Here are some updates on a couple of players. Cla Meredith is struggling since he went down to Triple-A. In four games, he is 1-0 with an ERA of 17.18. Today he gave up two runs in one inning vs. Columbus. In 3 2/3 since joining Norfolk, he has allowed nine hits and seven runs with five walks and strikeouts and a .450 batting average against. Jim Hoey, who pitched for the Orioles in 2006 and 2007, has put together quietly a solid season at Double-A Bowie. Hoey is 0-0, 2.57 after pitching...

Orioles interim manager Juan Samuel told reporters in San Francisco that pitcher Chris Tillman, who allowed six runs in two innings last night, will go to the bullpen while the club needs only four starters. MASN's Amber Theoharis tells me that pitching coach Rick Kranitz believes that Tillman is still a starter, but the young right-hander can work out some issues in the bullpen and "just let it out." Tillman could return to the rotation on June 26, when the Orioles need a fifth starter...

So Jake Arrieta has been with the Orioles five days now and he has seen the team win one game and he started that game. No pressure Jake. Actually I hope the confidence he exudes is there again tonight and that he does not feel any extra pressure to perform vs. the Giants. Hope he is not aware of this stat: Over the last 18 games the Orioles have one win by a starter and that was his win Thursday vs. the Yankees. It's his second Major League start and, on this team, he's already become...

For the Orioles: Corey Patterson LF Miguel Tejada 3B Nick Markakis RF Ty Wigginton 2B Luke Scott 1B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Cesar Izturis SS Jake Arrieta RHP For the Giants: Andres Torres CF Freddy Sanchez 2B Aubrey Huff RF Juan Uribe SS Pat Burrell LF Buster Posey 1B Pablo Sandoval 3B Bengie Molina C Joe Martinez RHP

When I interviewed Cameron Coffey in March, he was upbeat and very optimistic about the 2010 season. But now, outside of taking part at extended spring training, Coffey has not pitched for any O's minor league affiliate and the possibility exists that he won't this year. Coffey underwent Tommy John surgery in March of last year and his velocity has not returned to an expected level. On Thursday, he'll undergo an MRA, which is similar to an MRI, to see if anything else is wrong with the...

Here's the pitch: The Giants have posted a 3.30 ERA, third in the majors. The Orioles have posted a 5.00 ERA, 27th in the majors. The Giants' starters have posted a 3.17 ERA, first in the majors. The Orioles' starters have posted a 5.17 ERA, 29th in the majors. The Giants' 497 strikeouts are tied for third in the majors. The Orioles' 382 strikeouts rank 28th. Jake Arrieta's win over the Yankees Thursday in his major league debut is the only victory by an Orioles starter in the last 18...

Tim Bascom struggled today in his second start at Triple-A Norfolk, lasting only 4 2/3 innings and allowing four runs and eight hits, with one walk and two strikeouts. Columbus leads the Tides, 4-0. Bascom who gave up three runs in seven innings in his Norfolk debut against Gwinnett, threw 100 pitches before coming out of the game. Norfolk has been held to two hits through five innings, both coming from first baseman Michael Aubrey, who has singled and doubled. The Tides are off tomorrow....

There was a clear-cut winner for May's round of 'Where in the Yard?' here in the Orioles Buzz, even if I'm a little belated in announcing it. Avi M took the crown last month, truly earning his victory after hitting each answer on the head and racking up a flurry of bonus points, many of which came from posting fan photos to the MASNsports.com Facebook Page. Check out his photos (which gave him the winning edge) here: So nice work to Avi for his hard work throughout the month of...

Nats fans, don't forget to pick up your copy of Sports Illustrated this week. Stephen Strasburg, "National Treasure," will be on the cover. With 22 strikeouts, 2 wins and a storybook debut, Strasburg also earned the National League's player of the week award. The cover story is a feature piece on Strasburg by Albert Chen. It caps a big week for the rookie pitcher, who also announced the "Top 10" on the David Letterman Show last Thursday. The only over Nationals related Sports...

The debate is obvious, but not the decision. Do the Orioles send down Chris Tillman or keep running him out there every five days and hope that the education proves beneficial? Do they allow him to work out his issues in a less-pressurized environment and protect his ego, or figure he has nothing else to prove at Triple-A? The guess here is Tillman will land in Norfolk's rotation after he fell to 0-3 with an 8.40 ERA. He lasted only two innings last night, allowing six runs and six hits, and...