A handful of you have been asking about this year's Brian's Baseball Bash - With B-Rob struggling with injuries, is the Bash still on? With the closure of the ESPN Zone, where will they hold it this year? All valid questions - that now appear to have answers. According to the Community Calendar on Orioles.com, Brian's Baseball Bash is still on and scheduled for Sunday, August 22 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. This year's event will take place at the ESPN Zone-concept similar Dave and Busters in...

Nats pitcher Jordan Zimmermann threw off the mound today before batting practice in his first appearance at Nats Park in quite some time. Zimmermann is recovering nicely from Tommy John surgery and is ahead of schedule for his return. He pitched a couple of dozen pitches to Nats hitters. It looked as if he was throwing at full strength with no problems. More later...

From the O's good news department as they get set to begin a series in San Diego tonight, four of the young pitchers are throwing well right now. Brian Matusz, who starts on the mound tonight at Petco Park, and Jake Arrieta have pitched to a ERA of 2.70 over their last five combined starts. After going through a four-start stretch where his ERA was 9.50, Matusz has pitched to an ERA of just 2.66 over his last three starts and pitched a career-high eight innings in his last outing vs. the...

Brad Bergesen told me that he was on a 65-70 pitch count last night with Triple-A Norfolk, which explains why he left the game after 2 2/3 innings. Bergesen allowed five hits to the Toledo Mud Hens, including a three-run homer to Jeff Larish. He walked two, struck out two and threw 44 of his 65 pitches for strikes. "I felt OK," he said. "I was a little rusty. I hadn't picked up a ball since Sunday. But I gave up a couple hits and then the guy obviously hit that one out, and that was...

Our final profile of the Nationals' All-Stars Among Us looks at Joe Mornini. Remember, voting ends on Sunday, June 20th. Your votes will help to decide which one of these three individuals will represent the Nationals at the 2010 All-Star Game. Joe Mornini co-founded the nonprofit TeamRiverRunner to train and mentor active service members and wounded veterans in whitewater boating and other paddling sports. An active boater, Mornini read many articles about wounded soldiers back in 2004...

You know it's gotten pretty slow around here when a Ryan Ouellette trade to the White Sox has stirred up some fans. I guess it's more about the mystery of it, since we haven't received confirmation or more details from the Orioles. Ouellette found out after last night's game at Double-A Bowie. Ouellette no longer was part of the Baysox's roster and he hadn't pitched since June 8. He was 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in nine games, with 14 hits and 11 walks in 13 1/3 innings. There's been a lot...

On the third day of Strasmas...Ozzie Guillen came to NatsTown. Make sure to follow the outspoken White Sox manager on Twitter this weekend. He's pretty entertaining. After Strasmania tonight, the Nats have plenty of weekend activities planned to celebrate Father's Day. On Saturday, winners of a Father's Day essay contest will be honored on the field during a pregame ceremony. It's also the first bobblehead giveaway of the season. The first 15,000 fans to attend Saturday's game...

Dennis Sarfate picked up his ninth save tonight for Triple-A Norfolk, walking a batter and striking out two. His fastball topped out at 99 mph. I wonder if the Orioles will give him another look. He's doing everything possible to get noticed. Tyler Henson hit his sixth home run for Double-A Bowie. Steve Johnson took the loss against Reading after allowing six runs and five hits in five innings - including a grand slam - with five walks and five strikeouts. Pat Egan threw three perfect...

Even the most diehard observer of the Orioles minor leagues may not know his name. That's okay with Lance West. And this will probably be a real good season for him with Aberdeen this summer even if he doesn't get one hit. Because, for the first time in his life, he'll be playing baseball with sight in both eyes. "I was blind in my left eye, my dominant eye. I had a rough season last year, so I went to see a doctor and found out I had a lazy eye I was born with and it never...

Brad Bergesen, making his first start for Triple-A Norfolk since being optioned, gave up a three-run homer to Toledo's Jeff Larish and lasted only 2 2/3 innings before leaving the game with the Tides trailing, 3-1. Bergesen is charged with three runs and five hits, with two walks and two strikeouts. He threw 65 pitches, 44 for strikes. His night ended after a fly ball and a throwing error by third baseman Josh Bell, with Jim Miller coming out of the bullpen and getting a strikeout. Perhaps...