Thanks to the PR staff's detailed first-half notes, I can answer a question regarding Craig Tatum that's cropped up more frequently on this blog since the Orioles ran off four consecutive wins in Arlington. What is the club's record with its backup catcher behind the plate? The Orioles are 10-9 in games that Tatum has started, compared to 19-50 with Matt Wieters in the lineup. Read as much or as little into it as you want. I'm just tossing out the numbers. Tatum needed a crash course...

Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann took another step forward with a positive rehab start for Potomac Wednesday night. Zimmermann tossed four innings, scattering six hits, allowed one unearned run, no walks and striking out four. Jordan threw 53 pitches, 40 for strikes. Team president Stan Kasten was in attendance to watch Jordan's start. Kinston won the game 3-1, and Zimmermann got tagged with the loss. He has allowed no earned runs in three starts, a span of nine innings. Jordan left...

Double-A Bowie outfielder Tyler Henson went 2-for-4 with two doubles tonight for the West team, which defeated the East, 10-3, in the Eastern League All-Star Game. Baysox closer Pedro Beato needed one pitch to retire former Orioles farmhand Nate Spears and end the game. Triple-A Norfolk outfielder Jeff Salazar went 0-for-1 for the International League, which defeated the Pacific Coast League, 2-1. Steven Bumbry, Brian Conley and Levi Carolus hit their third home runs tonight for Single-A...

Within the span of a few minutes, I had four readers ask whether the Orioles would have any interest in claiming left-hander George Sherrill off waivers. Unfortunately, I'm giving the same answer: I really don't know. He just became available. I can only speculate that the Orioles will pass because they currently have two left-handers in their bullpen - though Mark Hendrickson and Will Ohman are trade candidates - and Michael Gonzalez nearing a return from his injury rehab assignment....

When baseball resumes after the All-Star break, the O's kick off the second half with a 10-game homestand against Toronto, Tampa, and Minnesota. During that homestand, things will be busy here in Birdland. Check out the list of O's events and promo nights coming up in the days just after the All-Star break: Fri, July 16: Fireworks Night Sat, July 17: Replica Brooks Robinson Jersey (Click here for info on a change to this giveaway) Sun, July 18: Kids Batting Helmet Tue, July 20: Jason...

Left-hander Michael Gonzalez will report to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday and pitch in three games before the Orioles decide whether to activate him. Gonzalez will pitch Friday and Sunday. He'll throw again on Monday or Tuesday, depending on whether he needs the rest. John Stockstill, the Orioles' director of minor league operations, said there's a "slight possibility" that the club could activate Gonzalez on Friday, but the reliever's rehab assignment is expected to continue in the...

Starting on Friday, July 16, Verizion FiOS will launch MASN 2 HD, MASN's overflow HD channel, on systems in Washington D.C. Customers in the D.C. metro area will now enjoy every available Nationals and Orioles game in high definition. Verizon FiOS customers in Washington can find MASN 2 HD on channel 501 for the rest of the baseball season. Viewers with Verizon FiOS in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, Prince William and Spotsylvania counties in Virginia, as well as Montgomery and Prince...

We're not quite ready for the second half of the season to begin, but here's how the rotation unfolds when the Orioles get back on the field at Camden Yards: Brad Bergesen Jeremy Guthrie Brian Matusz Chris Tillman Jake Arrieta Bergesen has come full circle. His first start of 2010 came against the Blue Jays on April 9 at Camden Yards. Let the circle be broken. Bergesen allowed five runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings, though he didn't get the decision in a 7-6 loss. Alex Gonzalez...

Nationals right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann gets another rehab start tonight in Woodbridge with the Potomac Nationals facing the Kinston Indians at 7:03 p.m.at Pfitzner Stadium. This will be the 24-year-old Zimmermann's third rehab start and he is expecting to go four innings with a cap of 60-65 pitches. Zimmermann has worked this week primarily on his changeup. Pitching coach Paul Menhart told me he would like to see more changeups from Zimmermann tonight and that will be their main...

I kept tuning in and out of last night's All-Star Game while waiting for Ty Wigginton to bat. I spotted him in the AL dugout a few times, leaning on the railing. But when would he actually play? I glanced up from my plate of sushi and saw Wigginton at third base. I saw his name listed as leading off the next inning. So what happened? Wigginton must have done his best Nick Swisher impression. And to think I had no idea that he could bat from the left side. AL manager Joe Girardi actually...