Orioles Roster Changes

Amidst the teams recent stuggles, the Orioles have made more adjustments to the major league roster.  First off, 3B/1B Mark Reynolds has been activated from the disabled list, replacing pitcher Stu Pomeranz, who suffered a torn oblique. Roch Kubatko also reported, Endy Chavez will rejoin the team and pitcher, Miguel Gonzalez has been summoned from Triple-A Norfolk to the big leagues.  As a result, young outfielder Xavier Avery and pitcher Tommy Hunter have been sent down to the minor leagues.  Both are going to the Orioles Triple-A affiliate, Norfolk.

Hunter had his worst outing of the year the last night, getting touched up for 6 runs (five earned) and 9 hits over just three innings.  With Zach Britton inching closer and closer to returning, Hunter's spot is definitely in jeopardy as the season progresses.  Xavier Avery had a good showing for a young player being thrust into the big leagues.  Avery still needs to learn to play LF since he is a natural CF.

Next injured players to keep your eyes on for returns are Brian Roberts, Zach Britton, and Nolan Reimold.  Hopefully Mark Reynolds can have a power surge to help out Adam Jones and Matt Wieters with the offensive support.  I only hope Buck Showalter puts him nowhere near starting at 3B.

Until then, let's hope the O's can snap out of this funk tonight against the Blue Jays as we have more AL East rival games upcoming.

The Beltway Series Summary

I don't know about the rest of you, but this series always gets me extra pumped up as a local fan.  We get to see not one, but two franchises battle it out for MD/DC supremacy.  The best part is that the series takes place twice a year.  As you all probably know, the Orioles took two of three games from the beltway rival, Washington Nationals.

Nationals Park looked to have been sold out on Saturday, when a few friends and I went to see the game. We were luckily able to get standing room only tickets for a mere $20.  The only other seats available were $185, which shows the fans definitely came out for this series.  It was my second time at Nationals Park, and while I am a bit biased towards Camden Yards, I like the park in "Natstown" as well.

Now, on to the actual games.  The first two games were played very well, while Sunday's game was a six run loss by the Birds.  Orioles fans got their first look at both of the Nationals young phenoms, Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg.  Strasburg pitched five innings, striking out eight Orioles, while only giving up one earned run.  He also made another highlight, hitting his first major league home run.
Wei-Yin Chen got torched, giving up six runs in 4 1/3 innings.  Chen also had five strikeouts and three walks. 19-Year-Old Bryce Harper went a combined 4-for-12 in the three game series with 2 RBI.

The other two games featured home runs by Adam Jones and Nick Markakis.  Pedro Strop picked up his third save of the year in game one, followed by Jim Johnson closing it out for save number 15 in game two.  Adam Jones is pacing the Orioles offensively so far this season, leading the team in home runs and RBIs, while hitting at a .308 clip.

Overall, it was a great first series with the Nats this year.  We took the series, and the Orioles fanbase came out in large numbers this weekend.  At the game, there were alternating, "Go Nats" and "Go O's" chants, showing team pride.  On Saturday, there was even a free hat giveaway.  This was my first beltway series in person and the atmosphere was ELECTRIC!!  I hope this truly can become a great rivalry.  It also helps when both teams are off to great starts!  Can't wait till the Camden Yards trip for the Nats!! Keep it here for Orioles news/updates and commentary!

Orioles Switch Up The Roster

After finishing off a three game sweep of the Boston Red Sox yesterday, the Orioles made some adjustments to their roster before the series with the AL Champion Rangers began.  Yesterday's starting pitcher, Tommy Hunter, along with Ronny Paulino, have both been demoted to Triple A.  Both moves were surprising, even given that Hunter did not fair well in Sunday's game.  He allowed five runs on eight  hits in 4 1/3 innings.  Paulino definitely hadn't been doing badly.  He was hitting .300 with three RBIs in limited duty.  Paulino made some sense only because the Orioles had called up Luis Exposito and I figured they would not go with three catchers for long.

While Hunter and Paulino were optioned, two relief pitchers were recalled to the team.  Jason Berken will replace Hunter's roster spot while Stu Pomeranz will take over for Paulino.  O's fans recognize Berken from past years.  He is currently pitching to a 1.23 ERA in Norfolk.  Pomeranz, is the brother of Rockies pitcher, Drew Pomeranz who was the centerpiece in the Ubaldo Jimenez trade from Cleveland.  Hopefully, they can make an impact and help the team while this brutal stretch in the schedule continues.

Tsuyoshi Wada Needs Tommy John Surgery

One of the more interesting offseason signings by Dan Duquette, pitcher, Tsuyoshi Wada is headed for Tommy John surgery.  Ken Rosenthal first reported the news on Twitter.  Wada has not made an appearance yet this year due to injury.  Wada, along with Wei-Yin Chen, were the major international signings for the Birds.  Chen has been great so far this year.  Before news broke of Tommy John surgery, if Wada were to have returned, it was being debated whether he was headed to the bullpen or to start.  Here are his stats from the Japanese League.  Wada, 31, signed a two-year contract worth $8.15 million, plus a club option for 2014.  Even with advances in Tommy John surgeries, Wada will still miss the rest of the 2012 season, but should be back ready to go next year!