dr. Lee Riley examined him yesterday at Johns Hopkins. Manager Dave Trembley doesn't have one specific closer or set-up man. He's waiting for pitchers to step up and claim those roles. "I'm all for it," Trembley said. "That's what I told (Kam) Mickolio when I sent him out. I said, 'Hey, listen, what we've been trying in the bullpen has not worked. I've been giving it to just...

For the Orioles: Adam Jones CF Nick Markakis RF Matt Wieters C Miguel Tejada 3B Luke Scott DH Ty Wigginton 2B Rhyne Hughes 1B Nolan Reimold LF Cesar Izturis SS Kevin Millwood RHP For the Yankees: Jeter SS Gardner LF Teixeira 1B Rodriguez 3B Cano 2B Posado C Granderson CF Swisher DH Winn RF Hughes RHP

The Orioles have officially purchased Alfredo Simon's contract from Triple-A Norfolk, and Kam Mickolio has been optioned to the Tides. Simon is 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA in four games, including three starts, for the Tides. The Orioles also designated reliever Wilfrido Perez for assignment to create room for Simon on the 40-man roster, which is a shocker. Perez was 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA and three saves with Double-A Bowie. He's given up six earned runs and walked five in five innings. Koji...

As the Nats continue their series in Chicago, I spoke with Carrie Muskat, who covers the Cubs for MLB.com, she had some kind words when I asked her about Jim Riggleman's time at Wrigley Field: "Most of the writers will tell you that Riggs was one of our favorite managers at Wrigley during his time here. Riggleman was a very thoughtful and very smart baseball man. I wish him the best because he handled everything so well. What I saw with what he had to go through in San Diego when they...

The Orioles are back home today, and I'll be settling into my press box seat around 3 p.m. The moves haven't been particularly bold, but president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail is massaging the roster while trying to pump more life into the team. Continuing efforts to support manager Dave Trembley, MacPhail will add reliever Alfredo Simon to the bullpen for tonight's game, most likely at Kam Mickolio's expense because the right-hander has options remaining. MacPhail already...

It looks like the Orioles offense is rounding into shape in time for the club's six-game homestand versus Boston and New York. Even without Brian Roberts, the callup of Rhyne Hughes and return of Miguel Tejada has pumped some life into the bats and the lineup. Now let's see that impact the whole team. It's no secret the O's clubhouse is filled with some low-key guys. Nothing wrong with that, there are plenty of good guys and real pros on the roster. But for the next six days the O's...

Happy Monday! How's everybody doing? Ready for tonight's game at Wrigley Field? Have you checked the NL East standings lately? Here's this week's Where at Nats Park contest: Do you know where it is? Leave your guesses in the comment section below (and try not to look at other answers). With our new auto approved comments, it's hard to hide correct answers until Wednesday. Good luck! Answer: It's the baseball in Red Porch sign! Good try, folks!

I just got off the phone with Brad Bergesen, who had boarded the team bus after Triple-A Norfolk's game in Charlotte. Bergesen is hopeful that yesterday's start will be his last with the Tides. Nothing against the club, of course, but he'd like another turn in the Orioles' rotation. It would be a major surprise if the Orioles bypassed Bergesen on Saturday. He did enough yesterday to leave team officials encouraged, allowing only two runs over seven innings, walking none and getting 14...

Checking in with the team some around here know as the "Evil Empire" as the start of another O's-Yankees series is now a day away. The Yankees began the season with back-to-back series wins at Boston and Tampa. They are now 12-6 on the year. They own a 7-5 road record, including 3-3 on their current road trip. They won their first five series to tie a franchise record. But Sunday's loss to the Angels gave LA that series win, two games to one. Overall, New York has lost 3 of 4 since...

Josh Bell has homered twice today and driven in three runs for Triple-A Norfolk, which trails Charlotte, 9-7, in the eighth inning. Update: Both homers came off Charlotte right-hander Matt Zaleski, who entered the game with a 2-0 record and 3.50 ERA in three starts. Bell's bat is heating up. He's collected three more hits to raise his average to .254. He's belted three homers in his last two games and has hit safely in seven of his last eight, going 11-for-32 with seven RBIs. Troy Patton...